Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

VCSO Maj. William Mitchell Named Director Of State Sheriffs’ Training And Standards Division At N.C. Dept. Of Justice

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N.C. State Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced Wednesday that Major William L. Mitchell will serve as the new director of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Training and Standards Division at the Department of Justice. He replaces interim Director Robin Pendergraft, who took on the role after Richard Squires retired earlier this year.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame told WIZS News Wednesday afternoon that he wishes Mitchell well in his new position.

“He will be missed. He was a valuable employee to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office,” Brame said. His departure will be felt at the sheriff’s office, Brame continued.

“It’s going to be an impact on us,” Brame said, “until we can get somebody in place who’s capable and competent to do what he did. He was an asset to this office.”

The Sheriffs’ Training and Standards Division staffs the Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission, which was established in 1983 and is responsible for the certification of all justice officers, including deputy sheriffs, detention officers, and telecommunicators employed in the North Carolina’s 100 sheriffs’ offices.

“Major Mitchell’s decades of service to the people of North Carolina are a testament to his character and his integrity,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “I’m thrilled that he is taking the helm of the Sheriffs’ Standards Division and leading our work with all 100 sheriffs in North Carolina. His law enforcement experience will help us do everything we can to have the best-trained, most committed public servants in law enforcement.”

“I have been privileged to work alongside some of the best officers and deputies the state of North Carolina has ever produced,” said Major William Mitchell. “As director of the Sheriffs’ Standards Division, I’ll continue to follow the rule that has guided me throughout my law enforcement career: take care, be safe, and look after one another.”

“Major Mitchell is a lifelong public servant whose experiences on the job will inform the work of the Sheriffs’ Commission to ensure our deputies and officers live up to the highest standards of the profession,” said Sheriff Alan Norman, Chair of the Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. “I congratulate him on the appointment and look forward to working with him.”

Major Mitchell is a Johnston County native who has served in law enforcement for 33 years. He received a degree in criminal justice from Wake Technical Community College and completed basic law enforcement training in 1991. From 1992 to 1994, he served with the Youngsville Police Department. He then served with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office until 2014, where he rose through the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant over the Narcotics Division, Supervisor in Charge of Multi-Agency Narcotics Units, and then Captain of the Uniform Patrol Division. He began serving with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in 2019, initially with the Criminal Investigations Division, then as Sergeant over the Narcotics Unit and then Major of Operations.

Off duty, Major Mitchell also obtained his private investigators license in 2014 and investigates homicide cases for Indigent Defense Services in Raleigh. He is a deacon with the Louisburg Baptist Church and a volunteer with the Louisburg Fire Department.

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Maria Parham Health Emergency Department Renovation Complete

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

Maria Parham Health has received a Certificate of Occupancy for its Emergency Department renovation on the Henderson campus, marking a major milestone in the hospital’s ongoing efforts to expand access to high-quality care—especially for patients facing behavioral health challenges in Vance and Franklin counties.

Construction on the renovation began Mar. 17, 2025. The project was designed to better serve vulnerable populations in the region, with particular emphasis on creating dedicated spaces within the Emergency Department to meet the growing need for behavioral and mental health services.

“These renovations reflect our unwavering commitment to improving the way we care for every patient who walks through our doors—especially those navigating mental and behavioral health issues,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “We are incredibly grateful for the community support and funding that made this project possible, and we look forward to opening these new spaces to better serve our neighbors.”

Key improvements include the creation of dedicated, purpose-built areas within the Emergency Department that promote safety, privacy, and dignity for behavioral health patients. The enhancements are also expected to boost operational efficiency and support staff well-being.

To ensure continuous care during construction, temporary modifications were made to the hospital’s main lobby, which have served as a substitute intake, registration, and emergency care area for patients arriving via personal vehicle. These temporary areas have allowed for uninterrupted triage, waiting, and registration services throughout the renovation period.

With the Certificate of Occupancy now in hand, hospital staff began final preparations on Aug. 20 to bring the renovated Emergency Department online. The space opened to patients at 11 a.m. on Aug. 20, 2025.

The project was made possible by funding secured in October 2023 through a collaborative initiative involving the Vance County District Attorney’s Office, Granville Vance Public Health, the Vance County Board of Commissioners, and the North Carolina General Assembly. The investment demonstrates a shared regional commitment to strengthening mental health care infrastructure and improving outcomes for patients across the area.

Maria Parham Health will continue to provide renovation updates through its official Facebook page and local media outlets-

Vance County Logo

TownTalk: Vance County Annual Opioid Update Meeting Set For Sept. 16

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Vance County’s annual meeting to discuss the state of opioid and substance use is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16 beginning at 4 p.m. in the county administration building.

