Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

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.

Warren County Senior Center Sponsoring Shopping Trips

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The Warren County Senior Center is hosting a couple of shopping trip to Hamrick’s – one on Monday, Dec. 8 and a second on Thursday, Dec. 11.

This outing offers the local senior community a great opportunity to shop, socialize and enjoy a relaxed morning of community connections – without having to drive themselves!

The group will leave the Warren County Senior Center at 9 a.m. and return by 1 p.m. Transportation will be provided by the center, and staff will be available to assist participants as needed throughout the trip.

Early sign-up is encouraged to guarantee a seat as seating is limited to only 12 participants on each trip. To register or learn more about upcoming events, please contact Aquayla Lynch, Senior Center Activity at 252.257.3111.

Warren County Senior Center Hosting Thanksgiving Meal Nov. 21 – Register Now!

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The Warren County Senior Center is hosting a special Thanksgiving celebration on Friday, Nov. 21 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and invites local seniors to come to the Senior Center to enjoy a meal, fellowship and plenty of holiday cheer.

Space is limited to 50 people, so be sure to sign up early to reserve your seat!

The Warren County Senior Center is located at 435 W Franklin St. in Warrenton.

To register or learn more, please contact Senior Center Activity Director Aquayla Lynch at 252-257.3111 or stop by the front desk during regular hours.

Warren County Senior Center Taking Reservations For a Special Shopping Trip Nov. 13

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The Warren County Senior Center invites the local Senior community on a special shopping trip to Walmart on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The trip offers an opportunity to shop for essentials, enjoy fellowship, and engage in a fun, social outing.

The group will depart from the Warren County Senior Center at 9 a.m. and return by 2 p.m. Transportation will be provided by the center, and staff will be available to assist participants as needed throughout the trip.

Participants are encouraged to sign up in advance as seating is limited to only 12. To register or learn more about upcoming events, please contact Aquayla Lynch at the Senior Center at 252.257.3111.

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.

Warren County Meeting Oct. 30 On Utility-Scale Solar Projects

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The Warren County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a listening session on Utility-Scale Solar Projects in Warren County for the public on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Armory Civic Center located at 501 US Hwy 158 Bus E in Warrenton.

This meeting is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to adopt a Unified Development Ordinance –  a consolidated document for all ordinances and regulations pertaining to building and development throughout the county.

The listening session will give the public an update on where the county is in the process of updating the existing ordinance language around Utility-Scale (or level 3) Solar development, and ask questions of the board and various representatives knowledgeable about the process, including Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, N.C. State University’s Dept. of Agricultural

Agricultural and Resource Economics, as well as county staff.

Questions can be submitted in advance to Planning Director Mark Bloomer at markbloomer@warrencountync.gov. Similar questions may be consolidated for answer at the meeting in the interest of time.

 

 

TownTalk: Around Old Granville – PCB Landfill of Warren County

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The tiny community of Afton in Warren County was at the center of a big environmental mess in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, when the state bought up some land to build a landfill to store hazardous waste.

That hazardous waste was a PCB-laced oil, a product that had been used for decades to help cool electric transformers. When the chemical was declared illegal because of health implications, the companies that used it had to have somewhere for it to go, said local historian Mark Pace.

Under the cover of darkness, trucks drove along rural roads in out-of-the-way counties like Warren and dumped the oily substance along the roadsides. More than 200 miles of roads in Warren County had that familiar brown grass – dead grass – where the PCB-laced oil had been sprayed.

There were some spots in Franklin County, too, that were affected. WIZS’s Bill Harris said he remembers riding the school bus as a teenager and seeing the brown grass along the side of the road.

Harris and Pace talked about the protests that ensued, as the state went head-to-head with community activists in opposition to the dump in Thursday’s TownTalk feature, Around Old Granville.

Pace said the state got involved in the disposal of PCBs – polychlorinated biphenyls –

in the summer of 1978, and it was in 1982 that civil rights leader the Rev. Ben Chavis, is credited with coining the term “environmental racism” to describe the placement of the landfill.

In 1980, Warren County was among the state’s poorest counties, majority African American and lagged behind in most areas, including income. Close to half of the workforce commuted out of Warren County to work, Pace said.

It didn’t take long for leaders to select Warren County – a county once known for producing prominent politicians – as the site of a toxic dump. And trucks beginning to haul the tainted soil to the landfill sparked protests that lasted for weeks.

The protests made national headlines, especially when notables like the Rev. Joseph Lowery of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Floyd McKissick, the Rev. Leon White and Golden Frinks showed up in support of protesters.

More than 500 people were arrested over the course of six weeks or so, Pace said, as the non-violent protests continued.

“These people literally laid down in front of these dump trucks,” Pace said. More than 7,000 truckloads of tainted soil was brought to the landfill, scraped up from those rural roadsides where the PCB-laced oil had been sprayed.

A company in Raleigh, Ward Transfer Co., disposed of materials like PCBs, but there was so much of it –  and it was going to cost a lot of money to send it to an incinerator for proper disposal, Pace said.

“So they just loaded up a truck in the middle of the night and rode up and down roads,” he said, choosing rural, remote places. Like Warren County.

The owner ultimately was caught, fined and sent to prison.

But that still left the problem of what to do with the tainted soil. It had to be removed and put somewhere.

That “somewhere” ended up being a 20-acre landfill site in Warren County.

It was fraught with problems, Pace said, including inadequate liners to keep the landfill contents from seeping out into the groundwater.

Gov. James B. Hunt, Jr. promised to “detoxify” the landfill when the money was available and the technology was developed to do it.

In 1993, with $13 million from the EPA, 60 tons of the toxic contents of the landfill were declared detoxified by conducting a complex process that separates the moisture from the soil and then chemically removes the toxins.

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