The Local Skinny! Tasker Fleming on MerleFest 2025

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The campus of Wilkes Community College once again transforms into a sprawling concert venue later this month when MerleFest 2025 cranks up for four days of pure musical fun.

MerleFest 2025 begins Thursday, Apr. 24 and continues through Sunday, Apr. 27.

Tasker Fleming, host of the Front Porch Bluegrass Show that airs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays on WIZS said that folks who attend MerleFest will surely get their money’s worth – different musical groups will take to stages large and small, indoors and out, during the course of each day.

One local group, The Barefoot Movement, is scheduled for four performances on Friday, Apr. 25. They’re just one of the dozens of performers – from Bonnie Raitt and the Avett Brothers to Asleep at the Wheel and Peter Rowan – included in this year’s lineup.

singers, players and pickers

And if the musical variety weren’t enough, there will be vendors galore selling all kinds of items from food to musical instruments for the thousands of attendees expected.

When Fleming attended the music festival a couple of years ago, he said one thing that struck him was the relaxed atmosphere that existed between the musicians and the audience.

“When they get off the stage, they hang around and talk to you,” he said. “You won’t get that at a normal concert.”

Visit https://merlefest.org/ to learn more.

 

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The Local Skinny! County Attorney Explains ‘Design/Build’ Concept For Jail Repairs

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners have approved a pathway for county staff to proceed with a “design/build” process to make necessary repairs to the jail as it weighs further options for construction of a new detention center.

County Attorney Jonathan Care explained to commissioners at their Monday meeting why he recommends this “new” approach be used for the repairs and expressed the need to move quickly, based on a letter from the state citing, among other things, the poor physical condition of the jail.

Care spelled out options for the short-term repairs needed at the existing jail while pursuing design and construction options for a brand-new jail; the consensus at Monday’s meeting was to use the design/build process for the repairs. Care told commissioners staff could have everything in place by the next meeting, if not sooner, to put that plan in motion.

One of the main components of the design/build approach, he explained, has both the construction side and the design side collaborating on the project instead of hiring an architect to design and then a construction team to build.

“I think that is the absolute best way to move forward,” Care said, “and that is my recommendation to move forward with repairs to our current facility.”

The design/build approach begins with a request for qualification – an RFQ – instead of a request for proposals – an RFP, which often results in awarding projects to the company who submits the lowest bid.

He said the design/build process won’t be the cheapest way, but it should result in fewer change orders during construction and fewer issues that inevitably pop up.

With the repairs, however, “time is as much of a factor as cost is.”

A jail is not something that should be pieced out and parceled, Care said.

“We need to know, down the road, that we’re going to have a facility that isn’t such a unicorn that we’re reliant on one person” to come in and make needed repairs, he said, referencing the problem with broken doors at the jail.

“I can tell you, unfortunately, we’ve experienced some of that in our current facility with updating, remodeling and building…that isn’t working for us, and it’s costing us dearly now.”

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Chamber Honors Jim Johnson, Vance Recovery At Annual Banquet

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Each year the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Banquet serves the dual roles of bringing the membership base together as well as recognizing the outstanding contributions of a local citizen and a local business.

At Thursday evening’s event, attended by about 300 people in the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center, Jim Johnson was honored as the 2024 Citizen of the Year.

As outgoing Chamber Board President Margier White shared details about the as-yet-unnamed recipient, several generations of Johnson’s family – children, grandchildren and great-grands – filed into the Civic Center and gathered along one side.

White called Johnson a “true pillar in our community,” adding that he came to Henderson in 1977 and began a 30-year career in the manufactured housing industry. In the 1990’s, Henderson was home to one of only three manufactured housing operations in the state.

Johnson was a member of the U.S. Air Force and is a decorated Vietnam veteran.

He is a graduate of East Carolina University.

Johnson has filled many roles in Hermon Methodist Church over the years and is a long-time member of the local Kiwanis club. He was Kiwanian of the Year in 2005 and has participated in all their fundraisers over the years – golf tournaments and azalea sales, among others.

He served on the board of Maria Parham Health from 1996 to 2004 and then from 2005 to 2022. He was chairman from 2011 to 2022.

His is a life “that embodies the very spirit of engagement,” White said.

His focus on family, faith and community are the key components that make Johnson such a standout.

In brief remarks following the presentation, Johnson apologized for being a little teary-eyed as he thanked the Chamber for honoring him.

