Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

November 4th Henderson City Council Ward 4 Runoff

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UPDATE 11-3-25:

Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day for Kittrell and Middleburg townships, as well as for the runoff election in the contest for the Ward 4 seat on the Henderson City Council.

Incumbent Ola Thorpe-Cooper is seeking to retain her seat on the Council, facing challenger Catherine “Kitty” Gill.

The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and local elections officials remind voters that only residents of Ward 4 will be casting votes in this runoff election.

Henderson Ward 4 residents who vote on Nov. 4 should cast ballots at their polling precincts which include Sandy Creek, Central, Northern Vance (campus of Vance County Middle School) and South Henderson. These four precincts are the only sites that will be open on Nov. 4, according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles.

As for Kittrell and Middleburg voters, you’ll be voting for mayor as well as members of council.

In Kittrell, the incumbents are seeking re-election, including Mayor Gene Pulley and town commissioners Mary Jo Floyd, Susan Pulley and Robert B. Tunstall.

In Middleburg, incumbents Mayor Ray Bullock and council members Hazel A. Baskett, Shirley H. Bullock and Mamie Turner are seeking to retain their seats.

These mayoral contests are unopposed, and the member positions are vote for three, and there are only three candidates available in each contest.

Vance County Board of Elections Chair Susan Floyd reminds voters that they will be asked to show a photo ID before casting their ballot. 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.

If you have questions, please contact the Vance County Board of Elections at 252.492.3730.

Click Play for our Broadcast Audio from the 11 a.m. hour on 11-3-25!

VGCC Foundation Gets $3,000 Grant From Food Lion Feeds For Food Pantry

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— Information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College

 

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation has received $3,000 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help students experiencing hunger. The Feeding the Hungry grant supports The Foundation’s efforts by purchasing food items that will ultimately help tackle food insecurity among our students. In addition, the grants support community feeding partners by helping neighbors increase their access to nutritious food and providing nutrition education to eliminate health risks for those experiencing food insecurity.

The VGCC Foundation aims to reduce food insecurity through its food pantry that serves students at all VGCC campuses. The campuses are located in Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties. The food pantry is a one-stop shop for food and hygiene items for students and is sustained through a partnership with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Food Lion, fundraisers, donations of items and monetary gifts. The Foundation will be able to use this generous gift from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to purchase food items and support healthy eating initiatives for its students.

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting families facing food insecurity across its 10-state footprint. Established in 2001, the foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to feeding local neighbors in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $18.1 million in grants.

‘Tricky’ Weather Prompts Maria Parham Health To Send ‘Trunk Or Treat’ Indoors

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Maria Parham Health’s Trunk or Treat event will still take place on Tuesday, Oct. 28, but, thanks to rainy weather predicted for the next few days, organizers have decided to send the costumed kiddos inside to get their goodies.

This is the fifth year for the event, but it’ll be the first time that it’s not a drive-thru affair. The trick-or-treating will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., said MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young. Enter through the Main Lobby of the hospital and follow a clearly marked loop that will lead you out through the doors of the Heart & Vascular department.

All trick-or-treaters must be accompanied by an adult, Young noted. “We can’t wait to see all your creative costumes and smiles – rain or shine, the fun goes on inside!” she said.

For more information, please contact Donna Young at donna.young@lpnt.net.

Follow These Tips To Keep Trick-Or-Treaters Safe On Halloween

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— From the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

The Halloween holiday is quickly approaching, and many in Vance County have already been participating in fun and spooky activities. Before you head out to participate in trick-or-treating, haunted houses or costume parties, keep in mind these tips from Sheriff Curtis R. Brame to help you and your family stay safe while you enjoy the festivities.

If you plan to go out in search of treats, parents and guardians should take the time to check their local sex offender registry at https://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov/. At this webpage you can view a map of registered sex offenders’ addresses in your area and also set up an alert that will notify you if a sex offender moves to your area.

Once you have determined the best route for treat-seeking, Sheriff Curtis R. Brame hopes you will follow these basic safety tips to keep your little ghouls and goblins safe:

  • When choosing a Halloween costume, pick one with bright colors or add reflective tape so children can be seen in low light.
  • Make sure masks or costumes do not obstruct vision or movement.
  • Always make sure there is an adult present with younger kids while trick-or-treating, and older kids know to only visit familiar areas.
  • Never accept homemade treats, even if it is from a home in a familiar neighborhood.
  • Carefully inspect all candy at home before eating. Discard any that have been previously opened, tampered with, or have labels that do not appear to be from the original manufacturer.
  • Only approach homes that are brightly lit.

