Arrest Made in Double Homicide Investigation

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This morning, at approximately 9 (o’clock), Michael Sharron Wright (age 41) was taken into custody without incident by Sheriff Robert Fountain of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office. Wright was apprehended in connection with the June 15, 2025, double homicide on Maple Street in Henderson.

Following his arrest, investigators from the Henderson Police Department processed Wright alongside the Granville County deputies, and he was presented before a Granville County Magistrate for formal warrant service. He was ordered held without bond pending his initial court appearance and is currently being housed at the Granville County Detention Center.

The Henderson Police Department extends its sincere gratitude to Sheriff Robert Fountain and the deputies of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office for their swift and professional partnership as they worked in conjunction with our agency throughout the night. We also wish to thank the Vance County and Franklin County Sheriff’s Offices for their support during the course of this investigation.

This remains an active investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141 or Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925.

— press release 6-16-25 at 11:06 a.m.

Marcus W. Barrow
Chief of Police

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On Sunday, June 15, 2025, at approximately 6:45 PM, officers with the Henderson Police Department were dispatched to the 900 block of Maple Street in reference to a reported shooting.

Upon arrival, officers located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds: Teresa Davis, age 63, and her son, Joseph Jeffreys Jr., age 26, both of Maple Street. Sadly, both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Based on information gathered thus far, detectives have obtained warrants for Michael Sharron Wright, age 41, for the homicide of both victims. Wright was last seen fleeing the area in a white Hyundai Sonata bearing North Carolina license plate KEE-6554.

Wright is considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Henderson Police Department at (252) 438-4141 or call 911 immediately. Tips that can aid in the apprehension of the suspect or assist the ongoing investigation are strongly encouraged.

No further details can be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.

— press release 6-15-25 at 10:19 p.m.

Marcus W. Barrow
Chief of Police
Henderson Police Department
200 Breckenridge Street
Henderson, NC 27536
Tele: (252)431-6055
Fax: (252)438-7311
Salvation Army

Henderson Salvation Army Welcomes Majors Jonathan And Staci Gainey As Corps Officers

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The Salvation Army announces the appointment of Majors Jonathan and Staci Gainey as new Corps Officers for The Salvation Army in Henderson. Their ministry will officially begin on Sunday, June 15 to serve in Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren, Halifax and Northampton counties.

The Gaineys bring more than two decades of faithful service as Salvation Army officers, with deep roots in both personal and pastoral ministry, according to information from Gina Eaves, office coordinator at the Henderson office on Ross Mill Road.

Married in November 1988 in Jacksonville, FL, Jonathan and Staci have four children and also enjoy being grandparents.

Staci was born into a family of Salvation Army officers and raised in a life of ministry, with her parents, Majors Thomas and Kareen Nicholls, now retired from active service. Jonathan, on the other hand, had no personal connection to The Salvation Army before meeting Staci. After 10 years of marriage, he began attending the Salvation Army corps in Jacksonville with Staci and their children. There, he experienced the transforming call of God upon his life and responded with a wholehearted commitment to ministry.

Jonathan is also a veteran of the U.S. Army and active-duty National Guard, having served honorably for more than five years before his discharge in 1998. In 2002, the Gaineys were commissioned and ordained as Salvation Army officers as part of the Crossbearers session, beginning a journey that would take them across North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Alabama in seven different corps appointments.

Jonathan has also served as a local pastor in the United Methodist Church from 2012 to 2015 and as ordained clergy within the Global Methodist Church from 2023 until earlier this year.

Their educational backgrounds reflect their dedication to spiritual formation and Christian leadership. Staci holds a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership from Nazarene Bible College and is especially known for her gift of pastoral care and leadership.

Jonathan holds both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has a strong passion for biblical study and theology, and he enjoys helping others grow in their understanding of Scripture and faith.

Music also plays a central role in their lives and ministry. Staci is an accomplished pianist who enjoys playing for worship and is often invited to provide accompaniment at divisional and territorial events throughout The Salvation Army. Her musical sensitivity brings richness and depth to the worship experience. Jonathan plays both acoustic and electric guitar, offering rhythm and lead accompaniment that enhances congregational singing and contemporary praise. Together, their musical gifts help create Spirit-filled worship environments that are both reverent and joyful.

They describe their leadership style as both delegative and coaching—empowering others through encouragement, accountability, and intentional development. They uphold an open-door policy and strive to create a culture of approachability, professionalism, and care. They believe in cultivating meaningful relationships with staff, volunteers, donors, and members of the community.

Jonathan and Staci are already in prayer for the corps family, staff, Advisory Board, friends of The Salvation Army, and the many lives that are touched through its outreach in the Henderson region. They look forward to building upon the excellent work of Major Beth Mallard, whose faithful service has made a lasting impact.

