W. Ellis Boyle has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The oath was administered by his father, U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle at the Terry Sanford Courthouse in Raleigh. Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Boyle as the interim U.S. attorney on Aug. 7, 2025.
According to a press release issued Monday, Aug. 11, Boyle becomes the lead federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of North Carolina, which includes the 44 easternmost counties of North Carolina.
He oversees a staff of 119 employees, including 58 attorneys and 61 non-attorney support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes across the district, including crimes related to immigration, gang violence, National Security, drug trafficking and violent crime. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
Before becoming the U.S. attorney, Boyle practiced law at Ward and Smith, P.A., where he practiced litigation, representing businesses, government entities, and individuals in complex matters. He also served as general counsel and deputy secretary at the N.C. Department of Public Safety, which employs over 27,000 people. The department oversees the state’s prison and probation/parole systems, the State Highway Patrol, Emergency Management, the National Guard and the juvenile justice system.
Prior to his role at DPS, Boyle was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina for two years. During his time in the Civil Division, he tried many cases in federal court. He gained extensive experience representing the United States in cases involving negligence and medical malpractice claims for personal injuries under the Federal Tort Claims Act, as well as in bankruptcy cases.
Before serving as an AUSA, Boyle was an associate in the business litigation practice group of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice in Winston-Salem, where he primarily represented companies in matters related to business disputes and dissolution.
Born and raised in Edenton, Boyle earned a degree in history from Davidson College. After graduating, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the U.S. Army where he served as an infantry officer for four years, eventually rising to the rank of captain. Following his time in the Army, Ellis earned a law degree from Wake Forest University Law School. After graduating, he spent a year as a law clerk for the Hon. Claude Hilton, a U.S. District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Home and Garden Show
/by WIZS StaffOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536
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Ellis Boyle Sworn In As U.S. Attorney For The Eastern District Of NC
/by WIZS StaffW. Ellis Boyle has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The oath was administered by his father, U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle at the Terry Sanford Courthouse in Raleigh. Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Boyle as the interim U.S. attorney on Aug. 7, 2025.
According to a press release issued Monday, Aug. 11, Boyle becomes the lead federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of North Carolina, which includes the 44 easternmost counties of North Carolina.
He oversees a staff of 119 employees, including 58 attorneys and 61 non-attorney support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes across the district, including crimes related to immigration, gang violence, National Security, drug trafficking and violent crime. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
Before becoming the U.S. attorney, Boyle practiced law at Ward and Smith, P.A., where he practiced litigation, representing businesses, government entities, and individuals in complex matters. He also served as general counsel and deputy secretary at the N.C. Department of Public Safety, which employs over 27,000 people. The department oversees the state’s prison and probation/parole systems, the State Highway Patrol, Emergency Management, the National Guard and the juvenile justice system.
Prior to his role at DPS, Boyle was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina for two years. During his time in the Civil Division, he tried many cases in federal court. He gained extensive experience representing the United States in cases involving negligence and medical malpractice claims for personal injuries under the Federal Tort Claims Act, as well as in bankruptcy cases.
Before serving as an AUSA, Boyle was an associate in the business litigation practice group of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice in Winston-Salem, where he primarily represented companies in matters related to business disputes and dissolution.
Born and raised in Edenton, Boyle earned a degree in history from Davidson College. After graduating, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the U.S. Army where he served as an infantry officer for four years, eventually rising to the rank of captain. Following his time in the Army, Ellis earned a law degree from Wake Forest University Law School. After graduating, he spent a year as a law clerk for the Hon. Claude Hilton, a U.S. District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Chamber Members, Join The Aug. 19 “Cheer Line” To Welcome School Staffs To Convocation Kick-Off At McGregor Hall
/by WIZS StaffThe Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce invites Chamber members to turn out on Tuesday, Aug. 19 to help welcome back teachers and staff at the Vance County Schools Convocation Kick-Off at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.
Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson says to be in place by 8 a.m. with pompoms, company signs and your business mascot to “show loud hometown spirit” in support of educators as they embark on another school year.
Buses will begin dropping off teachers between 8:15 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. It’d be great to have them walk through a cheer line of local business leaders and other community-minded citizens as they enter McGregor Hall to begin the convocation!
SportsTalk: Major League Standings and Preseason AP Poll comes out
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis give an updated look at the playoff picture in Major League Baseball. The guys also give a rundown of the new AP Top 25 Poll for College Football that was released on Monday.
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The Local Skinny! Henderson City Manager/City Attorney Hassan Kingsberry Resigns
/by John C. RoseHenderson City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry tendered his resignation Monday.
Kingsberry has held the dual roles of city manager and city attorney for less than a year.
About 10 minutes into Monday’s regular monthly City Council meeting, Kingsberry distributed sheets of paper to members of the Council and to Mayor Melissa Elliott.
Kingsberry shared the contents of the letter to WIZS Monday night.
Following is the text Kingsberry sent:
August 11th, 2025
This letter is written to inform you of my resignation from the positions for City Manager and City Attorney. One contract requires 30 days notice and the other requires a month. For the sake of peace for myself and my family and for the City, this is the best decision. I’ve shared with you my issues with the Mayor and you’ve seen them unfold publicly so I encourage you to protect staff and abide by the Charter. I will remain available for any investigation on my actions for I have not done anything wrong. Thank you for this opportunity. God bless the City of Henderson.
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 08-12-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: What’s Happening in the Sky
/by WIZS StaffMichael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
This week’s show is focused on observations of what’s happening in the sky above us. It ends with a reminder of the Great Southeast pollinator census on August 22nd and 23rd.
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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Warren County Soil And Water Conservation District Cost Share Programs Open
/by WIZS StaffThe Warren Soil and Water Conservation District is taking applications for the N.C. Ag Cost Share Programs’ 2026 program year (Fall ‘25- Spring ‘26) to assist landowners and producers who have water quality and water quantity issues on agricultural lands. This cost share assistance is available for the installation of approved best management practices. Agricultural landowners and producers should stop by the office located at 820 U.S. Highway 158 Business West, Suite 102, or call 252.257.4141, ext. 3 to discuss their water quality and water quantity concerns. There is no charge for this service, and the staff will gladly answer your questions and assist you.
SportsTalk: Vipers Preseason Jamboree in the Books
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap the High School Football Jamboree that took place at Vance County High School last Friday. The guys also talk about the NFL Preseason Games over the weekend.
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The Local Skinny! VCHS Football gets ready with Preseason Jamboree
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County High School Vipers hosted the Jamboree on Friday, offering fans, coaches and players a sneak peek at the upcoming football season.
The Vipers have two more scrimmages before the opening game of the season on Aug. 22 against non-conference opponent Warren County High School. The team travels to Durham on Tuesday to play Riverside High School and then head to Bailey on Friday to take the field against Southern Nash.
Southern Nash was among the other schools that brought teams to take part in the Jamboree. Other schools included Louisburg High School, Nash Central, Southern Alamance, Rocky Mount Prep and Hoke County.
Coach Aaron Elliott told WIZS’s Scout Hughes after Friday night’s game that he thought his team did a lot of good things offensively. The coaching staff has made some adjustments to its defensive strategy from last season. The team lost about 15 players to graduation last year, among them Taeshawn Alston, who accepted a football scholarship to play at the University of South Carolina.
Elliott, beginning his fourth season, said this was the biggest Jamboree that he’s put together since taking over the head coaching job.
Despite finding some positive things to say about his team’s performance, Elliott said he did spot some mistakes to improve on.
He predicted, however, that the Vipers would be a good football team this season.
The season opener against Warren County High School kicks off at 7 p.m. in the VCHS stadium.
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