Henderson-based Variety Wholesalers is opening – or re-opening – on Thursday nine Big Lots! stores following a strategic acquisition of 219 of the retail stores across the South.
Variety Wholesalers, a leading discount retailer known for its “treasure hunt shopping experience, closeouts and unbeatable bargains,” plans to open more stores in the eastern market throughout May and June, according to information provided by the company.
The Big Lots! stores have been remodeled and will feature a large selection of closeout deals and new merchandise categories, including electronics and apparel.
Included in this first wave of re-openings is a store in Asheboro; the other stores are located in Roanoke, VA, Mount Sterling, KY, Metairie, LA, Tupelo, MS, Pearl, MS, Clarksville, TN, Gallatin, TN and Dickson, TN.
‘We’re thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life by offering more deals than ever, lots of famous brands and a new apparel department for the entire family,” said Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers. “We’re opening stores quickly so we can serve the community. We know the stores won’t be perfect to start, but each week we’ll add more new products as we build towards the grand opening celebration in the fall. Every time a customer visits Big Lots! we want them to find something new and exciting!”
Variety Wholesalers will reopen the remaining acquired locations in subsequent waves, with approximately 55 stores in the second wave opening on Thursday, May 1. The remaining stores will open through early June and lead up to a grand opening celebration that will take place across all stores this fall. BigLots.com and Big Lots! social media channels will feature more news and updates on store announcements.
Variety Wholesalers’ acquisition of Big Lots! stores marks a significant expansion for the company, further solidifying its position as a leading discount retailer. The company’s portfolio includes well-known brands such as Roses, Roses Express and Maxway.
In addition to the initial nine locations, Variety Wholesalers plans to reopen Big Lots! stores in North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia, among other states.
Variety Wholesalers is committed to providing customers with a wide selection of merchandise, including apparel, famous brands, home décor, health and beauty items, closeouts, seasonal products and more all at unbeatable prices.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Mini Gardens
/by WIZS StaffOn the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Wayne Rowland:
Mini gardens can be grown in limited space and will help provide fresh vegetables for your family.
The Vance-Warren Beekeepers Association meeting will be on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
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
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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NC Taxpayers Have Until May 1 To File Taxes
/by WIZS StaffTaxpayers in North Carolina have a slight reprieve this year – the deadline to file state and federal taxes has been extended to May 1, giving individuals and businesses an extra couple of weeks to file.
Because of the devastation created by Hurricane Helen and Tropical Storm Debby last year, the Internal Revenue Service extended the deadline to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Following the disaster declaration issued by FEMA, individuals and households that reside or have a business in the entire state qualify for tax relief.
Affected taxpayers with returns and payments with due dates postponed until Feb. 3, 2025, due to Tropical Storm Debby in North Carolina (NC-2024-07) will also now have until May 1, 2025, to file and/or pay.
The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after Sept. 25, 2024, and before May 1, 2025, are granted additional time to file through May 1, 2025. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until May 1, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.
The May 1, 2025, filing deadline applies to:
The May 1, 2025, deadline also applies to any payment normally due during this period, including the quarterly estimated tax payments due on Jan. 15 and April 15, 2025. The May 1, 2025, deadline also applies to the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2024, and Jan. 31, and April 30, 2025. In addition, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Sept. 25, 2024, and before Oct. 10, 2024, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by Oct. 10, 2024.
If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.
The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. But affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area should call the IRS disaster hotline at 866.562.5227 to request this tax relief. Tax preparers located in the disaster area with clients located outside the disaster area can choose to use the Bulk requests from practitioners for disaster relief option, described on www.IRS.gov.
Henderson Teen Missing For Three Weeks
/by WIZS StaffLocal law enforcement officials are looking for a Henderson teen, missing now for three weeks.
Maria Guadalupe “Lupita” Dominguez-Galvez, 17, left her home with someone driving a black Ford Explorer the evening of Thursday, Mar. 27, according to family members.
WIZS News spoke with a family member early Friday afternoon who said they still haven’t heard anything from Lupita. HendFact, a local Latino advocacy group, is among other groups supporting the family as the search continues to locate the teen.
In a press release issued Friday afternoon, Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said the family had reported her missing on Mar. 28. Family members said she left her home between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division received the case and are actively investigating. Maria has been entered into the various National Databases for Missing Persons/Children. Law enforcement resources are being utilized, and Federal Agencies have been contacted to assist.
