Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Youth Programs Happening Perry Memorial Library

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Chocolate fondue. Sewing on a button. Legos.

Not necessarily what you’d associate with a library.

But Melody Peters, youth services director at Perry Memorial Library says all these things – and more – are available for library patrons.

From Mother Goose Story Time on Thursday mornings to Life Hacks sessions, Peters said the library offers something for everyone.

“We use every square inch” of the library, she said. “It’s wonderful.”

The Legos club meets on Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. The Survival Skills class helps participants with things like sewing on a button.

Take the recent Survival Skills session that focused on sewing on a button. One participant took the new-found knowledge and said she was going to go home and sew the hole in her bunny. And not only that, she’d be able to sew the hole in her blanket and even the hole in her mom’s coat. Now that’s a survival skill, taken to the next level.

The library has its own spaces to hold classes like the Survival Skills class, but the adjacent Farm Bureau Room also is a space that community groups can reserve.

“It is certainly a gift to have a room accessible to the community for different programs,” Peters said.  “It’s amazing,” Peters said, of the community space.

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City of Henderson Logo

The Local Skinny! City Of Henderson Financial Health

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The city of Henderson is in pretty good financial shape, according to a recent report presented by the auditor who completed the annual comprehensive study.

Bryon Scott delivered the positive news to City Council members during its November meeting, and he said the only bit of information that concerned him was uncollected taxes.

In the fiscal year ending June 2022, the city’s uncollected taxes were just more than 3 percent, according to minutes from the city council meeting. When that 3 percent threshold is passed, it triggers the state to require a letter stating the reason for going over the 3 percent mark.

Mayor Eddie Ellington thanked Finance Director Joey Fuqua and the finance department staff for all their hard work in helping with the audit process.

Council Member Mike Rainey moved the approval of the report, seconded by Council Member Ola Thorpe-Cooper. The vote to approve was unanimous.

Highlights of the report:

  • The five-year trend for the total fund balance is about $12.3 million. Of that amount, in 2022, the unavailable fund balance was roughly $3.2 million in 2022, up from $2.4 million in 2018.
  • The city’s General Fund available fund balance is about 55 percent of General Fund expenditures.
  • Regional Water System fund has the largest cash balance followed by the General Fund.  Regional Water also had largest fund balance.
  • The city’s tax collection percentage rate is 97.57 percent.  The city’s largest debt type is business debt.  The remaining 16% of debt is governmental.  Ad Valorem taxes is the City’s largest revenue, with the second-largest revenue being intergovernmental (distributions from the state). Tax from sales and services is third.
  • Public Safety is the largest General Fund expenditure, followed by transportation.  The third-largest expenditure is Recreation and Parks.

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Armed Robbery Mast Drug Dabney Drive

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UPDATE Noon Friday –

When asked if there was anything new to report, Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said, “Nothing that has led to an arrest.”

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UPDATE 5:30 p.m. Thursday –

Press release information from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow:

Jan. 19 at approximately 9:30 a.m., two subjects entered Mast Drug at 418 Dabney Drive brandishing a firearm and demanding prescription medication. The two assailants exited the business and entered the front and rear passenger area of a 2019-2023 Toyota Rav4 (Black). The suspects left the business and headed West on Dabney Drive.

Multiple items of evidence were collected at the scene and from other sources, but police still need the assistance of the community. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141 or by contacting Crime Stoppers through the P3 App or by calling (252) 492-1925. Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $2,000. You can also contact Henderson Police through Facebook Messenger.  (HPD on Facebook)

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UPDATE 10:45 a.m. Thursday –

Henderson police are investigating an attempted armed robbery that occurred at a local drug store this morning and are looking for a late-model Toyota RAV 4 in connection with the incident.

Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News moments ago that two suspects entered Mast Drug on Dabney Drive about 9:30 a.m. Nobody was injured in the attempted robbery.

The suspects came inside, presented firearms and tried to rob the store of narcotics, dropping some items as they left, Barrow said, which he said could provide valuable information as the investigation continues.

Barrow said he has contacted federal officials, as well as local sheriff offices and the State Highway Patrol to be on the lookout for the vehicle in question. A description of the suspects was not available at this time. The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911.

