The Local Skinny! Bryan Cohn Sworn In NC House 32

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Bryan Cohn was sworn in last week to begin his term as District 32 representative in the N.C. House, which includes Vance and Granville counties.

Cohn edged out incumbent Frank Sossamon by a final total of 228 votes in one of several close races in the Nov. 5 general election.

Following appeals and challenges, the N.C. State Board of Elections certified the results on Jan. 6.

Although he officially took office Jan. 8 during a swearing-in event that was part of the legislature’s opening day activities, Cohn told WIZS News Monday that a ceremonial swearing-in will take place at McGregor Hall in Henderson Sunday, Jan. 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve the people of District 32 in the North Carolina House of Representatives,” Cohn said in a press statement. “This community has placed its trust in me, and I am committed to working tirelessly on behalf of all residents to ensure our district’s voice is heard and our needs are met.”

“The electoral process demonstrated the resilience of our democracy, and I am proud to represent a district that values fairness and integrity,” Cohn added. “Now it is time to focus on what matters most—working together to create a brighter future for all North Carolinians.”

As the new representative for District 32, Cohn’s legislative priorities include expanding access to affordable healthcare, investing in public education, supporting small businesses, and protecting the natural resources of the Kerr Lake region.

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The Local Skinny! Rise Against Hunger

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This year’s local Rise Against Hunger event organizers are counting on packing 65,000 meals in about four hours on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, and they are hopeful that folks from across Vance and Granville counties will join in the effort.

“It’s about the community coming together” as much as preparing bags of a nutritious mixture that are sent to places across the globe to feed hungry people, said co-organizer Sue Nicholas.

The Rise Against Hunger pack-a-thon returns this year to the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.

As of Wednesday, about 75 people had signed up to take part in the Jan. 20 event, but Nicholas said they’ll need more like 300 to make sure they can achieve the 65,000 goal.

But the event isn’t just about packing food to send to other continents, she added. Non-perishable food items will be collected to be shared with ACTS in Henderson and ACIM in Oxford, local food banks that feed hungry people in the two counties.

The set-up for the day is pretty simple – individuals or groups can sign up for one of two shifts, the first is from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and the second shift covers 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

During the two-hour shifts, teams will measure rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and more to create nutritious and transportable bags, each of which will feed six people, Nicholas said.

She and co-organizer Sandra Wiggins have been working through details of the day for the past few months, and there’s a lot of excitement about bringing the community together to work for a common goal.

“It takes all of us to do this – working together is the most important thing,” Nicholas said. “As a community, you come together…for such a great cause – to fight hunger.”

And participants have fun as they get the work done, she added. “Before you know it, we’ve packaged 10,000, then 20,000,” and a gong sounds to celebrate each time 10,000 meals are completed.

“You have fun while doing good,” Nicholas said.

It was 2020 when the event was held at the farmers market, she recalled. “That was the first time (that) it was a big collaboration of folks,” Nicholas said. “There was lots of positive energy from it,” but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed plans for a couple of years. Fast-forward to last year’s event, held at the VGCC Civic Center, when teams packed 60,000 meals.

There’s a fundraising component to the pack-a-thon, too, Nicholas said, and there’s still a considerable amount to go – about $21,000. But Nicholas is confident that folks in the two counties will come together to reach that goal, too.

For those who may wonder just how that money will be spent, Nicholas said Rise Against Hunger has a four-star rating with a charity score of 90 percent, which means money goes to buy the food and then get it delivered.

The main office is located in Raleigh, she said. Rise Against Hunger was started in 1998 by Ray Buchanan, a former Marine and a retired Methodist minister. As a Marine, he saw parts of the world where people struggled to have enough to eat, so he started the organization to help feed hungry people around the world.

Nicholas said the meals that will be packed in Henderson are destined to wherever they are needed the most. A couple of months after the pack-a-thon, she expects to be notified where the pallets of boxed and bagged meals were sent.

“They can end up in any place across the world.”

