The Local Skinny! Rebuilding Hope Gets $10K Grant From Coastal Credit Union Foundation

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Rebuilding Hope has received a $10,000 grant from Coastal Credit Union Foundation.

The local nonprofit made the announcement in its most recent newsletter. The foundation provides grants to organizations that make an impact in their communities by offering access to resources and that fit the foundation’s affordable housing initiative.

Coastal Credit Union’s local Branch Manager Karen Jones encouraged leaders to apply for the grant, according to information in the newsletter.

Emily Nail, executive director of the credit union’s foundation, presented the grant award on Nov. 20 to RHI volunteer Robbie Parham and co-director Tom Wille.

Send an email to info@rebuildinghopeinc.org if you’d like to be added to the mailing list.

Visit www.Rebuildinghopeinc.org to learn about all the opportunities available for requesting help or to make a donation or provide a service.

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YMCA

YMCA Continues Local Progress; Increases Local Impact

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Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Henderson Family YMCA’s construction project marks the beginning of what Board Chair Vanessa Jones called “the beginning of progress.”

About 100 people were present to witness the groundbreaking, braving the breezy, cool conditions as they gathered at the rear of the former Social Services building, set for demolition soon after Thanksgiving to make way for the new 38,000-square-foot building.

“We’re really excited about this project for our community,” said Bert Long, vice president of H.G. Reynolds, the local firm in charge of the project, which also will include a new outdoor pool with a retractable cover and improved outdoor walking track.

Interim CEO David Caudle said crews will begin work soon to tear down the former DSS building to make way for the expansion that lies ahead. Taking advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Y will be closed from Tuesday, Nov. 25 through Thanksgiving Day. to reconfigure the parking lot in preparation for the new facility. The Y will re-open on Friday, Nov. 28. The Y will remain open during the project, but the outdoor track will be closed from Tuesday, Nov. 25 until renovations there are completed.

The project includes a new wellness facility that will house a full basketball gym, an upper-level walking track, updated weight and cardio areas, and a studio room for classes like Silver Sneakers, step, yoga and more.

The outdoor improvements will include a retractable-dome pool suitable for swim meets, as well as a new playground, multi-purpose sports field and an updated outdoor track.

David Carver, chairman of Henderson Vance Healthcare, Inc., recounted the path thus far, more than three years in the making.

With the purchase of the Social Services building “was really the spark, the momentum to make the journey easier,” Carver said. Thanks to a $1 million gift from local physician Dr. Khanh Vu and wife Elmira Choopani in 2022, the Y was able to purchase the building that formerly housed the county’s Social Services offices.

“This is a big deal,” Carver said, adding that the project will enable the YMCA to expand services and programs for everyone from youth to seniors.

In remarks to those gathered, Triangle North Healthcare Board President Terri Hedrick said the facilities expansion also means an expansion of services and programs for the community to use and enjoy.

Carver said, “Our foundation couldn’t do anything better to touch peoples’ lives…Be proud. You should be – this is yours to be enjoyed.”

Learn more at hendersonymca.org.

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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 Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
  • Peak season for soil sample. The fees start on November 26. It’s $4.00 per sample with a turn around of 3 weeks.
  • Thinking about planting trees and shrubs. You can give Cooperative Extension a call.
  • Start setting goals for next year’s garden.
  • Use a leaf blower to keep leaves off your newly emerged grass.
  • Continue planting fall bulbs.
  • Start composting your leaves. Do Not Burn them!
  • Check vegetables that have been in storage. Ex: Irish potatoes.
  • Do not prune anything in your landscape.
  • Check cole crops for disease and insects.
  • Remember to use the proper personal protective equipment when doing fall chores.
  • 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! Winter Activities at Perry Memorial Library

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Even as regular programming slows just a bit at Perry Memorial Library as the holidays inch ever closer, the library staff is still providing a variety of opportunities to encourage people to read.

Take the Holiday Book Sale, for example. Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said the sale takes place on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nothing’s more than $1, Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Stick around downtown and stake a spot along the parade route to view the Henderson Christmas parade, which begins at 3 p.m.

The fun continues on Tuesday, Dec. 9 with Family Fun Night at the library. Come in your pj’s and enjoy some hot cocoa and cookies as you snuggle in to watch the ever-popular Polar Express, a beloved holiday classic.

“I like to bring back traditions that bring people joy,” Peters said.

She and library staff are trying out something new this year that perhaps will become a tradition – caroling downtown.

It’s taking the place of the December Community Read-In, she said. “It’s a new thing we’re trying,” she explained. The group will head out from the library at 4:30 p.m. and visit area downtown businesses to sing some familiar holiday tunes and then end up back at the library by about 5:30 p.m.

It’s all part of the library’s efforts to reach more people in the community to demonstrate the power of literacy and the importance of reading, she said.

And when you visit the library, whether to check out some reading materials of your own or to participate in some of the programming, Peters welcomes donations of warm hats, gloves and mittens that will decorate the annual Hat and Mitten Tree at the library. Drop off items at any Service Desk, she said, and help make someone else’s winter a bit warmer.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn more.

