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 closed for the season. Thanks to all customers and vendors for a successful year in 2025!
  • Soil Samples are $4 per sample, Don’t guess soil test!
  • Use foliage from your Landscape to make festive decorations.
  • Check your compost pile and turn it if you haven’t done so recently.
  • Check local nurseries and garden centers for gift ideas and hints to Santa.
  • You can continue to plant trees in your landscape.
  • Visit a public garden/arboretum over the holidays to see which plants look good during the winter.
  • Clean old nests out of bird houses.
  • Remember to check your natural Christmas tree for water every day.
  • Do not use salt on your drive, use sand or cat litter for added traction.
  • 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! Wrapping Up 2025 at Perry Memorial Library

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As 2025 winds down, Perry Memorial Library Youth Services Director Melody Peters reflects on successes throughout the year as patrons, staff and the community celebrated the library’s centennial.

Libraries have transformed over the years to being so much more than just a place to check out books, and Henderson’s library is no exception. Families can come in to watch movies, like the recent showing of The Polar Express in the Farm Bureau room, bring homeschool groups in for special activities and participate in events that reach into the community.

Staff and others from the community will gather at 4:30 p.m. today Wedat the library and then set out for Garnett Street to serenade local downtown businesses with Christmas carols.

“This is a new program and I’m glad the weather’s going to be cooperating, Peters said on Tueday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

“We just want to spread the joy of the season around downtown,” she said, promoting literacy and the downtown district in the process.

It’s not unusual for the library to try new programs and events, all in the name of promoting reading, literacy and community togetherness.

Peters said she was particularly pleased with the summer program. “I was just so thrilled the way the summer reading program reached a new level of continued engagement,” she said. Community read-in events and book bins throughout county businesses filled with books for the taking were just a couple of examples of the library making new connections and reviving old connections with patrons.

“We were really busy, and that’s ok” Peters said, recalling the hustle and bustle of summer activities coming on the heels of a full calendar year filled with special events and regular monthly programming.

More than 7,000 individuals participated in the various programs the library offers, and Peters no doubt is looking for more in 2026.

Community support is critical to make sure individuals and families are aware of the programs and services the library offers.

“It really takes everybody working together promoting literacy,” she said.

we couldn’t’ do it without that comm support.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn more.

 

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Vance County Logo

The Local Skinny! Vance Co. Commissioners’ Special Called Meeting Tuesday, Dec. 16 At 4 P.M.

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. to hold public hearings on several zoning requests and to receive and potentially approve a fiscal operations policy.

According to information from Clerk to the Board Dywanda Pettaway, Board Chair Carolyn Faines called the meeting, which will be held in the commissioners’ conference room of the county’s administration building, 122 Young St.

The two rezoning requests – (ZMA25-003 & ZMA25-004) – are pursuant to Section 11.2(D)(1) of the County Zoning  Ordinance and N.C. G.S. 160D. Article 6.

Public hearings regarding the two rezoning requests will be held beginning at 4 p.m., after which the commissioners will receive an updated fiscal operations policy. The board may choose to approve this policy, which contains information detailing county procedures and policies “designed to reflect best practice, not minimum practice,” according to information from Finance Director Stephanie Williams. “The intention is to create a consistent, disciplined framework that supports the long-term financial health of Vance County,” the statement continued.

 

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The Local Skinny! Suspect Takes His Own Life Following Double Shooting In Southern Granville

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Two people remain hospitalized Thursday following a shooting Tuesday in southern Granville County. The alleged shooter died near the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an hours-long standoff with law enforcement.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Granville County Sheriff Robert Fountain identified the alleged suspect as 27-year-old Bradley McCurdy.

During the press conference, Fountain provided a timeline of events.

A 911 call came in Tuesday afternoon about the shootings, which Fountain said had a “domestic component.” Law enforcement arrived at Grand Oak Road, which has a Franklinton address although it is located in Granville County, several miles from Wilton Elementary and the intersection of Highways 56 and 96.

The female victim was shot twice in the back of the head, and a male victim was shot once, Fountain said. The female was listed in fair condition at the time of the news conference; the male was in critical condition. Their names were not released.

