Tag Archive for: #thelocalskinny

The Local Skinny! Gov. Stein Signs ‘Mini-Budget’ Supporting Medicaid

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Gov. Josh Stein signed a “mini budget” on Wednesday that state lawmakers passed that includes some stopgap spending measures, one of which includes supporting Medicaid.

N.C. District 32 Rep. Bryan Cohn has stated the importance of informing his constituents how the recently passed federal legislation – the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – will affect and impact local health care.

“Regardless of political positions, the factual consequences of this bill are significant and concerning, especially for residents relying on Medicaid,” Cohn said in a press statement.

“Granville and Vance counties have approximately 41,000 residents enrolled in Medicaid, with over 6,800 gaining coverage through recent Medicaid expansion,” Cohn said. “The reduction in federal funds directly threatens this expansion, potentially leaving thousands of local residents uninsured.”

According to Cohn, North Carolina faces nearly $40 billion in federal Medicaid cuts over the next decade. This funding currently supports essential healthcare services, especially through State Directed Payments that are critical for maintaining rural hospitals and health centers.

Cohn said local hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and urgent care facilities rely on Medicaid reimbursements to operate. “With substantial funding cuts, our providers may be forced to reduce services, lay off staff, or in some cases, close entirely. This will inevitably affect healthcare accessibility and quality across our community,” he said.

Additionally, as major employers and economic drivers in Granville and Vance counties, Cohn said healthcare facilities could see funding reductions that could spell broader economic repercussions, potentially impacting local jobs and economic stability.

The mini budget includes $600 million to support both the Medicaid rebase and the Medicaid Oversight Fund, according to a statement from the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services. “However, this appropriation equates to a shortfall of $319 million for the Medicaid rebase. Despite careful efforts by NCDHHS to avoid disruptions to service, fully funding the rebase is necessary to maintain the current level of care across the state. To remain within budget, NCDHHS now has two options to address a shortfall from an insufficient rebase; reduce optional services and/or reduce provider rates,” according to the NCDHHS statement.

The bill introduces new eligibility conditions, including work requirements slated to begin in late 2026. This could complicate healthcare access for many residents already facing economic hardships, Cohn noted.

“While the political debates surrounding this legislation will continue, our community must understand the tangible impacts these changes will bring. I encourage residents and community leaders to engage actively in dialogue and preparations to manage and mitigate these upcoming challenges,” Cohn said.

Upon signing the bill, Stein made the following statement: “This Band-Aid budget fails to invest in our teachers and students, fails to keep families safe, fails to value hardworking state employees, and fails to fully fund health care. With federal cuts on the horizon, the legislature’s forced $319 million cut to Medicaid will be particularly painful. Despite these serious reservations, I am signing this bill into law because it keeps the lights on.

“We have so much going for us here in North Carolina, but we cannot just rest on our laurels, do the bare minimum, and expect to continue to thrive. The General Assembly needs to get serious about investing in the people who make this state great.”

Here’s a statement from NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai:

“More than three million people in North Carolina depend on Medicaid for comprehensive care that is life-changing and in many cases lifesaving. Underfunding NC Medicaid now after years of building a nationally recognized program that delivers real outcomes for the people we serve is a serious setback. The forced cuts from the budget shortfall threaten care for those who need it most and include some of North Carolina’s most vulnerable populations.

Over time, the combination of underfunding, the loss of key initiatives like the Healthy Opportunities Pilots, and administrative budget shortfalls risks a fundamental erosion of the NC Medicaid program.

Despite these challenges, the mission of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services remains unchanged – we will continue to work to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians. We will continue the essential work that NCDHHS does every day with determination, compassion, and a focus on the people we serve.”

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Summer Reading Program Highlights And New Fall Programs At Perry Memorial Library

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Perry Memorial Library Youth Services librarian Melody Peters likens reading to physical exercise: Reading exercises your brain just like physical activity exercises your body.

And as Peters reflects on the success of the recently completed summer reading program,

participants got a lot of brain exercise!

