S-Line Rail Corridor

The Local Skinny! Open Houses for Mobility Hub Coming Soon

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The community is invited to attend upcoming information sessions to learn more about the Mobility Hub project that is set to transform the former First National Bank building in downtown Henderson into a spot that will become a place where numerous types of transportation will be available for the public to use, from bike/pedestrian paths to passenger rail service.

The Henderson City Council selected the former bank building as the site of the hub, which is part of the S-Line project that ultimately will complete the rail corridor from Florida to the Northeast.

As part of the public engagement phase of the project, staff from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation will be in town Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14 to hold information sessions.

The Tuesday session will be held in the Farm Bureau room at Perry Memorial Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Wednesday session will be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the site of the future mobility hub, 213 S.  Garnett Street.

The meetings will give the public a chance to ask questions, view a video about the project and provide feedback about design, construction and scale.

A mobility hub is a public facility with regional and local transportation options, offering users choices from walking and biking to bus, shuttle and rideshare options.

CLICK PLAY!

TownTalk: Fasting and Prayer Challenge

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Brian J. Boyd is not alone in his belief in the power of prayer. He’s taking things a step further, however, to combine prayer with the act of fasting and wants to invite others to join him. It’s an effort that Boyd says can have a positive impact on the community and the city.

To that end, Boyd has created a Henderson Vance Prayer and Fasting group, and he challenges area churches to join him in his efforts with a focus on families, the community and the city.

Individuals can sign up for single day or multiple days to commit to fasting and praying for the community, Boyd said on Monday’s TownTalk.

“That fast is something I leave up to the individual – one meal, two meals, it can be a whole day,” he said. “Whatever you decide works for you.”

He did a little quick math and said of Vance County’s total population of 43,000 residents – about 21,000 – fall into the 18-64 age range.

Vance County also has more than 100 churches, he said, with 22,700 members altogether. Using that same age distribution, Boyd figures there are roughly 11,000 church members who are between the ages of 18 and 64.

Divide that 11,000 people by 365 (days in a year) and that’s about 31 people fasting and praying every single day of the year.

“Can you imagine the impact on our community?” Boyd mused.

“Fasting has multiple benefits,” he continued, adding that he is drawn closer to God through fasting and is more knowledgeable of the Word of God.

“Your strength increases and you’re able to pray powerful and fervent prayers,” he said.

He wants to put the power of prayer and fasting to work in the community, which he says is at a crossroads.

Too often Henderson is recognized for negative reasons, from teen pregnancy and drug addiction to violence and murders.

“I want to put that aside,” he said. “I want to bring that to a close.”

If you’d like to join Boyd in his effort, email him at hendersonvanceprayer@gmail.com.

Here’s the link to a simple Google doc to sign up to join the prayer and fasting challenge:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjByTOxNoSRXyFecFHIsi6gPVN8vnyIDuh7GQ6lC_eqWXAww/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF1GtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFkWldhOTlSN29KNXVkRnB0AR7TmXdab2U2NRfR48I6fz4YKAyS_3avd7PujoZkTjQ-RKmvv-fx7pFTxYi1PQ_aem_JW5CcsRfWaZ_AY1ccm1Hpg

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Ticks

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On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Wayne Rowland:

Use insect repellants when in the outdoors to help protect you from ticks.

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 County Schools Celebrates Top Ten Percent In 2025 Graduating Class

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Vance County Schools honored students in the Top 10 Percent of the Class of 2025 Thursday during its Evening of Academic Excellence at the Atrium on the campus of the Center for Innovation.

The Vance County High School Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Korwind Stokes, delivered a moving performance, setting the tone for an evening of celebration and accomplishment.

Thirty-two students were recognized for their achievement – 25 from Vance County High School, 5 from Early College and 1 each from AdVance Academy and Vance Virtual Village Academy.

The night spoke volumes about the determination of these students and their commitment to reaching their goals, even in the face of challenges. To celebrate their success, the senior scholars received a medallion to wear with their graduation attire, a symbol of their outstanding academic achievement.

View photos of the evening on the Vance County Schools Facebook page.

