The Warren County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) in partnership with Warren County Community and Economic Development have hired the County’s first tourism manager.

Cherie Nielsen began in the tourism manager position on the Warren County Community and Economic Development team on March 4, 2025. Nielsen has an extensive background in economic development, business promotion, and community engagement, and she brings a wealth of experience that will help enhance and expand tourism initiatives across the county.

“On behalf of the Warren County TDA and its members, it is my pleasure to welcome Cherie Nielsen as our new Tourism Manager,” stated Michael Hawkins, chair of the Warren County TDA board. “I am confident that her expertise and competencies can enable us to reach new heights with tourism in the county. I look forward to the changes or developments that she intends to bring about.”

The tourism manager position is fully funded through the newly enacted occupancy tax, which went into effect on July 1, 2024. This funding allows for expanded tourism development efforts, marketing campaigns, and infrastructure improvements that will enhance visitor experiences and drive economic impact for the county. Occupancy taxes are levied on short-term lodging and related rentals and are paid by the visitor, not the property owner.

“Tourism has been a function of Warren County economic development for decades, but we have never had dedicated staff and dedicated funding to apply towards tourism initiatives,” stated Charla Duncan, Director of the County’s Community and Economic Development department. “For the past decade, we’ve seen year-over-year growth in travel-related expenditures in Warren County. With dedicated tourism resources, we look forward to bringing in more revenue to the county and to local businesses.”

Nielsen has a strong history of driving economic growth through strategic planning, marketing, and business development. Most recently, she served as the Project Associate Director for the Industrial Development Authority of Brunswick County, VA, where she played a pivotal role in securing funding, managing large-scale projects, and fostering partnerships to revitalize the local economy. Her leadership contributed to business retention and expansion efforts, community development, and the promotion of regional assets to attract investment.

Prior to that, Nielsen spent five years with the North Carolina Department of Commerce as the Welcome Center Manager in Warren County, where she led efforts to promote tourism across all 100 counties in North Carolina, connecting travelers with local attractions, businesses, and cultural experiences. She also has experience in outdoor recreation and trail development, having served as the Trail Coordinator for the nonprofit Tobacco Heritage Trail before joining the Department of Commerce. These roles deepened her understanding of regional tourism, economic development, and the importance of strategic partnerships in enhancing visitor engagement.

With a passion for rural economic development, Nielsen has also worked extensively in grant writing, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy.

Nielsen states, “Tourism is a key economic driver, and I am committed to leveraging Warren County’s rich history, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities to attract visitors and support local businesses.”

As Tourism Manager, Nielsen will focus on increasing Warren County’s visibility as a travel destination while ensuring that tourism growth benefits the entire community, including rural residents and businesses. She aims to strengthen connections between tourism and the greater community, recognizing the role of agritourism, local artisans, and small businesses in driving sustainable economic growth. Through strategic partnerships and innovative marketing, she will promote Warren County’s unique assets while creating opportunities for residents to engage in and benefit from tourism initiatives.

For more information on the Warren County occupancy tax, visit https://www.warrencountync.com/876/Occupancy-Tax-5.

For information on the Warren County Tourism Development Authority, visit https://warrencountync.com/902/Tourism-Development-Authority.

To contact Cherie Nielsen, email cherienielsen@warrencountync.gov.

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On March 6, 2025, William E. Kearney II reached a significant milestone by graduating from the esteemed Excellence in Government Fellows Program.

“My inspiration to apply for the Excellence in Government Fellows Program comes from a deep-seated passion for public service and a desire to drive meaningful change within government institutions,” Kearney shared. “I was drawn to the program’s emphasis on leadership development, collaboration, and innovation, which align perfectly with my goals of enhancing my skills and contributing to effective governance.”

Throughout the 10-month fellowship through the Partnership for Public Service, Kearney engaged in intensive workshops, seminars, and hands-on projects addressing critical governmental challenges. Collaborating with a diverse cohort of fellows nationwide, he gained valuable insights into effective governance and policy implementation.

A proud native of Warrenton, North Carolina, Kearney is the son of Doris Kearney and the late William E. Kearney. His passion for public service began at Warren County High School, where he graduated in 2002. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Winston-Salem State University and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University.

Beyond academics, Kearney has exemplified leadership and dedication through his service as a United States Army veteran. His commitment to public service continues in his current role as a Lead Investigator for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, where he helps ensure the integrity and effectiveness of food assistance programs nationwide.

An active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Kearney remains dedicated to fostering community service and mentorship.

