The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, under the Direction of President and Warren County Commissioner Tare “T” Davis, has launched an initiative called “Heroic Hands” to recognize one government employee from each county in North Carolina who goes above and beyond in serving their county.

Warren County is asking for your input as we choose a county employee to nominate for this recognition. Nominations will be accepted until 5:00 pm. on June 24, 2025. The nomination form is available at Warren County Government Employee Heroic Hands Nomination Form.

If you have any questions, please contact Paula Pulley at paulapulley@warrencountync.gov or by phone at 252-257-3115.

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.

Warren County Government is inviting residents to help shape a new public art piece by voting for their favorite mural design.

The poll opens this Friday, April 4, during the Statewide Star Party and will determine the artwork that will adorn the Magnolia Ernest Recreation Center pool building. The mural will celebrate the history and legacy of Soul City, a pioneering planned community founded in the 1970s with a vision of Black empowerment and economic opportunity.

Residents can cast their votes online via the Warren County Government Facebook page or website, as well as in person at the Statewide Star Party on April 4 or at the Warren County Memorial Library. Voting will close on April 14, with the winning design announced via Facebook Live on April 17.

The mural is part of artist Max Dowdle’s Legacy NC project, an initiative aiming to create public murals in all 100 North Carolina counties. Each mural highlights local history and unsung heroes, weaving a visual narrative that connects communities across the state. The two designs up for consideration were developed through collaboration between Dowdle, a committee of Soul City residents and community leaders, and members of the Warren County arts community.

Beyond selecting the design, residents will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the mural’s creation. Community members are invited to take part in the painting process, further embedding local pride and participation into the project.

The Warren County Facebook page and website will soon have details on how to sign up for the painting experience.