Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Vance County Included In Latest Statewide Round Of Broadband Project

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Vance County is among 17 counties that will benefit from a statewide initiative to increase broadband internet to rural communities.

Connect Holding II will receive about $41 million to provide high-speed internet access to 1,327 homes and businesses in Vance County, according to information Gov. Josh Stein’s office. That’s just over half of the county’s eligible locations, the April 15 press release noted.

“For rural communities like ours, access to high-speed internet is critical for economic development, telehealth and remote education opportunities,” N.C. District 32 Rep. Bryan Cohn said in a written statement in response to the announcement. “I am excited to see continued investments and appreciate this award from NCDIT. This will lead to better jobs, better education and better outcomes for our residents.”

“Connecting North Carolinians online helps strengthen our state,” Stein said. “Broadband plays a crucial role in our development, and I look forward to seeing how these funds expand economic opportunities for people in every corner of North Carolina.”

NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione said the grants will fund projects that provide critical internet access to people in communities across the state.

“Internet access is a necessity in today’s world…We will continue to partner with counties and internet service providers to make more awards this month as we work to expand high-speed internet to every North Carolinian.”

The projects will be funded by more than $29 million from the federal American Rescue Plan awarded by NCDIT and nearly $12.5 million from selected broadband providers.

NCDIT partners with counties and internet providers to identify areas that need access partnership between counties and NCDIT to identify areas that need access, and then awardees must agree to provide high-speed service that reliably meets or exceeds speeds of 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload.

This most recent wave of grant funding adds to the more than $547 million in Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology grants and previous projects that will connect more than 200,000 North Carolina households and businesses to high-speed internet.

Marvin Harrison Named Vance County Fire Department Chief

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Vance County has named Marvin Harrison as chief of the Vance County Fire Department.

Harrison begins the new job on Monday, April 21, according to information from County Manager C. Renee Perry.

With more than 14 years in the fire service, Harrison brings experience in leadership roles as well as operational expertise along with a deep commitment to public safety.

His previous department is accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and Harrison served in key leadership roles, including interim Division Chief of Budget and Logistics and Battalion Chief. His experience in a CFAI-accredited organization has given him firsthand expertise in high-level operations, strategic planning, and fiscal responsibility.

“I am honored to lead the Vance County Fire Department and to serve the residents of this great community,” Harrison said in a press statement. “My experience in an internationally accredited department has prepared me to guide this organization forward with a focus on professionalism, operational excellence, and community trust. I look forward to building upon the strong foundation already in place.”

Chief Harrison has outlined a forward-thinking leadership agenda that includes strengthening recruitment and retention, expanding diversity within the department, and prioritizing professional development for all personnel.  He also emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with the community and ensuring firefighters are supported with the tools, training, and leadership necessary to succeed.

“This is a historic moment for Vance County. Chief Harrison brings an exceptional blend of experience, education, and vision that aligns perfectly with our goals for the future of public safety. His leadership in an internationally accredited department and his passion for service make him the right person to move our fire department forward. We are excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our community,” Perry said.

A native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Harrison holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Fayetteville State University. He also earned an associate’s degree in emergency management from Nash Community College and an associate’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix.

NC Taxpayers Have Until May 1 To File Taxes

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Taxpayers in North Carolina have a slight reprieve this year – the deadline to file state and federal taxes has been extended to May 1, giving individuals and businesses an extra couple of weeks to file.

Because of the devastation created by Hurricane Helen and Tropical Storm Debby last year, the Internal Revenue Service extended the deadline to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

Following the disaster declaration issued by FEMA, individuals and households that reside or have a business in the entire state qualify for tax relief.

Affected taxpayers with returns and payments with due dates postponed until Feb. 3, 2025, due to Tropical Storm Debby in North Carolina (NC-2024-07) will also now have until May 1, 2025, to file and/or pay.

The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after Sept. 25, 2024, and before May 1, 2025, are granted additional time to file through May 1, 2025. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until May 1, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

The May 1, 2025, filing deadline applies to:

  • Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2023 return due to run out on Oct. 15, 2024. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2023 returns were due on April 15, 2024, those payments are not eligible for this relief.
  • Calendar-year corporations whose 2023 extensions run out on Oct. 15, 2024.

