Plans should be in place by summer 2025 to send an additional fire department to structure fires in the county, a move that has the potential to save lives and property, not to mention having a possible positive effect on the county’s insurance rating and property owners’ insurance premiums.
Brandon Link, president of the Vance County Firefighters Association and chief of the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department, said the idea of sending a fourth department on calls was solidified at a recent joint meeting of the county’s public safety committee and the fire commission.
Although a work conflict prevented him from attending the Nov. 20 meeting, Link said he was briefed by others in attendance.
The county commissioners had earlier given the green light, but the plan “had been in a holding pattern for a while,” Link said, partly because the county was conducting a fire study to consider restructuring the county’s fire departments, all but one of which are volunteer departments.
Link said he believes the Vance County Fire Department will remain the lone fully staffed station to provide support to departments when they get dispatched to fire calls.
When that additional department is dispatched, it means there will be more trucks, more water and more personnel on scene to more quickly extinguish fires and get control of the situation.
Those are the three main criteria that are factored in to determine a county’s insurance – ISO – rating. A better ISO rating translates into lower premium bills for property owners.
“It’s something we’ve all been asking for, close to five years now,” Link said.
Unfortunately, those premiums won’t be going down for this five-year cycle, he said, adding that the decision was “bittersweet – we knew it was going to make a difference… we missed the boat (this time) but hope to get it next time.”
Making the necessary changes to get that fourth department included on calls takes a little doing. The 911 dispatchers use a response matrix to determine the order that departments are called to fires, Link said.
“It is exciting, (but) it’s a long process,” he noted, adding that a good bit of the groundwork has been laid – now it’s just a matter of getting that information put into the system.
Link said there’s a good mix of seasoned and new, or newish, chiefs of the various departments who are “walking in lockstep together, which to me is a good sign.” Everyone wants what is best for the county, and his colleagues are willing to do whatever they can to provide the best service possible.
County Manager C. Renee Perry and the commissioners have heard their needs, requests and options for providing fire service, he said. “They understand our love and passion and desire to do our job.”
As for the fate of the Vance County Fire Department, Link said local fire officials have expressed their desire for it to stay in place and that the county would be “taking a step backwards” if changes are made to the way it operates. “They are vital to us in what we do,” he said of the paid firefighters at that station.
And while appreciative of all the part-timers and volunteers that are the backbone of the other departments across the county, Link said that’s not enough coverage. Part-timers and volunteers have jobs or other commitments. “They’re not obligated to respond,” he said, but “they’re committed to respond – when they’re available.”
The state requires a minimum of four firefighters to respond from the primary fire department dispatched to a call, but Link said there could be as many as eight or nine who show up.
Add four that come from VCFD – plus the chief if it’s a daytime call – and another three or four from the secondary department and now from that fourth department, and there could be upwards of a couple of dozen people on the ground to combat the fire.
But that number could just as easily be halved, he added, depending on the number of volunteers and part-timer firefighters who are available.
Having more people and equipment responding to a fire call could help when it comes to ISO ratings, Link noted.
Drewry maintained its ISO rating of 5. Epsom improved to a class 4. The Watkins department improved its rating to 5 this year. Several other departments have been evaluated but haven’t gotten their score yet, and the last three departments should be completed in the next few months. The results are a report card of sorts to reflect performance.
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Duke Energy Customers Will See Slight Drop In Rate Prices
/by WIZS StaffThe North Carolina Utilities Commission approved the Duke Energy Progress request to lower customer rates by 4.5 percent.
The lower rates begin this month. In a message to WIZS, Duke Energy’s Local Government and Community Relations Manager Beth Townsend said, “It’s important to note that with the cold snap we’re having right now, most customers are using more energy compared to last month – we had a very warm fall. If you’re running your heat around the clock, your next bill will be higher of course – but it will be 4.5 percent lower than what it would have been under the old rates.”
In a press release from Townsend, it’s indicated that Duke Energy Progress residential customer rates in North Carolina will decrease 4.5 percent as part of an annual adjustment for the cost of fuel used to generate electricity at the utility’s power plants.
