Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Veteran Law Enforcement Officer Mike Grissom Awarded Order Of The Long Leaf Pine

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Veteran law enforcement officer Michael D. Grissom received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Wednesday during a ceremony at the Vance County Courthouse.

N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon presented the award to Grissom with family and friends looking on in recognition of his nearly 30-year career in law enforcement that Sossamon stated is “marked by extraordinary dedication, leadership, and a profound commitment to public safety and community well-being.”

In 1973, Grissom was a patrolman with the Henderson Police Department. He quickly distinguished himself through his strong connection to the community, his unwavering ethical standards and sense of duty. He rose through the ranks, first as detective and then as detective sergeant.

Grissom was promoted to lieutenant in 1988 and he served in that role until 1991. As a lieutenant, he played a pivotal role in enhancing the department’s strategic planning, resource management and interdepartmental collaboration.

Then, he became an agent with the City-County Bureau of Identification in Raleigh, bringing with him a wealth of experience and commitment to excellence. By 1994, he was promoted to field supervisor, a position he held until his retirement in June 2002.

Throughout his career, Grissom has embodied the principles of justice, fairness and service, and has left an indelible impact on the organizations he served and the communities he protected. His unwavering dedication to the safety and well-being of others has made him a model of public service and a deserving recipient of this distinguished honor.

“Mike Grissom represents the best of North Carolina,” Sossamon stated. “His lifelong commitment to protecting and serving his community has inspired many and ensured a lasting legacy of integrity and leadership.”

The Local Skinny! Groundbreaking at Epsom Park

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Franklin County Parks and Recreation Director K.P. Kilpatrick has been in his role just since April of this year, but he’s already been able to check one big item off the to-do list: witness the groundbreaking of Epsom Park.

The park will be located on the site of the former Epsom School, and plans have been in place for a while – almost 20 years, in fact – to construct a park for residents to enjoy, whether they live in Franklin County or Vance County.

County officials and community leaders joined Kilpatrick at the recent groundbreaking  for Phase 1 of the project, which is scheduled to be completed in fall of 2025.

It includes a walking loop, sand volleyball court, playground, multipurpose field and a picnic shelter, as well as a spot for cornhole.

“We’re happy to get it started,” Kilpatrick told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The 7.62 acre property practically straddles the Franklin/Vance County line, and will be the fourth park that Franklin County is responsible for.

It’ll be a place where the community can come for recreation as well as athletic events and other organized programs, Kilpatrick said. There could be a movie night at the park, for example, volleyball and cornhole tournaments in addition to the more traditional types of sports played on the multipurpose field.

Kilpatrick envisions Epsom Park as a place for “great leisure opportunities” and a “great place to create memories.”

 

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TownTalk: Adopt From The Local Animal Shelter This Holiday Season

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The dogs and cats at the Vance County Animal Shelter are so stinkin’ cute, according to Director William Coker, that even he couldn’t resist the temptation.

Coker said he’d never been a cat owner – until he fell in love with a kitten at the shelter.

“I ended up adopting that kitten myself,” he told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s TownTalk. “When I get up in the morning, that kitten is at the coffee pot with me,” he said.

The shelter is full – literally – of dogs and cats waiting to be adopted. There are 44 kennels for grown dogs – all occupied at the moment – as well as a puppy room and two cat rooms, one for adoptable felines and one for cats in quarantine for one reason or another.

The puppy room has eight beautiful puppies right now, Coker said. “I would love to have them adopted before Christmas,” he said.

Coker didn’t begin his job as director until January 2024, so he doesn’t know how Christmas-time adoptions went last year. But he said he hopes to see some folks come in and “adopt, don’t shop” at the shelter.

The application process is pretty simple, he explained. There’s a short form to fill out and the adoption fees are reasonable – $155 for dogs and $105 for cats. The cost includes the spay and neuter fee, as well as first shots and a one-year rabies shot.

And while Coker said the shelter staff is always hopeful to get animals adopted to good homes, they’re shifting their focus to educating the community about the need to spay and neuter pets. “I want to push spay and neuter in the community, to keep the animals from coming into the shelter” in the first place, he said.