 

Oxford Man Sentenced to 10-Year Statutory Maximum After Shooting Two People and Leaving One for Dead

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— press release —

William Brian Coghill was sentenced this past Friday to 10 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon after shooting two acquaintances and leaving one for dead at his home in Oxford, North Carolina. This is the statutory maximum sentence available for this offense. Coghill also pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree attempted murder in state court and was sentenced to 15 to 19 years.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, on August 14, 2021, Granville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) responded to a 911 call regarding a gunshot victim located at Fredrick Road, Oxford, North Carolina. Upon GCSO’s arrival, the first victim, who had a gunshot wound to his right arm, advised that he had been at the residence next door when he was shot. He was then transported via EMS to a local hospital. As deputies tried to find a blood trail to ascertain the first victim’s direction of travel, they heard a male voice groaning from the front porch area of Coghill’s home that he shared with his mother. A second male victim was located on the porch, doubled over, writhing in pain. Victim two had two gunshot wounds to his lower right side/back area and the front lower left abdomen area. The second victim was transported via Life-Flight to a local hospital.

Minutes after knocking at the doors and windows of the residence, Deputies were permitted inside by Coghill’s mother, and he was found hiding in the attic of the home with a shotgun. Deputies discovered two spent 9mm shell casings on the porch of the residence. Coghill’s mother later told deputies she witnessed her son take the shotgun in one hand, and a black pistol in his other hand, to the porch where the two victims were sitting and began pointing both the shotgun and the pistol at the victims. She stated that both victims begged Coghill not to shoot them. Coghill’s mother stated she was able to take the shotgun away from her son and took the shotgun to her bedroom. She returned to the porch and watched as her son pulled the trigger of the pistol, shooting the first victim, then turned the pistol toward the second victim, and fire again, striking him. Coghill then went into the house, turned out the lights, and forbid his mother from calling for help. The second victim spent several weeks in the hospital and was close to death at one point. He also underwent several surgeries.

Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II presided over the sentencing. Granville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer May-Parker prosecuted the case.

Home And Garden Show

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

  • If space for a garden is limited consider constructing garden beds.
  • Continue planting trees and shrubs. It’s better to plant them now than waiting until the temperature heats up in late spring.
  • Write down on paper what garden problems that you had last year call Cooperative extension. We might help you with some of those problems before you run into them in 2023.
  • Tree fruit such as apples, peaches and nectarines require extensive spray programs.Do your research now so you’ll know the schedule and have the right products and equipment on hand
  • January is inventory month for gardeners to check older seeds and do a germination test.
  • This is also a good time to organize your seed starting supplies.
  • Do maintenance on all garden equipment.

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The Local Skinny! Valentines For Veterans

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Gentiva Hospice in Oxford is hosting a Valentine’s For Veterans event later this month to make Valentine’s cards that will be shared with veterans in five different are counties.

This is the third year that Gentiva, formerly Kindred Hospice, has sponsored the activity, and Patient Care Coordinator Whitney Allen told WIZS’s Bill Harris on The Local Skinny! that she invites people of all ages to come out and show support for the veterans.

Allen said she’s not quite sure just how many cards will get made, but the group will make as many as it can.

“It’s not just for kids,” she said, “it’s for anyone who wants to come out and help our veterans.”

Volunteer Coordinator Brittany Wilson had the idea a few years ago to have a card-making party and open it up to the community to participate.

Gentiva employees bring their children, she said, and a Girl Scout group has participated in the past. But it’s not just for groups – any individual who wants to come and put their art skills to work as they enjoy some pizza and music are welcome.

Gentiva has about 20 clients who are veterans and they will get cards, but they’ll also be distributed at the VA in Durham, Allen said; cards will end up in the hands of veterans in Vance, Granville, Person, Durham and Wake counties.

“They just love it,” Allen said of previous card distribution program.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Gentiva Hospice, located at 136 Roxboro Road in the Food Lion shopping center.

Individuals also can purchase cards and drop them by the Gentiva office. Before Feb. 1.

Call Gentiva at 919.603.0126 to learn more or find details on Gentiva’s Facebook page.

 

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Sossamon Sworn In As Dist. 32 Rep In N.C. House

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Frank Sossamon was sworn in last week as the new legislator representing Vance and Granville counties in the N.C. House before an audience of supporters in the lobby of McGregor Hall.