The release said, “A typical residential customer in North Carolina using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month will see an overall decrease of $7.34, or about 4.5 percent lower than prior rates… That is 11 percent below the national average of $174.21 – a difference of approximately $235 per year.”
Commercial customers will benefit too, from an average decrease of about 6.3 percent, while industrial customers will see an average decrease of less than 0.1 percent.
Duke Energy Progress serves about 1.5 million customers in central and eastern North Carolina, including Raleigh, as well as the Asheville region.
24-Year-Old Henderson Woman Dead From Gunshot Wound In Tuesday Altercation
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow
A 24-year-old Henderson woman is dead and another woman has been charged in connection with the shooting death that happened on Vance Street Tuesday afternoon.
According to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow, officers went to the 800 block of Vance Street about 4:15 p.m. on a report of a shooting.
When they arrived, they located several individuals, including the victim, Ja’neta Teiona Wynn and the suspect, Shamiar Carter, 40, also of Henderson. Wynn was found to have been struck by gunfire and was transported immediately to an area hospital where she soon after succumbed to her injuries.
Information gathered indicated that an altercation occurred with several individuals involved, which led to the suspect discharging her firearm. Carter remained on scene and was detained by law enforcement soon after arrival. The suspected firearm was also located and seized along with several other items of evidence.
Carter has been charged with the homicide and has been remanded to the Vance County Detention Facility without bond.
We are thankful for the information and cooperation we received from the public during this matter. We would appreciate any other information the public may have that might prove helpful. Please feel free to contact us through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or P3 app, at 252.438.4141, or through Facebook Messenger.
TownTalk: Joint Public Safety And Fire Commission Meeting
/by WIZS StaffPlans should be in place by summer 2025 to send an additional fire department to structure fires in the county, a move that has the potential to save lives and property, not to mention having a possible positive effect on the county’s insurance rating and property owners’ insurance premiums.
Brandon Link, president of the Vance County Firefighters Association and chief of the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department, said the idea of sending a fourth department on calls was solidified at a recent joint meeting of the county’s public safety committee and the fire commission.
Although a work conflict prevented him from attending the Nov. 20 meeting, Link said he was briefed by others in attendance.
The county commissioners had earlier given the green light, but the plan “had been in a holding pattern for a while,” Link said, partly because the county was conducting a fire study to consider restructuring the county’s fire departments, all but one of which are volunteer departments.
Link said he believes the Vance County Fire Department will remain the lone fully staffed station to provide support to departments when they get dispatched to fire calls.
When that additional department is dispatched, it means there will be more trucks, more water and more personnel on scene to more quickly extinguish fires and get control of the situation.
Those are the three main criteria that are factored in to determine a county’s insurance – ISO – rating. A better ISO rating translates into lower premium bills for property owners.
“It’s something we’ve all been asking for, close to five years now,” Link said.
Unfortunately, those premiums won’t be going down for this five-year cycle, he said, adding that the decision was “bittersweet – we knew it was going to make a difference… we missed the boat (this time) but hope to get it next time.”
Making the necessary changes to get that fourth department included on calls takes a little doing. The 911 dispatchers use a response matrix to determine the order that departments are called to fires, Link said.
“It is exciting, (but) it’s a long process,” he noted, adding that a good bit of the groundwork has been laid – now it’s just a matter of getting that information put into the system.
Link said there’s a good mix of seasoned and new, or newish, chiefs of the various departments who are “walking in lockstep together, which to me is a good sign.” Everyone wants what is best for the county, and his colleagues are willing to do whatever they can to provide the best service possible.
County Manager C. Renee Perry and the commissioners have heard their needs, requests and options for providing fire service, he said. “They understand our love and passion and desire to do our job.”
As for the fate of the Vance County Fire Department, Link said local fire officials have expressed their desire for it to stay in place and that the county would be “taking a step backwards” if changes are made to the way it operates. “They are vital to us in what we do,” he said of the paid firefighters at that station.
