Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Come Visit The ‘Food Farmacy’ Friday, May 2 At Vance County Farmers Market

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The Vance County Cooperative Extension is hosting a community event on the eve of Opening Day of the Vance County Regional Farmers Market – perfect timing to learn more about how what we eat and how we move affect our overall health and wellness.

The Food Farmacy, as it’s called, will take place at the farmers market this Friday, May 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The farmers market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson.

It’s a time for the community to come together to learn how food choices and physical activity can have a positive impact on health while addressing some health-related challenges facing the community.

Tyler Chisholm is one of those working to organize this year’s event and he told WIZS recently that in addition to the educational component of the Food Farmacy, participants will enjoy themselves, too.

Vance County has higher rates of heart disease, diabetes and obesity, Chisholm said, and a goal of The Food Farmacy is to promote broad access to food and also to spotlight exercise and physical activity as important components to overall wellness.

Gun Found Inside Vance County Middle School Classroom; No Injuries Reported

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– press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On April 24, 2025 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to Vance County Middle School located at 293 Warrenton Rd. Henderson, NC regarding a firearm being found inside a classroom.

The weapon was immediately secured by the School Resource Officer who then notified Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. One juvenile was detained and transported to the Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. The juvenile’s parents were also notified of the incident. There were no injuries reported during this incident.

The incident is currently under investigation.

Kittrell Tent Revival Coming Up April 27th-30th

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The 3rd annual Kittrell Tent Revival will begin a 4-night run beginning Sunday, Apr. 27, and organizers have lined up preachers and music for each night that’s sure to be inspiring.

The revival is getting bigger and better each year, and organizers are looking forward to this year’s event, which will be held at 27 W. Main St., Kittrell – just across from the Kittrell Fire Department.

As the flyer states, the revival is organized by “one group for one purpose, to lead people to Christ.”

Enjoy free hotdogs beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday and then stay for the evening program that will feature Renita Timberlake and the Revive Church of God Choir. The revival continues through Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Here’s the schedule for the rest of the revival:

  • Monday, Apr. 28: Jason Brown will be the speaker, and the Freedom Life Choir will perform.
  • Tuesday, Apr. 29: Jayden Watkins will be the speaker, and Unashamed will provide music.
  • Wednesday, Apr. 30: Paul Faucette will be the speaker, and Grace Ministries Choir will provide music.

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(This was originally published on April 17, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.)

Kerr-Tar COG Young Adult Hiring Event Is April 29; All Job Seekers Welcome

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Despite its title, the Kerr-Tar COG’s 4th annual Young Adult Hiring Event scheduled for Tuesday, Apr. 29 at the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre is rated for All Audiences.

Job seekers of any age are welcome said NC Works Business Services Representative Stacey Williams, one of the job fair’s organizers.

The job fair will run from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Williams said. So far, upwards of 40 employers will be on hand to chat with prospective job seekers about careers and positions available at their companies.

The job fair geared for students began during the time of COVID-19 restrictions, Williams explained, as a way to connect high school juniors and seniors not necessarily interested in attending college with local businesses and manufacturers and other employers – in an outdoor setting.

The location proved to be popular, and this is the fourth one planned in the outdoor setting.

“It’s easy to get excited about this event,” Williams said, adding that the students bring an energy that he finds contagious.

Not everyone is looking to go to college, and this hiring event is one way the Kerr-Tar COG can assist future employees learn more about prospective employers. “We’re trying to provide alternatives to those that are not interested in college,” he said.

His #1 piece of advice to job seekers? A positive attitude.

“Your attitude will take you far,” he said. Paired with determination and drive create an employee profile that employers are looking for. “You have to show up, you have to be ready, you have to be prepared and you have to be positive,” he said.

Job seekers need to do a little interviewing of their own, Williams said, when considering a particular field of work that employers should keep in mind.

“They’re looking for something that’s going to be a solid position for them,” he said. An entry-level job that can turn into something bigger and better is desirable. Companies with strong foundations, stability and a solid pay scale also are what employees are looking for.

Williams, a Henderson native, said he is happy to be back home where he is able to serve the community he grew up in. “It’s an awesome feeling to be able to support someone find a career.

Schools from all five counties in the Kerr-Tar region are planning to bring groups of students to the hiring event; other individuals from the area are welcome to just come out to the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre, 336 Raleigh Rd., Henderson between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. No prior registration is needed.

To learn more, visit https://www.kerrtarcog.org/

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(This story text was originally published on Friday, April 25 based on the interview you can hear above. However, the interview did not air on WIZS until Monday, April 28 on TownTalk, recorded for presentation at that time.)

Jessica Deal Joins Maria Parham Health Wound Center Team

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Maria Parham Health proudly announces the addition of Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Jessica Deal to its Wound Center team. Deal has more than three decades of nursing experience and a dedicated background in wound and ostomy care, according to information provided by MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young.