The Hon. John Dunlow administered the oath of office following remarks from county officials representing the local county commissions and chairmen of the Republican party.

Sossamon defeated incumbent Terry Garrison in the November mid-term elections. He had an official swearing-in on Wednesday in Raleigh.

In comments during the ceremony in Henderson earlier in the week, Sossamon recounted how he reached the decision to put throw his hat into the proverbial ring.

“The Lord used my own words against me,” Sossamon quipped, explaining that he told his church members to “be that somebody” to make change.

“I became that somebody,” Sossamon said. “I’m in it to serve the people.”

The retired pastor of South Henderson Pentecostal Church, Sossamon said he is going to have to “work hard and work fast and work smart” to get things done in Raleigh in his two-year term.

“Under my watch, I want us to be able to say that District 32 is one of the most prosperous districts” in the state; he said it currently ranks among the poorest districts.

He wants to focus on community development in both counties, which he said would have the side effects of decreasing crime, increasing educational opportunities and give young people hope.

“If we want company to come, we’ve got to clean up our house,” he said.

In an interview with WIZS News following the swearing-in, Sossamon said he looks forward to serving the people in District 32 to get some things done, and he said he will challenge the citizens he represents to join him in the effort.

Vending Machines Dispense Books For Elementary Students To Enjoy

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A special type of vending machine has been placed at L.B. Yancey Elementary, the contents of which will help students add to their personal stash of books.

The vending machine dispenses chapter books, graphic novels, easy readers and more, and students need only to insert golden tokens to make their selection.

Vance County Schools and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday morning to launch the program, which will soon place “Inchy the Bookworm” vending machines in the other nine elementary schools within the Vance County Schools district.

Children receive the golden tokens as a reward for positive behavior, and they can choose from a diverse selection of books for readers on different grade levels, according to information from VCS Communication Coordinator Brielle Barrow.

“We are so grateful to have an opportunity to support students with building their home library”, said L.B. Yancey Principal Dr. Shannon Bullock. “We encourage our students to read at home and having the book vending machine makes it possible for students to read a variety of books that interest them.”

The vending machines and their contents were purchased by VCS as part of its literacy initiative to encourage reading and building student’s personal libraries.

“I’m excited for the book vending machine! This is such an innovative way to instill the love of reading throughout our building,” said Principal Letitia Fields of New Hope Elementary.

Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine, developed by Global Vending Group, can hold up to 300 books. The book vending machine will be refilled regularly with graphic novels, chapter books and easy readers to meet the varying needs of individual students.

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Home And Garden Show

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

 

  • Start your garden journal for 2023
  • Study up on Grapevine pruning.
  • Sketch out on paper your garden plan for 2023
  • Check flower beds for cool season weeds and pull them now while they are small.
  • When ordering seeds don’t get caught up in all of the photos in seed catalogs. Order what you need.
  • Take stock of vegetable gardening supplies such as seed starting trays,tomato cages,Irrigation supplies, et cetera
  • If you think you have any shade trees that need pruning, begin making arrangements now.
  • Construct a small greenhouse to be able to grow plants next year.

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The Local Skinny! Mayor Ellington Discusses City Council Meeting

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The Henderson City Council approved Monday a request of up to $15.3 million from the Local Government Commission to fill a gap in projected costs for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System expansion.

This request includes an extra cushion of $300,000 that may be needed for administrative costs, according to City Manager Terrell Blackmon, who explained the situation to council members during the regular monthly meeting.

Bob Jessup, an attorney whose firm the city contracted with to help manage this part of the project, told council members that the money could be available by mid-March.

Mayor Eddie Ellington elaborated on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! and said that he and other city leaders have met with state officials to make sure the $80 million project stays on track.

“We’re always working to reach out at the state and federal level,” Ellington told John C. Rose on Tuesday.

Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the skyrocketing cost of materials, “expenses increased in a short amount of time,” he said. Ellington said he and others have met with state leaders to garner support for the project and have been met with nothing but positive responses.

N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, Rep. Michael Wray have been supportive, as well as Diane Cox with the N.C. Kerr-Tar Council of Government.

“It’s a big deal,” Ellington said of the expansion project. “We have to have it for the future.”

 

 

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