WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-20-26 Noon
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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Thinning Pines
Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
Pine trees can benefit from timely thinning usually every ten years.
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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TownTalk: Bridging the Digital Divide
A group of local, state and regional partners is teaming up to host a daylong summit in Henderson on July 23 that will focus on closing the “digital divide” in rural areas as a way to improve access to healthcare resources with the ultimate goal of having a positive effect on health outcomes for rural residents.
Organizers say the summit is designed to move beyond discussion and into action by creating a regional framework for collaboration, investment, and measurable outcomes. Participants will explore how broadband can serve as a catalyst for improved healthcare access, stronger workforce participation, economic opportunity, and enhanced quality of life throughout eastern North Carolina.
The Centre for Homeownership and Economic Development Corp. is partnering with state-level departments – Information and Technology and Health and Human Services – along with collaboration from Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott and numerous other community entities to present the program, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson.
“I’m excited about this,” Elliott said. “I know that collaboration is key…we have to collaborate for the betterment of the whole, to make sure people get the care they deserve.”
She hopes that one outcome of the summit will be to gather data that will be used to craft legislation to take to the General Assembly.
Elliott said she’s working with CHOEDC as program director for the “Here to Help” program that’s getting everything organized for July 23. It’s a 12-month contract that began in September 2025, with $100,000 in funding from the U.S. based biotechnology company Genentech.
Broadband accessibility, Elliott said, is becoming more and more critical for people to get access to health care. Patients increasingly are accessing their medical information through online portals, completing screenings and conducting telehealth visits with their health care providers, she noted.
Rural residents without reliable broadband access may not be able to access those medical services.
“The digital divide was contributing to the health care divide,” Elliott said.
Take the idea of telehealth, for example. Elliott said part of the “Here to Help” program included a survey of individuals who live in Vance and surrounding counties. She said only 23 percent of respondents were familiar with the term “telehealth.”
“There are a lot of people in our community and across the rural spaces – particularly the seniors – that can really benefit from telehealth services,” Elliott said, who called herself a telehealth advocate.
This summit is designed to bring together public health, health care systems, local government, nonprofits, broadband providers, educational institutions and community organizations under one shared vision – greater accessibility to broadband service to ultimately have a positive effect on health outcomes for rural residents.
“Reliable internet access has become a critical component of healthcare delivery, education, workforce development, and economic mobility,” said Glyndola Massenburg-Beasley CHOEDC’s chief development officer.
“Yet many households across Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and surrounding counties continue to face barriers to broadband connectivity, limiting access to telehealth services, behavioral health support, chronic disease management resources, and preventive care,” Massenburg-Beasley said in a press statement.
The use of telehealth is becoming more and more frequent, and it can be a convenient way for patients to be in touch with their physicians or other health care providers. People who live in rural areas where broadband access can be sometimes spotty, can’t take full advantage of telehealth visits.
“Broadband access is no longer a luxury—it is an essential component of access to healthcare,” said Massenburg-Beasley.
Educating the public is a key component, Elliott said. Placing an emphasis on having reliable internet connectivity is more than just a convenience for streaming movies and television shows.“We want to make sure that we have the same access that they have in a Raleigh or a Greensboro or Charlotte. We want our people to have the same access to internet services for health care, education, working – whatever they’re utilizing it for.
The hope is to change the mindset of the end user so it’s not just internet for social media and streaming movies. Elliott wants rural consumers to be able to use internet for doctor’s appointments, prescription refills and more.
“Broadband is health care infrastructure,” Elliott said. “Once people understand that connection, the conversation changes from ‘I don’t need the internet’ to ‘I need access to care.’”
The upcoming summit will take a comprehensive look at the needs of rural residents and then work with community stakeholders including managed care organizations, local governments, faith-based institutions and community stakeholders to come up with ways to expand broadband access, strenghthen digital inclusion that improve health outcomes.
Below are some examples of how different groups can contribute to the overall goal:
- CHODEC – focus on community engagement, outreach and implementation strategies that integrate housing stability, workforce development, health equity, and family support services
- Faith-based organizations – serve as critical partners in the initiative. Churches, ministries and interfaith networks will assist with community outreach, digital literacy education, telehealth navigation and trust-building efforts that ensure residents can effectively utilize new technologies and healthcare resources
- Managed care providers – contribute expertise in care coordination, population health management, and telehealth implementation, while local governments are helping identify infrastructure needs and community priorities
- State-level participation – partnership aligns with statewide broadband expansion goals led by NCDIT and healthcare priorities advanced by NCDHHS
Elliott said registration is encouraged, mainly to ensure there’s enough food for everyone. But if you can’t pre-register and would like to come to at least some of the day’s programs, she said by all means, do so.
