In a special called meeting Monday afternoon, Vance County Commissioners heard from the four candidates vying for the open District 3 seat on the board.
At the conclusion of the meeting, which lasted less than an hour, Chairwoman Carolyn Faines said she would like to reconvene next week – at a second special called meeting – to vote on which individual will be appointed to fill the seat vacated by Sean Alston more than a month ago. That meeting will take place Monday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room.
The four individuals are Doyle Carpunky, Charisse Fain, Jeanette Floyd and Charles J. Turrentine, Jr. They spoke, in turn, to commissioners about their vision, goals and experiences that they feel will help them if selected to fill Alston’s unexpired term.
Although the commissioners had received copies of their applications, several asked additional questions, ranging from their views on economic growth and the current jail situation to whether they’d consider running for the seat when it is next up for a vote in the 2026 election.
Turrentine, said he had planned to run in the previous election, but deferred to Alston after the two discussed the matter.
All four said they would plan to run for the seat when their appointed term ends.
Turrentine said his main goal is having a positive impact on young people.
“We’ve got to focus on our kids at an early age,” he said, to impress upon them the value of getting an education, a job and making contributions where you live.
“Education and public safety go hand in hand,” Turrentine said. “We’ve got to support our law enforcement…everybody has that right to feel safe.” Once the county has a handle on education and public safety, economic growth is sure to follow.
Fain, a registered nurse for more than 25 years, currently is a district director for clinical services for more than a dozen senior living facilities in the region. She said the county needs more services and programs for people who need mental health support, whether to address immediate needs or long-term needs like transition housing and recovery programs.
Floyd has been a pastor for more than two decades and has been the co-chair of Community Partners of Hope for the past couple of years.
In remarks to the commissioners, Floyd said she didn’t consider herself so much a politician as “a servant leader…making a difference in the lives of the people here.”
She cited the need for jobs and affordable housing in the county. Bringing in new industry creates opportunities for people to earn money so they can afford their housing, she said.
Carpunky said the county is moving forward in the right direction as far as attracting new business is concerned.
“We need to keep moving forward,” he said, “and not be detoured.” He said the countywide water system is an asset that is attractive to prospective business and industry.
Kerr Lake is another, he said.
“The houses are coming,” Carpunky said. “We have to make sure we have the services for them.”
Listen to the entire meeting at wizs.com to hear the prospective commissioners’ complete responses.
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The Local Skinny! Events At Perry Memorial Library
/by WIZS StaffVance County Commissioner Valencia Perry will join Melody Peters next week for a special Story Time program as part of Perry Memorial Library’s celebration of Black History Month.
“I’m so excited that she can come,” Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “She’s amazing!”
Perry was elected to District 2 in 2024 and Peters, Youth Services director, said she is always interested in what’s going on at the library, so she invited the newly elected official to take part in Story Time from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The impending wintry weather shouldn’t pose a problem for that event, but Peters said it could adversely affect the student Library Club, scheduled to meet on Feb. 25 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
If schools are forced to cancel classes this week, it could mean that the students won’t have enough time to put the finishing touches on their latest project.
“Being out of school can throw things off,” Peters said. “If we have to reschedule, that’s what we’ll do.”
Peters offers the reminder that the library follows the same inclement weather schedule as the county, so check social media and the library website for updates on openings and closings.
Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/home to learn more about the programs and services the library offers.
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TownTalk: Commissioners Question District 3 Hopefuls
/by Laura GabelIn a special called meeting Monday afternoon, Vance County Commissioners heard from the four candidates vying for the open District 3 seat on the board.
At the conclusion of the meeting, which lasted less than an hour, Chairwoman Carolyn Faines said she would like to reconvene next week – at a second special called meeting – to vote on which individual will be appointed to fill the seat vacated by Sean Alston more than a month ago. That meeting will take place Monday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room.
The four individuals are Doyle Carpunky, Charisse Fain, Jeanette Floyd and Charles J. Turrentine, Jr. They spoke, in turn, to commissioners about their vision, goals and experiences that they feel will help them if selected to fill Alston’s unexpired term.
Although the commissioners had received copies of their applications, several asked additional questions, ranging from their views on economic growth and the current jail situation to whether they’d consider running for the seat when it is next up for a vote in the 2026 election.
Turrentine, said he had planned to run in the previous election, but deferred to Alston after the two discussed the matter.
