Storage Sense is open for business, and local community leaders were on hand recently for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome it to the neighborhood.
Actually, it’s just the first phase of possibly four phases that was the object of celebration on June 18, when Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson and her staff brought the “big scissors” for the celebratory ceremony.
The property, located at the intersection of U.S. 1/Norlina Road and Warrenton Road, has been upfitted to be a convenient storage facility for anyone who needs extra space for belongings they aren’t currently using but aren’t ready to part with.
Folks who’ve lived here long enough may remember it as Skateland, which opened in 1949. Others may remember it as Moore’s, a building supply center. Most recently, it was part of John Foster Homes.
Local business owner Jason Stewardson has transformed the high-visibility location into a modern-looking space that’s set up and ready to serve the public. “It’s unbelievable the demand for storage,” he said.
At the ribbon-cutting, Stewardson said, “What you see here is Phase 1 of a three-phase project…with potentially a fourth phase with the two acres in back.” Buildings that once housed building materials and more could be transformed into boat sheds, he said.
Phase 2 is the renovation of the old Skateland building, which would provide another 250 or so storage units.
Storage Sense District Manager Doug Pierce said this area hasn’t had many new storage options recently. “I think this will be a great improvement and help the community,” Pierce said.
Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Scott Burwell congratulated Stewardson and the third-party management Storage Sense team for providing this timely service, when Henderson and Vance County are experiencing an expanding housing market.
“We’re very eager to see phase 2,” Burwell said.
Vance County Economic Development Commission Chair Ruxton Bobbitt said “it’s fantastic to see the north side of town seeing traffic” when it comes to development and said he is happy that the property has a new lease on life with this new business.
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The Local Skinny! Children’s Theatre Camp Show ‘Once Upon A Mattress’ Opens Friday, June 27
/by WIZS StaffThe Children’s Theatre Camp is in its second week of its two-week program at McGregor Hall, and Mark Hopper said that 54 campers are in rehearsal now for the production of Once Upon A Mattress that will be performed this weekend.
There are three shows for the public – Friday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees that begin at 3 p.m. The shows last about an hour, the perfect length for families with young children.
“It’s a great family-oriented show,” Hopper said, “and the duration makes it great for any age.” There’s singing and choreography – with plenty of comedic shenanigans and campy jokes, he said, that are sure to keep the audience entertained.
Jo Ellen Nowell is directing the youngsters as they prepare to put on the show about a very loud princess named Winnifred and a Queen’s attempts to find a suitable wife for her son, the Prince.
This is the fifth year for the Children’s Theatre Camp, Hopper said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
Charlotte Davis is cast as Winnifred and Hopper called her work “phenomenal.”
“We’ve got some unbelievably talented kids on that stage – 54 of them,” he said.
There will be a daytime performance on Friday, June 27 especially for campers at the Henderson Family YMCA and Recreation and Parks, Hopper said.
Hopefully, more young people will see others their age on stage and realize that it’s something that could be an option for them one day as well.
“We wanted to make a camp that was affordable,” Hopper said, while offering access to high-quality material, staff and equipment that McGregor Hall performances are known for.
For $100, rising 3rd graders through rising 11th graders could participate for eight hours a day and then, “at the end of two weeks, produce a quality show,” Hopper said.
Purchase tickets here: https://mcgregorhall.ludus.com/index.php
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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Plants during a Heat Wave
/by WIZS StaffMichael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
This segment has a few key tips on how to keep your plants happy during a heat wave. Also shared are reminders for upcoming events.
Listen 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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SportsTalk: Champions are Crowned
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue talk about the two champions that were crowned over the weekend with the LSU Tigers winning the College World Series, and the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the NBA Title. The guys also give an update on Minor League Baseball from over the weekend.
Friday MiLB Scores:
Saturday MiLB Scores:
Sunday MiLB Scores:
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Teen Faces Drug Charges
/by WIZS Staff— from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
On June 22, 2025 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Carey Chapel Road and Vicksboro Road regarding a shooting. Upon the arrival of deputies, it was determined that a white in color Mercedes-Benz was involved. While searching the area, deputies located a white in color Mercedes-Benz matching the description of the suspected vehicle.