They said they are excited to continue the ministries of The Salvation Army, including providing food for those in need, serving children through the Red Shield Club’s after-school and summer programs, offering excellent worship experiences, and growing lasting relationships with volunteers, supporters and community partners throughout the region.

In both life and ministry, the Gaineys are guided by the words of Micah 6:8 (NIV): “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

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The Local Skinny! ‘Make Music Day’ featuring Jimmy & The Sound Barriers

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Throw your lawn chairs in the car and head out to Kerr Lake Country Club on Saturday, June 21 to celebrate “Make Music Day” for an open jam session with Jimmy and the Sound Barriers.

The event is the culminating activity to a day full of music throughout the county, promoted by the Vance County Arts Council and the NC Arts Council, said Jimmy Barrier on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Food and beverages will be available for purchase for the concert, which runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“I’m going to have a core band,” Barrier said, but he’s opening up the stage to others who want to join in and sing. “Gospel, country, R & B – if we know it – we’ll be glad to play it for you,” Barrier added.

“We’re just going to have a great time,” he said. “Just come on out and listen to some music. If you’ve ever wanted to come out and sing, we’ll play it and you sing it.”

Barrier, who plays stand-up bass, will be joined by Keith Aiken on dobro, J.W. Sanders on banjo and Chip Dixon, guitarist and vocalist.

Kerr Lake Country Club is located at 600 Hedrick Dr., Henderson, NC 27537

Visit https://vanceartscouncil.com/event/make-music-day-saturday-june-21-2025/ to learn more.

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AdVance, Vance Virtual Village Academy Ceremonies Add 60 New Graduates To VCS Total

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— courtesy of Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools completed the 2025 graduation season Friday with ceremonies for AdVance Academy and Vance Virtual Village Academy.

Sixty graduates received their diplomas in the two ceremonies, held at the Wayne Adcock Auditorium inside The Center for Innovation.

The day began with AdVance Academy’s commencement ceremony, where 36 students received their high school diploma. Principal Nowell Brooks, commended the graduates for their resilience and determination, and shared heartfelt well wishes as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

Vance Virtual Village Academy celebrated 24 graduates in a ceremony that reflected the unique path of virtual learners. In his keynote address, Dr. Tim Hall, K–12 Social Studies Instructional Coordinator for Vance County Schools, reminded students that: “This is not just graduation—it’s transformation.” Hall added, “You persisted through isolation, you built community through screens, and you discovered new parts of yourself in the process. You learned that leadership doesn’t always mean being the loudest—it means being the most consistent, the most compassionate, the most courageous.”

The Vance Virtual Village Class of 2025 included many outstanding accomplishments, including more than $292,195 in scholarships earned among 8 acceptances to 2- and 4-year college and universities. Additionally, one student completed an associate’s degree from Vance-Granville Community College. Other accomplishments include graduates with latin honors, as well as National Honor Society, National Beta Club, President’s Award for Educational Excellence and President’s Award for Educational Achievement.

Diplomas at both ceremonies were presented by school and district leaders, including Brooks, AdVance principal, and Dr. Jeffrey Batten, principal at V3A, along with VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett and Vance County Board of Education Chair Dorothy W. Gooche .

Together, the graduates of AdVance Academy and Vance Virtual Village Academy represent the spirit of perseverance and potential. As they move forward, they do so with the support of their families, educators, and community—and with the confidence that they are ready to shape the future. Congratulations, Class of 2025!

The Local Skinny! Oxford Armory Farmers Market Off To A Strong Start

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The Oxford Armory Farmers Market has gotten off to a good start. In just a few Saturdays, organizers say the open-air market has had about 2,400 visitors. That number makes Wendy Tatum very happy, and hopeful for future sustainability.

Tatum is the Food and Built Environment associate with Granville County Cooperative Extension, a new position supported by N.C. A&T State University.

Using information from a 2022 needs assessment, Tatum assembled a core group of volunteers to create a place for local producers could sell their produce and farm products. What began as a series of pop-up markets in downtown Oxford morphed into dozens of vendors setting up shop on the grounds of the Armory.

“We’re very much centered around agriculture,” Tatum said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny! with WIZS’s Scout Hughes. The market is open on Saturdays May through October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Craft vendors are at the market on the third Saturdays of each month.

She credits strong partnerships with the city of Oxford, the Granville County Board of Commissioners, the Kerr-Tar COG Food Council and many volunteers to get off on a positive note and to have such strong support from the community.

“We wanted a place that was highly visible,” Tatum said, in the choice made for the location of the market. “We needed it to be a walkable space – and comfortable,” she added. The Armory, located at 105 W. Spring St., is just a block or so away from the main downtown area of Oxford.

