Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

‘Stomp The Stigma 5K Run/Walk May 31 At Maria Parham Franklin

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Step out and step up to support National Mental Health Awareness Month at Maria Parham Franklin’s “Stomp the Stigma” 5K run and walk on Saturday, May 31 in Louisburg.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. at the Maria Parham Franklin campus, 100 Hospital Dr. in Louisburg. There are three events for participants:  the 5K run/walk begins at 9 a.m.; the 1-mile family fun run/walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and the Kids’ Dash is at 10 a.m.

Maria Parham Franklin and the MPF Behavioral Health team are hosting the run/walk to raise awareness around mental health, reduce stigma and foster support for the needs of the local community.

Emilee Johnson, Maria Parham’s vice president of Operations, said this inaugural event is a great way to combine a fun activity with raising awareness to reduce the stigma that often surrounds mental health issues.

“Exercise helps a great deal with mental well-being,” Johnson said, so blending education and awareness with an event that provides physical activity just makes sense.

Vendors who provide education and treatment services will be on hand to share information about different types of mental illness and available resources for individuals.

The proceeds for the run/walk will be used to provide help to those in the four-county area, said Ashley Jarema, MPF coordinator for Marketing & Communications.

All dollars raised will go to First In Families, a local nonprofit that offers services and more to clients in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. Whether the money is used for actual care or to help individuals get access to the care they need, the funds are meant to stay in the local area.

 

“We want to normalize seeking help when needed,” Jarema said, adding that oftentimes, people struggle silently. “We want to make everyone aware that it’s OK to seek help.”

If you want to make sure you get a t-shirt and a swag bag, you should register no later than Friday, May 16. It’s fine to register later – or even the morning of, too.

Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Louisburg/StompTheStigmaK 

 

The top three male finishers and the top three female finishers will receive prizes, and the first 100 finishers will get medals.

There are surely folks who will want to get to the finish line first, but Jarema said “You don’t have to be a runner, you don’t even have to be a walker” to come out and help. There’s a spot to sign up to be a volunteer on the registration page.

 

Johnson said the message to the community is simple: “You are not alone. We are here with you. We all fight the battle together.”

Troxler Encourages Horse Owners To Vaccinate Equines Against Mosquito-Borne Disease

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–information courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Agriculture

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging equine owners to have their animals vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus. 

 

“Mosquito-breeding season in North Carolina lasts from spring until the first frost and horses are at risk if not properly vaccinated,” Troxler said. “EEE is fatal 90 percent of the time in horses and WNV has a fatality rate of 30 percent. However, both diseases are preventable by vaccination.” 

 

So far this year we have had no cases of EEE or WNV, but last year there were five cases of EEE and two cases of West Nile Virus, Troxler added. 

 

State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin recommends that equine owners talk to their veterinarians about an effective vaccination protocol to protect horses from mosquito-borne diseases. The combination vaccination initially requires multiple injections for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. 

 

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans, and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

 

Symptoms of EEE include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for symptoms to appear. 

Symptoms of WNV include fever, weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, impaired vision, head pressing, seizures and aimless wandering.  

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying these diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit these viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact. 

 

Equine care also includes keeping up to date on equine infectious anemia (EIA) testing, commonly referred to as the Coggins test. “It’s also a great time to make sure your animal is current on its rabies vaccination,” Troxler said. “We have had a positive case of rabies in livestock already this year. All livestock are naturally curious animals, which puts them at risk for a bite if a rabid animal gets through their fence line.” 

H-V Industrial Park Board Votes Unanimously To Sell Shell Building For $3M

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The Henderson-Vance Industrial Park Board approved Wednesday afternoon to sell the shell building and 10 acres of property in the park to Linde Gas & Equipment, Inc., a leading global industrial gases and engineering company.

County Attorney Jonathan Care said this deal is better by about $300,000 than previous deals to purchase the building. Two other companies had expressed interest in the building, but both deals fell through.

