Mobile Home Owners Will Pay More For Fire, Casualty Insurance Beginning Sept. 1

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The N.C. Department of Insurance has ended its legal dispute with the North Carolina Rate Bureau over a proposed rate increase for two types of insurance policies for mobile home owners.

The two policies are Mobile Home Fire and Mobile Home Casualty, and the settlement calls for a statewide average increase of 11 percent per year over the next two years for the fire policy and an average of 8 percent over the same time period for the casualty policy.

The first set of increases will take effect on new and renewed policies beginning on or after Sept. 1. The second set of increases will take effect on Aug. 31, 2026. The agreement prevents the insurance companies from seeking an increase before Sept. 1, 2027.

Although the cost will go up, the increase is much less than the proposed 82.9 percent and 49.9 percent increase in fire and casualty policies that companies asked the Rate Bureau for about one year ago, according to information from the N.C. Dept. of Insurance.

“I am happy to announce that North Carolina mobile homeowners will save more than $10 million a year in premium payments compared to what the insurance companies requested, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said. “I am also glad the Department of Insurance and insurance companies have avoided a lengthy, expensive administrative legal battle.”

The increases affect approximately 148,000 policyholders in North Carolina.

Unlike standard homeowners’ programs, both the MH-F and MH-C programs include flood coverage. The two programs are similar. However, the MH-F program provides coverage for a broader range of perils.

The agreement means a hearing on the issue scheduled for May 21 has been canceled.

Upcoming Community Resource Festival Shaping Up To Be Largest Yet

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With more than 100 vendors already registered, the Community Resource Festival 2025 is shaping up to be the largest resource gathering in two counties, and organizers are eager to provide the community with valuable information and a fun day of networking.

The third annual event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 16 at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center. In addition to VGCC, sponsors include Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Huff Consulting, LLC

Michele Walker with Huff Consulting, LLC is one of the volunteer organizers. Interest in the event has been great, she said – so much so that some vendors have been placed on a wait list. If previously registered vendors know they cannot attend, Walker asks that they contact organizers as soon as possible to allow as many vendors as possible to take part.

“Thank you so much for making it happen and breaking records, yet again!” Walker said in a written request to vendors for door prizes and other donations.

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Walker asks vendors to share on social media outlets counts as the participation/registration fee, she said. Vendors are asked to “tag” the resource partners to help get the word out to as many people as possible.

Facebook users can add “Shelli Walker” to their tags for verification as well. Walker said she will accept all “follow” requests and she will be showcasing random vendors as a way to further promote the event’s activities and participants.

“Again, we can’t thank you enough for being a part of this Community Resource Festival and we hope you all have an amazing time yourselves! Network, Network, Network!” Walker said.

This year, vendors are eligible to win door prizes, she said. Vendors who are donating prizes are asked to inform organizers no later than Monday, Apr. 7 of the type and quantity of door prizes they’ll be providing.

There will be a table by the entrance to the Civic Center to drop donated items on the day of the event. That’s also where the winners will be announced. Previous door prizes have been gift cards, gift baskets, books and donated services.

Please send the following information to michele.walker@huff-consulting.com.

  1. Item (description)
  2. Quantity
  3. Name of Organization

Please include on each item the name of the donor organization as well as accurate contact information.

A Chase, 30 Shots Fired, and Manhunt Ends in Under 24 Hours

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UPDATE April 3:

On April 1, 2025, at approximately 11:30pm, deputies from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office assisted officers from the Henderson Police Department in their attempt to apprehend a fleeing suspect from a traffic stop.

The suspect, identified as Markus Hilliard, fled officers from the Henderson Police Department during a traffic stop. Deputies assisted due to the pursuit heading into the county. Deputies took over the pursuit once Hilliard turned on Gillburg Rd. Hilliard, in an attempt to get around deputies, hit a Vance County Deputy head-on causing damage to the deputy’s vehicle.

The pursuit ended inside Foster Mobile Home Park in close proximity to where Hilliard lived. Hilliard then jumped and ran from the vehicle into a heavily wooded area with an AR-15. He then began firing several shots while in the wooded area. Vance County Deputies and North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the Henderson Police Dept. setup a perimeter in the area in an effort to locate Hilliard. After a few hours that search was called off.

