November 4th Henderson City Council Ward 4 Runoff

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UPDATE 11-3-25:

Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day for Kittrell and Middleburg townships, as well as for the runoff election in the contest for the Ward 4 seat on the Henderson City Council.

Incumbent Ola Thorpe-Cooper is seeking to retain her seat on the Council, facing challenger Catherine “Kitty” Gill.

The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and local elections officials remind voters that only residents of Ward 4 will be casting votes in this runoff election.

Henderson Ward 4 residents who vote on Nov. 4 should cast ballots at their polling precincts which include Sandy Creek, Central, Northern Vance (campus of Vance County Middle School) and South Henderson. These four precincts are the only sites that will be open on Nov. 4, according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles.

As for Kittrell and Middleburg voters, you’ll be voting for mayor as well as members of council.

In Kittrell, the incumbents are seeking re-election, including Mayor Gene Pulley and town commissioners Mary Jo Floyd, Susan Pulley and Robert B. Tunstall.

In Middleburg, incumbents Mayor Ray Bullock and council members Hazel A. Baskett, Shirley H. Bullock and Mamie Turner are seeking to retain their seats.

These mayoral contests are unopposed, and the member positions are vote for three, and there are only three candidates available in each contest.

Vance County Board of Elections Chair Susan Floyd reminds voters that they will be asked to show a photo ID before casting their ballot. All voters will be allowed to vote with or without ID. Voters who lack ID can get one for free from their county board of elections.

If you have questions, please contact the Vance County Board of Elections at 252.492.3730.

Click Play for our Broadcast Audio from the 11 a.m. hour on 11-3-25!

Kick Off Seasonal Shopping At Granville Senior Center’s Holiday Bazaar Nov. 1

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Granville County Senior Services will host its annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Granville County Senior Center, located at 107 Lanier St.,  Oxford.

The bazaar will feature 25 local vendors, all offering unique homemade items to kick-start your holiday  shopping season. Hot dogs will be available for purchase, with the proceeds supporting Senior Center operations.

For more information, please call the Granville County Senior Center at 919.693.1930.

‘Tricky’ Weather Prompts Maria Parham Health To Send ‘Trunk Or Treat’ Indoors

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Maria Parham Health’s Trunk or Treat event will still take place on Tuesday, Oct. 28, but, thanks to rainy weather predicted for the next few days, organizers have decided to send the costumed kiddos inside to get their goodies.

This is the fifth year for the event, but it’ll be the first time that it’s not a drive-thru affair. The trick-or-treating will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., said MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young. Enter through the Main Lobby of the hospital and follow a clearly marked loop that will lead you out through the doors of the Heart & Vascular department.

All trick-or-treaters must be accompanied by an adult, Young noted. “We can’t wait to see all your creative costumes and smiles – rain or shine, the fun goes on inside!” she said.

For more information, please contact Donna Young at donna.young@lpnt.net.

Henderson City Council Special Called Meeting 10 A.M. Friday, Oct. 24 For CDBG Public Hearing, Closed Session

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–      Public Notice from Henderson City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell

The Henderson City Council will hold a Special Called Meeting on Friday, October 24, 2025, to hold a Public Hearing to solicit input on local community development needs in relation to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for a project in the community and to hold a closed session pursuant to NC General Statute regarding a Personnel Matter.  The meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall in City Council Chambers, 134 Rose Avenue.  The public is welcome.

The City of Henderson anticipates submitting a CDBG application in 2025. Information on the amount of funding available, the requirements on benefit to low-and-moderate income persons, eligible activities, and plans to minimize displacement and provide displacement assistance as necessary will be available. Citizens will also be given the opportunity to provide oral and written comments on Henderson’s use of CDBG funds. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend.

The meeting will be streamed at youtube.com/@CityofHenderson-NC

Keep in mind that is just for viewing, not for commenting.

 

TownTalk: Haunted Car Wash for Local Charities at AutoBright Express

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AutoBright Express of Henderson is having a Haunted Car Wash in which proceeds will be given to local charities. The fundraising events will take place on October 24th-25th from 5-9 p.m. both days.

CLICK PLAY for more Details!

(This is not a paid ad on WIZS.com but it stems from a paid ad on the radio station.)

Reminder About Temporary Detour To Accommodate Fireworks Traffic At Satterwhite Point July 5

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Traffic along Satterwhite Point Road will be detoured for just more than an hour on Saturday night after the completion of the fireworks display at Satterwhite Point.

Norman Dickerson with Vance County Tourism reminds anyone driving out that way between 9:15 p.m. and about 10:30 p.m. that traffic will be diverted from Satterwhite Point Road onto Anderson Creek Road.

The detour will help reduce congestion and allow for timely clearing of vehicular traffic occurring immediately after the conclusion of the annual Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display at Satterwhite Point Park, Dickerson said.

During the detour period, traffic traveling north/northwest on Satterwhite Point Rd (SR 1319) will be halted at the intersection of Anderson Creek Rd. (SR 1374). Traffic leaving the park headed south back toward Henderson will be detoured east onto Anderson Creek Road (SR 1374) and then south onto Flemingtown Road (SR 1371) to its intersection with I-85.

The closure/detour is coordinated and executed by the N.C. Highway Patrol and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

State Highway Patrol

‘Firecracker Booze It & Lose It’ In Full Force Through Holiday Weekend

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The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s ‘Operation Firecracker Booze It & Lose It’ campaign is in full force through Sunday, July 6 to help keep the roadways safe as folks travel during the long Independence Day holiday weekend.

