Henderson’s Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant on Ruin Creek Road caught on fire overnight. No one was injured.
The popular eating place, beloved by many, is a total loss, according to Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell.
The cause is under investigation.
Please scroll below for pictures taken by WIZS staff.
Alan Hedgepeth and Michelle Wood, volunteers with the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society (RCAPS), were the guests of honor on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program. RCAPS is a group of volunteers dedicated to finding homes for animals at the Vance County Animal Shelter located on Brodie Rd. in Henderson.
“We started with seven or eight volunteers and, over time, have developed procedures to work with rescue groups in the Northeast,” said Hedgepeth.
According to Hedgepeth, the volunteers spend the majority of their time searching for no-kill rescue groups who will commit to providing a temporary or “foster” home for the animals at the shelter. “We find rescue groups during the week, and each Friday night a transport is arranged so the animals can go to the approved rescue groups up north.”
From there, rescue groups place the animals in “pre-approved and pre-screened” foster homes where they will stay until they are adopted.
When asked why so many of the rescue groups were located up north, Hedgepeth replied, “In the Northeast, they have spay and neuter laws, and those laws are enforced. They don’t have the overpopulation of dogs like we do here in the South.”
One way RCAPS reaches out to the rescue groups is via social media. Photos of each animal in the shelter are posted, along with personal bios and videos, to Facebook for viewing.
“It is a very cumbersome and expensive process,” said Hedgepeth. “Michelle does a lot of the work and has her hands full.”
According to Hedgepeth, weekly transport can cost over $1,000 a week. “That’s why fundraising is so important for us; it costs a lot of money to do what we do.”
Wood reported that 195 animals were transported from the Vance County Animal Shelter to rescue groups in the month of October alone. Hedgepeth said the overall totals are even more astounding with an estimated 16,000 to 20,000 animals placed in foster homes since the group started in 2011.
The group’s hard work, coupled with policies put in place by Chief Frankie Nobles and the Vance County Animal Shelter, has paid off, said Hedgepeth. “When we first started at Ruin Creek, the intake at the shelter was around 4,500 animals a year. Last year, I believe it was around 2,200.”
Hedgepeth was also happy to report that the number of animals euthanized by the shelter has significantly decreased from previous years. “The majority of euthanized animals, at this point, are feral cats; the dog rate is extremely low.”
Wood clarified that the majority of the dogs that are euthanized are not picked up by a rescue group or are injured beyond vet care.
In addition to costs related to transport, RCAPS also has the expense of providing medical care to animals in need. “RCAPS tries to provide medical care for any animal that we reasonably believe can be saved,” said Hedgepeth. “The shelter, often times, doesn’t have the capacity or funds to offer this care and that’s when we step in.”
When asked what his ultimate wish would be for the group, Hedgepeth responded, “Additional funds. I can’t say it enough! The work we do is expensive, and fundraising is essential to keep the group going.”
To listen to the interview in its entirety, please click here.
-Information courtesy the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center’s Facebook page
Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit the McGregor Hall Gallery in Henderson on Saturday, December 1, 2018, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Bring your family, camera, and a donation of non-perishable food items benefiting ACTS of Henderson, NC. For the cost of only your ACTS donation, you can enjoy Santa’s Hot Cocoa Bar.
After visiting Santa, stay for “The Waffle House Christmas Musical” starring Joyce DeWitt at 8 p.m.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department is partnering with local community groups to provide a post-Christmas “Shoebox Give-a-Way.”
We are soliciting items for ages 6-17 such as small toys, cards, unopened candy, pencils, shampoo, conditioner, pens, lotion, deodorant, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, gloves, scarfs, books, combs and anything you are able to donate that will benefit these age groups.
We will also need shoe boxes as well. Deadline to receive these items will be on Friday, December 14, 2018, at 5 p.m. at Aycock Recreation Center. This program will run in conjunction with the “Peace Toys for War Toys” Program held by the Outreach Unit.
For more information, please contact Shantel Hargrove at 252.430.0382 or shhargrove@ci.henderson.nc.us or Gregory Kelly 252.431.6099 or gkelly@ci.henderson.nc.us.
-Press Release, Office of the Sheriff, Vance County
Sheriff Peter White announces today that on Monday, November 26, 2018, the Vance County Sherrif’s Office charged LATOYA J. DEBNAM, age 40 of 2708 Raleigh Road, Henderson, NC, with murder, larceny of a firearm and possession of firearm by felon.
This case was investigated by the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the NC State Bureau of Investigations for the November 20, 2018, death of Willie B. Smith, age 61 of 23 Ridgeway Drewry Road, Manson, NC. Debnam is currently in the Vance County Jail without bond. The court date is December 11, 2018.
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College Drama students will present “Crimes of the Heart,” a Pulitzer Prize winning play, on Nov. 29 through Dec. 2 at VGCC’s Main Campus. The tragicomedy, written by American playwright Beth Henley, will be staged six times over the four days.
Performances begin on Thursday, Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 30, at 3 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; and on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the small auditorium in Building 2 on the Main Campus in Henderson.
The play features VGCC and Vance County Early College High School students Savannah Morgan as Lenny McGrath, Mary Parish as Babe McGrath Botrelle, Jamie McGinn as Meg McGrath, Rebekah Varker as Chick Boyle, Matthew Varker as Barnette Lloyd, and Blake Lee as Doc Porter.