Unfortunately, Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians, so if you plan to be driving around your neighborhood amongst the spooky trick-or-treaters, make sure to remain vigilant to prevent unnecessary tragedy. When driving on Halloween, remember:

  • Make sure your headlights are on.
  • Take an extra look at crosswalks and intersections for groups of trick-or-treaters crossing the road.
  • Drive slowly through residential areas, even if you do not see any trick-or-treaters.
  • Watch for children who may dart into the street.
  • Do not text and drive. It is against the law in North Carolina.
  • Do not wear costumes while driving that may obstruct your vision or make it difficult for you to react quickly behind the wheel.

If you plan to stay inside and hand out candy rather than joining the festive crowds, you can still help keep little ones safe:

  • Keep your porch and driveway clear of any tripping hazards.
  • Make sure your porch is well lit for trick-or-treaters.
  • Only hand out unopened, pre-packaged candy and treats.
  • Avoid potential fire-related accidents by using battery operated candles or glow sticks in your jack-o-lanterns and other décor.
  • Make sure all pets are contained when you open your door.

“Halloween is a great time for families and friends to celebrate the fall season, which means there may be a large number of people out and about enjoying the festivities,” noted Sheriff Curtis R. Brame. “It is important to take extra precautions on busy holidays like this one to help you and everyone in our community can have a safe and enjoyable time. We can work together to make sure that the only scary thing about this Halloween is the spooky decorations and ghoulish costumes!”

Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 252.738.2200 to learn more.

Veterans And Military Families Health And Resource Fair Coming To VGCC Civic Center Nov. 1

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UPDATE OCT 23:

The upcoming health and resource fair for military veterans and their families is going to be bigger this time around because organizers have cast a wider net to include those in Vance, Warren, Franklin, Person counties along with Granville County.

“It’s so important for us to bring these resources to the veterans and to their families,” said co-chair Lyn Breisacher of the Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee. She and fellow co-chair Anne Williams have planned the event, which will take place at Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The space will be full of vendors and agencies eager to share resources and information to help veterans and their families with all types of services, from educational opportunities and financial services to employment, housing and social services.

Representatives from the Veterans Administration will be there to answer questions about claims, benefits and other services.  Additionally, Walgreens will be offering free flu vaccines to all attendees, including any VGCC student who wants to get the vaccine. Refreshments will be available, too, along with door prizes. Thomas Grill will have its food truck on site, and veterans will receive a discount on their food purchase, Breisacher said.

Veterans should bring their military ID or DD-214, especially if they intend to check on the status of a claim or to start a claim with the VA at their mobile unit, which will be set up to help vets and families, she said.

Individuals can talk to a real person, “one on one, face to face,” Breisacher said, instead of exchanging emails and making phone calls to try to get information about services and claims.

“This makes it a whole lot easier and adds a personal touch,” she said.

The resource and health fair kicks off a month-long national observance of military veterans and families, and Breisacher said it’s just one way to show support for veterans.

Veterans Day is Nov. 11, and many organizations and municipalities plan ceremonies on that day – 11-11 at 11 a.m. – to honor those who have served in the military.

“We want to salute them the whole month,” she said. Operation Green Light is another way communities can show support, she noted. Replace your porch light or other outdoor light with a green light bulb and let it shine during November.

The Committee welcomes all the veterans in our area to take advantage of this event.

Contact Lyn Breisacher at 919.693.8947 or Anne Williams at 919.892.5471 to learn more.

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UPDATE OCT 14:

November is just a few short weeks away, and the Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee is gearing up to celebrate Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month with an event on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.

The committee is hosting a Veterans Health and Resource Fair, open to all area veterans.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and there will be a variety of exhibitors on hand to provide information about all types of services of interest to veterans, from educational opportunities and financial services to employment, housing and social services.

Representatives from the Veterans Administration will be there to answer questions about claims, benefits and other services.

additionally, Walgreens will be offering free flu vaccines to all attendees.  Refreshments will be available, too, along with door prizes.

The Committee is looking forward to welcoming all the veterans in our area to take advantage of this event.  Also, if you’re an agency or organization who has resources available for these veterans and you haven’t been contacted by one of our committee members, please contact Lyn Breisacher at 919.693.8947 or Anne Williams at 919.892.5471.

Henderson City Council Approves Design For Veterans Memorial

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The Henderson City Council approved on Monday a design for the veteran’s memorial that will be installed in front of the police station.

Hartwell Wright with American Legion Post #60 described the memorial to Council Members and said he expects the cost to be in the range of $150,000.

The memorial will be solid granite and will have six sides – one side for each branch of service, Wright explained.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to make it Henderson-specific,” he said, but the memorial will not include the names of individuals. The plan is to create another granite wall, along the order of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., to put those names.

“We hope you’ll be as excited as we are to recognize our veterans,” Wright said.

And with the hefty price tag, he said fundraising will begin as quickly as possible.

Planners had hoped to be able to use the stone memorials that had been installed at 110 Young St. in this memorial, but they just won’t work out, Wright explained. Instead, those stones – which were provided by the American Legion, will be placed on display on the Post 60 property on Garnett Street.

