Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Henderson Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign 2025

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The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign got off to a good start in Vance County on Friday morning, with local dignitaries and members of the community on hand to get the holiday season officially underway.

Maj. Staci Gainey welcomed those gathered in front of Belk in Henderson to set the tone for the weeks ahead that lead up to Christmas. She, along with husband, Maj. Jonathan Gainey joined the local Salvation Army as Corps Officers in June.

“This moment marks the beginning of weeks filled with generosity, community spirit, and lives changed because people chose to give,” Staci Gainey said.

She thanked local businesses and community leaders for welcoming the volunteers who ring the bell by the iconic red kettles to accept donations from shoppers and others who pass by.

She also thanked those volunteers who ring the bell, calling them the “heartbeat” of the annual campaign. “Rain or shine, warm or cold, you show up with a smile, a cheerful greeting, and that familiar bell that reminds people what this Christmas season
is really about giving hope,” she said.

“May this be our best year yet,” Gainey added.

The Salvation Army provides food and other support throughout the year to those who need it, but it’s those red kettles and the tinkling bells in the hands of caring volunteers that stand out as a symbol of hope and of caring in the community.

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(The above text and audio originally posted November 14, 2025)
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The Local Skinny! Vance County Forms Local Emergency Planning Committee

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Vance County convened a local emergency planning committee on Wednesday, Nov. 12, with the task of crafting an emergency response plan that ultimately will become part of the county’s emergency operations plan.

With an early January 2026 reauthorization deadline, the committee was able to check off numerous items in its first meeting, including the election of Steve Reavis as chair and Adam Pegram as vice-chair.

Vance County Emergency Management Specialist Willie T. Kearney, III will serve as the group’s secretary.

By-laws will be voted on at the next meeting, set for December.

In North Carolina, most emergency planning districts operate at the county level.

 

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Vance County Food Drive Donations Accepted Nov. 13-20 For Nov. 21 Distribution

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Vance County is sponsoring a food drive beginning Thursday, Nov. 13 and continuing through Nov. 20. The food distribution will take place on Friday, Nov. 21.

It’s a chance to come together as a community to make a positive impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity.

Donations of canned goods and other shelf-stable food items can be brought to the Vance County Courthouse parking lot, 156 Church St.

The distribution will take place from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Nov. 21, or as long as supplies last.

County Manager C. Renee Perry stated, “In light of the current issues surrounding SNAP benefits, we are coordinating a county-wide food drive. Your generosity helps support local families in need and reflects the spirit of service that defines Vance County Government.”

The point of contact is Willie Kearney, Emergency Management Specialist. To learn more or to volunteer to pack the food bags, contact Kearney by phone – 919.702.5520, email at wkearney@vancecounty.org or on social media @Willie Kearney.

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TownTalk: Gate City Seahawks Earn Way to East Wake Super Bowl

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The Seahawks are in the Super Bowl!

No, not those Seahawks. And not that Super Bowl.

It’s our own local Seahawks team – the 8U Gate City Seahawks with the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Dept. – who will travel to Benson on Saturday, Nov. 15 to face the Strong Center Cardinals of Fuquay-Varina in the East Wake Football League Super Bowl.

And for Michael Faulkner, the 8U head coach, Saturday’s game marks the culmination of months of practice and a great 9-1 season.

The championship game begins at 1 p.m. at West Johnston High School in Benson, but there’s a flag game at 10 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony, then a “fifth quarter” game at 12:30 p.m.

Faulkner – “Coach Mike” to his players – said this team is not only talented, but also hard-working.

“Saturday is only a display of what you do all week,” Faulkner said he reminds the players. They spend about an hour playing a game during the regular season,  but put in a couple of hours at practice.

He said he reminds them that if they train hard, they get great results.

And, “if you don’t like something, put in the work to change it.”

Coach Mike said he played rec ball when he was a kid, but all the games were local. This 8U team travels other counties for conference play – Johnston, Wake, Durham and Granville, just to name a few.

“Not only are they displaying that we’re disciplined and hard-working,” Faulkner said. The Seahawks are proving that they’re a team that can compete against other U8 teams in what he called a “very competitive” league.

