Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Henderson City Council Approves Resolution Opposing Part V, Section 5 Of N.C. Senate Bill 214

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The Henderson City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve a resolution to oppose specific wording in Senate Bill 214 that would
allow Franklin County to take property from Vance and two other counties named in the Section 5 portion of the draft legislation.

N.C. District 32 Rep. Bryan Cohn updated Council members during a 1 p.m. meeting on the status of the bill.  He said he was optimistic that the bill wouldn’t come back to the House this week.

Cohn paused his remarks to Council to check his phone at 1:19 p.m. to see if the matter, known as a “conference report,” had been removed, and while it had not been removed at that time, it was removed a short time later Monday afternoon.  At this publication, the matter is not on the House calendar but does remain on the Senate calendar.

Seven Council members were present for the special called meeting, scheduled on Apr. 23 by Mayor Melissa Elliott; Council Member Lamont Noel was not present but joined electronically. Council Member Garry Daeke made the motion, which was seconded by Council Member Michael Venable.

Last week, the conference report, which you can continue to think of as Senate Bill 214, was put on the calendar for discussion on Tuesday, Apr. 28; Cohn told the Council Section 5 language was inserted sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

What Cohn said he was expecting to be an uneventful week back in session turned into a frenzied reaction from local government leaders and elected officials across Vance, Warren, Granville and Halifax counties who called special meetings and adopted resolutions in opposition to the idea that Cohn described to Council as “egregious” in his remarks at the 1 p.m. meeting on Monday.

“It’s un-democratic, it’s un-American, and frankly it’s likely unconstitutional,” he said. Furthermore, if the legislation passes, he
said it would open a Pandora’s box for future attempts by other counties to do the same.

“I think we made a case on the House floor,” Cohn said of remarks he and colleague N.C. Rep. Rodney Pierce, who represents Halifax and Warren counties, made last week. “I’m extremely optimistic that we are headed in the right direction,” Cohn said, adding that he feels a lot better about things now than he did last week.

“We’re talking now about what it is that Franklin County needs, what is it that the region needs, what are the issues that are continuing to
come up and affect the city of Henderson, the water plants and its partners – those are positive things, and it’s a much better place to be.”

Elliott said a bus will leave the Henderson Police Department parking lot at 7 a.m. Tuesday to take interested individuals to the Legislative
Building in Raleigh to voice their opposition to legislators.

Cohn was at the Council meeting to provide an update, but he also asked for the council to remain open to possibilities and “have discussions in good faith” regarding the future of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System and the needs of both its partners and of its customers.

As majority partner in the regional water system, the City of Henderson has a 60 percent interest in the way the water plant is currently
structured.

“We’re 2 and 0 in stopping shenanigans with the water plant, but I can’t guarantee that we’ll be 3 and 0. I say that with confidence. I can’t
guarantee that.” Decisions need to be made about how this water plant is going to continue.

But Cohn reminded Council members that the state has the authority to remove that ownership through a variety of means. “We don’t ever want to get to that point,” he said. “This city has worked hard to make sure that this plant is operated and has continued to serve the people of Henderson, Warren County, the City of Oxford and all the bulk water customers throughout the region for many, many decades. That needs to be honored and respected and Henderson absolutely must have a seat at the table.”

He urged Council members to work with the city manager, consulting partners as well as the other entities with an ownership stake to
discuss what the future looks like and what it means for the city of Henderson.

Although he did not file for re-election to represent House District 32, Cohn said he would continue to work for a resolution to the issue.

“I will be with you every step of the way,” he said, “so you’ll have my undivided attention until January – and beyond.”

Cohn responded to questions and comments from several Council members, including Council Member Garry Daeke, who mentioned the current water plant expansion project that is nearing completion.

Daeke cited several factors that he said could have had an adverse effect on fruitful conversations in the past, including disruptions
caused by COVID, as well as having new leadership in key roles, both in Franklin County as well as the city of Henderson. The city has had several city managers in the recent past, as well as city attorneys; similarly, Franklin County has had changes in its leadership as well.

A recent study of the water plant is something that Daeke and Cohn point to that can help inform future discussions about KLRWS.

Reading from a prepared statement, Council Member Kenia Gómez-Jimenez said the regional water system is “not just a pipeline. It is a regional partnership built over time, led in large part by the city of Henderson. We are not just a participant, we are the primary steward and Franklin County, they are not outsiders to the system – they are already a customer.”

