Two Arrested On Drugs, Firearms Charges

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 — From the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On Thursday, October 2, 2025 members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group and members of the FBI executed a search warrant at 645 Foster Rd. Ext. Henderson, NC 27537. Investigators located and seized Cocaine, Marijuana, SCH I narcotics and multiple firearms to include a firearm classified as a weapon of mass destruction. Charles Pender and Brittini Haynes were arrested as a result of this investigation. Pender was charged with Possession of Firearm by Felon, Possession of Weapon of Mass Destruction, Possession With Intent To Manufacture, Sell And Deliver Cocaine, Possession With Intent To Manufacture, Sell And Deliver SCH I, Possession With Intent To Manufacture, Sell And Deliver Marijuana and Felony Maintaining a Dwelling. Pender was remanded to the Franklin County Jail on Federal Detainer. Haynes was charged with Felony Maintaining a dwelling and was released on a $25,000.00 unsecured bond. Both appear in Vance County court on Nov. 18, 2025.

Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Fall Webworms and Bagworms

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

In this segment we ask ‘What are Fall Webworms and Bagworms and how can we control them?’ There’s also a reminder of an upcoming composting class.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners Of Hope Seeks Program Manager For Freedom BRIDGE, Set To Open Nov. 3

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Community Partners of Hope is looking for a part-time program manager for its new ministry, Freedom BRIDGE, which is being established to help people affected by or at risk of opioid use disorder.

Find details about the job and a link to the application at https://www.cp-hope.org/freedombridge

BRIDGE, which stands for Building Recovery Intervention Development Growth Empowerment, is scheduled to open on Monday, Nov. 3 at 12 noon. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at 936 W. Andrews Ave., right beside Vance Recovery.

Freedom BRIDGE will offer clients the support they need to heal and thrive, through accessible classes, compassionate counseling, prevention programs and recover services.

In addition to serving clients, Freedom BRIDGE will also provide services to client family members.

Email partners@cp-hope.org to learn more.

TownTalk: DMV Commissioner Offers Insight, Updates To Increase Customer Satisfaction

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When Paul Tine stepped into his new role as the state’s DMV commissioner back in May, he knew his role was largely to steer the department through some upgrades and challenges that presented lots of roadblocks to customer service. Hours of waiting in line just to get in the door and impossible-to-get appointments were common complaints, and Tine said he and his team continue to work to make things better.

“Demand is certainly high,” Tine said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, “based on population and the Real ID initiative.”

He acknowledges the need for greater efficiency with internal processes, including upgrading and replacing the record-keeping technology that DMV uses. Customers expect a strong platform, he said, and he hopes to deliver before too long. He said he hopes to award by year’s end a contract to modernize the DMV technology. Until then, Tine and the DMV staff are constantly looking for ways to improve customer satisfaction.

The COVID-19 era requirement that customers make appointments is over, and walk-ins are welcome any time. Tine said 87 percent of clients are walk-ins these days, with the other 13 percent making appointments to conduct their business at DMV.

Moving toward more online transactions is helping ease the crunch at brick-and-mortar DMV offices, and there’s a new queueing system in place that allows customers to wait in their vehicles or other locations nearby instead of braving adverse weather conditions while they wait to get inside the DMV office.

“You can wait wherever you like,” Tine said, and a quick text message from DMV will let customers know when it’s their turn for assistance.

Thanks to more funding from the state legislature, Tine said more examiners have been hired – “the majority of those people in 30 days,” he said. The department is clearing a backlog of employee training by shifting to “in the field” training, which allows employees to serve while they are learning, he said.

Having third-party contractors step in to provide services is proving to be beneficial, too. There are self-serve kiosks in selected areas of the state, and a recent announcement that teen drivers can take their driving tests with a driver education group are just two examples of this partnership.

“We’re hoping to have that first certificate coming in the office any day,” Tine said.

The vast majority of North Carolinians will have to conduct business with the DMV at some time or another, and Tine said he’s sure about one thing:

“Our customers do not care about me…they care about that person they talk to in the office, on the phone, and how good our website is.”

Visit www.ncdmv.gov to learn more.

