Tag Archive for: #towntalk

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TownTalk: Vance County Commissioners Discuss Ways To Recover $1.4M In Delinquent Property Tax

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Vance County Tax Administrator Jennifer Williams recommended to county commissioners the use of what is known as “sheriff’s execution” as a last-resort option to collect more than $1.4 million in delinquent personal property taxes.

There are a total of 1,481 delinquent accounts, Williams told commissioners during an Aug. 17 work session, although there probably are more now since that number is a few months old now, she added.

The sheriff’s execution is allowed by state law and works much the same way as a civil or criminal summons in that it requires a sheriff’s deputy to serve paperwork to the person in question.

Williams reiterated to commissioners throughout her presentation that a sheriff’s execution would be the method of last resort, after the numerous other methods of collection of delinquent taxes have been exhausted.

There was consensus among commissioners present to proceed with developing a formal policy that the board would consider at a future meeting; no action or vote may be taken at a work session.

County Manager Renee Perry said she had spoken with Sheriff Curtis Brame, and she told commissioners that if this was the route commissioners wanted to take, he would support it and “make it happen.”

WIZS News spoke with Brame Tuesday morning and he clarified that he supports doing his job.

“My job is to execute the paperwork,” Brame said. “I hate it’s coming down to this, but people know that the sheriff’ and local law enforcement are burdened with certain tasks that they may not want to do or not in favor to do, but according to law, if the paperwork comes across our desk, we have to enforce it.”

Having the additional job of serving sheriff’s executions could place additional burdens on the sheriff’s office, which is dealing with chronic staffing shortages.

Brame said his deputies are responsible for carrying out their duties, which includes serving all the legal documentations – civil and criminal – that come across the sheriff’s desk. That documentation likely will include in the future sheriff’s executions.

In her presentation, Williams suggested looking at “the highest recovery potential accounts,” as well as business accounts.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt said he would like to see the process begin with the oldest accounts first. Some accounts are two years old; some are as many as five years old, Williams said. One individual could have multiple delinquent accounts.

Although the county uses several different methods to recover the money owed – including payment plans, garnishment of wages and bank attachments – it can be difficult to track down people or businesses if they’ve moved out of the county or if the county doesn’t have current information.

When a sheriff’s office serves a person the sheriff’s execution paperwork, the deputy also would identify eligible property that could be seized and sold to help recoup the delinquent taxes.

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TownTalk: Way to Grow! Festival All Week Long

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The weeklong “Way to Grow” festivities kick off this afternoon with a community block party at the new Skateboard and Splash Park at William and Montgomery streets. With afternoon temps hovering in the low 90’s, organizers Heather Joi Kenney, president and CEO of Gateway CDC and Tracy Mosley, CEO of Helping All People Excel chose the perfect spot to launch the 4th annual event.

And it won’t just be the weather that’s heating things up this week – there’s something happening every day, culminating with a daylong street festival along a three-block stretch of Garnett Street that Kenney and Mosley say will hearken back to the 1980’s and Colorfest, a celebration of community, friendship and unity that brought thousands to downtown Henderson.

Head over to the splash park between now and 8 p.m. and enjoy food, drinks and ice cream, Mosley said on Monday’s TownTalk. There will be a skateboarding clinic and youngsters between 8-14 will have a chance to win free boards and safety equipment, Kenney said.

Coming together in communal spaces like the new downtown park help strengthen communities and create community at the same time, the women said.

Technology and social media are great tools to help share information, but Kenney said there’s no substitute for people getting together and talking – face to face.

“I think the most powerful thing that we have to communicate with one another is our voice,” she said.

Whether it’s talking to neighbors on the street, seeing friends at church or peers at school, those personal interactions and gathering spots are vital to a strong community.

She said she’s heard from folks who remember fondly those days when Colorfest was popular. The Way to Grow festival isn’t trying to replicate that festival with its culminating activity on Saturday from 12 noon to 7 p.m.; rather, it’s incorporating aspects that people said they wanted to experience again.

“It’s an opportunity where communities can gather,” she said amid the resources, vendors, food and music.

Having a place to hang out and have a good time is what the community longs for, a time when there was a stronger sense of community and connection, Kenney added.