NC AgVentures Grant Program Funds Projects That Enhance Farm Profits

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NC AgVentures, a program of N.C. State Extension, provides grants to the state’s farmers and to non-profit community groups that work with family farms as a way to fund agricultural project ideas that will increase farm profits. Sponsored by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the program will award a minimum of 50 grants to independent family farms in 46 counties across the state, including Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin.

This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their farm operation.

NC AgVentures will award grants up to $10,000. Application submission begins today – Wednesday, Oct.15, with a deadline of 6 p.m. on Dec. 19.

Find details and the online application at www.ncagventures.org.

Webinars are planned still for Nov. 10 and Nov. 24 to provide additional information about the grant program and the application process.

The presentations are the same. Click the links below to register.

November 10, 2025 (4:30 to 5:30 p.m.)

November 24, 2025 (4:30 to 5:30 p.m.)

 

Sign Up By Oct. 17 For Free Mammogram; Nov. 1 Event At Aycock Rec Center

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Invision Diagnostics is bringing its Mammogram Bus to Aycock Rec Center on Saturday, Nov. 1 and now is the time to schedule a free mammogram. Phone 877.318.1349 to schedule an appointment. Sisters Speak Life founder Freddie Harris said six women had signed up as of Friday, Sept. 26. Sign up before Oct. 17 – they need a minimum of 15 scheduled appointments, or the bus will have to be cancelled, Harris said.

Sisters Speak Life is creating a video to help promote that Nov. 1 event. If you’re a breast cancer survivor, please send a headshot photo, along with the year you were diagnosed and a one-word description of yourself to be included in the video. In addition to the mammogram bus, there will be health-related resources for participants to learn about available services in the area.

When Harris was diagnosed with cancer, she said she found inspiration from people – family, friends and even strangers – who surrounded her with love and support.

She encourages people to come together, reach out and help each other. “It made a difference for me and I think it can make a difference for someone else.”

Join Sisters Speak Life at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 1 as participants tie pink ribbons on trees along Breckenridge Street to kick off the Pink Out campaign. Return at 5:30 p.m. for another community gathering at McGregor Hall as part of the Pink Out effort. Ribbons and t-shirts are available, too.

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/sistersspeaklife or https://sistersspeaklife.org/

The Local Skinny! Louisburg College Celebrating Homecoming 2025

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With Louisburg College’s Homecoming festivities just over a week away, college leaders, students and alumni are making special “Hurricane” preparations to enjoy time together at the historic school located in Franklin County.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Alitha Palich outlined several activities for alums who plan to return to take part in Homecoming, from a pep rally on Thursday, Oct. 23 to the big football game on Saturday afternoon.

“We have a lot of our alumni around in this specific area,” Palich told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “We love to get them on campus as much as possible.”

The school sent out emails and postcards with details about how to let the school know they’ll be attending, but Palich said she’d gladly assist with the registration process. Just give her a call at 919.497.3325 to learn more.

The Thursday pep rally will crank up about 11 a.m. in front of the main building on campus to cheer on the football team but also to throw support behind the school’s basketball and soccer teams, too she said.

There’s a basketball game on Friday at 6 p.m. and then a big family-friendly cookout beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday. An alumni awards ceremony will take place around 12 noon.

The Hurricanes will take on the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy at 2 p.m. at Louisburg High School’s football stadium.

Palich said the 235-year college has a long history of partnering with the community – sharing the football field is just one example of how the community supports the college.

“The community supports us so much,” Palich said. “It’s always a joy to do things for the community – our students go out and do service projects,” she explained. “It’s a great give-and-take between us and the surrounding areas.”

Louisburg College is located at 501 N. Main St., Louisburg.

Visit https://www.louisburg.edu/ to learn more.

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Two Arrested On Drugs, Firearms Charges

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 — From the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On Thursday, October 2, 2025 members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group and members of the FBI executed a search warrant at 645 Foster Rd. Ext. Henderson, NC 27537. Investigators located and seized Cocaine, Marijuana, SCH I narcotics and multiple firearms to include a firearm classified as a weapon of mass destruction. Charles Pender and Brittini Haynes were arrested as a result of this investigation. Pender was charged with Possession of Firearm by Felon, Possession of Weapon of Mass Destruction, Possession With Intent To Manufacture, Sell And Deliver Cocaine, Possession With Intent To Manufacture, Sell And Deliver SCH I, Possession With Intent To Manufacture, Sell And Deliver Marijuana and Felony Maintaining a Dwelling. Pender was remanded to the Franklin County Jail on Federal Detainer. Haynes was charged with Felony Maintaining a dwelling and was released on a $25,000.00 unsecured bond. Both appear in Vance County court on Nov. 18, 2025.