She told WIZS’s Scout Hughes that more than 600 youngsters and adults participated in the summer reading program sponsored by the library. The goal was to read a minimum of 30 minutes a day over a seven-week period, complete a reading log and turn it in for prizes each week.

Peters and staff knew that participation was bigger than last year’s, but when she looked at the numbers, she said it was double last year’s program. And those 600+ participants recorded 688,000 minutes of reading time.

“It was amazing,” she said. “It is mind-blowing…very exciting to see the growth.” She said there were lots of return participants, but so many new people and new families also joined the fun.

All the prizes, incentives and coupons were donated from area businesses, Peters said. “We were so grateful that they were all donated…and we gave them right back into the community.”

As the dust settles at the library after such a successful summer program, Peters said she’s happy to report a couple of new programs will launch this fall to take their place among the library’s existing regular programs.

One is a new Life Skills program on the second Thursday of the month. A team from Coastal Credit Union will help teens learn about financial money matters over the course of a few months. And then the Life Skills time slot will focus on other types of basic skills, from sewing on a button to basic carpentry.

And then on Fridays in the fall, there’s Baby Rave at 10:30 a.m. and Parachute Play at 11:30 a.m. Baby Rave is for children 0-2 years and Parachute Play is for children ages 3-5. The dates are Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.

Not one to rest on her laurels, you’ll find Peters at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market tomorrow – Wednesday, Aug. 6 – at 10 a.m. for a special Story Time at the market to celebrate National Farmers Market Week.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn about all the programs and services at your public library.

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Shaping the Future in Henderson & Vance County

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It’s called “Shaping the Future: A Community Empowerment Extravaganza” and Higher is Waiting Executive Director Jayden Watkins said it’s part back-to-school, part community gathering combined with a whole lot of fun.

“The purpose of the event is to bring the community together,” Watkins told WIZS’s Scout Hughes Monday.

Watkins, 17 and a rising senior at Henderson Collegiate, invites families from across the community to the event, which is taking place on Saturday, Aug. 9 in downtown Henderson in the area near the police department and Perry Memorial Library.

There will be backpacks loaded with school supplies that will be distributed and free health screenings, along with a street fair atmosphere filled with vendors and food trucks for everyone to enjoy, Watkins said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Watkins said he and Varonica “VV” Mitchell are going to co-host a talent show that is set to kick off at 12 noon.

“I welcome all ages,” Watkins said of talent show participants, whether they’re young or just young at heart – all are welcome.

Visit https://forms.gle/iWmCXjJZxEw9LXtP7 to sign up for the talent show.

Watkins said there’s still time to sign up to be a sponsor for the event.

Visit Higher is Waiting’s webpage at https://jaydenwatkins.com/higher-is-waiting and click on the sponsorship link.

“I still need more support,” he said. “That’s how we take it to the next level.”

Volunteers also are needed to help pack the backpacks on Friday, Aug. 8 and to help set up early Saturday morning. Contact Watkins at 252.425.0354 if you’d like to help make a donation of money, school supplies or if you’d like to volunteer.

Watkins has been nailing down details for this community event in between other activities he’s been busy with this summer, including preaching five times in the past week, participating in the Governor’s Page Program and another program at N.C. State University. He’s packing his bags for a 10-day residential experience for prospective journalism students at Princeton University. That’s on top of his “I Declare War” tour and cooking meals at the local shelter with his girlfriend.

“This is a vision God gave me,” he said. “Everything I do is to be obedient to God…at the end of the day, I simply want God to be pleased and proud.”

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(This information and embedded audio was orginally posted July 21, 2025.)

The Local Skinny! Council Members Host Community Forum

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Three of the four incumbent City Council members running for re-election were present at a community forum Wednesday evening at Holy Temple Church in Henderson.

Ola Thorpe-Cooper, Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel were in attendance; the other incumbent, Sara Coffey, was not feeling well, and was not present.

The three incumbents spoke about the importance of the upcoming municipal election, and then entertained questions from the audience.

