Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Aycock Rec Center Offering New Program for Children Ages 1-5

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-Information and flyer courtesy the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Dept. Facebook page

Aycock Recreation Center announces Tot-Time, a new program for children ages 1-5 on Thursdays from 8 to 11 a.m. Children will enjoy equipment and toys that are age appropriate and designed to let toddlers explore and learn new skills.

Tot-Time is held in an unstructured, open gym setting and parents must supervise at all times.

The cost to participate is $1 for members and $2 for non-members. No charge for parents or guardians.

For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at (252) 438-3160 or lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

News 01/04/19

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Sossamon Funeral Home Will Honor Prearrangements, Add Modern Twist to Services

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If you’ve taken a drive down Oxford Road in Henderson over the past week, you may have been surprised to see that the long-standing sign that previously read Flowers Funeral Home now reads Sossamon Funeral Home.

That change in name and ownership came about last week when John Sossamon, age 36, purchased the business from previous owner John Ayscue.

“We’ve been working on it for quite some time; it didn’t happen overnight,” said Sossamon.

In an interview with WIZS Radio, Sossamon put to rest any rumors that Ayscue was full-fledged retiring after the business transaction. “He’s not exactly retiring. We are going to call it ‘semi-retiring.’ John has been with Flowers Funeral Home for 40 years. That’s a long time! He’ll still be here every day – Monday through Friday – but I think we’ll give him the weekends off,” joked Sossamon.

Sossamon, who had been out of the funeral home business for several years, said his desire to help people in difficult times brought him back. “I’m ready to get back. I enjoy helping people, especially in their time of need.”

“Their time of need” includes looking for guidance, direction and comfort, according to Sossamon. “As a funeral director, people pay me to carry out their wishes or their loved ones’ wishes the way they want them carried out and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”

While he intends to honor the traditions established by previous owners Carlton Flowers, Irene Flowers and John Ayscue, Sossamon said services will undergo a “modernization” with additions such as slideshows and live streaming of videos for those family members and friends who are not able to physically attend.

In the spirit of honoring traditions, Sossamon wants to reassure the community that any prearrangements that were made with Flowers Funeral Home will be upheld and honored.

“We’ve had a lot of calls and texts asking about prearrangements; preparations that were done by Flowers Funeral Home are safe with Sossamon Funeral Home.”

When asked what prompted the name change, Sossamon replied that it was all about family and passing the business on to future generations. “We wanted to make it about our family to your family. I want my children to continue on with it one day.”

The Sossamon name is a familiar one in the local community as John’s father Rev. Frank Sossamon is the long-serving senior pastor of South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church.

When asked about the Reverend’s involvement at the funeral home, Sossamon replied that his father will remain at the church full-time but will be available for visitations or services “as he knows most of the families that will come through these doors.”

Sossamon agrees that he and his father are very much alike in all but musical talent. “Since I closed on the business, I can’t tell you how many people have said I look like my dad and sound like him. I always tell them that I don’t sing like him!”

Along with working with his father, Sossamon is also looking forward to his interactions with other funeral homes in the community and said he is grateful for the respectful relationship that they already share. “I think a lot of those people. We are all in the service industry and we serve people.”

Sossamon welcomes all those with questions or those who just want to say hello to call (252) 438-4717 or stop by Sossamon Funeral Home for a chat.

To hear the interview with John Sossamon as played on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program, please click here.

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Tax Administration Lists Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

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-Information courtesy the Vance County Tax Administration website

Important Tax Dates

January 1st

Day as of which value, ownership, and situs of real and personal property are determined for ad valorem tax purposes. [G.S. 105-285]

January 6th

Begin 2% interest on unpaid taxes. [G.S. 105-360(a)]

January 31st

Last day of regular listing period. [G.S. 105-307]

Last day of timely filing of abstracts and exemption, exclusion, or use-value applications, except applications for elderly or disabled exclusion. [G.S. 105- 282.1, 105-277.4, 105-277.5]

Last day to file for Builders Exclusion [G.S. 105-277.02]

Tax collector must advertise tax liens at least once between March 1st and June 30th. [G.S. 105-369(c)]

April 15th

Filing deadline for business property that has been granted an extension.

