Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

TownTalk: Around Old Granville – National Register of Historic Places In Granville, Vance

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Asking local historian Mark Pace to divulge which old house is his very favorite is akin to asking a parent which of their children they prefer: indeed, there may be one, but you don’t want to admit it.

In their discussion of old homes in the area listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Pace singled out Vance County’s Pleasant Hill, softening his pronouncement a bit by saying it’s one of his favorites.

There certainly are a lot of contenders in the four-county area, and WIZS’s Bill Harris and Pace reviewed a number of homes and other structures listed on the National Register in Vance and Granville counties on Thursday’s TownTalk segment of Around Old Granville.

Now known as Rivenoak, the stately old home near Middleburg underwent a restoration in the late 1970’s and gained its National Register status in 1979.

And as impressive as the home is, with its double-shoulder brick chimneys (special-ordered from Williamsburg), and Greek Revival style with Georgian elements, it’s the family that built it and lived there that adds to its significance, Pace said.

The family gained prominence for developing the railroad in the area, and for a period of more than half a century between 1778 and 1848, there was a member of the Hawkins family serving in state government.

Future N.C. Governor William Hawkins was probably born at Pleasant Hill, built by his grandfather, Philemon Hawkins, Jr. Research confirms that at least part of it was built as early as 1760.

And those chimneys, located on either side of the home? “Those chimneys are really impressive,” Pace said. Each chimney is constructed of about 20,000 bricks – that’s 80,000 bricks. All imported from Virginia.

Homes like Pleasant Hill are nominated and then placed on a study list before getting their official designation.

Not all of the structures are homes, though, Harris noted. There are farms, churches, bank buildings and more that share spots on the National Register.

Local history buffs may be familiar with Henderson’s Historic District, which Pace said contains 91 of the county’s 114 historic structures.

As he explained, Henderson was a pretty big deal from, say, the 1800’s to the 1940s and 50s.

“There was a lot of impressive architecture that you won’t find anywhere else in North Carolina,” he said. There were several architecture firms located in Henderson. Steve Flannagan designed First Methodist Church and the original Henderson High School, for example. And the iconic fire station and clock tower? Yep, local architect Robert A. Bunn designed it.

Another local architect, James Thrower, designed the original courthouse. It wasn’t until Frank Milburn designed a major renovation that the columns were added.

So many of the old architectural gems remain today in Henderson’s historic district, a tribute to the community’s interest in preserving and repurposing buildings with historic significance.

Like Pleasant Hill, there are numerous homes dotting the countryside that once were part of huge plantations. Ashland near Satterwhite Point, Machpelah and Pool Rock close to Townsville, and Ashburn Hall near Kittrell are some examples.

Many have been lovingly restored and meticulously maintained over the years, preserving those architectural details that make them exemplars of the periods when they were built.

But there’s one house on the National Register that was neither showy nor huge, but impressive all the same.

During a restoration project a decade or so ago, workers removed some siding from a structure to reveal a log home that was built in the 1760’s. Tests on the yellow pine in the center part of the home reveal they were felled in the winter of 1763, according to information on the nomination form that was submitted in 2014.

Present-day Granville County has its share of historically significant homes and buildings, too, but like Vance County, the northern portion of the county has more listed on the National Register than the southern portion.

The Allen-Mangum house in the community of Grissom in southern Granville County was built in the mid- to late-1800’s. It was one of more than 30 Granville County structures added to the National Register in 1988.

This coincided with the publication of an architectural survey, Pace said, that is still the “go-to” reference book for historic architecture.

Brassfield Baptist Church near Wilton is the oldest church in the county, built in the 1840’s. It’s on the list, as is the First National Bank Building in Creedmoor.

Pace said the Obediah Winston Farm in Creedmoor is on the list because “it was one of the most intact old-timey tobacco farms in existence,” with outbuildings intact to give a true flavor of what tobacco production involved.

Red Hill, on Townsville Road off Highway 15 near the Virginia line, has a few different styles, thanks to several renovations and additions over the years. The oldest part of the house dates to 1776.

There’s Hill Airy, which has been on the register since 1974, part of the expansive Gregory family holdings.

Another one of the Gregory family plantations, Elmwood, is what Pace calls one of the finest Georgian style homes in Granville County. Built it 1850, it had been abandoned for decades.

Pace said he was sure the home was “as absolute goner.” All the interior features had been removed over the years, leaving just a shell of a building.

But thanks to a renovation project, Pace calls it “one of the most impressive historic structures” in the county.

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(This story was originally posted on January 8, 2026.)

Blood Drive Feb. 17 At Kerr Lake Country Club

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If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to sign up to donate blood in 2026, the American Red Cross is here to help you achieve that goal!

A blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Dr.

Sign up is easy: Simply visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ and enter KLCC to schedule an appointment.

Donors who give blood between Jan. 26 and Feb. 28 will get a $20 e-gift card to your choice of merchant. See www.rcblood.org/heart for details.

Vance County Board Of Elections: March 3 Primary Details; Early Voting Begins Feb. 12

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— From Vance County Board of Elections Chair Susan Floyd

The statewide primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Voters will be asked to show photo ID when they vote. All voters will be allowed to vote with or without ID. Voters who lack ID can get one for free from their county board of elections. Find out more at https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

Early voting will be held at the following locations from Thursday, February 12, 2026, through Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Eaton Johnson Middle School Gymnasium: 500 N. Beckford Dr. Henderson, NC 27536

 

Day Date Status / Hours
Thursday February 12, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday February 13, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday February 14, 2026 Closed
Sunday February 15, 2026 Closed
Monday February 16, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday February 17, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday February 18, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday February 19, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday February 20, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday February 21, 2026 Closed
Sunday February 22, 2026 Closed
Monday February 23, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday February 24, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday February 25, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday February 26, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday February 27, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday February 28, 2026 Open, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters who have requested them beginning January 12, 2026. Absentee ballots must be received by the county board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on March 3, 2026. A voter can fill out an absentee ballot request at votebymail.ncsbe.gov, or by filling out a request form provided by the county board of elections office. The request must be received through the website or by the Vance County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. February 17, 2026.

In the primary election, voters will select nominees for a political party to move on to the general election on November 3rd. Contests on the ballot include U. S. Senate, U.S. House, N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice, N.C. Court of Appeals Judge, Superior and District Court Judge, N.C. House and Senate, and county offices. In the primary, voters affiliated with a political party will be given a ballot of candidates for their party, if their party has a primary. Unaffiliated voters may choose to vote in any party’s primary, but they may select only one party’s ballot.

The voter registration deadline for this election is 5 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2026. Eligible individuals who are not registered by that deadline may register and vote at any early voting site during the early voting period. Individuals registering to vote at an early voting site will be required to provide current documentation of their residence (for example, a government ID, other government document, or a paycheck, bank statement, or utility bill). Voters who wish to change party affiliation must do so by the February 6 deadline.

To learn more, call the Vance County Board of Elections Office at 252.492.3730.

Jan. 13 Community Info Series Topic: Medicaid 1915(i) Services

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The Jan. 13 Community Information Session at Baskerville Funeral Home, LLC will be all about Medicaid 1915(i) services, and how these services provide support for families and individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, autism, mental health and substance use needs.

The presenter will be Diandra Hyman-Graham, client service manager for Advantage Care in Home Services of Henderson, according to information from Charlie Baskerville.

Attendees will learn about the services, get guidance on eligibility and the application process and how Advantage Care in Home Services may be able to assist with respite and Community Living Supports.

The session is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the chapel of Baskerville Funeral Home, 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.

Local Physicians Voice Concerns Over Detainees’ Lack Of Access To Opioid Treatment At Jail

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County commissioners have been grappling with what to do about the current jail for quite some time now, spending big chunks of money to make repairs to the facility to satisfy state inspectors as they proceed down the path of construction of a new detention center.

In the meantime, however, commissioners and county staff heard Monday from two local physicians who expressed concern about a different kind of cost: one that detainees face when they can’t continue to receive treatment for opioid use disorder because they’re in jail.

Granville Vance Public Health Medical Director Dr. Shauna Guthrie said she is a former physician who has provided care to detainees at the Vance County Jail. Guthrie and Dr. Laura Ucik with Rural Health Group in Henderson spoke to commissioners during the public comment portion of their monthly meeting.

“It’s really important to continue this treatment,” Guthrie said, adding that detainees with substance use disorder are considered a protected class of individuals by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“This could open us up to significant litigation should any harm occur,” Guthrie said, when detainees are forced to detox without benefit of the treatment medications.

Not having their medication puts them at a “significant increase” for overdose when they are released. Treatment reduces recidivism, she noted.

Ucik, board-certified in family and addiction medicine said the treatment had been halted since last summer, due to staffing financial and safety concerns.

“These life-saving medications are absolutely necessary” for detainees, she said. “It’s not only inhumane and truly a form of torture to force people into withdrawal in a jail setting when they’re often in isolation and don’t have adequate support.”

She agreed with Guthrie and said disruption of treatment places individuals “at serious risk of death when they’re released from jail.”

Much like a nicotine patch can help reduce a smoker’s cravings, Ucik said drugs like methadone and suboxone help control cravings.