The following students were recognized for their hard work, dedication and outstanding academic performance:

Vance County High School

  • Jessica Hernandez-Sanchez
  • Lia Machado
  • Lucie Lecomte
  • Antoine Doyle
  • Nadirah Martin-Watson
  • Courtney Harp
  • K’Naya Williams
  • Dicenia Nuci
  • Adreayna Vaughan
  • Fernanda Minero Mancera
  • Daniela Hernandez
  • Jaylen Hargrove
  • Ty’Liik Henderson
  • Saydeline Barron Mejia
  • Maurice Jackson
  • Jontavious Nile
  • Nahum Perez
  • Kira Alston
  • La’Nika Watkins
  • Lee Kinney
  • Ronasia Kearney
  • Royer Orozco Orozco
  • Aubryella Ramirez
  • Xya’Riah Best
  • Clarence Debnam

AdVance Academy

Danielle Wilson

Vance County Early College

  • Ivy Huynh
  • Jiya Davis
  • Christina Dobbs
  • Launtica Brown
  • Edgar Duran Ortiz

 

Vance Virtual Village Academy

 

Fatima Ramirez Ramirez

 

Man Charged In Connection With April 18 Best Bet Break-In

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From Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On April 18, 2025 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Best Bet Gas Station located at 4765 NC Hwy 39 South, Henderson, North Carolina 27537 in reference to an alarm. Deputies arrived on scene to find the front glass door was shattered. Deputies entered the store, but the suspect had left prior to their arrival. The incident was turned over to the Vance County Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation.

Kenneth Gray was identified and charged for the incident. Gray was charged and later apprehended for Felony Breaking and/or Entering, Felony Larceny, Misdemeanor Breaking Coin/Currency Machine, and Misdemeanor Injury to Real Property. Gray was given a $75,000.00 secured bond and placed in the Vance County Detention Center.

Free Community Forum Monday, May 5 Features Panel Discussions About Educational And Legal Rights

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Jayden Watkins, teen minister and founder of the local nonprofit Higher is Waiting is hosting a free community forum on Monday, May 5 to share information with young people and their families about their educational and legal rights.

The forum is called “EMPOWER Youself!” and will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Perry Memorial Library. Watkins said it is designed to educate and equip youth, parents and community members with the knowledge of their rights in educational and legal settings.

“I’d love to see the room packed with youth, parents and community members,” Watkins said.

Watkins will serve as moderator as the forum presents two interactive panel discussions – one with local law enforcement and court officials who will provide insight into how the justice system works and the rights of individuals when interacting with law enforcement, and the other with experienced educators who will speak on student rights in school, classroom discipline and parent advocacy.

The goal is to create a safe, informative space where attendees can ask questions, gain understanding and leave feeling more confident, empowered and prepared to navigate real-life situations, Watkins stated.

Refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome.

Scheduled panelists include: Sgt. Brandon Barnes, Capt. Lloyd Watkins, Sr., Deputy Kendrick Wilkins, Magistrate Bratanya Simmons, Rita Jones, Dean Smith, Kendrick Vann and Earlene Bullock.

Collision On I-85 Wednesday Pins One Driver In Vehicle; No Serious Injuries Reported

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From Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

On the evening of April 30, 2025, at approximately 8:30 PM, a two-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 85 near the 213-mile marker. The incident involved a 2015 Freightliner box-style truck and a 2018 Volvo semi-truck.

Preliminary reports indicate that the collision occurred when the Freightliner struck the rear of the Volvo semi-truck, pushing the both vehicles into the secondary-left lane. The impact caused the operator of the Freightliner to become pinned inside the vehicle. Emergency personnel responded promptly to the scene and successfully extricated the individual. They were transported to a nearby medical facility with non-life-threatening injuries. Traffic was diverted during this time for the safety of the involved parties and the safety of emergency personnel.

The driver of the Volvo semi-truck did not report any injuries at the time of the incident.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation. No further details are available at this time.

 

N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn Says House Bill 74 Would Drain $10 Million From Regional Water System Expansion Project

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UPDATE THURS, MAY 1 AT 4:15 P.M. –

House Bill 74, now through the third reading in the N.C. Senate, is one step closer to being passed into law. Wording in the bill calls for $10 million appropriated for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System in expansion project to be reappropriated to fund other projects in the state.

