Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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.

 

Vance County Logo

Commissioners Give Nod To Continuing Joint City, County Code Enforcement Agreement, Nix Matching Funds For Splash Park

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners approved by consensus Monday a request from City Manager Hassan T. Kingsberry to continue the county’s joint building code enforcement agreement with the city.

Although the Henderson City Council had voted to come out of that agreement at its December 2024 meeting, Kingsberry said he has recommended to the council that the existing agreement remain in effect.

“I have the support of the majority of my council,” Kingsberry said.

City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell told WIZS News Thursday the Council voted on June 30 to extend the current contract for two months, until Aug. 31. The Council has not made a formal vote on the matter; rather, the agreement to re-enter the joint agreement with the county was reached by consensus.

Commissioner Tommy Hester said, “I think that is an exceptionally good idea” and

was prepared to make a motion to continue the agreement, but at the recommendation of County Attorney Jonathan Care, the board offered instead a consensus for approval.

Care said he would recommend that county staff go and negotiate and bring back an actual agreement that both parties approve of.

County Manager C. Renee Perry said she would bring an agreement to the September meeting.

In the meantime, because the current agreement expires Aug. 31, Hester made a motion for a 30-day extension. That motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Commissioner Yolanda Feimster was absent from the meeting.

“We need to work with the city any way we can to bring economic development to this community,” Hester said.

Perry said the budget for the department had stayed in place because she didn’t know what the city would decide to do. “We budgeted for a full department, as we have done historically,” she said.

In other action during the meeting, commissioners voted to deny contributing to a matching grant request for funding the Montgomery/William Street splash park.

During her report, Perry reminded commissioners that during an April 2025 work session, Recreation and Parks Department Director Kendrick Vann and the city manager had requested matching funds of $495,000 from the county for the park.

“The match is now $864,982,” Perry said. “I have concerns with the match just because I don’t feel that we’re in a financial position to come up with that type of cash right now.”

“I think my main concern is, this board didn’t know anything about this grant,” she said.

Dan Brummitt made the motion to deny the county match. It was seconded and passed unanimously.

Local Man Faces Drug Charges; Cocaine, Marijuana, Guns, Cash Among Items Seized During Search Warrant

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— from the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit, the NC State Bureau of Investigation and the Henderson Police Department Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at 125 Harrison Ave., Henderson, after an extensive joint investigation into cocaine trafficking at the residence.

Investigators located and seized cocaine, MDMA (Ecstasy), and marijuana, firearms, U.S. currency and other items of drug manufacturing equipment from the residence.

Baldwin Lemuel Bates, Jr., 44, was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking MDMA, manufacture cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, and possession of firearm by felon, two counts of possession of stolen firearm, and two counts of maintaining a dwelling for selling controlled substances (x2).

Bates was given a $780,000 secured bond pending a court hearing in Vance County court.

NC State Board of Elections

Register To Vote By Sept. 12 In Upcoming Municipal Elections

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Voter registration deadlines are approaching for eligible North Carolinians who wish to vote on Election Day in October and November municipal elections.

Municipal elections in Vance County take place Tuesday, Oct. 7. The deadline to register to vote in this election is 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.

The N.C. State Board of Elections has issued a press release with details and requirements about voter registration.

“To vote in a municipal election, you must be a resident of the municipality. Working within city, town, or village limits does not make a voter eligible to vote in municipal elections. Similarly, while a voter’s postal address may indicate a municipality, that does not always mean their residence is within the incorporated boundaries of the municipality,” the press release stated.

Check the state board’s Voter Search tool, to determine if you live in an area that conducts municipal elections by finding a municipality under “Your Jurisdictions.”

Eligible individuals who miss the regular registration deadlines may register and vote at the same time during the in-person early voting period at any early voting site in their county, if early voting is available in their municipality. County-by-county early voting sites and schedules can be found at the State Board of Elections’ Early Voting Site Search, once they are available for each election. Learn more at Vote Early in Person.

 

Eligible individuals have many options to register to vote, including the following:

If an application is received after the deadline, it will be timely if it is postmarked on or before the deadline date. If the postmark is missing or unclear, the application will be processed if it is received in the mail no later than 20 days before the election. Otherwise, the application will not be processed until after the election. If submitted by fax or e-mail, the application must be received by 5 p.m. on the deadline date, and a hard copy of the document must be delivered to the county board office by 20 days before the election.

North Carolina residents may not register to vote on Election Day, unless they become eligible after the registration deadline due to becoming a U.S. citizen or having their rights restored following a felony conviction.

Requirements for Registering

To register to vote, a person must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen;
  • Live in the county of their registration, and will have lived there for at least 30 days before Election Day;
  • Be at least 18 years old by the date of the general election (16- and 17-year-olds may preregister to vote); and
  • Not be serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole.

Updating a Voter’s Registration

Voters who need to update their existing voter registration may use the NCDMV website or a regular voter registration application.

Those with a North Carolina driver’s license or other NCDMV identification may update their residential or mailing address and party affiliation through the NCDMV online service but may not change their name through that service.

If using the paper application to update a registration, it must be signed and mailed to the voter’s county board of elections by the registration deadline. Updates to name, address (if within the county), and party affiliation must be signed, but can be provided by fax or email to your county board of elections. If a voter is using the paper form to update their residential address to a new county, they must return the paper form by mail or in person.

TownTalk: Commissioners Terminate Funding and Contract Relationship with “Rescue Squad”

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In a 4-2 vote, the Vance County Board of Commissioners Monday terminated funding for the Vance County Rescue Squad, effective Sept. 30, 2025.

The county did not renew the contract with the rescue squad, which expired on June 30, but commissioners agreed to a 90-day extension. That extension ends Sept. 30.