With a grant for $8,500 from Triangle North Healthcare, Tatum said the market buys produce from vendors at the end of the market day to stock the “Farm to Fridge” coolers located in library branches in the county.

Visit https://granville.ces.ncsu.edu/oxford-armory-farmers-market/ to learn more about the market or call Tatum at 919.603.1350.

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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 now open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
  • Honey Extraction Day will be on June 7th at 4pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Water your plants according to soil moisture and not by how the plants look.
  • Check your garden twice a week for insects and diseases.
  • Always read the chemical label before applying that chemical to any plants.
  • Use Personal Protective Equipment according to the chemical label.
  • Keep lawn mower cutting height no lower than 3 inches for fescue lawns.
  • If you have young children or grandchildren, teach them how to work in the garden. They are our future gardeners.
  • Cooperative Extension has excellent publications for most fruits and vegetables.
  • Use row covers to protect your garden from wildlife.
  • Continue your fruit tree spray program according to the label directions of the product that you are using.
  • Keep your garden journal up to date.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension 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! Vance County Reads with Perry Memorial Library

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Have you seen those baskets with books when you pop in the local coffee shop or the farmers market? Those books are for you! It’s part of a new program called ‘Vance County Reads’ sponsored by Perry Memorial Library.

There are 10 locations throughout the county where copies of three different books can be found, each one targeting a specific age range.

And Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said everyone’s invited to a big celebration at the end of July to meet the two local authors whose books are among the selections in the baskets.

Lots of communities have group reads, Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! She and library staff developed this program as a way to reach people who may not have occasion to visit the library itself.

“We tried to do what is a nice fit for the community,” she said.

The books are free to take, and you can bring them back after you’ve finished reading them so others can enjoy them, but it’s not required.

The goal is to get people excited about reading, she said.

Local author Curtis Harvey, Jr.’s book titled “The Perfect Pair” is geared for younger children through elementary school-aged youth.

“Super Pancake” is a graphic novel geared toward the middle school and older group, and local author Angie Ellington’s “Autumn at Apple Hill” is the book selected for adults.

Of course, anyone may choose to read any of the books, Peters noted.

Harvey and Ellington are scheduled to be at the July 29 celebration, which will be held at the library from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Find the book baskets at Perry Memorial Library and at the following locations:

  • Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson
  • Carolina Peanut Factory, 394 Zeb Robinson Rd., Henderson
  • Duke Primary Care Henderson, 480 Ruin Creek Rd., Henderson
  • Henderson Family YMCA, 380 Ruin Creek Rd., Henderson
  • Oasis of Hope Ministries, 2565 US 1/158 Hwy., Henderson
  • Sadie’s Coffee Corner, 324 S. Garnett St., Henderson
  • Starbucks, 1522 Dabney Dr., Henderson
  • Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson
  • Vanco Outdoor Equipment, 296 US 158, Henderson

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn about all the programs and services the library offers.

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“Very Conservative” KTCOG Budget Reflects Federal Funding Uncertainty

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It’s budget season, a time when cities and counties look at that tricky balance between revenues – money coming in – and expenditures – paying for services that residents need.

The Kerr-Tar Council of Government budget, however, relies mostly on federal money to fund its programs.

And KTCOG Executive Director Diane Cox said recent uncertainty with federal agencies reducing workforce and closing whole programs, this year’s budget process was different than in years past.

“I’ve always taken the conservative approach when it came to our budget,” Cox said in an interview with WIZS.

The 2025-26 budget represents a decrease of more than $2 million from the current year budget and does not include any salary or cost of living increases. Cox is proposing a roughly $5.8 million budget and is hopeful that additional federal funding will be available. The 2024-25 amended budget was just more than $8.3 million.

“Over 90 percent of our funding at COG comes through the state but they’re federal funds,” Cox explained.

“No one’s saying anything yet,” she said. “The state folks haven’t heard from that federal folks what those funds are going to look like.” So until then, Cox and the KTCOG staff wait.

“It’s sort of a wait and see position that we’re in,” she said. “We’re preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.”

One area that she’s particularly concerned about is the Area Agency on Aging, which relies on mostly federal funds. As of Friday, there had been no notice that the grant funding will be coming.

“This is the first year in the 14 or 15 years that I’ve been here that we’ve gone into the budget season without some initial numbers,” she said. For that reason, she said the budget is “very conservative” and included an across-the-board decrease.

The Area Agency on Aging programs provide services for the senior centers in all five counties, as well as their in-home aide programs, among others.

Since the pandemic, the KTCOG has provided assistance to many local governments in the region in some form or another.

