Under blue skies and near-perfect weather, 150 cyclists hit the road last Saturday (May 3) for the fifth annual Ride de Vine, taking in the scenic beauty of Warren County— all for a great cause.

The ride began bright and early at 8am on the Warren County Courthouse Square in downtown Warrenton. Participants—from local riders to cycling enthusiasts as far away as New York—chose from three thoughtfully designed routes: 20k, 50k, or 100k. Each offered a peaceful journey through Warren County’s winding backroads and picture-perfect scenery.

When we caught up with riders at the finish line, the reviews were glowing. Many raved about the “well mapped-out routes” and couldn’t get enough of the views. One sentiment was shared across the board: they’re already looking forward to coming back (yes, even with the hills).

We also checked in with event organizer Joshua Hughey to see if Ride de Vine would be a go for 2026.

His response? “We love Warren County,” he said. “We have no plans to move elsewhere at this time.”

Sounds like it’s time to dust off your bike and start training for next spring.

Upon their return to home base, riders enjoyed a fully-loaded protein and carb-filled meal catered by JMS Catering and shopped with local vendors, all while enjoying a fast-paced DJ set. Boots On the Ground, anyone?

Ride de Vine is a fully supported, non-competitive ride benefiting the Jack & Jill of America Foundation, blending wellness and philanthropy with a side of breathtaking views. For more information, visit their website at https://ridedevine.com/.

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Sponsored locally by Warren Ministries United, National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance designated by the United States Congress and held on the first Thursday of May, when people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.”

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Hundreds flocked to the heart of downtown Warrenton for the second annual Eastern Bluebird Festival and was treated to live entertainment, great food, vendors, a mural ribbon-cutting ceremony and so much more! (April 26, 2025)

See Also: Eastern Bluebird Mural Celebrated with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

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Joined by the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Warrenton, and mural artist Tom Lang, residents and friends from afar celebrated the new Eastern Bluebird Mural with a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the Eastern Bluebird Festival on Saturday, April 26th in downtown Warrenton.

Ahead of last year’s festival, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed Warrenton, NC as the National Eastern Bluebird Capital because the town has the highest concentration of them.

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In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month 2025, the Warren County Health Department, Department of Social Services, and Child Fatality Team joined forces with Positive Childhood Alliance NC (PCANC) and partners statewide to amplify this year’s theme: “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention.”

This important campaign highlights a collective vision: every child and family deserves to live a purposeful, joyful life—filled with opportunity and hope for the future. Prevention starts with ensuring families have access to the support, resources, and community connections they need to thrive.

Prioritizing Prevention for Stronger Families

“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and every family deserves the support to build a strong foundation for their children,” said Dr. Margaret F. Brake, Health Director for Warren County. “It takes all of us—from business leaders to educators to community advocates—to create environments where children can reach their full potential.”

Guest speaker, Jessica Fowler led the Lunch & Learn Session on “Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)” on April 4, 2025 at the Warren County Memorial Library and hosted by the Warren County Child Fatality Team. / Submitted Photo

Community Events That Brought Awareness to Action

Throughout April, Warren County led a series of events to engage residents and raise awareness about child abuse prevention:

“Go Blue” Day – April 4, 2025
Residents and local government staff wore blue, the official color of Child Abuse Prevention Month, in a show of solidarity. Photos and prevention messages flooded social media as a visible reminder of the community’s commitment to protecting children.

Lunch & Learn: Understanding ACEs
Hosted by the Warren County Child Fatality Team, a Lunch & Learn event was held at Warren County Memorial Library on April 4. Jessica Fowler, a featured guest speaker, presented on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their long-term impacts on health and well-being. Thirty-five attendees participated, learning how ACEs can be addressed through trauma-informed care and community support.

Pinwheel Planting
Pinwheels, a national symbol of childlike joy and safety, were planted at the entrances of the Health Department and Department of Social Services. The display served as a reminder that all children deserve to grow up in safe, nurturing environments where they can flourish.

Building a Brighter Future for Warren County’s Children

Warren County’s observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month is a local part of a larger movement to prevent child maltreatment, promote protective factors, and foster healthy childhoods across North Carolina.

Together, we can help families before a challenge becomes a crisis—because prevention is possible, and hope is powerful.

For more information about prevention efforts or to get involved, visit Positive Childhood Alliance NC (PCANC)

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Something special is cooking in Warren County, and it’s not just what’s on the menu.

Starting this May and running through November, the Front Porch Grocery Co-Op will launch the “Sunday Supper Club” series.

