Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott is going to bat for the future of the Kittrell Job Corps, which faces possible elimination in the recently passed FY26 budget that was signed into law on July 4.
Elliott sent letters to North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, as well as U.S. Congressman Don Davis.
The Kittrell Job Corps is one of 99 Job Corps centers, which provide residential programs designed to help low-income youth achieve education and career goals.
Although the program had been scheduled to be shut down on June 30 when the fiscal year ended, a temporary restraining order put in place days before has put a pause on the closures until a judge can rule on the matter.
Elliott told WIZS that she had traveled to Washington, D.C. to talk with the office of U.S. Rep. Don Davis about the matter.
Here’s the text of the letters, which were dated July 15, 2025:
“I’m writing to express strong support for the Kittrell Job Corps Center and to oppose the President’s FY26 budget proposal to eliminate the Job Corps program. I’m also deeply concerned about the current halt on student background checks, which has left over 12,000 young people in limbo and stalled their path to a better future.
As a proud Job Corps graduate and now Mayor of the City of Henderson, I have seen firsthand how this program transforms lives and strengthens communities. The Kittrell Job Corps Center trains more than 500 young adults annually. These students earn industry-recognized credentials in fields such as Culinary Arts, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Facility Maintenance, Medical Administrative Assistant, Brick Masonry, Security Protective Services, and Advanced Human Services—often leading to full-time employment within months of graduation. At the same time, the campus directly supports approximately 135 staff jobs and injects over $15 million in federal funding into our region’s economy.
One example is Jerae York, a 23-year-old graduate who earned his high school diploma and Security Protective Services credentials at Kittrell before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Now earning over $22 per hour and serving on active duty, Jerae credits Job Corps as the best thing that has happened in his life.
These are real outcomes. Real futures. Real value.
I respectfully urge you to contact the U.S. Department of Labor and the White House immediately to demand the resumption of student enrollments and continued funding for the Job Corps program. The loss of Kittrell would be devastating for my community.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to North Carolina’s youth.”
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-17-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids
/by WIZS StaffJamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
We speak about raising emotional intelligent children. We also discuss more about the Supporting Father Involvement Initiative.
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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Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott Going to Bat for Kittrell Job Corps
/by WIZS StaffHenderson Mayor Melissa Elliott is going to bat for the future of the Kittrell Job Corps, which faces possible elimination in the recently passed FY26 budget that was signed into law on July 4.
Elliott sent letters to North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, as well as U.S. Congressman Don Davis.
The Kittrell Job Corps is one of 99 Job Corps centers, which provide residential programs designed to help low-income youth achieve education and career goals.
Although the program had been scheduled to be shut down on June 30 when the fiscal year ended, a temporary restraining order put in place days before has put a pause on the closures until a judge can rule on the matter.
Elliott told WIZS that she had traveled to Washington, D.C. to talk with the office of U.S. Rep. Don Davis about the matter.
Here’s the text of the letters, which were dated July 15, 2025:
SportsTalk: NFC East Preview
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue preview the NFC East division and other teams as we get ready for pro football.
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TownTalk: 07-16-25 Henderson City Council
/by John C. RoseThank you for listening.
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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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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-16-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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KVA’s Early Learning Center Gains Full Accreditation Status From Cognia
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of Kerr-Vance Academy
The Early Learning Center at Kerr-Vance Academy has earned full accreditation status by Cognia, an internationally recognized education accrediting body.
The ELC is for children from 18 months of age through 4 years, according to information from KVA Head of School Matthew McLaughlin.
In a press release announcing the news, McLaughlin stated that KVA’s K-12 program has maintained accreditation for more than 50 years, and with the addition of the ELC, it becomes the only fully accredited Early Learning Center in the area.
“This accomplishment reflects our deep commitment to educational excellence and holistic growth from the very beginning of a child’s development,” McLaughlin said.
“We’re proud to provide families with an exceptional foundation of learning that supports every stage of their journey.”
The accreditation process includes areas such as curriculum, staff expertise and dedication to continuous improvement.
McLaughlin stated that it also solidifies the school’s reputation as a leader in early childhood education across the region.
For more information about the KVA Early Learning Center and enrollment opportunities, visit www.kerrvance.com.
SportsTalk: Minor League Update and MLB All-Star Game
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis give an update on Minor League Baseball around the state of North Carolina. The guys also talk about the MLB All-Star Game happening Tuesday Night, as well as a few players that were picked in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Friday MiLB Scores:
Saturday MiLB Scores:
Sunday MiLB Scores:
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TownTalk: Henderson City Council July Meeting, Investigations Coming
/by WIZS StaffThe Henderson City Council met Monday night for its regular monthly meeting to conduct routine city business but then went into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.
Mayor Melissa Elliott said she would entertain a motion to go into closed session.
The Council did vote to adjourn into closed session, which had not been included on the agenda that was sent to the press and posted on the city’s webpage.
Upon returning to open session, it was learned that Mayor pro tem Garry Daeke and Councilperson Geraldine Champion will work together to be the liaisons for separate, independent, third-party investigations that will be taking place into two matters: one involving employee surveys pertaining to the mayor and a second that involves accusations made against the manager.
The Council voted unanimously to make Daeke the liaison between the council and the two independent, third-party investigating entities that will look into the matters.
Champion requested that all information that is learned during the investigation be shared with the entire council, to which Daeke replied that would certainly be the case.
The procedure of discussion and voting got a bit complicated when Elliott suggested that Champion join Daeke as a liaison, but that suggestion did turn into what happened.
It’s unclear whether there was an addendum to the original motion or whether a secondary motion was made to include Champion as a liaison. Nevertheless, the vote was 6-2, with Council members Lamont Noel and Sam Seifert voting against the motion.
No further details were discussed about who will conduct the investigations, when they will commence, how long they should take or when results will be available.
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