Cox said while she and her staff wait for word on grant funding, KTCOG will continue to provide services and programs for the region – there’s a disaster recovery and relief expo on Thursday, June 12 at the VGCC Civic Center, which will provide information to community groups and individuals about how to cope in the event of a disaster.

“We have always had a much larger budget at the end of the year than we do at the beginning of the year” because the COG receives grant funding throughout the year.

So, while our budget may look much lower than what our current budget is, the hope (is) – and I pray – that there will be several budget amendments,” Cox said, allowing for the provision of more service.

KARTS Flex Ride Program Begins On-Demand Service

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The KARTS flex ride service officially begins today, providing on-demand transportation anywhere within the city limits of Henderson.

During the ribbon-cutting Friday, KARTS Executive Director Randy Cantor said the service “brings KARTS into the 21st century” with its Uber-style setup.

“My hope is that with the success in Henderson…maybe we can expand to other cities in the four-county KARTS service area,” Cantor said.

Riders can request a ride with a few simple clicks and swipes on the KARTS website or with an app on a smart phone. Customers can load money on an electronic pass using a credit or debit card, Cantor said.

The service will be in operation Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

City and county officials on hand for the ribbon cutting were supportive and positive the new service would work well for residents.

“We welcome this program and congratulate you all at KARTS for taking on this program,” said Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame.

Downtown Development Director Tracy Madigan said, “This is so exciting…this is really going to help our downtown…we are thrilled (and) we really appreciate all that KARTS is doing.”

Henderson is one of 11 sites across the state to get funded for this type of micro-transit offering.

“Hopefully, we’ll see this program be popular and create demand,” said Grady McCollum, senior project manager for NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division.

Being able to have this kind of convenient ability to get around town, be able to offer more flexible rides…this is going to be huge,” McCollum told WIZS News after the ribbon-cutting.

North Carolina is a leader in micro-transit programs like the one that KARTS is launching. Whether it’s a trip to a doctor’s appointment, shopping or a visit downtown, the Flex Ride is available to help get people where they want – and need – to go.

“It’s really exciting to be on that cutting edge” and be a resource for other states across the nation.

“It is a big deal, we’re very excited about it,” said Kai Monast, a transportation program expert who works with the Institute for Transportation and Research and Education at N.C. State University.

It was during COVID that the call went out to find out which entities may be interested in participating in the pilot project.

“KARTS found the capacity to raise their hand and say, ‘yes, we’re interested, even though we’re busy doing other stuff,’” Monast told WIZS News.

“They knew this was the future and they raised their hand and got included in the grant application,” he said.

 

 

 

 

Grand Opening of Community Garden at VCRFM

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The community garden at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market held its official grand opening Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Dr. Wykia Macon, director of the Vance County Cooperative Extension, was on hand and hands on!

She spoke recently at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market and said agriculture is “undeniably central to our lives,” when addressing 100 attendees of the ‘State of Agriculture’ luncheon hosted by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

Horticulture and Field Crops agent Michael Ellington was on hand and at work as well, and it’s apparent months of preparation is starting to pay off.

The community garden a place where gardeners of all skill levels are welcome to learn and share their own knowledge about growing fruits and vegetables.

Garden beds are available to rent for the growing season – each 4 foot by 8 foot bed is $40 for the whole season.

Community gardens provide lots of benefits, Ellington said recently on his weekly Tuesday segment on WIZS. Fresh, healthy food is just the beginning.

Access to affordable, nutritious food can be limited, especially in underserved neighborhoods and communities, he said. Garden plots like the ones at the farmers market offer local hands-on solutions that can reduce food inequality and increase availability.

And it just makes sense that folks who grow their own fruits and vegetables are likely to eat more of each. Community gardens give people power over what they eat, he said.

Community gardens can bring diverse groups together, and soon, new friends are swapping recipes and stories while they pull weeds and keep their plots watered.

These places “reveal that social fabric that holds communities together,” Ellington said.

Macon added that cooperative extension programs support agriculture in all its forms – from livestock and horticulture to youth programs like 4-H.

The community garden is also a place where children can learn first-hand about where their food comes from – literally – not from a video screen or a textbook.

“They learn by planting seeds, watching them sprout and harvesting what they’ve nurtured,” Ellington said.

Planting a garden can reduce grocery bills and can reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in the landfill.

Community gardens also send a clear message to prospective businesses that residents care about where they live.

If you’d like more information about the community garden, visit the cooperative extension website at https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu, call 252.438.8188 or email Ellington at maellington@ncsu.edu.

There are many ways to help, from volunteering to sponsoring to making a direct donation.

And if you don’t have a green thumb, don’t fret. Just spread the word about the community garden to friends and neighbors.