UPDATE 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 2023
Mayoral Runoff Election Early Voting Starts 10-19-23
Geocoding issue resolved
WIZS Radio 5pm News Segment 1 From 10-18-23 Henderson Municipal Election Canvass
Click Here to Play – wizs.com/wizs-radio-5pm-news-segment-1-from-10-18-23-henderson-municipal-election-canvass/
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ORIGINAL POST UPDATED 5 P.M. TUESDAY, OCT. 17, 2023
The Vance County Board of Elections has called for a “recess” in the post-election canvass process – that 10-day window following an election that officials have to verify and certify results.
This action comes one week after the Oct. 10 nonpartisan municipal elections in Henderson that included contests for four City Council seats and a four-candidate field for mayor.
A runoff had been set for the mayoral contest, but those plans also were put on hold earlier today, per the N.C. State Board of Elections. The recess means that none of the contests have been certified.
In a meeting held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Vance Board of Elections Chair James Baines issued the following statement:
“The Vance County Board of Elections is recessing Canvass completion for the Municipal Election that occurred on 10-October-23 because the State Board of Elections has not yet completed the investigation regarding the geocoding issue. Canvass will reconvene once the State Board of Elections notifies the County Board of the completion of the investigation and resolution to the issue.”
As elections board members explained, the process of certifying election results considers all contests as one process; results must “be submitted to the state at once,” board member Cathy Clodfelter said Tuesday. So because all of the results have not been certified, none of the contests has been certified.
Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin informed WIZS News that early voting – set to begin in two days’ time – would not begin as previously announced.
Cocklin read the brief statement to WIZS News from the state board of elections:
“The results of the 10-October-2023 Vance County municipal election have not been officially declared by law, therefore the run-off election cannot be called for at this time.”
A glitch in geocoding is at the heart of the issue, and elections officials acknowledged the state board of the possible problem. As part of election coverage to announce the unofficial results on Oct. 10, WIZS included a statement from Baines that was issued after the polls had closed:
“The Vance County Board of Elections is aware of a geocoding issue that may have caused some voters in the city of Henderson elections to receive a ballot in Tuesday’s election that did not have the correct alderman ward contest. The County Board immediately notified the State Board of Elections, which is working with the county to determine how many voters’ ballots were affected. Election night results are always unofficial, and the post-election canvass process will ensure that the votes are counted correctly for each contest. Election officials will provide additional information about this situation as it becomes available.”
Cocklin provided few details about next steps, but she said she has provided information to the state board as it is requested.
“They’re asking us and we’re providing information as quickly as we can,” she said. “The only thing I know is they are working on it,” she said, “meeting every day – at least once every day.”
Just in case you need a refresher course in civics, here’s some information from the state board of elections website:
“Results on election night are unofficial. Canvass is the official process of determining if the votes have been counted and tabulated correctly, resulting in the authentication of the official election results.
For close elections, the canvass period is especially important. During this time, elections officials count absentee ballots that came in before the deadline and research provisional ballots to determine whether they should be counted.
In every county, the canvass meeting when the results are certified is 10 days after Election Day. Because elections thrive on transparency, the canvass meeting is open to the public.”
Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Imagination
/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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TownTalk: Medicare Open Enrollment is Here
/by WIZS StaffThe open enrollment period to make changes to Medicare plans runs through Dec. 7, and Amber Gregory at the Vance County Senior Center encourages Medicare beneficiaries to take some time to review their current plans – there may be some tweaks to make that can save you some money.
“We want to find the best cost savings plan for you,” Gregory said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, “to save you money in the coming year.” Gregory works with the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, or SHIIP.
Medicare beneficiaries may already know that Part D is all about prescription drug plans, but Gregory said there are changes each year to be aware of to ensure that you’re getting the best price for medications.
“Get those plans checked,” she said. The open enrollment officially began Oct. 15, and between now and Dec. 7, Gregory said she’d be focusing on seeing those folks who want to make sure they are getting the most from their Medicare plans.
Gregory tells clients to check with their medical providers before making changes, since not all offices accept all insurances.