On April 2, 2025, Deputies received information that Hilliard was in the area of Fern Ln., Henderson, NC and wanted to turn himself in. Deputies went to the location to take Hilliard into custody. He then jumped out a window and began running. A perimeter was set by Vance County Deputies, North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the State Bureau of Investigation as well as the Henderson Police Department and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. After a chase in the wooded area, Hilliard was finally taken into custody by Vance County Deputies.

Deputies charged Hilliard with misdemeanor Assault on a Government Official, Hit and Run Failure to Stop resulting in Property Damage, Felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest, and he received a secured bond of $27,500.

The Henderson Police Department also charged Hilliard with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest, Driving while License Revoked, Resisting a Public Officer, and he received a secured bond of $60,000.

Markus Hilliard was processed and transported to the Vance County Detention Center.

Approximately 12:50 pm today, Hilliard posted bond and was released from custody.

(The above text from a press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame.)

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Original News Post, April 2, 2025:

Wednesday afternoon about 4:30, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office ended a manhunt, which had been underway since Tuesday night, with the arrest of the suspect. Sheriff Curtis Brame told WIZS News deputies hemmed in the suspect, talked to him for about 15 minutes, and he surrendered without incident. Brame said his office has taken Markus Hilliard, approximately 36 years of age, of 1000 Foster Road, Lot 17, into custody.

Sheriff Brame said it was City Police that attempted a traffic stop of Hilliard Tuesday night and that once the car chase ended, Hilliard jumped and ran. While running through a wooded area, the Sheriff explained, Hilliard “discharged a firearm to keep us away,” shooting off about 30 rounds.

There have been no injuries and deputies and law enforcement did not return fire.

Brame said earlier Wednesday that his office received information that the suspect was on Fern Lane, but when a residence there was surrounded, the suspect “ran out the back, and we’ve been on foot pursuit ever since.”

Around 3 p.m. Wednesday, Brame said the search was going on in the Briggs Road and South Lynnbank Road area, just west of Bearpond.

Local DMV Offices To Open At 7 A.M. Beginning Monday, Apr. 7

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–information courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Transportation

The N.C Division of Motor Vehicles is set to again extend service hours at its driver license offices beginning next week.

On April 7, 42 offices – including the DMV offices in Henderson, Oxford and Louisburg – will join 50 others that will be opening an hour early at 7 a.m. to offer an extra hour of appointments and service time.

“I am ecstatic that we are able to further expand our service hours,” said DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. “Beginning April 7, 80 percent of our 115 driver license offices will be open for 10 hours a day, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

NCDMV has continued to work to provide customers with more service hours to address the state’s growing population.

In September 2022, the division increased the number of offices that opened at 7 a.m. from 25 to 35. That number grew to 40 in May 2023, and then to 45 in August 2023. Five more offices were added in September 2024 to get to 50.

 

YMCA

Henderson Family YMCA Willard Haithcock Membership Scholarship Applications Due Apr. 20

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The Henderson Family YMCA is accepting applications for the Willard Haithcock Membership Scholarships, established by his family to honor his legacy.

The scholarships support individuals and families who demonstrate a need for YMCA membership and can benefit from its mission to build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all, according to information from the Y’s Marketing and Communications Director Christina Miceli.

The application deadline is Sunday, Apr. 20 and the winners will be announced May 1.

Visit: https://hendersonymca.org/ to read more about eligibility criteria and to complete the application.

Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance Warren Beekeepers Association meeting will be on Monday April 14, 2025 at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Soil samples are now free as of April 1st.
  • Start spraying fruit trees as soon as blossoms fall.
  • Refrain from tilling garden soil if it’s wet.
  • Use row markers to identify what is planted in each row of your garden.
  • Reread owners manual of all power equipment.
  • You can plant spinach, irish potatoes, mustard, beets, kale, lettuce, carrots, peas, onions, radish. Get your copy of central piedmont planting guide.
  • Provide ventilation for plants in the greenhouse and cold frame.
  • Remember to wear Personal Protective Equipment when doing all garden chores.
  • Start checking your lawn care equipment.
  • Check areas for mice. Greenhouse, storage, and shed.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.      

