Editor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 1 at-large seat. Challengers Kenia Gómez-Jimenez and Clementine “Tina” Hunter responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.
Kenia Gómez-Jimenez
Question #1: What prompted you to run for office?
For those who may not know me, my name is Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, candidate for Henderson City Council, Ward 1 At-Large. I am a proud Vance County native, raised in Kittrell by a strong Christian single mother who instilled in me the values of faith, determination, and hard work. Henderson is my home and the place I want to raise my family one day.
After overcoming a battle with cancer last year, I returned to City Council meetings and saw a city at a crossroads. Henderson is full of potential, but too often our leadership has settled for stagnation, division, and complacency. Our citizens are frustrated and deserve better.
I am running for City Council because I believe we must choose a new path forward—one that breaks down barriers, builds bridges, and prioritizes unity, growth, and safety for all. Henderson needs leadership that restores trust, renews hope, and truly puts people first.
Question #2: What’s your platform?
My platform is built on five key priorities that I believe are essential to Henderson’s future: Downtown Revitalization, Affordable Housing, Workforce & Economic Development, A Safer City for All, and Unity Above Identity.
First, Downtown Revitalization. Our downtown is the heart of Henderson, yet too often our citizens look around and ask: why are the towns around us flourishing? Why are their downtowns bustling with wonderful, locally-owned businesses—while Henderson lags behind? This is a real concern, and it’s one we can fix. With strategic investment, support for small businesses, and a vision for growth that stays true to our identity, we can breathe new life into downtown and make it a place where people want to gather, work, and invest.
Second, Affordable Housing. In a city where the average annual salary is just over $40,000, too many of our families are struggling to find safe and affordable places to live. We need to partner with developers, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal resources to create housing options that meet the needs of all income levels, especially working families and young people who want to stay in Henderson.
Third, Workforce & Economic Development. Henderson’s poverty rate remains significantly higher than the state average, and too many of our citizens feel left behind. By expanding workforce training, supporting small businesses, and encouraging new industries to locate here, we can create pathways to higher wages, sustainable jobs, and stronger economic growth for everyone.
Fourth, A Safer City for All. Public safety is the foundation of every strong community. While crime has long plagued Henderson’s reputation, I believe we can change that narrative. By strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and our neighborhoods, investing in prevention and youth programs, and addressing the root causes of crime, we can create a Henderson where families feel secure and proud to call home.
Finally, Unity Above Identity. Henderson has for too long been divided—by politics, by personal agendas, and by old ways of thinking. Our citizens are tired of division. My vision is to bring people together, across neighborhoods and backgrounds, to move Henderson forward. We cannot afford leaders who put ego above progress. We need leaders who will put people first.
At the end of the day, my platform is simple: to build a Henderson that works for its people, not against them. By focusing on revitalization, housing, jobs, safety, and unity, I believe we can transform Henderson into the city we all know it has the potential to be.
Question #3: State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.
The three most important issues facing Henderson today are: restoring trust in our leadership, addressing infrastructure, and creating good-paying jobs.
1. Restoring Faith in Leadership.
Over the past year, our City Council meetings have too often left citizens feeling frustrated, confused, and hopeless. Instead of moving Henderson forward, dysfunction and disarray have held us back. If elected, I will bring stable, levelheaded, and productive leadership to Council. That means showing integrity, listening to our citizens, and working alongside fellow council members with respect and collaboration. My focus will always be on progress, not personal agendas. By restoring trust in leadership, we restore hope that Henderson’s future can and will be brighter.
2. Infrastructure.
From potholes all over our city, to broken windows in our beautiful historic downtown, Henderson’s infrastructure is in dire need of attention. Optics matter—not just for our residents, but also for potential citizens, investors, and business owners. If elected, I will work closely with city departments and committees to prioritize infrastructure improvements, from roads and sidewalks to public spaces. I will also support policies like a Vacant Building Ordinance to ensure that empty, neglected properties no longer drag down our city’s appearance or discourage investment. A stronger Henderson starts with a stronger foundation.
3. Jobs and Economic Opportunity.
At the heart of many of Henderson’s struggles is the lack of good-paying jobs. With the average annual salary in our city just over $40,000, too many families are struggling to make ends meet. As a rural community, we must be realistic about our strategies—but also ambitious. We need to attract small and mid-sized businesses, support entrepreneurship, and expand workforce training programs that prepare our people for the jobs of today and tomorrow. I will work with regional partners, including community colleges, workforce boards, and local industries, to create pipelines for employment and ensure that Henderson becomes a place where families can build stability and young professionals can see a future.
Together, by restoring trust, rebuilding infrastructure, and creating jobs, we can put Henderson on a path toward growth, pride, and prosperity.
Question #4: What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?
I believe Henderson can and should be a city of unity, opportunity, and pride. My passion is to help build a community where families feel safe, businesses can grow, and citizens trust their leadership again. By revitalizing our downtown, creating good-paying jobs, ensuring affordable housing, and working together instead of against one another, we can unlock Henderson’s true potential. At the end of the day, my belief is simple: Henderson deserves better, and together, we can make it the best it can be.
