Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

TownTalk: Around Old Granville – National Registry of Historic Places in Old Granville, Franklin & Warren

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Anyone interested in historical architecture and preservation of homes, businesses or other structures that have been around a really long time surely would have a field day in the four-county area. Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties are replete with buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which operates under the auspices of the National Parks Service.

If you’ve ever wondered how these homes, churches and other buildings get on “the list,” WIZS’s Bill Harris can provide a firsthand account: His family home is set to be included on the National Register in 2026.

Harris and local historian Mark Pace ran through a list of properties in Franklin and Warren counties on Wednesday’s Around Old Granville segment of TownTalk.

One of the newest additions to the Warren County list is All Saints Episcopal Church, officially included in August 2025.

The church served the African American community in the Warrenton area beginning in the 1910’s. The famous Delany sisters – known for their longevity – have a connection to the stone veneer church; their father was pastor there in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Like so many of the historic structures you’ll find on “the list,” All Saints is still standing today. But, as Pace pointed out, “just because a house is on the national register doesn’t mean it will be preserved forever.”

The Little Manor is one such example of a home still listed but is now in ruins.

According to Pace, Warren County has 228 total structures listed on the National Register – 27 individual buildings and 202 included in the Warrenton historic district. Franklin County has 240 structures – 213 of which are situated in Louisburg’s historic district.

A structure must be nominated for inclusion on the National Register, so there needs to be an advocate of some sort to fill out and submit the paperwork that’s involved.

According to information on the National Parks Service website, a property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation that includes the property’s age, significance and integrity.

For all you Baby Boomers out there, don’t be shocked: a structure can be considered historic if it’s at least 50 years old.

But, Pace said, the list includes more than just homes or other structures that have been around for centuries. For instance, the Wheless home in Louisburg was built in the mid 1950’s.

It meets the age criteria – barely – but it’s the style of architecture – reminiscent of the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright – that put this relatively young home among other homes that have graced the landscape for centuries.

Franklin County has many entries on “the list,” but there are many more located in northern Franklin County than in the southern part of the county, Harris said.

One of the newer additions is the Pearce-Massey-Stallings in southern Franklin County. It was nominated about five years ago and Harris described it as a “handsome” house built in a couple of different sections, the older back part dating back to about 1820.

The front was added about 1910, but the property is also significant because of the large number of outbuildings that are still standing. It’s also remains in the family, Pace said.

Another example of generations of ownership by the same family of a historic property is Cassine, near Louisburg. Descendents of the original members of the Perry family retain ownership of this historic property, which dates back to the 1760’s.

Want to check out some of these examples of historic architecture? Arm yourself with a list available at https://www.hpo.nc.gov/ or bring along the county’s architectural survey and chances are you’ll wend your way by a good number of homes, churches – and if you’re in the Inez area of Warren County – even a fire tower, all considered worthy of inclusion on that NPS’s National Register of Historic Places.

Just remember to drive by – don’t trespass, Pace reminds.

“Most of us are proud of our old houses,” Harris said. So if you happen to see someone out in the yard when you’re driving by, it could be worth a try to stop in and say hello. You might end up getting a tour.

 

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NC State Board of Elections

State Board Of Elections Completes Random Process To Determine Order Of Candidates’ Names On 2026 Ballots

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— information from the N.C. State Board of Elections

State elections officials on Friday afternoon completed a two-step random process to determine how names of the upcoming ballots would appear. State law requires that the State Elections Board determine the order that names will appear on the ballots.

First, a ball was selected out of a bingo machine, with the letter on the ball corresponding with the first letter of the last name of the candidate to be listed first on the ballot. Second, a coin was flipped, with the side facing up corresponding to whether the candidates will be listed in alphabetical order (“heads”) or reverse alphabetical order (“tails”).

The letter on the ball selected from the bingo machine was the letter “F,” meaning candidates whose last names begin with the letter “F” will appear first in contests in the primary and general elections. The subsequent coin flip showed “tails” facing up, meaning that additional candidates will follow in alphabetical order as follows: F, E, D, C, B, A, Z, Y, X, W, V, U, T, S, R, Q, P, O, N, M, L, K, J, I, H, G

This ballot order drawing applies to all 2026 primary and general election contests except for municipal contests. Candidates for municipal office are listed in strict alphabetical order beginning with A, according to state law.

