Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Henderson City Budget Doesn’t Pass Wednesday 06-17-26

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The City of Henderson remains without a fiscal year 27 budget after the city council did not pass a budget at its special called meeting June 17. Mayor Pro Tem Tami Walker made a motion to pass the budget after Finance Director Joey Fuqua presented total adjustments that were being suggested of some $1.34 million. This comes after more than a week of consideration and talks with Interim City Manager Kendrick Vann and other departments, but the motion failed for lack of a second.

As the council continues to consider money-saving options before approving the FY 2026-27 operating budget, less than two weeks remain in the current fiscal year, and the FY27 budget needs to be adopted before July 1.

Another meeting will be scheduled and officially announced, and the council tentatively set that for Wednesday, June 24.

All eight members were present to hear Fuqua explain that he, his team and the various city departments had been able to find roughly $677,000 in additional savings while factoring in forecast sales tax revenues of $300,000 and “other incremental revenues” for a total of $1.34 million.

If it had been adopted or something similar is adopted, then that total reduces what the City will have to take from undesignated fund balance, and Fuqua said the total $3.6 million now needed from fund balance represents the lowest that figure has been in three years.

As it stands for now, it’s the Henderson Police Department and public safety overall that takes the biggest hit.

Approximately 63 percent of the “saved” or “found” money or about $450k comes in the form of two frozen police department sworn office positions and a retirement benefit calculation.

Another bit comes from a fire department position. And there are a few H-V Rec Department positions involved as well.

The City of Henderson experienced no homicides in January, February, March or April, but the Henderson Police Department has investigated and made multiple arrests in two homicides that occurred in the 45 days follwing May 1.

As mentioned, in addition to the two sworn officer positions being frozen, the finance department recalculated retired police personnel figures using a projected percentage rate more than seven points lower, giving back $300k to the budget.

Council Member Geraldine Champion inquired about changing some positions from full-time to part-time and also wondered whether the highest-paid city employees or any city employees could be required to pay for their own insurance.

Champion also said she was not including emergency personnel in her efforts to save this budget.

Council Member Michael Venable asked about one of the city positions, one that was being moved laterally from one department to another.

Vann said for the last few years, city employees received lifetime benefits upon retirement. Reversing this could lower morale among employees, Vann said.

In response to a question from Council Member Sam Seifert, Fuqua explained that, with reductions in place, use of fund balance and the bump in sales tax revenues, the gap between the revenues and expenses equates to two police positions, one fire position, three from the rec department, with one moving laterally into another department, and Fuqua mentioned the value of the police retirement projection percentage change.

Mayor Melissa Elliott said this trend is not sustainable, with Fuqua echoing previous comments about finding ways to add revenue.

Vann asked the council for additional direction, and he was provided none in open session.

Following the budget discussion, the Council went into closed session. When they returned to open session, Walker made a motion, seconded by Venable, to adjust the interim city manager’s pay up $7,500 to a total compensation of $150,000. The motion passed unanimously.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Financial Silence

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Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

We continue our series titled, “Money, Manhood, and Fatherhood”. We discuss in part 4 of this series on how we don’t talk about money in our homes, until it is a problem.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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TownTalk: Low-ABV Spirits in NC

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Visitors to the Outer Banks can experience the convenience and novelty of any one of five Brew Thru locations in the area, delighting in the fact that they can drive their Jeeps, SUVs and other vehicles literally through the store to pick up cold drinks from sodas to beer and more.

As Philip Foreman, the company president and owner, prepares to celebrate 50 years of Brew Thru next year, he said he’d like to be able to add some spirits-based ready-to-drink beverages to his coolers for folks to pick up instead of having to make a special trip to the ABC store.

It seems that many people are looking for seltzer-based beverages that contain spirits like vodka, not malt-based.

These beverages often have fewer calories and a lower alcohol content, but it’s the wrong kind of alcohol – spirits can only be sold in the state’s ABC stores.

“These canned cocktails are not hard liquor,” he explained, and he wants to be able to add them to the products that he can legally sell.

Foreman said he’s excited about the 50-year anniversary coming up, and he thinks it’s only fair that these ready-to-drink products find themselves on Brew Thru shelves along with their other choices, which range from beverages to t-shirts and other merchandise.

“Everybody comes through for the first time and then they’re hooked,” he said in a recent interview. “It’s a fun way to shop,” he said. “We work really hard to make sure our employees are super friendly – it’s an experience going to a Brew Thru versus going to a store.”

Foreman is advocating for passage of a bill which would allow these RTDs to be sold in retail locations and not just at ABC stores.

N.C. District 32 Rep. Bryan Cohn told WIZS that House Bill 921 would allow retailers who are licensed to sell beer and wine to carry canned cocktails that could contain up to 9.9 percent ABV, but that bill has not cleared the full House. The Senate’s version – Senate Bill 198 – does not include retail RTD access, Cohn said, but both bills remain active.

