The Henderson City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. today (Monday, July 11) for its regular monthly meeting, and tops on the agenda is the swearing-in of the newly elected council members.
Outgoing council member William Burnette will be recognized for his time on the council and then Ola Thorpe-Cooper, Sara Coffey, Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel, who beat Burnette for the Ward 2 seat in the May 17 primary, all will be sworn in.
Because the primary elections were delayed until May, Burnette’s term in office was a little longer than normal and Noel’s term will be a little shorter, but terms of office should be back in synch by the 2024 election cycle.
Among agenda items to be discussed include a grant proposal to provide “stop sticks” for use by local law enforcement to aid in car chases and a clarification of council members’ involvement on various boards and committees.
The recommendation before the council during the meeting will be that no more than four council members serve on a single committee or board and that council members not serve on any citizen committee in a role other than ex officio (non-voting) capacity.
Also before the council for its approval are the minutes from the June 13 meeting, which includes an update regarding the Kerr Lake Regional Water expansion project and extension of Franklin County’s current contract.
Vance, Granville and Warren counties share ownership of the water facility, with Vance County being the managing partner; Franklin County is a customer and recently asked for a seventh amendment to its agreement that spells out a request for 3.45 million gallons of water a day – up from the 450,000 gallons a day it currently receives.
The amendment states that Franklin County be granted an extension of the current contract of $4.37 per gallon, effectively freezing the price it will pay for water for the 48 months after the current contract ends.
The water plant expansion project has been years in the making, but according to the minutes from the June 13 meeting, City Manager Terrell Blackmon said “there seems to be a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel regarding the KLRW expansion.”
According to the minutes, the KLRW advisory board voted to accept the GMP for the upgrade and funding has been secured for the project. Next steps include approval from the Local Government Commission and then in a few months’ time, pulling permits for the actual work to begin, hopefully in early 2023.
“At this time, no rate changes are scheduled but there will be increases once the $79,605,000 project begins,” the minutes stated.
Council members in attendance voted unanimously to approve the resolution; Council Member Garry Daeke was absent from the June meeting.
The latest Henderson City Council news and concerns about the Regional Water System.
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Local Man Fled Henderson Police, Then Arrested At His Own Home
/by WIZS StaffHPD Press Release —
In the early morning hours of July 7, 2022, Henderson Police Officers observed Kenny Parker (37) of 130 Tarheel Ln, operating a 2003 Honda Accord in the area of N. Cooper Drive.
When officers attempted to stop Parker, he fled. The pursuit carried on for several miles, finally ending at Parker’s home at 130 Tarheel Lane. Parker then fled from his vehicle and ran into his home. Officers were able to take Parker into custody soon after.
The 2003 Honda Accord was seized under North Carolina’s “Run and Done” Law.
Parker, who had outstanding warrants, was served with an OFA for Assault inflicting serious bodily injury with a bond of $10,000, and OFA for Felony breaking and entering to motor vehicle with a bond of $15,000, and a charge Felony speed to elude with a bond of $40,000.
Magistrate Fuller set the total bond at $65,000 and Parker was remanded to the Vance County Detention Center.
Houlihan Resigns From Granville Board Of Education
/by WIZS StaffGranville County Board of Education member Dr. G. Tom Houlihan last week submitted his resignation, effective July 31.
Houlihan represents District 2 and has been on the board since 2014.
In his letter, Houlihan expressed his gratitude to the community during his time as on the school board. “Best wishes to all and thanks to the voters for electing me to represent District 2 for 7+ years,” Houlihan stated, according to a press statement from Dr. Stan Winborne, GCPS public information officer. Houlihan cited the difficulty of school reorganization and closures as reasons for his resignation.
Houlihan has a long, distinguished career in public education, having served as a teacher, principal and as superintendent for both Granville and Johnston counties.
He also served as the senior education advisor for Gov. James B. Hunt in the 1990’s, and led the Council of Chief State School Officers in Washington, DC during the 2000’s. During his retirement, he continued to serve children both as a mentor and volunteer in the Oxford area schools. Houlihan is also an author and has served his community through various charitable and service organizations, Winborne noted.
After the resignation goes into effect, the Board will begin the process of appointing an interim board member to fill the vacant position for District 2, Winborne explained. “The details and timelines of this process will be shared with the public and qualified candidates will be encouraged to apply and be interviewed,” he said, and the finalist will be appointed to serve out the remainder of Houlihan’s term, which ends in December 2024.
Draft Warren County Comprehensive Development Plan Goes for Review
/by WIZS Staff— press release —
Warren County, NC is entering the final phase in its ten-month long comprehensive development planning process.
Warren County’s draft comprehensive development plan will be posted online at https://www.planwarrencountync.com for public review and comment. The Warren County Planning Board will review and provide recommendations for the draft plan on Tuesday, July 12th at 6PM located at the Warren County Armory, 501 US Hwy 158 Bus E, Warrenton. This meeting will be open to the public and residents are welcome to attend.
At their July 11th meeting, the Board of Commissioners will consider setting a public hearing for the Comprehensive Development Plan on at their regular meeting on August 1st at 6PM.
The comprehensive development plan will result in updates to the existing 2002 plan, which was meant to run through 2022.