Thorpe-Cooper started things off, saying, “We care about you and your concerns in the city of Henderson – not the ward you live in, but the city of Henderson.”

“We are running for re-election – not because it’s easy, but because we care. Experienced leadership still matters. Let’s not trade progress for…promises.”

She said the Council works together to get things done.

“I don’t believe it’s about me, it’s about us,” Thorpe-Cooper said. “We sit together, we talk together, we pray together. We are here with a record of standing up…when it hasn’t been easy to stand up. Showing up when it matters and getting real results.”

Noel said he decided to run for a seat on the City Council so he could be a voice for residents who may not know how or to whom to address complaints or concerns.

He ended up writing a city ordinance – before he was on the Council – to address one such issue that he had involving driving golf cars on city streets. The police chief at the time took it to council and said he’d never had a citizen come to him with a problem AND a solution.

Shortly after that, Noel said people approached him to run for City Council.

“I realized that I had an opportunity to be a voice for those people that couldn’t speak for themselves.”

“We have to love Henderson,” he said. “What we go through, we wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t have a love for Henderson. We want the best for Henderson and that’s why we’re here.”

Daeke grew up in Henderson, went to college, got a degree and came back because he wanted to serve his community.

“I came back to this town because I loved it,” he said.

He spent time on the city’s zoning board, planning board and downtown development commission and then felt he had the experience and knowledge to run for City Council.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it – it’s work – very hard work. but great work.”

“We’ve hit a wall lately and we need to get beyond that,” he said.

Affordable housing is the city’s biggest project, and he said being a member of the Council is like being a part of a team  – working on a team  and seeing what you can accomplish when you work together.

When you go to the polls, he said, “think about my service when you’re voting.”

The non-partisan municipal elections are Tuesday, Oct. 7.

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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 to 1pm. Today they have tomatoes, snapbeans, beets, cabbages, yellow squash, zucchini squash, red irish potatoes, cantaloupes, watermelons, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, peaches, and canned items.
  • The Vance-Warren Beekeepers Association will meet on Monday August 11th, 2025 starting at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Start planning your fall garden now.
  • Start taking your soil samples now.
  • Cooperative Extension has updated safe canning and freezing information.
  • Use caution when bush hogging. Yellow Jacket nests are large now.
  • Know what to plant in your garden and get a copy of the central piedmont planting guide.
  • If you plan to renovate your fescue lawn in September, take a soil sample now.
  • Pickup any fallen fruit from your fruit trees to lessen disease problems in the future.
  • If planning to renovate your fescue lawn in September take a soil sample now.
  • Carolina lawns is the best publication for having a good lawn.
  • If you have pumpkins, put a board under the pumpkins to get them off the ground.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension 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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Granville County Employee Recognized By State Organization For Customer Service, Helping Coworkers In Tax Office

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— Courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry A. Hobgood, Jr.

Tax Collections Supervisor Tamonica Thorpe recently received the Outstanding Tax Collections Employee of the Year award from the North Carolina Tax Collectors’ Association. Thorpe was recognized for exemplary customer service to the citizens of Granville County and dedication to helping her coworkers.

Thorpe has worked for the Granville County Tax Administration Department for the last 10 years, which included a brief tenure with the Durham County Tax Administration Department. She began as a tax listing assistant before moving to Tax Collections assistant II, Tax Collections specialist, and Collections Supervisor – a role she has held  since 2019.

Thorpe is known for remaining patient and for always being willing to lend a helping hand, even during the most stressful situations. She is also known for creating games to help with training and professional development, including a tax-themed Jeopardy! game she devised to help teach her coworkers more about listing, assessing, collections and enforcement.

While continuing to work full-time at the Tax Administration office, Thorpe pursued her master’s in Public Administration from Liberty University. Her coworkers note that she has improved efficiency by collaborating with other divisions of the Tax Administration office to simplify procedures and reduce the time needed to complete standard tax listing processes.

