Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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TownTalk: Vance County Commissioners Meeting – County Water

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County residents who are trying to decide whether to tap into the countywide water system have an incentive: Vance County commissioners have set the signup fee at $125 and have extended the reduced rate to be effective for the duration of construction of Phase 1B.

As Commissioner Tommy Hester explained it, “We’re trying to get as many customers as we possibly can, and the easier we can make it for those customers, the more chance you have for people to come sign up, and so I would like to see us for us to go with …125 no matter what side of the road it’s on for the length of the time of construction.”

Commissioner Dan Brummitt made a motion to do just that, and included all taps throughout the county, not just in the area covered in Phase 1B that includes the Kittrell area.

Special Projects Coordinator Frankie Nobles provided an update to commissioners during the Water Board portion of the Feb. 3 meeting.

He said there was an uptick in signups – 13 additional signups on Feb. 3 alone.

The county will need to schedule a couple of community meetings, Nobles said. Commissioners requested that County Manager C. Renee Perry handle scheduling those meetings in locations in the general Kittrell area.

There are signup forms at the county website www.vancecounty.org.

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NC Community Foundation Scholarship Info

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The North Carolina Community Foundation administers nearly 140 college scholarships totaling close to $1.8 million. Most of the applications are open until Mar. 3 for students looking for ways to help pay for college.

There is no cost to apply and students can apply online using NCCF’s Universal Scholarships Application, which matches student information with criteria for about 130 scholarships for which they may be eligible.

There are a dozen or so other NCCF scholarships that have separate applications with different due dates. Students should review the criteria for those and follow instructions on how to apply.

All scholarships are established through endowment funds at NCCF with criteria determined by the donor. In 2024, NCCF awarded almost $1.5 million in scholarships to 360 students.

Visit nccommunityfoundation.org/Scholarships for detailed application instructions.

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Cooperative Extension with Micah Sharpe: 4-H Events Happening in the Spring

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On Vance County Cooperative Extension with Micah Sharpe:

The Dinah Gore 4-H Healthy Food Challenge is happening in March. Vance County will take on other teams from other counties in the State. This is a perfect opportunity for kids to showcase their culinary skills.

There will be a Game of Drones Competition in April! Kids have been working on their drones using block code.

Family STEM Night will happen on March 20th at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market from 6pm-8pm. It’s going to be an interactive hands-on evening full of STEM activities for the whole family.

Calling All Teachers! The 4-H Science Embryology Program sign-ups are now open. It’s an opportunity for your students to learn about the life-cycle of chicks. Spot are limited.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Offices are located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536.

For any questions or to reach out to Micah Sharpe you can contact (252) 438-8188 or mosharpe@ncsu.edu

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VCHS Band Director Jaron Cox To Take Conductor Role In 3rd Annual Community Youth Honor Band

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— information courtesy of Vance County Schools and Vance-Granville Community College

More than 100 of the region’s best young musicians will show off their skills at the 3rd annual Community Youth Honor Band Concert, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7 at the VGCC Civic Center.

The concert, which is free and open to the public. begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Campus Civic Center in Henderson. All family, friends and community members are encouraged to come support these talented students and the schools they represent.

Jaron Cox, a founding member of the honor band event, will lead the intermediate group – the Green Honor Band. Cox is the band director at Vance County High School. VGCC music instructor Brian D. Miller will lead the advanced group, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

Middle and high school students representing schools throughout VGCC’s four-county service area were nominated by their respective band directors for their musical talent and passion. They will gather for the first time to rehearse on Thursday, Feb. 6, reconvene Friday morning, and present a concert that evening.

The student musicians will learn new songs especially for this event. Music selections had not yet been finalized at the time of publication, but event organizers offered a preview of what songs attendees might hear: “Ballad for Peace,” “The Barber of Seville,” “Ready the Castle” (JaRod Hall), and “Shadow Fire” (Randall D. Standridge), among others.

Cox said he is honored to lead this talented group of students. “The opportunity to conduct the Green Honor Band is a privilege,” said Cox. “This concert brings together young musicians from across the region to showcase their talents, and I look forward to helping them create a memorable performance.”