The ballot order selection process was streamed live on Webex.

The 2026 primary election is March 3. The general election is Nov. 3.

 

Nash County Man Gets 20-Year Federal Prison Term For Selling Meth

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

RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced a Nash County man to 20 years in federal prison for selling more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. On February 14, 2024, Kenneth Orlin Simmons, Jr., age 36, pleaded guilty to these crimes.

“Drug dealers flood our communities with deadly methamphetamine and arm themselves with guns to violently carry out their trade. Criminals like this Big Shark Bad Boy pose a serious threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This sentence sends a clear message: if you poison our communities and endanger the lives of our children and families, you will sit in a federal prison for a long time. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to shut down these operations, clean these villains off our streets, and protect the citizens.”

“Drugs destroy lives and tears apart communities, and when traffickers arm themselves, the danger only grows. I’m proud of the work our team put into holding this individual accountable and ensuring he can no longer victimize our citizens. A sincere thank you to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, and the ATF for their hard work with this case,” said Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone.

According to court documents and evidence presented in court, in July 2022, Simmons sold over a kilogram of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Nash County. The Nash County Sherriff’s Office along with the DEA later obtained a search warrant for Simmons residence. During that search, law enforcement seized 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, nearly 1,000 grams of marijuana, a stolen Glock .40 caliber handgun, a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun, an AR-15 rifle, a 29-round magazine with 22 .40 caliber rounds, and a 96-round drum magazine.

Simmons was previously convicted of felonies including two counts of felony abduction of children, and also of two counts of sexual battery.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Aria Q. Merle prosecuted the case. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the DEA, and the ATF investigated the case.

 

Warren County Gets More Than $1M From Golden LEAF To Extend Water Line To U.S. 1 Industrial Site

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Warren County has been awarded $1,087,460 in SITE funding to extend a waterline to the Hwy 1 Industrial Site from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

The money will be used for construction, engineering, due diligence and potential environmental remediation, county officials said.

According to Warren County Community and Economic Development Director McKinley Perkinson, this award will fund a crucial water extension that will allow future development to occur at a faster rate.
“Having access to water along our entire industrial site increases our site competitiveness because it reduces the length of time and cost for a business to build on our site,” explained Perkinson. “We are thankful to Golden LEAF for awarding us the funding to increase our Hwy 1 Industrial Site’s competitiveness by limiting the amount of time an interested company can get to market.”

Golden LEAF accepts applications from organizations in all counties, but prioritizes awards within counties that have been persistently economically distressed (as demonstrated by County Tier status determined by the N.C. Department of Commerce) and in economically distressed, rural, and tobacco-dependent communities.

The Warren County award is part of $7.5 million in funding from the foundation. The Board awarded $1.2 million to support two projects through the Open Grants Program and another $1,222,460 to support three projects through its SITE Program. The Board also awarded additional funds for Hurricane Helene relief, the Disaster Recovery Grant Program, and the Shell Building Pilot Program.

“Today, the Board awarded funding for projects that will increase workforce preparedness, strengthen agriculture, help increase industrial site preparation and the availability of shell buildings, along with funding for hurricane and disaster relief efforts, all supporting rural communities across North Carolina,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF president and chief executive officer.

For more information about the Hwy 1 Industrial Site, email Perkinson at mckinleyperkinson@warrencountync.gov

For more information about Golden LEAF, visit GoldenLEAF.org.

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.

 

Dec. 18 Groundbreaking For New Warren County Farmers Market

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— Information courtesy of Warren County government

Come out to the site of the new Warren County Farmers Market on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. for a groundbreaking ceremony, which county leaders say marks a major step forward in supporting local growers, strengthening agritourism, and expanding economic opportunities for residents and visitors.

The ceremony will be held at 429 W. Ridgeway St in Warrenton.

“Warren County is experiencing a remarkable season of momentum,” said Warren County Manager Crystal Smith. “This new farmers’ market will create a hub for local commerce, community events, and agricultural education. We are grateful for the support of our state partners, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with the people who call Warren County home.”

