Tag Archive for: #towntalk

TownTalk: Vance County Detention Center

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A detainee at the Vance County Detention Center was injured Monday afternoon in a failed escape attempt. Two other detainees were on the run for close to a week before being recaptured on June 9 in the Asheville area.

The Vance County jail is under state sanctions that, among other things, limit the number of individuals that can be housed there. Adequate staffing remains a concern for Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame, who is responsible for employees at the detention center.

Although the county oversees maintenance of the jail, it’s the sheriff who has complete authority over everything else, County Manager Renee Perry said.

Brame said the jail is housing up to 90 detainees at present. In April, state inspectors ordered that nearly all detainees be moved to other detention centers because of unsafe conditions and lack of adequate staffing at the Vance County facility.

The county commissioners are moving forward with construction of a new jail and simultaneously paying for upgrades to the existing facility.

The new detention facility has a price tag of roughly $71.2 million and is expected to take a minimum of two years to complete. Perry noted that the county currently is in the land acquisition phase; no location has been settled on yet.

The repairs and renovations to the existing jail are expected to be completed by November 2026, said Perry.

She also included a $3.34 million detention center capital reserve in the FY 2026-27 budget adopted by the commissioners earlier this month.

TownTalk: Henderson Music & Arts Festival Recap

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Bridger Stewardson is one cool dude.

The 19-year-old just pulled off the first Henderson Music & Arts Festival in his hometown, which, from all accounts, was a great success. Hundreds of people came out to check out the lineup, which included local bands as well as other musicians and vocalists from Durham and Boston, MA.

Stewardson, who just completed his freshman at the renown Berklee School of Music in Boston, is an accomplished jazz pianist. The 2025 Vance Charter School graduate told WIZS in an earlier interview that the festival is a way for him to give back to his hometown.

He mentioned a couple of takeaways from having the first year under his belt.

One, “That I’m going to do it again next year, for sure, and every year after, hopefully,” Stewardson said on Monday’s TownTalk.

Second takeaway – he’s going to hire some more help.

He got to the site about 8:30 in the morning on Sunday, June 14 and was still there finishing up at 10 that night. In addition to setting up and making sure everything was ready for the performances, Stewardson was a great festival greeter and ambassador. And that was all before he took the stage.

“It was just great to see so many people show up,” he said. “Five, six hundred people, in and out all day…everybody smiling the whole time, dancing. It was a good day.”

People from all different ethnicities, backgrounds and ages made up the crowd, which Stewardson attributes to the music.

“It was the music that worked all that other stuff in,” he said.

Listening to live music creates a special feeling among concertgoers. “You feel like you’re almost part of it, of the moving organism that the event is based around,” he noted.

Jimmy and the Sound Barriers kicked things off, and the Westbrooks provided the intro to Bridger & Friends, which was the final group to take the stage.

“All of the groups were stellar. I couldn’t have asked for a better turnout for the music,” he said.

As he thinks about next year’s festival, Stewardson said he may consider moving the date up just a bit to avoid the heat – it was in the upper 80’s on festival day before a quick shower cooled things off a bit.

There were tents and misting fans which helped, and the breeze was “super nice” under the tents to help keep folks comfortable.

“Everybody I talked to had a great time,” Stewardson said. It was just a happy time, he said, adding that he loved seeing folks out dancing in front of the stage, smiling and talking to old friends and meeting new ones.

Bridger & Friends will be playing from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 25 at Tobacco Wood Brewing Co. in Oxford for the final installment of Quittin’ Time.

Then he’ll be headed off to NYC to hang out with the Parliament Funkadelic guys and the bassist for the Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Company.

All this before beginning his sophomore year.

Yep, Bridger Stewardson is one cool dude.

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TownTalk: Mental Health Resources Available To Farmers/Public

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Even under optimal conditions, farmers face daily challenges – mending fences, managing livestock, keeping gardens picked, maintaining tractors and equipment – and that’s just for starters.

But factor in extreme circumstances like persistent drought and higher-than-normal temps, and the additional stress can compound an already stressful lifestyle that can have serious implications on their mental health.

Vance County Cooperative Extension Agent Michael Ellington and Granville Vance Public Health clinical social worker Mary Constantino shared some sobering information about national suicide rates among farmers and what family members can do if they see concerning behaviors in their loved ones.

Ellington said it’s important to be aware of how stress impacts us – farmers and others, alike. It’s all about knowing what we can do and focusing on what we can control, he said on a recent TownTalk.

Constantino, GVPH Human Services Clinical Counselor Specialist, said the national data around suicide is about 14.4 deaths per 100,000. In North Carolina, that average is 14.1. But farmers, she said, have a higher rate per 100,000 than the average population – as much as 2 to 4 times the national average.

Ellington said he’s heard different people expressing feelings of desperation, that they can see no way forward, no way out.

“This is a problem happening right now,” Ellington said, “your family, your neighbors. It’s here.”

He wants to send the message that provides a lifeline to those in distress. “Whatever problems you’re facing,” there is a way out, a way forward.

“It’s really hard to talk about feelings and things that are stressful,” Constantino said.

When things aren’t going well, it’s human nature to blame ourselves, and she said it’s also natural to think that we should be able to handle the stressful situations without help.

