Two Face Charges, One Suspect Still At Large In Connection With Break-In Of Slot Machine At Local Mini Mart

/by

— Press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On July 7, 2025, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a larceny call for service at the New Hope Mini Mart (10289 NC 39 North, Henderson, NC 27537)

Upon arrival, the store clerk stated that the lock was broken off the slot machine and that the machine was $9,000.00 to $10,000.00 short.

Shortly after, Deputy T. Macon spotted a white BMW, traveling South on NC 39 North just past Haywood Wright Road.

A traffic stop was initiated which resulted in the front passenger fleeing on foot and two other occupants being detained.

The driver, identified as Dkendre Myliek Andrews (DOB: 11/05/2003), was charged with felony conspiracy, received a $65,000.00 secured bond, and has a court date of Wednesday, July 9. Andrews remains in custody at the Vance County Detention Center.

The rear passenger, identified as Alexus Murphy (DOB: 11/12/1999), was charged with felony conspiracy, received a $65,000.00 secured bond, and has a court date of July 9, 2025.  Murphy remains in custody at the Vance County Detention Center.

After further investigation, the front passenger was later identified as Dayvon DyShiek Person (DOB: 09/04/1990).  Person is still on the run and has the following outstanding charge(s): break/enter into coin/currency operated machine, damaging coin/currency operated machine, resist/delay/obstruct, and felony larceny.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Person is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or through the P3 app.

 

4-H Logo

Cooperative Extension with Micah Sharpe: All Things 4-H

/by

Micah Sharpe, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Joy Othoo, a rising senior at NC State University majoring in Agroecology and Community Food Systems and an intern with the Vance County Cooperative Extension, joins Micah Sharpe on this edition of All Things 4-H to discuss her time in Vance County with her internship.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

Click Play!

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Two-Spotted Spider Mites

/by

Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Two-Spotted spider mites can invade landscape plants quickly in hot dry conditions.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

Click Play!

Vance County Logo

Department Of Social Services Board Votes DSS Director Out

/by

UPDATE July 2, 7:25 PM

The Vance County Department of Social Services Board of Directors has voted to dismiss DSS Director Sandy Weaver.

Weaver was appointed to the role on Oct. 1, 2024. County Attorney Jonathan Care confirmed the board’s decision took place on Wednesday, June 18 in an interview with WIZS News Tuesday.

“The county’s official statement is ‘This is a DSS personnel matter,’” Care said, adding that the DSS board is the hiring authority of the director.

“She was within her nine-month probationary period, and they voted before the expiration of that probationary period not to continue her employment,” Care said.

But DSS Board Chair Leonard Frieson said, “Because of pending matters, I can’t say anything. You need to contact the county attorney or the county manager – they will speak for me.”

The newly adopted county budget for 2025-26 includes $10,225,717 for administrative costs at DSS, according to County Manager C. Renee Perry. Perry told WIZS News Wednesday that Cassandra Hart is the interim director.

Perry referred other questions to the DSS Board Chair. WIZS reached out to Frieson Wednesday for comment. “Due to pending legal action I cannot comment at this time,” Frieson stated.

In May 2025, the state notified the county that it would be taking over part of the DSS child welfare services, citing numerous safety violations and social work practices that didn’t align with law, rule or policy – despite having been under a correction action plan since June 2024.

Then last week, a cybersecurity breach occurred at Vance County DSS that is currently under investigation.

******************************

UPDATE July 1, 4:56 PM

The Vance County Department of Social Services Board of Directors has voted to dismiss DSS Director Sandy Weaver.

Weaver was appointed to the role on Oct. 1, 2024. County Attorney Jonathan Care confirmed the board’s decision took place on Wednesday, June 18 in an interview with WIZS News Tuesday.

“The county’s official statement is ‘This is a DSS personnel matter,’” Care said, adding that the DSS board is the hiring authority of the director.

“She was within her nine-month probationary period, and they voted before the expiration of that probationary period not to continue her employment,” Care said.

But DSS Board Chair Leonard Frieson said, “Because of pending matters, I can’t say anything. You need to contact the county attorney or the county manager – they will speak for me.”

In May 2025, the state notified the county that it would be taking over part of the DSS child welfare services, citing numerous safety violations and social work practices that didn’t align with law, rule or policy – despite having been under a correction action plan since June 2024.