According to Cohn, State Sen. Tim Moffitt (R-Dist. 48) has said publicly that if the House bill clears, the Senate will take it up. “Until that happens, nothing changes,” Cohn said.

Moffit told NC Newsline (see link here) and reporter/writer Brandon Kingdollar of the publication in a Tuesday story (link here), “The Senate’s approach to alcohol legislation this biennium was more of a technical corrections type of bill where we were working directly with the ABC Commission on some of the hurdles that a lot of our ABC permittees have to deal with.” Sen. Moffitt told NC Newsline, “If the House can get their bill over to the Senate, then the Senate will consider it.”

Senate Bill 198 and House Bill 921 haven’t been passed yet and seem to be somewhat stuck. There’s some wording that has to be refined, Foreman said, but he’s hopeful that the omnibus bills will pass.

He said he’s not trying to take any business away from the ABC stores; rather, he contends that the drinks should be more accessible and convenient to purchase.

North Carolina is one of 17 states that emerged from the Prohibition era with controls over the sale of spirits. Of those 17 states, 12 already have revised their laws to allow for a low-beverage spirit-based RTD to be sold in retail outlets. And Foreman wants to add North Carolina to that list.

“That’s not fair,” Foreman said. “I just want to be treated fairly. It’s not only me upset about this.”

“It’s not getting rid of the ABC system,” Foreman said. “I’m just against controlled states competing with taxpaying retailers on a low alcohol beverage cocktail.”

Nothing in the bills change the way the alcohol is regulated – that part remains the same, he explained. But it would allow for wholesalers to deliver RTDs to restaurants and retail outlets along with the wine and beer they currently put on their trucks and which often have a higher ABV than the canned cocktails.

(This is not a paid ad. The text above and audio below explore social, business and legislative issues in NC. This is not a promotion of any kind or for alcohol consumption. “TownTalk” is a public affairs presentation of WIZS News.)

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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
  • Check for harvest intervals on the label before spraying any vegetables.
  • Use Personal Protective Equipment when working in the garden, wide brim hat, long sleeve shirt, sun gloves, keep hydrated. Work early in the garden if possible.
  • Vegetables need 1 inch of water a week.
  • Identify insects before spraying a chemical. Cooperative Extension can help with insect or disease identification.
  • Squash vine borer is visiting your squash now.
  • Water tomatoes at the base of the plant.
  • Monitor plants for Nitrogen deficiency Yellow green leaves are the first sign of nitrogen deficiency.
  • Continue your fruit spray program according to product directions.
  • Record rainfall each day in your garden journal.
  • 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: Bee Jubilee Coming to Granville Expo Center June 27

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The 10th annual Bee Jubilee coming up in Granville County on Saturday, June 27 is the perfect chance to ask all those questions that you’ve been wondering about: Does that beekeeper suit really protect you from stings? Exactly what is a varroa mite? Where can I get some mead?

Christi Henthorn, one of the event planners and organizers, can probably help answer those questions – and more.

The daylong Bee Jubilee will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Granville County Convention & Expo Center in Oxford with plenty of fun, food, info and more.

“We’ve grown so much,” Henthorn told WIZS. “It’s really awesome to think back and see the way we’ve added things and changed things and grown.” Like previous events, the 2026 Bee Jubilee features honey, arts, crafts, bee products and supplies, demonstrations, a live raffle, food trucks and a raffle for free honey for a year.

Late June in the Piedmont is most likely going to be warm, and Henthorn said this year, planners decided to move the sound stage to the northern end of the Expo Center to take advantage of shade provided by a nearby tree line.

Henthorn said the Bee Jubilee simply wouldn’t be possible without help from local beekeepers, who volunteer to put on this labor of love – which includes a fair amount of sweat, too, because, well, it’s June in the Piedmont.

A group of beekeepers is going to set up an ‘Ask the Beekeeper’ workshop for curious participants, she said, and will be available to answer questions from the comfort of their rocking chairs.

Another local bee expert is going to be available to educate the public about how to manage swarms of bees that find their way into unlikely places like buildings and homes.

Last year, people came from as far as several hours away to see what the Bee Jubilee was all about. Thanks to a partnership with the Granville Tourism Department, organizers got a grant for advertising that really paid off – attendance swelled from 2,500 to more than 4,000.

Whether you’re a real bee enthusiast or you just like honey, the Bee Jubilee has something for you, Henthorn said.

Check out the Bee Jubilee at https://granvillecobeekeepers.wildapricot.org/BEE-JUBILEE or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/beejubilee/.

Join the Granville Beekeepers Association, which meets on the first Thursday of the month. Visit https://granvillecobeekeepers.wildapricot.org/ to learn more.

