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Jennifer Williams Appointed As County Tax Administrator

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Jennifer Williams has been appointed to the position of Vance County Tax Administrator, according to County Manager C. Renee Perry.

Williams, who most recently served as deputy tax assessor in the Vance County Tax Office, began her new duties on Monday, Feb. 24, succeeding Porcha Brooks, who is retiring.

“We are thrilled to have Jennifer promoted into this role,” Perry said. “With her extensive experience in tax administration and commitment to serving our community, I am
confident that she will bring strong leadership and expertise to this important role.”

Williams began her career in 2004 in Wake County in ad valorem taxation. After 13 years there, she worked as assistant tax administrator in Vance County and tax listing manager in Chatham County before coming back to Vance County as deputy tax assessor.

Williams has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Ashford University and is a certified Real & Personal Property Appraiser. She also is a certified Assessor.

Catawba Sheriff’s Office Looking For More Possible Fraud Victims In Multi-County Conspiracy Case

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From the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office

Investigators with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division are asking for the public’s help in identifying additional persons who may have been victimized in a multi-county fraud conspiracy.

Virgil Garrett, 64, and his son Noah Garrett, 27, have been charged with obtaining property by false pretense and felony conversion, for allegedly obtaining commercial vehicles and heavy equipment through rental agreements and then fraudulently selling them to buyers across western North Carolina. These buyers were allegedly convinced by this father-son duo they had a legal right to sell this equipment. Investigators believe this fraudulent practice has been occurring for several months or longer.

Noah Garrett is currently held in the Catawba County Detention Facility under a $750,000 secure bond. Virgil Garrett is currently held in the Catawba County Detention Facility under a $600,000 secure bond.

“We are confident there are more victims out there who have not yet come forward” said, Sergeant Stobbe, lead investigator in the case. “If you or someone you know has been deceived by these individuals, we strongly urge you to contact our office. Even if you didn’t realize you were a victim at the time, we want to hear from you.”

Multiple charges are pending against the Garretts. Investigators are working to identify the full extent of this operation and the total amount of financial loss to the victims.

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized or who has information related to these cases is encouraged to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 828.464.3112 or astobbe@catawbacountync.gov.

SportsTalk: Realignment through the Eyes of an Athletic Director

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

Oxford Prep Athletic Director John Hammett joins George Hoyle and Scout Hughes to talk about what goes into conference realignment as well as the things happening at Oxford Prep with the spring sports season upon us. That and much more on SportsTalk!

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NC Coop Extension

The Local Skinny! Farmers Market Vendor Courses

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This is the time of year when local gardeners are perusing seed catalogs or checking in with local nurseries about when the vegetable slips will be ready to purchase.  The April 15 frost date seems a long way off, but gardeners are planning now in order to reap the benefits – literally – when spinach, peas, beans and more are ready to harvest.

Vance County Cooperative Extension is hosting a series of vendor workshops during March for anyone interested in participating in farmers markets in Vance, Granville or other nearby counties.

Vance County Agriculture Agent Michael Ellington said the classes will be held on Saturday mornings beginning Mar. 8 and will continue on Mar. 15, 22 and 29. The first three sessions will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the Mar. 29 session will last from 10 a.m to 1 p.m.

All sessions will be held at Salem United Methodist Church, 4151 Salem Rd., Oxford.

Each session has a different focus, Ellington explained.

  • 8 – the basics of business
  • 15 – marketing – product placement for optimum visibility on tables in the market
  • 22 – knowing your customers and follow-up to sales
  • 29 – basic food safety

Vendors often sell at more than one farmers market, Ellington said, so it just makes sense that these vendor trainings are offered to individuals from numerous counties throughout the area.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market may see a higher volume than some of the other area markets because of tourism – folks visiting Kerr Lake or traveling along I-85 may choose to stop in, he noted.

He would like to see the Vance market be an incubator market for others who are just getting started in growing produce or for those who are interested in expanding their existing production.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will have a new feature this year, if all goes according to plan.

Ellington said volunteers and others have been whacking away at kudzu to create a community garden on the campus of the farmers market.

More volunteers are needed at upcoming workdays, he said:

  • Mar. 21 – working on establishing garden borders – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Mar. 29 – marking walkways and preparing for stone installation – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Apr. 11 – installing garden beds – 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“We want to have the community realize that this is their market, and the garden is theirs,” Ellington said. The community garden would be a perfect spot for those who want a garden but lack the space or the confidence to plant, tend and harvest on their own.

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Vance County Logo

TownTalk: State of the County

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It didn’t take long for Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry to address what she called “the elephant in the room” during the “State of the County” report hosted by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Henderson Country Club.

Perry and Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones reviewed goals, economic development successes, as well as several challenges the county faces as it moves forward.

When she became county manager in November 2023, Perry and county staff had in front of them a few challenges to sort through – including that “elephant in the room” that Perry mentioned: A former finance director who embezzled $1.4 million in county funds.

Perry said $1 million of that has been recouped, and she and her team are looking to the future.

Making financial lemonade from lemons, Perry said the county has overcome its past and now has much stronger internal controls in place to protect citizens’ tax dollars.