District 32 N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn told WIZS News that he was made aware on Mar. 4 “that language had been added” to House Bill 74 about the proposed reappropriation, in essence pulling funds that had been appropriated in October 2023 to the city of Oxford to help with the water plant expansion project.

Cohn said he contacted stakeholders of the regional water system to form a plan, and turned his attention to the bill’s sponsors. “They were unwilling to accept any amendments or remove the language,” Cohn said Thursday morning.

“There was no way for us to stop it,” he said, calling the maneuver a ‘predetermined outcome.’

“I’ve got the governor involved, I’ve got (U.S. Congressman) Don Davis involved,” Cohn said.

Cohn, a former Oxford town commissioner, was elected in November 2024 to represent N.C. House District 32, which includes most of Vance County and all of Granville County.

 

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TOWNTALK AUDIO UPDATE THURS, MAY 1 AT 11:00 A.M.

CLICK PLAY! — Updated by John Rose

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UPDATE WED, APR 30 AT 5:45 P.M. –

N.C. House Bill 74 covered below and involving the $10 million appropriation for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System plant expansion project, passed its second reading in the Senate this afternoon, but there will be no third reading today. House District 32 Representative Bryan Cohn told WIZS News, “It will need a third reading in the Senate before it can come back to the House.” If adopted by a final House vote, then it would go to the Governor.  The Governor may sign it, veto it or let it sit for 10 days. If it sits on the Governor’s desk for 10 days, it becomes law. — Updated by John Rose

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UPDATE TUES, APR 29 AT 5:54 P.M. –

N.C. State Rep. Bryan Cohn has called a decision by the North Carolina Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee to advance House Bill 74 House Budget Technical Corrections an “egregious misuse of power.”

Cohn, who represents District 32 and serves most of Vance and Granville counties, stated in a press release issued late Tuesday afternoon that House Bill 74 “unjustly removes $10 million in previously awarded state funding for the expansion and modernization of the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant. Despite compelling evidence of severe harm presented during committee testimony, Republican leadership chose to advance the bill, effectively redistributing resources from predominantly African-American communities to wealthier, predominantly white areas of the state.”

The Kerr Lake Regional Water System serves the City of Oxford, the City of Henderson, all of Warren County, as well as numerous surrounding communities. Cohn said the project expansion is underway, with contracts signed, construction begun and local governments committing matching funds based on the state’s commitment it made in 2023.

“Without these funds, the project will face delays and halts in construction, and ratepayers will be levied with an unfair burden to cover costs the state had already committed to fulfilling,” Cohn’s statement continued.

Henderson City Manager/Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry told WIZS News Tuesday afternoon that Mayor Melissa Elliott was in Raleigh today and has been in touch with Cohn, but didn’t elaborate. “The KLRWS has a lawyer and lobbyist that we probably should consult with before much of this can be answered,” Kingsberry said. “Also, the City of Oxford shares our same position.”

Of the $10 million allocated to the city of Oxford, $3 million will now be diverted to the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority and another $3 million will be allocated to Franklin County for an infrastructure project. The remaining $4 million goes to two other counties outside the WIZS coverage area.

“This action by the Senate is not a technical correction—it’s outright theft and political retribution,” said Rep. Cohn. “Stripping critical funds already promised and invested sends a clear, disturbing message: partisan politics comes before the well-being and basic needs of thousands of North Carolinians.”

“Make no mistake—this decision endangers the health, economic stability, and future development of communities that Republicans in Raleigh have repeatedly ignored,” Cohn added. “We cannot allow this egregious misuse of power to go unchallenged.”

Cohn called on legislators across party lines to reverse this damaging decision and protect critical infrastructure investments that support all North Carolinians, regardless of race, income, or political affiliation.

“We demand better,” concluded Rep. Cohn. “The residents of Oxford, Henderson, and Warren County deserve reliable partners in Raleigh, not political adversaries who treat their futures as expendable.”

(Original news post at 5:54 p.m. on Tues, Apr 29 by Laura Gabel)