Here’s a list of activities planned as part of the Way to Grow! festival:

  • Tuesday, Aug. 18 – 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Flex Desk. Stephen Wolf is showcasing an app he created called Get 2 Know Your City. Find out about businesses, attractions and events in the county and city.
  • Wednesday, Au 19 – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Downtown Visioning Walk. Start at the Garnett Street Station and pick up a brochure and a survey that seeks input about what individuals want to see in downtown Henderson. They’re available between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and folks will have until 8 p.m. to complete and turn them in.
  • Thursday, Aug. 20 – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Home Table is a ticketed event that features a catered meal from All Smoked Up. “Breaking bread with folks is one of the best ways to start these conversations and just get to know your community better,” Kenney said. This casual gathering includes music, so get those tickets purchased and bring your positive attitudes and positive vibes. Tickets are $30 each, 2 for $55, 3 for $75 and 4 for $100. Purchase tickets here: https://thehometable.eventbrite.com. They are on sale until Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 5 p.m..
  • Friday, Aug. 21 – Roots and Routes at Vance-Granville Community College is a career and college fair aimed at helping young people reach their education and career goals. “Vance-Granville Community College is a gem,” Mosley said, “and it’s based right here in our community. Whether it’s a certificate program or diploma program you’re looking for, Mosley said Roots and Routes will have everything you need to help figure out next steps. The event will be from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. in the VGCC Civic Center. Job seekers, folks seeking a career change, high school and college students should attend. Real employers. Real jobs. Real opportunities.

For a complete schedule of events, visit https://www.waytogrowfest.com/

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TownTalk: 20 Years of Rebuilding Hope

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It was 20 years ago when Randolph Wilson was struggling to understand just where he was being led.

“God had been dealing with me for a while,” Wilson recalled Thursday. He felt called to do something, but he didn’t have a clear picture of what that “something” was.

That’s when a friend casually mentioned whether he’d ever considered a local ministry. That was the light bulb moment – he knew immediately what the “something” was.

Rebuilding Hope is celebrating 20 years of providing help to people in need, right here in the Henderson area.

Tom Wille joined Wilson on TownTalk Thursday. The two men are co-directors of the non-profit organization that replaces roofs in disrepair and builds ramps for people to safely enter and exit their homes.

In the beginning, Wilson said, the young organization set up shop in a building that once had been used to construct trusses for homes.

The Pernells, of Pernell Steel on Raleigh Road, gave Rebuilding Hope the building for 10 years, which was a blessing in itself, Wilson said.

They started out giving away household furniture, too, but decided they’d prefer to focus on construction instead. That way, volunteers could visit with people at their homes to see what their needs were.

“We were excited about how God was leading us,” he said. “It was just amazing to watch Him work in those first few years.”

But the time came when they knew they’d need to find a permanent location, so they started looking at warehouses and other potential sites that they could afford.

When they got a lead that the former Coca-Cola Bottling Co. may be available, Wilson and Willard Jackson went to meet Hager Rand, who owned the Henderson property.

Long story short, Rebuilding Hope raised $234,000 – $200,000 for the building and the rest for renovations.

“He was very generous in his price on the building,” Wilson recalled of Rand’s asking price. That generosity continued over the ensuing months, too. Rand gave them multiple extensions so they could come up with the money.

“We’re so thankful for him and his generosity,” Wilson said.

Since then, the former bottling facility has been transformed to accommodate tools, construction material and more that keeps Rebuilding Home humming along.

Wille joined the operation in about 2007, and he said that while the tangible results are ramps and roofs, the intangibles are just as important.

Whether stopping by the office at 414 Raleigh Rd. to complete an application or welcoming a construction crew to a job site, individuals see, hear and feel the love of Christ, Wille said.

By the time someone needs a ramp to get in or out of their home, they’ve already been through health issues they must overcome, he observed.

“Health issues lead to money issues,” Wille said. “By doing what we do, in that one little thing,” volunteers put their faith into action.

And then it’s no longer about the ramp – “it’s about loving on people in our community.”

Last year, Rebuilding Hope built 152 ramps in 10 counties including Vance. That’s an average of three ramps a week. The volunteer crews do every bit of the work, at no cost to the homeowner.

The summer Servants on Site program sent more than 100 young people out into the community to complete nine roofing projects.

Those young people, Wilson said, give him faith in the next generation, by their commitment and willingness to help others.

“It changes people’s lives,” he said. And it’s not just the people who end up with new ramps and roofs.