Members of the cast and crew of VGCC’s fall production of “Crimes of the Heart” prepare for six performances of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Nov. 29 through Dec. 2. Shown above are, front row, from left, Nick Kurtz, stage manager/assistant director; Matthew Varker (portraying Barnette Lloyd); Blake Lee (Doc Porter); back row, Jamie McGinn (Meg McGrath); Savannah Morgan (Lenny McGrath); Mary Parish (Babe McGrath Botrelle); and Rebekah Varker (Chick Boyle). (VGCC Photo)
Set in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, in the mid-20th century, it’s the story of three sisters who gather to await news of their grandfather’s death.
Betsy Henderson, director of the show and VGCC’s Theatre Arts/speech instructor and department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, said the sisters are characterized in this manner: “Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at 30 and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, the middle sister, who quickly outgrew Hazlehurst, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe, the youngest, is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach.”
She added, “Their troubles, grave and yet, somehow, hilarious, are highlighted by their priggish cousin, Chick, and by the awkward young lawyer who tries to keep Babe out of jail while helpless not to fall in love with her.”
The play is ultimately the story of how these young characters can escape their past to seize the future, Henderson said. “The telling of the story is very true and touching and consistently hilarious, guaranteed to entertain audiences,” she said.
In addition to winning the Pulitzer, the show was the winner of the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1981. A critic for the New York Times said, “While this play overflows with infectious high spirits, it is also, unmistakably, the tale of a very troubled family. Such is Miss Henley’s prodigious talent that she can serve us pain as though it were a piece of cake.”
The crew will be composed of Nick Kurtz, stage manager/assistant director; Jenna Walker, assistant stage manager/props; Megan Kokus, costume designer; Amanda Cease, costume and prop assistant; Lane Wade, sound board operator; and Cheyenne Guerrant, light board operator.
Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 for students and VGCC employees. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by making reservations. For more information, contact Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3371, or purchase your tickets online through Eventbrite here.
-Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch
Val Short, executive director of Triangle North Healthcare Foundation was the speaker for the most recent West End Community Watch meeting held on Tuesday, November 20. Short explained that the foundation operates with money from a Duke Endowment. The funds are used to award grants to groups working to improve health in our community. Studies have shown that our five areas of greatest need are chronic disease, nutrition and fitness, mental health and substance abuse, reproductive health and success in school.
Since 2013, the foundation has awarded over 60 grants totaling 1.5 million dollars. Grants have been awarded to Access Dental Health, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Smart Start, Granville-Vance Public Health – in response to the Opioid crisis, the YMCA Water Safety program, the YMCA Girls’ on the Run program, The Shepperd Youth Ranch, NC Med Assist, a Diabetes outreach program, and Trosa – a drug treatment program.
In the police report, all were reminded to be extra careful now that Christmas is approaching. There had been events of purse snatching, burglaries, vehicle break-ins, larcenies, and aggravated assaults. All should avoid carrying valuables and be sure to lock all vehicles.
With only three Saturdays remaining before the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (VCRFM) wraps its 2018 season, Market Manager Tracy Madigan urges customers to stock up on fall produce – such as sweet potatoes, collards and greens – while they still can.
The market will close after 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 8th and will remain closed until mid-April of 2019. Rental of the VCRFM is available all year long and is particularly popular during the holiday season.
According to Madigan, it has been a great year for vendors and produce variety. “We had a really good year as far as increasing the number of vendors,” said Madigan. “That has provided more variety and greater quantities of produce.”
In addition to produce, Madigan said the number of regular craft vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to candles has increased, along with the offering of baked goods.
Madigan reported that the customer count has remained steady at 9,000 – 10,000 visitors despite a surge in numbers during the peak summer season. This year’s pattern of inclement weather, especially during the spring and fall months, may have contributed to the customer stagnation.
“It has been a really strange year for the farmers weather-wise as well, but they have still come through with a lot of good produce and variety,” Madigan said.
Another draw to the market this season includes recent landscaping improvements courtesy the Cooperative Extension-based Master Gardeners.
“The Master Gardeners came into a grassy area around the market that previously flooded all of the time and made walkways and benches. Now it’s a nice area to enjoy and get some ideas of plants and flowers for your own yard,” said Madigan.
The addition of Gavin’s Grub Hub, a food truck operated by owner Gavin Jackson, is also bringing visitors in. “Gavin is a huge draw,” Madigan said. “Anytime we advertise that he’s coming, people show up to get their breakfast, brunch or lunch and are always pleased. He has also catered several events for the market.”
Of course, the best feedback comes directly from the mouths of visitors. “We get feedback all of the time from people who say they enjoy it and have made friends. It’s a relaxed, fun and local environment. I truly appreciate the patronage and support from the community,” Madigan said.
Madigan is pleased with the progress VCRFM has made over the years and said she can see its reach extending. “It is a regional market. The first two or three years it was mostly Vance and Granville county patrons; we are getting more visitors from Warren and Franklin now.”
In the future, Madigan would love to see VCRFM become a full-time operation. “I wish we could get someone full-time and get enough customers to run it six or seven days a week. That would really make it an alternative to fast food and grocery stores.”
For additional information on renting the VCRFM for your next event, please contact the Vance County Cooperative Extension Center at (252) 438-8188.
The Henderson, NC Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 1, 2018. The parade begins at 4:45 p.m. and will proceed along Garnett St.
Floats, fire trucks, and vehicles with trailers participating in the parade will line-up on the Dabney Drive Extension (enter from Raleigh Road Only) at 4:15 p.m.
A tree lighting ceremony will follow the parade at 6 p.m. in front of the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center and the Perry Memorial Library in downtown Henderson.
