The Warren County community is invited to listen, express their concerns, and offer solutions about Warren County Schools and public education on Tuesday, January 21st, at 6pm in the John Graham Gym.

Hosted by Voices of Warren, Warren County Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Carol Montague-Davis is the invited guests and will answer questions from concerned parents, students, and the public.

Those who are unable to attend in-person can watch via Zoom:
1 (309) 205-3325
ID: 88944280198
Passcode: 1

John Graham Gym is located at 115 Wilcox Street in Warrenton, NC.

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Warren County has unveiled an exciting new initiative to help residents understand and engage with local government: The Peoples Academy.

The Peoples Academy is a new and exciting citizen education program designed to provide residents and business owners in Warren County with an in-depth understanding of how local government works and how they can get involved in their community.

The free, 8-week academy offers a series of interactive sessions, guided tours, and discussions that will cover a wide range of topics, including local government structure, public safety, recreation, economic development, and much more. You’ll have the chance to meet local officials, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the important decisions being made in your own backyard.

Why Join Peoples Academy?

* Gain Valuable Knowledge: Learn how local government operates and understand how decisions impact your community.
* Get Involved: Become a more informed and active participant in shaping the future of Warren County.
* Build Connections: Network with fellow citizens and public officials who share a passion for positive change.
* Hands-On Experience: Attend behind-the-scenes tours and see the systems in action.

How It Works: The Peoples Academy is a free program, open to all who live or work in Warren County. Upon completion, graduates will receive a certificate and be encouraged to stay involved through various volunteer opportunities and leadership roles within the community.

Sign up now for the upcoming session and become a part of Warren County’s first-ever Peoples Academy!

Register here for Peoples Academy.

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NeoSoul Festival 2025 is bringing soulful vibes to Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard in Norlina, North Carolina, on Saturday, April 26th. Headlining the event is the legendary Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter, Angie Stone.

Stone rose to fame in the late 1970s with the groundbreaking hip-hop trio, The Sequence and later as part of the R&B trio, Vertical Hold. Her solo debut, Black Diamond (1999), went gold and featured the hit “No More Rain (In This Cloud).” Two years later, she followed with Mahogany Soul, which included the timeless track “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” and continued to solidify her status with albums like Stone Love (2004) and The Art of Love & War (2007), her first number-one album on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

With three Grammy nominations, two Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, and the 2021 Soul Music Icon Award from the Black Music Honors, Angie Stone’s influence on neosoul is undeniable.

The festival will also feature live DJ sets, local vendors, and food trucks, promising an unforgettable day of music, culture, and community.

Tickets for NeoSoul Festival 2025 start at $45 and can be purchased at Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard’s website (https://sevenspringsvineyards.com).

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Join the Warren County Senior Center for an educational outing to Kim’s Vineyard and Winery on Thursday, January 23, 2025. This experience will include a tour of the vineyard and a lecture on the science of winemaking, as well as the challenges of maintaining a vineyard to produce the perfect grape.

The group will depart from the Senior Center at 11:00 AM and return by 2:00 PM. Best of all, the outing is completely free, including transportation and lunch.

While visiting Kim’s Vineyard and Winery, guests will have the opportunity to purchase a variety of homegrown canned vegetables and fruits at their own expense.

Kim’s Vineyard and Winery is a treasured gem in Warren County, established in 1995 by Cheryl and Walter Royster. What began as a hobby for Mr. Royster—planting a few rows of grapes to test his green thumb—has grown into a thriving operation.

By 2004, the Roysters expanded their passion project to include a winery.

Today, the vineyard spans over five acres of land, with the winery adding another two acres. This family-operated business offers a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere and boasts a selection of more than 18 different types of wine, ensuring there’s something to suit every palate.

Don’t miss this chance to explore a unique part of Warren County’s agricultural and cultural heritage. Seating for this outing is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early.

For more information or to sign up, contact the Warren County Senior Center at (252) 257-3111.

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Warren County has been selected as one of fourteen teams in the state to participate in “Our State, Our Homes”, the fifth and final project of the Carolina Across 100 Initiative through the University of North Carolina and NC Impact.

Participating communities will emerge from the eighteen-month program with a data-driven understanding of housing issues in their local contexts, high-impact tools to facilitate community conversations around housing needs, detailed understanding of local partners and assets, and increased knowledge and capacity to implement innovative strategies for improving housing affordability. In addition, teams will receive coaching, technical assistance with innovation projects and opportunities to build relationships with peer communities as well as national, state, and campus-based housing experts across the state.

Rose Ponton, Community Development Manager with Warren County Community and Economic Development, will serve as county staff lead on the initiative.

