Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

The Local Skinny! Live Music at the VCRFM this Saturday

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This Saturday, Aug. 1, the Vance County Regional Farmers Market is offering up a little musical food for the soul to go along with all that fresh produce, yummy baked goods and colorful cut flowers, courtesy of Mysti Mayhem.

The Durham-based singer and songwriter brings her unique sound of soulful blues to the market for a performance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Market Manager Stephen Wolf said folks are in for not just a musical treat, but a culinary one as well.

Mayhem’s husband is going to conduct a cooking class that involves making homemade mozzarella and different types of pesto.

Having live music is just one way Wolf wants to try to attract new visitors to the market. He’s been in the job close to a month now, and he said he’s pleased with the level of vendor participation and patrons.

And on days when there’s special entertainment, like this Saturday, the market will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving customers an extra hour to shop.

Last weekend’s rainy weather didn’t dampen attendance, he said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

There were more than 500 shoppers from Vance and other nearby counties, he said.

“Everyone is seeing the importance of shopping local,” he said, adding that he wants that sentiment to continue to grow.

From produce, fruit, baked goods and farm-raised meats to cut flowers and handicrafts, the market’s vendors provide a wide variety of products for customers to enjoy.

“I’ve gotten so much great feedback from the shoppers and vendors alike,” Wolf said, expressing their satisfaction with turnout and advertising, all to support the “eat local” philosophy.

Another way to support the “eat local” phenomenon with younger customers involves using technology. And QR codes.

Tech-savvy customers can create a personal QR code to get their names in the bucket for a raffle at the close of the season, Wolf said. There’s also a loyalty program that will reward repeat customers with a branded, reusable shopping bag after three trips. Customers who shop at the market five times will earn a little off their total shopping bill, he explained.

Of course, the QR code may not appeal to everyone and that’s fine, too.

While it’s one way to see how many visitors the market has on a given day, Wolf said he’d continue to use that ancient, muscle-powered device known as the handheld clicker.

“I will definitely still be operating the clicker,” he said.

 

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The Local Skinny! Local Safety Investments From New State Budget

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The long-awaited state budget that Gov. Josh Stein signed into law earlier this month includes $40 million to provide a one-time $1,750 bonus for sworn local law enforcement officers.

The $34 billion budget includes double-digit salary increases for officers in several different branches of state agencies – 16.2 percent for SBI and ALE officers, 15 percent for N.C. State Highway Patrol officers, and 13 percent for correctional officers, according to a press statement. Probation and parole officers will get a 6.5 percent pay raise.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame told WIZS News Monday that the topic of bonuses had been discussed at the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association conference, and said he surely hopes they come through.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News Monday that the department had gotten some guidance about the bonus program from the SBI, which will be administering the distribution of funds.

“The SBI is currently implementing the program through a phased registration and certification process, and the Henderson Police Department is awaiting additional guidance regarding the next steps for participation,” Barrow stated.

Based on the information provided by the SBI, local law enforcement officers generally qualify for the one-time $1,750 bonus if they:

  • Were sworn local law enforcement officers as of June 30, 2026;
  • Are employed by an eligible North Carolina county or municipal law enforcement agency;
  • Meet the statutory eligibility requirements established in Section 41.3 of Senate Bill 257; and
  • Are certified as eligible by their employing agency through the SBI registration and certification process.

While the possibility of this bonus – which will be considered taxable income – had been discussed for some time, it was not something many local agencies truly expected to become a reality, Barrow noted.

“The Henderson Police Department believes this action reflects the State of North Carolina’s recognition of the significant recruitment and retention challenges facing local law enforcement agencies and serves as a meaningful expression of appreciation for the dedicated men and women who have remained committed to serving their communities despite increasing workloads, staffing shortages, and the growing demands placed upon the profession,” Barrow stated.

The governor joined law enforcement officials and specialized units including the Selective Enforcement Unit and K-9 teams at Raleigh Police Department’s Special Operations Division recently to highlight the state budget’s investments in public safety, including the largest pay raises to law enforcement in recent state history.

“Law enforcement careers are demanding and sometimes dangerous, but they are so important and rewarding,” Stein said. “We must do everything in our power to support those who keep North Carolinians safe. With this state budget, we are sending a clear message that we value our law enforcement officers and are investing in the next generation of North Carolinians who choose a career to keep people safe.”

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The Local Skinny! Back to School Events For All

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There are a lot of events geared toward school that will start back up soon for students in our area. The audio embedded below, as well as info at wizs.com/psas, includes Vance County Public Schools and numerous other local organizations.