Question #5: Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.
I am a proud graduate of Vance County Public Schools—Zeb Vance Elementary, Henderson Middle, and Southern Vance High School—and went on to earn a double major in Political Science and Philosophy from UNC-Chapel Hill. After graduating in 2021, I immediately put my degree to work in local government, serving as the Regional Program Coordinator for the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments and later as the Downtown Development Director for the City of Oxford. These roles gave me firsthand experience in municipal processes, economic development, and the elements that help rural communities thrive.
Beyond my professional career, I proudly serve on the Henderson Optimist Club Board of Directors, the Salvation Army Advisory Leadership Council, and the Vance County Cooperative Extension Leadership Council, and I am a graduate of the Leadership Vance Class of 2023. I have consistently stepped up to lead, serve, and give back because I believe in Henderson’s future.
Despite my young age, I believe that sometimes what we think disqualifies us is exactly what makes us special. Leaders too often choose to remain captains of a sinking ship rather than have the courage to change course and let others take the wheel. Henderson cannot afford that any longer. My experience—rooted in proven community service, regional leadership, and deep dedication to this city—makes me ready to bring the change Henderson deserves.
Question #6: How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals?
Right now, the climate in Henderson is one of frustration and uncertainty. Too many of our citizens have lost trust in local leadership. City Council meetings have left people feeling hopeless rather than hopeful, and many feel like our city has been stuck in place.
My short-term goals are reflected though my answers for question #3. My long-term goals are bigger, and they align with my five-point platform:
• Downtown Revitalization: To see Henderson’s downtown not just improved, but thriving—bustling with locally owned businesses, outdoor events, restaurants, and safe, walkable streets that bring families and visitors back into the heart of our city.
• Affordable Housing: To build lasting partnerships with developers and nonprofits so that Henderson becomes known as a community where safe, affordable, and diverse housing options are available for every generation—young professionals, families, and seniors alike.
• Workforce & Economic Development: To transform Henderson into a hub of opportunity where job seekers don’t have to leave to find work. This means investing in workforce pipelines with Vance-Granville Community College, supporting small businesses, and attracting industries that provide sustainable wages.
• A Safer City for All: To change Henderson’s reputation from one of crime to one of resilience and safety. I envision a city where law enforcement and neighborhoods work hand-in-hand, youth programs offer positive paths forward, and families can feel safe walking downtown or letting their children play outside.
• Unity Above Identity: To create a Henderson where division no longer defines us. My long-term goal is to leave behind a culture of gridlock and replace it with a culture of collaboration, where leaders put people above politics and neighbors see themselves as part of one Henderson, one future.
These long-term goals are not just about fixing what is broken, they are about building the Henderson we all know is possible: a city of opportunity, safety, and pride for generations to come.
Question #7: Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you.
Henderson is at a turning point. A city stops growing when it stops changing — and right now, our citizens are demanding change. Failure isn’t fatal if you don’t let it be final. Our current political climate does not have to define us or defeat us.
I want every voter to know that this is your moment. The power to decide Henderson’s future is in your hands. We can choose to remain in division and stagnation, or we can choose to build a city that reflects our resilience, our strength, and our shared belief that Henderson deserves better.
I am not running because it is easy. I am running because I believe in Henderson, and I believe in you. Together, we can restore trust in leadership, revitalize our downtown, create jobs, build safer neighborhoods, and unite as one community moving forward.
On October 7th, 2025, I humbly ask for your consideration and your vote for Henderson City Council, Ward 1 At-Large. Let’s break barriers, build bridges, and make Henderson the city we all know it can be.
———–
Ward 1 at-large seat
Clementine “Tina” Hunter
Q: What prompted you to run for local office?
A: Several reasons prompted me to run for local office; this being my third time appearing on the ballot as a Candidate, for City Council, Henderson, NC 27536:
Personal ambition – running for office gains experience in, and improves upon relationships between constituents, and aids in networking for future higher office. Constituents elect their candidate to be the voice for their concerns and issues. I believe my acquired communication skills will be that voice.
To serve – holding a local office position means having a direct effect on decision-making regarding change and needed improvements of basic human services such as affordable housing, educational opportunities, access to health coverage, food security, and public safety. I believe I can be a positive change-maker.
Q: What is your platform?
A: Again, my platform is being a positive change-maker for the betterment of my constituency in areas of basic human needs and access to resources; including food, shelter, and clothing.
Q: State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city, and explain how you plan to address these issues if you are elected.
A: One of the three most important issues I see that are facing the city is Public Safety. While Public Safety ensures protection of the people, Law Enforcement exists to make it happen. Running “to serve” means education in the community with regard to the policies that govern to make Public Safety and Law Enforcement a reality within the city. Public Safety issues can be addressed by attending meetings conducted by this department, together with Law Enforcement; and in turn, bringing the message(s) to my community of constituents on an individual and/or group basis.
A second important issue is education, for the people perish for a lack of knowledge! Being a life-long learner and educator, I am at my best with an audience of one, or many. If elected, I will hold meetings and/or gatherings that encourage issues, concerns, complaints, or constructive input from community members on how to move the city forward.