“Affordable and workforce housing are critical to the future of Warren County,” said Rose Ponton, Community Development Manager for Warren County. “By collaborating with UNC’s Carolina Across 100 Initiative and leveraging our local partnerships, we are taking proactive steps to address these challenges and build a stronger community.”

In 2024, the North Carolina Housing Coalition reports that 32% of Warren County households are considered cost-burdened by housing costs (2,248 households in the county). Warren County ranks #42 in the state in housing evictions (with #1 being the highest). The coalition reports that 24% of homeowners and 54% of renters had difficulty affording their homes in 2024.

“Warren County Community and Economic Development has launched a new focus on housing for the county organization in the last year,” stated Community and Economic Development Director, Charla Duncan.

“Selection for the Our State, Our Homes initiative is our second win in this recent focus, coming on the heels of being awarded a $950,000 CDBG grant for housing renovations.”

“These initiatives aren’t going to be magic wands for us and our housing challenges, but we are eager to start laying some important foundations for the future of our existing and future residents,” stated Duncan.

Warren County is partnering with local organizations Working Landscapes and Warren Ministries United to drive this initiative forward. This core working group will attend several in-person forums over the next year and a half to strengthen efforts by integrating local expertise, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and implementing innovative housing strategies to provide accessible housing options, enhance quality of life, and support economic growth. All associated costs are covered by the initiative.

In addition to work done directly with the Carolina Across 100 staff and other working groups selected from across the state, Warren County will engage stakeholders from across the community to identify priorities, explore innovative solutions, and work to develop actionable strategies. Residents, community leaders, and organizations with a vested interest in affordable and workforce housing in the county are encouraged to get involved.

To learn more about the Our State, Our Homes project, visit https://carolinaacross100.unc.edu/program5/.

To stay informed about upcoming stakeholder engagement events or to share your insights, please contact Rose Ponton with Community and Economic Development by sending an email to roseponton@warrencountync.gov.

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Join the Warren County Senior Center as they thrift shop on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at InJoy Thrift Stores in Rocky Mount, NC. They will depart the Senior Center at 9:30am and return by 2:00pm. There is no cost for transportation, but reservations must be made in advance. Seniors are responsible for the cost of their purchases and lunch at Gardner’s Restaurant.

The InJoy Thrift Stores are operated on Christian principles, by Christian people, from area churches
providing great merchandise donated locally and sold at great prices. Profits support and fund Christian
based ministries in your community and throughout the world.

Limited seating. For more information, contact the Warren County Senior Center at (252) 257-3111.

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Duke Energy Foundation is pleased to inform you that it hereby awards Warren County Emergency Services the Duke Energy Foundation Disaster Relief, Rebuilding, and Readiness Grant Program Year 2024 award in the amount of $25,000 as part of their commitment to support disaster readiness and recovery across North Carolina.
 
Duke Energy Foundation: Disaster Relief, Rebuilding, and Readiness Grant Program
Period of Performance: 12/11/2024 to 12/31/2025
Total Amount of Award: $25,000

If you are interested in any additional information about this project, please contact Chris Tucker by calling (252) 257-1191 or email christucker@warrencountync.gov.

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The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks and Recreation Commission are offering a mini-grant application process to support community partners to facilitate the development and support recreation amenities for Warren County residents at satellite locations. Recipients must be non-profit organizations located within Warren County.

The grant application is available on the Warren County Parks and Recreation website
https://www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation or physical copy from the Parks and Recreation
Department at 113 Wilcox Street, Warrenton, NC 27589.

All applications must be submitted and received by 5:00 p.m. on February 28, 2025. Submitted requests may not exceed $10,000.

Applications should be submitted by:
* Email: christopherwilliams@warrencountync.gov OR
* In person: Warren County Parks and Recreation Office at 113 Wilcox Street, Warrenton, NC
27589 (not a mailing address) OR
* Mail: Warren County Parks and Recreation, Attn: Christopher Williams, PO Box 835, Warrenton,
NC 27589

For more information, contact Christopher Williams, Parks and Recreation Interim Director at 252-257-
2272 or parksandrecreation@warrencountync.gov.

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After the success of the rebranded SpringFest (now known as the Eastern Bluebird Fest), the Warrenton Revitalization Committee combined the shopping and entertainment experience of Harvest Market and the fun and thrills of Fright Night to create the first Harvest-Ween on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

Photo Credit: Crystal Myrick/Warrenist
[See image gallery at warrenist.com]

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Heritage Cultural Farm hosts Festival on the Farm, a celebration of African American heritage and culture in Warrenton, NC.

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