“Tamonica’s motto is to work smarter, not harder,” said Tax Administrator Jenny Short. “I am so proud to have her as part of our team in Granville County and am thrilled that she was honored by her peers from across North Carolina. Every day, Tamonica exemplifies hard work and dedication, and she is so deserving to be named the Outstanding Tax Collections Employee of the Year.”

The NCTCA is a professional organization consisting of tax revenue directors and personnel representing counties and municipalities in North Carolina. The NCTCA provides members with education and training opportunities to perform duties to the maximum benefit of their citizens.

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The Local Skinny! One Man Arrested In Connection With Gunfire Incident

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— information courtesy of Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

 

At approximately 10:45 a.m. on Monday, July 28, officers with the Henderson Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of Ruin Creek Road following reports of active gunfire. Upon arrival at 381 Ruin Creek Road, a medical clinic, officers, along with deputies from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, located one of the individuals involved in the incident, Marquis Lamar Skinner, 37, of Oxford.

Shortly thereafter, officers learned that a second individual involved in the altercation, John Lee Sutton Jr., 43, of Manson, had arrived at a local emergency department with non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident.

As officers conducted their investigation, collecting statements, processing the scene and reviewing evidence, Skinner was taken into custody and transported to the Henderson Police Department. A firearm believed to have been used in the incident has been recovered.

Skinner has been charged with the following offenses:

  • Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury
  • Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle

He was presented before a magistrate and is being held without bond at the Vance County Detention Center awaiting his initial court appearance.

The Henderson Police Department extends its gratitude to the public for their cooperation and to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office for their invaluable assistance during this incident.

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‘Unshame NC’ Campaign Takes Aim To Remove Stigma Related To Substance Abuse Disorder, Raise Awareness

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— information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and First Lady Anna Stein, in collaboration with Shatterproof, announced the launch of the Unshame North Carolina campaign to end stigma related to substance use disorder. Unshame NC has two primary goals: to increase knowledge and awareness of substance use disorder and medications for opioid use disorder as a treatment option.

“Stigma is deeply rooted and causes real harm to people and communities across North Carolina,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “Unshame NC is part of a collaborative effort from all of us to end stigma, build acceptance and increase support for treatment for people on their path to recovery.”

“Many people struggling with substance use don’t seek help because of stigma,” said North Carolina First Lady Anna Stein. “This campaign will highlight the stories of people who have experience with substance use disorder and recovery and bring greater awareness to effective methods of treatment for opioid use disorder.”

Unshame NC was launched Tuesday at the Wake County Drug Overdose Prevention Coalition meeting. The website, https://www.unshamenc.org/ includes testimonials from North Carolinians sharing their personal stories of substance use, hope and recovery. Facebook and Instagram content will help drive users to the website, which provides links to resources, including information on how to find the right treatment center, and guidance for providers and for family members seeking care for a loved one. NCDHHS contracted with national non-profit Shatterproof to develop and implement the Unshame NC campaign.

Recent data from a statewide survey indicates 57 percent of North Carolinians know someone with opioid use disorder. Despite this widespread issue, only 34 percent of North Carolina residents know how to find quality treatment for themselves or their loved ones. Additionally, only one in five adults in North Carolina recognizes that opioid use disorder is a medical condition. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive education that connects people to lifesaving resources and treatment.

“There’s no better evidence that recovery is real than a life changed,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW LCSW, NCDHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services. “We’re pairing the stories of people in recovery with a statewide effort to increase access to MOUD, so more people can benefit from evidence-based care. Real access means supporting people on the recovery journey that makes sense for them, without judgment—and offering them every opportunity for lifesaving treatment, that includes MOUD.”

Unshame NC focuses on the voices and experiences of North Carolinians affected by substance use disorder. Through storytelling, education, and grassroots activation, the campaign demonstrates that people with substance use disorder are valued members of our communities—our family, neighbors, and coworkers—and highlights actionable ways we can ensure everyone has the support they need to thrive.