Participants will hear a progress report concerning Vance County’s share of the opioid settlement funds – about $2.4 million so far – and they’ll also get a chance to provide input about how to spend that money.

So far, Vance County hasn’t spent any of its allocation.

During the commissioners’ work session on Monday, Aug. 18, County Manager C. Renee Perry said “We definitely need to start spending some funds.” Recalling advice she said she’d received from her professional association, “Don’t necessarily be in a rush when you spend your money, just make sure it’s beneficial to your community.”

Perry told commissioners that she’d like to see the county’s Opioid Committee expanded to include representatives from other area agencies and organizations.

Perry said, “I think it should be more than just three commissioners.” Originally, Commissioners Yolanda Feimster, Carolyn Faines and former Commissioner Sean Alston made up the committee.

At Monday’s work session, commissioners agreed by consensus to have Commissioners Dan Brummitt, Charisse Fain and Feimster serve on the committee.

Perry said she will work to get representatives from the health department, law enforcement and the courts system added.

The county sent out a request Tuesday for service providers, community organizations and people with “lived experiences” to complete applications that will be reviewed for possible appointment at the October commissioners’ meeting. The committee could have somewhere between 9 and 15 members.

Perry said she would then push for an initial meeting of the committee sometime in October.

The opioid committee serves only in an advisory capacity, Perry said, and would be offering recommendations to commissioners who ultimately will decide how to spend the money.

Some counties have funded positions and others have issued requests for proposals for programs that align with local priorities to combat the opioid crisis.

Granville County, for example, has partially funded a position within the Granville-Vance Health District. Halifax and Edgecombe counties funded community paramedic positions, Perry said. Another county has established a co-responder model and others have created peer services and support for improved access for people who can’t afford transportation and treatment.

The $2.4 million is part of what will be at least a $6.3 million funding stream to Vance County from the multi-billion opioid settlement through 2038. North Carolina’s portion of the settlement is about $1.4 billion.

Applications for the opioid committee may be obtained at https://www.vancecounty.org/or by contacting Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to the Board at kgrissom@vancecounty.org. Please submit completed applications to 122 Young St., Suite B, Henderson, NC 27536 or kgrissom@vancecounty.org.

Visit https://ncopioidsettlement.org/ to learn more about the opioid settlement funding plan.

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Vance County Seeks Applicants To Serve On Opioid Committee

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Vance County is looking for individuals interested in serving on its Opioid Committee. The purpose of this committee is to advise the Board of County Commissioners on strategies to address opioid-related impacts in Vance County through the effective use of settlement funds. Its duties include reviewing community needs, identifying evidence-based interventions, encouraging public and municipal input, and promoting intergovernmental collaboration to ensure that funding decisions reflect shared priorities and support long-term solutions.

The Board of County Commissioners is seeking to fill these roles on the committee:

  • Individuals with lived experience (maximum of 2 appointments)
  • Service Providers (maximum of 2 appointments)
  • Community Organizations (maximum of 2 appointments)

Applications may be obtained at www.vancecounty.org or by contacting Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to the Board at kgrissom@vancecounty.org. Please submit completed applications to 122 Young Street, Suite B, Henderson, NC 27536 or kgrissom@vancecounty.org.

NC State Board of Elections

State Board Of Elections Registration Repair Project Underway To Update Voter Info

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The first wave of mailings is now going out to North Carolina voters who need to provide their driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number as part of the State Board of Elections “Registration Repair Project.”

The SSBE is sending letters to about 82,700 individuals whose voter registration records lack one of these numbers, as required by state and federal laws.

According to the SBE database, which is updated daily, Vance County has 451 voters who need to provide the additional information to keep their voter registration current. Granville County has 384, Warren County has 133 and Franklin County has 649.

Individuals who receive the letter requesting the additional information can provide their driver license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number either by completing and returning the form at the bottom of the letter and returning it in the mail, in person at their local Board of Elections office or online through the NCDMV secure website at to payments.ncdot.gov.

There is no cost to make the registration update using the NCDMV website.

Updating the voter registration may not be done by phone.

“It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s free,” said Sam Hayes, State Board executive director. “We strongly encourage all voters on the Registration Repair list to take action now and avoid any issues the next time they show up to vote.”

North Carolinians can search whether they are on the list via the Registration Repair Search Tool, which is updated daily.

The Registration Repair Project launched on July 17, and already, the registrations of more than 20,000 voters have been fixed through a combination of research by the county boards of elections and the response of individual voters to update their registration records. As of Monday, Aug. 18, 82,540 registrants remained on the repair list, down 20 percent from 103,270 on the original list.

