Pavilion, Water and Redevelopment on City’s Plate
Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member and chairman of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System, was recently on WIZS’ Town Talk call-in show to discuss updates concerning the City of Henderson.
Breckenridge Pavilion
The proposed Breckenridge Pavilion, to be located near the Henderson Police Department in downtown Henderson, will serve as the last piece of the overall Breckenridge Commons project and as the corner piece of the block.
According to Daeke, the landscaping plan for the sited area is expected to be completed and submitted to the City for review within a week. Landscaping work will include, among other tasks, grading, debris removal and parking lot repair.
Groundbreaking is expected to begin on the pavilion this fall, with the City already making plans for future operating procedures. “The City Council has had discussions with the Embassy Foundation about overseeing the booking of events for the pavilion,” Daeke said. “They have been receptive to that.”
Kerr Lake Regional Water System
The Kerr Lake Regional Water System is currently in a two-phase expansion process aimed at increasing the system’s access to the lake’s water supply.
Daeke explained that the first phase of the plan is to increase supply by two million gallons of water. The second phase will bring even greater expansion with up to 20 million gallons of water.
“We can draw from the lake and would pay a fee to have access to the water,” said Daeke. “This is going to give us an increased supply for our partners in Henderson, Oxford and Warren County.”
While the City currently has funding earmarked for the first phase of the project, a new $15 million loan may help the second phase come to fruition.
The proposal to accept the $15 million loan will be discussed at Monday’s City Council meeting.
“We will be able to pull water from Kerr Lake, treat it and send out some of the best water in NC to our customers,” Daeke said.
City Redevelopment Plan
A redevelopment plan to include approximately a quarter of the City, from I-85/Hwy 39 into the downtown area has been in the discussion phase for some time.
“This is the main area for people coming off the interstate and driving into the downtown area and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center,” said Daeke. “We are trying to do some incredible change in terms of bringing business and industry in, rebuilding houses and revitalizing neighborhoods.”
According to Daeke, the Council hopes to have the redevelopment plan finalized within a year.
“I think this type of planning is what we have to do to help make changes in our whole community – to make it healthier and to draw investment for economic development.”
VGCC Honors Student-Athletes at Banquet
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College celebrated Vanguard student-athletes at the college’s annual Athletics Banquet, held on March 23 in the Civic Center on the Main Campus.
VGCC Coordinator of Student Activities & Athletics Jermiel Hargrove praised the students for their hard work, both on the court and in the classroom. He recognized, in particular, the women’s volleyball team captain, Hannah Arneth of Oxford, and the men’s basketball team co-captains, Mitch Beck of Raleigh and Kenneth “KJ” Finley, Jr., of Louisburg. Arneth announced she would be continuing her volleyball career in the next academic year at Piedmont International University in Winston-Salem.
From left, VGCC women’s volleyball Head Coach Jessica Smith, student-athletes Hannah Arneth (Defensive Award), Gabrielle Gilley and Amber Newton, and Assistant Coach Kelley Perdue. (VGCC photo)
VGCC Volleyball Head Coach Jessica Smith and Assistant Coach Kelley Perdue presented awards to their players. Hannah Arneth received the Defensive Award. Stormi Abernathy of Leasburg received the Offensive Award. She was also named to the Second Team All-Region and placed second in the Region X conference for total points, Coach Smith noted. Brittany Trivette of Oxford received the “Hustle Award.”
Other volleyball team members recognized included Gabrielle Gilley of Creedmoor, Amber Newton of Louisburg, Autumn Wortham of Henderson, Jessica Wortham of Henderson and team manager Jordan Edwards of Louisburg.
From left, VGCC men’s basketball Head Coach DeMarcus Oliver, student-athletes Calvin Malik Manley, Cora Mbaye, Kalin Jackson (Most Improved), Assistant Coach Eladio Espinosa, student-athlete KJ Finley (Team Leadership Award), Assistant Coach Anthony McCrimmon and student-athlete Mitch Beck (Vanguard Award). (VGCC photo)
Vanguards Men’s Basketball Head Coach DeMarcus Oliver and Assistant Coaches Anthony McCrimmon and Eladio Espinosa presented awards to their student-athletes. The Vanguard Award went to Mitch Beck for excellence in representing the team and VGCC. The Team Leadership Award was presented to KJ Finley. Kalin Jackson of Henderson received the Most Improved Award.