“While most North Carolinians believe that people with SUD can recover with treatment, stigma and misinformation can create barriers to care,” said Courtney McKeon, senior vice president for Shatterproof’s National Stigma Initiative and longtime resident of the Research Triangle area. “We see this often regarding medications for opioid use disorder, a gold standard of care. Through the stories of North Carolinians, we have the opportunity to increase understanding of all treatment options and support individuals on their path to improved health and wellness.”

“It’s not just about overdoses. It’s not just about lives that were lost or lives that were saved,” says Michael, one of Unshame NC’s story sharers. “It’s also about how we treat the people who went through it and how we bring them out of the shadows. How do we welcome them back into society? How do we get them back to where we need to be? And that requires a lot of folks like me to speak out and help break the stigma.”

People with substance use disorder flourish in environments that offer both community support and multiple pathways for treatment. If you want to share your story with NCDHHS and Unshame NC, you can get involved by filling out a Story Sharer Interest Form or joining the Unshame NC coalition.

Follow @UnshameNC on Facebook and Instagram or visit  www.UnshameNC.org to learn more.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, NCDHHS provides somewhere to go, someone to talk to and someone to respond. You can find the help that is right for you 24/7 on the NCDHHS Crisis Services website.

The 988 Lifeline Chat and Text – 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available to everyone 24/7 by call, text or chat.

North Carolinians can call the 24/7 Peer Warmline at 1-855-PEERS NC (855-733-7762) to speak with a peer support specialist. Peer support specialists are individuals living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder who provide support to others.

The NC Recovery Helpline (800-688-4232) offers support and referrals for treatment and resources.

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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 to 1pm. Today they have tomatoes, snapbeans, beets, cabbages, yellow squash, zucchini squash, red irish potatoes, cantaloupes, watermelons, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, peaches, and canned items.
  • The 2025 Landowners and Heirs Property Workshop will be on July 24th, 2025 from 8am to 4:30pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • When cutting flowers for arrangements cut the stems at an angle and place in a bucket of water while you are in the garden.
  • Start planning your fall garden on paper now.
  • Cooperative Extension has updated safe canning and freezing information.
  • If planning to renovate your fescue lawn you need to take a  soil sample asap.
  • Know what to plant in your garden and get a copy of the central piedmont planting guide.
  • If you hear thunder, it’s time to get out of the garden.
  • Encourage your children and grandchildren to help in the garden.
  • If planning to renovate your fescue lawn in September take a soil sample now.
  • Carolina lawns is the best publication for having a good lawn.
  • If you have pumpkins, put a board under the pumpkins to get them off the ground.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension 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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Paws & Poses to Benefit Granville County Animals

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An upcoming yoga class planned for Saturday, July 26 at the Oxford Armory Farmers Market is shaping up to be like no other, and the event organizer said there will be some positively adorable pooches wandering among the yoga mats to perhaps meet their future owners.

Annie Drake, a rising senior at Vance Charter School, said ‘Paws and Poses’ is a service project to benefit the Granville County Animal Shelter.

The shelter staff will have numerous adoptable animals on the grounds from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The yoga class will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. It’s going to be an interactive yoga session, and participants may find a wet nose or a wagging tail in their face as they stretch and transition from pose to pose.

“My hope was to get some animals adopted out,” Drake said.

“I’ve been wanting to do some sort of service project before I go off to college,” Annie said. “I enjoy being out in the community and helping people -I’ve never done something by myself, that’s all me and says who I am.”

She said she appreciates the help she got early on from her mom, Darcy. “Having her help was great,” she said.

The planning has gone pretty smoothly, but she admits that there are way more details than she thought there’d be. Dr. Bridget Waters of Dabney Drive Animal Hospital has been a big help, too. Annie said she’s been shadowing some of the staff at the local veterinarian’s office to learn more about animals.

Annie’s mom will be the instructor. Register for the class at www.yogaforgoodoxford.com

Even if you don’t sign up for the class, she’s set up a GoFundMe page. And all proceeds go to the Granville County Animal Shelter.

Shelter staff also will have a space to collect donations at the event. They are in need of dog toys and dog food, she said.

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