The project, made possible through major investments from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, brings together local and state commitment to rural economic development. The new market will play a pivotal role in Warren County’s growth, leaders say, that will help to ensure local farmers have a vibrant, modern space to market their goods and that families have a welcoming, community-centered destination to shop, gather, and enjoy Warren County’s agricultural heritage.

The new facility will feature covered vendor areas, enhanced parking and accessibility, and space designed to accommodate future events and programs that support local businesses and promote healthy food choices for all residents.

Community members, local farmers, business owners, and regional partners are invited to join in and stay for a while as Warren County breaks ground on a project that celebrates its agricultural heritage while planting seeds for future economic growth.

 

 

The Local Skinny! Warren County Football to Play in Eastern Regional Final Friday Night

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The Warren County Eagles are headed to the Eastern Regional finals of the 2A State Football Playoffs following a 40-14 victory the day after Thanksgiving over the Holmes Aces.

Head Coach Victor Hunt said it took a day or two to soak it all in, but the coaching staff and the team are getting ready for the next matchup, set for Friday, Dec. 5 against the Tarboro Vikings.

“To be able to step into that world of December football is absolutely amazing,” Hunt told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Hunt said he’s pleased to see all the positive comments on social media, talking about the team’s accomplishments and hopes for another victory – or two.

If the Eagles- now 11-2 on the season –  win Friday, they’ll play for the 2A state championship.

The Tarboro Vikings are 13-0 so far this season, having easily taken care of East Bladen last week by a score of 54-7.

Hunt has a healthy respect for Tarboro – they broke a record for most consecutive state championships, he said.

In fact, it was Tarboro that ended the Eagles’ playoff run last season, Hunt said.

He said he’d talked with the Tarboro coach and said “it shows that we’re growing as a program that I have to see you again,” he recalled. Last year’s contest was a one-sided win for Tarboro, but Hunt said he’s keeping that in the rear-view mirror.

“I always look at our losses as lessons,” he said. “And we’re back here a year later, just in a later round” to face a team with a long tradition of winning.

This week, practice is going to focus on mental preparation for Friday’s game.

Making sure the kids know their assignments is key to advancing.

Hunt said his team needs to be disciplined, especially on defense. “When you have the opportunity to make the play,” he said, “you gotta make it.”

 

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SportsTalk: Warren County Football Headed to the 4th Round

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Warren County High School’s Head Coach Victor Hunt is thankful for a lot of things this Thanksgiving, as he prepares the Eagles for the fourth round of the state 2A football playoffs.

For one thing, he’s thankful for the team’s two losses this season – one at the hands of the Vance County High Vipers.

For a second thing, he’s thankful that his team is in pretty good health for this point in the season.

“We do have some kids banged up a little bit, but for the most part, we are healthy,” he told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis.

He’s also thankful he challenged his team midway the season to be prepared to be practicing on Thanksgiving morning. Family meals and plans will have to be sidelined on Thursday, because the team will be preparing to be a part of school history – the first time the school has made it this far in the state tourney.

The #2 seed Eagles face #6 seed John Holmes Aces at 7 p.m. on Friday in Warrenton. This is new territory for Hunt and the Eagles, who made it to the third round last year.

Most of all, Hunt is thankful for the character the players have shown this year.

“We have a group of tough young men that really take pride in being from Warren County – they love where they’re from.”

Now in his seventh year as head coach of the Eagles, Hunt said this group of young men is reaping the benefits of previous teams that have laid the foundation for this year’s success.

“They all kind of set the stage for this moment,” he said.

The community is getting behind the team, too.

“I think what we’ve been able to do is bring some hope back, some excitement back to this area,” Hunt said. Sure, it’s good to have local rivals like Vance County and J.F. Webb, he said, but when you get to this point in post-season play, his team is letting people know that this area plays some good football.

The social media posts that say folks are rooting for Warren County to win are encouraging to Hunt.

“I’m glad it’s us this year, but I’m pretty sure that if the tables were turned, we would be doing the same for those people as well.”

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Warren Educator Receives Award For Innovations In Classroom Instruction, Student Engagement

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A Warren County educator has received a statewide honor for innovative approaches to classroom instruction and student engagement.