In future elections, in-person voters who still have not provided the required information to update their registration must vote provisional ballots and provide the information when they vote. That process is easy — the application for voting a provisional ballot includes prompts for DL# or SSN4.

The State Board is creating a flag to appear on these voters’ records in the electronic or paper poll books used at voting sites to alert poll workers that these voters must vote provisional ballots and provide the missing information for their ballot to count. Once a voter provides their DL# or SSN4 and that number is validated, the provisional ballot will count. County boards of elections will train poll workers accordingly.

For more information, go to ncsbe.gov/registrationrepair.

State Health Plan Board Approves Premium Increases For 2026

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 – information from the office of N.C. Treasurer Brad Briner

State Health Plan board of trustees approved Friday a plan that puts into effect higher 2026 health insurance premiums for many active employees on the State Health Plan.

This is the final step in the three-pronged effort to provide financial stability as the Plan faces a half billion-dollar deficit.

The approved premiums include increases for active members and, notably, a cost reduction for some employees who choose to cover children on their plan. To lessen the financial burden on the state’s lowest paid employees, the Plan will be introducing salary-based premiums in 2026.

Health Plan members include teachers, state employees and retirees. Active Plan members have seen little change in premiums or benefits for the last seven years, in part because the Plan used cash reserves to keep premiums flat while the Plan’s costs continued to rise, according to a press release issued Friday by the office of N.C. Treasurer Brad Briner, whose office oversees the health insurance program. Those cash reserves are now nearly depleted, and the current board of trustees was saddled with a $507 million deficit.

The General Assembly approved, and Gov. Josh Stein signed into law, an additional $100 million for 2026 to the Plan. Doctors and health care systems across the state have agreed to reduce their rates for Plan members – doing the same work for less money. The final step came from the Board of Trustees who approved 2026 benefit changes – which it voted on in May – followed by Friday’s vote on premium increases.

“Today’s vote was not easy, but these increases were necessary to keep the Plan solvent and to keep this benefit in place for those that serve and have served the state of North Carolina,” said Briner, who chairs the board. “The goal now is to move forward and focus on ways to improve benefits through transparency and better partnerships and programs to keep our members healthy.”

Plan members will receive more information regarding benefits and premium rates prior to the 2026 Open Enrollment period, which will take place Oct. 13-31, 2025.

The full board presentation, which includes all premium rates approved at today’s meeting is available on the Plan’s website.

N.C. State Fair Offers Online Discount Ticket Purchase Before Gates Open On Oct. 16

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If you’re planning a trip to the N.C. State Fair when the gates open in a couple of months, you’ll save a few bucks by purchasing discount advance tickets online now through Oct. 16.

Tickets can also be purchased daily at the Dorton Arena kiosk beginning Oct. 3 and walk-up tickets will be available at Gate 9 for the fair’s 10-day run,

Find all the latest information at 2025 N.C. State Fair.

“The fair is a great place to make cherished memories with your family and friends,” said Kent Yelverton, N.C. State Fair director. “These prices are the best ticket offers you’ll see this fair season, so be sure to buy your advance tickets today.”

The advanced ticket prices are as follows:

Adults (ages 13-64) are $10, youth (ages 6-12) and senior adult tickets are $5 and children 5 and under are free. Group tickets are also available for groups of 40 people or more with prices at $8 for adults and $4 for youth.

Advance tickets for ride ticket cards, ride wristbands, the State Fair Flyer and the State Fair SkyGazer are available through Oct. 16. These purchases do not include admission to the fair. The prices are $11 for 18 ride tickets, $31 per unlimited ride wristband, $6 one-way or $9 round-trip for the State Fair Flyer, and $6 for the State Fair SkyGazer.

It is important to note that each ride wristband will be valid for one day only during the duration of the fair. Ride ticket cards and wristbands are not valid for the State Fair Flyer or the State Fair SkyGazer.

Additionally, the State Fair offers online-only, special-themed ticket packages, including two new packages:

  • (NEW) Bright Lights and Boots Package – One gate admission and one ticket to the NCHSRA Rodeo Event held on Monday, Oct. 20 or Tuesday, Oct. 21 for $18. ($2 savings)
  • Dizzy Pass – One gate admission ticket and one unlimited ride wristband for $39 ($2 savings)
  • Kegs & Cork Pass – One gate admission ticket, one N.C. Public House Beer + Wine ticket for $18 ($2 savings)
  • (NEW) Sippin’ Spirits Package – One gate admission ticket and one Still House Cocktail ticket for $23. ($2 savings)
  • State Fair Flyer Package – Two gate admission tickets and two round-trip State Fair Flyer tickets for $34 ($4 savings)
  • State Fair SkyGazer – One gate admission ticket and one State Fair SkyGazer ticket for $14 ($2 savings)

This year the prices the consumer sees when they access the online purchase website will reflect an all-in price, which is the price with taxes and fees included. For more information on tickets, check out the “Important Information for Carnival Ticketing” section under the “Buy Tickets Now” tab on the State Fair website.