A third important issue is housing. Minority communities are most likely affected. Contributing factors to homelessness are unemployment and lack of affordable housing. Those who are gainfully employed with low income status spend the bulk of their income on housing, utility costs, and food; making this population likely to lose their housing. Some solutions may be increased access to support programs of housing vouchers and support for mental health.
Q: What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?
A: To make Henderson the best city it can be is to continue to be inclusive of all its residents. For my last 20 years of living here in the city, I have witnessed much growth of progress in areas of civic awareness an engagement, jobs creation, employment, education, and in recreation and tourism. For the city to continue along this positive path, Henderson will be the best city it can be, to live, work, play, and worship; this is my belief.
Q: Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.
A: My personal and professional experience is, and has always been a “can do” spirit. Acquired skill sets and ability to communicate with, and relate to most all individuals and levels of management in a diverse population will set me apart. This will contribute greatly to the work of the City Council.
Q: How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals?
A. I feel the current climate in the city is that it has its issues as any other city, with a diverse population of cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. With increased improvement of aforementioned basic human needs, the city can reach its highest potential. If elected, my short-term and long-term goals are to do my best work and learn as much as possible on local governance to move the city forward.
Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you
• Resident of the city for 20 years. Native of Oxford, North Carolina
• Served on various Boards in the City of Henderson including School Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Board of Adjustment
• Hold earned advanced degrees in Education and Training, pursuing a Doctorate in Education
• Love God and Country
• Would like to have your vote
Click Play!
TownTalk: Commissioners Approve Revised Emergency Pay Policy For Jail Staffing
/by Laura GabelDuring a special called meeting Monday, the Vance County Commissioners approved a revised emergency pay policy that has been in effect since April to staff the county detention center.
Since the policy was put in place – which allows for employees of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office to fill in at the jail because of staffing shortages – the county has paid more than $483,000 to keep adequate staff at the jail. The funds have come from lapsed salaries.
County Manager C. Renee Perry recommended some changes to the policy to commissioners, which includes removing exempt staff from substituting at the jail, using individual employees’ overtime pay rate and allowing no more than 60 hours overtime per pay period.
The revised policy states that exempt employees and non-exempt staff at a pay grade of 72 or above be excluded from the emergency pay policy.
Sheriff Curtis Brame responded to commissioners’ concerns and said he opposed some of what the manager included in the revised policy. He requested that a cap not be placed on the number of hours an individual can work, and he balked at having on-duty patrol deputies be responsible for transporting detainees.
Brame said that he is down 12 staff at the sheriff’s office, and having patrol deputies transporting detainees would mean they’re not patrolling the county.
“We’re talking about safety, we’re definitely talking about safety,” Brame said. As of Monday, the county has 171 detainees, 63 of which are housed at the county jail. That means that the other 108 are in other detention facilities spread across the state of North Carolina from the coast to the Tennessee border.
In response to questions earlier Tuesday from WIZS, Perry said the sheriff “must reach out for approval in advance, just to ensure that the funds are available, not necessarily if the employees can work – just that funds are available,” she reiterated.
With regard to transport of detainees, Perry said that historically, deputies were able to transport. “My preference is to have his deputies do the actual transport without additional pay on their regular shift,” she said, but added that if that causes an undue hardship she would entertain conversations with the sheriff about that. “He just needs to let me know,” she said.
The policy that Perry proposes states that when the lapses salary well goes dry, the emergency pay policy will end.
Brame said county money needs to be made available to keep the staffing at the jail. He called the fund balance a rainy-day fund, used when emergencies arise. “It’s raining like hell in Vance County,” Brame said, “and I’m getting wet.”
After close to a half hour discussion, Commissioner Tommy Hester made a motion to approve the policy Perry recommended. The motion was seconded and was approved, with a lone “no “vote cast by Commissioner Valencia Perry.
Click Play!
SportsTalk: Louisburg College Football Coaches Show
/by Scout HughesLouisburg College Football Head Coach Quinderra Spellman joins SportsTalk to talk about the Canes win against Sussex County CC and how the team will address the bye week. The guys also give the final Minor League Baseball update in 2025 for teams in North Carolina, as well as recap the Monday Night Football Game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions.
Friday MiLB Scores:
Saturday MiLB Scores:
Click Play!
The Local Skinny! Municipal Elections, Ward 1 At-Large
/by WIZS StaffEditor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 1 at-large seat. Challengers Kenia Gómez-Jimenez and Clementine “Tina” Hunter responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.
Kenia Gómez-Jimenez
Question #1: What prompted you to run for office?
For those who may not know me, my name is Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, candidate for Henderson City Council, Ward 1 At-Large. I am a proud Vance County native, raised in Kittrell by a strong Christian single mother who instilled in me the values of faith, determination, and hard work. Henderson is my home and the place I want to raise my family one day.
After overcoming a battle with cancer last year, I returned to City Council meetings and saw a city at a crossroads. Henderson is full of potential, but too often our leadership has settled for stagnation, division, and complacency. Our citizens are frustrated and deserve better.
I am running for City Council because I believe we must choose a new path forward—one that breaks down barriers, builds bridges, and prioritizes unity, growth, and safety for all. Henderson needs leadership that restores trust, renews hope, and truly puts people first.
Question #2: What’s your platform?
My platform is built on five key priorities that I believe are essential to Henderson’s future: Downtown Revitalization, Affordable Housing, Workforce & Economic Development, A Safer City for All, and Unity Above Identity.
First, Downtown Revitalization. Our downtown is the heart of Henderson, yet too often our citizens look around and ask: why are the towns around us flourishing? Why are their downtowns bustling with wonderful, locally-owned businesses—while Henderson lags behind? This is a real concern, and it’s one we can fix. With strategic investment, support for small businesses, and a vision for growth that stays true to our identity, we can breathe new life into downtown and make it a place where people want to gather, work, and invest.
Second, Affordable Housing. In a city where the average annual salary is just over $40,000, too many of our families are struggling to find safe and affordable places to live. We need to partner with developers, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal resources to create housing options that meet the needs of all income levels, especially working families and young people who want to stay in Henderson.
Third, Workforce & Economic Development. Henderson’s poverty rate remains significantly higher than the state average, and too many of our citizens feel left behind. By expanding workforce training, supporting small businesses, and encouraging new industries to locate here, we can create pathways to higher wages, sustainable jobs, and stronger economic growth for everyone.
Fourth, A Safer City for All. Public safety is the foundation of every strong community. While crime has long plagued Henderson’s reputation, I believe we can change that narrative. By strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and our neighborhoods, investing in prevention and youth programs, and addressing the root causes of crime, we can create a Henderson where families feel secure and proud to call home.
Finally, Unity Above Identity. Henderson has for too long been divided—by politics, by personal agendas, and by old ways of thinking. Our citizens are tired of division. My vision is to bring people together, across neighborhoods and backgrounds, to move Henderson forward. We cannot afford leaders who put ego above progress. We need leaders who will put people first.
At the end of the day, my platform is simple: to build a Henderson that works for its people, not against them. By focusing on revitalization, housing, jobs, safety, and unity, I believe we can transform Henderson into the city we all know it has the potential to be.
Question #3: State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.
The three most important issues facing Henderson today are: restoring trust in our leadership, addressing infrastructure, and creating good-paying jobs.
1. Restoring Faith in Leadership.
Over the past year, our City Council meetings have too often left citizens feeling frustrated, confused, and hopeless. Instead of moving Henderson forward, dysfunction and disarray have held us back. If elected, I will bring stable, levelheaded, and productive leadership to Council. That means showing integrity, listening to our citizens, and working alongside fellow council members with respect and collaboration. My focus will always be on progress, not personal agendas. By restoring trust in leadership, we restore hope that Henderson’s future can and will be brighter.
2. Infrastructure.
From potholes all over our city, to broken windows in our beautiful historic downtown, Henderson’s infrastructure is in dire need of attention. Optics matter—not just for our residents, but also for potential citizens, investors, and business owners. If elected, I will work closely with city departments and committees to prioritize infrastructure improvements, from roads and sidewalks to public spaces. I will also support policies like a Vacant Building Ordinance to ensure that empty, neglected properties no longer drag down our city’s appearance or discourage investment. A stronger Henderson starts with a stronger foundation.
3. Jobs and Economic Opportunity.
At the heart of many of Henderson’s struggles is the lack of good-paying jobs. With the average annual salary in our city just over $40,000, too many families are struggling to make ends meet. As a rural community, we must be realistic about our strategies—but also ambitious. We need to attract small and mid-sized businesses, support entrepreneurship, and expand workforce training programs that prepare our people for the jobs of today and tomorrow. I will work with regional partners, including community colleges, workforce boards, and local industries, to create pipelines for employment and ensure that Henderson becomes a place where families can build stability and young professionals can see a future.
Together, by restoring trust, rebuilding infrastructure, and creating jobs, we can put Henderson on a path toward growth, pride, and prosperity.
Question #4: What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?
I believe Henderson can and should be a city of unity, opportunity, and pride. My passion is to help build a community where families feel safe, businesses can grow, and citizens trust their leadership again. By revitalizing our downtown, creating good-paying jobs, ensuring affordable housing, and working together instead of against one another, we can unlock Henderson’s true potential. At the end of the day, my belief is simple: Henderson deserves better, and together, we can make it the best it can be.
Question #5: Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.
I am a proud graduate of Vance County Public Schools—Zeb Vance Elementary, Henderson Middle, and Southern Vance High School—and went on to earn a double major in Political Science and Philosophy from UNC-Chapel Hill. After graduating in 2021, I immediately put my degree to work in local government, serving as the Regional Program Coordinator for the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments and later as the Downtown Development Director for the City of Oxford. These roles gave me firsthand experience in municipal processes, economic development, and the elements that help rural communities thrive.
Beyond my professional career, I proudly serve on the Henderson Optimist Club Board of Directors, the Salvation Army Advisory Leadership Council, and the Vance County Cooperative Extension Leadership Council, and I am a graduate of the Leadership Vance Class of 2023. I have consistently stepped up to lead, serve, and give back because I believe in Henderson’s future.
