Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

More Than 40 Firefighters Respond To Fire At Glass Plant Saturday Night

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More than 40 firefighters responded to a call Saturday night to the Ardagh Group on Facet Road. Bearpond Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Pendergrass said the call about a possible gas leak came in about 10:20 p.m.

While the first units were on their way to the scene, firefighters got word that a tank had collapsed and flames were visible.

Firefighters from across the county helped, as well as departments from Franklin County. Crews remained at the scene for more than three hours, providing fire suppression, structural cooling and product containment.

The glass plant is still operational, he said. Damage was contained to the areas of the single tank that was involved.

Bearpond Fire Deparment got help from Epsom, Kittrell, Watkins, Vance County fire department, as well as Vance County EMS, Vance County Emergency Management and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Pendergrass, all employees were accounted for; no injuries were reported.

“Initial crews reported fire on multiple floors as well in the ceiling area,” Pendergrass said.

A fifth department was requested for additional manpower. Fire units would operate for roughly 3.5 hours. providing fire suppression, structural cooling and product containment.

“This incident is a true reflection of our great collaboration and working relationship between our departments and mutual aid partners,” Pendergrass said.

 

TownTalk: Stephen Wolf Tapped As New Market Manager at VCRFM

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As the new manager of the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, Stephen Wolf is stepping right in at the height of the growing season, and he said everyone should come on out to pick up locally grown fruits, veggies and more.

“There’s a lot of beautiful produce out here,” Wolf said in an interview on Wednesday.

Since starting his new job in July, Wolf’s observations are that neither the persistent drought conditions nor sweltering heat have deterred producers or customers from coming out to the market.

Last Wednesday, for example, he said as many as 250 people visited the market. GRRO was out signing seniors up for the senior voucher program. “That was a strong Wednesday,” he said.

Topped only by Saturday, July 4, when more than 450 came in, “despite the heat, despite the holiday, they still came out and supported local. That really made us all feel good.”

The role of a market manager is complex – part cheerleader, part accountant, part community networker, part human resources expert – and that’s probably just scratching the surface. But Wolf said he brings a skill set to the job that sets him up for success.

As an entrepreneur and small business owner, Wolf has more than a decade of experience in facility management, and he knows how to market and sell products.

And while his previous experience as a farmer is limited to summertime work in a Williamsboro tobacco field when he was younger, Wolf said he’s got a soft spot in his heart for farmers. He wants to see local producers not only succeed, but thrive.

He describes himself as an inquisitive person, and he’s always willing to ask questions if he doesn’t know something. Since he’s been on board, he’s been talking with vendors at the market, shaking hands, hearing their stories and about what their business does.

“I want to build strong relationships with everyone so that we can all grow together,” he said.

“I see everybody out here trying,” Wolf said of the folks who bring their produce, locally sourced meats, eggs, fresh-cut flowers and handicrafts to market each week. “They’re hard workers, trustworthy people. “I want to see us all thrive – it’s the love of the game. I want to see Henderson come up, I want to see the market come up and I really just want to see the success.”

While he’s promoting the idea of eating local, Wolf said he also wants to make sure people know where the market is.

“I just want to help increase the visibility back here off of Beckford,” he said. In addition to more signs planted along roadsides, Wolf is beefing up the market’s social media presence.

And upcoming events – including a Misty Mayhem concert and a cooking class both on Aug. 1 – should bring some additional foot traffic to the market.

“I think we have the best facility in the entire region,” Wolf said. In addition to a great covered building, the community garden and the native pollinator garden that the Master Gardeners oversee are extra attractions for folks to come and enjoy.

Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/vcrfm/

and https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/vance-county-regional-farmers-market/

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The Local Skinny! New Website Regarding Information About Vance County Jail

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Vance County Manager Renee Perry told commissioners Monday that there’s a new web page to visit that contains all relevant information about the detention center.

Perry said the web page came about from a request by Commissioner Yolanda Feimster, who wanted to see detention center-related issues in one location.

“It has all the jail inspection reports, the authority of the sheriff…all presentations that have come to the commissioners,” Perry said during her report at Monday’s regularly monthly meeting.

 

According to the agenda packet, the web page will include sections on:

  • jail inspection reports
  • Sheriff’s office replies to jail inspection reports
  • DHHS Division of Health Service regulations notifications
  • Commissioners’ approved budgets
  • Commissioners’ meeting minutes
  • A link to the county’s YouTube channel
  • Commissioners’ agendas
  • Presentations by architects on the design/build concept
  • General Statutes for Sheriff’s authority at the detention center

 

Visit https://www.vancecounty.org/vcdc/ to see a broad range of information that pertains to the detention center.