“Completing the program means a great deal to me,” Kearney reflected. “It signifies not only the achievement of personal and professional growth but also a commitment to serving my community with greater effectiveness. The knowledge, insights, and connections gained through the program equip me to address complex challenges in the public sector and inspire others to do the same. It reinforces my dedication to fostering a more responsive and accountable government that truly meets the needs of its citizens.”

With the expertise gained from the Excellence in Government Fellowship, Kearney is well-positioned to address pressing federal issues and advocate for policies that directly impact rural communities. His unwavering commitment to public service reflects his drive to create meaningful, lasting change.

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Shortly after the tragic passing of legendary singer/songwriter Angie Stone who was set to headline their NeoSoul Festival in April, Seven Springs Farms and Vineyard released a statement on social media.

We are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Angie Stone and others from a tragic accident. Her vibrant life ended far too soon, but her impact will continue to inspire us.

Seven Springs has been in communication with Angie Stone’s management, and we will provide additional details this coming week regarding tickets.
We thank you for your patience.

At press time, Seven Springs has not stated what their next action will be for the NeoSoul Festival.

Angie Stone passed away in car accident in Alabama on Saturday, March 1st while en route to Baltimore, MD.

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The Warren County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday evening to hire Dr. Carol Montague-Davis as Superintendent.

Dr. MD, as she’s affectionately known, has been serving as Interim Superintendent since August 12, 2024. She’ll remain in the interim role until the start of her new, three-year Superintendent contract on June 1, 2025.

“Dr. MD has been doing an exceptional job leading our school district for the past seven months as Interim Superintendent,” said School Board Chair Victoria Lehman. “It’s been like a seven-month-long job interview. We’re thrilled to bring Dr. MD home for good!”

Dr. Montague-Davis was born and raised in Warren County and educated in Warren County Schools. She served as the Principal of Warren County High School for six years from 1998 to 2004. Dr. MD then moved to Winston-Salem and worked 18 years for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, serving as a high school principal and Instructional Superintendent for Continuous Improvement.

Her professional background includes extensive experience in curriculum development, discipline implementation, teacher modeling and training, and community support programs. She has worked as a classroom teacher, athletic coach, assistant principal, and principal in middle and high schools.

“It’s a dream come true to come back home and be able to serve the community that helped make me the person I am today,” Dr. MD said with a smile. “My family is here. My nieces and nephews are students in our schools. This is where my heart is. I want Warren County to have the best public schools for all our children. I’m excited to be the next Superintendent, so we continue the transformational work we started at the beginning of this school year.”

Since rejoining Warren County Schools in August, Dr. MD has significantly impacted how the district analyzes student and teacher performance data and how we’re training teachers and administrators to improve student instruction. She’s also tweaked internal processes for better efficiency and collaboration and worked to strengthen trust and engagement in the community.

“It’s energizing to have someone from Warren County leading our schools,” Chair Lehman added. “Warren County is a special place. There’s a unique bond when you grow up here. Our students can be inspired seeing someone who started out just like them lead such a happy and successful life and come back home to help others achieve their dreams as well.”

Dr. Montague-Davis received her undergraduate degree from Elizabeth City State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. She earned a Master of Education in School Administration in 1991 from The University of Maryland at College Park and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University in 2017.

She is a member of United Way Women United Executive Board and Chair of the Membership Committee, Vice-President of the Greater Triad ECSU Alumni Chapter, a member of the Education Foundation for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Since returning to Warren County in August, she has rejoined her home church, Bethlehem Baptist, in Wise. She also serves on the Warren County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) and the Warren County Economic Development Board.

Dr. MD is married to Garrett Davis, CEO of Gdavis Production and Films. She has a bonus daughter, Brittany and bonus son, Nelson and two bonus grandsons, Ace and Win.

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After a successful rebranding of SpringFest, the Eastern Bluebird Festival – Blues and Brews returns on Saturday, April 26, 10am-4pm in downtown Warrenton.

On what we hope will be a beautiful Spring day, attendees will be entertained by live blues music, shop with local vendors, feast with food trucks, kick back and relax in the beer garden, and more.

For those who are interested in being a vendor, applications are available online on the Town of Warrenton website.

Hosted by the Warrenton Revitalization Committee, the event is sponsored by First Citizens Bank, AccessOn Internet, Duke Energy, BlueCross BlueShield, and Solitude Farm and Retreat.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

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Officials will soon be developing design plans for a mobility hub that could transform Warren County.

The NC Department of Transportation and Warren County will host a community meeting next week, Tuesday, February 25 for the proposed Norlina Mobility Hub. The hub would allow people to access different modes of transportation from a central location.

“We’re excited to be working closely with Warren County residents to share information about the mobility hub project and hear how we can work together to get the community ready for rail and bring additional economic activity to the county,” said Brennon Fuqua, director of NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division.