There’s a QR code to scan to join the team, go to https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/register/?id=701Pj00000DGxfnIAD 

or you can call Nicholas at 252.425.4505 and she can help get you registered.

Visit https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/ to learn more about the organization and its impact.

 

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Home And Garden Show

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

  • “Do You Want to be a Beekeeper?” Workshop, will take place on January 13th, at 6pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • The Vance and Warren County Beekeepers Association will meet on January 13th, at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • The Beginning Beekeepers School will start January 18th, starting at 9am at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. For more information contact the Vance County Cooperative Extension at (252) 438-8188.
  • Soil samples right now are $4 a sample.
  • Review your 2024 Garden Journal. Look back at your journal entries to see what went well and what did not go as well in your garden last year.
  • Now is a good time to check your house plants to see if they need repotting. 
  • It’s still a good time to take inventory of your seeds. That way you will know what vegetable seeds to order, try ordering a new variety of seeds for the 2025 growing season.

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! Perry Library Kicks Off 2025 Youth Programming

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It’s a New Year at Perry Library and staff have planned some exciting programs to offset winter’s cold – from gluten-free volcano construction to Wii games in the teens’ Maker Space.

Youth Services Director Melody Peters said that in addition to the return of program staples like Mother Goose Story Time for youngsters 0-5 years at 11 a.m. on Thursdays, library patrons can take part in First Fridays for preschool groups beginning this Friday, Jan. 10.

Technically, Jan. 10 is the second Friday, but Peters told WIZS’s Bill Harris that the New Year’s holiday created a slight scheduling wrinkle.

The initial First Friday activity targets children ages 3-5 involves making a volcano, Peters said, using baking soda, almond flour (so it’s gluten-free) and vinegar. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. and lasts about a half hour, and Peters said it covers all the bases for engaging preschoolers in hands-on activities while exposing them to science – on this case, the chemical reaction created by mixing baking soda and vinegar.

The Lego STEAM club and gaming club meet on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and it’s a time for children to get their imaginations flowing as they creatively build with those iconic colorful plastic bricks. Teens gather in the Maker Space for games on the Nintendo Wii.  But for the younger kids, there’s the “regular, good old-fashioned” board games – “Don’t Break the Ice!” is a particular favorite, Peters said. The library also has a Pokémon game for young people to join in the fun of collecting those still-popular trading cards first introduced in the mid 1990’s.

Find out more at https://www.perrylibrary.org/.

 

Hassan Kingsberry To Fill Dual Roles; City Manager and Part-Time City Attorney

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Monday at noon the Henderson City Council met for a special called meeting and entered into closed session for a personnel matter.

When the council returned to council chambers at City Hall, Mayor Melissa Elliott seemed to indicate the council would hear two motions.

Hassan Kingsberry, who became interim city attorney after Rix Edwards resigned and who was apparently named the city manager a couple of weeks ago, will now serve as both the city manager and part-time city attorney.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon, also who has resigned with an effective date of January 10, said after the meeting that the meeting was held “to approve the contract and make public the salary.”

Sara Coffey made a motion, seconded by Ola Thorpe-Cooper, to start the new manager at the salary of $161,906.40, the amount apparently being considered as a level two salary for the position out of a one-to-four range.

A City of Henderson press release issued after the meeting said of the now dual role Kingsberry’s salary, “(He) will begin his role as City Manager with an annual salary of $161,906.40, which represents a savings of $18,000 compared to the salary of the outgoing City Manager, Blackmon. Additionally, he will earn $40,000 annually as the part-time City Attorney.”

The second motion, made by Michael Venable and seconded by Geraldine Champion, was to move Kingsberry from interim attorney status to part-time City attorney.

Tami Walker, Thorpe-Cooper, Venable, Coffey and Champion each voted in favor of each motion. Councilmen Garry Daeke, Lamont Noel and Sam Seifert were not present.