Despite my young age, I believe that sometimes what we think disqualifies us is exactly what makes us special. Leaders too often choose to remain captains of a sinking ship rather than have the courage to change course and let others take the wheel. Henderson cannot afford that any longer. My experience—rooted in proven community service, regional leadership, and deep dedication to this city—makes me ready to bring the change Henderson deserves.
Question #6: How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals?
Right now, the climate in Henderson is one of frustration and uncertainty. Too many of our citizens have lost trust in local leadership. City Council meetings have left people feeling hopeless rather than hopeful, and many feel like our city has been stuck in place.
My short-term goals are reflected though my answers for question #3. My long-term goals are bigger, and they align with my five-point platform:
• Downtown Revitalization: To see Henderson’s downtown not just improved, but thriving—bustling with locally owned businesses, outdoor events, restaurants, and safe, walkable streets that bring families and visitors back into the heart of our city.
• Affordable Housing: To build lasting partnerships with developers and nonprofits so that Henderson becomes known as a community where safe, affordable, and diverse housing options are available for every generation—young professionals, families, and seniors alike.
• Workforce & Economic Development: To transform Henderson into a hub of opportunity where job seekers don’t have to leave to find work. This means investing in workforce pipelines with Vance-Granville Community College, supporting small businesses, and attracting industries that provide sustainable wages.
• A Safer City for All: To change Henderson’s reputation from one of crime to one of resilience and safety. I envision a city where law enforcement and neighborhoods work hand-in-hand, youth programs offer positive paths forward, and families can feel safe walking downtown or letting their children play outside.
• Unity Above Identity: To create a Henderson where division no longer defines us. My long-term goal is to leave behind a culture of gridlock and replace it with a culture of collaboration, where leaders put people above politics and neighbors see themselves as part of one Henderson, one future.
These long-term goals are not just about fixing what is broken, they are about building the Henderson we all know is possible: a city of opportunity, safety, and pride for generations to come.
Question #7: Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you.
Henderson is at a turning point. A city stops growing when it stops changing — and right now, our citizens are demanding change. Failure isn’t fatal if you don’t let it be final. Our current political climate does not have to define us or defeat us.
I want every voter to know that this is your moment. The power to decide Henderson’s future is in your hands. We can choose to remain in division and stagnation, or we can choose to build a city that reflects our resilience, our strength, and our shared belief that Henderson deserves better.
I am not running because it is easy. I am running because I believe in Henderson, and I believe in you. Together, we can restore trust in leadership, revitalize our downtown, create jobs, build safer neighborhoods, and unite as one community moving forward.
On October 7th, 2025, I humbly ask for your consideration and your vote for Henderson City Council, Ward 1 At-Large. Let’s break barriers, build bridges, and make Henderson the city we all know it can be.
———–
Ward 1 at-large seat
Clementine “Tina” Hunter
Q: What prompted you to run for local office?
A: Several reasons prompted me to run for local office; this being my third time appearing on the ballot as a Candidate, for City Council, Henderson, NC 27536:
Personal ambition – running for office gains experience in, and improves upon relationships between constituents, and aids in networking for future higher office. Constituents elect their candidate to be the voice for their concerns and issues. I believe my acquired communication skills will be that voice.
To serve – holding a local office position means having a direct effect on decision-making regarding change and needed improvements of basic human services such as affordable housing, educational opportunities, access to health coverage, food security, and public safety. I believe I can be a positive change-maker.
Q: What is your platform?
A: Again, my platform is being a positive change-maker for the betterment of my constituency in areas of basic human needs and access to resources; including food, shelter, and clothing.
Q: State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city, and explain how you plan to address these issues if you are elected.
A: One of the three most important issues I see that are facing the city is Public Safety. While Public Safety ensures protection of the people, Law Enforcement exists to make it happen. Running “to serve” means education in the community with regard to the policies that govern to make Public Safety and Law Enforcement a reality within the city. Public Safety issues can be addressed by attending meetings conducted by this department, together with Law Enforcement; and in turn, bringing the message(s) to my community of constituents on an individual and/or group basis.
A second important issue is education, for the people perish for a lack of knowledge! Being a life-long learner and educator, I am at my best with an audience of one, or many. If elected, I will hold meetings and/or gatherings that encourage issues, concerns, complaints, or constructive input from community members on how to move the city forward.
A third important issue is housing. Minority communities are most likely affected. Contributing factors to homelessness are unemployment and lack of affordable housing. Those who are gainfully employed with low income status spend the bulk of their income on housing, utility costs, and food; making this population likely to lose their housing. Some solutions may be increased access to support programs of housing vouchers and support for mental health.
Q: What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?
A: To make Henderson the best city it can be is to continue to be inclusive of all its residents. For my last 20 years of living here in the city, I have witnessed much growth of progress in areas of civic awareness an engagement, jobs creation, employment, education, and in recreation and tourism. For the city to continue along this positive path, Henderson will be the best city it can be, to live, work, play, and worship; this is my belief.
Q: Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.