Vance County Deputies in the area initiated a felony traffic stop on the suspected vehicle at Brookhaven Court and Carey Chapel Road. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 19-year-old Shadaja Kemari Galloway. Galloway was detained pending further investigation. Under the North Carolina Controlled Substance Act, Galloway was subsequently charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon. She was processed and taken before a magistrate.
Galloway was not given a bond due to being out on pre-trial release conditions for a previous felony possession of a controlled substance. Galloway is currently being held at the Vance County Jail.
220 Fundraiser Monday, June 30 To Help Local Magistrate, Family After House Fire
/by WIZS StaffA 220 Fundraiser will take place on Monday, June 30 to support Vance County Magistrate Mike Massenburg and his family, who lost their home and its contents in a house fire.
Take-out plates will be available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 220 Seafood, 1812 N. Garnett St.
Plates are $10 and you can just drive up and purchase without having purchased a ticket in advance.
Tickets had been available for purchase for the past few weeks from the Vance County Clerk of Court’s office or magistrate’s office, 156 Church St., Suite 101. Anyone who purchased tickets in advance is asked to bring them Monday when you pick up your plates.
TownTalk: Business Spotlight – Storage Sense
/by WIZS StaffStorage Sense is open for business, and local community leaders were on hand recently for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome it to the neighborhood.
Actually, it’s just the first phase of possibly four phases that was the object of celebration on June 18, when Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson and her staff brought the “big scissors” for the celebratory ceremony.
The property, located at the intersection of U.S. 1/Norlina Road and Warrenton Road, has been upfitted to be a convenient storage facility for anyone who needs extra space for belongings they aren’t currently using but aren’t ready to part with.
Folks who’ve lived here long enough may remember it as Skateland, which opened in 1949. Others may remember it as Moore’s, a building supply center. Most recently, it was part of John Foster Homes.
Local business owner Jason Stewardson has transformed the high-visibility location into a modern-looking space that’s set up and ready to serve the public. “It’s unbelievable the demand for storage,” he said.
At the ribbon-cutting, Stewardson said, “What you see here is Phase 1 of a three-phase project…with potentially a fourth phase with the two acres in back.” Buildings that once housed building materials and more could be transformed into boat sheds, he said.
Phase 2 is the renovation of the old Skateland building, which would provide another 250 or so storage units.
Storage Sense District Manager Doug Pierce said this area hasn’t had many new storage options recently. “I think this will be a great improvement and help the community,” Pierce said.
Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Scott Burwell congratulated Stewardson and the third-party management Storage Sense team for providing this timely service, when Henderson and Vance County are experiencing an expanding housing market.
“We’re very eager to see phase 2,” Burwell said.
Vance County Economic Development Commission Chair Ruxton Bobbitt said “it’s fantastic to see the north side of town seeing traffic” when it comes to development and said he is happy that the property has a new lease on life with this new business.
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The Local Skinny! Vance County Adopts $66M Budget; Tax Rate Stays The Same
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County Board of Commissioners adopted the $66 million FY 2025-26 budget Monday afternoon – it’s bigger by about $1.4 million than was first recommended by County Manager C. Renee Perry, but it includes more money for county school district teachers and classified staff. The budget figure Perry mentioned at a June 16 budget work session is $66,383,251, with $4,068,875 coming from the general fund to balance the budget.
Commissioners Valencia Perry and Dan Brummitt voted against the budget.
“I just feel that this budget – it’s an increase of almost 11 percent – and this is on the backs of our taxpaying citizens. I think at some point we’ve got to look at cutting expenses rather than generating new revenues,” Brummitt said. “It’s just something that we need to focus on, and hopefully this coming year, we’ll do something different that we can work towards that.”
Other items contributing to the increase in the budget are insurance costs and cost-of-living adjustments for county employees. Manager Perry told commissioners at a June 16 budget work session that health insurance costs rose by $1.2 million and $750,000 was needed for COLA costs for county employees – both of which are necessary expenditures. The commissioners were united in their support for Vance County Schools’ certified and classified staff getting more money – another $1,000 for teachers and a 2 percent salary increase for classified staff – although it wasn’t the full amount the school district had requested.
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 06-23-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Soil Samples
/by WIZS StaffWayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
This segment talks about how to properly take good soil samples, and who to send the sample to once you collect it.
Listen 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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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 06-20-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM