If you’ve driven around downtown Oxford recently, perhaps you’ve noticed the street decorations and banners that have been installed, creating a festive atmosphere to usher in the 19th annual N.C. Hot Sauce Contest and Festival.
Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said this is the second year that the hot sauce festival will be a two-day affair, with evening music and other activities kicking off on Friday, Sept. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 13 is a full day of all-things-hot-sauce, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Allen said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.
“Things are getting hot and spicy in downtown Oxford,” she said.
More than 300 vendors will be set up throughout downtown to share samples of their sauces, rubs, jams, jellies and more that they’ve created with peppers. “It’s a foodie paradise,” Allen said.
Some vendors have participated 15 years or more, and they’ll set up their tents and tables alongside others who may be new or nearly new to the experience. They come from all over the state and elsewhere to share their creations with pepper enthusiasts who like a little – or a lot – of kick in their salsas and sauces.
Peppers may take center stage for the host sauce festival, but pumpkins are also a favorite for fall.
In addition to Cedar Creek Gallery’s glass pumpkin patch in the front gallery on exhibit through October, there are a couple of harvest festivals that will be popping up across the county for folks to get their fall “fix.”
- Sept. 14 – Carlee Farms Harvest Festival, hosted by Kissing Booth boutique. More than 25 vendors will have fashion, homemade crafts, seasonal décor and treats available
- Sept. 27 – Harvey Hills Farm’s Harvest Days each weekend through Oct. 26. Festive vendor market featuring fall produce, décor, pumpkins and mums
- Sept. 27 – Indian Branch Farm hosting Roots and Rows from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with more than 65 vendors featuring fashion, home décor, seasonal treats and more
Allen said farm festivals provide authentic experiences for people to meet farmers and craftspeople responsible for things we eat and things we put in our homes.
“It’s really awesome to go into these festivals and meet the people that actually make these things,” she said.
But it’s not all hot sauce and fall festivals in Granville County, she said. The city of Oxford has recently renamed the auditorium located in City Hall, and “The Ox” is set to host a varied lineup of live entertainment and performances through fall and into December.
The Granville Arts Council is bringing Red Bird Theater back, this time for a production of the play Revolution, on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m
Then, on Sept. 10, it’s “The Bad Moms of Comedy,” with a 7:30 performance.
Beach music fans will be happy to know that The Drifters are set to perform on Nov. 1 and then there are a couple of Christmas shows scheduled – Dec. 1 it’s Celtic Angels and Dec. 14 Nashville Nöel.
Check out https://visitgranvillenc.com/ to learn about all the events taking place across Granville County.
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Kerr-Tar COG Regional Housing Summit Sept. 11 At VGCC Civic Center
/by WIZS StaffRegional leaders, housing experts and community partners will come together on Thursday, Sept. 11 for the Kerr-Tar Regional Housing Summit, an event designed to address current housing challenges and explore opportunities for collaboration.
The summit will bring together local officials, planners, developers, nonprofit organizations, financial institutions and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening housing availability, affordability and accessibility throughout the region.
“Access to safe, attainable housing is central to our region’s long-term growth and quality of life,” said Kerr-Tar COG Executive Director Diane Cox. “This summit is an opportunity to share knowledge, identify common challenges, and work toward solutions.”
The summit will feature subject matter experts including Tyler Mulligan, professor of Public Law and Government at the UNC School of Government. He advises state and local officials as well as partner organizations on community economic development, affordable housing, public-private development partnerships, and revitalization initiatives. Also presenting will be Chris Allen, director of Events and Partnerships at Strong Towns, a national nonprofit that helps communities strengthen their housing markets and expand access to homes at prices residents can afford.
The event will take place at Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center, 200 Community College Rd. from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Registration is open to the public, with particular emphasis on participation from government officials, housing professionals, business leaders and community advocates.
For more information or to register, please visit kerrtarcog.org or contact Desiree Brooks at 252.436.2040 or dbrooks@kerrtarcog.org.
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Am I Enough
/by WIZS StaffJamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
We talk about self-doubt in fatherhood.
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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TownTalk: City Council Votes 5-1 Allowing Workshop To Teach Day Trading
/by WIZS StaffIn a 5-1 vote, the Henderson City Council approved a motion that will allow Mayor Melissa Elliott to take part in a “train-the-trainer” session to teach day trading.
Council Member Sam Seifert cast the dissenting vote and Council Members Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel were not present at the special called meeting, announced on Friday, Aug. 29 with the intent of going into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.
The meeting lasted just over an hour and the closed session never happened. According to the city’s website, Tuesday’s meeting is the 10th special called meeting of 2025.
Elliott said the grant opportunity comes from the African American Mayors’ Association, which will allow for up to 10 city residents, selected by a committee, to learn the ins and outs of day trading, using $100 of “free” money that is all part of the grant.
Council Member Tami Walker expressed reservations about the program, but she ultimately voted in favor of the city participating. Walker also asked to be included on the committee that will select the individuals who will participate. Elliott said she didn’t have exact dates, but said she would get the dates and send them to the Council.
Much of the meeting was contentious, with Elliott and City Manager/Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry talking over one another and arguing the finer points of mayoral roles and responsibilities versus those of the city manager.
Elliott said she checks the city calendar before scheduling meetings in the Council Chambers; Kingsberry said he needed some notice about any meeting that will be held on city property since it will involve city staff and facilities.
“The city manager doesn’t have power over elected officials,” Elliott said.
And Kingsberry’s response was that he manages City Hall. “I don’t have a problem with you holding things,” he said, adding that “you can’t just commandeer a space in the City Hall.”
We still need to know when it’s going to be.”
Elliott did agree to providing a two-week advance notice to Kingsberry when the Council Chambers would be reserved for a training or a meeting that Elliott schedules.
The City Council is set to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 for its regular monthly meeting.
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SportsTalk: Minor League Baseball Update and AP Top 25 Release after Week 1
/by Scout HughesScout Hughes and Doc Ayscue give an update on Minor League Baseball here in North Carolina. The guys also speak on the AP Top 25 Poll for College Football that recently released.
Friday MiLB Scores:
Saturday MiLB Scores:
Sunday MiLB Scores:
Labor Day MiLB Scores:
Tuesday MiLB Scores:
Wednesday MiLB Games Today:
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HV Chamber Recognizes 2025 Leadership Vance Class At Annual Graduation Banquet
/by WIZS StaffThe 2025 Class of Leadership Vance had its graduation ceremony last week, adding 17 individuals to the roster of graduates that has successfully completed the annual program hosted by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.
Representatives from a wide range of entities – from banking to local government, nonprofits and the faith community – make up the latest group to take part in the comprehensive program that serves as a way to network with others while learning about the county in which they live and work.
The banquet took place on Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Henderson Country Club. Members of the class shared details about the project they undertook as part of the program, and shared a video that showed highlights of their time together.
Here’s a list of the 2025 class and the organization/workplace each represents:
Judy Ayscue – Benchmark Community Bank
David Caudle – Henderson Family YMCA
Tyler Davis – The Daily Dispatch
Jamie Dittmeyer – City of Henderson
Joseph Coleman Falkner – Paddle Consulting Group, LLC
Victoria Glasscock – KerrTar Regional Council of Governments
Darryl Jones – Community Partners of Hope
Hassan Kingsberry – City of Henderson
DeVona E.Kittrell – Vance County Tax Office
Katie Lee – Vance Recovery
Penny McGhee – CornerClean, LLC
Ferdinand Rouse – Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission
Dr. Abidan Shah – Clearview Church
Angela Simmons – Vance-Granville Community College
Charles Turrentine, Jr. – Exquizid Cuts/Pathways 2 Peace
Amber Varner – First National Bank
Donna Young – Maria Parham Health
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 09-03-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Community Partners Of Hope To Launch ‘Freedom B.R.I.D.G.E.’ With Opioid Settlement Funds;
/by WIZS StaffCommunity Partners of Hope has been awarded $140,000 from the City of Henderson’s opioid settlement fund and soon will begin a new ministry called “Freedom B.R.I.D.G.E” that will include a community resource center.
B.R.I.D.G.E. stands for Building, Recovery, Intervention, Development for Growth and Empowerment and CPOH board co-chair Jane King said the nonprofit organization is accepting applications for a program director for the new ministry, which will connect individuals affected by opioid use disorder with the support they need to heal and thrive.
The program will use a comprehensive support system ranging from classes and counseling to prevention programs, recovery services and programs for families and friends of clients as well.
The part-time director will report to the CPOH board and will work 12 noon to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Find the application at www.cp-hope.org/freedombridge.
SportsTalk: Vance County vs. South Granville Recap
/by Scout HughesScout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap the weekend starting with Vance County football game vs. South Granville. The guys go over other high schools in the area, as well as the college games from the Labor Day Weekend.
High School Games from Week 2:
College Games from Week 1:
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TownTalk: Granville County Spicing Things Up For September
/by WIZS StaffIf you’ve driven around downtown Oxford recently, perhaps you’ve noticed the street decorations and banners that have been installed, creating a festive atmosphere to usher in the 19th annual N.C. Hot Sauce Contest and Festival.
Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said this is the second year that the hot sauce festival will be a two-day affair, with evening music and other activities kicking off on Friday, Sept. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 13 is a full day of all-things-hot-sauce, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Allen said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.
“Things are getting hot and spicy in downtown Oxford,” she said.
More than 300 vendors will be set up throughout downtown to share samples of their sauces, rubs, jams, jellies and more that they’ve created with peppers. “It’s a foodie paradise,” Allen said.
Some vendors have participated 15 years or more, and they’ll set up their tents and tables alongside others who may be new or nearly new to the experience. They come from all over the state and elsewhere to share their creations with pepper enthusiasts who like a little – or a lot – of kick in their salsas and sauces.
Peppers may take center stage for the host sauce festival, but pumpkins are also a favorite for fall.
In addition to Cedar Creek Gallery’s glass pumpkin patch in the front gallery on exhibit through October, there are a couple of harvest festivals that will be popping up across the county for folks to get their fall “fix.”
Allen said farm festivals provide authentic experiences for people to meet farmers and craftspeople responsible for things we eat and things we put in our homes.
“It’s really awesome to go into these festivals and meet the people that actually make these things,” she said.
But it’s not all hot sauce and fall festivals in Granville County, she said. The city of Oxford has recently renamed the auditorium located in City Hall, and “The Ox” is set to host a varied lineup of live entertainment and performances through fall and into December.
The Granville Arts Council is bringing Red Bird Theater back, this time for a production of the play Revolution, on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m
Then, on Sept. 10, it’s “The Bad Moms of Comedy,” with a 7:30 performance.
Beach music fans will be happy to know that The Drifters are set to perform on Nov. 1 and then there are a couple of Christmas shows scheduled – Dec. 1 it’s Celtic Angels and Dec. 14 Nashville Nöel.
Check out https://visitgranvillenc.com/ to learn about all the events taking place across Granville County.
CLICK PLAY!