Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry has confirmed that there is an open investigation into the practices of the county’s former finance director after a recent audit found deficiencies in financial processes that involves $1.1 million in county funds.
The audit presented at the June 3 Board of Commissioners meeting revealed that the former finance director “wired, from the County’s bank account, funds equating to approximately $1.1 million dollars through the end of fiscal year 2023, with subsequent wire transfers occurring into fiscal year 2024.”
Katherine Bigelow had served as the county’s finance director since 2019. She was dismissed in February 2024; on May 10, Perry sent an email to county staff informing them of Bigelow’s “recent passing.”
The county has 60 days from the June 3 audit report presentation to present a plan of action to the Local Government Commission.
In an email to WIZS earlier today, Perry said the audit – a public record – disclosed some of the information, adding that there is little else she can say at this point, per the FBI.
“The County was deprived of its monetary resources, resources which should have gone to covering legitimate expenditures and projects which the County has undertaken,” the audit report stated.
The audit report identified four “significant” audit findings: budget violation, reconciliation of records, internal controls and timeliness. In his presentation to commissioners, Alan Thompson said his team at Whiteville-based Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, and Co., P.A. noted that the county failed to comply with General Statutes by not having a two-signature process in place as it pertains to county funds.
This lack of secondary approval or oversight allowed for the finance director to post entries in the county’s financial software; the audit pointed to lack of sufficient training and cross-training practices to ensure proper handling of financial matters.
Citing timeliness of the numbers and the accuracy of the numbers they were provided, Thompson said they discovered issues that they couldn’t get satisfactory answers for.
“By November, she (Bigelow) wasn’t giving us information in a timely way,” Thompson said.
Thompson conceded that his team could have done a better job briefing Perry – who only came on board in November 2023.
“At that point, we didn’t suspect foul play, but we didn’t know,” Thompson said.
Over the past three or four months, county staff and the audit team have communicated weekly – sometimes daily, and Perry said, “We’ve had conversations…moving forward, things will be different.”
Commission Chair Dan Brummitt said he would like to see an agreement “defined in writing. There appears to have been some miscommunication along the way,” he said. Brummitt said he would go so far as to create an Audit Committee, made up of commissioners and others with accounting experience.
(As of 2-5-25 this story contains a correction. Alan Thompson should have been listed as the person who presented the audit report.)
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Some of U.S. Hwy. 158 in Warren County to Be Resurfaced
/by WIZS Staff– information courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Transportation
More than 16 miles of roadway in Warren County will see improvements over the next year, thanks to a $2.4 million contract awarded by the NCDOT.
Carolina Sunrock, LLC, will be responsible for milling, resurfacing and shoulder reconstruction along U.S. Hwy. 158 from U.S. Hwy. 1 to U.S. Hwy. 158 business as well as six secondary roads, according to information from NCDOT Spokesperson Kim Deaner.
Work can begin as early as this month and completion is expected by late 2025.
Granville, Warren Awarded Grants From N.C. Emergency Management
/by WIZS StaffTwo local counties have been awarded Capacity Building Competitive Grants from North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM). NCEM has announced the recipients of the 2024 Capacity Building Competitive Grant Program (CBCG).
Granville County will get $115,000 for purchase of a disaster laundry trailer and Warren County is getting $61,000 for a mass care and disaster sheltering project.
The CBCG Program was authorized by the N.C. General Assembly for FY24 in the amount of $1,925,578.00 with the purpose to provide funding for building local emergency management capabilities, closing preparedness, response, or recovery gaps and to assist local emergency management agencies across the state with building capacity to effectively respond to all-hazards.
To be eligible for this grant program, counties must have a population less than 230,000 (based on the 2021 Certified County Population Estimates from the State Demographer, housed in the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management).
The target priorities of the 2024 CBCG Program are:
“I would like to thank all of the applicants for taking the time to submit projects that will increase local capacity and ultimately build more resilient communities” said NCEM Director Will Ray. “North Carolina is fortunate to have such dedicated local emergency managers that always seek opportunities to build capacity to effectively respond and recover to any threat or hazard.”