The suspect fled the scene in a white pickup truck, which was located and stopped on Pine Ridge Road off Hwy. 96 after law enforcement officers executed a traffic stop. Negotiators talked with the suspect in efforts to get him to exit the vehicle, Fountain said.

Talks continued into the evening, Fountain said. The sheriff initiated the conversation with the suspect, then handed it over to a Granville County Sheriff’s Office sergeant and the SBI.

Fountain said they set up a command center at Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department to develop a plan of action, with officers at the scene monitoring the situation.

It was about 10:30 p.m., he said, when a gunshot rang out. A drone was flown in to assess the scene and produced images of the suspect with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

He was removed from the vehicle, at which time life-saving measures were administered.

EMS transported him to a local hospital. He died of his injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

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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 Vance-Warren Beekeepers Association will meet on December 15th at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Take inventory left over seed before ordering any new seed.
  • Use fireplace ashes as a soil amendment. 1 bushel per 1000 sq.ft.
  • Check your compost pile and turn it if you haven’t done so recently.
  • Check local nurseries and garden centers for gift ideas and hints to Santa.
  • You can continue to plant trees in your landscape.
  • Indoor plants not flowering? Try moving closer to a window or otherwise increase light.
  • Most indoor plants need repotting every year or so. Use a high quality potting mix and a slightly larger pot.
  • Remember to check your natural Christmas tree for water every day.
  • Do not use salt on your drive, use sand or cat litter for added traction.
  • 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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The Local Skinny! Vance County Train Derailment Spills Dog Food Supplement; No Injuries Reported

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A train derailment last week at Eastern Minerals caused a supplement used in dog food to spill, but officials said there was never any danger to the public or to the environment.

The incident occurred at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, according to CSX officials.

Clean-up of the product, a food grade Zinc used as a dog food supplement, was completed the same day that it was spilled, according to Vance County Emergency Management Specialist Willie Kearney.

Kearney said he and Vance County Assistant Fire Chief Adam Pegram met with a CSX Hazmat responder and the rail inspector to discuss details of the incident. “Everything is good to go,” Kearney said, adding that CSX representatives would most likely be invited to attend an upcoming Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting in 2026.

According to witnesses, the train derailed between the Peter Gill crossing and Eastern Minerals facility crossing on Raleigh Road.

CSX officials said one of their trains derailed three cars – two on their side, one upright – on an industry track located near Bearpond Road. No injuries were reported and no waterways were impacted.

 

 

 

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Phase 2 Of Operation ‘Robocall Roundup’ Expands Crackdown On Illegal Calls

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— information courtesy of the office of N.C. Attorney General

N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson kicked off Phase 2 of Operation Robocall Roundup, expanding the crackdown on illegal robocalls to include four of the largest voice providers in the country. As part of an ongoing investigation, the bipartisan Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, led by Jackson, has directed Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Lumen, and Peerless to stop transmitting suspected illegal robocalls across their networks. The letters to the companies are available here.

In a statement Thursday, Jackson said “Phase 2 of Robocall Roundup is about the larger companies that are knowingly pushing through millions of scam robocalls. “We’re giving them thirty days to clean this up. If they don’t, we’re prepared to use every tool we have. The scale of this abuse is outrageous and we’re not going to tolerate it.”

In August, Jackson sent warning letters to 37 smaller voice providers that were allowing suspected illegal robocalls onto the U.S. telephone network. This next phase targets companies with far larger footprints in the U.S. telecom ecosystem. The four companies are continuing to transmit hundreds of thousands – and in some cases, millions – of suspected illegal robocalls.

In 2022, 51 attorneys general joined forces to create the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force, which is led by North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The Task Force investigates and takes legal action against companies responsible for significant volumes of illegal and fraudulent robocall traffic routed into and across the United States.

Phase 1 of Robocall Roundup included sending warning letters to 37 companies, with positive results:

  • 13 companies were removed from the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database, meaning no provider in the United States may accept their call traffic.
  • 19 companies stopped appearing in any traceback results, indicating they ceased routing suspected illegal robocalls.
  • At least four providers terminated high-risk customer accounts identified as transmitting illegal traffic.