The May 1, 2025, deadline also applies to any payment normally due during this period, including the quarterly estimated tax payments due on Jan. 15 and April 15, 2025. The May 1, 2025, deadline also applies to the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2024, and Jan. 31, and April 30, 2025. In addition, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Sept. 25, 2024, and before Oct. 10, 2024, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by Oct. 10, 2024.

If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. But affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area should call the IRS disaster hotline at 866.562.5227 to request this tax relief. Tax preparers located in the disaster area with clients located outside the disaster area can choose to use the Bulk requests from practitioners for disaster relief option, described on www.IRS.gov.

 

TownTalk: 3rd Annual Community Resource Festival Coming Up on April 16th

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Organizers of the 3rd annual Community Resource Festival are proof of just what can be accomplished when folks and organizations come together for a common goal.

More than 100 vendors have signed up to participate in the event, which will take place Wednesday, April 16 at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited to stop in to learn more about the businesses, programs, local agencies, nonprofits and more that are located in Vance and Granville counties.

In addition to helpful information, there will be food trucks, giveaways and plenty of time for networking.

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson summed it up this way: Community means together, resources are assets and festival means fun.

Wilkerson joined collaborators Jennifer Cufalo, with the Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Michele Walker, with Huff Consulting, LLC on TownTalk to discuss the event’s origin – and the possibilities it holds for the entire community.

“There’s nothing that makes me happier than collaboration,” Wilkerson said.

And the Community Resource Festival all about collaboration, Walker said. “It’s grown to huge heights,” she said of the festival, which began as an idea simply to gather nonprofit organizations from across the two counties.

As Wilkerson explained, once Walker brought the idea to the Chambers, the idea grew to include businesses and other service-related organizations. Stay tuned, Walker said, because KARTS is working to designate “hotspots” to pick up individuals and transport them to and from the festival. She’ll share more information as it develops.

The local Chamber has been fielding calls about how to participate in the festival, some from people familiar to the Chamber and some she doesn’t know.

“I’m excited to meet them (and) talk to them about what they’re working on,” she said. Part of the mission of the resource festival is to show the community just how much the two counties have to offer – it’s just a matter of knowing the resources exist.

“This festival is just a great way to bring programs and services under one roof,” Cufalo said. Through networking, small businesses nonprofits can join forces with one another to extend their reach into the community. “Not everybody has the same supporters or collaborators,” she said. “That little bit of knowledge you have and be huge for somebody else” to learn.

The Community Resource Festival has looked a little bit different each year, but the common thread she recognizes is the level of communication and sharing of information among businesses and to the public.

“One thing that we have to do – make sure we’re talking to one another. We have to communicate,” Walker said. And who says you can’t do that AND enjoy each other’s company at the same time?

To learn more, visit

https://business.hendersonvance.org/events/details/community-resource-festival-2191

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Chamber Honors Jim Johnson, Vance Recovery At Annual Banquet

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Each year the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Banquet serves the dual roles of bringing the membership base together as well as recognizing the outstanding contributions of a local citizen and a local business.

At Thursday evening’s event, attended by about 300 people in the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center, Jim Johnson was honored as the 2024 Citizen of the Year.

As outgoing Chamber Board President Margier White shared details about the as-yet-unnamed recipient, several generations of Johnson’s family – children, grandchildren and great-grands – filed into the Civic Center and gathered along one side.

White called Johnson a “true pillar in our community,” adding that he came to Henderson in 1977 and began a 30-year career in the manufactured housing industry. In the 1990’s, Henderson was home to one of only three manufactured housing operations in the state.

Johnson was a member of the U.S. Air Force and is a decorated Vietnam veteran.

He is a graduate of East Carolina University.

Johnson has filled many roles in Hermon Methodist Church over the years and is a long-time member of the local Kiwanis club. He was Kiwanian of the Year in 2005 and has participated in all their fundraisers over the years – golf tournaments and azalea sales, among others.

He served on the board of Maria Parham Health from 1996 to 2004 and then from 2005 to 2022. He was chairman from 2011 to 2022.

His is a life “that embodies the very spirit of engagement,” White said.