A: My personal and professional experience is, and has always been a “can do” spirit. Acquired skill sets and ability to communicate with, and relate to most all individuals and levels of management in a diverse population will set me apart. This will contribute greatly to the work of the City Council.
Q: How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals?
A. I feel the current climate in the city is that it has its issues as any other city, with a diverse population of cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. With increased improvement of aforementioned basic human needs, the city can reach its highest potential. If elected, my short-term and long-term goals are to do my best work and learn as much as possible on local governance to move the city forward.
Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you
• Resident of the city for 20 years. Native of Oxford, North Carolina
• Served on various Boards in the City of Henderson including School Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Board of Adjustment
• Hold earned advanced degrees in Education and Training, pursuing a Doctorate in Education
• Love God and Country
• Would like to have your vote
Click Play!
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 09-23-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Sossamon Announces Bid For District 32 House Seat In 2026
/by WIZS StaffFrank Sossamon has announced that he will run again in 2026 for the District 32 seat in the N.C. House of Representatives.
In a press release dated Aug. 27, Sossamon said, “I have been serving in this community as a pastor, job creator, grief counselor and volunteer for over four decades. My life is about direct service to our community and I look forward to returning to Raleigh and representing the true voice of District 32.”
Sossamon said he is running to reclaim House District 32 to bring a true voice of Vance and Granville counties back to Raleigh. Initially elected in 2022, Sossamon served one term and was beaten in the 2024 election by Granville County’s Bryan Cohn. He has listed several priorities in the upcoming campaign, which include protecting Medicaid for the most vulnerable, fully funding classrooms, safeguarding agriculture and more access to mental health services.
During his first term, the press release stated that he brought a record $45 million to Vance and Granville counties in appropriations for economic development, infrastructure and property beautification. He also voted to increase Medicaid which has improved healthcare access to rural communities.
Sossamon served on the Appropriations on Education K-12 Committee, as well as the Appropriations, Commerce, and Transportation committees. After leaving the House, Sossamon continued his service to District 32 leading the “Faith in Mental Health” initiative, a groundbreaking pilot program for Vance and Granville counties, and sits on Vance County’s Juvenile Crime Prevention Council where he has served for 40 years.
The Local Skinny! Municipal Elections, Ward 2 At Large
/by WIZS StaffEditor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 2 at-large seat. Lamont Noel, the incumbent, and challenger George Mayo responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.
Lamont Noel
1. What prompted you to run for local office?
My family’s encounter with insufficient ordinances or the lack thereof in my neighborhood inspired me to become involved in our city’s governance. Advocating for my sons under circumstances that felt discriminatory pushed me to ask our leadership questions about the fairness of law enforcement pulling over kids in my neighborhood. With the help of our city’s chief of police, I successfully wrote an ordinance that could be enforced for all people driving a golf cart throughout our city’s neighborhoods. This experience made me think about all those people without an advocate, those who probably felt like they would not be heard. So, I decided to run for a local office for the people, not the position.
2. What’s your platform?
My platform is based on my principles about treating people with respect about their concerns and doing my very best to address them. I am an approachable listener, and I don’t make promises that I cannot keep. The citizens deserve leadership that will put our communities above any personal differences. I am only one of eight council members, but I stand in the gap for many who want affordable housing options, cleaner neighborhoods, better streets, and safer living environments.
3. State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.
The top three that have been consistently brought to our mayor and city council are 1) crime reduction, 2) cleaning up the city, and 3) affordable housing.
I will continue to work with the council members to secure resources that will address factors such as poverty and drug abuse, which feed our 68.79 crime rate. While I voted to increase the average salary for our city police so we could hire and retain qualified officers, I recognize that law enforcement presence is not the solution. It will require a concerted effort to bring more job opportunities to our city and make sure we prepare potential employees for those positions through our educational system. But it will also require us to hold each other accountable for our own neighborhood safety concerns. If you see something, say something.
Regarding cleaning up the city, I have proposed to the council something as affordable and commonsense as employing a small staff of people to drive around our neighborhoods and pick up trash in coordination with our city sanitation department. This “two-men-and-a-truck” concept would be a full-time anti-litter campaign effort until we get a handle on the current condition. It may seem impossible with the number of complaints we receive, but we must start somewhere. This brings me back to my comment about the importance of citizenship accountability. All of us must take ownership and pride in our homes and neighborhoods, whether we live in the country club or a housing authority neighborhood. We must all work together to clean up and maintain our surroundings, and then hold others accountable for doing the same.
Lastly, affordable housing is possible as a part of a larger economic development plan. For example, I propose offering developers incentives, such as tax reliefs and reduced purchase prices, for some of our city’s vacant lots to build affordable housing in communities that need revitalization.
4. What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?
First, let me state that I believe in Henderson and its potential. We have a prime location, situated off the interstate and a major US highway, which should attract visitors and future residents. We can build upon our existing economic foundation by partnering with our adjoining cities and counties to encourage business growth—my ideas and plans to help our city focus on the importance of economic development, beginning with helping our small business owners and making Henderson more appealing to new and larger businesses.
5. Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.
As the owner of a small business, I bring my professional work ethic and commitment to running the city’s business affairs effectively.