As to possible conflicts of interest in the dual position, Blackmon said, “I use outside counsel all the time.” He said there would “probably be some matters (Kingsberry) can’t advise on.”

The City’s press release said, “Prior to (Kingsberry’s) appointment as City Attorney, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Legal Services, but no firm or individual responded.”

Kingsberry is scheduled to be sworn in as the new City Manager at City Hall in the Council Chambers on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 6 PM.

Kingsberry is the first African American to be City Attorney for Henderson, NC.

(Script above added and updated 5:30 p.m. Monday, January 6, 2025)

(Audio below added to post Tuesday, January 7, 2025)

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No Signs of Foul Play; Man Died in Car in Walmart Parking Lot

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— information courtesy of the Henderson Police Department and Chief of Police Marcus Barrow

On January 3, 2025, at approximately 9 p.m., officers from the Henderson Police Department responded to a report of an unresponsive individual in the parking lot of Walmart, located at 200 N. Cooper Dr.

The person, identified by police as Brian Allen Campbell, age 39, was found unresponsive in his vehicle.

Campbell was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene.

Emergency personnel have not identified any signs of foul play at this time. Campbell’s body was transported to a local facility for evaluation by a medical examiner.

The Henderson Police Department will maintain an open investigation pending the findings of the medical examiner or any additional information that may become available.

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The Local Skinny! Variety Wholesalers To Add Big Lots To Its List Of Stores

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Henderson-based Variety Wholesalers is acquiring hundreds of Big Lots stores and a couple of distribution centers, practically doubling the number of retail stores it operates in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Add Big Lots to the 380 or so Roses, Roses Express, Maxway, Bill’s Dollar Stores, Super 10, Super Dollar and Bargain Town stores that currently are operated by Variety Wholesalers.

The deal is part of a sale announced Dec. 27 to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners which  enables the transfer of between 200 and 400 Big Lots locations to Variety Wholesalers, according to information provided by Big Lots, Inc.

Big Lots filed for bankruptcy in September 2024.

Lisa Seigies, Variety Wholesalers’ president and CEO, said, “We are excited to partner with Gordon Brothers to provide a path forward for the Big Lots brand and hundreds of its stores. We look forward to working with members of the Big Lots team to realize the exciting opportunities ahead.”

Bruce Thorn, Big Lots’ president and chief executive officer, said, “The strategic sale to Gordon Brothers and the transfer to Variety Wholesalers is a favorable and significant achievement for Big Lots that reflects the tireless work and collective effort of our team. This sale agreement and transfer present the strongest opportunity to preserve jobs, maximize value for the estate and ensure continuity of the Big Lots brand. We are grateful to our associates nationwide for their grit and resilience throughout this process.”

Rick Edwards, Gordon Brothers Retail Partners’ Head of North America Retail, said, “We are pleased to reach this strategic agreement with Big Lots and partner with Variety Wholesalers to achieve a path forward that allows Big Lots to continue to serve customers with extreme bargains and an outstanding shopping experience.”

 

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City Attorney Kingsberry Set To Become City Manager Jan. 13

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The City of Henderson will have a new city manager effective Jan. 13, 2025, following the appointment of Hassan Kingsberry to the position. In a 4-3 vote, the City Council voted last week to extend the offer to Kingsberry, who has served as interim city attorney since early December.

“As one who grew up on 520 Whitten Avenue, I am honored to serve as City Manager for the City of Henderson,” Kingsberry said in a press statement issued by the city received at WIZS on Friday.

“I look forward to collaborating with the City Council, staff, and community to achieve our shared goals and create opportunities for peace, prosperity, and progress.”

The city manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of Henderson’s government, manage its budget, and work closely with the City Council to implement strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all Henderson residents.

Mayor Melissa Elliott called the second special called meeting in as many weeks to go into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

When the group returned from the closed session, Council member Tami Walker made a motion to make Kingsberry the city manager.