His focus on family, faith and community are the key components that make Johnson such a standout.

In brief remarks following the presentation, Johnson apologized for being a little teary-eyed as he thanked the Chamber for honoring him.

“I’ve got every citizen in Vance County to thank for this award,” he said.

Duke Energy was the event’s presenting sponsor. Beth Townsend, Duke Energy’s Local Government and Community Relations Manager, announced the 2024 Small Business of the Year.

In her presentation, Townsend said this year’s Small Business of the Year – Vance Recovery – provides a crucial service to the community. Vance Recovery is a Morse Clinic in Henderson, which recently expanded and moved to West Andrews Avenue to offer opioid treatment programs in Vance County. Their methadone clinic offers Medication Assisted Therapy and counseling to help people overcome addiction to heroin and other opiates.

Henderson’s clinic is the largest of the nine Morse clinics across the state. The goal is to treat the whole person with a suite of medical and counseling services for patients with substance abuse disorders.

Program Director John Mattocks accepted the award on behalf of the clinic staff and the clinic founder, Dr. Eric Morse. Mattocks said the clinic helps roughly 400 people who are struggle with opioid use disorder.

“Our patients come to us every day and expect us to care for them,” he said, adding that the staff prides itself on providing not just medical care, but compassionate treatment as they reclaim their lives. “Anyone who walks through our door is a courageous individual,” he continued.

This year’s banquet theme,“All Aboard the Chamber Express,” embraces the idea of City and County ties to the railroad – past, present and future.

“We know that Vance County really started with the train coming through,” Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson told WIZS back in January “We’re looking forward to the train coming back,” she said, referring to the proposed S-Line passenger rail project that will ultimately connect rail service between Raleigh and Richmond. Henderson and Norlina are both proposed stops on the S-Line.

With recent federal cuts, the NCDOT this week told WIZS News, “…all USDOT discretionary grants are paused per the Feb. 26 Executive Order, and we do not know when those grants will be able to move forward. …we are moving ahead with our work as planned until we are told otherwise.”

(Original Article was post by WIZS on April 3rd, 2025)

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Vance County Logo

Commissioners Give Nod To “Design/Build” Process For Jail Repairs, Renovations

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners have approved a pathway for county staff to proceed with a “design/build” process to make necessary repairs to the jail as it weighs further options for construction of a new detention center.

County Attorney Jonathan Care explained to commissioners at their Monday meeting why he recommends this “new” approach be used for the repairs and expressed the need to move quickly, based on a letter from the state citing, among other things, the poor physical condition of the jail.

Care spelled out options for the short-term repairs needed at the existing jail while pursuing design and construction options for a brand-new jail; the consensus at Monday’s meeting was to use the design/build process for the repairs. Care told commissioners staff could have everything in place by the next meeting, if not sooner, to put that plan in motion.

One of the main components of the design/build approach, he explained, has both the construction side and the design side collaborating on the project instead of hiring an architect to design and then a construction team to build.

“I think that is the absolute best way to move forward,” Care said, “and that is my recommendation to move forward with repairs to our current facility.”

The design/build approach begins with a request for qualification – an RFQ – instead of a request for proposals – an RFP, which often results in awarding projects to the company who submits the lowest bid.

He said the design/build process won’t be the cheapest way, but it should result in fewer change orders during construction and fewer issues that inevitably pop up.

With the repairs, however, “time is as much of a factor as cost is.”

A jail is not something that should be pieced out and parceled, Care said.

“We need to know, down the road, that we’re going to have a facility that isn’t such a unicorn that we’re reliant on one person” to come in and make needed repairs, he said, referencing the problem with broken doors at the jail.

“I can tell you, unfortunately, we’ve experienced some of that in our current facility with updating, remodeling and building…that isn’t working for us, and it’s costing us dearly now.”

State Gives Vance Jail April 10 Deadline To Reduce Population, Address Deficiencies

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Vance County has one more day to reduce its jail population from about 140 to 20, one of five corrective action measures issued by the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services.

In a 6-page letter addressed to County Commissioner Board Chair Carolyn Faines, County Manager C. Renee Perry, Sheriff Curtis Brame and acting jail administrator Maj. William Mitchell, DHHS Secretary Devdutta Sangvai wrote that conditions at the Vance County Detention Center “jeopardize the safe custody, safety, health, or welfare” following an inspection last month.