Deal earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University in 1992 and has since cultivated a career marked by excellence in patient care, clinical leadership, and specialized wound management. She holds certification as a Certified Wound Care Nurse and demonstrates her expertise in treating complex and chronic wounds with evidence-based practices.

Throughout her career, Deal has provided care in a variety of healthcare environments, including Maria Parham GI Associates and Carolina GI Associates in Henderson. She has remains focused on individualized treatment plans and promoting healing through innovative techniques and multidisciplinary collaboration.

“We are excited to welcome Jessica to our Wound Care team,” said Bert Beard, Chief Executive Officer at Maria Parham Health. “Her advanced skills and commitment to personalized, evidence-based care align perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional healing services close to home.”

The addition of Deal strengthens the center’s commitment to delivering advanced wound care services to the community, including diabetic ulcer treatment, pressure injury management, and care for non-healing surgical wounds.

Learn more at https://www.mariaparham.com/

RCAPS Annual ‘Pet Palooza’ Saturday, May 3

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Bring the whole family out to Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society’s Spring Fling Pet Palooza on Saturday, May 3 for a day of food trucks, crafts, games, photo booths and more!

The event will take place at the former Boyd dealership, 284 US 158 bypass from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vendors are still being accepted, so please call 252.572.2219 or email info@rcaps.org to get registered.

Children can create crafts for Mother’s Day, and there will be raffles for great prizes available, too.

And it should come as no surprise that pets are welcome to attend with their people!

The Local Skinny! Working Conditions for City Employees

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City of Henderson employees will receive a survey in a few weeks to give feedback about working conditions.

As City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry explained to Council members at the April 14 meeting, the survey will be anonymous – employees will not be asked to give their names. Kingsberry told Council members that some employees and some directors had shared some concerns with him, so he suggested a survey would be in order.

Kingsberry told WIZS News Wednesday that a working conditions survey is standard practice in other places where he has worked. “I want to make sure staff is comfortable and thriving as we work together for the betterment of the City.”

He said the specific statements or questions that will make up the survey are still being worked on, but he expects that department heads will receive their surveys next week and the rest of the staff will be receive theirs around the mid-May mark.

As for what actions may result, Kingsberry said, “We will see how staff responds and address the issues that need to be addressed to ensure a healthy climate and work culture.”

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Commissioners Discuss Support Of New City Communications Tower During Work Session

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During a work session Monday, Vance County commissioners heard from city officials about progress being made on construction of a communications tower at the North Henderson ball fields that will be funded, in part, by $2.175 million in federal funds secured by U.S. Congressman Don Davis.

City Manager Hassan T. Kingsberry and Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill spoke to commissioners to ask whether the county is still willing to help with funding, if the need arises.

The city and county have an agreement to split 50/50 funding emergency communications that cover both the county and the city.

Spruill said it’s possible that the project can be completed without contributions from either the city or the county, but the final, all-in cost is unknown at this time.

What is known is that the city of Henderson is the weakest area in all of Vance County on the VIPER system because it is located on the fringe of four towers used by the county, said Brian Short, the county’s former Emergency Management coordinator.

The North Henderson ball field location is “the sweet spot” for the entire county, and putting the tower there – with equipment to support VHF paging and more – would fix two problems at once, Short said.

The North Henderson location has been through a vetting process and will have the ability to provide in-building coverage for the city  in most of the downtown buildings, as well as a large area within the county.

But the federal funds will pay for the tower only; Short predicted it could cost an additional $1 million to outfit the facility with the equipment and everything else that goes along with the tower.

Once built, the state has said it would take ownership and would assume maintenance, including maintaining the VIPER system.

City leaders are in discussion now with Duke Power to “co-locate” on the tower. Spruill said the utility company is in the due diligence process right now but added that “they’d likely contribute any remaining funds toward construction.”

WIZS News has reached out to Duke spokesman Beth Townsend and we’ll update the story when more details are available.

Maria Parham Health’s Cancer Survivor Dinner May 16

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— information courtesy of Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer Donna Young

Maria Parham Health is hosting its annual Cancer Survivor Dinner on Friday, May 16 and invites survivors and their guests to come be a part of the event to celebrate their strength and resilience in their journeys to overcome cancer.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, 905 Americal Rd., Henderson, according to information from MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young.

With a joyful nautical theme, “Set Sail for Celebration,” the evening promises to be filled with gratitude, connection and celebration. Survivors and their guests are invited to come together in recognition of each unique story, share in meaningful moments, and enjoy a dinner event created in their honor.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to gather and celebrate our local cancer survivors,” said Kimberly Smith, Director of the Maria Parham Health Cancer Center. “Every survivor’s journey is a testament to strength and perseverance. This event is our way of saying ‘we see you, we honor you, and we’re celebrating with you’. It’s an evening full of hope, joy and community.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring one guest to share in this special occasion. Please register by Thursday, May 8 by calling 252.436.6485 to reserve your place.