At this time, there is no information indicating that Maria left involuntarily. Also, there are no suspects, associates, or vehicles known to law enforcement that attributed or are associated with Maria leaving her residence, according to the press release.
She is a sophomore at Vance County High School, local media outlets report.
Sheriff’s Office Maj. William Mitchell told the Dispatch there is no indication the child has been harmed and local LEOs do have some information on her whereabouts and “negative tendencies.” According to investigators, Dominguez-Galvez left a note for her family before exiting her home without her cell phone.
Anyone with information about the teen’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252.738.2200.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 04-11-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Variety Wholesalers Launches First Wave Of Big Lots! Reopenings
/by WIZS StaffHenderson-based Variety Wholesalers is opening – or re-opening – on Thursday nine Big Lots! stores following a strategic acquisition of 219 of the retail stores across the South.
Variety Wholesalers, a leading discount retailer known for its “treasure hunt shopping experience, closeouts and unbeatable bargains,” plans to open more stores in the eastern market throughout May and June, according to information provided by the company.
The Big Lots! stores have been remodeled and will feature a large selection of closeout deals and new merchandise categories, including electronics and apparel.
Included in this first wave of re-openings is a store in Asheboro; the other stores are located in Roanoke, VA, Mount Sterling, KY, Metairie, LA, Tupelo, MS, Pearl, MS, Clarksville, TN, Gallatin, TN and Dickson, TN.
‘We’re thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life by offering more deals than ever, lots of famous brands and a new apparel department for the entire family,” said Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers. “We’re opening stores quickly so we can serve the community. We know the stores won’t be perfect to start, but each week we’ll add more new products as we build towards the grand opening celebration in the fall. Every time a customer visits Big Lots! we want them to find something new and exciting!”
Variety Wholesalers will reopen the remaining acquired locations in subsequent waves, with approximately 55 stores in the second wave opening on Thursday, May 1. The remaining stores will open through early June and lead up to a grand opening celebration that will take place across all stores this fall. BigLots.com and Big Lots! social media channels will feature more news and updates on store announcements.
Variety Wholesalers’ acquisition of Big Lots! stores marks a significant expansion for the company, further solidifying its position as a leading discount retailer. The company’s portfolio includes well-known brands such as Roses, Roses Express and Maxway.
In addition to the initial nine locations, Variety Wholesalers plans to reopen Big Lots! stores in North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia, among other states.
Variety Wholesalers is committed to providing customers with a wide selection of merchandise, including apparel, famous brands, home décor, health and beauty items, closeouts, seasonal products and more all at unbeatable prices.
The Local Skinny! County Attorney Explains ‘Design/Build’ Concept For Jail Repairs
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County Board of Commissioners have approved a pathway for county staff to proceed with a “design/build” process to make necessary repairs to the jail as it weighs further options for construction of a new detention center.
County Attorney Jonathan Care explained to commissioners at their Monday meeting why he recommends this “new” approach be used for the repairs and expressed the need to move quickly, based on a letter from the state citing, among other things, the poor physical condition of the jail.
Care spelled out options for the short-term repairs needed at the existing jail while pursuing design and construction options for a brand-new jail; the consensus at Monday’s meeting was to use the design/build process for the repairs. Care told commissioners staff could have everything in place by the next meeting, if not sooner, to put that plan in motion.
One of the main components of the design/build approach, he explained, has both the construction side and the design side collaborating on the project instead of hiring an architect to design and then a construction team to build.
“I think that is the absolute best way to move forward,” Care said, “and that is my recommendation to move forward with repairs to our current facility.”
The design/build approach begins with a request for qualification – an RFQ – instead of a request for proposals – an RFP, which often results in awarding projects to the company who submits the lowest bid.
He said the design/build process won’t be the cheapest way, but it should result in fewer change orders during construction and fewer issues that inevitably pop up.
With the repairs, however, “time is as much of a factor as cost is.”
A jail is not something that should be pieced out and parceled, Care said.
“We need to know, down the road, that we’re going to have a facility that isn’t such a unicorn that we’re reliant on one person” to come in and make needed repairs, he said, referencing the problem with broken doors at the jail.
“I can tell you, unfortunately, we’ve experienced some of that in our current facility with updating, remodeling and building…that isn’t working for us, and it’s costing us dearly now.”