“I have concluded that the conditions at VCDC jeopardize the safe custody, safety, health, or welfare of the individuals incarcerated there. Based on the information set forth below and the Facility’s failure to act with a sense of urgency to implement corrective measures and substantially depopulate, I have determined that an Agreement of Correction is not appropriate, and that an Order of Corrective Action is necessary,” Sangvai wrote in the letter, dated April 1, 2025.

In addition to the jail’s depopulation, the other four corrective action measures address supervision rounds, contraband, staffing and the county’s comprehensive action plan to address deficiencies at the detention center. The county has until April 15 to submit a written plan that spells out how it will recruit additional staff as well as implementation dates for recruiting, hiring, training and retaining detention officers. April 15 also is the deadline to submit a comprehensive plan of correction for each deficiency cited in previous inspections, giving priority to repairing the video surveillance system and repair of all cell door locks.

The state of disrepair has been a topic of discussion at county commissioner meetings for quite a while, and commissioners have gone back and forth about whether to repair the existing jail or to build a new one. Recent discussions – and the dismal inspections reports – have resulted in the need to spend a significant amount of money on repairs while weighing the options about new construction – a multi-year project.

The county can appeal the decision, but County Attorney Jonathan Care said he has not yet been authorized to do so.

Although the physical condition of the jail is a major concern, the April 1 letter also cites staffing as a problem. “The Facility remains seriously understaffed,” the letter reads. “The current staff cannot adequately supervise the Facility’s current census.” Where once close to 30 officers were employed to supervise and staff the detention center, there are now only nine positions that routinely supervise the Pods, the letter stated.

Here’s a timeline of most recent inspections by the Division of Health Service Regulation:

  • July 2024 – 64 deficiencies noted, ranging from inadequate staffing and cracked security glass to damaged cell doors, pod doors and deficient supervision practices
  • December 2024 – 55 continuing deficiencies, as well as 33 new ones for a total of 88 deficiencies
  • January 23, 2025 – another inspection following report of a security breach on Jan. 1. Inspectors observed holes in cinder block walls, holes in perimeter security fencing and evidence of an undisclosed type of contraband that was brought into the jail. Numerous security cameras were out of service in three control rooms, cell and pod doors were still broken and supervision rounds weren’t being conducted.
  • February 3, 2025 – The state sent a letter to the county about “ongoing noncompliance and identified deficiencies” and informed the county of the potential safety risks to inmates and VCDC staff, ultimately requiring that the county provide “an immediate commitment to corrective action.” The letter further requested that the county send written confirmation to the state about prioritizing the issues and take the necessary action to correct them.
  • March 9, 2025 – the state received another report that detainees had used a water cooler to damage a security glass at the D Pod entrance.
  • March 12, 2025 – state conducted a follow-up inspection and learned of an assault on one staff member and dismissal of four others on allegations that they delivered contraband to detainees. The SBI had been notified of the possible criminal activity.
  • March 17, 2025 – the state sent a letter to the county requiring that the jail “take immediate action to depopulate the facility to a manageable number that staff could adequately supervise and gave the county two days – until Mar. 19 – to submit a comprehensive corrective action plan in response to the Dec. 18, 2024 inspection report.
  • March 18, 2025 – the county did submit an action plan, but the state said it failed to identify specific, actionable and achievable steps to correct all the noncompliance identified in the December 2024 report – only 4 of the 88 deficiencies were addressed.
  • March 21, 2025 – follow-up inspection showed continuing deficiencies. Only 26 of the facility’s 62 total cell doors could be securely locked and two of the Pods had no working doors. One Pod was missing a door entirely. “The lack of operable, locking cell doors seriously impacts the Facility’s function and the safety of incarcerated individuals and staff,” the April 1 letter stated.

Read the letter from the NC DHHS Secretary here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25879915-vance-county-letter-4125/

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Attend May 2 ‘Food Farmacy’ To Learn How Wellness, Food Choices Affect Health

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We’ve all heard the saying, “you are what you eat,” and we know we should make healthy food choices — at least most of the time – to be our healthiest selves. But did you know that our food choices could play a role in helping us combat chronic illnesses and reduce health disparities within the community?