The team’s only loss this season was to a Durham team, and Saturday’s opponent is 10-0.

He said he tells the team, “We celebrate wins and we learn from losses.”

For Coach Mike, it’s important that he teach the kids about handling adversity and maintaining their composure – on and off the football field.

“I’m working hands-on with the kids every day,” he said. “I see a lot of will, determination –  they’re hard working. I like to teach kids and set goals and achievements in life so you have something to work towards.”

Some of these 8-year-old Seahawks will be tomorrow’s players at the middle school, or even go on to play JV or varsity at the high school level.

“Henderson is a special place with a special group of kids, very talented,” Faulkner said. When they put their minds to what they want to do, there’s nothing they can’t achieve.

Good luck to the Gate City Seahawks on Saturday!

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Step Into the Gap

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Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

We continue our role model and mentorship series. This time we talk about stepping into a mentorship role for a child who doesn’t always have that role model in their life.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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TownTalk: Economic Impact Of Vance County Tourism

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The duo that IS Vance County Tourism – Pam Hester and Norman Dickerson – are still riding high after another successful car show in downtown Henderson, but they’re not spending too much time looking in the rear-view mirror. They’ve got some other fish to fry, figuratively speaking.

That’d be the gigantic catfish, that 8-foot, 11-inch 750-pound behemoth that became the newest addition to last year’s New Year’s Eve activities at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake.

He’s also set to make a pre-NYE appearance at the upcoming Christmas parade on Dec. 6, said Hester.  Look for him on a Fred’s Towing vehicle.

“Fred’s is a huge community supporter,” Hester said on Wednesday’s TownTalk segment. The Foggs and the late Charles Bowman were among the small army of folks who adorned the giant fish with lights just days before it made its debut to usher in 2025.

Those volunteers, Dickerson said, are invaluable to the events that are planned and carried out each year in Vance County. Take putting the light on that catfish, for example. Stringing lights on that giant fish was no small task, but volunteers never let Hester and Dickerson down – they’re always ready to help.

The community showed up for the inaugural Catfish Drop, and this year, Hester said, she hopes it’ll be even bigger and better.

The fish drops a few hours earlier than midnight – at 7 p.m. – which gives families a chance to enjoy an afternoon filled with activities, vendors, music and food.

The Mike Davis Experience will perform, bringing his one-man show to Satterwhite Point.

“It’s just going to be an afternoon, early evening event of fun for everybody,” Hester said.

Kerr Lake is just one of the “jewels” in Vance County that Hester and Dickerson promote.

Another “jewel” is McGregor Hall, which brings folks from all over to attend plays, performances and competitions throughout the year.

According to state statistics from 2023, tourism spending in Vance County totaled about $70 million.

Whether it’s attending a car show, participating in a fishing tournament or dance competition, people are coming into Vance County and spending money. “Just think of what we could do if we had the capability of housing more events,” Hester said.

Hotels and motels generate occupancy tax revenues – to the tune of more than $500,000.

“Just think of what we could do if we had more hotels,” Hester mused. “We’ve got everything it takes to blow this county out of the water.”

A single fisherman who comes into town for a fishing tournament spends an average of $189, Hester said. Now imagine what a McGregor Hall dance competition involves: one young dancer translates into a family and friends who attend the competition will spend money on food, lodging, gas and the practically obligatory trip to Walmart.

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
  • The Handcrafted Holiday Market will be this Saturday at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Peak season for soil sample. The fees start on November 26. It’s $400 per sample with a turn around of 3 weeks.
  • Thinking about planting trees and shrubs. You can give Cooperative Extension a call.
  • Clean and winterise equipment you will not use till next spring.
  • Use a leaf blower to keep leaves off your newly emerged grass.
  • Continue planting fall bulbs.
  • Start composting your leaves. Do Not Burn them!
  • Check vegetables that have been in storage. Ex: Irish potatoes.
  • Avoid pruning right now.
  • Check cole crops for disease and insects.
  • Remember to use the proper personal protective equipment when doing fall chores.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

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

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