Anyone interested in seeing the adoptable dogs and cats can visit the shelter during business hours. The shelter is located at 1243 Brodie Rd. and is open on Mondays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays – Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., all day every other Friday and half days every other Saturday.

Coker hasn’t turned down many adoption applications. “If the dog seems to be a good fit for the family, I adopt him out,” he said.

It’s a win-win-win for the animal, the community and the adopter, he explained: You’re saving an animal, taking a stray out of the neighborhood, and gaining a member of the family.

“You just carry him home and start loving him,” Coker said.

To learn more, visit the shelter at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal-control/or call 252.492.3136.

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Charles Forsythe Receives Order Of The Long Leaf Pine

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— information courtesy of the office of N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon

Former Watkins Volunteer Fire Department Chief Charles Forsythe is one of the newest recipients of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, given for more than four decades of service to his community.

N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon presented the award to Forsythe on Dec. 5.

“Charles Forsythe’s lifelong commitment to the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department and his profound impact on the community exemplify the spirit of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine,” Sossamon said. “His legacy of service, leadership, and compassion is an inspiration to us all.”

In 1980, Forsythe began as a firefighter with the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department. From the outset, his unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property set him apart. Over the years, Forsythe’s tireless efforts and exemplary leadership earned him promotions to Lieutenant, Captain, and eventually Fire Chief, a role in which he served with distinction.

Even after stepping down as Fire Chief, Forsythe remained a vital part of the department as Chaplain and Senior Man. In these capacities, he has provided spiritual guidance and emotional support to his fellow firefighters, ensuring their well-being both on and off duty. His mentorship has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of firefighters, instilling values of courage, integrity, and service.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors, awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to the state and their communities. Forsythe’s exemplary career and enduring contributions make him a truly deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

“Shop with a Cop and Friends” in full force as Holidays Approach

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The holiday season is here in The Gateway City. It’s also a time of giving with the “Shop with a Cop and Friends” program here in Henderson. Law Enforcement partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and the Vance County Department of Social Services for “Shop with a Cop and Friends.”

$16,000 was raised for the “Shop with a Cop and Friends” fundraiser. Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson presented the police department with the check. The money is aimed at helping out children and families in need this holiday season.

This year’s “Shop with a Cop and Friends” event, will take place at Walmart on December 20, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Officers from the Henderson Police Department and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office will be there during the event.

Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott conveyed her appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce, the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, and everyone who helped in this year’s “Shop with a Cop and Friends” program for families in need.

Read The Latest Updates On N.C. House District 32 Contest

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Update 12-13-24 at 2:30 p.m.

The new N.C. General Assembly members will be sworn in for their bicameral legislative session of the state government of North Carolina on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 12 noon in Raleigh.

The question is will Bryan Cohn be sworn in at that time to officially claim the District 32 House seat?

It is apparent to WIZS News that Cohn will be sworn in, having garnered more votes than incumbent GOP legislator Frank Sossamon.

In recent correspondence, WIZS News has learned from the N.C. State Board of Elections that the state board has certified the post-recount totals in the contest.

Although Cohn held a slim lead in the Nov. 5 general election, Sossamon called for a recount and lodged protests to the state board, along with several other candidates in races too close to call.

The state board told WIZS that the heftiest of protests that Sossamon filed have been dismissed, leaving no protest that would change the outcome of the election.

The decision could still be appealed in Wake County Superior Court.

Stay tuned to WIZS and read updates at www.wizs.com.

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Update 12-4-24 at 4:15 p.m.

The Vance County Board of Elections completed Wednesday its hand-to-eye recount of the precinct randomly selected last week by the State Board of Elections in ongoing efforts to determine the winner in the contest for the N.C. District 32 House seat, currently held by Frank Sossamon.

Director Haley Rawles said each candidate received one less vote as a result of the process.

Sossamon got 205 votes and Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn got 293 votes in the recount, according to Rawles.

The recount was conducted on ballots from the Middleburg precinct, she told WIZS News Wednesday afternoon.

Efforts to get information from Granville County, the other county in N.C. District 32, have not been successful. WIZS will update the story when information is available.

Update 12-2-24 at 4:50 p.m.

From the N.C. State Board of Elections

After the initial machine recount, Republican candidate Frank Sossamon trails Democratic candidate Bryan Cohn by 228 votes, 21,215 to 20,987. State law permits a candidate to request a sample hand-to-eye recount within 24 hours after the initial recount. Sossamon requested the recount.

The State Board conducted a random drawing at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 to determine the Election Day precincts or early voting sites that will be recounted by hand in Granville and Vance counties.

The Vance County Board of Elections will conduct its hand recount starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St.

The Granville County Board of Elections will conduct its hand recount in the sample of precincts starting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Granville County Board of Elections, 208 Wall St., Oxford.

Update 11-26-24 at 1:10 p.m.

Bryan Cohn maintains a 233-vote lead over incumbent Frank Sossamon. The Vance County canvass is complete, but it is unclear whether Granville County’s canvass is ongoing.

Granville County’s Board of Elections has failed to respond to any WIZS request for information about the recount or the protests filed in Granville County, but Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood posted on the county website earlier Tuesday that the Granville County Board of Elections would reconvene at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 to finalize the recount results for three contests, including the N.C. House District 32 race.

Cohn said Friday he received a packet from Frank Sossamon’s lawyer and that, of the 250 or so names listed as potential ineligible voters in Vance County – which is information Vance County’s Board of Elections swiftly sent to WIZS upon request – that the Granville County list has about as many names on it.

According to information on the Granville County website, Granville County Board of Elections Director Tonya Burnette issued Monday, Nov. 25 a statement announcing that a hearing on Sossamon’s protest will take place Monday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. at Granville County Superior Court, 101 Main St., Oxford.

WIZS does not know if the Granville recount is complete. If so, the state will actually canvass and certify the election Wednesday, Nov. 27.  From there, the protests leave open the door for the state to step in should it be apparent the outcome of the election could change as a result.

Legal briefs from the Sossamon camp are due to the state tomorrow – Wednesday –  and Cohn’s lawyers have to have rebuttal briefs to the state next week.

Update 11-25-24 at 4:37 p.m.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles said earlier Monday that the recount of ballots cast in the contest for N.C. House District 32 has been completed by her team, and that each candidate – Republican incumbent Frank Sossamon and Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn – each gained one vote as a result of the process.

WIZS News has not heard back from Granville County Board of Elections Director Tonya Burnette about the status of its recount process.

Follow WIZS.com for all the latest updates in the contest for N.C. House District 32.

Update 11-21-24 at 6 p.m. —

Follow WIZS.com for all the latest updates in the contest for N.C. House District 32.

The boards of elections in Vance and Granville counties are in the middle of an official recount, but chances are the outcome of the race will not be known for a couple of weeks since Frank Sossamon, currently trailing challenger Bryan Cohn by 233 votes, filed several protests with the local boards of elections.

The Republican incumbent Sossamon trailed Cohn by 185 votes after the Nov. 5 election; that gap increased to 233 votes after the county canvasses were completed on Nov. 15.

Since then, however, Sossamon invoked his right to call for a recount – which he did less than an hour before the 12 noon deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

However, he also filed three protests Wednesday, Nov. 20 with the Vance County Board of Elections, citing several voting irregularities that call into question ballots being counted for ineligible voters, including voters who cast early ballots but died before Election Day and voters who didn’t have the proper registration information.

Vance County Board of Elections Haley Rawles received from Sossamon’s attorney a list containing more than 250 names of possible ineligible voters based on the aforementioned irregularities.

Repeated attempts to get the same information from Granville County’s Board of Elections director have gone unanswered.

Vance County began its recount at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 20; information on the Granville County Board of Elections website indicated that its recount was suspended on Wednesday at 9 p.m. and was set to resume Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m.

As of this publication at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, WIZS has received no additional information than what is listed above in this update.

Officials Brave Chilly Temps For Epsom Park Groundbreaking Dec. 6

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The long-awaited Epsom Park is one step closer to completion following a recent ground-breaking ceremony to turn over those first shovels full of dirt on the property of the former Epsom School.

Franklin County purchased the 7.62 acres at the corner of Eaves Road and N.C. 39 way back in 2006. A sign marked the site as the “Future Home of Epsom Park” for years, and that dream is becoming a reality some 18 years later.