It may be useful to change perspective from “I should be able to handle these feelings myself” to “gosh, maybe I do need some help trying to process through some of this,” she said.

Ellington said often, a farmer’s support system includes the very ones who are dependent on him or her.

“They probably are the folks they’re worried about letting down the most,” he said.

Constantino suggests having a daily “process check” when stress levels are high. The stress is acknowledged – now what to do about it?

Sometimes, it’s helpful to just ‘vent’ to someone. That can be enough, but not always. And it’s important to know what steps to take when venting hasn’t helped.

Ellington says there’s a difference between venting and problem-solving.

“Farmers are natural problem solvers,” he said.

“Venting is when we just need to put something out there, knowing that we can’t fix it.”

The weather. The drought. That tractor part that won’t be in stock for two weeks.

Sleeping more, drinking alcohol to excess, not wanting to socialize or even get out of the bed may be signs that there’s more going on than just reacting to normal stress.

GVPH has a variety of programs that address mental health and positive outcomes, Constantino said. Crisis lines in Vance and Granville counties can provide referrals to callers who reach out about services.

Of course, if you are fearful for the safety of your loved one, you can always call the national 988 suicide hotline.

“The best place to start is to say ‘Hey, we care about you,’” Constantino said.

GVPH can help manage medications and oversee people who need mental health support. In Granville County, there are therapists who go into schools; in Vance County, it’s mostly group-focused programs.

Clinicians all operate a little bit differently, Constantino explained, but clients often find relief when what they need is support and encouragement and strategic questions about how to move forward.

Call GVPH at 919.693.2141 or visit https://gvph.org/ webs to learn more.

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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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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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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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TownTalk: Henderson City Council Emergency Meeting Wednesday Regarding City Manager

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Editor’s Note: “The City of Henderson and The City Council and Staff” TownTalk broadcast was added June 11 just below. Click Play to listen. The written report of the City’s emergency meeting follows the audio and was posted June 10, 2026.

When the Henderson City Council met Wednesday to hold an emergency meeting, it took formal action regarding the city manager’s employment, and that action came in three parts based ultimately on three separate motions made by Mayor Pro Tem Tami Walker.

The employment contract for City Manager Paylor Spruill was terminated. Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department Director Kendrick Vann, who has been an assistant to the city manager, was made interim city manager until the city can find a permanent manager. The assistant to the city manager position that Vann had been occupying was eliminated.

With all eight members of the City Council present, the board took action to, as City Attorney Dan Hertzog put it, memorialize the action which stemmed from Monday night’s closed session.

In the matter of ending Spruill’s contract, the council voted 4 to 4, with the tie broken by Mayor Melissa Elliott to end the contract. Similarly, the council voted 4 to 4 to appoint Vann as the interim manager, with Mayor Elliott casting the tie breaking vote in favor of Vann holding the position. As to the matter of Vann’s previous position of assistant to the city manager, the vote was unanimous to eliminate the position.

Overall, the proceedings were necessarily formal to protect the release of any personnel information. It also became necessary for the council to go into a closed session for about 20 minutes.

The net result of the meeting is virtually the same as what members of the community have been talking about for several days.

Voting for Walker’s motion to end Spruill’s contract, which was seconded by Geraldine Champion, were Champion, Michael Venable, Catherine Gill and Walker. Voting against the motion to end Spruill’s contract were Sam Seifert, Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, Lamont Noel and Garry Daeke.

Voting for Walker’s motion to appoint Vann as interim manager until a permanent manager is selected, which was seconded by Venable, included Champion, Venable, Gill and Walker. Voting against the motion to appoint Vann as interim manager were Gomez-Jimenez, Noel, Seifert and Daeke.

To open the proceedings, Hertzog said, “So at the last meeting we had a closed session discussion, which I cannot reveal the closed session discussion, but pursuant to general statute … any final action on a personnel matter needs to be taken in open session.

“So we will need to vote consistent … with the board’s discussion on Monday night. That needs to be memorialized in a vote in open session. So that’s why we’re here today.”

The council went through the necessary steps to get its wording right and to hear and vote on the correct motions to accomplish the task at hand, which at one point included withdrawing a single, initial motion and breaking it into three parts so the result was clean and clear.

Click Play if you would like to hear more WIZS Radio coverage of the City Council and the budget from before the meeting.

TownTalk: Juneteenth Festival Coming to Downtown Henderson

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Who: Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks

What: Juneteenth Festival

When: Saturday, June 13, 2026

Where: Vance County Courthouse Square from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and the fireworks show at dusk at Fox Pond Park

Additional Details: The festival is the 6th annual event here. It includes music, food trucks, vendors, bingo, games for kids, a raffle and live performances downtown. And for the fireworks show at Fox Pond, there is a shuttle starting at 7 p.m.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 – June 19, 1865 – when Union troops reached Galveston, TX and announced the news to the last enslaved people in the country.

The Civil War had ended, the Emancipation Proclamation issued and Union troops traveled widely throughout the Confederacy spreading the word that slavery was over and enslaved people were free.

But that news didn’t make it to Texas until June 19, 1865 – hence the name Juneteenth.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.

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