Ellis Boyle Sworn In As U.S. Attorney For The Eastern District Of NC

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W. Ellis Boyle has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The oath was administered by his father, U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle at the Terry Sanford Courthouse in Raleigh. Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Boyle as the interim U.S. attorney on Aug. 7, 2025.

According to a press release issued Monday, Aug. 11, Boyle becomes the lead federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of North Carolina, which includes the 44 easternmost counties of North Carolina.

He oversees a staff of 119 employees, including 58 attorneys and 61 non-attorney support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes across the district, including crimes related to immigration, gang violence, National Security, drug trafficking and violent crime.  The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

Before becoming the U.S. attorney, Boyle practiced law at Ward and Smith, P.A., where he practiced litigation, representing businesses, government entities, and individuals in complex matters. He also served as general counsel and deputy secretary at the N.C. Department of Public Safety, which employs over 27,000 people. The department oversees the state’s prison and probation/parole systems, the State Highway Patrol, Emergency Management, the National Guard and the juvenile justice system.

Prior to his role at DPS, Boyle was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina for two years. During his time in the Civil Division, he tried many cases in federal court. He gained extensive experience representing the United States in cases involving negligence and medical malpractice claims for personal injuries under the Federal Tort Claims Act, as well as in bankruptcy cases.

Before serving as an AUSA, Boyle was an associate in the business litigation practice group of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice in Winston-Salem, where he primarily represented companies in matters related to business disputes and dissolution.

Born and raised in Edenton, Boyle earned a degree in history from Davidson College. After graduating, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the U.S. Army where he served as an infantry officer for four years, eventually rising to the rank of captain. Following his time in the Army, Ellis earned a law degree from Wake Forest University Law School. After graduating, he spent a year as a law clerk for the Hon. Claude Hilton, a U.S. District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Chamber Members, Join The Aug. 19 “Cheer Line” To Welcome School Staffs To Convocation Kick-Off At McGregor Hall

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce invites Chamber members to turn out on Tuesday, Aug. 19 to help welcome back teachers and staff at the Vance County Schools Convocation Kick-Off at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.

Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson says to be in place by 8 a.m. with pompoms, company signs and your business mascot to “show loud hometown spirit” in support of educators as they embark on another school year.

Buses will begin dropping off teachers between 8:15 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. It’d be great to have them walk through a cheer line of local business leaders and other community-minded citizens as they enter McGregor Hall to begin the convocation!

N.C. State Fair Accepting Applications For ‘Farm Family Of The Day’ Program

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Do you know a farm family deserving of recognition? The N.C. State Fair is accepting applications for the Farm Family of the Day program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company.

Nominations and applications are being accepted through Sept. 5.

If you are a proud N.C. farmer who works hard to contribute to our state’s No. 1 industry, and loves both farming and the N.C. State Fair, your family could be one of the 11 lucky ones selected to represent the industry at the fair.

The Farm Family of the Day program is returning for its fifth year to recognize and celebrate more of the state’s rich agricultural heritage and the farm families that are behind our $111.1 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry.

Families recognized as Farm Family of the Day honorees will receive an N.C. State Fair gift basket, including fair tickets to use on any day of their choice during the 2025 N.C. State Fair, ride passes and additional swag from both Tractor Supply Company and the N.C. State Fair.

Families will be chosen by both nomination and application forms. Applications can be found online at https://www.ncagr.gov/public-affairs/tractor-supply-farm-family-day-app…or nomination forms can be found online at https://www.ncagr.gov/public-affairs/tractor-supply-farm-family-day-nomination-form/download?attachment.

 

“The State Fair’s earliest beginnings sought to elevate the understanding of new agricultural practices and technology. Helping people make the connection between farming and the food that they enjoy is one of our top missions at the N.C. State Fair each year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Thanks to Tractor Supply Company, we can help tell the story of our farmers because they are out there every day working to grow the food, fiber and fuel that we need to survive.”

 

The 2025 N.C. State Fair will run Oct. 16-26 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The fair offers an experience unique to North Carolina for all who attend, and is an unparalleled value with free entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors and creative deep-fried delights. For more information, visit www.ncstatefair.org.