The youth grow in Christ and create friendships and bonds with other young people that will last a lifetime. Former SOS participants have returned – as adults – to help, which Wille called awe-inspiring.

The Kids’ Construction Camp helps younger children learn how to use tools like hammers, tape measures, angles and squares. This year’s campers – about 30 of them – had a lot of fun creating a bird house with their new skills.

And when they’re old enough to take part in SOS, they’ll be ready.

There were stations where the kids learned a little bit about roofing, electricity and plumbing, but Wilson said the most important station was the one where they learned about the Bible.

Volunteers are the heart of the ministry, but having community partners is critical, too.

And then there are the folks who make financial contributions.

It takes upwards of $1,000 in lumber to construct a ramp. A recent truckload of lumber cost $15,000.

“This is a community-wide thing,” Wilson said. The commercial institutions and businesses that provide support of one type or another are feeding back into the community, rebuilding hope for everybody that brings “a little bit of light shining into a huge pot of darkness.”

Find the monthly newsletter, donation links and more at www.rebuildinghope.com.

 

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TownTalk: Judge Arrowood Ready for Re-Election Campaign

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N.C. Court of Appeals Judge John S. Arrowood is seeking to retain his Seat 1 spot on the 15-judge court. Arrowood, a Yancey County native, has been appointed twice to the court, once in 2007 by then-Gov. Mike Easley and again in 2017 by former Gov. Roy Cooper. He ran for the seat in 2018 and is seeking re-election in the November contest and faces Republican challenger Michael Byrne.

The Court of Appeals consists of 15 judges who sit in panels of three, Arrowood explained on Wednesday’s TownTalk. These panels dispose of between 1,200 and 1,500 cases each year and hear cases two weeks out of each month. The court hears all criminal cases – except death penalty cases – and all civil cases except those that come from business court, Arrowood said. They also hear many administrative law cases.

Until 2023, any split votes from the N.C. Court of Appeals could automatically be appealed to the N.C. Supreme Court, but the Legislature changed that so now the state Supreme Court must vote to hear the case. By comparison, the state Supreme Court hears somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 cases a year.

That’s just one reason the Appeals Court is considered the court of last resort, he said. The cases split generally fifty-fifty in criminal versus civil cases.

During COVID, cases dropped considerably, but they’re working their way back up, Arrowood noted.

He’s served on the Court of Appeals for a little over 10 years, and of the 15 seated judges, he’s the fifth-most senior judge.

“There’s been a lot of change in the court,” he said, referring to the turnover. “As there’s been change, things have slowed down,” referring to the pace at which the court renders its decisions.

Arrowood is one of three Democrats on the 15-judge court, but he said in the majority of cases he hears, the decision is unanimous. And when they’re not, it’s not divided by party affiliation. “Politics shouldn’t factor in at all to what you do in the job,” he said. “My whole philosophy is that we are there to protect the rule of law, to provide equal justice, to provide our citizens and to protect their constitutional rights, both under the state and federal constitution, and that we are there as a check and balance.”

With more than 25 years as a civil litigator with a Charlotte law firm as well as being a staff member on the Court of Appeals prior to joining private practice, Arrowood said he has the background for understanding how the court system works – and how it should work.

“We have an obligation as judges to do our work timely, to move things along,” he said. New, less-experienced judges can adversely affect the court’s timeline.

“If they’ve got a case at the court, obviously they want to win, but they also want to know if they’re not going to win” so they can make plans about their futures or their businesses.

It’s important not only to do the work correctly, but timely as well.

He credits his late father for instilling in him and his older brother the idea of being active and giving back.

Arrowood recalls the story his dad proudly told about how he had worked to sell road bonds back in the late 1940’s to get one of the first roads paved where he lived.

“He was pretty politically active and pretty civic-minded,” Arrowood said of his father. “He wanted his sons to, as he would say, give back to the community they lived in.”

The Arrowood brothers lost both parents – their mother to cancer and their father to a stroke – when the younger Arrowood was just 15, and so he went to live with his brother – older by 12 and a half years and already a Highway Patrolman.

He graduated magna cum laude from Catawba College, then law school at UNC-CH. His father had impressed on him the importance of getting a good education, so he could have a better life than what had been available to him, Arrowood said.

“I had great teachers who pushed me hard to be the absolute maximum I could be,” Arrowood recalled. And more than one suggested that he may be interested in becoming a lawyer.