All four said they would plan to run for the seat when their appointed term ends.
Turrentine said his main goal is having a positive impact on young people.
“We’ve got to focus on our kids at an early age,” he said, to impress upon them the value of getting an education, a job and making contributions where you live.
“Education and public safety go hand in hand,” Turrentine said. “We’ve got to support our law enforcement…everybody has that right to feel safe.” Once the county has a handle on education and public safety, economic growth is sure to follow.
Fain, a registered nurse for more than 25 years, currently is a district director for clinical services for more than a dozen senior living facilities in the region. She said the county needs more services and programs for people who need mental health support, whether to address immediate needs or long-term needs like transition housing and recovery programs.
Floyd has been a pastor for more than two decades and has been the co-chair of Community Partners of Hope for the past couple of years.
In remarks to the commissioners, Floyd said she didn’t consider herself so much a politician as “a servant leader…making a difference in the lives of the people here.”
She cited the need for jobs and affordable housing in the county. Bringing in new industry creates opportunities for people to earn money so they can afford their housing, she said.
Carpunky said the county is moving forward in the right direction as far as attracting new business is concerned.
“We need to keep moving forward,” he said, “and not be detoured.” He said the countywide water system is an asset that is attractive to prospective business and industry.
Kerr Lake is another, he said.
“The houses are coming,” Carpunky said. “We have to make sure we have the services for them.”
Listen to the entire meeting at wizs.com to hear the prospective commissioners’ complete responses.
CLICK PLAY!
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 02-18-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Warren County Film About Toxic Landfill Protest
/by WIZS StaffArea residents who may have missed an earlier screening of a documentary film about events that happened 40 years ago in Warren County have another opportunity to see it next week.
The film, “Our Movement Starts Here,” chronicles protests against the state of North Carolina’s plan to build a toxic waste landfill in the county, which inspired an international movement for environmental justice.
Head over to the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center on Monday, Feb. 24 for a 5:30 p.m. screening. The doors open at 5 for this free event, presented by VGCC as part of the college’s annual Black History Month observance. Filmmaker John Rash will be on hand, along with a panel of original protesters, for a question-and-answer session at the conclusion of the film.
Through contemporary interviews with the original protesters who inspired the environmental justice movement in 1982, this feature documentary tells the story of a rural community fighting the state of North Carolina’s plan to construct a toxic landfill near their homes.
The film was already shown Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Warren County Senior Center.
Cooperative Extension With Michael Ellington: Upcoming Snow
/by WIZS StaffCooperative Extension
Today’s show discusses upcoming snow in the forecast and why it might be just what you need for this season’s garden. Also shared were dates and registration information for events like market vendor trainings, backyard chicken workshops, and an opportunity to serve the community by gardening!
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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Warren County Health Dept. Hosts “Healthy Hearts” Workshop At Perfecting Praise Ministries Saturday, Feb. 22
/by WIZS Staff– information courtesy of Warren County government
The Warren County Health Department will host a second workshop in celebration of February Heart Health Month. The agency will partner with Perfecting Praise Ministries to conduct a “Healthy Hearts” Community Event on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the church located at 1216 US Highway 158 Business West, Norlina (Food Lion Shopping Center). The guest speaker will be Dr. Phil Mendys. Registration begins at 9:30 am. The workshop is from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Register by Thursday, Feb. 20 by calling 252.257.6017 or 252.257.6012. The health department will offer free health screenings. A light lunch will be provided.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. The health department joins the American Heart Association in raising awareness about cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease. The three-pronged focus is to 1) educate communities about heart disease and stroke; 2) share effective strategies to enhance heart health; and 3) learn steps that you can take to save lives such as Hands-Only CPR from Warren County EMS.
In addition, participants will also get information on other services and community resources.
Did you know?
Join the community of lifesavers and be ready to step up for a loved one, a neighbor, friend or co-worker.
Granville Soil & Water Office To Sponsor 2 Students For June Workshop At N.C. State
/by WIZS StaffGranville County Soil and Water Office will sponsor two local students to attend the annual conservation workshop at N.C. State University, scheduled for June 15-20.
The Resource Conservation Workshop is a weeklong intensive study and hands-on conservation workshop that includes a wide range of conservation topics. The workshop is intended to engage students to learn about natural resources and their management in today’s environment. Students participate in field study, tours, hands-on sessions and evening activities that focus on college and career-decision making.