“We can intervene and save lives,” Ucik said. “We can recognize together that this is a life-or-death situation here in Vance County (and) try to work together to come up with a solution.”

One possible solution involves use of a long-acting injectable version of the drugs that is administered once a month instead of more frequently.

Maria Parham Implements Limited Visitation In Reponse To Widespread Respiratory Viruses

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– information courtesy of Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer Donna Young

Maria Parham Health has implemented limited visitation effective immediately in response to elevated levels of respiratory viruses in the region. The decision was made to help protect the health and safety of patients, visitors, and employees while continuing to provide high-quality, compassionate care.

While Maria Parham Health recognizes the important role visitation plays in a patient’s healing and emotional well-being, these temporary measures are necessary to reduce the risk of respiratory illness transmission within the hospital.

“We understand how meaningful it is for loved ones to be present during a hospital stay,” said Bert Beard, Chief Executive Officer of Maria Parham Health. “However, with respiratory viruses currently at an elevated level in our community, these precautions are a responsible step to help protect our patients, our staff, and the families who trust us with their care. We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation as we prioritize safety.”

Current visitation guidance includes:

  • Children under the age of 18 are discouraged from visiting the hospital.
  • Adult visitors and family members should be limited to next of kin and close contacts.
  • A maximum of two visitors will be allowed at a time. (In certain situations, including in the Emergency Department, visitation may be limited to one or no visitors.)
  • Visitors who are not feeling well are asked not to visit.
  • Proper cough etiquette is encouraged, including covering coughs with a tissue or arm, disposing of tissues immediately, and cleaning hands afterward.
  • Visitors should perform hand hygiene before and after visiting.
  • Face masks remain optional at this time; however, due to the increase in respiratory illness, masking is highly encouraged in patient care areas as a simple and effective way to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, in accordance with CDC guidance.

Exceptions to these visitation restrictions may be considered on an individual basis and will be determined by the Charge Nurse or House Supervisor after hours.

Maria Parham Health thanks patients, families, and the community for their continued dedication to helping provide a safe environment for all.

For updates or additional information, please visit Maria Parham Health’s official communication channels.

Visit https://www.mariaparham.com for updates.

TownTalk: Commissioners Discuss Detention Center Updates, Fiscal Policy Adoption, ABC Expansion

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment Monday that will continue covering expenses for detainees held in jails outside the county and other costs stemming from challenges associated with the current state of the detention facility.

Sheriff Curtis Brame and detention center co-administrator Capt. Shannon Hawley appeared before commissioners at the regular monthly meeting to request that funding continue as the county makes decisions about repairs to the existing jail while making plans to construct a new facility.

In the spring of 2025, the state declared that the jail be depopulated – between the physical condition of the jail itself and a staffing shortage, the maximum number of detainees was slashed from more than 100 to 20.

Since that time, with improvements, repairs and better staffing, the jail houses 45 detainees. But there are 100 or more who should be housed locally but are farmed out to other jails willing to take them. That comes at a cost to the county, however.

“The county has invested an inordinate amount of money…a ridiculous amount of money,” Hawley said, but it’s necessary.

“We ask that we continue to fund housing our inmates outside the facility until a new facility can be built,” he added.

Brame said his staff is “scrambling…hurting each and every day,” adding that he worries about the safety of his officers working at the jail, as well as the safety of the detainees.

County Manager C. Renee Perry said the county has spent roughly $1.2 million since April, including $732,000 in emergency pay and $324,000 in repairs to the jail.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt said he’d visited the jail recently and sees “substantial” improvements but added there’s a long way to go. The electronic doors do not work, for example, creating a risk to personnel and to detainees.

“These are things that have got to be done…(we) don’t have a choice,” Brummitt said.

The repairs are projected to be completed in November 2026, Perry said, but noted that the jail capacity would only be 90. The problem will persist, she said, until there is a new facility.

Commissioners also approved a spending cap of $2.93 million to complete the repairs to the existing jail facility as part of the design-build concept being used to bring the jail up to speed as it moves forward with plans for new construction.

The approval places a cap on spending for the renovation/repair portion of the project at $2,938,278.

Commissioners also approved a plan submitted by the local ABC Board to remodel and expand the ABC store on Beckford Drive.

ABC Board Chair Jerry Stainback said the expansion could take up to one year to complete, but he anticipates being able to pay off any financial obligation quickly.

In 2007, when the current store was approved, the ABC Board was able to pay off the note four years early.

The plan calls for a 4,500 square-foot expansion of the current store. “We can’t pay for it all in a year, but we can get it paid in significantly less than 10 years,” Stainback predicted. He said the store does $6 million in sales each year.

