Maria Parham Health to Host Relay for Life ‘Fun Day’ Event
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Kimberly Smith, Interim Director – Cancer Center, Maria Parham Health
Come out and enjoy “Relay Fun Day” at Maria Parham Health on Friday, May 10, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event will be located in the parking lot behind Maria Parham’s Cancer Center.
Join us for some great food trucks, vendors, bake sale, silent auction and more with proceeds going to Relay for Life (bring cash; some vendors may take credit). The silent auction will be held in the auditorium.
Vendors include Chick-Fil-A, Pelican SnoBalls, Chewly Delicious, PIZZA, Backyard BBQ, The Wandering Dog, Homemade Treats, Color Street Nails, Paparazzi Jewelry, Lularoe, Thirty One and Young Living.
Don’t miss the Charles Boyd Chevrolet GIVEAWAYS!!
VGCC Community Band to Perform at McGregor Hall, Raleigh Rd Outdoor Theatre
/by WIZS StaffThe Community Band of Vance-Granville Community College will perform a spring concert on Monday, May 6, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson. Admission is free.
The band will also perform a Memorial weekend performance at Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre, 3336 Raleigh Rd in Henderson, on Saturday, May 25 at 6 p.m. The concert will be performed prior to the showing of that evening’s feature film.
The Vance-Granville Community Band offers free membership to area musicians. The band rehearses on Monday nights from 7 until 9 p.m. during the academic year at the Main Campus in Henderson. If you are interested in joining, please contact Brian Miller at bmiller9302@vgcc.edu.

Above, the Vance-Granville Community Band performs under the direction of Brian Miller in this file photo from its May 2017 concert in McGregor Hall. (VGCC Photo)
County of Vance: FY 2019-20 Budget Presentation on Board’s May 6 Agenda
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance
- The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, May 6, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson. The Invocation will be given by Pastor Jennifer Sawyer, Gillburg United Methodist Church.
Agenda items:
Public Hearings
Angie Blount, County Planner – Rezoning Request – Case RZ20190214-1 Between US 1 Hwy and Edwards Road Parcel 0456 06008; Case RZ03212019-1 Bullocksville Road/Jacksontown Road Parcel 0587 03004; Case RZ03212019-2 Kittrell College Road; Parcel 0468 01016; Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments Accessory Structures; Zoning Ordinance Amendment RV/Camper Use Regulations
Public Hearing
Jordan McMillen, County Manager – Addressing Ordinance
Appointment
Porcha Brooks, Tax Administrator – Untimely Exemption Applications
Water District Board
a. Phase 3 – Change Order #1
b. Monthly Operations Report Agenda May 6, 2019
Finance Director’s Report
a. Surplus Property
b. Audit Contract for FY 2018-19
c. Capital Improvement Plan 2020-2024
County Manager’s Report
a. Award of Service Weapon and Badge
b. Demolition – County Owned Property
c. Fireworks Permit
d. Presentation of FY 2019-20 Recommended Budget
Consent Agenda Items
a. Budget Amendment and Transfers
b. Tax Refunds and Releases
c. Monthly Reports
d. Minutes
Miscellaneous
a. Appointments
Closed Session
a. Property Matter
Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.
Aycock Rec Center Offering Free Arthritis Exercise Class
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
Aycock Rec Center’s Arthritis Exercise Class is a FREE low-impact, joint-safe program developed for people with arthritis. This class is suitable for every fitness level and has been proven to decrease pain and stiffness while increasing flexibility and range of motion.
Classes will be held at the Aycock Rec Center from 2 until 3 p.m. each Monday and Thursday, May 30 – July 25, 2019. Classes will not be held on July 4 or July 22.
Space in the class is available on a first come, first serve basis with a limit of 15 participants.
For more information, please contact Crystal Allen at 252.431.6091 or callen@ci.henderson.nc.us.
The Aycock Rec Center is located at 307 Carey Chapel Road in Henderson, NC.