Find out more at www.keepjudgearrowood.com

(This is not a paid ad. WIZS offers equal time to candidates.)

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TownTalk: The Countdown Is On For Vance County Friday Night Football

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The 2026 season marks the fifth year for Vance County Vipers Head Football Coach Aaron Elliott. Local sports analyst Doc Ayscue joined WIZS’s Scout Hughes on TownTalk Tuesday to talk X’s and O’s for the Vipers, beginning Year 2 in the newly formed Northern Six 6A/7A athletic conference.

Noting Elliott’s 28-16 overall record as Vipers head coach, Ayscue said having a good coach who is consistent year to year has a stabilizing effect on players and coaching staff. “From year to year, kids know what to expect,” he said. “I’m glad he’s chosen to hang around here.”

Professor Campbell returns to the Vipers sidelines as defensive coordinator and Lloyd Watkins is an assistant coach and also is serving as interim AD.

Watkins, a Vance County native, played at Norfolk State and has worked in local law enforcement for years. “He’s done a tremendous job,” Hughes said

The Vipers head to Raleigh on Friday for a scrimmage with Sanderson High School before the season cranks up in earnest.

Elliott and his staff are working with nine seniors on this season’s roster as opposed to almost twice that many on last year’s team, which recorded a 2-9 season and lost in the first round of post-season play.

A definite bright spot on this year’s team is Harry Cheek, who earned praise from Elliott for a solid performance last Friday during the annual Jamboree event.

Ayscue recalled that Cheek had been a “tremendous defensive player” last year, and proved to be a force to be reckoned with when the coaches tried him as part of the Vipers’ rushing game.

This year’s quarterback slot is being filled by junior Ayden Trowbridge.

He saw some action at the varsity level last year, which Ayscue said was a confidence builder for this season.

“He seemed to be very in control, confident” in last week’s pre-season matchup, “where he was going when he was throwing the ball – very accurate.”

Trowbridge has multiple wideouts to catch those passes, including Jerimi Strong, Jahmir Johnson and Talik Perry.

Ayscue said the offensive line did “a great job protecting Trowbridge whenever it was a pass situation” in last week’s Jamboree performance. “He didn’t ever seem real hurried, too pressured,” Ayscue said. He had several deep throws that he had time to do,” he added.

On the defensive side of the ball, four-year starter Montrell Ragland returns, as does Jalen Maze, who was sidelined for a good part of the season with an injury.

“He’s back, he’s healthy,” Hughes said, noting that Mayes, despite his limited play because of that collarbone injury, managed a whopping 37 tackles.

Ayscue said he expects the defense to clear up some confusion about assignments and should be good to go once that happens.

Here’s a brief look at the Vipers’ opponents, beginning with the County Line Clash on Aug. 28:

  • Aug. 21: At Warren County

The Eagles shut out the Vipers two years ago 18-0, but the Vipers struck last year, narrowly defeating the Eagles with a 13-12 final score. Expect a tough environment as the Vipers head to Warren County for the County Line Clash.

  • Aug. 28: South Granville

The Vikings from Creedmoor come to Vance County on Military/First Responders Night and the team may be in a little bit of an adjustment period with new Coach Sterling Johnson on the sidelines. The Vipers lost last year’s game 33-6.

  • Sept. 3 (Thursday): At Jordan, Durham

The game will be played a day early leading up to the long Labor Day holiday weekend. Jordan had a great team last year, but lost a bunch of seniors. Vance County has an overall 15-9-1 record against the Eagles, and hopefully this game will be more competitive than last year’s.

  • Sept. 11: At Rocky Mount

The Vipers visit Rocky Mount to try to avenge a 42-14 loss to the Griffons, who went 9-4 for the season, but lost a couple of dozen seniors from last year’s squad. Vance County eked out a one-point victory two years ago, and they’re looking for another victory against Rocky Mount.

  • Sept. 18: Northeastern

This year, it’s Northeastern making the long road trip from Elizabeth City to play the Vipers in a nonconference game that is part of the Communities in Schools program. The Vipers got beat 40-8 last year and will need to step up the defense to try to contain QB Zak Ishman, who threw his way into the record books with 3,233 passing yards and 36 touchdowns.

  • Sept. 25: BYE week
  • Oct. 2: Wake Forest

The Cougars come to Vance County on Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Then-junior rushing standout Micah Olu proved to be too much for the Vipers last year, so the defense will have to look for a way to shut him down to avoid another lopsided outcome.