Contact gmbeasley.com/events to register or to learn more.
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(This audio and web post first appeared on WIZS on July 1, 2026.)
TownTalk: Vance County Water District Offers Debt Forgiveness Program For Eligible Customers
The Vance County Water District has a forgiveness program in place in an effort to help residents with outstanding balances erase that debt and tap on to the water line.
Enterprise Fund and Special Projects Director Frankie Nobles said the water bill forgiveness program will erase 75 percent of the customer’s outstanding balance.
“We’re trying to help some customers that want water but they haven’t paid their $30 a month fees like they should have,” Nobles said.
These customers started the process to tap into the water line once it was available, and that’s when they began receiving that monthly $30 accessibility fee.
For whatever reason, there are customers who didn’t complete the process to tap into the water line, but they kept accumulating the monthly accessibility fee.
Now – several years later, in some cases – customers find themselves with outstanding balances.
Nobles said customers who are interested in completing the process to tap into the county water line can pay 25 percent of what they owe and they’ll be connected.
The offer will be in effect through March 2027.
The county also has slashed the normal $1,795 tap fee down to $125, which will remain in place until the current water expansion project in Kittrell is completed. Nobles said should be in mid-September 2026.
The Kittrell expansion is the fifth phase the county has undertaken to try to get more water throughout the county. Nobles said more than 23.6 miles of water line is involved. A final total won’t be available until the project is completed, he added, but the price tag is more than $10 million.
“We’re getting there,” he said. “It just takes a while to get it done because of the cost.”
Nobles said the county initially loses money, but added that as more customers come on line, the county can make that money back. “That’s what we’re trying to do, add customers to our system and that really helps cover all of our costs.”
He gets calls each week from residents who have problems with their wells and ask about county access to provide clean drinking water.
“We want to be able to help the citizens in the community that do want water and (who) are having issues with their well,” he said. “We want to help as much as we can.”
The county contracts with Envirolink to handle repairs, leaks, and meter installation. Contact Envirolink at 252.235.4900 or toll-free at 888.754.9878 to learn more. The email is customerservice@envirolinkinc.com
Nobles said he also is available to try to help answer residents’ questions. Contact him at 252.738.2005.
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(The above audio and text originated on WIZS May 20, 2026.)
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-17-26 Noon
Listen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
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VGCC Foundation Craft Fair Vendor Deadline Sept. 25 For Oct. 9 Event
– Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel
The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation will host the 4th annual “Fill the Pantry” Craft Show on Friday, Oct. 9, from 2–7 p.m. inside the VGCC Civic Center in Henderson.
This popular community event brings together local artisans, crafters, and vendors for an afternoon of shopping, creativity, and giving back. Proceeds from the event will directly support the VGCC Food Pantry, which provides essential resources to students facing food insecurity across Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.
The Foundation is currently seeking vendors to participate in this year’s event. Booth spaces are available for $25 for each 10′ x 10′ space ($50 for a 10′ x 20′ space), plus a donated item to be used for raffles. This event offers an affordable opportunity for local businesses and creators to showcase and sell their products while supporting a meaningful cause.
“The ‘Fill the Pantry’ Craft Show continues to grow each year, thanks to the incredible support of our community,” said Angela Douglas, Food Pantry assistant. “This event not only highlights local talent but also helps ensure our students have access to basic needs so they can focus on their education and future success.”
Community members are encouraged to attend, shop, and support the cause. A wide variety of handmade goods, crafts and unique items will be available. The entry fee for shoppers is three canned goods or non-perishable items.
To register as a vendor, complete the online interest form at https://bit.ly/4vQVsyR. Please note vendors will not be considered registered unless they have paid before the deadline of Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Vendors must offer items for sale.
For additional information or questions, please contact Angie Douglas douglasa@vgcc.edu or 252.738.3323.
Nominations For State Fair 2026 ‘Farm Family Of The Day’ Program Open Through Aug. 21
— Information courtesy of the N.C. State Fair office
The N.C. State Fair will recognize 11 farm families during the fair this year through the Farm Family of the Day program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company. Nominations and applications are being accepted now through Aug. 21. If you are a proud N.C. farmer who works hard to contribute to our state’s No. 1 industry, and loves both farming and the N.C. State Fair, your family could be one of the lucky ones selected to represent the industry at the fair.