The Fourth of July holiday ranks as one of the deadliest periods on the nation’s roads, according to information from the program. The annual campaign uses public outreach and law enforcement to discourage impaired driving by performing more checkpoints and patrols on the days leading up to and following the holiday.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holiday and celebrate but getting behind the wheel after drinking is never worth the risk,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “Last year, 11,782 crashes were reported statewide involving drivers who were under the influence of alcohol. This is unacceptable. Law enforcement officers from every county in the state will be working this campaign to catch impaired drivers.”

A total of 176 alcohol-related crashes and five fatalities occurred on North Carolina roads during the Fourth of July weekend in 2024, according to crash data from the N.C. Department of Transportation. The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign serves as a reminder that there are severe consequences for reckless behavior.

“Celebrating the Fourth of July responsibly could not be simpler,” said Michael Panzarella, the chief of police for Emerald Isle, which helped kick off this year’s campaign. “What’s not simple are the impacts of someone choosing to drink and then drive. Decide in advance how to get home safely. Too often we see impaired drivers injure themselves and others when they make the choice to drive under the influence.”

There are plenty of ways to arrive safely to a destination, including designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare service. It is always good to plan ahead and work toward making a safer environment and a more enjoyable holiday for everyone.

Please visit NCDOT’s website to learn more about the campaign and consequences of impaired driving.

Reminders For Safe, Fun Independence Day Activities

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As the Independence Day holiday approaches, families and friends anticipate gathering for cookouts, outdoor activities and, of course, fireworks. But law enforcement officials and the American Red Cross have a long list of do’s and don’ts to keep in mind to make sure everyone stays safe on the water, on roadways or just in your own backyard.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame provided a list of reminders as the long holiday weekend draws near.

On average, North Carolina hospital emergency rooms see 197 fireworks injuries each year, with 70 percent of these injuries occurring in July.

You can help to reduce the number of fireworks-related injuries and be sure to follow the law by following these basic safety tips:

  1. Certain types of fireworks may be prohibited in the state or in your area. Research ahead of time to ensure you are following all laws and ordinances.
  2. Wear eye protection while lighting fireworks.
  3. Never allow children to light or handle fireworks of any kind, including sparklers.
  4. Light fireworks one at a time.
  5. Do not try to re-light fireworks that have not ignited fully. Soak them in water and dispose of them.
  6. Keep a safe distance from people, structures, and flammable materials.
  7. Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device while lighting the fuse.
  8. Keep a bucket of water or water hose nearby.
  9. Soak all spent fireworks in water before disposal to avoid a trash fire. Hot embers may remain long after the sparks have stopped!
  10. Always have fun!

Knowing the risks associated with the use of fireworks is not meant to diminish your fun, Brame said, but to encourage you and your family to be safe and avoid unnecessary injuries.

If you’re visiting the beach or the lake, it’s important to supervise children at all times. If you’re in a boat or other watercraft, every passenger needs to have – and wear – a lifejacket that fits properly.

Always use the “buddy” system when swimming – never swim alone, even if you consider yourself a strong swimmer. Be familiar with basic CPR life-saving techniques. Have rescue equipment near swimming pools such as rope and life-saving rings

Everyone knows about the dangers of drinking and driving, and that applies to boats and jet skis, too.

If you choose to stay on shore, remember to use sunglasses to protect your eyes – they’re more than just a stylish accessory. Other essentials include an umbrella or wide-brimmed hat for shade, sunscreen and plenty of water to stay hydrated.

If you’re just in the backyard, anticipate how your pets may react to the noise and lights of fireworks. It’s best to keep them inside if possible, especially if they get anxious or nervous.

Have a current photo of your animals, just in case they get frightened and run away. If you shoot off fireworks in your backyard, inspect the yard for any debris before letting dogs and cats back outside.

Food Bank Teaming Up With Schools, Henderson Family YMCA For Summer Food Distribution During July

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The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is partnering with Vance County Schools and the Henderson Family YMCA to provide food to children during the summer.

Two food distribution sites will be set up throughout the month of July – Wednesdays at Vance County Middle School and Fridays at the Henderson Family YMCA – to provide a week’s worth of shelf-stable breakfast and lunch items for any child 18 years and under who resides in Vance County.

The Wednesday dates are July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Vance County Middle School, located at 293 Warrenton Rd.

The Friday dates are July 11, July 18 and July 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Y, located at 380 Ruin Creek Rd.

Participants may visit one site per week; the program is open to any child in Vance County.

Along with the food items, children and families will be able to pick up other items and get connected with other community resources.

Click Play!

2-Day ‘June Bloom Fest’ Kicks Off Saturday, June 14 At Sunshine Lavender Farm In Hurdle Mills

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Sunshine Lavender Farm in Hurdle Mills is celebrating 25 years with June Bloom Fest, a two-day event centered around that aromatic herb in full bloom now.

Hurdle Mills sits near the Person/Orange County line, and Sunshine Lavender Farm includes a private residence and small working farm located at 4104 Millstone Rd. The event will take place Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15.

Individuals and families are invited to visit and “make memories in the countryside and celebrate the sweet, soothing properties of lavender.”

Visit sunshinelavenderfarm.com to find information about ticket prices and other activities that will be taking place during June Bloom Fest. Pre-paid general admission and workshop tickets are required to attend.

Live music by folk singers Mary Rocap and Megan Whitted of The Travelin’ Mercies will perform on Saturday.

Children under 15 get in free when accompanied by a paying adult.

(This post is not a paid ad. However, it is a trade in exchange for the generosity and kindness shown by the farm and its owners to John Rose of WIZS and his family.)