Board President Tommy Hester called the meeting for 4 p.m. Wednesday, after getting the go-ahead from commissioners to sell for $135,000 three acres of land in the park to Linde in addition to the building and the seven acres it sits on. The industrial park board owns the building and the seven acres, located at 39 Commerce Dr. inside the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park near the U.S. 1 Bypass.

It took less than 10 minutes for the board to reach a unanimous vote in favor of the sale, which will total $3,135,000. Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott made the motion, seconded by Vance County Commissioner Leo Kelly and the motion passed unanimously. Hester and Henderson Mayor Pro Tem Michael Venable, along with Elliott and Kelly, comprise the board.

Hester called it “one of the best deals ever for this community.” The company has said the plan is to finish out the building with a $25 million investment and initially hire about 30 employees before ramping up to 50 or 60 soon thereafter.

Hester told WIZS News that he had gotten endorsements from N.C. Sen. Lisa Barnes and N.C. Rep. Matthew Winslow, who fully support the project.

“We don’t need to miss this,” Hester said. And with endorsements from local legislators, Hester said it helps attract more projects to the county in the future.

The sale of the shell building and adjacent property is a win all the way around, Hester said – for the county, the city and for economic development.

One of the drawing cards to Vance County for Linde, Hester said, is the area’s commitment to invest in the community. “If you build it, they’ll come,” Hester said at the outset of the Wednesday meeting.

Linde is willing to put down $60,000 in earnest money, complete a 90-day due diligence process, with the possibility of an extra 30 days if needed. After the due diligence is completed, they’ll be able to close within 15 days.

The company did ask the county and the industrial park board to consider future zoning to ensure that any future “neighbors” would not be inconsistent with itsoperation.

The county will provide any environmental studies that are available, and the park board will pay 3 percent to the buying agent at closing.

As Hester explained, Linde will buy the building and seven acres for $3 million, then invest $25 million to finish it out. The average worker’s salary is about $60,000, so it will help Vance County’s status as a Tier 1 county. He said company officials have already stated they want to eventually expand the building from the current 57,000 square feet to 97,000 square feet.

Expanding the tax base, hiring workers and putting the shell building back on the tax books all spell progress and growth, Hester said.

And although city leaders at the time chose not to share the costs for constructing the shell building, the city will get the benefit of having the new occupant pay for water and sewer, which the city furnishes.

According to Hester, Linde’s home office is in New Jersey. This facility will be used to create a high-pressure and liquid filling facility for industrial, specialty and medical gases to serve the Research Triangle Park, as well as other markets in North Carolina and Virginia.

“They don’t have anything else on the East Coast for manufacturing,” he said.

They’re going to pay cash, and there are no incentives offered to locate here, Hester said.

Care said Linde is looking to expand and grow. “This was the property that they concentrated on,” he said, adding that the prospective buyer has done everything that they said they were going to do during the process.

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‘Stomp The Stigma’ Events At Maria Parham Franklin On May 31 To Promote Mental Health Awareness

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— information courtesy of Donna Young, Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer

Step out and step up to support National Mental Health Awareness Month at ‘sMaria Parham Franklin’s “Stomp the Stigma” 5K run and walk on Saturday, May 31 in Louisburg.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. at the Maria Parham Franklin campus, 100 Hospital Dr. in Louisburg. There are three events for participants:  the 5K run/walk begins at 9 a.m.; the 1-mile family fun run/walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and the Kids’ Dash is at 10 a.m.

Maria Parham Franklin and the MPF Behavioral Health team are coming together to raise awareness around mental health, reduce stigma and foster support for the needs of the local community.

Join others from across the community for a day of events designed to “Stomp the Stigma” surrounding mental health and encourage individuals to seek help when needed.

5K Run/Walk – Starting at 9:00 a.m., this race will begin and end at Maria Parham Franklin and wind through downtown Louisburg. The 5K is open to all participants, regardless of skill level, and encourages people to move at their own pace in support of mental health awareness.