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(This story was originally published June 8, 2026.)

TownTalk: America 250 Events Calendar for Vance County

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Celebrating the country’s 250th birthday adds an extra layer of excitement to the annual July 4 festivities being planned in the area, and Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director Ferdinand Rouse is joining forces with other local community leaders to make sure the celebration is one for the books.

Stay informed about a variety of events and activities in the area by checking out a calendar of events at perrylibrary.org/americas-250/a250-community-calendar or vancecountyedc.com (then scroll to the bottom). Find out about what’s happening in the area through the summer.

Rouse said he’s grateful for community partners who are teaming up to make sure events like the July fireworks at Satterwhite Point, for example, go off without a hitch. The annual fireworks display takes place on Friday, July 3. Remember there’s a $10 a car fee to enter the state park area. Alcohol is not allowed. But there will be plenty of fun, food, music and more, Rouse said.

Planning activities as part of the America 250 celebration has truly been a partnership, Rouse explained.

“It’s always great to have people who have passion for the community…that know the history and can help spread that information out to the general public,” Rouse said.

This kind of collaboration also serves to bolster economic development, he said, adding that it’s a crucial part of the social fabric that shows community pride.

“It helps folks understand that if you come to Vance County, you’re coming in to a community that believes in being part of the history of America…it’s important,” Rouse said.

If you would like to learn more and hear about the America 250 Committee process and calendar, Click Play!

TownTalk: Edmonds Tennis and Education Foundation $1k Scholarships/Mentors

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On Saturday, June 13, the Edmonds Tennis and Education Foundation celebrated its scholarship recipients and honored its donors with an evening of outdoor dining.

Edmonds Tennis and Education Foundation (ETEF) goes beyond traditional youth programs by integrating tennis, education and nutrition to provide a more holistic approach to development here in rural North Carolina.

Not only is a scholarship recipient better off financially for their next step, by being in ETEF they have a permanent home base of mentors and are particularly paired up with a mentor for their first year after graduation.

Since forming as a non-profit in 2018, over 3,000 students have participated in ETEF tennis and education programs.

President Dr. Jerry Edmonds told WIZS, “This past Saturday, due to generous private donations, ETEF awarded academic scholarships of $1,000 each to six college bound area high school graduates.”

He said, “The biggest takeaway was the amazing accomplishments of the six students and their future aspirations to serve others through careers including Nursing, Law, STEM and Ministry.”

Keynote speaker Kelly Gaines, executive director of the NC Tennis Association (USTA North Carolina) delivered an inspiring speech, according to Edmonds, highlighting the importance of mentorship throughout one’s career. Kelly encouraged the students to begin forming their personal board of directors, consisting of experienced leaders who can help them navigate their careers.

This past Friday, June 12, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce presented its most recent Member Spotlight to ETEF and President and Founders Dr. Jerry Edmonds and spouse Dorcel Edmonds. The Chamber said, “Through tennis, students learn discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and confidence—skills that extend far beyond the court. By pairing athletic opportunities with educational support and character-building experiences, the Foundation helps youth unlock their full potential, pursue their goals, and become leaders in their communities.”

Edmonds Tennis offers tennis clinics for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced training.

For youth tennis camps or to learn more, visit www.edmondstennis.org or call (833) 751-5400.

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The Local Skinny! Dinosaurs Roam Over Perry Memorial Library

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The Summer Reading Program has kicked-off at Perry Memorial Library and Youth Services Librarian, Melody Peters has the community prepared and excited for what’s to come this summer.

To start off the program, children can head to the library to see Rupert! A Dinosaur that the library staff has been working diligently on since planning began for the program just over a month ago. Children can also pick up their summer reading log to fill out as the summer moves on.

Rupert ties into the summer reading theme “Unearthing A Story,” Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

In addition to the start of the summer reading program, Donuts with Dad will make its way to the Library as children, along with their Dad, Granddads, or Father Figures, take part in a morning filled with delicious donuts, a Dinomite storytime, and quality time with Dad on Saturday June 20th from 10:30am-11:30am.

Then on Sunday, which is also Father’s Day, join Perry Memorial Library for a musical celebration! When the library participates in Make Music Day at the library from 1:30pm-3pm. Hands-on activities including a make-and-take egg shaker will be included.

Tuesday, June 23rd will be filled with activities for everyone as the Big Bang Boom! Group from Greensboro will head to the library for some educational children’s music that is sure to be a good time!

Later that day at 4pm and 6pm, Donna Washington, a well-known, multiple award winning storyteller artist and author, will inspire and entertain her audience with performances made possible by a grant from the Vance County Arts Council.

“We are so grateful for our partners,” Peters said. “We have so many people to thank.”

Visit the library’s website at www.perrylibrary.org to learn more.

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