“I have many clients who are faithful to certain drug stores, and that’s perfectly fine,” Gregory said. She can help clients compare prices for prescription drugs among different pharmacies.
Most senior centers have a SHIIP counselor, Gregory said.
Call the state SHIIP office at 1.855.408.1212 to speak with a counselor who can help with Medicare questions.
The Vance County Senior Center is located at 500 N. Beckford Drive.
Contact Gregory at amber.gregory@vance.nc.gov or call 252.430.0257 to make an appointment.
Early Voting Back On Track For Oct. 19 In Mayoral Runoff
/by WIZS StaffDuring a second meeting in as many days, the Vance County Board of Elections officially certified the results of last week’s municipal elections, which paves the way for early voting to begin tomorrow (Thursday) as originally scheduled in advance of the Nov. 7 runoff race for mayor.
Since the Oct. 10 election, state and local and state elections officials have been investigating discrepancies surrounding geocoding issues, but it was announced at today’s meeting that the canvass is complete, thereby certifying results for the five contests – four City Council seats and mayor.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin read a summary statement issued by the N.C. State Board of Elections which spelled out the steps taken since the issue arose on the evening of Election Day.
The investigation looked at 83 ballots – 68 voters were assigned to incorrect wards and 15 county residents who incorrectly voted in an city-wide election.
There were a handful of other discrepancies noted, but the investigation determined that none of the outcomes would change as a result.
WIZS Radio 5pm News Segment 1 From 10-18-23 Henderson Municipal Election Canvass
/by John C. RoseMayoral Runoff Election Early Voting Starts 10-19-23
Geocoding issue resolved
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TownTalk: Mayoral Election Runoff (NOT) Delayed
/by John C. RoseUPDATE 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 2023
Mayoral Runoff Election Early Voting Starts 10-19-23
Geocoding issue resolved
WIZS Radio 5pm News Segment 1 From 10-18-23 Henderson Municipal Election Canvass
Click Here to Play – wizs.com/wizs-radio-5pm-news-segment-1-from-10-18-23-henderson-municipal-election-canvass/
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UPDATE 11 A.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 2023 on TownTalk
Home And Garden Show
/by Bill HarrisOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
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Three Face Drug Charges Following Search Of Home On Faulkner Town Road
/by WIZS StaffThree Vance County men face a variety of drug charges after law enforcement officers conducted a search of a home on Faulkner Town Road, according to Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame.
Sheriff deputies, along with Henderson Police Department narcotics and vice unit and the SBI, participated in the investigation, which took place at 921 Faulkner Town Road on Oct. 16, Brame said in a press release issued Wednesday.
The execution was the result of a multi-agency investigation regarding illegal drug sales from suspects located both within the target residence as well as the curtilage, Brame said in the statement.
There were five individuals in the home when officers arrived, two juveniles and Shykeyvis Lyons, 21, and Markeyvis Lyons, 20, all described as residents of the home; and Clysaveon Fields, 20, whose address was listed as Pinkston Street, Henderson.
Approximately 130 dosage units of heroin and a certain amount of crack cocaine was located and seized during the search. Additionally, two firearms, an undisclosed amount of US Currency and various items of drug paraphernalia utilized for the packaging and repackaging of heroin was located.
The following charges have been filed as of the submission of the Press Release:
Shykeyvis Lyons and Markeyvis Lyons were each charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin; felony possession of heroin; maintaining a dwelling to keep/sell/store a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. A secured bond of $20,000 was set for each.
Fields was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin; felony possession of heroin, maintaining a vehicle to keep/sell/store a controlled substance; felony possession of cocaine base; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was placed under a $50,000 secured bond.
Brame said juvenile petitions are anticipated for the two remaining juvenile suspects, both under the age of 18. This investigation continues and further arrests are anticipated, Brame noted.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 10-18-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Elections Board Calls Recess In Canvass Process, Putting On Hold Certifying Oct. 10 Election Results
/by Laura GabelUPDATE 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 2023
Mayoral Runoff Election Early Voting Starts 10-19-23
Geocoding issue resolved
WIZS Radio 5pm News Segment 1 From 10-18-23 Henderson Municipal Election Canvass
Click Here to Play – wizs.com/wizs-radio-5pm-news-segment-1-from-10-18-23-henderson-municipal-election-canvass/
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
ORIGINAL POST UPDATED 5 P.M. TUESDAY, OCT. 17, 2023
The Vance County Board of Elections has called for a “recess” in the post-election canvass process – that 10-day window following an election that officials have to verify and certify results.