The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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TownTalk: Varonica “VV” Mitchell Making Her Mark

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Henderson’s own Varonica Mitchell – VV, as she’s known to many – has a lot going on these days. In addition to having 3 million followers on social media, VV also has been out to L.A. for a film she’s going to be in, and she’s getting ready to go to Atlanta to be part of a Christian Comedy Tour.

WIZS News caught up with VV on the occasion of her 14th birthday last week to find out what’s new and to hear what motivates her as she drums, jokes, dances and acts her way into the hearts of her fans and followers.

It’s a family affair, this enterprise that has VV traveling to the West Coast for this and down to the ATL for that. And VV would have it no other way.

“That’s the most important part,” VV said in her best professional, polished voice about working with her parents and older sister.

She really likes dancing and she is part of the iDance Praise Academy, which her mom, Vanessa, runs.

She likes dancing because she gets “to follow God. I feel like he wants me to continue doing  what I’m doing – putting His name out there to people can follow Him,” she said.

“I dance to gospel music – I get to tell his story through music and through movement,” she said.

Dancing, acting and being a comedian is serious stuff, and VV says she and her family know when it’s time for business and when it’s time for having fun family time.

“Family is family, of course, when I’m chillin’ with the family watching videos and stuff,” she said. “But family is business when we’re going out and I’m performing. They’re always there to support…but they know that it’s serious,” she said, and they know when it’s time to play and when it’s time to be professional.

Sometimes before a performance, she admits, she gets so hyped up that she’s liable to blurt out whatever pops into her mind, but she can talk herself back down and calm her nerves before a show or performance begins. That’s being professional.

But when she’s at home? Well, “I’m gon’ play my behind off,” she joked, following up with a big ol’ giggle.

The Zara Project is what took her to L.A. It’s a series about a little girl with superpowers. “I can’t wait to tell you more about it,” she said. For now, the lid is on and, just like other film stars promoting upcoming projects, details are few.

And just like other film stars, VV has an agent. Her name is Irene Dreayer and she’s with Lion Forge Entertainment.

Appearing on TV shows, granting interviews, getting sponsors and having a big presence on Zigazoo, the #1 social media app for kids is just part of what VV is and what she wants to keep doing. She sometimes feels the pressure, but that’s part of it, too.

“I do feel the pressure. I just let it roll off,” she said. Because this is what she wants to do, and she wants to keep doing it.

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! April Excitement at Perry Memorial Library

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The staff at Perry Memorial Library has planned some extra activities for young people for the week leading up to Easter, when many traditional public school students will have Spring Break.

Youth Services Director Melody Peters said the library is a gathering place for the whole community, and Spring Break is the perfect time for young people to come have some fun at the library while they enjoy a few days off from school.

In addition to the regular programming like the 11 a.m. Thursday Story Times for the little ones and Pajama Story Time on Tuesday, Apr. 8 at 6:30 p.m., the library team has put together

Arts and Crafts activities for Monday, Apr. 14, Movie Day on Tuesday, Apr. 15 and STEaM Club beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 17.

While those activities are geared for younger children, teens will have the Maker Space to call their own each afternoon during the week, Peters said. “You don’t have anything to do? – Come to the library!” The Maker Space will be open from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and teens can enjoy snacks, gaming and arts and crafts activities, she said.

Members of the library staff will be at the Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, Apr. 16 which will take place at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.

This month’s First Friday activity takes place on Friday, Apr. 4 and features construction of a lava lamp, Peters said. First Friday programs feature a Science theme, and lava lamps are a perfect way to show kids how liquids mix – and separate.

“Add a little food coloring, and you’ve got a lava lamp,” she explained. Throw in an Alka-Seltzer just adds to the fun. The 10:30 program is for preschoolers and the 1 p.m. program is geared to multi-aged homeschool groups.

Then Michael Ellington from N.C. Cooperative Extension will help library patrons celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, Apr. 22 and will bring lots of hands-on activities for young people – think seed planting, Story Walk and more. “It’s going to be a great day,” Peters said.

Check out all the activities and programs at Perry Memorial Library at https://www.perrylibrary.org/

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