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TownTalk: Pink with a Passion on April 12th in Warrenton
/by WIZS StaffLook for the rainbow at the 4th annual Pink With A Passion event Saturday, April 12 at the Warren County Recreational Complex.
The theme for this year’s walk is “Walk With Strength: Fight Cancer In All Colors,” making reference to the distinct color assigned to particular cancers – pink represents breast cancer, for example.
As a breast cancer survivor herself, organizer Amena Wilson may be decked out in pink for the day’s activities, but she hopes to see a rainbow of colors represented.
Registration for the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m, Wilson said.
The official part of the day will take place at 11 a.m., and participants can witness the Tree of Hope ceremony that Wilson says will be a unique experience.
The Tree of Hope, with its twinkling lights, will be a way to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer, as well as a way to offer hope to those facing health challenges. But, Wilson said, it’s also a joyous time to celebrate all those who have overcome challenges and are now in recovery following cancer diagnoses.
It’s a somber occasion, but it’s also going to be a lot of fun for the whole family. Last year’s event brought out about 400 people; this year, Wilson is expecting an even bigger crowd.
A mobile mammogram service is offering 25 free mammograms. Call 877.318.1349 to schedule an appointment or visit https://appointments.invisiondiagnostics.com/appoinment/
to reserve a spot.
“We’ll have a lot going on,” Wilson said. There will be a band and a dj providing musical entertainment, as well as a time to hear testimonies from cancer survivors and take part in a balloon release.
For the kids, there will be plenty of activities, including a bouncy house, face painting and a fire truck with a Smokey Bear character on board.
And let’s not forget the food trucks – Wilson said there will be everything from vegan on up to Southern Soul food on site for everyone to enjoy.
“It’s going to be a day full of joy, a day of celebration,” she said. “We’re so geared up and pumped up and ready to go!”
Bring a lawn chair and expect to have a great time, she added.
To learn more about Pink With A Passion, visit: www.pinkwithapassion.org
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TownTalk: 3rd Annual Community Resource Festival Coming Up on April 16th
/by WIZS StaffOrganizers of the 3rd annual Community Resource Festival are proof of just what can be accomplished when folks and organizations come together for a common goal.
More than 100 vendors have signed up to participate in the event, which will take place Wednesday, April 16 at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited to stop in to learn more about the businesses, programs, local agencies, nonprofits and more that are located in Vance and Granville counties.
In addition to helpful information, there will be food trucks, giveaways and plenty of time for networking.
Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson summed it up this way: Community means together, resources are assets and festival means fun.
Wilkerson joined collaborators Jennifer Cufalo, with the Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Michele Walker, with Huff Consulting, LLC on TownTalk to discuss the event’s origin – and the possibilities it holds for the entire community.
“There’s nothing that makes me happier than collaboration,” Wilkerson said.
And the Community Resource Festival all about collaboration, Walker said. “It’s grown to huge heights,” she said of the festival, which began as an idea simply to gather nonprofit organizations from across the two counties.
As Wilkerson explained, once Walker brought the idea to the Chambers, the idea grew to include businesses and other service-related organizations. Stay tuned, Walker said, because KARTS is working to designate “hotspots” to pick up individuals and transport them to and from the festival. She’ll share more information as it develops.
The local Chamber has been fielding calls about how to participate in the festival, some from people familiar to the Chamber and some she doesn’t know.
“I’m excited to meet them (and) talk to them about what they’re working on,” she said. Part of the mission of the resource festival is to show the community just how much the two counties have to offer – it’s just a matter of knowing the resources exist.
“This festival is just a great way to bring programs and services under one roof,” Cufalo said. Through networking, small businesses nonprofits can join forces with one another to extend their reach into the community. “Not everybody has the same supporters or collaborators,” she said. “That little bit of knowledge you have and be huge for somebody else” to learn.
The Community Resource Festival has looked a little bit different each year, but the common thread she recognizes is the level of communication and sharing of information among businesses and to the public.
“One thing that we have to do – make sure we’re talking to one another. We have to communicate,” Walker said. And who says you can’t do that AND enjoy each other’s company at the same time?
To learn more, visit
https://business.hendersonvance.org/events/details/community-resource-festival-2191
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 04-10-25 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: Quality Over Quantity
/by WIZS StaffCooperative Extension Report with Jamon Glover
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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