This action comes one week after the Oct. 10 nonpartisan municipal elections in Henderson that included contests for four City Council seats and a four-candidate field for mayor.
A runoff had been set for the mayoral contest, but those plans also were put on hold earlier today, per the N.C. State Board of Elections. The recess means that none of the contests have been certified.
In a meeting held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Vance Board of Elections Chair James Baines issued the following statement:
“The Vance County Board of Elections is recessing Canvass completion for the Municipal Election that occurred on 10-October-23 because the State Board of Elections has not yet completed the investigation regarding the geocoding issue. Canvass will reconvene once the State Board of Elections notifies the County Board of the completion of the investigation and resolution to the issue.”
As elections board members explained, the process of certifying election results considers all contests as one process; results must “be submitted to the state at once,” board member Cathy Clodfelter said Tuesday. So because all of the results have not been certified, none of the contests has been certified.
Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin informed WIZS News that early voting – set to begin in two days’ time – would not begin as previously announced.
Cocklin read the brief statement to WIZS News from the state board of elections:
“The results of the 10-October-2023 Vance County municipal election have not been officially declared by law, therefore the run-off election cannot be called for at this time.”
A glitch in geocoding is at the heart of the issue, and elections officials acknowledged the state board of the possible problem. As part of election coverage to announce the unofficial results on Oct. 10, WIZS included a statement from Baines that was issued after the polls had closed:
“The Vance County Board of Elections is aware of a geocoding issue that may have caused some voters in the city of Henderson elections to receive a ballot in Tuesday’s election that did not have the correct alderman ward contest. The County Board immediately notified the State Board of Elections, which is working with the county to determine how many voters’ ballots were affected. Election night results are always unofficial, and the post-election canvass process will ensure that the votes are counted correctly for each contest. Election officials will provide additional information about this situation as it becomes available.”
Cocklin provided few details about next steps, but she said she has provided information to the state board as it is requested.
“They’re asking us and we’re providing information as quickly as we can,” she said. “The only thing I know is they are working on it,” she said, “meeting every day – at least once every day.”
Just in case you need a refresher course in civics, here’s some information from the state board of elections website:
“Results on election night are unofficial. Canvass is the official process of determining if the votes have been counted and tabulated correctly, resulting in the authentication of the official election results.
For close elections, the canvass period is especially important. During this time, elections officials count absentee ballots that came in before the deadline and research provisional ballots to determine whether they should be counted.
In every county, the canvass meeting when the results are certified is 10 days after Election Day. Because elections thrive on transparency, the canvass meeting is open to the public.”
TownTalk: Perry Named Vance County Manager
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County board of commissioners has appointed Renee Perry to the position of county manager. Perry, currently Halifax County’s deputy manager, will begin Nov. 1, according to a press statement issued Tuesday morning.
“I am grateful to the Vance County board of commissioners for the opportunity to serve Vance County,” Perry stated in the press release. “I appreciate their faith in me to further their mission and to make Vance County an even greater place to live, work and raise a family. I am excited to begin this journey,” she continued.
Board Chair Yolanda Feimster stated that a recruitment process over the summer resulted in Perry’s selection and that Perry “will assist the board in continuing to achieve its ongoing goals as well as execute major capital projects.”
Commissioner Dan Brummitt told WIZS News Tuesday that commissioners are looking forward to Perry coming on board. “We’re looking forward to her coming in and hitting the ground running,” Brummitt said, adding that Perry would bring “some good energy to the county.”
Before being promoted to the position of deputy manager in Halifax County, Perry spend five years there in leadership roles in Human Resources. She started her work in local government 17 years ago in Greensboro and then spent time in Rockingham County before going to Halifax County.
Perry has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from UNC-Greensboro and a master’s in Public Administration and Human Resource Management from Capella University.
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