Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Perry Memorial Library Activities Heat Up As Summer Approaches

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There’s a “sit-in” planned for next week outside Perry Memorial Library, but it has nothing to do with protests – it’s a Community Read-In, and Youth Services Director Melody Peters says it’s a great way for folks to come out to show support for all the benefits of reading.

The invitation is open for anyone and everyone to gather on the lawn outside the library from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25. Bring a lawn chair and bring your favorite printed material – whether that’s a book, magazine or newspaper – and enjoy reading with your neighbors.

Peters said she got the idea for the “read-in” at a recent community meeting where the discussion centered around ways to help the community move forward. “We need to show solidarity around something positive,” Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

“Reading is positive. It’s peaceful. We want to see people reading,” she said. “In a world of electronics and AI, we need books.”

There’s another program taking place in the community that is gaining traction. There are book baskets located across the county that contain three different books that are free for the taking – it’s another effort to bring books to folks who may not be able to get to the library and to support the idea that reading is an enjoyable pastime. Peters said the program is proving to be successful. “It is so exciting…the books are moving,” she said.

This is the first time she’s doing this program, and she’s pleased so far. “You put things together and you never know how it’s going to work” until  it gets going, she said.

The book baskets are located at Perry Memorial Library and at the following spots:

  • Aycock Recreation Center
  • Carolina Peanut Factory
  • Duke Primary Care Henderson
  • Henderson Family YMCA
  • Oasis of Hope Ministries
  • Sadie’s Coffee Corner
  • Starbucks, 1522 Dabney Dr.
  • Vance County Regional Farmers Market
  • Vanco Outdoor Equipment, 296 US 158

 

But reading isn’t the only thing that Peters is promoting – Saturday, June 21 is the Vance County Arts Council’s ‘Make Music Day’ and the library is the place where the day-long event will kick off.

“We’re having a musical storytime this Saturday at 12:30,” Peters said. Participants will sing songs, read stories about music and even make their own musical instrument with dry rice, a plastic egg and colorful duct tape.

Visit https://vanceartscouncil.com/event/make-music-day-saturday-june-21-2025/ for a full list of events for Make Music Day.

If you’re still looking for some fun reading activities, bring the kiddos to Family Storytime at the library on Sunday, June 22 at 3:30 p.m. The theme is “Summer” and Peters said they’ll read a story about summertime and an accompanying craft activity.

Throughout the summer, Peters said Tuesdays and Thursdays are “the” days for programming and activities.

On Tuesday, June 24, a local mobile petting zoo – yes! A mobile petting zoo called Zoo on the MOOVE will bring some of their favorite furry friends for a fun, interactive visit that begins at 11 a.m.

“These are their animals,” Peters said of the owners. “They love their animals and they want to share them with others.” Kids (and grownups, too) will get to interact with the animals and the owners will share information about them.

Then, at 4 p.m., staff from the Vance County Animal Shelter will bring some of their favorite dogs and cats who are looking for that “furever” home for a visit. Peters said the cats and dogs are always a big crowd favorite. Kids will get a chance to make dog toys out of old t-shirts and socks.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/home to see a complete listing of programs and activities taking place at the library.

 

 

 

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No Doubt About It: Council Votes To Formally Adopt FY 2025-26 Budget At Special Called Meeting Monday

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The Henderson City Council took just a few minutes Monday to formally adopt the FY 2025-26 budget during a special called meeting that took place at 12 noon in Council chambers.

City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry introduced the budget and Council Member Tami Walker made a motion – seconded by Council Member Garry Daeke – to approve.

Council Members Geraldine Champion, Sam Seifert, Michael Venable, Daeke and Walker voted yes.

Council Members Sara Coffey, Lamont Noel and Ola Thorpe-Cooper were not present for the meeting.

The budget adoption had been on the agenda at the June 9 regular monthly meeting, but there was some confusion about whether the council actually took a vote to formally adopt the $54 million budget.

Mayor Melissa Elliott remarked at the special called meeting that she didn’t request an addendum to the budget when she called for the vote at last week’s meeting.

That confusion was cleared up by the vote taken during the special called meeting.

The budget must be approved before July 1, when the new fiscal year begins.

Perry Memorial Library

Community ‘Read-In’ Event Kicks Off Wednesday, June 25

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Calling all readers to join in a community “Read-In” that will be held this summer on the last Wednesdays of the months of June, July and August. The last Wednesday in June is June 25.

Bring a chair or a blanket and a book, magazine or newspaper and spend an hour on the lawn across from Perry Memorial Library. The events begin at 4 p.m. and last for an hour.

Participants are requested to silence all electronics during this time to create a quiet space as readers do what they love to do – READ!

In case of inclement weather, the “read-in” will take place in the gallery between McGregor Hall and the library.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org or call the library at 252.438.3316/ext. 225 to learn more.

The event is being sponsored by the City of Henderson, Perry Memorial Library, Pathways 2 Peace and Vance County Tourism.