  • Oct. 9: Knightdale

The Knights come to town for Homecoming, and the Vipers are looking for a more evenly matched contest this year. The Knights went 3-7 last year, but 14 seniors aren’t returning from last year’s team. The Vipers couldn’t really get good stops in last year’s game – they held their own during the first half, but the second half got away from them, Ayscue said.

  • Oct. 16: At Heritage

The Vipers head to Wake Forest to face Heritage High School. Last year’s matchup was a coming-out party for Harry Cheek, Hughes said. The Vipers came close to a win last year, and they’ll be looking for an opportunity to build on that in this year’s game.

  • Oct. 23: East Wake

It’s Senior Night and the Vipers will have a chance to show their appreciation for the team’s nine seniors as they try to beat East Wake for the second year in a row.

  • Oct. 30: At Franklinton

The final game of the regular season has the Vipers at conference rival Franklinton High School. The Red Rams went 8-4 last season, losing in the second round of the playoffs. They have 18 seniors on this year’s team, so there’s likely to be a lot of experience on the field.

“This is going to be a really tough game every single year,” Ayscue said. “In order to beat these guys, we’re going to have to be on top of the game.”

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TownTalk: Dr. Destiney Ross-Putney Embraces New Role as VCS Superintendent

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As the newest superintendent of Vance County Schools, Dr. Destiney Ross-Putney most likely is feeling some of the same things that her predecessors felt as the beginning of a new school year approaches: excitement for what lies ahead, mixed with a little bit of apprehension, well, for what lies ahead.

But like all good educators, Ross-Putney is prepared. She’s prepared for what she knows is headed her way, whether it’s student achievement, measuring proficiency growth or supporting teachers with professional development.

And just like good teachers have good lesson plans, Ross-Putney said she’s laid out five tenets to prioritize as she embarks in her role leading Vance County Schools.

In what she calls her “entry plan,” Ross-Putney said she’s going to be hyper-focused during these first 100 days as superintendent.

The first tenet centers around “listening, learning and building trust” to engage stakeholders. She plans to meet with local government officials, faith-based leaders and businesspeople across Vance County.

It’s a way to strengthen existing relationships, but it’s also about visibility.

“Visibility is key,” she said on Monday’s TownTalk.

“Our district, and our county, is small enough that we can really reap the benefits of connecting,” she said. “Those exchanges are really powerful.”

Part of that connection comes through collaboration, whether it’s among community partners or within the school district offices.

The other tenets include building leadership capacity, having a centralized online hub for teachers to access any form, document or policy they may need and school safety and school climate and teaching and learning.

Ross-Putney points to the district’s SPARK NC program as one innovative way to engage students that also allows them a chance to explore fields from agriculture to cyber security through a series of modules that can lead to high school credits.

“This is the type of learning our students need,” she said. In a nutshell, students choose modules and earn a credit when they’ve successfully completed six modules.

If they like the topic, great. If they don’t, they can choose another without penalty.

Now, VCS is offering a second level of SPARK and has been able to bring in an additional teacher because of SPARK’s success.

“It gives them the opportunity to pivot without being punitive,” she said. It fits the student and their style of learning.

It’s important for today’s students to “own” the progress they make, setting goals for proficiency. Ross-Putney said the district established this philosophy last year, but it’s one that she wants to continue.

“We all have an individual journey,” Ross-Putney said. “There’s so much beauty in that diversity.” There are so many pathways available for students to explore and the superintendent is keen to make sure that educators teach students the skills that allow them to adapt to changing environments and use critical-thinking skills for successful outcomes.

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TownTalk: Around Old Granville – The History of Alcohol

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In 1748, when North Carolina was just a colony and had to follow England’s rules, the first “ordinary” was opened in Granville County. The proprietor had to pay $30 in “proclamation” money for a license and he had to promise to provide food and lodging for travelers and their horses.

As local historian Mark Pace explained it on Thursday’s Around Old Granville segment of TownTalk, ordinaries provided food and drinks for a fixed price as compared to inns – which provided rooms and meals and maybe drinks. And taverns were places where alcohol was first on the menu, accompanied possibly by food.

But anyone who wanted to open one of these establishments had to go to court and get a bond – pay money.

Prior to the Revolution, for the price of one shilling (about $35 in today’s economy), you and your horses would get room and board. But for drinks stronger than water, you probably had to pay extra.