1-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk – Kicking off at 9:30 a.m., this event is perfect for families and participants of all ages. It will be a relaxed and enjoyable run/walk, emphasizing fun and inclusivity while supporting the cause.

Kids’ Dash – Beginning at 10:00 a.m., this race is designed just for the kids and will take place entirely on the hospital grounds. It’s a short, fun, and active event that allows children to get involved in raising awareness about mental health.

Event Details:

T-shirts and Swag Bags: Every registered participant will receive an event t-shirt and a swag bag filled with surprises. Be sure to register at least two weeks prior to the event to be guaranteed a t-shirt and swag bag.

Awards & Prizes: Medals will be awarded to the top 3 male and top 3 female finishers of the 5K, and medals will also be presented to the first 100 participants who finish the race.

Registration: Participants can sign up for any of the events https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Louisburg/StompTheStigmaK 

“We are excited to host these events as part of our ongoing commitment to raising awareness about mental health and encouraging people to prioritize their well-being,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “Stigma around mental health can prevent people from seeking the help they need, and our goal is to help change that through these fun and meaningful events.”
The Stomp the Stigma event aims to bring the community together in a positive and supportive way while making it clear that seeking help for mental health is not only acceptable, but encouraged.
Maria Parham Franklin encourages everyone to get involved, whether by participating in one of the events, volunteering, or simply showing support for this important cause. Together, we can work to end the stigma surrounding mental health and help normalize seeking the help and support that everyone deserves.

15th Annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament May 22 At Kerr Lake Country Club

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The Kiwanis Club of Henderson, in partnership with local community sponsors, is hosting its 15th Annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 22, at Kerr Lake Country Club.

Register now to take part in this fundraiser to serve and support the children of Vance County.

The tournament will follow a Captain’s Choice (Superball) format, with four-person teams and a shotgun start at 12 noon. Check-in and lunch will be available between 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.

Registration is open to both full teams and individual players, according to information from Jesus Peralta, with entry fees set at $240 per team or $60 per individual. Fees include green fees, cart rental and lunch.

“Every dollar raised from this tournament goes right back into programs that benefit kids in our community,” said Danny Wilkerson, tournament coordinator and Kiwanis president. “It’s a fun and meaningful way for golfers of all levels to come together and make a difference.”

First-place team takes home a $400 prize and second-place team gets $300. There also are door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and hole-in-one prizes – including a new automobile.

Registrations are due by Monday, May 19. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.

For entry forms or more information, contact Danny Wilkerson at (252) 430-4304 or Jesus Peralta at (202) 669-0350.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Accepting Applications For $25K Grant

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— information courtesy of Duke Energy

Duke Energy Foundation is accepting grant applications from eligible organizations for a $25,000 grant. Successful applications will describe the local environmental impact program and how the organization will use the funds.

Applications are being accepted until Monday, June 30, at 5 p.m.

Examples of potential proposals include:

  • Projects strengthening thriving natural environments, including access to green space, in historically underserved communities.
  • Resiliency projects that prepare communities for and mitigate against the effects of climate change.
  • Environmental projects supporting land conservation; clean water; and biodiversity of plant and animal species.

Qualifications

To qualify for grant funding consideration, your organization must meet the following criteria:

  • Have current, tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
  • Serve communities that are also served by Duke Energy.
  • Serve communities without discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, creed, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation or national origin.
  • Have a method by which to measure, track and report one or more program outcomes and specific results that demonstrate measurable community impact.

Visit https://foundation.duke-energy.com/ for details.

Vance County Schools Celebrates Top Ten Percent In 2025 Graduating Class

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Vance County Schools honored students in the Top 10 Percent of the Class of 2025 Thursday during its Evening of Academic Excellence at the Atrium on the campus of the Center for Innovation.

The Vance County High School Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Korwind Stokes, delivered a moving performance, setting the tone for an evening of celebration and accomplishment.