Jackson said the changes demonstrate that enforcement is working. “But to protect the public, the largest carriers must meet the highest standards,” he said.

 

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.
  • There will be a Small Grain Referendum on December 4th at the Vance County Cooperative Extension Building.
  • Peak season for soil sample. The fees start on November 26. It’s $4.00 per sample with a turn around of 3 weeks.
  • Make a fresh cut at the base of natural Christmas trees before placing the tree in the stand.
  • Take inventory of your garden tools while you are cleaning and storing them. Do any need to be replaced before next spring?
  • Visit a local nursery to purchase your poinsettias. You will likely find a better selection of colors and sizes.
  • You can continue to plant trees in your landscape.
  • Continue composting your leaves. Do Not Burn them!
  • Double check all equipment that has held water this year. That equipment needs to be drained of all water.
  • Select greenery from your landscape to make festive holiday decorations. Ex holly, cedar, pine cuttings.
  • 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! Perry Memorial Library Holiday Festivities Include Book Sale, Movies And Caroling Downtown

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It’s not a stretch to imagine that librarians love to give books as gifts – in fact, Perry Memorial Library’s Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters says a book “is a gift that keeps on giving.”

So why not do a little holiday shopping at the Friends of the Library’s Back Door Book Sale? It’s happening Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the library.

Books are no more than $1 and gift wrapping is free, said Peters.

Proceeds go to support the Friends of the Library, which in turn supports library programming.

There will be hot chocoloate, goodies and a craft activity to create your own special bookmark, Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The library has lots in store to get folks in the Christmas spirit. Bring the whole family on Tuesday, Dec. 9 for a special showing of the movie “The Polar Express.” The movie begins at 4:30 p.m. and Peters said it’s fine to bring your own snacks – traditional pajama wearing is encouraged, but not required!

The library is kicking off another tradition this year with carol singing along Breckenridge and Garnett streets on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The group will gather at the library at 4:30 p.m. before making its way to the police station and then along Garnett Street, stopping at local downtown businesses to share some familiar holiday carols.

They’ll return to the library by about 5:30 p.m. and enjoy S’mores as a special holiday treat.

“I love caroling,” Peters said. “We’ll sing carols everybody knows,” but she’ll have printouts of the lyrics just in case.

If the weather’s chilly, carolers will most likely be wearing hats, scarves and mittens to keep warm, and Peters reminds patrons and others in the community to bring donations of hats, gloves and mittens to the library to decorate a special tree. The winter clothing items are free for anyone to take who needs them. Donations may be taken to any of the library’s service desks.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn more.

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The Local Skinny! Warren County Football to Play in Eastern Regional Final Friday Night

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The Warren County Eagles are headed to the Eastern Regional finals of the 2A State Football Playoffs following a 40-14 victory the day after Thanksgiving over the Holmes Aces.

Head Coach Victor Hunt said it took a day or two to soak it all in, but the coaching staff and the team are getting ready for the next matchup, set for Friday, Dec. 5 against the Tarboro Vikings.

“To be able to step into that world of December football is absolutely amazing,” Hunt told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Hunt said he’s pleased to see all the positive comments on social media, talking about the team’s accomplishments and hopes for another victory – or two.

If the Eagles- now 11-2 on the season –  win Friday, they’ll play for the 2A state championship.

The Tarboro Vikings are 13-0 so far this season, having easily taken care of East Bladen last week by a score of 54-7.

Hunt has a healthy respect for Tarboro – they broke a record for most consecutive state championships, he said.

In fact, it was Tarboro that ended the Eagles’ playoff run last season, Hunt said.

He said he’d talked with the Tarboro coach and said “it shows that we’re growing as a program that I have to see you again,” he recalled. Last year’s contest was a one-sided win for Tarboro, but Hunt said he’s keeping that in the rear-view mirror.

“I always look at our losses as lessons,” he said. “And we’re back here a year later, just in a later round” to face a team with a long tradition of winning.

This week, practice is going to focus on mental preparation for Friday’s game.

Making sure the kids know their assignments is key to advancing.

Hunt said his team needs to be disciplined, especially on defense. “When you have the opportunity to make the play,” he said, “you gotta make it.”

 

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