6. How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals?
We must work together to end the chaos and confusion that plagues our city council meetings. We have a lot of work to do to restore confidence in our elected leaders, who are there to take care of our city and citizens. I will continue to make decisions based on the best interests of all citizens and encourage my fellow council members to join me without divisive arguments or personal attacks. Our citizens deserve better, and I will continue to strive to earn the privilege of serving them and not the position.
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George Mayo
My name is George Mayo, I’m 26 years old, and I am proud to be the youngest male candidate to ever run for City Council here in Henderson.
I am running for council because I believe it’s time for a major change in our city. I believe our community deserves someone with “NEW VISIONS, NEW DIRECTIONS, AND FOR CERTAIN—LEADERSHIP THAT YOU CAN TRUST.” It’s about time someone young, like myself, with fresh, new ideas steps up to serve both our city and our citizens.
Let me be clear:
“I AM ABOUT MY BUSINESS. I WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. I AM A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.”
I promise you—I will always be here to serve our citizens and address some major issues in our city. These include:
• Proposing affordable property taxes for our residents
• Strengthening public safety, so that our police and first responders can serve and protect the City of Henderson the way it should be
• Expanding programs that support our citizens—especially our young people—by providing opportunities for them to grow, learn, and succeed
Our elders have paved the way for us, and now it’s time for our generation to step up and take life more seriously.
Although I do not currently own a home, and I’ve lived in Ward 2 for just under 10 years, I have personally witnessed many of our citizens struggle—and in some cases, lose their homes—simply because they couldn’t afford the rising cost of property taxes. That should never happen.
Let me be very clear:
No one—Black, White, Purple, Pink, Brown, or Blue—deserves to live in fear of losing their home due to unaffordable property taxes.
The solutions I plan to propose include:
• Mentorship programs
• Skill-building workshops
• Community engagement initiatives
• And most importantly—being a positive role model for our youth, showing them that they can be anything they put their minds to
Gun violence, drugs, and the streets are not the only path. You don’t have to fall back on those things to “look like somebody.”
To strengthen our public safety, I propose:
• Community Violence Intervention – by treating violence like a public health issue
• Invest in our citizens – engage more with the people, and build relationships
• Show our community that law enforcement can be a safe space, not just a force that pulls people over or makes arrests
I hope I have said something today that will earn your vote—whether it’s during early voting or on Election Day.
Early Voting is from September 18 – October 4, and Election Day is October 7th.
Thank you, and may we move forward with NEW VISIONS, NEW DIRECTIONS, AND LEADERSHIP THAT YOU CAN TRUST!
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SportsTalk: Vipers Football Week 5 Recap
/by Scout HughesScout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap Vance County’s football game against Northeastern last Friday. The guys also talk about other games that happened in high school, college and the NFL.
High School Scores for Week 5:
College Scores for Week 4:
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 09-22-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Operation Resilience – A Coordinated Enforcement Operation in Henderson
/by WIZS StaffPress Conference Audio
With the Henderson Police Station as a backdrop, representatives from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies announced Friday the arrests of five individuals on federal charges ranging from drugs violations to possession of firearms.
Operation Resilience cast a wide net over the course of the past couple of days, and District Attorney Mike Waters commended all those gathered for the press conference on Friday afternoon.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District Ellis Boyle echoed the sentiments, highlighting the work of the ATF. “You made the evidence, you gave us the cases and we are committed to prosecuting them in federal court,” Boyle said during remarks at the press conference.
According to information provided by the office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, the following individuals were charged as a result of Operation Resilience:
Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said, “This operation exemplifies the effectiveness of collaboration among law enforcement agencies with diverse areas of expertise. Extensive preparation was devoted to its planning and execution, and the success achieved reflects the strength of federal, state, and local agencies working in unison. As the Chief of Henderson, I am proud of our relationship with each of these agencies and look forward to more proactive projects in the near future.”
Barrow provided a comprehensive list of arrests and charges to WIZS News following the press conference. Not included in the information below, however is information from the N.C. State Highway Patrol or the Alcohol Law Enforcement agency. Barrow said he expects to have that information soon.
Arrests and Charges
– Felony Arrests: 8 individuals arrested on 26 charges
– Misdemeanor Arrests: 9 individuals arrested on 14 charges
– Charges from Citations: 24
Federal Indictments
– Subjects Taken into Custody: 5 detainees on 10 charges
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
Probation/Parole Enforcement
– Felony Absconders: 3 arrests
– Misdemeanor Absconders: 2 arrests
– Felony Probation Violations: 5 arrests
– Misdemeanor Probation Violations: 1 arrest
Seizures and Evidence
– Search Warrants Obtained and Served: 4
– Firearms Seized: 4 with 1 being stolen
– Controlled Substances Seized:
– Cocaine: 159.45 grams
– Heroin: 100 dosage units
– Marijuana: 62 grams
– MDMA: 3 grams
– Methamphetamine: 2 grams
Henderson Police Capt. Ferguson said the operation – a month or more in the making – was the result of the police department and Adult Corrections putting together a list of absconders from parole and repeat offenders.