Learn more about choosing healthy food options that don’t bust the budget at the upcoming 2025 Food Farmacy Market on May 2 at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

With a focus on health and wellness, the Food Farmacy will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the day before Opening Day of the farmers market.

Organizers are building on the success of a previous event, and they’re taking things to the next level to promote nutritious diets and physical fitness and address health-related challenges facing the community.

The Food Farmacy will provide access to nutritious, affordable food options while also hosting educational opportunities on making healthier food choices and lifestyle choices. Come learn about the local food system and how to come together as a community to reduce chronic illnesses and health disparities.

There’s a brief interest form in the link below for anyone who wants to be a vendor, an educator or a volunteer for this community event.

Find the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4dGKOiAOxk3nHgWsKGGTRu1NlE-GtyrMKEG1XXujRfM9qcg/viewform

Mobile Home Owners Will Pay More For Fire, Casualty Insurance Beginning Sept. 1

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The N.C. Department of Insurance has ended its legal dispute with the North Carolina Rate Bureau over a proposed rate increase for two types of insurance policies for mobile home owners.

The two policies are Mobile Home Fire and Mobile Home Casualty, and the settlement calls for a statewide average increase of 11 percent per year over the next two years for the fire policy and an average of 8 percent over the same time period for the casualty policy.

The first set of increases will take effect on new and renewed policies beginning on or after Sept. 1. The second set of increases will take effect on Aug. 31, 2026. The agreement prevents the insurance companies from seeking an increase before Sept. 1, 2027.

Although the cost will go up, the increase is much less than the proposed 82.9 percent and 49.9 percent increase in fire and casualty policies that companies asked the Rate Bureau for about one year ago, according to information from the N.C. Dept. of Insurance.

“I am happy to announce that North Carolina mobile homeowners will save more than $10 million a year in premium payments compared to what the insurance companies requested, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said. “I am also glad the Department of Insurance and insurance companies have avoided a lengthy, expensive administrative legal battle.”

The increases affect approximately 148,000 policyholders in North Carolina.

Unlike standard homeowners’ programs, both the MH-F and MH-C programs include flood coverage. The two programs are similar. However, the MH-F program provides coverage for a broader range of perils.

The agreement means a hearing on the issue scheduled for May 21 has been canceled.

Upcoming Community Resource Festival Shaping Up To Be Largest Yet

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With more than 100 vendors already registered, the Community Resource Festival 2025 is shaping up to be the largest resource gathering in two counties, and organizers are eager to provide the community with valuable information and a fun day of networking.

The third annual event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 16 at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center. In addition to VGCC, sponsors include Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Huff Consulting, LLC

Michele Walker with Huff Consulting, LLC is one of the volunteer organizers. Interest in the event has been great, she said – so much so that some vendors have been placed on a wait list. If previously registered vendors know they cannot attend, Walker asks that they contact organizers as soon as possible to allow as many vendors as possible to take part.

“Thank you so much for making it happen and breaking records, yet again!” Walker said in a written request to vendors for door prizes and other donations.

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Walker asks vendors to share on social media outlets counts as the participation/registration fee, she said. Vendors are asked to “tag” the resource partners to help get the word out to as many people as possible.

Facebook users can add “Shelli Walker” to their tags for verification as well. Walker said she will accept all “follow” requests and she will be showcasing random vendors as a way to further promote the event’s activities and participants.

“Again, we can’t thank you enough for being a part of this Community Resource Festival and we hope you all have an amazing time yourselves! Network, Network, Network!” Walker said.

This year, vendors are eligible to win door prizes, she said. Vendors who are donating prizes are asked to inform organizers no later than Monday, Apr. 7 of the type and quantity of door prizes they’ll be providing.

There will be a table by the entrance to the Civic Center to drop donated items on the day of the event. That’s also where the winners will be announced. Previous door prizes have been gift cards, gift baskets, books and donated services.

Please send the following information to michele.walker@huff-consulting.com.

  1. Item (description)
  2. Quantity
  3. Name of Organization

Please include on each item the name of the donor organization as well as accurate contact information.