UPDATE July 2, 7:25 PM
The Vance County Department of Social Services Board of Directors has voted to dismiss DSS Director Sandy Weaver.
Weaver was appointed to the role on Oct. 1, 2024. County Attorney Jonathan Care confirmed the board’s decision took place on Wednesday, June 18 in an interview with WIZS News Tuesday.
“The county’s official statement is ‘This is a DSS personnel matter,’” Care said, adding that the DSS board is the hiring authority of the director.
“She was within her nine-month probationary period, and they voted before the expiration of that probationary period not to continue her employment,” Care said.
But DSS Board Chair Leonard Frieson said, “Because of pending matters, I can’t say anything. You need to contact the county attorney or the county manager – they will speak for me.”
The newly adopted county budget for 2025-26 includes $10,225,717 for administrative costs at DSS, according to County Manager C. Renee Perry. Perry told WIZS News Wednesday that Cassandra Hart is the interim director.
Perry referred other questions to the DSS Board Chair. WIZS reached out to Frieson Wednesday for comment. “Due to pending legal action I cannot comment at this time,” Frieson stated.
In May 2025, the state notified the county that it would be taking over part of the DSS child welfare services, citing numerous safety violations and social work practices that didn’t align with law, rule or policy – despite having been under a correction action plan since June 2024.
Then last week, a cybersecurity breach occurred at Vance County DSS that is currently under investigation.
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UPDATE July 1, 4:56 PM
The Vance County Department of Social Services Board of Directors has voted to dismiss DSS Director Sandy Weaver.
Weaver was appointed to the role on Oct. 1, 2024. County Attorney Jonathan Care confirmed the board’s decision took place on Wednesday, June 18 in an interview with WIZS News Tuesday.
“The county’s official statement is ‘This is a DSS personnel matter,’” Care said, adding that the DSS board is the hiring authority of the director.
“She was within her nine-month probationary period, and they voted before the expiration of that probationary period not to continue her employment,” Care said.
But DSS Board Chair Leonard Frieson said, “Because of pending matters, I can’t say anything. You need to contact the county attorney or the county manager – they will speak for me.”
In May 2025, the state notified the county that it would be taking over part of the DSS child welfare services, citing numerous safety violations and social work practices that didn’t align with law, rule or policy – despite having been under a correction action plan since June 2024.
A cybersecurity breach occurred last week at Vance County DSS that is under investigation by state and federal authorities.
Two Face Charges, One Suspect Still At Large In Connection With Break-In Of Slot Machine At Local Mini Mart
/by WIZS Staff— Press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
On July 7, 2025, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a larceny call for service at the New Hope Mini Mart (10289 NC 39 North, Henderson, NC 27537)
Upon arrival, the store clerk stated that the lock was broken off the slot machine and that the machine was $9,000.00 to $10,000.00 short.
Shortly after, Deputy T. Macon spotted a white BMW, traveling South on NC 39 North just past Haywood Wright Road.
A traffic stop was initiated which resulted in the front passenger fleeing on foot and two other occupants being detained.
The driver, identified as Dkendre Myliek Andrews (DOB: 11/05/2003), was charged with felony conspiracy, received a $65,000.00 secured bond, and has a court date of Wednesday, July 9. Andrews remains in custody at the Vance County Detention Center.
The rear passenger, identified as Alexus Murphy (DOB: 11/12/1999), was charged with felony conspiracy, received a $65,000.00 secured bond, and has a court date of July 9, 2025. Murphy remains in custody at the Vance County Detention Center.
After further investigation, the front passenger was later identified as Dayvon DyShiek Person (DOB: 09/04/1990). Person is still on the run and has the following outstanding charge(s): break/enter into coin/currency operated machine, damaging coin/currency operated machine, resist/delay/obstruct, and felony larceny.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Person is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or through the P3 app.
Cooperative Extension with Micah Sharpe: All Things 4-H
/by WIZS StaffMicah Sharpe, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
Joy Othoo, a rising senior at NC State University majoring in Agroecology and Community Food Systems and an intern with the Vance County Cooperative Extension, joins Micah Sharpe on this edition of All Things 4-H to discuss her time in Vance County with her internship.
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: Minor League Baseball Update and MLB All-Star Rosters are Set
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue give an update on Minor League Baseball in North Carolina from over the weekend. The guys also talk about the roster being set for the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta.
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-07-25 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: Two-Spotted Spider Mites
/by WIZS StaffWayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
Two-Spotted spider mites can invade landscape plants quickly in hot dry conditions.
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
Click Play!
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-03-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Reminder About Temporary Detour To Accommodate Fireworks Traffic At Satterwhite Point July 5
/by WIZS StaffTraffic along Satterwhite Point Road will be detoured for just more than an hour on Saturday night after the completion of the fireworks display at Satterwhite Point.
Norman Dickerson with Vance County Tourism reminds anyone driving out that way between 9:15 p.m. and about 10:30 p.m. that traffic will be diverted from Satterwhite Point Road onto Anderson Creek Road.
The detour will help reduce congestion and allow for timely clearing of vehicular traffic occurring immediately after the conclusion of the annual Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display at Satterwhite Point Park, Dickerson said.
During the detour period, traffic traveling north/northwest on Satterwhite Point Rd (SR 1319) will be halted at the intersection of Anderson Creek Rd. (SR 1374). Traffic leaving the park headed south back toward Henderson will be detoured east onto Anderson Creek Road (SR 1374) and then south onto Flemingtown Road (SR 1371) to its intersection with I-85.