“I’ve got every citizen in Vance County to thank for this award,” he said.

Duke Energy was the event’s presenting sponsor. Beth Townsend, Duke Energy’s Local Government and Community Relations Manager, announced the 2024 Small Business of the Year.

In her presentation, Townsend said this year’s Small Business of the Year – Vance Recovery – provides a crucial service to the community. Vance Recovery is a Morse Clinic in Henderson, which recently expanded and moved to West Andrews Avenue to offer opioid treatment programs in Vance County. Their methadone clinic offers Medication Assisted Therapy and counseling to help people overcome addiction to heroin and other opiates.

Henderson’s clinic is the largest of the nine Morse clinics across the state. The goal is to treat the whole person with a suite of medical and counseling services for patients with substance abuse disorders.

Program Director John Mattocks accepted the award on behalf of the clinic staff and the clinic founder, Dr. Eric Morse. Mattocks said the clinic helps roughly 400 people who are struggle with opioid use disorder.

“Our patients come to us every day and expect us to care for them,” he said, adding that the staff prides itself on providing not just medical care, but compassionate treatment as they reclaim their lives. “Anyone who walks through our door is a courageous individual,” he continued.

This year’s banquet theme,“All Aboard the Chamber Express,” embraces the idea of City and County ties to the railroad – past, present and future.

“We know that Vance County really started with the train coming through,” Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson told WIZS back in January “We’re looking forward to the train coming back,” she said, referring to the proposed S-Line passenger rail project that will ultimately connect rail service between Raleigh and Richmond. Henderson and Norlina are both proposed stops on the S-Line.

With recent federal cuts, the NCDOT this week told WIZS News, “…all USDOT discretionary grants are paused per the Feb. 26 Executive Order, and we do not know when those grants will be able to move forward. …we are moving ahead with our work as planned until we are told otherwise.”

(Original Article was post by WIZS on April 3rd, 2025)

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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-Warren Beekeepers Association meeting will be on Monday April 14, 2025 at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Soil samples are now free as of April 1st.
  • Start spraying fruit trees as soon as blossoms fall.
  • Refrain from tilling garden soil if it’s wet.
  • Purchase a good soil thermometer.
  • Use Personal Protective Equipment when doing garden chores.
  • You can plant spinach, irish potatoes, mustard, beets, kale, lettuce, carrots, peas, onions, and radish. Get your copy of the central piedmont planting guide.
  • Keep your garden journal updated each day.
  • Purchase healthy transplants.
  • If you are purchasing transplants directly from the greenhouse, keep plants outside for a few days before planting.
  • Check areas for mice. Greenhouse, storage, and shed.
  • 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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Granville County Couple Named Extension’s 2025 Small Farmers Of The Year

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Elvin and Madeline Eaton, owners of Fairport Farms in Granville County, have been selected as the 2025 Small Farmers of the Year by N.C. A&T State University during the annual Small Farms Week celebration.

The Eatons decided to grow microgreens as a retirement venture, but they wanted to change things up and steer away from some of the more traditional farming practices. Their philosophy – a no-till, no commercial fertilizer or pesticide and keeping growing beds in place for multiple seasons approach – is paying off.

Using five 100-foot-high tunnels — greenhouses without air conditioning — on just one quarter of an acre of their 12-acre Century Farm, the Eatons have grown their retirement venture into a profitable, civic-minded enterprise. A certified Naturally Grown farm, they grow microgreens, kale, collard and mustard greens, broccoli and a variety of lettuces in addition to tomatoes, potatoes, onions and carrots, supporting a farmers’ market business and a direct-sell business

More than 400 farmers, ranchers, Extension agents and partners from across the state came to A&T’s campus to attend N.C. Cooperative Extension’s 39th annual Small Farms Week, which this year centered around the theme “Next Gen Agriculture” and included educational workshops and panel discussions focused on the needs of the next generation of growers.

“We’re more than surprised,” Elvin Eaton said after the award was announced during the annual banquet at A&T State.

“We grow so different — we grow all year long, we grow covered, we grow without chemical fertilizer or pesticides. Soil health is the basis of our farm. This is far out of the norm for people in our area, but when they see the results, a lot of people have been super receptive.

“We really didn’t think we had a chance. We were just happy being nominated, honestly.”