City Lifts Boil Water Advisory for Dabney & Beckford Drive
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy the City of Henderson, Public Works
According to City of Henderson Public Works officials, the boil water advisory that was in effect for the Dabney Drive and Beckford Drive area as of Wednesday, May 1, 2019, has been lifted. Residents and businesses in this area may resume normal water consumption.
Water customers in the Dabney Drive area may have experienced periods of low pressure and outages in the distribution system due to a line break earlier this week. Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increased the potential for back siphoning and introduction of bacteria into the water system.
The boil water advisory was issued as a safety precaution.
HPD: $800,000 Bond Set in Lynn Haven Ave Drug Arrest
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Henderson Police Department
Today at noon, members of the Henderson Police Department’s Narcotics Unit conducted a vehicle stop at the corner of Dabney Drive and Oxford Rd. This traffic stop yielded a quantity of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and a firearm. These seizures lead to a search warrant of a residence at 2025 Lynn Haven Ave that yielded other firearms, and more narcotics.
Amil K. Davis, age 39 of 2025 Lynn Haven Ave, was arrested and has been charged with the following;
- 3 counts of Trafficking Heroin
On May 2, 2019, members of the Henderson Police Department’s Narcotics Unit arrested Amil K. Davis, age 39 of 2025 Lynn Haven Ave, on multiple charges related to drugs. (Photo courtesy HPD)
- Maintaining a Dwelling
- PWIMSD Heroin
- Possession of Heroin
- 3 counts of Trafficking Cocaine
- PWIMSD Cocaine
- Possession of Cocaine
- Manufacture Cocaine
- Felony Possession of Marijuana
- PWIMSD Marijuana
- Manufacture Marijuana
- PWIMSD MDMA
- Possession Schedule I
- Possession of Firearm by Felon
- Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon
He is currently being held under an $800,000.00 bond at the Vance County Jail.

Members of the Henderson Police Department’s Narcotics Unit conducted a vehicle stop at the corner of Dabney Drive and Oxford Rd. This traffic stop yielded a quantity of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and a firearm. These seizures lead to a search warrant of a residence at 2025 Lynn Haven Ave that yielded other firearms, and more narcotics. (Photo courtesy HPD)
Jones Talks Search for Next H-V Chamber President, Opportunities
/by Kelly BondurantVanessa Jones, interim president for the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss how the Chamber has fared since the resignation of former president John Barnes in February.
“Things are going very well,” said Jones. “We have a great, well-trained staff that keeps operations moving along smoothly.”
The process of hiring the Chamber’s new president is well underway, according to Jones, with job applications and resumes due Wednesday, May 15, 2019. Jones estimated that the Chamber has received approximately 20 applications for the position thus far.
Acting as the Chamber’s Work First program coordinator since 2015, Jones previously served as chairwoman of the Chamber board during her tenure as dean and vice president at Vance-Granville Community College.
Her extensive knowledge of Chamber operations, coupled with the expertise of the Chamber’s membership director Jay Andrews and administration and events director Sandra Wilkerson, serve the Chamber business members well.
“Our goal is to promote and help our current members grow while attracting new members,” Jones said.
In this spirit of economic growth and development, Jones echoed the sentiment expressed by other community partners who have been interviewed by WIZS recently – it takes a village.
Jones acknowledged the close working relationship that the Chamber has with organizations such as the Vance County Tourism Development Authority, Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission, the City of Henderson, Vance County Government, Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission, Maria Parham Health, Vance-Granville Community College and many others.
“The Chamber works with these entities to ensure our community is an investment for new businesses and a great place for people to live and visit,” explained Jones.
In addition to working with businesses, the Chamber offers individuals an opportunity for community involvement via its ambassador program and annual Leadership Vance class.
Chamber ambassadors regularly network and connect with businesses and attend various Chamber events, such as ribbon cuttings, throughout the year.
Leadership Vance is an intensive, months-long training program that exposes participants to all aspects of the community, ultimately strengthening leadership skills and increasing knowledge of the inner workings of Vance County business.
Those interested in learning more about the Chamber and its various events and programs may call (252) 438-8414. Additional information may also be found on the Chamber’s website at www.hendersonvance.org.
To hear the Town Talk interview with Vanessa Jones in its entirety, click here.