Vance County Schools Announces Several Leadership Changes For 2025-26 School Year

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–Information courtesy of VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support Aarika Sandlin 

Vance County Schools has announced several leadership appointments for the upcoming school year, including principals at two schools and several district-level positions, according to information from VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support Aarika Sandlin.

Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett expressed her enthusiasm about this transition: “We are intentional about cultivating strong leaders who believe in the potential of every child. The Board of Education takes pride in being able to elevate proven leaders from within our district, while also welcoming back individuals who know and value our community. It is a leader’s wish to develop others so that they can continue to advance their personal and professional growth while maintaining our high standard for the profession.”

Dr. Shannon Bullock has been appointed principal of Vance County Middle School. Bullock most recently served as Principal of L.B. Yancey Elementary and is a former assistant principal at VCMS. Bullock holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from High Point University, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from East Carolina University, and an Associate of Arts from Vance-Granville Community College.

Facetia Branch has been named Principal of L.B. Yancey Elementary School. She most recently served as Assistant Principal at Vance County Middle School. Branch holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from North Carolina Central University. She went on to earn a Master of Public Administration from Strayer University and a Master of Education in School Leadership from Gardner-Webb University.

Dr. Stephanie Ayscue moves from her role as principal at VCMS into the role of executive director of Secondary Education and Professional Learning. Ayscue also has worked at AdVance Academy and Southern Vance High School. Dr. Ayscue holds a Doctorate in Education from Liberty University, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Western Carolina University, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Lourdes College. Ayscue is also a U.S. Air Force veteran.

Kristian Herring is returns to Vance County Schools as the principal of Dabney Elementary School. He most recently served as a District Coach in Edgecombe County Schools, but is no stranger to VCS—having previously led STEM Early High and Zeb Vance Elementary. Herring is working towards his Doctorate in Education from the University of Phoenix. He earned a Master of School Administration from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Elaine Webb will return to Vance County Schools as the director of Career and Technical Education. Her diverse educational background includes roles as a Career Development Coordinator, Special Education Teacher, and Career & Technical Education Teacher within the district.

Webb holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Winthrop University, a Master of Education in Exceptional Children from Converse College, an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from East Carolina University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.

Henderson City Council Special Called Meeting Set For Monday To Formally Adopt FY 2025-26 Budget

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Update 6-16-25 at 1 p.m.

The Henderson City Council took just a few minutes Monday to formally adopt the FY 2025-26 budget during a special called meeting that took place at 12 noon in Council chambers.

City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry introduced the budget and Council Member Tami Walker made a motion – seconded by Council Member Garry Daeke – to approve.

Council Members Geraldine Champion, Sam Seifert, Michael Venable, Daeke and Walker voted yes.

Council Members Sara Coffey, Lamont Noel and Ola Thorpe-Cooper were not present for the meeting.

The budget adoption had been on the agenda at the June 9 regular monthly meeting, but there was some confusion about whether the council actually took a vote to formally adopt the $54 million budget.

Mayor Melissa Elliott remarked at the special called meeting that she didn’t request an addendum to the budget when she called for the vote at last week’s meeting.

That confusion was cleared up by the vote taken during the special called meeting.

The budget must be approved before July 1, when the new fiscal year begins.

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Depending on whom you ask, the Henderson City Council voted Monday to adopt the 2025-26 budget.

But because of the uncertainty and confusion generated since that meeting, a special called meeting has been scheduled for 12 noon on Monday, June 16 to make official the formal adoption of the $54 million budget.

Information about the special called meeting comes from City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell. The meeting will take place at City Hall in City Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave.

“On Monday night, the Henderson City Council technically voted on CAF 25-45, Ordinance 25-16, (Adoption of the FY26 Budget).   A correction sheet (labeled “CAF 25-45, Ordinance 25-16 water and sewer adjustments) regarding water and sewer rate adjustments was given to Council members prior to the meeting on Monday because calculations were incomplete at the time the agenda was distributed, preventing updates to the Schedule of Fees in the Budget Ordinance (25-16),” according to information Thursday afternoon from the clerk.

In a follow-up question from WIZS News Tuesday evening about whether the budget had been voted on, City Manager/City Attorney Hassan Kingsberry said it had been, when the council voted to increase a line item in the budget about McGregor Hall.

Whichever of these two votes was intended to adopt the budget, it’s apparently been decided by virtue of the upcoming special called meeting that neither one of the votes on Monday night was formal enough.

According to information in the agenda packet, the Council was to consider CAF 25-45 – adoption of the FY 26 annual budget.

Otherwise, as the information below indicates, the process leading up to the vote had been very productive despite some difficulties with data loss and the need to adjust the water and sewer rates. Information from the agenda packet reads as follows:

“CAF 25-45 Adoption of the FY 26 Annual Budget

“Requested by: Finance Director Joey Fuqua

“Explanation: On 12 May 2025 the FY 25-26, a balanced Recommended Budget was presented to the City Council followed by two budget work sessions on 19 May and 20 May and a public hearing on 22 May. After all reviews, answered questions and discussions, the City Council reached a consensus on accepting the FY 25-26 budget as presented. Submitted herewith, the City of Henderson FY 25-26 annual budget is presented for formal adoption at the 9 June 2025 regular City Council meeting.