June 1st

Last day to submit elderly/disabled exclusion, circuit breaker and disabled veteran’s exclusion.

September 1st

Current year taxes become due. [G.S. 105-360(a)]

For more information regarding tax rates, fees and deadlines, please visit https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/tax-overview/

H-V Chamber Logo

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Directors

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce’s November/December “Focus” Newsletter

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce will welcome five new board members in the upcoming year. Please join the current Board of Directors along with the Chamber staff in welcoming our new directors to the Chamber Board: Chris Fisher with Henderson Fruit and Produce, Jenny Hester with PRIM Development and Residential Rentals, Ronald Bennett with Variety Wholesalers, Turner Pride with NC Cooperative Extension, and Bert Long with H.G. Reynolds Company.

Congratulations! We look forward to the beginning of your first three-year term as a Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Director of the Board.

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare

‘Drugs Uncovered’ Event to Include Sessions for Parents & Youth

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-Information courtesy Gina DeMent, Community Engagement, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare

“Drugs Uncovered: What Parents Need to Know” is an interactive program that targets parents of upper elementary, middle school and high school students. This is the second in a series on substance use in our communities hosted by Cardinal Innovations.

There will be two different presentations from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 17 at the VGCC Civic Center in Henderson. One session will be for youth in 6th – 8th grade and the other session will be for adults. Refreshments will be available.

Adult Session – Drugs Uncovered: What Parents Need to Know

Drugs Uncovered introduces parents to the current trends regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; health risks associated with adolescent use/abuse; the North Carolina alcohol laws and parental responsibility; and techniques for open communication and dialog with adolescents.

Youth Session – For the Health of It!

Grade Level: 6th – 8th

Students will discover how using drugs and alcohol can damage their brains and bodies. This class is centered around interactive activities that focus on “showing and not telling” kids how their brains are affected by alcohol and drug (inhalants, marijuana) use. Real life scenarios are used to help students analyze how a “drugged” brain affects their actions and decision-making skills. Students will also engage in role-play, reinforcing refusal skills.

Attending the event is free of charge. Please RSVP by Thursday, January 10 by clicking here.

Questions? Please call Mary Pearce at (252) 430-1330 or email mary.pearce@cardinalinnovations.org.

West End Baptist

West End Community Watch Will Hear From Mako Labs at Jan. Meeting

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-Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch

West End Community Watch will meet on Tuesday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m. at West End Baptist Church in Henderson.

The speaker will be Grant Fitzgerald who is with Mako Laboratories of Henderson. Law enforcement will be present to hear concerns from the floor and report recent criminal activities. Please plan to attend.

All are welcome, regardless of area of residence.

News 01/03/19

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Contaminant Levels Above Standard Detected in Local Drinking Water

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NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Important information about your drinking water:

Henderson-Kerr Lake Regional Water has levels of Total Trihalomethanes ABOVE DRINKING WATER STANDARDS.

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this incident was not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do and what we did (are doing) to correct this situation.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Monitoring results for water samples collected during the time period ending September 30, 2018, show that the contaminant concentration from one or more sampling locations in our water system exceeds the standard, or maximum, contaminant level (MCL) for Total Trihalomethanes. The standard for Total Trihalomethanes is 0.080 mg/L. Over the referenced compliance period, the sample location with the highest average level of Total Trihalomethanes had a concentration of 0.105 mg/L.

What Should I Do?

  • There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. If a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours.
  • If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water.

What Does This Mean?

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. However, some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

What Is Being Done?

Henderson-Kerr Lake Regional Water is evaluating our distribution system in order to lower our test results. We anticipate resolving the problem within three months.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses).

For more information, please contact:

Clarissa Lipscomb, Director – Henderson-Kerr Lake Regional Water, (252) 438-2141

280 Regional Water Lane – Henderson, NC 27536

 

Vance County Logo

Report Personal Property, Improvements to Real Property by Jan. 31

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List Your Personal Property & Changes To Your Real Estate – Jan. 1, 2019 – Jan. 31, 2019

The Vance County Board of Commissioners has adopted a Permanent Listing System for all real property, BUT NOT PERSONAL PROPERTY.