“We have a committed team of leaders who strive every day to make Vance County thrive,” families flourish” and stay strong, she said.

Always forward-facing, Perry said “our past does not define us. It’s the work we’re doing now” that counts.

Key to Vance County’s growth is economic development, and Perry said she supports responsible growth to create a stronger, more vibrant community.

The Board of Commissioners has chosen to keep their goals from last year and add to the list, Perry said.

The goals include:

  • purchase land for an EMS substation in Williamsboro and an EMS central station
  • pursue land acquisition, construction of a new detention center
  • take next steps for the recently completed fire study
  • continue construction of Phase 1B of the county water system and increase water connection signups by 20 percent
  • work with city to build better relationships for services offered
  • plan for using opioid settlement money and identify programs to reduce drug dependency
  • retain or assist in creation of 150 jobs and $10 million in new investment

The county has 90 vacancies, most notably in social services – 42 vacant positions – and the detention center – 20 openings.

It’s tough for a rural county to compete with more lucrative packages that nearby counties can offer. Wake and Durham counties are just a commute away, Perry said, and that makes Vance County an ideal spot to live – but not to work. Simply put, Vance County just can’t match bonuses and other incentives that larger, more urban counties can.

The county did enact, however, a 7 percent COLA (cost of living adjustment), effective July 1, 2024.

She encouraged those in attendance to stay positive and hopeful for a positive future.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Supporting Your Partner

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Cooperative Extension

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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Oxford Driver License Office to Temporarily Close

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The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles’ Driver License office in Oxford will temporarily close Friday so crews can perform necessary building maintenance.

The office, located at 100 Providence Rd, in Oxford, will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28 and will remain closed through Friday, March 7. The office is expected to reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 10.

Meanwhile, customers with scheduled appointments at the Oxford office will be serviced at the Henderson Driver License office, located at 1080 Eastern Blvd., in Henderson, or will be rescheduled.

DMV offers driver license renewals and many other services online. Customers are encouraged to check the official DMV website at MyNCDMV.gov to see if their driver license needs can be met online.

— information courtesy NCDMV/NCDOT

SportsTalk: High School Playoff Basketball, First Round Results and Second Round Preview

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th 

Scout Hughes and George Hoyle take a look back at the first round playoffs games in high school basketball for teams in our area. The guys also look forward to the upcoming matchups for the second round. Right here on SportsTalk!

1A NCHSAA Boys State Playoffs First Round Results

  • Vance Charter 76 Eno River 60
  • Wake Prep 65 Excelsior Classical 43
  • Warren County 79 North Edgecombe 54
  • Bertie 75 Roxboro Community 54

1A NCHSAA Girls State Playoffs First Round Results

  • North Edgecombe 54 Vance Charter 46
  • Wake Prep 54 Oxford Prep 10
  • Warren County 57 Falls Lake 43
  • Roxboro Community 58 Cape Hatteras 43

2A NCHSAA Boys State Playoffs First Round Results

  • South Granville 89 Trask 59
  • Whiteville 70 J.F. Webb 61

2A NCHSAA Girls State Playoffs First Round Results

  • Louisburg 69 John A. Holmes 60
  • Goldsboro 68 J.F. Webb 34

3A NCHSAA Boys State Playoffs First Round Results

  • Person 78 Currituck County 74

3A NCHSAA Girls State Playoffs First Round Results

  • Currituck County 57 Franklinton 49
  • Carrboro 67 Vance County 29

Class 4 VHSL Boys State Playoffs Region D Quarterfinals Results

  • E.C. Glass (VA) 59 Mecklenburg County (VA) 48

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

1A NCHSAA Boys State Playoffs Second Round

  • Vance Charter @ Wake Prep
  • Warren County @ Southern Wake Academy

1A NCHSAA Girls State Playoffs Second Round

  • Warren County @ Wake Prep
  • Roxboro Community vs. Pamlico County

2A NCHSAA Boys State Playoffs Second Round

  • South Granville vs. Roanoke Rapids

2A NCHSAA Girls State Playoffs Second Round

  • Louisburg @ Nash Central

3A NCHSAA Boys State Playoffs Second Round

  • Person vs. Orange

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

The Granville-Vance-Warren Beginner Beekeeping School will be on March 1st, at 9am at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

The Vance-Warren Beekeepers Association will have their March Meeting on Monday, March 10th, at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

The Growing The Spring Vegetable Garden Workshop will happen on Monday March 31st, 6:30pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. This event will be hosted by Wayne Rowland.

  • Pruning season is fast approaching, sharpen your pruning equipment,  Cooperative Extension has pruning publications that will show how to correctly prune fruit trees and grape vines.
  • Check the central Piedmont planting guide for vegetables that can be planted in each month.
  • Fertilize your fescue lawn if you haven’t already done so.
  • With warmer temperatures this week check for cool season broadleaf weeds in your lawn and spray them if needed. 
  • Continue planting trees and shrubs anytime soil is workable.
  • Organize seed packets according to planting date.
  • Do not till soil if it is wet.
  • Check seedlings daily for moisture.
  • Keep that garden journal up to date.
  • Treat sheds, lawn furniture, and wooden handled tools with wood preservative if needed.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

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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