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am-1pm
  • Reduce disease pressure in your garden by removing diseased leaves or the whole plant. Do not put diseased plants in your compost pile.
  • If going on vacation, have someone harvest your vegetables while you are away.
  • Now would be a great time to take soil samples if you are planning a lawn renovation.
  • Service your mower according to the owner’s manual.
  • Start planning your fall garden on paper.
  • Take rest breaks and drink water when doing garden chores.
  • Keep rain gauges cleaned after every rain and record the amount of rain in your garden journal.
  • Continue your fruit spray program according to product directions.
  • Harvest early in the day and get vegetables under refrigeration as soon as possible.
  • Get your vegetable publications from Cooperative Extension.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Wrapping Up July at Perry Memorial Library

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Kids are really gonna “dig” Bright Star Theatre Company’s program at Perry Memorial Library on Tuesday, July 28 when Dr. Sarah Tops brings her quirky curiosity to the stage as part of the summertime “Dig Into Reading” program.

Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said this Asheville-based touring company performs all over the country and Tuesday’s show at 10:30 a.m. is going to be all about dinosaurs as a way to cap off the special summertime activities.

“Live theater is really great to be able to offer and show children,” Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Later on that day, at 4 p.m., kids of all ages are invited to visit with North Carolina author Kamal Bell, who will share his book “Akeem Keeps Bees!”

“It’s just such a great story,” Peters said. The book is about a boy named Akeem who helps his dad with bees, from their arrival to finding the queen, and then harvesting honey and preparing the hive for winter.

Bell owns Sankofa Farms, LLC in Efland. Besides being a farmer and an author, he’s a motivational speaker who works to create and maintain a sustainable food source for minorities in and around Durham and Orange counties.

In 2025, the North Carolina Humanities selected the book for its Great Reads from Great Places program to represent the state in the youth category at the Library of Congress National Book Festival.

The library ends up the week with off-site activities, including a Read-Out at Chestnut Street Park on Wednesday, July 29 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Attendance was great at the last read-out, she said – between 30 and 40 people showed up to read together. In addition to free books and coloring sheets for the kids, there will be time to just enjoy the playground equipment at the newly renovated park.

The Mother Goose Story Time is convening at Kerr Lake State Recreational Area at Satterwhie Point at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 30.

It’ll be a Pops at the Park kind of a program, Peters said. Freeze pops, that is.

Come on out and enjoy some time at the Glass House on Kerr Lake.

To learn more about these programs and all the programs and services at Perry Memorial Library, visit www.perrylibrary.org.

 

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Vance County Logo

TownTalk: Vance County Water District Offers Debt Forgiveness Program For Eligible Customers

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The Vance County Water District has a forgiveness program in place in an effort to help residents with outstanding balances erase that debt and tap on to the water line.

Enterprise Fund and Special Projects Director Frankie Nobles said the water bill forgiveness program will erase 75 percent of the customer’s outstanding balance.

“We’re trying to help some customers that want water but they haven’t paid their $30 a month fees like they should have,” Nobles said.

These customers started the process to tap into the water line once it was available, and that’s when they began receiving that monthly $30 accessibility fee.

For whatever reason, there are customers who didn’t complete the process to tap into the water line, but they kept accumulating the monthly accessibility fee.

Now – several years later, in some cases – customers find themselves with outstanding balances.

Nobles said customers who are interested in completing the process to tap into the county water line can pay 25 percent of what they owe and they’ll be connected.

The offer will be in effect through March 2027.

The county also has slashed the normal $1,795 tap fee down to $125, which will remain in place until the current water expansion project in Kittrell is completed. Nobles said should be in mid-September 2026.

The Kittrell expansion is the fifth phase the county has undertaken to try to get more water throughout the county. Nobles said more than 23.6 miles of water line is involved. A final total won’t be available until the project is completed, he added, but the price tag is more than $10 million.

“We’re getting there,” he said. “It just takes a while to get it done because of the cost.”

Nobles said the county initially loses money, but added that as more customers come on line, the county can make that money back. “That’s what we’re trying to do, add customers to our system and that really helps cover all of our costs.”

He gets calls each week from residents who have problems with their wells and ask about county access to provide clean drinking water.

“We want to be able to help the citizens in the community that do want water and (who) are having issues with their well,” he said. “We want to help as much as we can.”