And while appreciative of all the part-timers and volunteers that are the backbone of the other departments across the county, Link said that’s not enough coverage. Part-timers and volunteers have jobs or other commitments. “They’re not obligated to respond,” he said, but “they’re committed to respond – when they’re available.”
The state requires a minimum of four firefighters to respond from the primary fire department dispatched to a call, but Link said there could be as many as eight or nine who show up.
Add four that come from VCFD – plus the chief if it’s a daytime call – and another three or four from the secondary department and now from that fourth department, and there could be upwards of a couple of dozen people on the ground to combat the fire.
But that number could just as easily be halved, he added, depending on the number of volunteers and part-timer firefighters who are available.
Having more people and equipment responding to a fire call could help when it comes to ISO ratings, Link noted.
Drewry maintained its ISO rating of 5. Epsom improved to a class 4. The Watkins department improved its rating to 5 this year. Several other departments have been evaluated but haven’t gotten their score yet, and the last three departments should be completed in the next few months. The results are a report card of sorts to reflect performance.
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Home And Garden Show
/by WIZS StaffOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Saturdays 8am-1pm.
“So You Want to be a Beekeeper” Workshop, will take place on December 9th, at 6pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
The Vance and Warren County Beekeepers Association will meet on December 9th, at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
Leaf collection season is upon us. Compost your leaves. Don’t burn them.
Now is a good time to start ordering your vegetable seeds, especially a new variety for the 2025 growing season.
Remember to use personal protective equipment when doing chores in the fall. Eye and ear protection. Even sunscreen. Use a good pair of gloves.
We encourage you to buy a North Carolina Christmas Tree this year for the Holidays.
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 12-04-24 Noon
/by WIZS StaffClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Warren County Planning For ‘America 250’ Celebration
/by WIZS StaffIn 2026, the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has created America 250 NC to guide the commemoration in the state.
Whether you call it the semiquincentennial, bisesquicentennial, the sestercentennial or the Quarter Millennial, – all of which refer to the 250th anniversary of something – there are grants available to help fund projects, events and programs to celebrate this momentous occasion. The multi-year commemoration will span from now until 2033, with a special focus on 2026.
America 250 NC is providing several rounds of grants for county committees and community programs, and a Warren County committee has been formed to encourage local nonprofits and government entities to apply.
This round of grants is due Dec. 16. Maximum grant award is $30,000.
These grants will support activities and projects related to the commemorative themes: Visions of Freedom, Gathering of Voices, and Common Ground.
The county committee is seeking grant funding to provide strategic planning around the theme “A Patchwork of Progress,” designed to the many different groups and individuals who have contributed to Warren County’s history.
Visit www.america250.nc.gov/grants to learn more. Warren County government may be able to provide technical assistance to applicants. Please contact Grants and Contracts Administrator Connie Calloway to request help.
VCS Student Spotlight Winners
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of Grace Herndon, VCS Communication & Innovative Support
Vance County Schools recognizes two elementary school students for Student Spotlight honors in November. Kaylor Cross from Dabney Elementary and Ireana Tuck of New Hope Elementary each demonstrate strong leadership qualities and make exceptional contributions at their respective schools.
The Student Spotlight program, sponsored by Vance County Schools in partnership with the Vance County Public School Foundation, highlights students who go above and beyond and who embody qualities like kindness, dedication and a strong commitment to personal growth and service to others.
Kaylor Cross, 4th Grade
Kaylor is an excellent student who shows leadership skills and kindness at Dabney Elementary. Her teachers Justin Wrenn and Ginger Glover nominated Kaylor because of her dedication to learning, her positive attitude and the impact she makes on those around her.
Kaylor shines academically, especially in her favorite subject – math – which she enjoys for its challenges and fun. She recently loved learning about the Middle Ages through CKLA. Her self-motivation and maturity make her a model student, always eager to help classmates with their work and foster positive relationships. Kaylor is active in the AIG program and has previously participated in Robotics.
She spends her free time playing basketball, being outdoors and engaging with Girl Scout Troop 245. She also enjoys comic books, Hello Kitty, and Despicable Me. Kaylor dreams of becoming a math teacher or basketball player and credits her parents as her biggest inspirations, valuing their encouragement and support.