United Way Awards Grant Funding to Six Area Organizations
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, United Way of Vance County
The United Way of Vance County today awarded grant funding for 2019 to six area organizations which serve the needs of Vance County residents in the areas of health, food, clothing, shelter and education.
The 13-member Board of Directors of the United Way of Vance County approved grant allocations for 2019 to:
- Life Line, Inc. of Henderson, which provides shelter and support to needy women and children
- Community Partners of Hope of Henderson, which provides shelter and basic needs to homeless men
- Vance County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, which coordinates youth services for school-aged children in the areas of anger management, peer mediation and Teen Court, as well as in other areas
- Alliance Rehabilitative Care, Inc., of Henderson, to support services provided by the Addiction Recovery Center for Men including basic needs for the residents of the center
- Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start in Henderson, to support the “Reach Out and Read” program that provides free books through local pediatricians’ offices for children from birth to kindergarten
- Harold Sherman Adult Day Center in Oxford, to support the costs of care provided to Vance County residents who go to the center for services during weekdays
All of the organizations meet the important basic needs of citizens in Vance and Warren counties, which are the areas served by the local United Way.
“We are very pleased to be able to provide these grant funds to support these vital agencies,” said Jane Haithcock, president of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Vance County. “Each of these agencies and the services they provide are extremely important to residents in our community. Our United Way is so grateful for the support we have received from our community over the last year and a half as we conducted fundraising efforts to seek contributions to support those in need in Vance and Warren counties. With the grant awards, we are now able to use the monetary contributions we have received to support disadvantaged individuals and families in our community. And, we will continue to ask for the support of our community members in order to help those who need a helping hand.”
Haithcock and Gwen Williams, first vice president of United Way of Vance County, presented representatives of each of the organizations with their grant checks today at the local United Way office.
The United Way of Vance County went through a reorganization near the end of 2017 and the early part of 2018. During the majority of last year, leaders of the organization worked with key local corporate and business leaders on fundraising efforts and asked for monetary support from key local residents who have traditionally supported United Way. The show of support from the community for the mission of United Way was strong and very reassuring.
Our United Way plans to do more fundraising through 2019 and beyond to seek monetary support for agencies serving those less fortunate. More information will be forthcoming on those fundraising plans and future efforts to help fellow citizens.
Current members of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Vance County include:
- Jane Haithcock of Maria Parham Health, president
- Gwen Williams of the Vance County Department of Social Services, first vice president
- Tommy Haithcock of Century 21 Country Knolls Realty, second vice president
- Terri Hedrick of Vance County Schools, treasurer/secretary
- Donna Stearns, retired from the City of Henderson
- Marvin Williams of KARTS Transportation
- Dawn Michelle Tucker of Vance-Granville Community College
- Desiree Brooks of The Daily Dispatch
- Heidi Owen of The Pegram Agency Nationwide Insurance
- Charisse Lassiter of Southern Laundry & Dry Cleaners
- Michael Burns of Woodforest National Bank
- Roberta Freeman of Triangle Literacy
- Henry Hayes, retired from Warren County
Those wanting to donate to the United Way of Vance County may do so by contacting officials with the organization by email at unitedwayofvance@gmail.com or by telephone at 252-492-8392. Correspondences also may be sent to United Way of Vance County, P.O. Box 1352, Henderson, N.C. 27536.
The United Way of Vance County office is located at 715 South Garnett Street in Henderson.

Gwen Williams, first vice president and chairperson of the United Way of Vance County Funds Allocation Committee, center left, and Jane Haithcock, president of the United Way of Vance County, center right, are shown with representatives of five of the six area agencies receiving grant allocations for 2019. Those representatives are holding their grant checks and include, from left, Greg Kelly and Shantel Hargrove of the Vance County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council; Rachel Pennington of the Harold Sherman Adult Day Center; Betty Boyd of Community Partners of Hope; Lynda and Steve Dalton of Life Line, Inc.; and Lynn Fleming of Alliance Rehabilitative Care, Inc. Representatives of Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start were unavailable for the photo. (Photo courtesy United Way of Vance County)