The weeklong annual celebration was launched by Extension in 1985 to connect with small-scale farmers — including minority farmers and those in underserved communities — to ensure they receive the latest research-based information on farming techniques, new tools and technologies. It also gives the public a chance to meet their agricultural neighbors and learn about farm operations and food production.

Learn more about Small Farms Week by clicking here and watch a video produced by NCA&T that highlights Fairport Farms by clicking here.

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Elvin and Madeline Eaton, center, of Fairport Farm in Granville County, North Carolina, became N.C. Cooperative Extension’s 39th Small Farmers of the Year on Wednesday, March 26, at the annual Small Farms Week luncheon on the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University campus. From left are Interim College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Dean Shirley Hymon-Parker, Chancellor James R. Martin II, Elvin Eaton, Madeline Eaton, Wendy Tatum of Granville County Cooperative Extension and Associate CAES Dean and N.C. A&T Extension Administrator M. Ray McKinnie.

Upcoming Community Resource Festival Shaping Up To Be Largest Yet

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With more than 100 vendors already registered, the Community Resource Festival 2025 is shaping up to be the largest resource gathering in two counties, and organizers are eager to provide the community with valuable information and a fun day of networking.

The third annual event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 16 at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center. In addition to VGCC, sponsors include Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Huff Consulting, LLC

Michele Walker with Huff Consulting, LLC is one of the volunteer organizers. Interest in the event has been great, she said – so much so that some vendors have been placed on a wait list. If previously registered vendors know they cannot attend, Walker asks that they contact organizers as soon as possible to allow as many vendors as possible to take part.

“Thank you so much for making it happen and breaking records, yet again!” Walker said in a written request to vendors for door prizes and other donations.

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Walker asks vendors to share on social media outlets counts as the participation/registration fee, she said. Vendors are asked to “tag” the resource partners to help get the word out to as many people as possible.

Facebook users can add “Shelli Walker” to their tags for verification as well. Walker said she will accept all “follow” requests and she will be showcasing random vendors as a way to further promote the event’s activities and participants.

“Again, we can’t thank you enough for being a part of this Community Resource Festival and we hope you all have an amazing time yourselves! Network, Network, Network!” Walker said.

This year, vendors are eligible to win door prizes, she said. Vendors who are donating prizes are asked to inform organizers no later than Monday, Apr. 7 of the type and quantity of door prizes they’ll be providing.

There will be a table by the entrance to the Civic Center to drop donated items on the day of the event. That’s also where the winners will be announced. Previous door prizes have been gift cards, gift baskets, books and donated services.

Please send the following information to michele.walker@huff-consulting.com.

  1. Item (description)
  2. Quantity
  3. Name of Organization

Please include on each item the name of the donor organization as well as accurate contact information.

Home and Garden Show

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

  • The Vance Warren Beekeepers Association meeting will be on Monday April 14, 2025 at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Soil samples are now free as of April 1st.
  • Start spraying fruit trees as soon as blossoms fall.
  • Refrain from tilling garden soil if it’s wet.
  • Use row markers to identify what is planted in each row of your garden.
  • Reread owners manual of all power equipment.
  • You can plant spinach, irish potatoes, mustard, beets, kale, lettuce, carrots, peas, onions, radish. Get your copy of central piedmont planting guide.
  • Provide ventilation for plants in the greenhouse and cold frame.
  • Remember to wear Personal Protective Equipment when doing all garden chores.
  • Start checking your lawn care equipment.
  • Check areas for mice. Greenhouse, storage, and shed.
  • 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! April Excitement at Perry Memorial Library

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The staff at Perry Memorial Library has planned some extra activities for young people for the week leading up to Easter, when many traditional public school students will have Spring Break.

Youth Services Director Melody Peters said the library is a gathering place for the whole community, and Spring Break is the perfect time for young people to come have some fun at the library while they enjoy a few days off from school.

In addition to the regular programming like the 11 a.m. Thursday Story Times for the little ones and Pajama Story Time on Tuesday, Apr. 8 at 6:30 p.m., the library team has put together

Arts and Crafts activities for Monday, Apr. 14, Movie Day on Tuesday, Apr. 15 and STEaM Club beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 17.

While those activities are geared for younger children, teens will have the Maker Space to call their own each afternoon during the week, Peters said. “You don’t have anything to do? – Come to the library!” The Maker Space will be open from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and teens can enjoy snacks, gaming and arts and crafts activities, she said.

Members of the library staff will be at the Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, Apr. 16 which will take place at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.