The county contracts with Envirolink to handle repairs, leaks, and meter installation. Contact Envirolink at 252.235.4900 or toll-free at 888.754.9878 to learn more. The email is customerservice@envirolinkinc.com

Nobles said he also is available to try to help answer residents’ questions. Contact him at 252.738.2005.

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(The above audio and text originated on WIZS May 20, 2026.)

Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am-1pm
  • Remember to open ends of garden rows if you have flooded rows after thunder storms have safely passed.
  • If going on vacation, have someone harvest your vegetables while you are away.
  • Now would be a great time to take soil samples.
  • Service your mower according to the owner’s manual.
  • Start planning your fall garden on paper.
  • Take rest breaks and drink water when doing garden chores.
  • Keep rain gauges cleaned after every rain and record the amount of rain in your garden journal.
  • Continue your fruit spray program according to product directions.
  • Harvest early in the day and get vegetables under refrigeration as soon as possible.
  • Get your vegetable publications from Cooperative Extension.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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The Local Skinny! City to Provide Cooling Stations to Beat the Heat

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The Henderson City Council voted Monday to provide emergency cooling stations that will allow vulnerable residents to seek refuge – at least during the daytime hours – from the extreme heat.

When temperatures top 94 degrees, the mayor and city manager have the authority to choose to activate and operate cooling stations.

Council Member Michael Venable made the motion to approve adoption of the emergency facility policy, which was seconded by Council Member Tami Walker. The motion passed unanimously; Council Member Garry Daeke was not present at the meeting.

Interim City Manager Kendrick Vann explained that the cooling station would operate at the municipal building site at 110 Young St., in much the same way that “white flag” nights in winter provide shelter in extremely cold conditions.

The cooling station hours will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Vann said, and would not include any overnight stays.

In addition, he said the Henderson Fire Department is going to have bottles of water on hand for anyone who may need something to drink during periods of extreme heat like the recent stretch when temperatures were in the upper 90’s.

In a written explanation in the agenda packet, Vann stated that adoption of the policy “strengthens the City’s emergency preparedness and ensures staff and volunteers have clear guidance during hazardous heat conditions.”

 

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More Than 40 Firefighters Respond To Fire At Glass Plant Saturday Night

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More than 40 firefighters responded to a call Saturday night to the Ardagh Group on Facet Road. Bearpond Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Pendergrass said the call about a glass leak came in about 10:20 p.m.

While the first units were on their way to the scene, firefighters got word that a tank had collapsed and flames were visible.

Firefighters from across the county helped, as well as departments from Franklin County. Crews remained at the scene for more than three hours, providing fire suppression, structural cooling and product containment.

The glass plant is still operational, he said. Damage was contained to the areas of the single tank that was involved. Apparently, the source of the incident was a furnace that holds molten glass before it is transferred through the machinery that creates the glass products. Pendergrass said the molten glass, at that point in the process, was about 2,800 degrees F.

Bearpond Fire Department got help from Epsom, Kittrell, Watkins, Vance County fire department, as well as Vance County EMS, Vance County Emergency Management and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Pendergrass, all employees were accounted for; no injuries were reported.

“Initial crews reported fire on multiple floors as well in the ceiling area,” Pendergrass said.

A fifth department was requested for additional manpower. Fire units would operate for roughly 3.5 hours. providing fire suppression, structural cooling and product containment.

“This incident is a true reflection of our great collaboration and working relationship between our departments and mutual aid partners,” Pendergrass said.

Click the photo to see more at the Epsom Volunteer Fire Department page on Facebook.

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The Local Skinny! New Website Regarding Information About Vance County Jail

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Vance County Manager Renee Perry told commissioners Monday that there’s a new web page to visit that contains all relevant information about the detention center.

Perry said the web page came about from a request by Commissioner Yolanda Feimster, who wanted to see detention center-related issues in one location.

“It has all the jail inspection reports, the authority of the sheriff…all presentations that have come to the commissioners,” Perry said during her report at Monday’s regularly monthly meeting.

 

According to the agenda packet, the web page will include sections on:

  • jail inspection reports
  • Sheriff’s office replies to jail inspection reports
  • DHHS Division of Health Service regulations notifications
  • Commissioners’ approved budgets
  • Commissioners’ meeting minutes
  • A link to the county’s YouTube channel
  • Commissioners’ agendas
  • Presentations by architects on the design/build concept
  • General Statutes for Sheriff’s authority at the detention center

 

Visit https://www.vancecounty.org/vcdc/ to see a broad range of information that pertains to the detention center.

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