She said new infrastructure would be redundant, and “not the most efficient option, not the most collaborative option and certainly not
the most responsible use of Franklin County taxpayer dollars.”

One Arrested On Drug Charges In Apr. 25 Traffic Stop

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— From the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle violation in the area of Carey Chapel Road and Newton Dairy Road, Henderson NC. 

 The driver/owner of the vehicle, Kevin Carter, was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant for Obtaining Property by False Pretense out of Franklin County.  Carter was also charged with Resisting Public Officer, Open Container Alcohol Violation, Possession with Intent to Manufacture Sell & Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance (Methamphetamines), Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling Place Controlled Substance, Possess Drug Paraphernalia and No Liability Insurance.  

Carter was placed in the Vance County Detention Center without bond with a court date scheduled in Vance County Court on May 22, 2026.

 

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Vance Commissioners Adopt Resolution Opposing Section Of SB 214

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution opposing wording in N.C. Senate Bill 214 that would give Franklin County the authority to take property from Vance County without the commissioners’ approval.

The vote was swift and unanimous and the emergency special called meeting lasted less than 10 minutes.

The vote was 6-0; Commissioner Yolanda Feimster was not present at the meeting, which began at 4 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room in the county administration building.

Commissioner Tommy Hester made the motion to approve adoption of the resolution.

After the vote, Hester stated, “Vance County is in support of the city of Henderson. We’re doing this in support of them.”

County Manager C. Renee Perry said she received a call Wednesday from Rep. Rodney Pierce who represents Halifax and Warren counties about Part V Section 5 of the bill, which names Vance, Warren and Halifax counties as the three counties from which Franklin County would be able to acquire property “without consent or approval.”

Perry said other counties and municipalities are considering resolutions opposing the bill as well and she recommended that the Vance County board follows suit, “to try to fight this as much as we can.”

Commissioner Leo Kelly said he’d been in Raleigh Friday speaking with legislators about the bill and local ramifications if it passes. The bill is on the calendar for Tuesday, Apr. 28.

County Attorney Jonathan Care was unavailable to attend the meeting, but Perry shared his comments with the board.

“The more noise that we can make the better,” Perry said Care had told her, adding that the bill was “fundamentally wrong.”

Board Chair Carolyn Faines said she considered the action “unethical to suggest even such a thing” as acquiring property without approval of the board of commissioners.

“To me, it’s like robbery,” Faines said. “You come to take, instead of partner to see what’s needed to be done to help fix  a situation or issue. It’s one of the most unethical behaviors from another government body that I have experienced.”

Statement On ‘Long-Term Water Statement’ From Franklin County Manager’s Office

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WIZS received the following statement late Friday afternoon from Michelle Kenny, research assistant in the office of Rep. Matthew Winslow, Dist. 7.

It appears below, in its entirety:

Franklin County has been working to secure a long-term water supply for its residents and businesses for more than twenty years. This legislation is one step in a long process, and it is not our first step.

For years, Franklin County pursued every available regional option. We have purchased water from multiple sources, including the City of Henderson through the Kerr Lake Regional Water System, the Town of Louisburg, and the City of Raleigh. Franklin County requested expanded capacity through existing regional arrangements repeatedly and has been unable to secure a long-term solution. Expanding the existing regional infrastructure to meet Franklin County’s projected demand would require a construction investment of more than $78 million, and even that investment would not provide sufficient capacity to meet Franklin County’s long-term needs. Obtaining water from multiple sources at the scale Franklin County requires is simply not cost-effective or sustainable.

The Army Corps of Engineers reallocation process at Kerr Lake is the right path forward. It is a formal, federally managed process which requires strict public notice and meaningful opportunities for input from all affected jurisdictions. The Army Corps of Engineers requires transparency. Franklin County did not bypass any process; we initiated the process that exists specifically to evaluate requests like this one.

On the legislation specifically, this bill gives Franklin County a legal tool it may need to position water infrastructure as the Army Corps process moves forward. The condemnation authority exists as a last resort if good-faith negotiation fails, but negotiation in good faith is absolutely Franklin County’s plan and our preference.

Franklin County’s growth benefits the entire region. The employers, families, and businesses choosing Franklin County create jobs and economic activity that extend well beyond our borders. Securing reliable, affordable water supply is how Franklin County continues to support that growth, for our residents and for the region. Franklin County growth is likely the best opportunity for economic growth for Granville, Vance and Warren Counties.