Thirty-two students were recognized for their achievement – 25 from Vance County High School, 5 from Early College and 1 each from AdVance Academy and Vance Virtual Village Academy.

The night spoke volumes about the determination of these students and their commitment to reaching their goals, even in the face of challenges. To celebrate their success, the senior scholars received a medallion to wear with their graduation attire, a symbol of their outstanding academic achievement.

View photos of the evening on the Vance County Schools Facebook page.

The following students were recognized for their hard work, dedication and outstanding academic performance:

Vance County High School

  • Jessica Hernandez-Sanchez
  • Lia Machado
  • Lucie Lecomte
  • Antoine Doyle
  • Nadirah Martin-Watson
  • Courtney Harp
  • K’Naya Williams
  • Dicenia Nuci
  • Adreayna Vaughan
  • Fernanda Minero Mancera
  • Daniela Hernandez
  • Jaylen Hargrove
  • Ty’Liik Henderson
  • Saydeline Barron Mejia
  • Maurice Jackson
  • Jontavious Nile
  • Nahum Perez
  • Kira Alston
  • La’Nika Watkins
  • Lee Kinney
  • Ronasia Kearney
  • Royer Orozco Orozco
  • Aubryella Ramirez
  • Xya’Riah Best
  • Clarence Debnam

AdVance Academy

Danielle Wilson

Vance County Early College

  • Ivy Huynh
  • Jiya Davis
  • Christina Dobbs
  • Launtica Brown
  • Edgar Duran Ortiz

 

Vance Virtual Village Academy

 

Fatima Ramirez Ramirez

 

Man Charged In Connection With April 18 Best Bet Break-In

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From Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On April 18, 2025 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Best Bet Gas Station located at 4765 NC Hwy 39 South, Henderson, North Carolina 27537 in reference to an alarm. Deputies arrived on scene to find the front glass door was shattered. Deputies entered the store, but the suspect had left prior to their arrival. The incident was turned over to the Vance County Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation.

Kenneth Gray was identified and charged for the incident. Gray was charged and later apprehended for Felony Breaking and/or Entering, Felony Larceny, Misdemeanor Breaking Coin/Currency Machine, and Misdemeanor Injury to Real Property. Gray was given a $75,000.00 secured bond and placed in the Vance County Detention Center.

Free Community Forum Monday, May 5 Features Panel Discussions About Educational And Legal Rights

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Jayden Watkins, teen minister and founder of the local nonprofit Higher is Waiting is hosting a free community forum on Monday, May 5 to share information with young people and their families about their educational and legal rights.

The forum is called “EMPOWER Youself!” and will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Perry Memorial Library. Watkins said it is designed to educate and equip youth, parents and community members with the knowledge of their rights in educational and legal settings.

“I’d love to see the room packed with youth, parents and community members,” Watkins said.

Watkins will serve as moderator as the forum presents two interactive panel discussions – one with local law enforcement and court officials who will provide insight into how the justice system works and the rights of individuals when interacting with law enforcement, and the other with experienced educators who will speak on student rights in school, classroom discipline and parent advocacy.

The goal is to create a safe, informative space where attendees can ask questions, gain understanding and leave feeling more confident, empowered and prepared to navigate real-life situations, Watkins stated.

Refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome.

Scheduled panelists include: Sgt. Brandon Barnes, Capt. Lloyd Watkins, Sr., Deputy Kendrick Wilkins, Magistrate Bratanya Simmons, Rita Jones, Dean Smith, Kendrick Vann and Earlene Bullock.

N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn Says House Bill 74 Would Drain $10 Million From Regional Water System Expansion Project

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UPDATE THURS, MAY 1 AT 4:15 P.M. –

House Bill 74, now through the third reading in the N.C. Senate, is one step closer to being passed into law. Wording in the bill calls for $10 million appropriated for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System in expansion project to be reappropriated to fund other projects in the state.