“This is the sixth year we have honored farm families with the Farm Family of the Day program at the N.C. State Fair,” said N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Helping people make the connection between farming and the food that they enjoy is one of our top missions at the N.C. State Fair each year. Thanks to Tractor Supply Company, we can help tell the story of our farmers because they are the individuals out there every day working to grow the food, fiber and fuel that we need to survive.”
Families recognized as Farm Family of the Day will be honored across the grounds on their assigned day, as well as awarded an N.C. State Fair gift basket, including fair tickets to use on any day of their choice during the 2026 N.C. State Fair, ride passes and additional swag from both Tractor Supply Company and the N.C. State Fair.
Families will be chosen by both nomination and application forms. Applications can be found online at https://www.ncagr.gov/2026-farm-family-day-application-form/open or nomination forms can be found online at https://www.ncagr.gov/2026-farm-family-day-nomination-form/open.
The 2026 N.C. State Fair will run Oct. 15-25 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The fair offers an experience unique to North Carolina for all who attend, and is an unparalleled value with free entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors and creative deep-fried delights.
To learn more, visit www.ncstatefair.org.
City Of Henderson Forming Opioid Settlement Advisory Board
The city of Henderson is accepting applications through July 31 for individuals interested in serving on an opioid settlement advisory board.
At its July meeting, the Henderson City Council voted unanimously to create an advisory board upon a recommendation from interim City Manager Kendrick Vann.
Vann stated that other cities and towns have formed advisory boards to provide direction on how to allocate funds from the multi-billion dollar opioid settlement.
Prospective advisory board members include individuals with professional backgrounds in drug addiction/treatment, health care and mental health and public health fields.
Submit applications to Tracey Kimbrell at traceykimbrell@henderson.nc.gov or call 252.430.5705.
For more information about the advisory board, contact Brandi Dukes at
brandidukes@henderson.nc.gov or call 252.430.5702.
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Theory of 7’s
Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
We begin a new series called the Theory of 7’s. This is a fatherhood framework for raising children, one stage at a time. We talk about how we expect our children to stay the same, while parents stay the same.
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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TownTalk: Around Old Granville – Nathaniel Macon
Some may say that the area known as Old Granville County can lay claim to having the original “Senator ‘No’” among its residents, more than a century before the longtime TV editorialist-turned politician Jesse Helms was known by the dubious nickname.
That man – Nathaniel Macon – was perhaps the foremost public figure from North Carolina in the early 19th century said WIZS’s Bill Harris. Bill and local historian Mark Pace recounted stories about Macon and his rise to prominence in the political arena in the 1800’s on Thursday’s Around Old Granville segment of TownTalk.
“He might have been the most important and significant North Carolinian in his time and his day,” Pace said. “He personified North Carolina.” The North Carolina of that time, anyway. Which meant that he was a staunch conservative who didn’t believe the government had any business doing much of anything that interfered with individual rights and private industry.
His ideas aligned more with those of Thomas Jefferson, who was a champion of individual liberty and states’ rights and talked up the virtues and the lifestyles of landowners.
Macon was a 24-year-old serving in the New Jersey militia during the American Revolution when he got word that he’d been elected to the State Senate. That set him on a career path that spanned close to four decades and sent him to Washington, D.C.
He was in the State Senate from 1781 to 1785, and then was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1791. He served there until 1815 and was elected Speaker of the House and served for six years – from 1801 to 1807.
He was elected to the U.S. Senate and served from 1815 to 1828, including seven years President pro tem from 1825 to 1827.
Over the years, he said ‘no’ to cabinet posts, appointments and even re-entered military service in 1780 as a private instead of accepting a higher rank that could have been his for the taking.
He didn’t like making government appropriations and didn’t think government had any business in private industry.
Despite his penchant for saying ‘no,’ however, Pace said Macon’s oratory skills and ability to compromise served Macon the politician well.
“You always knew where you stood with him,” Pace said. “He was a personable guy. It was hard not to like him.”
Macon retired to his home in present-day Warren County – Buck Spring – in 1828, following his storied career in the House and the Senate.
But the home was nothing fancy, no columns across the front or sprawling staircases inside.
No, in keeping with his humble, no-frills ideas, Macon instead lived in what amounted to a one-room house that contained few possessions other than books.
Although the original Buck Spring home was partially burned about 40 years ago, Pace said some parts were salvageable and the reconstructed home currently is part of a park in the Littleton area.
The project received some federal funds to complete, an appropriation Macon himself most likely would have frowned upon.
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