Voting in favor were Walker, Geraldine Champion, Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Michael Venable. Council members Garry Daeke, Lamont Noel and Seifert voted against. Council member Sara Coffey was not present.

Following the first special called meeting on Sunday, Dec. 15, it was announced that City Manager Terrell Blackmon had resigned, effective Jan. 10.

Kingsberry was announced as the interim city attorney at the regular December Council meeting.

Blackmon submitted his letter of resignation on Wednesday, Dec. 11 – two days after the regular monthly Council meeting. He didn’t elaborate on any reason for his decision to resign. Blackmon told WIZS that his last day as manager will be Jan. 10. He came to work as manager in 2020.

He will go next to be one of two assistant city managers in Jacksonville, NC.

S-Line Rail Corridor

The Local Skinny! City Council To Hear Train Station Recommendations

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The city’s Land Planning Committee is set to recommend to the full City Council that the former First National Bank building on Garnett Street be used as the S-Line train station.

Council Member Garry Daeke is a member of the land planning committee, and he attended a meeting of the committee held Thursday, Dec. 19. Daeke told WIZS that a couple of options were discussed, and ultimately, the committee decided to get behind the former bank building over the Garnett Street Station.

But that decision comes with a hefty price tag – Daeke said development of the bank building location and mobility hub concept would cost five to seven times the cost of the Garnett Street Station option. The price is between $15 million and $25 million for developing the bank building idea and $3 million to $4 million for the Garnett Street Station option.

“The bank building is such a central part of downtown,” Daeke said. “We’d like to put it to good use.”

Estimated costs of getting the bank building itself ready for its new use are about $10 million, Daeke said, compared with $7.2 million for the Garnett Street Station. The city owns the bank building, but not the Garnett Street Station, so there would be extra costs involved to purchase that property.

Daeke said N.C. Dept. of Transportation officials would like to have the city’s answer by January so plans can continue for the S-Line development. There’s still a lot of legwork to do to secure various federal grants and other funding options, he said, but NCDOT officials have said that if all goes well, the project could take between five and eight years to complete. “If funding takes a while, it could be 10 to 15 years,” Daeke said.

“I’m really looking forward to this occurring,” he said, adding that figuring out the grants and other financing is a necessary part of the process to create a mobility hub for the whole community to use and enjoy.

The bank building has lain vacant for a number of years, but it hasn’t been a bank for decades.

“There’s just so much structural work to do,” he said, including the possibility of creating a second-floor walkway from the William Street side of the building.

According to Daeke, assistant city manager Paylor Spruill has noted that the building is “overbuilt” to support the weight involved, but there remain questions about upgrades to the substructure.

Then there’s the question of the access road located between the rear of the buildings parallel to William Street, which is presently used by existing businesses for loading and unloading.

There would still be a need to have some type of access road back there, he said.

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The Local Skinny! Groundbreaking at Epsom Park

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Franklin County Parks and Recreation Director K.P. Kilpatrick has been in his role just since April of this year, but he’s already been able to check one big item off the to-do list: witness the groundbreaking of Epsom Park.

The park will be located on the site of the former Epsom School, and plans have been in place for a while – almost 20 years, in fact – to construct a park for residents to enjoy, whether they live in Franklin County or Vance County.

County officials and community leaders joined Kilpatrick at the recent groundbreaking  for Phase 1 of the project, which is scheduled to be completed in fall of 2025.

It includes a walking loop, sand volleyball court, playground, multipurpose field and a picnic shelter, as well as a spot for cornhole.

“We’re happy to get it started,” Kilpatrick told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The 7.62 acre property practically straddles the Franklin/Vance County line, and will be the fourth park that Franklin County is responsible for.

It’ll be a place where the community can come for recreation as well as athletic events and other organized programs, Kilpatrick said. There could be a movie night at the park, for example, volleyball and cornhole tournaments in addition to the more traditional types of sports played on the multipurpose field.

Kilpatrick envisions Epsom Park as a place for “great leisure opportunities” and a “great place to create memories.”

 

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