Thanks to a $434,625 grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority’s Trust Fund – which was matched by Franklin County – the park is embarking on Phase 1, which Franklin County Parks and Rec Director K.P. Kilpatrick said should be complete by fall 2025.

Phase 1 will feature paved walking loops, a multi-purpose field, sand volleyball, cornhole and playground, as well as a picnic shelter and restrooms.

Kilpatrick spoke to the group gathered at the groundbreaking ceremony that chilly, breezy Dec. 6 morning and said the park will stand as a symbol of what can be accomplished when people and entities work together.

“Creating a space for one another,” he said, “brings the promise for a brighter future.”

District 2 Commissioner Roxanne Bragg said the park has been a dream for the Epsom community for a long time, and she looks forward to having the community in her district be able to enjoy its amenities.

Visit https://www.franklincountync.gov/county_services/parks___recreation/index.php 

and click the Epsom Park link on the left side of the page to view site plans, maps and a video of the groundbreaking.

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VGCC Community Band Winter Concert Dec. 16

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–information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

The holiday season has officially begun, and the VGCC Community Band is back in action this month to present its annual Holiday Concert.

This year’s event will occur on Monday, Dec. 16, at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will last about an hour. Admission is free to the public.

“Nothing is better than a big old-timey band concert,” said band director Brian Miller, “and the Vance-Granville Band is delighted to present to you our Winter Concert in the heart of historic downtown Henderson. We invite everyone to this free event featuring Christmas music, band classics, popular music, and classical music!”

Concertgoers can expect to hear festive favorites like “Feliz Navidad” and “Good King Wenceslas” alongside music from blockbuster soundtrack composer Michael Giacchino.

Some songs will be performed by the entire 39-piece band, while others will feature smaller groups.

Betsy Henderson, department chair of Fine Arts at the College, echoes Brian Miller’s invitation to the community. “This concert always kicks off my holiday season; it’s a lovely way to spend an evening. I urge you to come get into the holiday spirit with me!”

The VGCC Community Band contains both VGCC students and non-student adult community members with a wide range of abilities and experience. Participants represent the College’s four-county service area and beyond, some traveling from as far away as Virginia. The VGCC Community Band rehearses every Monday evening at the College’s Main Campus Civic Center in Henderson, and there is no membership fee for participating.

To learn more about the band, contact Director Miller at bmiller9302@vgcc.edu.

(This story was originally posted Dec. 6, 2024.)

Clarke Elementary Family Resource Center Open For Business

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Clarke Elementary now has a Community Schools Family Resource Center, and school and community leaders celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning.

The Family Resource Center will serve as a hub to connect families with resources ranging from academic support to access to health and community programs, according to information from school officials.

There’s a food pantry and a clothes closet, with all items free of charge to those in need.

Clarke Elementary Principal Dr. C’Monee Wilkins and Community Schools Coordinator Krystle Lindsey, along with Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott, Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson and others marked the official opening of the resource center.

The Family Resource Center is a one-stop shop to provide guidance, connect families to valuable services and strengthen community partnerships.

The resource center is located in Room 121, right across from the front office.

It’s open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but is also open by appointment. Please contact Lindsey at klindsey@vcs.k12.nc.us to learn more.

In addition to food and clothing, families can access other services, including laundry machines and access to shower facilities and computers.

‘Festival Of Trees’ Sign-Up Extended Through Dec. 12

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The City of Henderson’s Downtown Development Commission invites you to join in the fun and participate in the Festival of Trees that will be on display for the Very Merry Henderson Holiday Fest on Saturday, Dec. 7 and beyond.

Participation is free for businesses, organizations and individuals. The Festival of Trees will be held in the gallery between McGregor Hall and Perry Memorial Library. Reserve a space by contacting Tracy Madigan at 252.425.0844 or email tracymadigan@henderson.nc.gov.

Here are a few friendly guidelines to keep in mind:

  • No live trees – only artificial trees
  • Set up Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon; Sunday, Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 9-12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • If your tree is lighted, please bring your own 10-foot or 20-foot extension cord