N.C. Secretary for the Department of Adult Correction Leslie Dismukes said 29 probation officers participated in the operation, which netted the arrest of five absconders and eight others for a total of 19 felony charges, six misdemeanor charges and confiscation of two firearms.
“Safe communities is the number one priority of Adult Corrections,” Dismukes said during the press conference. Dismukes also thanked Vance County District Attorney’s Office for the partnership of the department’s ongoing efforts to reduce crime and ensure compliance among those it supervises.
The primary objective of the operation was to perform warrantless searches of supervised offenders and their residences while apprehending individuals with active arrest warrants related to probation or post-release supervision violations.
The searches were conducted Thursday, Sept. 18 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Participating in the operation were probation officers from the N.C. Dept. of Adult Correction, officers from Henderson Police Department, deputies from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, federal agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), state agents from N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) and N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and troopers from the N.C. State Highway Patrol. Prosecutions are being handled by the Vance County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Today, U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle, along with federal and local law enforcement, announced that five individuals have been charged in separate federal cases as part of a coordinated enforcement operation. In addition to the federal charges, more than 30 state warrants were executed in the Henderson area. The operation targeted violent offenders, drug traffickers, and absconders, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to protecting communities destabilized by violent crime and drug activity.
“These charges and arrests show that law enforcement will not stand idly by while violent offenders and absconders fuel instability in Henderson,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This surge reflects the strength of our local, state, and federal partnerships, and we remain committed to supporting Henderson and Vance County in this united fight against crime. If you commit a federal crime, you can expect to spend a lot of prison time.”
“The FBI is committing resources to support our law enforcement partners across North Carolina every day. The FBI Raleigh Durham Safe Streets Task Force is honored to have assisted the Henderson Police Department in this important fugitive roundup. When we work together to address and mitigate violent crime, the American people win and the Justice system can take the next step to hold offenders convicted in court, accountable,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
“Enforcement operations like this demonstrate the importance of collaboration,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Through partnerships and a commitment to public safety, we’re finding and apprehending those individuals that pose the greatest threats to our communities.”
“Violent offenders threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods, and this operation shows the strength of coordinated law enforcement at every level,” said U.S. Marshal Glenn M. McNeill, Jr., of the Eastern District of North Carolina. “The U.S. Marshals Service remains committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to ensure fugitives are apprehended and communities across Henderson and Vance County are safer as a result of these efforts.”
“This operation is a result of planning, intelligence sharing, and collaboration. It sends a clear message that criminal activity has no place in our neighborhoods, and we will use every resource available to uphold the safety and integrity of our communities,” said Commander of the State Highway Patrol, Colonel Freddy L. Johnson, Jr. “But our work does not stop with arrests, it continues with prevention, community outreach, and making sure that our enforcement efforts are matched by support for the families and neighborhoods most affected by crime.”
“On behalf of the SBI and our hard-working agents, we are extremely proud to join forces with our local, state, and federal partners to arrest probationers and absconders in Vance County to reduce crime and keep citizens safe. We are committed to assisting our sheriffs, chiefs, and U.S. Attorneys with the ongoing effort to get drugs off the street and put violent offenders in jail. Without the strong partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, the success of this type of operation would not be possible,” said the North Carolina SBI Director Chip Hawley.
“Successful collaboration with our local, state, and federal partners is essential to strengthening our communities and making North Carolina safer for everyone,” said ALE Director Bryan House. “I’m grateful for the strong relationships we’ve built that make operations like this possible.”
“This operation is an excellent example of how effective law enforcement collaboration can be in improving safety in our communities,” said Leslie Cooley Dismukes, Secretary for the Department of Adult Correction. “I’d like to thank all our law enforcement and prosecution partners for their ongoing assistance to reduce crime and ensure compliance among those we supervise.”
“This operation exemplifies the effectiveness of collaboration among law enforcement agencies with diverse areas of expertise. Extensive preparation was devoted to its planning and execution, and the success achieved reflects the strength of federal, state, and local agencies working in unison. As the Chief of Henderson, I am proud of our relationship with each of these agencies and look forward to more proactive projects in the near future,” said Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
Participating agencies included the FBI, the ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina SBI, the North Carolina ALE, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, District Attorney Mike Waters, the Henderson Police Department, the Oxford Police Department, and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement divided the effort into three arrest teams and three search teams, conducting approximately 30 absconder warrant services and 40 warrantless searches. Together, the teams executed coordinated arrests and searches aimed at reducing violent crime and holding fugitives accountable. According to court documents, the following five individuals, all from the Henderson area, were arrested on federal charges as part of the recent enforcement effort:
• Qwmaine Raekwon Knott of Henderson, 29, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.
• Andre Khan of Henderson, 30, is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in prison.
• Terrance Hargrove of Henderson, 47, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in prison.
• Keith Bagley of Oxford, 46, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
• Shamar Evans of Oxford, 34, is charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a minimum of five years and up to 35 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Loeser, Jaren Kelly, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Becker are prosecuting the cases.
These federal cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
A copy of this press release is located on our website.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Harvesting & Preserving Herbs
/by WIZS StaffMichael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
Herbs can easily be preserved by freezing.
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