If given a superpower, she would choose to fly and travel anywhere. Her dream trip would take her to New York City to shop and visit the Statue of Liberty.
Kaylor’s advice to others is simple yet meaningful: “Work hard, focus, and be kind.” Congratulations, Kaylor, on being an exceptional leader and learner!
Ireana Tuck, 5th grade
Ireana stands out as a leader and role model. As president of the Beta Club and a member of the Robotics Club, Ireana is a shining example of commitment and excellence. Math is her favorite subject because it comes naturally to her, and she loves a good challenge—like recently mastering how to convert improper fractions to mixed fractions. Outside of school, Ireana cheers for Champions in Motion, sings at Huntsville Baptist Church, and enjoys making colorful bracelets.
Her kindness shines in everything she does, from helping her dad build bunk beds to supporting her classmates when they need assistance in class. Her future goal is to become a small-animal veterinarian, inspired by her love for helping others. She is very fond of animals, including her four dogs.
Ireana credits her family for teaching her to “do right by people” and her teachers, especially Mrs. Broughton, for making school a welcoming place. If given a magic wand, she would wish for money to support her family—a true reflection of her selfless nature. Ireana’s advice to others? “Do good things for others and lead by example.” With her leadership, positivity and drive, she is a true Spotlight Student!
Both students are exemplary representatives of Vance County Schools and the Student Spotlight program. They embody the values of kindness, dedication and a commitment to learning. They inspire others and are a source of pride for their school communities and the district.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 12-03-24 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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TownTalk: Youth Mental Health First Aid
/by WIZS StaffAn upcoming workshop at Henderson City Hall is designed to help participants recognize signs that a young person may be experiencing a mental health crisis, as well as offer ways to step in to connect them to agencies and resources that can help.
The all-day mental health first aid workshop will be held Saturday, Dec. 7 and is a partnership between the city of Henderson and Vaya Health, according to information from Enriqueta Arroyo, Vaya’s youth mental health first aid instructor and community training specialist,
There are still some open slots, Arroyo said. Please contact her via email at Enriqueta.arroyo@vayahealth.com or by phone at 919.633.8769 to get registered no later than Friday, Dec. 6.
Early intervention is key, and Arroyo said the workshop will share strategies about how to reach out to someone who may be in crisis, how to listen in a non-judgmental way and how to refer to an agency for assistance.
The class is an 8-hour session, running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and participants must attend the entire class to receive their certification. The training is free of charge. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
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TownTalk: Vance County Board Of Commissioners Reorganization Meeting
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County Board of Commissioners elected Sean Alston to chair the 7-member board and Carolyn Faines was elected as vice-chair at the regular monthly meeting Monday night.
In other action, the commissioners added June 19 – Juneteenth – to the list of county-observed holidays and approved dates for its regular monthly meetings, which will remain the first Monday of each month, the exception being Mar. 10, 2025.
The chair and vice-chair elections took place just after the newly elected and re-elected commissioners were sworn in for their four-year terms.
Faines bested challenger William Heitman in the only contested race in the Nov. 5 election to retain her District 1 seat. Commissioners Yolanda Feimster and Leo Kelly ran unopposed for their seats in Districts 6 and 5, respectively.
And newcomer Valencia Perry, who beat Archie Taylor in the March 2024 primary, was sworn in to the District 2 seat.
In an interview back in February as part of WIZS’s election coverage, Perry said her focus is on education, school funding, mental health services and the county jail. A Vance County native, Perry has a background in accounting and is an ordained minister.
As a commissioner, she said she will be “a fresh set of eyes” to help make “long-needed change in Vance County.”
Her work on the Vance County Housing Authority Board helped her realize just how critical financial responsibility is, she said at the time. “I had a chance to help people move forward and not stay stuck,” she said. “We’ve done a lot of great things and I feel good about it,” she said of her work with the housing authority.
Another need she sees in the county is a diversion center for those in crisis because of mental health or substance abuse issues. “It is so important,” Perry said, that people have “somewhere they can be safely cared for by professionals who know what to do.”
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