New Principals At STEM Early High, Dabney Elementary

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— information courtesy of Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools has named new principals for STEM Early High and Dabney Elementary as the 2025-26 school year approaches.

Jessica Austin is the principal of STEM Early High and Dr. Miah Hart-Olivis is principal at Dabney Elementary, according to information from Aarika Sandlin, VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support.

Austin, most recently the Math Teacher Development specialist for Vance County High School and Vance County Early College, has more than 20 years’ experience as a teacher and administrator. She is a former principal with Durham Public Schools.

Austin has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s of Education in school administration from UNC-Chapel Hill and is currently pursuing a doctorate at UNC-G.

Hart-Olivis, most recently a human resources recruiter, also brings more than 20 years of experience to her new role. She has worked in Durham County Schools and Chatham County Schools. Hart-Olivis earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in teaching from Hampton University and has a doctorate in educational leadership from High Point University.

Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Bedtime Problems pt.2

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Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

We continue our series on working with children with bedtime problems. This time we discuss how to prepare a child for bedtime and a routine to go through.

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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City Of Henderson Awarded $10.7M For Water Projects

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The City of Henderson is getting $10.7 million from the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund for its Sandy Creek Pump Station and Force Main projects.

The announcement came last week, when Gov. Josh Stein and the Department of Environmental Quality said that 48 projects in 27 counties would receive more than $204 million in funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

The awards will improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, address PFAS and other forever chemicals, identify and replace lead pipes and improve resiliency after future storms, according to information on the DEQ website.

“When you turn on the faucet in your home, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether that water is safe for your family,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These investments will help ensure North Carolinians have access to clean drinking water and will help keep people safe when disaster strikes.”

“At DEQ, we’re committed to ensuring everyone in North Carolina has access to clean water,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “This funding will address aging infrastructure and improve public health for communities large and small.”

The town of Warrenton also is set to receive $10 million for its Phase IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements project.

Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament Set For Thursday, Oct. 2 At Kerr Lake Country Club

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The 27th annual Chamber Challenge golf tournament is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 2 and now’s the time to register – the deadline is Sept. 22, but Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson said not to wait too long – the spots fill up fast!

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce and Presenting Sponsor Margier White-State Farm Insurance invite you to join us in making this event a fun and successful fundraiser at Kerr Lake Country Club.

The Chamber is seeking sponsors and donations for golfers’ gift bags as well as players for the tournament. It will be a day full of fun, food, golf and networking.

Here’s the link to the registration page, which contains information about sponsorship levels and more:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ogbl&pli=1#inbox/WhctKLbfNwzVWKRhkLZpzMMRpBHKgfMrDQGtdbJFSkqWTvPsNnzdDTgrPpmbqJzcQDwkHdV?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1

TownTalk: KARTS FLEX Ride Is Right On Schedule

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In its first two months of operation, the KARTS FLEX Ride van is living up to expectations. KARTS officials say the goal is to increase ridership with each month of operation – so far, so good.

KARTS Executive Director Randy Cantor said the program is “going really well.”

Finance Manager Tonya Moore has the data to back up that sentiment – in June, the first month of operation for the Uber-style transit that operates within the city limits of Henderson – there were 242 riders. July isn’t even over yet, and ridership is at 253 and counting, Moore said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. She and Cantor discussed the new transportation opportunity available from KARTS.

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State and federal dollars are paying for the first three years of the micro transit. KARTS is one of a growing number of transportation agencies getting funds to establish micro transit programs.

“The goal is to increase every month,” Moore said. New passengers, not necessarily the same individuals who use the KARTS van service, are taking advantage of the new, streamlined system.

The door-to-door service helps people get to and from work, to doctor’s appointments or anywhere else within the city limits. Riders can book online, with an app on their phone or simply call the KARTS office to schedule transportation.

And the on-demand service can pick you up within 30 minutes.

“We’re keeping statistics,” Cantor said. “All of our trips have been 100 percent on-time performance. And there have been relatively few no-shows. There’s one vehicle in service now, but a second is available as demands for the service rise. And there’s a third vehicle that can be easily changed from a KARTS van to a FLEX Ride van, he said.

Each trip is $6, and the driver accepts cash, but KARTS said the process is much more streamlined if you pay by card or set up an account that automatically deducts the cost of the trip.

“The majority are scheduling on the app,” Moore said. “That’s exactly what we wanted to see – it streamlines the process for everyone involved.”

Both Cantor and Moore said they believe that ridership will increase further once the weather cools off.

“When it’s extremely hot, when it’s rainy, extremely cold, cancellations increase,” Moore said.

“People don’t want to get out in non-desirable weather.”

Visit https://www.kartsnc.com/ to learn more.

The Local Skinny! One Man Arrested In Connection With Gunfire Incident

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— information courtesy of Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

 

At approximately 10:45 a.m. on Monday, July 28, officers with the Henderson Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of Ruin Creek Road following reports of active gunfire. Upon arrival at 381 Ruin Creek Road, a medical clinic, officers, along with deputies from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, located one of the individuals involved in the incident, Marquis Lamar Skinner, 37, of Oxford.

Shortly thereafter, officers learned that a second individual involved in the altercation, John Lee Sutton Jr., 43, of Manson, had arrived at a local emergency department with non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident.

As officers conducted their investigation, collecting statements, processing the scene and reviewing evidence, Skinner was taken into custody and transported to the Henderson Police Department. A firearm believed to have been used in the incident has been recovered.

Skinner has been charged with the following offenses:

  • Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury
  • Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle

He was presented before a magistrate and is being held without bond at the Vance County Detention Center awaiting his initial court appearance.

The Henderson Police Department extends its gratitude to the public for their cooperation and to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office for their invaluable assistance during this incident.

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Spotted Lanternfly

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

The following segment warns people of the dangers associated with the Spotted Lanternfly and tells people what to do if they find one.

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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