We’re three days into the New Year, which means that early voting for the March 5 primary elections is a mere 43 days away. Vance County voters will have two locations to cast their votes early, but neither of them is the Henderson Operations Center.
Early voters will go to either Aycock Rec Center, 307 Carey Chapel Rd. or the Eaton Johnson gymnasium, located at 500 N. Beckford Dr., according to information from Vance County elections officials.
“The decision for two early voting sites was made by the Board to increase accessibility considering this is a Presidential election year,” said Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin, whenthere usually is a higher voter turnout.
Early voting begins on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, and continues through Saturday, Mar. 2, 2024, according to a notice issued by Vance County Board of Elections Chair James R. Baines.
In an email to WIZS News on Wednesday, City Manager Terrell Blackmon said the city reached an agreement with county officials to move the early voting site away from the city’s operations center for a simple, practical reason: “The City has run out of file and storage space in other parts of the building and we desperately need to utilize all available space in our facility for engineering and public works,” Blackmon said.
“There is no dissatisfaction by the City. We just need the space,” he added.
Blackmon went on to say that there is plenty of parking at the Eaton Johnson gymnasium to accommodate voters who come early to cast their ballots in the Mar. 5 primary.
The notices from the Board of Elections remind voters that they will be asked to show a photo ID when they come in to cast their ballot. If for some reason they don’t have one with them, they can still have their vote counted if they sign a form explaining why they are unable to show ID, or by casting a provisional ballot and returning to the Board of Elections office with their ID no later than 5 p.m. on Mar. 14, 2024.
Voters also can request a free photo ID from their local Board of Elections office. Find out more at https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id
Below are the dates and times for early voting at both locations:
Thursday, Feb. 15 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 16 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 19 – Friday, Feb. 23 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 26-Friday, Mar. 1 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 02-March 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters who have requested them beginning Jan. 19, 2024. Absentee ballots must be received by the county board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on March 5, 2024. A voter can fill out an absentee ballot request at https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home, or by filling out a request form provided by the county Board of Elections office. The request must be received through the website or by the Vance County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. Feb. 27, 2024.
The voter registration deadline for this election is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Eligible individuals who are not registered by that deadline may register and vote at any early voting site during the early voting period. New registrants will be required to provide current documentation of their residence (for example, a government ID, other government document, or a paycheck, bank statement, or utility bill). Voters who wish to change party affiliation must do so by the Feb. 9 deadline.
In the primary election, voters will select nominees for a political party to move on to the general election on Nov. 5. Contests on the ballot include U.S. President, U.S. House, N.C. Governor and other Council of State Offices, N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice, N.C. Court of Appeals, N.C. House and Senate and county offices. In the primary, voters affiliated with a political party will be given a ballot of candidates for their party, if their party has a primary. Unaffiliated voters may choose to vote in any party’s primary, but they may select only one party’s ballot.
To learn more, call the Vance County Board of Elections Office at 252.492.3730 or send an email to vance.boe@vancecounty.org.
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Wreaths Across America Mobile Museum Plans Stop In Oxford Jan. 26-28
/by WIZS StaffThe City of Oxford is one of the scheduled stops for a Wreaths Across America tour, whose mission is to recognize military veterans and remember those who died in service to the country.
The organization’s Mobile Education Unit will be set up at 105 Lewis St., Oxford from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 through Sunday, Jan. 28, according to information from Karen Worcester, the group’s executive director.
“The mission of Wreaths Across America is to Remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Worcester said in a press statement.
“The Mobile Education Exhibit provides the unique opportunity for communities to come together and share the stories of those who served and sacrificed. Through our partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, the exhibit also serves as an official ‘Welcome Home’ location for our nation’s Vietnam veterans,” she said.
The exhibit will be set up for two days in the northeastern part of the state before it comes to Oxford; from there, it will continue to stops in Havelock, New Bern and Mooresville. Each stop will allow the community, veterans, active-duty military and their families to engage in interactive exhibits, view short films, share stories and educate visitors who come to the exhibit.
When the mobile exhibit arrives, all veterans, active-duty military, their families, and community members are invited and encouraged to visit, take a tour and speak with WAA representatives and volunteers. They can also share more about the national nonprofit and its volunteer work to support our heroes and their communities year-round.
To host the MEE in your community, whether it be for a parade, a school-related or veterans’ organization, or a public or private event, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/About/MobileEducationExhibit to make a request.