Vance Charter Student Completes Week As Page In N.C. House Of Representatives
/by WIZS Staff— Courtesy of the Office of N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon
Noah Bean, a rising senior at Vance Charter School, got to see the legislative process “up close and personal” recently as he participated in the N.C. House Page Program.
Bean, son of Ashley and Michael Bean of Henderson, is also the school’s Student Body President. He was sponsored by N.C. House Rep. Frank Sossamon to participate in the page program. High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for the program, designed to provide students with an educational experience while connecting them directly with elected leaders and offering an inside look at the workings of state government, according to a press release from Clai Keel, a staffer in Sossamon’s office.
“The House Page Program is an incredible opportunity for young minds to immerse themselves in the legislative process,” Sossamon said. “It equips them with knowledge and experience that go beyond textbooks, preparing them for active citizenship and leadership roles in the future.”
Pages get to see how a bill becomes law, gain insights into the structure of state government and understand the legislative process.
Reflecting on his experience, Bean shared, “I gained an inside look and a deeper understanding of how our state’s legislative branch operates. We performed various tasks, assisted with voting sessions and committee meetings, and more. It was an incredibly valuable experience, and I feel immensely grateful to have participated!”
Students from District 32 and beyond are encouraged to consider this opportunity for the long session in 2025. The weeks available for service during the long session (odd-numbered years) are from February through August, while in the short session (even-numbered years), the weeks begin in mid-April/May through August. Pages serve for one week and must be sponsored by a Member of the N.C. House of Representatives.
During their week of service, Pages attend sessions in the House Chamber where bills are introduced, debated and passed. They are assigned to strategic stations throughout the Chamber, assisting House Members by delivering messages, bills, amendments, committee reports and other documents as needed.
Applications will be available online prior to the start of each session. The selection process for this program is highly competitive and appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about the application process, visit the North Carolina House Page Program website.
Franklin Co. Approves $125M Budget
/by WIZS Staff– information courtesy of Franklin Co. Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $125 million budget earlier this month that includes a tax rate of 50.5 cents per $100 valuation and a capital improvement plan for the general fund, public utilities and solid waste.
The previous tax rate had been 78.5 cents per $100 valuation, so the new tax rate represents a 28-cent drop. The new rate is just a shade over the revenue-neutral rate of 49.91 cents per $100 valuation.
County Manager Kim Denton presented the recommended budget to commissioners on May 20.
The new budget provides for more staffing in areas that provide direct services to residents, provides for purchase of vehicles to accomplish service delivery and maintains a competitive employee compensation and benefits for county employees, as well as provides funding to complete infrastructure and economic expansion projects, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III.
County Attorney Gena McCray reported to commissioners at the June 10 meeting that the Franklin County Board of Education had met earlier that day and had amended its FY25 budget request to $30,541,812 for local expenses and $1,890,611 for capital outlay expenses for a total of $32,432,423. Support for education represents 30.8 percent of the county’s FY25 General Fund budget.
Highlights from the FY25 Budget include:
The county’s annual Fee Schedule was adopted by Board resolution. The complete Fee Schedule can be found at https://www.franklincountync.gov/county_services/budget___finance/index.php
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 06-21-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
TownTalk: Does Vance County Know Where Its Money Is?
/by Laura GabelVance County Manager C. Renee Perry has confirmed that there is an open investigation into the practices of the county’s former finance director after a recent audit found deficiencies in financial processes that involves $1.1 million in county funds.
The audit presented at the June 3 Board of Commissioners meeting revealed that the former finance director “wired, from the County’s bank account, funds equating to approximately $1.1 million dollars through the end of fiscal year 2023, with subsequent wire transfers occurring into fiscal year 2024.”