 

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The Local Skinny! MPH Gets C.O. For Phase Two Of Emergency Dept. Renovation

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– Courtesy of Maria Parham Health 

Maria Parham Health has received a Certificate of Occupancy for Phase Two of its Emergency Department renovation on the Henderson campus, marking a significant milestone in the hospital’s ongoing efforts to expand access to high-quality care—particularly for patients facing behavioral health challenges in Henderson and Vance County.

Construction on Phase Two began in September 2025 and was designed to better serve vulnerable populations across the region. The project focuses on creating dedicated spaces within the Emergency Department to meet the growing need for behavioral and mental health services, while also improving patient safety, privacy, and dignity.

“This milestone represents more than just the completion of a construction phase—it reflects our deep commitment to caring for every patient who comes through our doors,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “By expanding and modernizing our Emergency Department, we’re ensuring that our community has access to compassionate, comprehensive care, especially for those in crisis who need it most.”

Key improvements include purpose-built behavioral health treatment areas designed with safety and comfort in mind, as well as operational enhancements that will streamline patient flow and support staff well-being.

The renovation was made possible through funding secured in October 2023 as part of a collaborative initiative involving the Vance County District Attorney’s Office, Granville Vance Public Health, the Vance County Board of Commissioners, and the North Carolina General Assembly. This investment underscores a shared regional commitment to strengthening mental health care infrastructure and improving outcomes for patients across the area.

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Vance County Logo

The Local Skinny! Vance County Forms Local Emergency Planning Committee

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Vance County convened a local emergency planning committee on Wednesday, Nov. 12, with the task of crafting an emergency response plan that ultimately will become part of the county’s emergency operations plan.

With an early January 2026 reauthorization deadline, the committee was able to check off numerous items in its first meeting, including the election of Steve Reavis as chair and Adam Pegram as vice-chair.

Vance County Emergency Management Specialist Willie T. Kearney, III will serve as the group’s secretary.

By-laws will be voted on at the next meeting, set for December.

In North Carolina, most emergency planning districts operate at the county level.

 

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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 Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
  • The Handcrafted Holiday Market will be this Saturday at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Peak season for soil sample. The fees start on November 26. It’s $400 per sample with a turn around of 3 weeks.
  • Thinking about planting trees and shrubs. You can give Cooperative Extension a call.
  • Clean and winterise equipment you will not use till next spring.
  • Use a leaf blower to keep leaves off your newly emerged grass.
  • Continue planting fall bulbs.
  • Start composting your leaves. Do Not Burn them!
  • Check vegetables that have been in storage. Ex: Irish potatoes.
  • Avoid pruning right now.
  • Check cole crops for disease and insects.
  • Remember to use the proper personal protective equipment when doing fall chores.
  • 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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Henderson City Council Will Get $5K Refund From Law Firm That Conducted Investigation Following Working Conditions Survey

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The law firm that conducted an investigation of results from a working conditions survey of city employees and Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott has apologized for tardiness in producing the report and said it will refund the city’s payment of $5,208.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Henderson City Council on Monday, Council Member Tami Walker read the short statement from the Brough Law Firm, LLC, which follows in its entirety:

“We sincerely apologize for the delay in producing the report and have discussed the matter with the attorney. We agree that the report should have been provided to you already as work on the investigation has been completed. The attorney’s final report will be given to you by 11-6-25.

The city will not be charged for the investigation and the report. Also, we will provide the city a full refund of the fees charged to date for the investigation and report. The attached client ledger shows that the city has been billed a total of $5,828. The city has paid us $5,208 all of which will be refunded to you. The remaining $620 will be written off.”

Walker’s remarks came after Elliott read a letter aloud that she addressed to the Council:

It read:

“Dear members of the Council:

I want to formally acknowledge receipt of the investigative report conducted by the attorney Brough Law Firm, which was commissioned to review allegations made by various individuals concerning my role as mayor of Henderson.

I have fully cooperated with the investigation and supported a transparent process from the outset, as I believe deeply in accountability and ethical governance. After a careful review of the findings, it is clear that there is no criminal conduct, no ethical violations, and no substantiated wrongdoing found.

The report instead reflects on a collection of unverified statements, opinions and hearsay, primarily originated from individuals with different political or personal perspectives. Such narratives, while concerning, do not constitute credible evidence.

It is important to underscore that no legal or policy breach was identified. I have always upheld the highest standard of public service and work diligently to improve our city’s operations, community programs and partnerships.

I will continue to do so with transparency, fairness and the best interests of our residents at heart. I recognize that leadership can invite scrutiny, lots of scrutiny in my case, and I welcome any process that strengthens trust between our government and the citizens we serve.

However, it is equally vital that future actions and reports be guided by facts rather than conjecture.

Henderson’s residents deserve governance based on integrity and truth, not unfounded allegations.

In my closing, I remain steadfast in my commitment to serve all citizens of Henderson, with honesty, humility and dedication.