This month’s First Friday activity takes place on Friday, Apr. 4 and features construction of a lava lamp, Peters said. First Friday programs feature a Science theme, and lava lamps are a perfect way to show kids how liquids mix – and separate.

“Add a little food coloring, and you’ve got a lava lamp,” she explained. Throw in an Alka-Seltzer just adds to the fun. The 10:30 program is for preschoolers and the 1 p.m. program is geared to multi-aged homeschool groups.

Then Michael Ellington from N.C. Cooperative Extension will help library patrons celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, Apr. 22 and will bring lots of hands-on activities for young people – think seed planting, Story Walk and more. “It’s going to be a great day,” Peters said.

Check out all the activities and programs at Perry Memorial Library at https://www.perrylibrary.org/

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The Local Skinny! Warren Correctional Institution Recommended For ACA Accreditation

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The Warren Correctional Institution has been recommended for accreditation following a recent audit by American Correctional Association auditors.

Warren Correctional is the 49th N.C. Department of Adult Correction facility that has either been recommended for accreditation or been awarded ACA accreditation.

It is the goal of the NCDAC to have 100 percent of its facilities and operations pursue this distinction.

Following the Mar. 17-19 audit, ACA auditors found that Warren Correctional met 100 percent of mandatory practices and 98.7 percent of non-mandatory practices, according to information from NCDAC.

The ACA Commission on Accreditation for Corrections will vote to formally grant accreditation at a future meeting.

“The staff of Warren Correctional Institution is dedicated every day, but they worked especially hard for us to meet this goal. I am extremely proud of them,” said Warden Kevin Barnes. “I also want to thank our department and Central Region leadership, as well as DAC’s accreditation and compliance specialists, for all the support and guidance they’ve provided throughout this process.”

Located in Manson, the facility houses approximately 670 men in minimum and medium custody levels. Opportunities for rehabilitative educational and vocational programs range from high school equivalency to the Correction Enterprises Janitorial Products Plant. Warren Correctional is also a site that hosts an ABEL (At Both Ends of the Leash) dog-training program.

ACA audits of performance-based standards evaluate fundamental correctional practices that

  • ensure staff and offender safety and security
  • enhance staff morale
  • improve record maintenance and data management capabilities
  • and improve the function of the facility.

As part of the accreditation process, ACA auditors spent three days conducting visual inspections, reviewing policies and procedures, and evaluating the work being done to ensure best practices are met at the prison.

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The Local Skinny! Vance County Schools District Leaders Recognized

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Two Vance County Schools administrators have completed the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association Aspiring Superintendents Program.

Dr. Destiney Ross-Putney and Dr. Nealie Whitt III were among a cohort of 39 school and district leaders from across the state to graduate from the leadership program, designed to support school leaders in their current roles while honing their skill sets in roles as future superintendents.

The North Carolina Aspiring Superintendents Program is a highly specialized leadership development initiative tailored for select district leaders who have demonstrated exceptional success in their administrative roles and aspire to the superintendency. Offered through the NCSSA and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development, the program equips future superintendents with technical expertise, leadership strategies for navigating the complexities of the role and contemporary skills essential for 21st-century educational leadership. Participants engage in multiple face-to-face leadership development sessions and benefit from an embedded Executive Coaching component with proven leaders in the field. To date, 52 alumni from the program’s first eight cohorts have been appointed to superintendencies across North Carolina.

Ross-Putney, VCS chief officer of Instruction and Innovation, said the program offered invaluable insights that apply to leadership at every level.

“The professional learning sessions were highly engaging, and connecting with fellow Cohort IX members has already proven beneficial to my work,” she stated. “I look forward to leveraging these new strategies and expanded professional relationships to further support the students, staff, and community in Vance County.”

Whitt, principal at Vance County High School, said, “Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about impact. Through the NCSSA Aspiring Superintendents Program, I’ve learned that true leadership is built on vision, resilience, and the courage to make decisions that shape the future. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and every student is a reason to lead with purpose.”

Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett said she is proud that the two VCS leaders had completed the Aspiring Superintendents Program. “Completing the North Carolina Aspiring Superintendents Program is a significant milestone that reflects not only Ross-Putney and Whitt’s dedication to educational leadership but also their commitment to continuous growth and excellence,” Bennett said. “Their participation in this program will strengthen their impact on our district and inspire those they lead.”

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