A cybersecurity breach occurred last week at Vance County DSS that is under investigation by state and federal authorities.

NCDMV Now Serves Walk-Ins All Day, Tweaks Check-In Process In Effort To Improve Customer Service

/by

— information courtesy of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is rolling out operational changes at its driver license offices to help customers stay out of long lines and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the hot summer months. These changes aim to get the lines moving, streamline the check-in process, and enhance customer comfort while maintaining efficient service.

Under the new system and effective immediately, all driver license offices in the state now serve walk-in customers all day. Customers without an appointment no longer have to wait until 12 noon to be seen.

Additionally, examiners will prioritize checking in customers quickly and directing them to wait in their vehicles or at a nearby business until space is available in the office lobby. DMV staff will review customers’ documents to ensure they have everything needed for their desired service before checking in. Customers will receive a text notification when there is room in the lobby and another when it is their turn to be served.

“We’re committed to making the DMV experience as comfortable and efficient as possible, especially during these scorching summer months,” said NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine. “By focusing on quick check-ins and allowing customers to wait in cooler, shaded areas, we’re reducing time spent standing in the sun while keeping our offices running smoothly.”

People may notice there are no lines outside some locations, and that’s intentional. Customers will be checked in and waiting elsewhere, ensuring a more comfortable experience. However, the NCDMV encourages customers to come prepared for the possibility of brief waits during check-in. Bringing water, snacks, necessary medications, and items like an umbrella or chair can help ensure comfort while waiting to be processed.

“We want our customers to be safe and prepared,” Tine added. “Due to the severe temperatures, we decided to implement these changes more quickly than planned. If you do not have to come into DMV in the next week as we make these changes, please don’t come in.  We should have a more comfortable and predictable experience that allows us to serve our customers better once the new system is fully in place.”

NCDMV also reminds customers to check the requirements for their specific service on the NCDMV.gov website before visiting an office to avoid delays.

The changes to the check-in process are being implemented at 82 of the 115 driver license offices around the state and reflect NCDMV’s ongoing efforts to improve customer service and adapt to seasonal challenges. The remaining 33 offices will be receiving updates that better fit their size and restrictions in the near future.

The 20 DMV offices that offer walk-in service on Saturday mornings will be closed on Saturday, July 5. Saturday service hours will resume at all locations on July 12 and will continue through Aug. 12.

All NCDMV offices will be also closed on July 4 for Independence Day.

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! July Fun at Perry Memorial Library

/by

Kids can beat the heat on Tuesday mornings in July by ducking into Perry Memorial Library and catching a movie. And parents, you can’t beat the price: it’s FREE!

The movie series kicked off today with the popular Dog Man on the big screen. The movies begin at 11 a.m., and Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said next up is Mufasa on July 8, followed by Sonic 3 on July 22.

Tuesday afternoons heat up with a string of “Color My World” activities, the Summer Reading Program theme.

On Tuesday, July 8 at 4 p.m., it’s “Color My World With Fossils” when Coleman Davis with the N.C. Fossil Club brings his collection to the library.

Peters said the club, founded through the N.C. Museum of History, sends representatives to places like Perry Library to do outreach activities.

“It’s quite something,” Peters said of Davis’s collection. “I learned so much last year.”

But Tuesdays don’t get all the fun stuff during the summer – Thursdays are filled with activities for all ages of young people all day long.

There’s Mother Goose Story Time at 11 on Thursdays, where children 0-5 (and their siblings, too) can gather to enjoy stories and songs with a summer theme.

Then, on Thursday afternoons, a shorter version of the story time kicks off at 3:30 p.m. “It’s designed for families on the go,” Peters said. A quick story followed by those ever-popular bubbles for children from PK through elementary school.

Kids can stay for LEGO Club or STEAM Club, which start at 4 p.m. for the younger crowd, or stick around for Teen Time in the Maker Space, which will be stocked with snacks and arts and crafts activities.

Peters said the summer reading program is off to a good start, and she is pleased to see that entire families are participating.

“I love the response we’re getting,” she said. “We’ve got families reading together,” she said, filling out very simple reading logs and then coming in and choosing their prizes.

It’s a great way for parents to get involved with their kids’ activities, she said.

Check out www.perrylibrary.org to view the complete schedule of events and activities.

CLICK PLAY!