During a joint meeting last week of the county’s public safety committee and the fire commission, the discussion ramped up to include the possibility of merging the Vance County Fire Department and the Vance County Rescue Squad, a 501(c)3 organization established in 1953.

Several people spoke Monday night to commissioners in support of the rescue squad during the public comment portion of the meeting, among them, Brandon Link, president of the Vance County Firefighters Association.

County Manager C. Renee Perry told commissioners that the county has the authority to reduce or terminate funding for the rescue squad, but not to dissolve the rescue squad, which is a volunteer organization.

Commissioner Tommy Hester’s motion to terminate funding, effective Sept. 30, was seconded by Commissioner Leo Kelly.

Commissioners Dan Brummitt and Valencia Perry cast the “no” votes and Commissioners Hester, Kelly, Chair Carolyn Faines and Charisse Fain cast votes in favor of the termination. Commissioner Feimster was absent.

“I want to save taxpayers money,” Hester said. “I want to move forward. I think we’ve got the fire chief to do it,” he said.

Commissioner Perry said, “We need to slow it down,” with regard to making a decision whether to continue funding the rescue squad, which got applause from the audience.

Commissioner Kelly said it’s a matter of looking at consolidation, not trying to put anyone out of business.

“Their service is valuable,” Kelly said, referring to the Vance County Rescue Squad.

During a joint meeting last week of the Vance County Firefighter’s Association and the Vance County Commissioner Public Safety Committee, Vance County Fire Department Chief Marvin Harrison said, “Let us move forward, grounded in truth and committed to collaboration, for the good of the public we are sworn to protect.”

At that joint meeting, Manager Perry said, “I have so much confidence in the Vance County Fire Department.  If the commissioners choose to end the contract on sept. 30, I have no doubt in my mind that the Vance County citizens will be ok.“

The outcome is contrary to what the fire association said it wanted in a letter written after its mid-July meeting.  The fire association wanted the Rescue Squad funded the same as other volunteer departments in Vance County, with a contract for 2025-2028 in place.

Click Play for TownTalk Audio on 8-5-25 AFTER the Vance County Commissioners Meeting

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Click Play for TownTalk Audio on 8-4-25 BEFORE the Vance County Commissioners Meeting

UPDATE 8-4-25 BEFORE the Vance County Commissioners Meeting

Members of the Vance County Firefighter’s Association and Vance County Commissioners Public Safety Committee held a joint meeting last week to continue discussions about the future – and fate – of the Vance County Rescue Squad.

The Vance County Board of Commissioners did not renew a contract with the rescue squad, which ended on June 30. The commissioners did, however, agree to a 90-day extension. That period ends Sept. 30, 2025.

During the joint meeting, County Manager C. Renee Perry said the item would be on tonight’s agenda for the commissioners’ regular monthly meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt, a member of the Public Safety Committee, shared contents of a letter signed by seven members of the Vance County Firefighters Association which offered support for the rescue squad.

“The association sees the benefit of the Vance County Rescue Squad and supports that organization and their mission to protect the citizens of Vance County,” the letter states.

“The certifications, equipment, and experience of the rescue squad, serving continuously since 1953, are an asset to all fire departments and citizens in Vance County,” it continued. The letter called for the county to reinstate the three-year contract with the rescue squad for 2025-28 and that the rescue squad be fully funded in 2025-26 just like all the other departments.

Brummitt said, “These are the guys that are out in the field. These are the guys that know what they’re doing and these are the ones that put their lives on the line every day and they’re asking for the support of the rescue squad. So I can’t see how we can do anything any different.”

Back in 2023, a fire study completed by AP Triton recommended that the county consider merging or at least increasing collaboration between the Vance County Fire Department and the Vance County Rescue Squad, County Manager C. Renee Perry reminded.

If the two entities merge, Perry said the rescue squad members would have to apply for positions with the Vance County Fire Dept and be part-time personnel. She said she didn’t know how a merger would affect the rescue squad assets (equipment). The rescue squad has been in operation since 1953 and is a nonprofit organization. Its members are volunteers.

Brummitt said he would get behind creating a combination department to allow to have paid staff and volunteers, just like the county’s other fire departments.

“It would save money and would allow us to spend money in other areas of the county to offer equal protection to all of our citizens in the county,” Brummitt said.

Brummitt continued, “It would not do away with the department, it would do away with the structure of the department.”

To which Perry said, “The study did not recommend that.” It recommended that the Vance County Fire Department (Golden Belt) remain a career fire department.

Brummitt took issue with other findings in the 2023 fire study, including response times. He said some redistricting could improve call times.

Vance County Schools Names Jeremy Hetrick As School Nutrition Services Director

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Vance County Schools has named Jeremy Hetrick as the district’s new director of School Nutrition Services.

Hetrick brings more than two decades of leadership experience in food service administration, school nutrition and operations management to his new role. He has a proven track record of improving nutrition programs, overseeing large-scale budgets and ensuring compliance with USDA and state regulations, according to information from Grace Herndon with VCS Communication & Innovative Support.

Prior to joining Vance County Schools, Hetrick held leadership roles in healthcare and educational food services and has managed nutrition programs across multiple campuses, coordinated federal meal programs and led cost-saving initiatives that generated significant budget surpluses. Additionally, he has 20 years of service in the U.S. Army, where he specialized in program management and team development.

Hetrick holds a Master of Science in Management from Sullivan University and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science from Purdue University Global. He is a ServSafe Food Manager Certified and has completed the NC School Nutrition Administrators and Supervisors Course. Hetrick will be stepping into the role ahead of the upcoming retirement of Phyllis Newcomb, who is concluding her career after 47 years of service to the state, including 42 years with Vance County Schools.