Choices for alcohol were probably quite limited back then, with port, stout and rum figuring highest on the list, Pace said.

Nowadays, we have a multitude of craft beers, wine and spirits to tickle our taste buds. But whether you enjoy the occasional adult beverage or you’re a teetotaler, the stories about the history of alcohol in North Carolina are nothing short of entertaining.

After the Revolution, George Washington’s federal style of government put an excise tax on alcohol.

“This did not go over well with everybody, particularly with Pennsylvania,” Pace said, and the tax led to the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.

“It was the first time the federal government had issued a tax and the first time the people had risen up in arms against that tax,” he said. After all, they’d just fought a Revolution to get out from under British rule, and here they were, getting taxed again.

Washington sent 13,000 troops to quash the rebellion, and they made quick work of it.

When Thomas Jefferson took the Presidential oath in 1801, he abolished the tax.

And liquor was not taxed again until 1862, when it was reinstituted to raise money for the Civil War.

During that period leading up to the Civil War, it was perfectly legal to make your own alcohol, with no taxes imposed. And that’s what a lot of farmers in and around Granville County did, Pace explained.

One particular area in the vicinity where present-day southern Granville County meets Franklin County, achieved local notoriety for being rife with moonshine stills.

The dense orange-red  clay in the area known as the “Harracan” wouldn’t grow tobacco, but it would grow corn.

So resourceful farmers and others took the opportunity to turn that crop into something they could make money with – and that was alcohol, Pace said. You may even be able to find the remains of stills along creeks or other water sources in the Haracan, “just down the road a little ways,” as old-timers recall.

After the Civil War, the feds started allowing people to have large-scale distilleries, and many towns had them, including Henderson, Oxford and Warrenton.

These distilleries were licensed and there were hefty federal taxes involved. Back then, a  gallon of alcohol cost about $2.50 – and $1 of that was tax.

That was a bitter pill to swallow for some, Pace said. And that’s what led to bootlegging.

From 1870 to 1908 or so, bootleggers were running up, down, across and through the state with their untaxed spirits.

People figured out they could get their alcohol cheaper from their neighbor than they could from a licensed distillery, so business was booming for a good while.

In 1908, North Carolina passed a law stating that distilleries could be located in incorporated towns only.

Layer on that the 18th Amendment to the Constitution that enacted Prohibition and the black market for alcohol became even more important and intriguing.

The bootleggers needed to be able to outrun the revenuers, Pace said, and they created souped-up vehicles that paved the way for NASCAR racing, a perennial favorite for many.

One bootlegger from Wake County has a road named after him in the southern part of Granville County. Bruce Garner was arrested a bunch of times, paid his fines and kept on making liquor.  He found religion, however, and turned from the liquor business. After World War II he moved to Raleigh and opened up a couple of restaurants. The burger joint he started in 1960? Yep. It’s called Char-Grill.

The 13 years or so that made up the Prohibition era was anything but dry, however. And when the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition in 1933, North Carolina was one of the states that, in essence, got into the liquor business when the Alcohol Beverage Control board was established a couple of years later.

Vance, Warren and Franklin counties set up ABC stores in 1935. It took Granville County until 1963 to join the party.

Pace said at one time there was a bus route that ran from Oxford to the train station in Henderson – which was conveniently located across from the town’s ABC store on William Street.

Locals felt like having a liquor store right across from the station was a blemish on Henderson’s reputation, Pace said. But apparently that didn’t bother the folks who made the round trip from Oxford one little bit.

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TownTalk: Henderson Reports 18.98 Percent Drop In Overall Crime For 2025

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Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said he knew the city’s crime numbers would be down, but the statistics in the data dashboard confirm it, and Barrow said it’s “fantastic news” for the city.

Overall crime was down 18.98 percent from 2024 to 2025, including a 39.62 percent decrease in violent crime and 42.70 percent drop in aggravated assaults, according to the City of Henderson Crime Dashboard.

The police department keeps track of crime statistics and has been submitting reports to the federal and state governments since 1985, Barrow said on Wednesday’s TownTalk. The information that is collected and reported makes the department eligible to apply for a variety of law enforcement grants.

“If we don’t report, we’re not eligible for grant funding,” he said. “We report, we report correctly and those are the numbers.”