Katherine Bigelow had served as the county’s finance director since 2019. She was dismissed in February 2024; on May 10, Perry sent an email to county staff informing them of Bigelow’s “recent passing.”
The county has 60 days from the June 3 audit report presentation to present a plan of action to the Local Government Commission.
In an email to WIZS earlier today, Perry said the audit – a public record – disclosed some of the information, adding that there is little else she can say at this point, per the FBI.
“The County was deprived of its monetary resources, resources which should have gone to covering legitimate expenditures and projects which the County has undertaken,” the audit report stated.
The audit report identified four “significant” audit findings: budget violation, reconciliation of records, internal controls and timeliness. In his presentation to commissioners, Alan Thompson said his team at Whiteville-based Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, and Co., P.A. noted that the county failed to comply with General Statutes by not having a two-signature process in place as it pertains to county funds.
This lack of secondary approval or oversight allowed for the finance director to post entries in the county’s financial software; the audit pointed to lack of sufficient training and cross-training practices to ensure proper handling of financial matters.
Citing timeliness of the numbers and the accuracy of the numbers they were provided, Thompson said they discovered issues that they couldn’t get satisfactory answers for.
“By November, she (Bigelow) wasn’t giving us information in a timely way,” Thompson said.
Thompson conceded that his team could have done a better job briefing Perry – who only came on board in November 2023.
“At that point, we didn’t suspect foul play, but we didn’t know,” Thompson said.
Over the past three or four months, county staff and the audit team have communicated weekly – sometimes daily, and Perry said, “We’ve had conversations…moving forward, things will be different.”
Commission Chair Dan Brummitt said he would like to see an agreement “defined in writing. There appears to have been some miscommunication along the way,” he said. Brummitt said he would go so far as to create an Audit Committee, made up of commissioners and others with accounting experience.
(As of 2-5-25 this story contains a correction. Alan Thompson should have been listed as the person who presented the audit report.)
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 06-20-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Bedtime Problems, Pt. 4
/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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Home and Garden Show
/by Bill HarrisOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
Wayne Rowland of the Vance Co. Extension Service provides tips for gardeners.
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TownTalk: Juneteenth and July 4th, Vance Tourism
/by Laura GabelJuly 4 falls on a Thursday this year, which makes for a long weekend just right for vacationers and campers to enjoy a few extra days in and around Kerr Lake. We’ll turn our attention to the skies around Satterwhite Point on Saturday, July 6 for the annual fireworks show, but come early and enjoy all the festivities that await, local tourism officials said.
Norman Dickerson and Pam Hester said this year’s activities include music by DJ Jay, as well as a variety of area vendors selling everything from wings and cheesesteaks to shaved ice treats.
The festivities begin around 4 p.m., and vendors will be set up and ready by 2:30 p.m. Dickerson said.
There’s a $7 state park gate fee – that’s per car, not per person. And a reminder: No alcohol is allowed in state parks. The community is invited to come out to enjoy the afternoon and stay for the fireworks display, which will begin sometime between 9:15 and 9:30, Dickerson said.
As in years past, the show should last 30 minutes or a little bit longer.
Once the last oohs and aahs have drifted into the night sky, Satterwhite Point Road will be transformed into a two-lane exit. The State Highway Patrol will close Satterwhite Point Road at Anderson Creek about the time the fireworks start to make sure festival goers can depart efficiently and safely.
RJ’s Grill, Bun on the Run and Warehouse Barbecue of Youngsville will provide burgers, dogs and more, while other vendors will have everything from corn dogs to pretzels and ice cream.
There also will be novelty items – think all things glow-in-the-dark – and the kids will be happy.
Dickerson and Hester appreciate the considerable support that more than a dozen area agencies provide to get what Hester called a “massive undertaking” like the holiday festival up and running.
From fire departments and the Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s Office, Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and, of course, the N.C. State Parks system, Vance County’s tourism officials give a solid pat on the back.
If it were left to the two of them to pull off, the celebration would look less like fireworks and more like sparklers, they said.
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