The closure/detour is coordinated and executed by the N.C. Highway Patrol and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.
‘Firecracker Booze It & Lose It’ In Full Force Through Holiday Weekend
/by WIZS StaffThe N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s ‘Operation Firecracker Booze It & Lose It’ campaign is in full force through Sunday, July 6 to help keep the roadways safe as folks travel during the long Independence Day holiday weekend.
The Fourth of July holiday ranks as one of the deadliest periods on the nation’s roads, according to information from the program. The annual campaign uses public outreach and law enforcement to discourage impaired driving by performing more checkpoints and patrols on the days leading up to and following the holiday.
“We want everyone to enjoy the holiday and celebrate but getting behind the wheel after drinking is never worth the risk,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “Last year, 11,782 crashes were reported statewide involving drivers who were under the influence of alcohol. This is unacceptable. Law enforcement officers from every county in the state will be working this campaign to catch impaired drivers.”
A total of 176 alcohol-related crashes and five fatalities occurred on North Carolina roads during the Fourth of July weekend in 2024, according to crash data from the N.C. Department of Transportation. The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign serves as a reminder that there are severe consequences for reckless behavior.
“Celebrating the Fourth of July responsibly could not be simpler,” said Michael Panzarella, the chief of police for Emerald Isle, which helped kick off this year’s campaign. “What’s not simple are the impacts of someone choosing to drink and then drive. Decide in advance how to get home safely. Too often we see impaired drivers injure themselves and others when they make the choice to drive under the influence.”
There are plenty of ways to arrive safely to a destination, including designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare service. It is always good to plan ahead and work toward making a safer environment and a more enjoyable holiday for everyone.
Please visit NCDOT’s website to learn more about the campaign and consequences of impaired driving.
Warren County Extends Application Period To Submit Golden LEAF Grants For Review
/by WIZS StaffThe pre-application deadline for Warren County organizations to submit proposals to the Golden LEAF Community-Based Grants Initiative has been reopened and extended through July 21, 2025.
The Golden LEAF Community-Based Grants Initiative offers significant funding to support projects that strengthen rural communities through the organization’s stated priorities of job creation and economic investment, agriculture, and workforce preparedness.
“We want to give our community the time and space they need to put together strong proposals,” said County Manager, Crystal Smith. “This work is vital, and we are committed to helping our local providers access resources that can bring transformational projects to life.”
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)) or governmental entities such as county and municipal governments, as well as institutes of higher learning. The new deadline to submit an application to the County Manager’s office at 602 W Ridgeway St in Warrenton is 5 p.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025. Applications will be reviewed in early August, with top proposals forwarded to Golden LEAF for final consideration.
To view the project worksheet template and additional information, visit https://goldenleaf.org/funding-opportunities/community-based-grants/resources/ Printed copies of the project worksheet template is available at the County Manager’s office.
Warren County strongly encourages all eligible organizations to take advantage of this extended deadline.
For assistance or more information, contact Interim Community & Development Director Rose Ponton by emailing roseponton@warrencountync.gov or by calling 252.257.3037 ext. 1310 or cell 252.213.1452 .
Department Of Social Services Board Votes DSS Director Out
/by WIZS StaffUPDATE July 2, 7:25 PM
The Vance County Department of Social Services Board of Directors has voted to dismiss DSS Director Sandy Weaver.
Weaver was appointed to the role on Oct. 1, 2024. County Attorney Jonathan Care confirmed the board’s decision took place on Wednesday, June 18 in an interview with WIZS News Tuesday.
“The county’s official statement is ‘This is a DSS personnel matter,’” Care said, adding that the DSS board is the hiring authority of the director.
“She was within her nine-month probationary period, and they voted before the expiration of that probationary period not to continue her employment,” Care said.
But DSS Board Chair Leonard Frieson said, “Because of pending matters, I can’t say anything. You need to contact the county attorney or the county manager – they will speak for me.”
The newly adopted county budget for 2025-26 includes $10,225,717 for administrative costs at DSS, according to County Manager C. Renee Perry. Perry told WIZS News Wednesday that Cassandra Hart is the interim director.
Perry referred other questions to the DSS Board Chair. WIZS reached out to Frieson Wednesday for comment. “Due to pending legal action I cannot comment at this time,” Frieson stated.
In May 2025, the state notified the county that it would be taking over part of the DSS child welfare services, citing numerous safety violations and social work practices that didn’t align with law, rule or policy – despite having been under a correction action plan since June 2024.
Then last week, a cybersecurity breach occurred at Vance County DSS that is currently under investigation.
******************************
UPDATE July 1, 4:56 PM
The Vance County Department of Social Services Board of Directors has voted to dismiss DSS Director Sandy Weaver.
Weaver was appointed to the role on Oct. 1, 2024. County Attorney Jonathan Care confirmed the board’s decision took place on Wednesday, June 18 in an interview with WIZS News Tuesday.
“The county’s official statement is ‘This is a DSS personnel matter,’” Care said, adding that the DSS board is the hiring authority of the director.
“She was within her nine-month probationary period, and they voted before the expiration of that probationary period not to continue her employment,” Care said.
But DSS Board Chair Leonard Frieson said, “Because of pending matters, I can’t say anything. You need to contact the county attorney or the county manager – they will speak for me.”
In May 2025, the state notified the county that it would be taking over part of the DSS child welfare services, citing numerous safety violations and social work practices that didn’t align with law, rule or policy – despite having been under a correction action plan since June 2024.
A cybersecurity breach occurred last week at Vance County DSS that is under investigation by state and federal authorities.