Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

SportsTalk: National Signing Day For Vance County Football

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th

For four of Vance County’s Football Seniors, Wednesday was a major stepping stone to make their dreams a reality. Wednesday was National Signing Day, where athletes all across the nation sign their Letter of Intent to play football at the collegiate level.

The official signing ceremony took place at the Vance County High School Media Center, where VCHS Athletic Director Philip Weil kicked things off. “This is a big milestone for Vance County High School and for our student-athletes.”

Head Football Coach Aaron Elliott spoke on his players just before the signing went underway, “They have all been leaders…we always talk about doing things the right way. My family is here. My kids wanted to get out of school early because these players have treated my family just as I have treated them…we talk about how this is not just a 4-year plan this is a 40-year plan. There is life outside of football. You guys are going to be great, no matter where you end up at.”

First to sign his letter of intent was Camarion Ragland, known as CJ. CJ will play football at North Carolina A&T as a Tight End. But Ragland also says, “They are actually looking at me to play both ways on defense as well.” Ragland also stated that, “I’m not from Henderson, but when I moved here everyone always treated me like family. This is always going to be a place that I can come back to and call home.”

Second to put the pen-to-paper was Antione Doyle Jr. Antione will suit up for the Braves of UNC-Pembroke where he will be a linebacker. Doyle Jr. says he will major in accounting and “hopefully double-major in business as well. I’m hoping to go four years and see where it takes me. Maybe go to The League (NFL), but if not then I’ll get a job in accounting.” Antione is also not from Henderson but he expresses the same gratitude towards VCHS and the community. “I came here last year and played here for two years…everybody just felt like a family atmosphere.” Doyle added that, “Everybody here made me enjoy coming to school every day.”

The third student-athletic to make his commitment official was two-way player Javion Vines-Holder, known as ‘Juice’. Vines-Holder will wear the Rams Helmet when he goes to Winston-Salem State for his collegiate career. Javion will be playing safety while nodding the Red and Black. “I plan to major in Sports Medicine,” said Vines-Holder. The senior had many to thank for this moment. “My supporters, my four years of high school, life in general has played a big important part of my life. Thank you.”

To round out signing day at Vance County High School was Maurice Jackson Jr. He has made his commitment to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. Maurice will be a defensive lineman while playing for the Panthers. Jackson Jr. will join the reigning CIAA Conference Champions when he steps foot on campus. Maurice will study health sciences and plans to become an athletic trainer. He is grateful to his family, his coaches, and his fellow teammates for where he is now. For Jackson Jr., the 252 holds a special place in his heart. “I want to thank Henderson. I’m not from here, but the last two years y’all have took me in and have shown me ‘home’. Thank y’all!”

There was one more senior who already made his commitment. Taeshawn Alston signed his letter of intent to play at the University of South Carolina during Early Signing Day back in December. Alston is now enrolled at South Carolina and is already with the Gamecocks Squad.

What these student-athletes have shown during their time at Vance County is absolutely remarkable. During their time at the varsity level, this group has compiled a record of 19-3 on the field. Two playoff appearances. A Northern Lakes Conference Championship in 2023. Along with the first 10-win season from any team in Vance County since Southern Vance met the mark in the 2007 campaign.

We congratulate these amazing student-athletes and wish them the best of luck in college! Go Vipers!

From left to right. CJ Ragland (NC A&T), Javion Vines-Holder (Winston-Salem State), Maurice Jackson Jr. (Virginia Union), and Antione Doyle Jr. (UNC-Pembroke).

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TownTalk: Community Information Series To Feature Mayor Elliott

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Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott can be found at the city building on Rose Avenue for monthly Council meetings, but you’re also likely to spot her most anywhere across town in any number of places promoting the city and supporting its residents.

Elliott was at the Senior Center Thursday morning to help senior adults create “vision boards.”

And on Tuesday, Feb. 11, she’ll be the speaker at the Community Information Series at Baskerville Funeral Home.

The title of the program, which runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., is “Understanding City Government.”

“There are a lot of things that people don’t understand about city government,” Elliott said on Thursday’s TownTalk. She wants everyone to understand that no one person makes all the decisions or all the rules.

“We work as a team,” she said of herself, Council members and city staff, “and that’s how we pass law…(and) govern the city.

She said the elected officials need to be available to their constituents. “We want to hear what people have to say,” she added.

The business of government is about people, Elliott emphasized. The whole business of governing IS people, she said, and it’s important for the city to invest in its people.

“We are in the business of helping people and moving a community forward,” she said, even when resources are scarce.

The vision board activity is part of the mayor’s health and wellness initiative, and it’s one way to invest in people.

Today, it’s senior adults, and a month ago, she spent time with a bunch of teens as they created their own vision boards. It’s a way to focus on positive mental health practices, she noted. Participants create a collage of how they want to “see” themselves – healthy and happy and secure.