And it seems those numbers are trending down, which is good news for the police department, the city and its residents. But it’s more than just a one-year drop, he said. Since 2020, there’s been a 47 percent decrease in violent crime, a 47.34 percent drop in aggravated assaults and a 46.47 percent drop in burglaries in the city.

Barrow attributes the decrease to a combination of factors, starting with the work of his officers. “We put out a warning at the beginning of the year, that we wre all getting ready to see some important things – progress being made,” he said.

But he gives a nod also to the office of District Attorney Mike Waters and to federal prosecutors, too.

“We’re seeing a lot more movement with our cases,” Barrow said. People who need to be incarcerated are being convicted and put behind bars. He cited a recent case where an individual got 18 years for possession, sale and delivery of fentanyl.

Barrow said while he’s encouraged by the progress, there remains work to be done.

Crime statistics “represent people, families, victims, neighborhoods, and lives affected by crime,” he said. Continued progress depends on strong partnerships, community support and adequate resources to address public safety.

“A safer Henderson means more than lower crime numbers. It means stronger neighborhoods, greater opportunities for economic investment, stronger businesses, and a community where families can live and grow with confidence.

We are encouraged by the direction we are moving, but we are not satisfied with simply improving the numbers,” Barrow said.

Barrow said he wants Henderson to reap the benefits of decreased crime and hopes that word will get out and have a positive effect on economic development, the housing market, retail and small business and “diminish some of the negativity” in social media posts.

Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott’s social media post is filled with positivity and kudos to Barrow and the police department.

“Today, we celebrate positive progress and recognize the dedication of the men and women of the Henderson Police Department,” the mayor’s post began.
The recent crime trend dashboard reflects significant reductions in crime throughout our city, including an overall crime decrease of nearly 19%, a reduction in violent crime, aggravated assaults, and other offenses.

These numbers represent more than statistics — they represent safer neighborhoods, families protected, and the continued commitment of those who serve our community every day.”

Elliott continued by thanking Barrow and the department’s officers for their

professionalism, sacrifice and tireless work to keep residents safe. “Your commitment to proactive policing, community partnerships, and protecting the citizens of Henderson does not go unnoticed,” Elliott stated.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility, and these results show what can happen when dedicated law enforcement officers, community leaders, and residents work together toward a common goal.

“Thank you, HPD, for your service, your courage, and your continued commitment to making Henderson a safer place to live, work, and raise our families.

“Together, we will continue building a stronger and safer Henderson.”

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TownTalk: Information Series Gives Insight On Vance County EMS

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Who: Baskerville Funeral Home

What: Community Information Series. Presented by Maribel Cortez, Lieutenant and Outreach Program Coordinator with Vance County EMS.

When: Tuesday, August 11th from 6pm-7pm

Where: Baskerville Funeral Home Chapel, 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson, NC 27536

Why: You’ll learn about different topics:

  • Education & Safety
  • When Should You Call 911?
  • Community Events
  • Special Awareness Events
  • Community Partnerships
  • Explore Career Opportunities in EMS

Additional Details: Contact Baskerville Funeral Home at (252) 430-6824 for more information

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TownTalk: Vance County Commissioners, Planning, Environmental Committees Will Meet Aug. 10 To Discuss Possibility Of Moratorium On Data Centers

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners Chair Carolyn Faines has called for a planning and environmental committee meeting on Monday, Aug. 10 to discuss requirements for a moratorium as part of the ongoing debate about the possibility of a proposed data center on a parcel of land recently rezoned along Hwy. 158 Business.

Commissioner Leo Kelly said he had planned to enter a motion at Monday’s regular monthly meeting calling for a moratorium, but was informed that it would not comply with North Carolina General Statutes.

Kelly recalled last week’s town hall community forum at Bearpond Fire Department, during which he spoke briefly about his opinions surrounding the idea of a data center locating in Vance County. “I was for slowing the process down,” Kelly said following the public comment portion of Monday’s meeting, during which more than a half dozen people signed up to speak – most in opposition to data centers coming to Vance County.

Kelly said the upcoming meeting will be a step toward considering the issues and concerns raised by community members and to see what next steps should be taken.

“I hope that we can reach a decision that will benefit us all,” he said.

Find the reference to the state law at https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_160D/GS_160D-107.pdf

The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room, 122 Young St. and will be streamed on the county’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUMNYAAhyvKx5leijt5iK6Q

 

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