Commissioners also approved an updated fiscal operations policy, which had been brought before commissioners at an earlier meeting. Commissioner Tommy Hester made the motion to approve the policy. Commissioner Brummitt voted against.

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Vance County Fire Department Announces State Certifications In Medium Rescue, Medical Responder

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The Vance County Fire Department has announced a couple of state certifications that it has earned. In a Facebook post on Jan. 2, fire officials offered thanks and appreciation to county leaders and staff.

“We are proud to share an important milestone with our community. Vance County Fire has officially earned state certifications for Medium Rescue and Medical Responder. This achievement reflects months of hard work, sacrifices, and perseverance by our dedicated personnel. Despite challenges and doubt, our team stayed focused and let results do the talking.”

The post also said, “Thank you to the Board of Commissioners, Assistant County Manager Jones, and County Manager Perry for standing with us and believing in what we are building. The Future of Vance County is Bright.”

That quote is becoming the signature quote of Vance County Fire Department Chief Marvin Harrison.  He’s been saying so for a while and also said so recently on WIZS TownTalk.  If you missed that show or the replay of it, check it out at WIZS.com and click on TownTalk or go to facebook.com/wizsradio and scroll down a few posts.

Local Guardian ad Litem Training Begins Jan. 13, 2026

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The local Guardian ad Litem program is a statewide program designed to place trained volunteers to serve as advocates for neglected or abused children going through the court system.

The next six-week training session begins on Jan. 13, 2026. Area Supervisor Samantha Branch, who serves the five-county region that includes Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person counties, is seeking additional volunteers who want to become advocates for this very important program.

Formed in 1983, the Guardian ad Litem program serves in all 100 counties in North Carolina and is a division of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts.

According to information on its website, when a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a juvenile is filed in district court, the judge appoints a volunteer GAL advocate and an attorney advocate to provide team representation to the child.

Program staff in each county work with the GAL child to provide support – legal and advocacy – to children as they go through the court process.

Advocates protect and promote the best interests of juveniles in abuse and neglect court proceedings, as well as report the child’s wishes to the court. They also could contribute to independent investigations to determine the facts, the needs of the child and identify resources appropriate to each case.

Learn more about the program at https://www.nccourts.gov/programs/guardian-ad-litem.

If you think you’d like to become a trained Guardian ad Litem advocate, call 252.430.5121 or visit volunteerforgal.org.

(Information above originally posted Dec. 17, 2025)

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NC Lottery Sending Fewer Dollars To County Education Coffers In 2025, Audit Shows

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— information courtesy of Office of State Auditor Dave Boliek

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor has released the statutorily required financial statement audit of the North Carolina Education Lottery.

The audit, performed under contract with accounting firm Cherry Bekaert, found the financial statements present fairly the financial position of Education Lottery as of June 30, 2025 and 2024.

In reviewing the financial statements, however, the audit found that while the Education Lottery’s revenues have increased, there was a decrease in the amount of net revenues transferred for education purposes from FY 2024 to FY 2025.

According to information on the nc.lottery.com website, Vance County has received almost $45.5 million since the lottery began in 2005. In 2024, Vance County received $2,836,221.

According to the financial statements, in FY 2024 the Education Lottery reported total annual revenue – acquired through lottery ticket sales – of $5.4 billion, with $1.07 billion of that being net revenues for North Carolina’s Education Lottery Fund. In FY 2025, total annual revenue increased once again, this time, to $6.6 billion, but net revenues decreased to $1.05 billion designated for public schools. The overall percentage contributed to the public schools, for example, has gone from 23% in FY 2023, to 20% FY 2024, to 16% in FY 2025.

State Auditor Dave Boliek spoke with Education Lottery leadership to discuss the financial statement audit prior to public release. OSA also launched a performance audit of the Education Lottery and has been engaged in that exercise for the last three months. This is the first performance audit of the Education Lottery conducted by the State Auditor since 2008 and since a narrowly tailored investigative report issued by OSA in 2012.

“North Carolinians have a reasonable expectation that if the Education Lottery’s ticket sales go up, money going toward our public schools would increase as well. At first glance, these numbers raise a lot of questions. Over the last three years, total revenues have increased by a total of over $3 billion, while contributions to public education have been flat,” Boliek said. “These numbers led to the initiation of a performance audit designed to take a deep dive into all aspects of the Education Lottery’s finances and operations. North Carolinians deserve answers to some tough questions so that we all have a better understanding of the return public schools are getting from the Education Lottery.”

The full financial statement audit can be viewed here. OSA gave Education Lottery management the opportunity to provide additional commentary on the financial statement audit, which can be read here.