  1. Real property owners are no longer required to list their real property with the Tax Administrator each January, however, property owners must continue during January to report any improvements or changes to real property since the last listing period. Failure to report improvements or changes since the last listing period requires a late list penalty per N.C. General Statutes 105-308.
  2. All taxable personal property, except tagged motor vehicles and tagged trailers, is still required to be listed as before and is also still subject to a late list penalty.
  3. You must continue to list individual personal property. Listing forms will be mailed to all individuals who listed previously: (a) mobile homes, (b) untagged/unregistered motor vehicles, (c) boats, (d) boat motors, (e) airplanes, and (f) improvements or changes to the real property.
  4. You must continue to list business personal property (down to the last 15x20x1 air filters you have on your property). Special forms will be mailed to all known businesses. If you own a business and do not receive a form, you may obtain a form by visiting the Tax Office, 122 Young St., Suite E., Henderson, NC 27536. Business personal property listings are subject to an audit.
  5. Anyone not receiving a listing form that has personal property to list or changes in real property may obtain a form by calling 252-738-2040. Forms are available within the Tax Office located at 122 Young St., Suite E., Henderson, NC 27536 or at www.vancecounty.org.
  6. FAILURE TO LIST PERSONAL PROPERTY AND REPORT IMPROVEMENTS OR CHANGES TO THE REAL PROPERTY WILL RESULT IN A 10% PENALTY.
  7. PLEASE MAKE SURE THE TAX OFFICE HAS YOUR E-911 ADDRESS. Failure to receive a tax bill due to bad addresses does not eliminate the tax lien.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR ELDERLY AND PERMANENTLY DISABLED PERSONS

  1. ELDERLY OR DISABLED EXCLUSION (G.S. 105-277.1): This program excludes the greater of the first $25,000 or 50% of the appraisal value of the permanent residence of a qualifying owner. A qualifying owner must be either 65 years of age by January 1, 2018, or be totally and permanently disabled. The owner cannot have a gross income for the previous year that exceeds the income eligibility limit for the current year, which for the 2018 tax year is $30,200.
  2.  DISABLED VETERAN EXCLUSION (G.S. 105-277.1C): This program excludes up to the first $45,000 of the appraised value of the permanent residence if an honorable discharge veteran who has a total and permanent disability that is service-connected or who receives benefits for specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101. There is no age or income limitation for this program. This benefit is also available to the unmarried surviving spouse of an honorably discharged veteran.
  3. CIRCUIT BREAKER TAX DEFERMENT PROGRAM (G.S. 105-277.1B): Under this program taxes for each year are limited to a percentage of the qualifying owner’s income. A qualifying owner must either be at least 65 years of age or be totally and permanently disabled. For an owner whose income amount for the previous year does not exceed the income eligibility limit for the current year, which for the 2018 tax year is $30,200, the owner’s taxes will be limited to four percent (4%) of the owner’s income. For an owner whose income exceeds the income eligibility limit ($30,200) but does not exceed 150% of the income eligibility limit, which for the 2019 tax year is $45,300, the owner’s taxes will be limited to five percent (5%) of the owner’s income.

Citizens who may apply for the property tax relief programs may acquire forms by visiting the Tax Office at 122 Young St., Suite E. or by calling 252-738-2040. Applications are required to be returned to the Tax Assessor no later than June 3, 2019.

AGRICULTURAL, HORTICULTURAL, AND FOREST LAND-APPLICATION FOR TAXATION AT PRESENT USE VALUE G.S. 105.277.4

If your land was in the farm deferment program in 2018 and your acreage has changed, you must reapply during January 2019 or within 30 days of the date on the “Notice of Change of Value” to remain in the program and avoid the roll back payment of deferred taxes. If you acquired land in 2018 that was in the farm deferment program, you must make application for this land in your name within 60 days of acquisition if you wish to have this land considered for farm deferment. New farm deferment applications must be filed by January 31, 2019.

Porcha D. Brooks, Vance County Tax Administrator