Dr. Acela Recentes was recognized by the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce in North Carolina and the North Carolina House of Representatives with the Innovator in Education and Workforce Development Award, according to information from Warren County Schools.

The honor highlights Recentes’ recent instructional innovation, which blends culinary arts, research and STEM to make mathematics more meaningful and accessible for students. By merging these disciplines, she has helped learners deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts and connect them to real-world applications.

She credits her involvement in several professional educational organizations as a key factor in her continued growth. These affiliations, she noted, have expanded her opportunities for collaboration, professional learning, and elevating the quality of instruction she provides.

Recently recognized as the Warren Early College High School Teacher of the Year and a Champion for Children in Warren County, Recentes said she remains committed to modeling excellence and innovation on behalf of her school. Her goal is to inspire students to pursue their highest potential—both academically and beyond the classroom.

She said the award reflects not only her personal dedication to innovative teaching, but also the broader mission of her institution to foster creativity, relevance and excellence in education.

Horse Owners On Alert Following Confirmed EHV Cases In Texas, Oklahoma

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State veterinary officials are asking horse owners in North Carolina to watch for symptoms of a highly contagious equine disease following diagnoses of multiple horses in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said he encourages event organizers to take the outbreak seriously and consider canceling or postponing equine events like sales and shows “as the best method to protect horses from further exposure” to curb outbreaks.

Cases were confirmed Nov. 9 by the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in North Carolina. The disease, equine herpes virus, can develop into a neurological disease called equine herpes myeloencephalopathy, which can be deadly.

The extent of this outbreak is not yet fully known, and the situation is developing rapidly, said State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin. Symptoms in infected horses appear to be acute with rapid progression and high clinical severity. Reports of an increasing number of deaths in horses suspected of having EHM are concerning and underscore the need for proactive actions to curb the spread of this disease, Martin said.

“I encourage all horse owners, veterinarians and event organizers to take this current outbreak seriously and implement procedures to prevent further spread of the virus,” said Troxler in a press release. “I encourage event sponsors to take all necessary precautions to prevent further spread of this virus and protect equine health. Given the nature of this virus and routes of transmission, and out of an abundance of caution, I strongly recommend canceling or postponing equine events if possible as the best method to protect horses from further exposure until such time as the extent of the current outbreak has been determined.”

Clinical signs of EHV may not be specific, and some horses may not show any signs of illness. Look for the following symptoms in horses:

  • Fever
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Nasal discharge and cough
  • Depression
  • Head tilt
  • Loss of tail tone
  • Stumbling or weakness in the hind limbs that progresses to all limbs
  • Down and unable to rise
  • Abortion in pregnant mares

EHV-1 primarily affects the respiratory system of horses but can also cause severe neurological disease and death. Symptoms include fever, coughing, nasal discharge and loss of balance. The virus is transmitted through body fluids. It is highly contagious among horses but does not affect humans.

“If you suspect your horse has been exposed to EHV-1 infection, contact your veterinarian,” said Martin. “We request that horses with confirmed EHM or that exhibit neurological signs are reported to the state veterinarian’s office at 919.707.3250.”

All affected horses attended the 2025 WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, Texas Nov. 5-9. The two confirmed cases in Oklahoma also attended the BFA World Championship at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., that was scheduled for Nov. 17-22. Due to the confirmed positive cases, this event was canceled, and remaining participants were sent home.

Some states may suspend extended Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (6-month Equine CVI) or may add additional requirements prior to entry. Please contact the individual state for the most up-to-date requirements prior to travel.

“These were large events attended by horses from many states,” Martin said. “Owners of horses that may have been exposed to horses with EHM should work with their veterinarian to establish appropriate biosecurity and monitoring protocols.”

Biosecurity and safety rotocols include:

  • Isolating the horses that attended the event for at least 3 weeks
  • Having the temperature of returning horses monitored twice daily for at least 14 days after the last known exposure. Fever greater than 101.5 may be the first indicator of disease.
  • Clean and disinfect tack, boots, equipment and grooming supplies. Wash hands.
  • If fever or other signs consistent with EHM develop, contact your veterinarian.
  • When feeding and doing chores, work with the returning horses last, wear boots and coveralls, and remove them before working with your other horses.