Other basketball players recognized included Obray Rufus of Charlotte, LaQuad Holden of Henderson, Calvin Malik Manley of Louisburg, Bernard Gregory of Petersburg, Va., Cora Mbaye of Raleigh, Kaeson Mayfield of Durham and Brandon Eatman of Wilson.
Current or prospective students interested in participating in VGCC athletics during the 2018-19 year should contact Jermiel Hargrove at hargrovej@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3246.
Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market Opening on Wednesdays!
—Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, VCRFM
Beginning Wednesday, May 16, the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, located at 210 Southpark Dr. in Henderson, will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Chef Gavin Jackson will be at the Market with his food trailer, Gavin’s Grub Hub, serving breakfast starting at 8 a.m.
Jackson’s menu includes shrimp & grits, biscuits & gravy, quiches and breakfast style potatoes.
For additional information, please contact:
Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814
Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188
The Farmers Market building is available for rent. Contact Tracy Madigan for pricing and available dates.
**VCRFM accepts and welcomes SNAP/EBT**
Brookston Baptist Church Observing Women’s Day Service, Sun. May 13
The Brookston Baptist Church in Greystone will be observing their annual Women’s Day Service during morning worship on Sunday, May 13, 2018, at 11 a.m.
Rev./Dr. Almice Floyd-Gill, pastor of Blessed Trinity will be the guest speaker.
All are invited to attend.
Brame to Face Pulley for Vance Co. Sheriff; Ellis & Hartness Keep Their Seats
The unofficial results of Tuesday’s primary election are in and Vance County residents have selected their Democratic candidates for the November 6, 2018, general election.
With 56 percent of the votes, Democratic candidate Curtis Brame will face off against Republican challenger Charles Pulley for the seat of Vance County Sheriff. Brame received a total of 2,646 votes in the primary election – 1,431 on election day, 1,201 through one-stop early voting and 14 by absentee ballot.
Sheriff’s candidate Billy Gooch received a total of 1,379 votes, or 29 percent, while candidate Melissa Elliott ended the day with 661 votes, or 14 percent.
Vance County Board of Education incumbents Margaret Ellis (Dem) and Ruth Hartness (Dem) won the majority of votes to retain their seats as representatives for District 6 and District 7 respectively.
Ellis received 394 votes, or 76 percent, beating out challenger Omega Perry’s 125 votes, or 24 percent.
Hartness received 579 votes, or 69 percent, beating out challenger Marcia Allen’s 262 votes, or 31 percent.
Overall numbers indicate that of the 25,536 voters registered as a Democrat or as unaffiliated in Vance County, 4,691 voted in Tuesday’s election. This represents approximately 18 percent of eligible registered voters.
Any candidate who filed that is unopposed in Vance County will be on the November 6th general election ballot.
Posted election results are considered unofficial until official results are released later next week.
Two Henderson City Council Committees to Meet Tomorrow
-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson
The Henderson City Council’s Public Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at 1 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss general public safety issues.
The Henderson City Council’s Boards and Commissions Committee will meet on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at 2 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The purpose of the meeting is to consider applications for various citizen committees.
The public is welcome to observe.
St. John Baptist Church, Women’s Day Service Sunday, May 13
St. John Baptist Church, 490 Jacksontown Road, Middleburg NC, will be celebrating a Women’s Day Service on Sunday, May 13, 2018, during the Worship Service at 11:15 a.m.
Guest Speaker will be Min. Viola Calixte of United Solid Rock Faith Ministries, Warrenton, NC. and Sis. Joyce Durham will be the Presider.
The public is invited to attend.
Henderson Lions Club Meets Tomorrow
-Information courtesy Randy Oxendine, president of the Henderson Lions Club
The Henderson Lions Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Henderson Country Club on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The speaker will be Lion Melvin Hanks.
To learn more or join the Lions Club and be part of an active community service organization, contact any Lions Club member
or President Randy Oxendine at (252) 438-8034.