You can sponsor a veteran’s wreath anytime for $17 at www.wreathacrossamerica.org. Each sponsorship goes toward a live balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest on Saturday, December 14, 2024, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery which was begun by Maine businessman Morrill Webster in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, and thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.
Pizza Delivery Driver Robbed, Car Stolen
/by WIZS StaffHenderson Police Department Press Release:
On December 23, 2023 around 12:16 AM, officers received a report that a driver from Papa John’s had been robbed in the area of Burwell Avenue and his vehicle was stolen. The suspects were described as two males and one having a firearm. The vehicle, a Hyundai Tucson, was located in the area of Nicholas Street. Officers responded to the area and located the stolen vehicle. The driver attempted to flee on Chavasse Avenue and stop sticks were deployed. The stop sticks were successful in stopping the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and ran to the area of Raleigh Road where he was apprehended by officers.
The driver of the vehicle, Zion Howard, 19, was arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Howard received a $100,000 secured bond and was remanded to the Vance County Jail.
A suspect vehicle was also located on Chavasse Avenue that was following the stolen vehicle. This vehicle was stopped and the driver, Kyle’ Williams, 20, was arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, and carrying a concealed weapon. Williams received a $100,000 secured bond and remanded to the Vance County Jail.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Suspect Arrested in Connection with Multiple Break-Ins in the County
/by WIZS StaffPress Release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame:
On January 3rd, 2024 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division arrested Jason Ayscue, age 43.
He was arrested in connection with multiple break-ins that occurred between September 30, 2023 and November 14, 2023 at In A Minute Shop on NC 39 Highway South, Kerr Lake Bait and Tackle on Nutbush Road and Sunoco on North Garnet Street in Henderson.
Ayscue was charged with three counts of felony breaking and entering, four counts of felony breaking and entering a coin/currency machine and two counts of misdemeanor damage to a coin/currency machine.
Ayscue was confined to the Vance County Jail under a $35,000 secured bond.
He is scheduled to appear in court on February 1st, 2024.
Anyone with information about these cases is urged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200 or 911.
TownTalk: NC Gubernatorial Candidate Josh Stein Coming To Henderson Jan. 9
/by Laura GabelUPDATE 1-9-24:
N.C. gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein’s scheduled visit to Henderson this afternoon has been postponed because of the threat of severe weather forecast for later today.
Vance County Democratic Chairperson Angela Thornton told WIZS News earlier Tuesday.
“We look forward to coordinating with his campaign for a rescheduled date,” Thornton said in a written statement to WIZS.
Stein is the current state attorney general.
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ORIGINAL POST:
Blue may be the dominant color at next week’s meet and greet for one of the Democratic candidates for governor, but local party officials invite the entire community to Perry Memorial Library on Tuesday, Jan. 9 – no matter their party preference.
Joseph Brodie, first vice president of the Vance County Democratic Party, said Thursday that current N.C. Attorney General and gubernatorial hopeful Josh Stein will be in Henderson to meet voters and discuss the upcoming elections.
“All the public is invited to come down if they want to hear what Attorney General Josh Stein is going to be putting on the table,” Brodie said on Thursday’s TownTalk. “They can hear it for themselves.”
The doors open at 5 p.m. and the event begins at 5:30 p.m. Brodie said this visit does not constitute an endorsement by local party leaders. “We have the door open for all our Democratic candidates to come down and introduce themselves to the voters of Vance County,” he explained.
With the March primary elections fast approaching, Brodie said he is pleased with the progress that is being made within the local Democratic Party.
“I feel real good,” he said. “The Vance County Democratic Party has come a long way…people are in place, working together for one common cause – to elect Democrats, not only in Vance County, but in surrounding areas.”
Brodie said the focus now is in organizing the local precincts so that voters can get important information concerning candidates and races.
“We’re always striving for excellence,” Brodie noted, adding that more work needs to be done.
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William Coker New Vance County Animal Services Manager
/by WIZS StaffVance County Manager Renee Perry has announced that William Coker has been selected to be the county’s Animal Services Manager.
Coker, a native of Vance County, has more than a decade of work experience in the county, having served in the Sheriff’s Office as well as with Animal Control.
He began his new role on Jan. 2, 2024 following a recruitment and interview process, Perry said in a press statement sent Thursday afternoon to WIZS. Coker succeeds Frankie Nobles, who accepted a new position as the county’s Special Projects Coordinator last year.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 01-04-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Maria Parham To Host Jan. 24 Open House For New Nurses
/by WIZS StaffMaria Parham Health invites nursing students or recent graduates of nursing programs to an Open House on Wednesday, Jan. 24 to learn about career opportunities in the health care industry.