District 32 N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn told WIZS News that he was made aware on Mar. 4 “that language had been added” to House Bill 74 about the proposed reappropriation, in essence pulling funds that had been appropriated in October 2023 to the city of Oxford to help with the water plant expansion project.

Cohn said he contacted stakeholders of the regional water system to form a plan, and turned his attention to the bill’s sponsors. “They were unwilling to accept any amendments or remove the language,” Cohn said Thursday morning.

“There was no way for us to stop it,” he said, calling the maneuver a ‘predetermined outcome.’

“I’ve got the governor involved, I’ve got (U.S. Congressman) Don Davis involved,” Cohn said.

Cohn, a former Oxford town commissioner, was elected in November 2024 to represent N.C. House District 32, which includes most of Vance County and all of Granville County.

 

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TOWNTALK AUDIO UPDATE THURS, MAY 1 AT 11:00 A.M.

CLICK PLAY! — Updated by John Rose

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UPDATE WED, APR 30 AT 5:45 P.M. –

N.C. House Bill 74 covered below and involving the $10 million appropriation for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System plant expansion project, passed its second reading in the Senate this afternoon, but there will be no third reading today. House District 32 Representative Bryan Cohn told WIZS News, “It will need a third reading in the Senate before it can come back to the House.” If adopted by a final House vote, then it would go to the Governor.  The Governor may sign it, veto it or let it sit for 10 days. If it sits on the Governor’s desk for 10 days, it becomes law. — Updated by John Rose

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UPDATE TUES, APR 29 AT 5:54 P.M. –

N.C. State Rep. Bryan Cohn has called a decision by the North Carolina Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee to advance House Bill 74 House Budget Technical Corrections an “egregious misuse of power.”

Cohn, who represents District 32 and serves most of Vance and Granville counties, stated in a press release issued late Tuesday afternoon that House Bill 74 “unjustly removes $10 million in previously awarded state funding for the expansion and modernization of the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant. Despite compelling evidence of severe harm presented during committee testimony, Republican leadership chose to advance the bill, effectively redistributing resources from predominantly African-American communities to wealthier, predominantly white areas of the state.”

The Kerr Lake Regional Water System serves the City of Oxford, the City of Henderson, all of Warren County, as well as numerous surrounding communities. Cohn said the project expansion is underway, with contracts signed, construction begun and local governments committing matching funds based on the state’s commitment it made in 2023.

“Without these funds, the project will face delays and halts in construction, and ratepayers will be levied with an unfair burden to cover costs the state had already committed to fulfilling,” Cohn’s statement continued.

Henderson City Manager/Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry told WIZS News Tuesday afternoon that Mayor Melissa Elliott was in Raleigh today and has been in touch with Cohn, but didn’t elaborate. “The KLRWS has a lawyer and lobbyist that we probably should consult with before much of this can be answered,” Kingsberry said. “Also, the City of Oxford shares our same position.”

Of the $10 million allocated to the city of Oxford, $3 million will now be diverted to the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority and another $3 million will be allocated to Franklin County for an infrastructure project. The remaining $4 million goes to two other counties outside the WIZS coverage area.

“This action by the Senate is not a technical correction—it’s outright theft and political retribution,” said Rep. Cohn. “Stripping critical funds already promised and invested sends a clear, disturbing message: partisan politics comes before the well-being and basic needs of thousands of North Carolinians.”

“Make no mistake—this decision endangers the health, economic stability, and future development of communities that Republicans in Raleigh have repeatedly ignored,” Cohn added. “We cannot allow this egregious misuse of power to go unchallenged.”

Cohn called on legislators across party lines to reverse this damaging decision and protect critical infrastructure investments that support all North Carolinians, regardless of race, income, or political affiliation.

“We demand better,” concluded Rep. Cohn. “The residents of Oxford, Henderson, and Warren County deserve reliable partners in Raleigh, not political adversaries who treat their futures as expendable.”

(Original news post at 5:54 p.m. on Tues, Apr 29 by Laura Gabel)