The Community Youth Honor Band includes middle and high school students from Granville, Vance, Warren and Franklin counties. It offers a special opportunity for students to collaborate with peers from other schools and perform in a large concert band. The preparation begins the day prior to the performance, with students rehearsing intensively for the big event.

Last year’s concert featured 95 students—45 from middle schools and 50 from high schools—performing before an audience of more than 300 in the VGCC Civic Center. This year promises to be another exciting display of musical growth and community spirit.

Cox also expressed gratitude for the continued support of the event by Betsy Henderson, VGCC Department Chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, Dr. Thomas Koinis, MD, FAAFP, VGCC Community Band member, and Tiffany Stone of Hill’s Music, aas well as Miller, who also is director of the Community Band.

This event was planned by a committee comprised of VGCC representatives, area band directors and school administrators, local business owners, and other community members. To learn more about the band or Fine Arts programs at Vance-Granville, contact department chair Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or 252.738.3371.

Michael Easley, Jr. Stepping Down From U.S. Attorney Eastern District Office

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U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., will step down as attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina on Monday, Feb. 3.

Easley was nominated for the post in 2021 by President Joe Biden and, following Senate confirmation, he was sworn in on Nov. 26, 2021.

In a press release issued Wednesday afternoon, Easley said, “It has been the highest honor to serve as the top federal law enforcement official for Eastern North Carolina – a place I was born, raised, and am proud to call home.” The press release did not contain details of Easley’s future plans.

Easley focused on driving down violent crime, white-collar prosecutions, protection of civil rights, and stemming the tide of narcotics into communities across the Eastern District. “We did it through partnering, shoulder to shoulder, with local law enforcement and community leaders to solve our region’s most challenging problems,” he stated, adding that he appreciates prosecutors, judges, law enforcement and staff “who give so much to see justice done every day.”

As the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the 44-county Eastern District that includes Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, Easley has overseen a staff of 119 employees, including 58 attorneys and 61 non-attorney support personnel.  The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms and narcotics.  The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

Throughout his term, Easley and his office have provided information to WIZS News about local cases, and he has even spoken with us as well. Over the years, he has praised the efforts of local law enforcement agencies and said they follow up and do what they say they are going to do.

In a January 2024 TownTalk program on human trafficking, Easley said Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow and Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame are “reliable partners” and said they both are in his speed dial. He called District Attorney Mike Waters “one of the most forward-leaning prosecutors” he knows. “He’s an incredible partner and somebody I count on to help unravel these cases.”

In an interview Wednesday afternoon with WIZS, Barrow was equally complimentary of Easley, calling him and his office a “great partner” with local law enforcement. “He was easy to talk to…to communicate with. He had our back here (and) has helped us rid Henderson of a lot of violent offenders.”

In an August 2023 interview with WIZS, Barrow said some members of the local police department serve on different federal task forces of the DEA, ATF and the FBI, which provides a path for some cases to be tried in federal court.

“We truly did a big investment into the federal program,” Barrow explained. With input from local district attorneys to decide which cases – usually involving guns and drugs – should go to federal court, Barrow said the trials and sentencing can happen in a “pretty swift” manner.

The main thing, he said, is that “they are removed from our community – they are the worst of the worst.”

Eddie Caldwell, executive vice president and general counsel of the N.C. Sheriff’s Association, said “U.S. Attorney Easley is the kind of partner every sheriff hopes for – sharp, decisive, and committed to results.  He didn’t just talk about law enforcement partnerships; he made them real, partnering with sheriffs for solutions and backing them up with action.  Under his leadership, we made real progress— violent crime down, overdose deaths falling, and tighter collaboration.  Easley set a new gold standard for what it means to lead in federal law enforcement.”

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(The story text above was originally posted to WIZS.com on 1-29-25 at 7 p.m.)

NC Dept of Agriculture

NC Reports Second Bird Flu Case; Backyard Flock Owners Should Use Biosecurity Precautions

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A commercial turkey operation in Sampson County has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza.

This is the second case of high path avian influenza in commercial poultry in North Carolina this year. The first case was in a commercial layer operation in Hyde County. Prior to this case, North Carolina has had 12 affected commercial flocks and eight backyard flocks.