A comprehensive development plan aims to address and guide growth and development for the county. Its focus is on the areas within the county’s jurisdiction and along the edges of town limits. Public participation will play a key role through the feedback, comments, and review of this draft. The comprehensive development plan will help to shape the vision and priorities for the future of Warren County.
The Warren County Comprehensive Development Plan will update the 2002 Land Development Plan and address new issues and priorities that have come forward in the years since then.
To follow along with the comprehensive plan process, visit planwarrencountync.com. For more information and to send any feedback, contact the Warren County comp plan team at compplan@warrencountync.gov.
The Local Skinny! Community Watch In Kittrell
/by WIZS StaffThe Kittrell Community Watch will meet on Thursday evening, July 21 at Union Chapel United Methodist Church and President Edward Woodlief invites anyone interested to attend.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church, located in Kittrell at 6535 Raleigh Rd.
Guest speaker is Detective Andrew Bishop with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and he will discuss the use of drones in law enforcement and how these unmanned remote devices are used to fight crime.
Contact Woodlief at 252.767.4044 to learn more.
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Corn, Soybean Field Day Set For Aug. 9 At Oxford Tobacco Research Station
/by WIZS StaffA corn and soybean field day will be held next month at the Oxford Tobacco Research Station.
The daylong workshop is set to begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9 and will feature Ryan Heiniger and Drs. Ron Heiniger and Rachel Vann, according to information from the Warren County Cooperative Extension office.
A breakfast and trade show are just part of the day’s program, sponsored by partners including AgVenture, Granville Farm Bureau, Southern States, the Corn Growers Association of NC, NC Soybean Producers Association and FarmPLUS insurance services.
At least one hour N, O, D and X pesticide recertification credit is available for producers that need it.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/corn-and-soybean-field-day-tickets-377404516067 or call 336.599.1195.
TownTalk: City Council And Regional Water
/by WIZS StaffThe Henderson City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. today (Monday, July 11) for its regular monthly meeting, and tops on the agenda is the swearing-in of the newly elected council members.
Outgoing council member William Burnette will be recognized for his time on the council and then Ola Thorpe-Cooper, Sara Coffey, Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel, who beat Burnette for the Ward 2 seat in the May 17 primary, all will be sworn in.
Because the primary elections were delayed until May, Burnette’s term in office was a little longer than normal and Noel’s term will be a little shorter, but terms of office should be back in synch by the 2024 election cycle.
Among agenda items to be discussed include a grant proposal to provide “stop sticks” for use by local law enforcement to aid in car chases and a clarification of council members’ involvement on various boards and committees.
The recommendation before the council during the meeting will be that no more than four council members serve on a single committee or board and that council members not serve on any citizen committee in a role other than ex officio (non-voting) capacity.
Also before the council for its approval are the minutes from the June 13 meeting, which includes an update regarding the Kerr Lake Regional Water expansion project and extension of Franklin County’s current contract.
Vance, Granville and Warren counties share ownership of the water facility, with Vance County being the managing partner; Franklin County is a customer and recently asked for a seventh amendment to its agreement that spells out a request for 3.45 million gallons of water a day – up from the 450,000 gallons a day it currently receives.
The amendment states that Franklin County be granted an extension of the current contract of $4.37 per gallon, effectively freezing the price it will pay for water for the 48 months after the current contract ends.
The water plant expansion project has been years in the making, but according to the minutes from the June 13 meeting, City Manager Terrell Blackmon said “there seems to be a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel regarding the KLRW expansion.”
According to the minutes, the KLRW advisory board voted to accept the GMP for the upgrade and funding has been secured for the project. Next steps include approval from the Local Government Commission and then in a few months’ time, pulling permits for the actual work to begin, hopefully in early 2023.
“At this time, no rate changes are scheduled but there will be increases once the $79,605,000 project begins,” the minutes stated.
Council members in attendance voted unanimously to approve the resolution; Council Member Garry Daeke was absent from the June meeting.
The latest Henderson City Council news and concerns about the Regional Water System.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 07-11-22 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Spotted Lanternfly
/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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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 07-08-22 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
SportsTalk: Wilkerson Helps College Baseball Players Take The Next Step
/by Bill HarrisDaniel Wilkerson has traveled a long way since his days of playing baseball for his father, Todd Wilkerson, at Kerr-Vance Academy. His baseball journey has taken him to Randolph Macon College and then to East Carolina University and now to the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League.
“I’m following in my father’s footsteps,” Wilkerson said on Thursday’s SportsTalk with George Hoyle. Wilkerson’s father spent many years coaching at KVA and the younger Wilkerson is doing much the same but at a different level and a different place. After two years at East Carolina, Wilkerson has found himself an assistant coaching position with the Kettleers. He coaches 1st base during games and does much of the team’s field work keeping the playing surface in game day shape. In the evenings Wilkerson will scout teams to help prepare the Kettleers for the next game.
The Cape Cod League has 10 teams in two divisions and features some of college baseball’s top players, many of whom are on the verge of being drafted. That means players turn over frequently. Despite the geographical distance between Cape Cod in Massachusetts and Henderson, Wilkerson does see similarites in how all of the programs he has been involved in operate. He also sees differences as well. “The game speeds up,” Wilkerson said. He says there was a difference in the speed of play from KVA to Randolph Macon and again from there to ECU and even more in the Cape Cod league.
His work for the Cotuit Kettleers must be paying off as the team leads there division in the league with a 14-4 record.