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McGregor Hall 2025 Live Series Lineup!

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This year’s McGregor Live! series includes something for everyone – from a revenge-seeking barber to a performing dog troupe, with some Christmas tunes, beach music and the Wizard of Oz thrown in for good measure.

The McGregor Live! series package is $135, which Mark Hopper said represents a 25 percent discount from the single-ticket prices.

The season kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 1 with a four-show run of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

This Stephen Sondheim classic won multiple Tony awards in 1979, Hopper said. “This one has a thriller of a story,” he said.

The local production features a 22-member professional orchestra and a cast and crew of about 60.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, with Sunday matinees on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9.

The stage welcomes ‘Plaid Tidings’ for performances on Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec.  20.

This show tells the story of four young men who form an a capella “doo wop” group that performs all your Christmas favorites, Hopper said. With an air of nostalgia, the show makes lots of references to bygone days when celebrities like Ed Sullivan and Perry Como entertained families with TV specials and radio tunes.

The Wizard of Oz On Ice is an interesting addition and came to be because the team at McGregor Hall is thinking outside the box. The performance is Saturday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m.

“There is no way we could afford this as a one-off, meaning a single performance,” Hopper explained. Plus, there’s the whole issue of “ice.”

A California-based company is going on a national tour of the production, which is a reimagined production of the classic story about the girl from Kansas who found her way to the Emerald City.

“We worked out a deal with them to come and do their technical rehearsals here, and in exchange we’re going to get to enjoy a show that otherwise would be way, way, way beyond our reach. This is a really high-end professionally done show with all the characters you know and love – this will be a great, great family show,” Hopper said.

Then, on Feb. 15, the Chairmen of the Board will come to Henderson, bringing with them that toe tappin’ sound that makes you want to get up and dance. Most of the band members are not original members, but Hopper said they all knew the great General Norman Johnson. The band’s current vocalists and band members are real stewards of the band and the music it’s known for, from “You’ve Got Me Dangling On A String” to “Carolina Girls” and more.

The series finale features a man and his mutts – Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix, to be precise.

Join the fun on Sunday, Apr. 26 at 3 p.m. as Peers puts his pups through a series of challenging and hilarious tricks. This group has performed its slapstick comedy routine at Ringling Brothers & Barnam and Bailey Circus and on the David Letterman show. You won’t want to miss it!

Find out more at https://www.mcgregorhall.org/shows-events.

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(This is not a paid ad.)

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Forest Property Boundaries

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Knowing your correct forest property boundaries can save you time and money.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Saturday, Oct. 25 Is ‘Pumpkin Day’ At the Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

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Saturday, Oct. 25 is Pumpkin Day at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. From 9 a.m. to 12 noon, pumpkins and mums will be raffled off every 15 minutes, so be sure to stop by for a chance to win!

According to Market Manager Pat Ayscue, there will be plenty of pumpkin-themed activities for the kids to enjoy, including using cookie cutters to create their own unique style of fall masterpiece.

EBT is accepted and matched with Double Bucks as long as funds are available.  Children still get a $5 token each visit through October.

The market is filling up with fall produce including turnip salad, cabbage and broccoli, not to mention other goodie like local honys and fresh pies and pasture-raised pork, chicken and lamb.

There are plenty of handcrafted treasures including quilts, wooden ware, pottery and holiday wreaths, perfect for gift-giving or decorating your home.

Come on out for Pumpkin Day – you’ll be glad you did.

The market hours are Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through Dec. 13.

26-Year-Old Charged With Murder

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— from the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On October 9, 2025, at approximately 6:45 p.m., deputies from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Island Creek Road regarding a domestic situation. Upon arrival, deputies located a male victim, later identified as 26-year-old Delfine Lowder Sr., suffering from a stab wound. Life-saving measures were performed on Mr. Lowder, Sr, who later succumbed to his injuries.

The victim’s wife, identified as 26-year-old Queen Allah, was identified as the suspect. Allah has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to the incident. Ms. Allah was processed and taken to the Vance County Detention Center where she was turned over to the detention staff. She is currently being held without bond.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is actively investigating the case.