Spending time with folks as they create these boards is also a way Elliott gets to interact with constituents

“You put on your board what you want to look like and what you want your city to look like,” she said.

She said she welcomes people’s comments because their voice matters – whether it’s a complaint or praise.

Reach out to Elliott at 252.425.5220 or call the city clerk at 252.430.5705 to learn more.

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The Local Skinny! Free Health Clinic Returning To Henderson

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Free medical, dental and vision services are returning to Henderson for a third year in early March when the Duke Remote Area Medical clinic sets up shop at Vance Charter School.

The two-day clinic is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 1 and Sunday, Mar. 2.

The clinic doors open at 6 a.m. each morning and will operate on a first come, first served basis.

Because of possible time constraints, clients can choose either dental or vision services, but are welcome to get one service on one day and the second service on the second day.

Clients can arrive in the parking lot of the school, located at 2090 Ross Mill Rd., as early as midnight on Friday, Feb. 28. Once in the parking lot, clients will receive additional information about the services that are available.

RAM clinics provide these services free of charge; clients will not be asked to show identification or proof of insurance.

Visit www.ramusa.org to learn more.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: The Power of a Father’s Presence

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Cooperative Extension

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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H-V Chamber Seeks Nominations For Annual Awards; Deadline Feb. 28

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The Citizen of the Year and Small Business of the Year are annual awards presented by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce at the annual meeting and banquet. This year’s banquet will be held Thursday, April 3.

Nominations for both these awards are available now. The deadline to submit nomination forms is 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, according to H-V Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson.

Anonymous selection committees will review all nominations and will select one winner for each award.

Nominees for the Small Business of the Year must be located in Vance County and have been established for three or more years, is experiencing growth or has demonstrated stability over its business life, along with other criteria listed on the nomination form.

Submit nominations to show support for local businesses.

Both awards are sponsored by Duke Energy.

Nominations can be submitted by email to sandra@hendersonvance.org, dropped by the Chamber Office at 414 S. Garnett St., or mailed to P.O. Box 1302, Henderson, NC  27536.

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TownTalk: Vance County Commissioners Vote To Accept Audit Report

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners received and accepted the most recent audit report as part of its Feb. 3 meeting.

It’s a routine matter for the board, but County Attorney Jonathan Care asked a few questions of Alan Thompson, who presented the report to the board and reviewed highlights.

Care wasn’t so much concerned numbers or findings – he simply wanted to know the auditor’s opinion about the level of cooperation his firm had received from current staff.

In the previous audit presentation in June 2024, commissioners heard a number of concerns ranging from a lack of training and cross-training of staff to lack of oversight by the previous finance director.

“Do you have the same concerns that you had about some of our staff this year that you had in previous years?” Care asked Thompson.

“No,” Thompson replied.

Care continued, saying “You made it sound like you had a lot more concerns than any of us sitting around this dais understood or gathered from your previous presentations. So, rather than relying on your reports and presentations, I’m asking you specifically: Do you still have those concerns about any of our staff and the findings that you found during this audit process?

Again, Thompson’s answer was “No.”

He added to his answer and explained that he had contacted Finance Director Stephanie Wiliams and County Manager C. Renee Perry on a regular basis during the most recent audit and got “positive responses.”

Perry began her job as county manager in November 2023; Williams came on board in April 2024.

Board Chair Carolyn Faines commended Perry and her administrative staff for their work on the most recent audit. “They have done a wonderful job and they have worked very hard to put this audit together. I commend you all and thank you all for a job well done.”

Perry accepted Faines’s remarks, adding her own thanks to Williams and the finance staff because “she inherited a mess and I think we all know that.

“For us to have turned it around in the short period that we have, I’m very proud of my staff.”

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TownTalk: Community Partners For Pets Grant Approved By Vance County Commissioners

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners approved spending $10,000 to satisfy a matching grant to spay and neuter dogs and cats waiting to be adopted at the animal shelter as well as pets of county residents.

The grant comes from Community Partnership For Pets, Inc. through the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society. The county match will come from fund balance.

“My top priority … is to this community and to the citizens in this community,” said Animal Services Manager William Coker, adding that this grant program would provide spay/neuter services to residents regardless of income level.

An existing spay/neuter program provides assistance for residents who qualify because they receive state or other government assistance. “A lot of people could use the help…but I can’t give it to them,” Coker explained, because they don’t qualify. This $20,000 infusion of funds to get pets spayed and neutered will help in the constant battle to control the unwanted pet population.

Coker said the Animal Services staff spends much of its time picking up stray dogs and feral cats. When he spoke to the board on Feb. 3, Coker said the shelter had five litters of pups and were expecting two additional litters to be surrendered before the week was over.

The funds can be used for spay and neuter services only, but in addition to dogs and cats being adopted from the shelter and for people’s pets, it includes feral cats and colonies as well as free spay/neuter for pit bulls or pit bull mixes.

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