I look forward to continuing work collaboratively with the council to advance our shared mission of building a stronger, safer and more unified community.”

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“Faith in Mental Health” to Discuss Depression and Anxiety Monday Night at VGCC

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The Faith in Mental Health program will host a discussion on “Faith-informed approaches to understanding and treatment depression and anxiety.” Speakers will include Dr. Roddy Drake (former Health Director at GVPH) and Dr. Tobias LaGrone (Community Outreach & Faith Based Coordinator at NCDHHS). The event will include opportunities for group discussion, interactions with local providers, and distribution of resources.

The discussion will be held at the Vance-Granville Community College (Civic Center Auditorium) on Monday, November 10th at 6 p.m. All community members are welcome to participate, especially those who have participated in the certificate program. Participation is free, with light refreshments available.

Mental illness and substance use challenges affect millions of Americans each year, with rural communities often experiencing even higher rates due to risk factors such as trauma, economic hardship, and limited access to care.

Of particular concern are increasing rates of depression and anxiety, especially among younger members of our community. Depression is more than just a temporary feeling of sadness but rather a crippling and chronic challenge for many, often requiring temporary pauses in work and other activities. Likewise, a limited level of anxiety is a normal human experience, but there are many for whom elevated levels of anxiety can significantly impair their ability to perform everyday tasks. Thankfully, treatment solutions (pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical) exist for those who significantly struggle with depression and/or anxiety. Further, many faith traditions, including but not limited to the Christian scriptures, directly address themes related to depression and anxiety, offering a framework for how to understand these complex and debilitating emotional states in a way which aligns with other spiritual teachings.

Recognizing both the need for support and the unique strengths within rural communities, a new initiative, Faith in Mental Health, was launched to help address this growing crisis. The program aims to equip churches throughout Granville and Vance County to better respond to the substance use and mental health-related needs of their congregation. Participation in the program is free and open to all churches in Granville and Vance County.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Karl Johnson at kjohnson@gvph.org or Pastor Frank Sossamon at pastorfrank1954@gmail.com.

— GVPH Press Release

GVPH is a rural Academic Health Department with the mission of protecting and promoting health in Granville and Vance counties. GVPH provides a broad range of primary care and prevention clinical services, dental services, health education, health promotion, environmental health, and overall disease and injury detection. Supporting local public health sustains economic development, education systems, community safety, and overall improvements in community resilience. To learn more about our programs and services go online to www.gvph.org or call the Granville County office at (919) 693-2141 or the Vance County office at (252) 492-7915.

Now is the Time to Join the H-V Chamber of Commerce

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With all the ribbon-cuttings taking place recently, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce has had to keep those giant scissors sharpened. This is a busy time for the Chamber, not just because of all those ceremonial welcomes – it’s also annual membership campaign season.

And Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s been a busy time at the chamber,” Wilkerson said on Tuesday’s TownTalk, “but it’s been a great time” as new businesses and new members come on board.

Of course, Wilkerson said, the Chamber welcomes new members any time during the year, but folks who join during the membership campaign won’t get another bill until January of 2027 – that’s like getting 15 months for 12. The current campaign runs through Dec. 19.

As Wilkerson sees it, a members’ annual dues are really an investment from members who reap the benefits of being a part of an organization that brings people from across the community together to network with each other, forming partnerships and friendships.

“You get out of it what you put into it,” she said, emphasizing that the regular get-togethers have a way of strengthening ties within the business community. “If you are one who never gets out of the office, you’ll lose some of that energy,” she said.

And the Chamber’s fundraisers also are celebrations, she said, as people come together for a common goal.

“It’s so much more for the people that come and participate,” she said.

When Wilkerson realized she needed to offer something for the members that are nonprofit organizations, the Chamber started quarterly nonprofit engagement gatherings. The most recent one had 80 people in attendance.

“It’s been very successful,” she said. They bring in speakers – some local, some from elsewhere – and learn about grant opportunities and more.

Last week’s “State Of” luncheon had more than 100 people, and Wilkerson said it’s been a popular series for the community to learn what’s up in the community and across the region.

Another Chamber-sponsored program is Leadership Vance, which brings a diverse group of people from a cross-section of the community together for a months-long program to learn about the county where they live and work.

“I’ve seen so many people in Leadership Vance,” she said, “so many that go on to become Chamber ambassadors, board members and elected officials…and a greater love for the community.”

A spinoff of that is a student version of Leadership Vance. It started a few years ago to get high school students involved in learning about and appreciating all the positives in the county. This year, 44 students applied for the program, and the Chamber loosened up the 16-participant cap to make room for 19.

“These kids can go out and spread that positivity to their peers and to their parents,” Wilkerson said.

The Chamber has its finger in a lot of pies throughout the community, but for Wilkerson, the best part about being the Chamber president is getting to spotlight local businesses. As a lifelong Vance County resident, she said it’s interesting to go into a business and sit down with people she may have known for a long time and learn all about their work and how they fit in – and give back to – the community they call home.

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(The audio and information above was originally air and posted on WIZS and WIZS.com on October 28, 2025)