The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the hospital’s main campus, 566 Ruin Creek Rd., according to information from MPH Market Coordinator Donna Young.
Prospective nurses will get the chance to speak with experienced nurses and health care leaders as they learn more about job opportunities and a variety of career paths that involve nursing.
Visit https://www.mariaparham.com/event/42 to register online.
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Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Logical Consequences
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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Franklin Health Dept. Gets Grant $ For Women’s Health Services
/by WIZS Staff-information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks, III
More grant money is coming to Franklin County to bolster women’s health services.
Franklin County Health Department is set to receive $460,000 in grant funding from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services over the next four years to provide women’s health services in a variety of ways. The health department will provide expanded clinical hours, home visits for post-natal assessment and integrate community health workers into department programs to bridge the gap in health care access, enhance cultural competence and provide essential support to our community.
The department will receive $115,000 annually over the course of four years.
“Receiving these funds from the state will allow us to enhance birth outcomes and reduce infant mortality by expanding our services beyond our current programs to pregnant and postpartum women,” Franklin County Health Director Scott LaVigne said.
Funding is expected to begin in February 2024.
For more information about this grant or the Health Department, contact LaVigne at 919.496.8111 or slavigne@franklincountync.gov.
TownTalk: 2024 Election Information
/by WIZS StaffWe’re three days into the New Year, which means that early voting for the March 5 primary elections is a mere 43 days away. Vance County voters will have two locations to cast their votes early, but neither of them is the Henderson Operations Center.
Early voters will go to either Aycock Rec Center, 307 Carey Chapel Rd. or the Eaton Johnson gymnasium, located at 500 N. Beckford Dr., according to information from Vance County elections officials.
“The decision for two early voting sites was made by the Board to increase accessibility considering this is a Presidential election year,” said Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin, whenthere usually is a higher voter turnout.
Early voting begins on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, and continues through Saturday, Mar. 2, 2024, according to a notice issued by Vance County Board of Elections Chair James R. Baines.
In an email to WIZS News on Wednesday, City Manager Terrell Blackmon said the city reached an agreement with county officials to move the early voting site away from the city’s operations center for a simple, practical reason: “The City has run out of file and storage space in other parts of the building and we desperately need to utilize all available space in our facility for engineering and public works,” Blackmon said.
“There is no dissatisfaction by the City. We just need the space,” he added.
Blackmon went on to say that there is plenty of parking at the Eaton Johnson gymnasium to accommodate voters who come early to cast their ballots in the Mar. 5 primary.
The notices from the Board of Elections remind voters that they will be asked to show a photo ID when they come in to cast their ballot. If for some reason they don’t have one with them, they can still have their vote counted if they sign a form explaining why they are unable to show ID, or by casting a provisional ballot and returning to the Board of Elections office with their ID no later than 5 p.m. on Mar. 14, 2024.
Voters also can request a free photo ID from their local Board of Elections office. Find out more at https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id
Below are the dates and times for early voting at both locations:
Thursday, Feb. 15 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 16 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 19 – Friday, Feb. 23 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 26-Friday, Mar. 1 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 02-March 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters who have requested them beginning Jan. 19, 2024. Absentee ballots must be received by the county board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on March 5, 2024. A voter can fill out an absentee ballot request at https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home, or by filling out a request form provided by the county Board of Elections office. The request must be received through the website or by the Vance County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. Feb. 27, 2024.
The voter registration deadline for this election is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Eligible individuals who are not registered by that deadline may register and vote at any early voting site during the early voting period. New registrants will be required to provide current documentation of their residence (for example, a government ID, other government document, or a paycheck, bank statement, or utility bill). Voters who wish to change party affiliation must do so by the Feb. 9 deadline.
In the primary election, voters will select nominees for a political party to move on to the general election on Nov. 5. Contests on the ballot include U.S. President, U.S. House, N.C. Governor and other Council of State Offices, N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice, N.C. Court of Appeals, N.C. House and Senate and county offices. In the primary, voters affiliated with a political party will be given a ballot of candidates for their party, if their party has a primary. Unaffiliated voters may choose to vote in any party’s primary, but they may select only one party’s ballot.
To learn more, call the Vance County Board of Elections Office at 252.492.3730 or send an email to vance.boe@vancecounty.org.
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