Franklin County respects its relationships with neighboring counties. Legislative advocacy is a normal part of local government, and the County pursued this through a process that would provide the best opportunity for success. Franklin County recognizes that affected jurisdictions were not notified in advance of this provision but are committed to ongoing dialogue as this process moves forward. The Legislative process and the Army Corps process provide meaningful opportunities for all affected jurisdictions to be heard, and Franklin County welcomes that engagement.

FSA Physical Loss Loans Available For Vance County Producers Affected By January 17 Ice, Snow

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— Press release from the USDA Farm Service Agency

Agricultural producers in Vance County who lost property due to recent natural disasters are eligible for physical loss loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers these loans for losses caused by excessive snow, ice, freeze, high winds and a blizzard that occurred on January 17, 2026.

FSA is offering these low-interest emergency loans to producers with a qualifying loss. Approval is limited to applicants who suffered severe physical losses only, including the loss of buildings and livestock. The deadline for producers in designated primary and contiguous counties to apply for loans for physical losses is December 6, 2026.

Physical loss loans can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.

Please contact FSA for more information on loan eligibility and the application process. FSA office information is available at farmers.gov/service-center-locator. Additional FSA disaster assistance program information is available at fsa.usda.gov/disaster.

For more information, contact FSA County Executive Director Hattie Jordan at 252.438.3134 ext.2

Mars Petcare building exterior with flagpoles and a blue, sunny sky

H-V Chamber Of Commerce Networking To Help Mars Employees After News Of Plant Closing

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With the recent announcement that the Mars Petcare plant will close its doors in the next few months, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson said she and her staff will be doing all in their power to support the 150 employees who will be without jobs when the facility ceases production.

“Let me just say right up front that we’re just deeply saddened by the announcement of the closing of Mars,” Wilkerson told WIZS News Tuesday. She said the plant, which makes Iams and Eukanuba pet foods, has been a long-standing member of the local business community. The closing not only has an impact on the employees and their families, she said, but it also affects the broader economic health of Vance County and the larger region.

Wilkerson said Mars has been an important contributor and partner of the local Chamber, providing income that helped fuel the local economy, as well as jobs and support in the community.

“Of course, this was devastating for us to hear but we have jumped into action,” Wilkerson said, after Mars reached out to the Chamber. “We’re going to work alongside the local, state and the workforce partners that we have and try to connect these displaced workers with the resources that they need for job opportunities and support during this transition,” Wilkerson said. This is a difficult period, she said. “They’re devastated, the 150 employees, and so are we.”

And while the Chamber staff can’t go out and create jobs, they can work to connect with other partners who may be able to help. Through networking and identifying resources, Wilkerson said the Chamber can provide opportunities for those displaced workers.

“We’re going to try to move forward with this and encourage the business community to come together and support those that are affected,” Wilkerson said, while sending the message to the employers to continue investing in the strength and the future of our community.

If you would like to reach the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, then call 252 438-8414 or email sandra@hendersonvance.org.

Mars Petcare building exterior with flagpoles and a blue, sunny sky

Mars Petcare Plant in Henderson to Close in July

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Henderson’s Mars Petcare plant, which employs about 150 people, will cease production in mid-June and will close for good sometime in July.

Spokesperson Lindsay Kordik spoke with WIZS News Monday afternoon and confirmed the closing.

Kordik said the Henderson location “is, at this time, yes, the only one closing.”

The company is working with the affected employees to help them find employment at other plants or otherwise help them with transition assistance in advance of the closing.

There is another Mars Petcare plant in Cary.

The spokesperson said the employees had been notified.

There was no information readily available about what will happen to the facility, located within the Industrial Park.

Kordik said, “As a business we are continuously evaluating the needs of our customers, pet parents and their pets, and right now we are redistributing this volume within our U.S. network. Essentially, that’s the rationale that I can share.”

The closure here is not for a specific product demand reason. “It’s really just simplifying our organization overall and right sizing our operations,” she said.

The decision is final, and “it was not made lightly.”

When essentially asked why a few different ways, Kordik said to a question about investments elsewhere needing to result in trimming here, “Directly, no. It’s really just driving efficiency in our operations to deliver across our network.”

Henderson Police: Two Additional Arrests Made In ‘Operation Blue Skies’ Continuation

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— Press release from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

On Friday, April 17, 2026, the Henderson Police Department, in partnership with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, continued Operation Blue Skies with a coordinated multi-agency enforcement initiative conducted across all four wards of the City of Henderson and throughout Vance County.