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Maria Parham Aug. 13 Lunch & Learn Focuses On Shoulder Health, Injury Prevention, Treatment Options

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Maria Parham Health invites community members to attend a free Lunch & Learn on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, featuring board-certified orthopedic surgeon Damian Rispoli, MD. The educational event will take place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium on the Maria Parham Health campus.

The presentation “Strong Shoulders. Stronger You.” will focus on the prevention, detection and treatment of common shoulder injuries and conditions. Attendees will gain practical information on maintaining shoulder health, recognizing early signs of injury, and understanding the latest treatment options available for shoulder pain and dysfunction.

Guests will enjoy a complimentary lunch while learning about:

  • Common shoulder injuries and conditions
  • Injury prevention techniques
  • Early warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored
  • Non-surgical and surgical treatment options
  • When to seek evaluation from an orthopedic specialist

“Education is one of the most important tools we can provide our community,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “This Lunch & Learn is a wonderful opportunity for people to hear directly from Dr. Rispoli, ask questions, and gain valuable information that can help them stay active, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life. We’re proud to offer events like this as part of our ongoing commitment to making our community healthier.”

Rispoli specializes in general orthopedics with advanced fellowship training in Shoulder and Elbow Surgery from the Mayo Clinic. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery and is a member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, the American Orthopaedic Association, and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.

The event is free and open to the public; however, space is limited and advance registration is required.

To reserve a seat, visit https://www.mariaparham.com/events.

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TownTalk: What Vance County EMS Means To All

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Vance County EMS essentially indicates the difficulty of having resources well positioned and that its a moving target.  Right now it seems EMS is having to react to evolving data but is trying to be as proactive as possible.

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Home and Garden Show

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

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am-1pm
  • The Vance-Warren Beekeepers Association will meet on July 13th at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Open ends of garden rows if you have flooded rows after thunder storms have safely passed.
  • If going on vacation, have someone harvest your vegetables while you are away.
  • Now would be a great time to take soil samples if you have had rain this week.
  • Prune water sprouts from trunks of fruit trees.
  • If you have more vegetables than you need, share them with someone else that can’t grow a garden.
  • Check your garden for harvestable vegetables each day.
  • Check for squash bugs on squash, cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupes, and pumpkins.
  • Continue your fruit spray program according to product directions.
  • Harvest early in the day and get vegetables under refrigeration as soon as possible.
  • Get your vegetable publications from Cooperative Extension.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building 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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TownTalk: Vance County EMS Ambulance Placement

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 against a motion made by Commissioner Dan Brummitt to restore the location of the Vance County EMS ambulance to Bearpond Volunteer Fire Department.

The contract to house the ambulance at Bearpond VFD ended on June 30, 2026 and was not renewed.

Several commissioners expressed concern that this item was not brought before the board for review before being terminated.

Commissioner Yolanda Feimster said she learned about it from a social media post; Commissioner Valencia Perry, who also sits on the county’s Public Safety Committee, sent WIZS a copy of a letter late last week stating her objection to the removal of EMS services from Bearpond.

Commissioners Brummitt, Feimster and Perry cast votes in favor of restoring EMS services to Bearpond; Commissioners Leo Kelly, Tommy Hester, Carolyn Faines and Charisse Fain voted against.

At Monday’s meeting, Assistant EMS Director Billy Jenkins presented data that focused on calls and call volume, as well as days when there was limited staffing or no staffing.

When asked by Commissioner Tommy Hester for his recommendation, Jenkins said he would move the ambulance to the Central station.

Jenkins said the decision had nothing to do with any disagreement and said Bearpond leaders were aware that the EMS contract would be ending.

Increased call volume to the northern and central areas of the county have increased, and Jenkins said they are “bleeding red” as it relates to call data.

“EMS is always behind the eight ball,” Jenkins said. “We’re never going to have the trucks where you need them – never going to have enough staff.” He said he’d like to ultimately see two in the north, two in the south and four at a central location to be able to adequately cover the whole county.

He said it will take continued collaboration with county commissioners and county administration to achieve the goal of providing EMS service across the county.

Brummitt, who disputed the call volume data Jenkins presented as well as the projected response times to calls, said the contract should have been brought to commissioners, since it was a 5-year renewal. He said the county manager is authorized to negotiate contracts or leases that are up to one year in length.

Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones is acting EMS director, County Manager Renee Perry said. Perry said she supports her staff’s decision.

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