Students who attend the Resource Conservation Workshop stay on campus at N.C. State in dormitories and attend workshop sessions in Williams Hall, Lake Wheeler Soils Field Lab in addition to field studies at Falls Lake State Recreation Area and Clemmons State Educational Forest.
“Having served as a counselor at this workshop, I can personally attest that it’s a great opportunity for students to experience a taste of college life while expanding interest and passion for degrees in conservation like environmental science, agriculture, or natural resources,” said Granville County Natural Resource Conservationist Byron Currin. “It’s a great way to build connections, add a great experience to your resume, and even earn a college scholarship. I can’t speak highly enough of this program and its importance to furthering the aims of natural resource conservation in Granville County and North Carolina.”
Granville County Soil and Water will sponsor two rising high school juniors and/or seniors. Any current 10th or 11th grader who resides in Granville County is eligible to apply.
Applications are due by Tuesday, April 1 via the N.C. State University Brickyard application system. Create an account and apply at https://reporter.ncsu.edu/index.html
Brickyard accounts must be created by the student’s parent or guardian. N.C. State University will forward eligible applications to the student’s Soil and Water Conservation District office for review.
TownTalk: Interest In And Options For Public Transportation Growing In The Area
/by Laura GabelUPDATE 2-18-25: Because of the weather, the Transportation Town Hall has been re-scheduled for March 17, 2025.
A community town hall-style meeting on the topic of public transportation is scheduled for Monday, March 17 in Oxford to provide information about the types of public transportation that are available now and to help shape the future of ride programs in smaller towns and cities and throughout rural areas.
The meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Orange Street Community Center, 125 Orange St., and is hosted by Down Home, NC, a grassroots non-profit organization interested in improving transportation for low-income residents.
KARTS, the local provider in the Kerr-Tar COG area, recently made the decision to drop the downtown shuttle in Henderson. Simply put, it was too expensive to continue, according to KARTS Director Randy Cantor, who told WIZS News that an Uber-style plan is scheduled to kick off in the next couple of months.
Cantor said he’d just gotten word from the state last week that the micro-transit plan is a go.
But Down Home, NC members Fred Johnson of Butner and Michael Hayes of Henderson said their organization feels that the estimated $5/trip one way cost is too much.
Among other things, the Thursday meeting will be a time to ask NCDOT representatives to set policy that makes micro-transit “fare free” for an introductory period.
Johnson said Brennon Fuqua, NCDOT’s director of its Integrated Mobility division has been invited to take part. State Sen. Terence Everitt, who represents Granville and Wake counties also will be in attendance, Johnson said.
A free fare period will go a long way to help change people’s behaviors and encourage them to use the micro transit option. “If we’re going to get people out of their cars,” lower fares than a $5 per trip fee are needed.
Johnson said he would like to see a point-to-point system, for example, to take people from a central location to the grocery store.
Hayes said he got involved in Down Home, NC last summer, upon hearing that the Around Town Shuttle was being discontinued. Hayes said he has used KARTS, as has his father, who uses a motorized scooter, to get shopping done.
“It just wasn’t feasible for KARTS to do it anymore,” Cantor said of providing the Around Town Shuttle. When the micro transit option begins, Cantor said he hopes to be able to provide a 15-20-minute turnaround time for riders. And, he said he’d like to be able to replicate the service in other counties in the future.
Cantor said people who need to use KARTS will be able to make a reservation via a smart phone app or computer, but they also will be able to pick up the phone and call to request transportation.
The smartphone app takes reservations and payments, he said. KARTS has a brand-new vehicle to use for the micro transit system that can accommodate wheelchairs, he said.
Visit downhomenc.org to learn more about the organization.
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SportsTalk: NCHSAA Releases Third Draft of Conference Realignment
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
On Friday, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) released their third draft for the reorganization of conference play, also known as conference realignment. The Association released its first draft of conference realignment back on December 18th, and the second on January 21st. Although this is the third draft, this is not the final draft. Schools will have a chance to appeal to the NCHSAA Board of Directors before the conferences are approved and confirmed for the 2025-26 school year. It will not be long before the final draft is confirmed from here on out.
Below are the Conference Realignments for teams in Vance County and the surrounding counties:
6A/7A Conference C
1A/2A Conference E
4A/5A Conference A
2A/3A/4A Conference A
1A/2A Conference C
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 02-17-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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