Highlights:

During the operation, officers with the Henderson Police Department conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Montgomery Street and Cherry Street. The driver  fled on foot but was apprehended a short distance away and identified as Ja’montaque Bullock, age 24.

During the pursuit, Bullock attempted to discard approximately 10 grams of crack cocaine. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a handgun, approximately 5 grams of marijuana, and heroin.

Bullock was charged with:

  • Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver (PWIMSD) Cocaine
  • Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling for Controlled Substances
  • Resisting a Public Officer
  • Window Tint Violation

Bullock was denied bond due to being on pretrial release and remains in custody pending court proceedings.

During a separate traffic stop at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Pettigrew Street, Jonathan Rhodes was arrested and charged with:

  • Possession of Heroin
  • Simple Possession of Marijuana
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Window Tint Violation

Rhodes received a $15,000 secured bond, which he posted, and was subsequently released.

Additional Enforcement Results:

Operation Blue Skies also resulted in the following enforcement actions:

  • Felony Arrests: 3 additional felony arrests
  • Misdemeanor Arrests: 3 individuals arrested on Orders for Arrest
  • Citation Charges Issued: 58

Seizures and Evidence Collected

  • Firearms: 7
  • Cocaine: 26 grams
  • Heroin: 33 dosage units
  • Marijuana: 41.1 grams
  • Methamphetamine: More than 1 gram

Operation Blue Skies reflects the continued commitment of local and state law enforcement agencies to proactively address criminal activity, ensure compliance with state laws, and improve the quality of life for residents throughout the community.

The Henderson Police Department remains dedicated to working alongside its law enforcement partners to enhance public safety and hold offenders accountable.

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Vance County Commissioners To Meet Apr. 20 At 4 P.M. To Consider Rezoning Request

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, Apr. 20 at 4 p.m. for a special called meeting before its planned work session.

According to the notification, the purpose of the meeting is to consider and take action on a rezoning request that the board, at its Apr. 6 regular monthly meeting, voted to continue.

The rezoning request is for a 40-acre tract along U.S. Hwy. 158 Business west of Henderson, for which the planning board had recommended approval. The zoning would change from EIA – Employment Institutional Area – to LI – Light Industrial.

At the Apr. 6 meeting, about 20 people spoke during the public hearing about the rezoning request; most were not in favor of the rezoning request, and two people spoke in favor.

By state statute, the board of commissioners must have a public comment period during at least one of its monthly meetings. This is a time when the public can address the board on any topic, Vance County Attorney Jonathan Care said.

In the case of the Apr. 6 meeting, Care explained, “There was a public comment period which was not restricted to the rezoning, and then there was a public hearing that was for the rezoning, and the public was restricted to that topic, but you were allowed to speak during both periods.  So we had a public comment period and then a public hearing.”

Chair Carolyn Faines opened the public hearing on the rezoning and that’s when residents came to the podium one at the time to address the commissioners.

Care said there is no requirement for another public comment period this month, “and there is not a requirement to have a public hearing at every meeting a rezoning is going to be discussed.”

The public is welcome to attend the meeting, but there is no scheduled public comment or public hearing included on the agenda.

The meeting and following work session will be available on the county’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUMNYAAhyvKx5leijt5K6Q.

Two Teens Arrested In Connection With String Of Vehicle Break-Ins

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— Press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On April 8, 2026, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office received reports of multiple vehicle break-ins that occurred during the early morning hours in the areas of N.C. 39 Loop Road, Freedom Lane, and North Oakwood Lane.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division initiated an investigation into these incidents. During the course of the investigation, detectives identified two individuals as persons of interest.

On April 16, 2026, investigators arrested and charged Shawn Williams (18 years old) with:

  • Three counts of Felony Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle with Theft 
  • One count of Felony Conspiracy

Williams was held without bond due to being on pre-trial release for a separate pending felony charge.

A 17-year-old juvenile was also detained and charged with the same offenses. The juvenile was later released into the custody of a parent.

“This case highlights the importance of strong partnerships between law enforcement and our community. We encourage residents to remain aware of their surroundings, secure their property, and report any suspicious activity. By working together, we can help prevent crimes like these and keep Vance County a safe place to live and work.” said Sheriff Curtis Brame.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of vehicle break-ins:

  • Always lock your vehicle, even when parked at your residence
  • Remove valuables or keep them out of sight
  • Avoid leaving firearms inside vehicles
  • Park in well-lit areas whenever possible
  • Report any suspicious persons or activity immediately

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 738-2200 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the P3 Tips mobile application.