Held once a month on Sunday afternoons, this new gathering promises more than just a delicious meal—it’s an invitation to connect with neighbors and build a stronger, more united community.

The Supper Club kicks off on May 18th and will take place at 307 E Macon Street in Warrenton. It includes seating at 3:00pm and 5:00pm. Local caterers and food trucks will prepare meals for up to 200 guests. Diners also have the option to take their meals to go.

Guests can purchase a punch card for $25, which covers five meals, offering an affordable way to dine while supporting local businesses. Punch card holders get priority seating, but if you don’t have one, no worries — $10 standby tickets are available at the door, with seating beginning 30 minutes after the start time (if space allows).

Organized by the Front Porch Grocery Co-Op, it is a community-led initiative working to open a member-owned grocery store in Warren County. Volunteers and board members will be present to answer questions and help guests become members.

The goal is to reach 1,200 members, a milestone to help turn the dream of a local, affordable, community-focused grocery store into a reality.

So whether you are looking to grab a good meal, meet new faces, or join a meaningful cause— the Front Porch Supper Club has a seat waiting for you.

For more information and to reserve your seat: https://warrenist.com/calendar/events/the-front-porch-sunday-supper-club-warrenton-nc-2025.

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The Front Porch Grocery Cooperative is excited to host two public focus group events to hear directly from community members about what they want to see in their
local grocery store. Facilitated by Laura Sigmon of Best Practices Consulting, these sessions allow residents to share ideas, needs, and feedback that will help shape the cooperative’s future.

Join them on Thursday, April 25th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Lakeside Lutheran Church (2427 Eaton Ferry Rd, Littleton, NC 27850) or on Friday, April 26th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Mag’s Marketplace (307 E Macon St, Warrenton, NC 27589).

Board members from The Front Porch Grocery Cooperative will be on site at both events to answer questions, share updates on the project, and assist anyone interested in becoming a member. Community voices are essential to building a grocery store that reflects and serves local needs, and we want to hear from you!

For more information, contact Korita Steverson via email at korita@magsmarketplace.com, by calling 252.517.9646 or visiting www.thefrontporch.coop.

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2025 Kerr-Tar Senior Games
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Warren County High School, Warrenton, NC

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The Warren County Health Department and Warren County Government hosted a kick-off meeting on March 26th for the federal Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Impact Grant. Staff from the Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition (WCSPC) who are leading this regional effort came to Warren County to introduce the program to local partners and to get their input on how the program can best be implemented here.

WCSPC staff in attendance were Jeff Wilson, Executive Director; Pamela Letchworth, Yolanda Outlaw, and Cordain Dancy.

Local partners participating in the meeting included representatives from Freedom House Recovery Center, Trillium Health Resources, Warrenton Church of God, Warren County Schools, Emergency Services, Health Department, Administration/Finance Office, Sheriff’s Office/Detention Center, Auger Communications, and Hope Restorative Solutions.

The Warren County Health Department is a Network member in the Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition’s NEW3 Impact – Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, Warren, Wayne – Project. NEW3 Impact will improve access to integrated, coordinated treatment and recovery services for substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder, in rural areas of Eastern North Carolina. NEW3 Impact supports HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Impact. 

The five counties taking part in this grant represent a diversity of sectors, including primary care, pharmacy, public health, workforce, local government, faith-based, law enforcement, tribal, and substance use. Collectively, 77% of Network members reside within HRSA-designated rural areas. As Network members, we will:

• Provide services exclusively in the target rural service areas of Warren County, Wilson County, Bailey Township (Nash County), Mount Olive/Brogden Township (Wayne County), and eastern/southeastern Edgecombe County. 
• Commit to regularly engage and visit the target rural service areas to demonstrate strong connections with the communities. 
• Participate in regular Network meetings, which will take place at least quarterly. 
• Coordinate with other Network members on NEW3 Impact activities. In addition to committing to NEW3 Impact activities we are individually responsible for as outlined in the work plan, we will work with all members to:
  • Distribute OneBoxes to increase access to emergency treatment.
  •  Distribute fentanyl and xylazine testing strips to address emerging threats.
• Participate in the RCORP Data Sharing Group, led by Pamela Letchworth, and share aggregate data for performance reporting to HRSA. 
• Develop approaches to ensure continuity of operations to minimize the impact of potential service disruptions such as staffing changes, clinician turnover, public health emergencies, and severe weather.
• Work together to develop a sustainability plan to maintain services after the project ends. 

The duration of the NEW3 Impact Project is 4 years. The total award is $2,997,556 and Warren County Health Department is expected to receive $600,000 over the life of this grant.

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