“Recommendation: Approval of the Ordinance”

So while a consensus may have been reached following the budget work sessions and a public hearing, a vote specifically to formally adopt the budget did not occur at the Monday meeting.

Otherwise, another roll call vote was taken following Council Member Tami Walker’s motion to reinstate Michael Venable as mayor pro tem. That motion failed in a 5-3 vote, which means that Council Member Garry Daeke remains mayor pro tem. Council Members Sara Coffey, Lamont Noel, Sam Seifert, Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Daeke voted against the motion; Council Members Geraldine Champion, Tami Walker and Venable voted yes.

Council Member Noel brought up for discussion hiring an independent legal counsel for the purpose of reviewing recent city employee surveys and complaints that have surfaced as a result of the surveys.

Following some discussion, Council Member Seifert made a motion, seconded by Daeke, to approve hiring the firm, which will be tasked with conducting a complete review of the information contained in the surveys to render an independent and unbiased report on the findings. The motion was approved in a 5-3 vote, with Coffey, Noel, Seifert, Daeke and Thorpe-Cooper voting yes and Walker, Venable and Champion voting no.

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TownTalk: 06/11/25

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TownTalk from 06/11/25. Thank you for listening.

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The Local Skinny! ‘Make Music Day’ featuring Jimmy & The Sound Barriers

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Throw your lawn chairs in the car and head out to Kerr Lake Country Club on Saturday, June 21 to celebrate “Make Music Day” for an open jam session with Jimmy and the Sound Barriers.

The event is the culminating activity to a day full of music throughout the county, promoted by the Vance County Arts Council and the NC Arts Council, said Jimmy Barrier on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Food and beverages will be available for purchase for the concert, which runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“I’m going to have a core band,” Barrier said, but he’s opening up the stage to others who want to join in and sing. “Gospel, country, R & B – if we know it – we’ll be glad to play it for you,” Barrier added.

“We’re just going to have a great time,” he said. “Just come on out and listen to some music. If you’ve ever wanted to come out and sing, we’ll play it and you sing it.”

Barrier, who plays stand-up bass, will be joined by Keith Aiken on dobro, J.W. Sanders on banjo and Chip Dixon, guitarist and vocalist.

Kerr Lake Country Club is located at 600 Hedrick Dr., Henderson, NC 27537

Visit https://vanceartscouncil.com/event/make-music-day-saturday-june-21-2025/ to learn more.

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TownTalk: Faith in Mental Health

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When he was serving in the N.C. House as District 32 representative, Frank Sossamon introduced a bill to create a faith-based initiative on substance abuse and mental health.

He served one term in the House, and his bill didn’t get through the Senate to become law, but Sossamon was undeterred.

In partnership with Granville Vance Public Health, Vaya Health and N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Sossamon’s “Faith in Mental Health” initiative is gathering steam to involve churches in Vance and Granville counties to combat issues surrounding substance abuse and mental health.

Two orientation sessions are scheduled – Monday, June 23 at West End Baptist Church in Henderson and Monday, June 30 at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center in Oxford – to kick off a three-part program to give churches information about resources available to them and to the community. Each session will last from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sossamon said in speaking with various church leaders about developing the initiative, he said more often than not, they didn’t know what services and resources are available when it comes to mental health and substance abuse issues.

“That’s the sad thing, not only they don’t know,” he said of those church representatives, “the average person doesn’t know.”

This is where the orientation sessions can help, he said. During these initial meetings, participants will complete the first of three levels of involvement.

“Level 1 is the most basic level, but maybe one of the most effective,” Sossamon said. Participants will learn about the different agencies in their county and hear from some representatives about the services they provide and how to access them.

Churches participating at this level also will agree to highlight a different topic each month in the Sunday service bulletin or newsletter, for example.

Pastors will be encouraged to preach a sermon on that topic or discuss it during a weekly Sunday School session.

Hearing about mental health or substance abuse from the pulpit or in a Sunday School class help to demystify the issues, he said. “That in itself brings healing,” he said.

Level 2 participating churches will agree to have quarterly forums on mental health issues, and Sossamon said he would encourage several churches to join forces and have one forum. There are speakers who are willing to take part in the forums and plenty of resources available to share with churches, he noted.

“It just has such great promise,” Sossamon said.

Level 2 churches also would establish a library to offer reading material related to mental health.

Those churches that wish to meet Level 3 criteria would be willing to complete more clinical training sessions to get certified. From suicide prevention training to mental health first aid, Sossamon said these trainings are “a little more intense.”

Contact Sossamon at pastorfrank1954@gmail.com to learn more.

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