“Since 2022, HPAI has impacted more than 141 million birds across all 50 states,” said State Veterinarian Mike Martin. “With HPAI being pervasive in some wild bird populations and the recent cases around the country, all flock owners, commercial and backyard, should remain vigilant with their biosecurity.

If your birds are sick or dying, report it right away to your local veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division, 919.707.3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System 919.733.3986.

A positive sample in the Sampson County case was first identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh and confirmed by the USDA APHIS National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa.

Biosecurity reminders for anyone who owns backyard flocks include:

  1. Keep chickens, turkeys, quail, guineas and other poultry separately from ducks. Ducks are known reservoirs for HPAI virus and can carry the virus without signs of illness.
  2. The HPAI virus lives for a long time in cool, moist conditions, so eliminate standing water (which might attract wild birds and waterfowl) in your flock’s pen. Also, make certain your birds do not have access to other water sources that might be visited by wild waterfowl: ponds, streams, lakes. Commingling of domestic poultry with any wild waterfowl creates a real possibility for the spread of HPAI virus.
  3. Place a cover over your flock’s pen, if possible, to prevent introduction of wild waterfowl droppings into the area your flock inhabits. The droppings of infected waterfowl have very high levels of infectious HPAI virus.
  4. Feed and water your birds in a protected area to prevent attracting any wild birds. The virus infects many species of birds and can be spread to your poultry through contact with birds carrying the virus on their feet or feathers, though they may not be infected.
  5. Wear shoe covers or clean boots each time you enter your birds’ pen. This will prevent tracking HPAI virus into the birds’ pen if it is present on your grounds.
  6. Keep feeders and waterers clean and sanitized often. Wild birds infected with HPAI virus that drink or eat from your flock’s equipment can spread the virus to your flock.
  7. Do not share equipment with other flocks. If you must share equipment, be certain it is cleaned and disinfected before moving from one premises to another.
  8. If you purchase new birds, buy only from a reputable dealer. Keep the newly purchased birds separate from your existing flock for at least 3 weeks to rule out any infection that might be present, but not showing signs of illness when the birds were initially purchased.
  9. Watch your flock closely and know the signs of illness. Poultry infected with HPAI can have various signs of illness, but the most consistent sign of an infected flock is having many birds die within a short timeframe.
  10. If your flock suddenly becomes depressed and begins dying, please contact NCDA&CS, your cooperative extension office, your local veterinarian or USDA APHIS and report these deaths immediately. You can reach NCDA&CS Veterinary Division at 919.707.3250, or USDA APHIS at 1.866.536.7593.

More information on HPAI and a listing of all NC cases since 2022 can be found at

https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary/AvianInfluenza.

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TownTalk: Four (Now Five) Put Names Up For Consideration To Fill District 3 Board Seat

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Update 1-28-25:

Vance County Manager Renee Perry said, “One more was received before the deadline. Charisse Fain.”

Perry confirmed that during the next regular commissioners meeting, this Monday, February 3, 2025 at 6 p.m., that next steps in this appointment process will be discussed.

Please review earlier updates below for further information.

Update 1-24-25:

The Vance County Board of Commissioners has the names of four people who are interested in filling the vacant District 3 seat on the board. Today was the deadline to submit names and the names that WIZS reported Thursday are the names that will be considered, according to information from County Manager C. Renee Perry.

Listed in alphabetical order, the four individuals are:

Joseph Doyle Carpunky
Jeanette B. Floyd
Charles Turrentine, Jr.
William Gordon Wilder

Former Commissioner Sean Alston vacated his seat on the board effective Jan. 1, when he took a job as a magistrate in Warren County. The commissioners have until Mar. 1 – 60 days from the time the seat was vacated – to appoint a replacement.

At a meeting in early January, County Attorney Jonathan Care advised commissioners that a meeting may need to be held in early February to discuss the appointment and those interested in filling Alston’s unexpired term.

The next regular meeting of the commissioners is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3.

The district 3 seat is up for election in 2026, according to Vance County Elections Director Haley Rawles.

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Original Update 1-23-25:

With the deadline looming, Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry confirmed Thursday that four individuals have submitted their names to be considered to fill the vacant District 3 seat on the Vance County Board of Commissioners. Other interested individuals have until tomorrow – Friday, Jan. 24 – to submit information to the county.

Listed in alphabetical order, the four individuals are:

  • Joseph Doyle Carpunky
  • Jeanette B. Floyd
  • Charles Turrentine, Jr.
  • William Gordon Wilder

Former Commissioner Sean Alston vacated his seat on the board effective Jan. 1, when he took a job as a magistrate in Warren County. The commissioners have until Mar. 1 – 60 days from the time the seat was vacated – to appoint a replacement.

At a meeting in early January, County Attorney Jonathan Care advised commissioners that a meeting may need to be held in early February to discuss the appointment and those interested in filling Alston’s unexpired term.

The next regular meeting of the commissioners is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3.

The district 3 seat is up for election in 2026, according to Vance County Elections Director Haley Rawles.

U.S. Attorney For Eastern District Of N.C. Announces Whistleblower Pilot Program

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— information courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina

U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. has announced that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has implemented the EDNC Whistleblower Pilot Program.

“In this office, we are focused on enhancing the identification and prosecution of white-collar crime,” Easley said in a written statement released Friday. “The EDNC Whistleblower Pilot Program achieves that by incentivizing individuals to proactively come forward with information about crimes taking place within corporations.  The benefit to the participant, if qualified, is avoiding prosecution.  We encourage all who may have information on fraud, corruption, or corporate crime, to fill out the short form on our website.”

To encourage early voluntary self-disclosure of criminal conduct and to promote effective enforcement of criminal laws, the office has implemented the EDNC Whistleblower Pilot Program.  The program applies to circumstances where an individual discloses information regarding certain covered subjects identified in the policy to this office, Easley’s statement explained.  Covered subjects include criminal conduct undertaken by or through public or private entities or organizations, including corporations, partnerships, non-profits, exchanges, financial institutions, investment advisers, or investment funds involving fraud or corporate control failures; intellectual property theft and related violations; or offenses affecting market integrity.

The policy also applies to disclosed criminal conduct involving state or local bribery or fraud relating to federal, state or local funds.  The policy does not apply to offenses involving violence.  Provided all policy conditions are met, this office will enter into a deferred or non-prosecution agreement with the whistleblower.

By clarifying the requirements and benefits of such self-disclosure, this office seeks to incentivize individuals (and their counsel) to provide actionable and timely information.  This will, in turn, help us expose more misconduct and better protect the communities we serve.

Find a complete copy of the policy, along with the application at:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/ednc-whistleblower-pilot-program

(Originally posted to WIZS.com Jan. 24, 2025)

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N.C. Main Street Programs Plans Feb. 12 Workshop In Oxford

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Downtown business owners and others looking for ways to revitalize, re-develop or otherwise preserve their downtown spaces can attend a daylong workshop in Oxford presented by the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning program,

The workshop will be held in the city hall auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Register online at MS&RP, according to information from Sabrina M. Richards, communications specialist for the City of Oxford.

The workshop is titled “Small-Scale Development and Historic Tax Credits” and will offer participants ways to use historic preservation as a tool for economic development, while boosting investment, creating jobs, fostering business growth and enhancing quality of life.

The workshop is open to anyone with an interest in revitalizing their downtown districts, including directors of Main Street programs, economic developers, historic preservationists, city staff like building inspectors and fire marshals, accountants, architects, engineers, neighborhood commercial district property owners and small-scale developers working in small to mid-sized communities.

Henderson and Oxford are members of the N.C. Main Street program, which operates under the N.C. Dept. of Commerce.

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Deadline Jan. 24 To Apply For District 3 Seat On Vance County Board Of Commissioners

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The process to appoint a replacement for the District 3 seat on the Vance County Board of Commissioners continues, with the application now posted on the county’s webpage for interested individuals to complete and return.

Interested individuals have until Friday, Jan. 24  to submit their completed applications.

The application can be found here.

Submit completed applications to Kelly Grissom, clerk to the board, to the address listed on the application. Eligibility will be verified with the Vance County Board of Elections.

To be considered, applicants must be of legal voting age, reside in District 3 and be a member of the Democratic party.

The board has until Mar. 1 to appoint a replacement for former commissioner Sean Alston, who resigned effective Jan. 1 to accept a position as a magistrate in Warren County.

Visit www.vancecounty.org to learn more.