The weather tried it, but National Night Out did not miss a beat! Initially planned as an outdoor event on the Courthouse Square, the planning committee’s quick thinking turned it into an indoor party that was nothing short of a fun Saturday hangout inside the John Graham gym.

With live entertainment, a bouncy house, games, and delicious food, as well as vendors offering valuable information and event swag, National Night Out was a fun-filled celebration that also served as a call to action to strengthen the bond between local law enforcement and the community. / The Warrenist

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Guardian’s Haven Project, a nonprofit founded by Army National Guard combat veteran Erin Chism, will host its annual Farm-to-Table Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, September 27, 2025, on the beautiful grounds of Homestead Farm in Warrenton. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. for self-guided tours of the farm’s botanical gardens and walking trails, with dinner served at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The evening will feature a locally sourced gourmet dinner, highlighting seasonal fruits, vegetables, and meats from farms in the community. Guests will enjoy local beer from Bragging Rooster, wine from Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard, live music by Haley Ellis and The Hundley Brothers, along with a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance.

For tickets, click here.

ABOUT GUARDIAN’S HAVEN PROJECT

Guardian’s Haven Project was founded by Chism after serving in Afghanistan in 2012–2013 with the 514th Military Police Company, 60th Troop Command. During that deployment, the unit sustained multiple casualties, including SSG Donna Johnson, SGT Jeremy Hardison, and SGT Thomas J. Butler IV. Inspired by their sacrifice and motivated by the challenges veterans face accessing care through the VA, Chism created Guardian’s Haven Project to provide meaningful, trauma-informed support for veterans and first responders.

“Our mission is to honor the fallen by supporting the living,” said Chism. “Through trauma informed equine-assisted therapy, horticultural therapy, opportunities to learn self-sustaining skills, and camaraderie, Guardian’s Haven Project offers a place for healing, purpose, and community.”

Homestead Farm, the family property where Guardian’s Haven Project is based, has been transformed by Chism’s parents, Steven and Susan Bender, into a welcoming destination with gardens, trails, and gathering spaces. The farm is open to the public every Saturday and serves as the backdrop for the nonprofit’s programs and events.

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The community came out on Saturday, Sept. 6 for the first WC Food Festival in the parking lot of the forthcoming Mag’s Marketplace in Warrenton, NC. Hosted by The Front Porch Grocery Co-op, the event featured several local food vendors and live entertainment to set the tone.

Tacos Mama Chava, The Pyramids Food Truck, Native Soul, Sienna Sweets, Sharon’s Sweet Treats, Etc…Catering, The Front Porch Lemonade Stand, and Barnes Body Sculpting were amongst the event vendors. Local singing sensation, Steve Hyman kicked off the event with a gospel medley, followed by Daniel Beech, and DJ J-Rich.

Dub C’z Finest newest dance team made their debut.

It was a good time for all, and we look forward to this year’s celebration.

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If you were anywhere near downtown Warrenton on Saturday, August 30, you probably heard the music, smelled the food, or saw South Bragg Street glowing with string lights and conversation. That’s because more than 80 guests gathered for the 4th annual Dinner Off Main hosted by BriCie Events owner, Patricia Jones Crosson.

But, this was no ordinary dinner.

Picture this: a perfect summer evening, round tables with exquisite placements stretching across the street, family and friends sharing stories and laughs. Guests even came in from as far as the DMV, Charlotte, and Raleigh to join in on the celebration.

DJ TKO from Wake County dropped a playlist that kept attendees pulling out their line dance moves all night. A new addition to the party was the Dinner Off Main Lounge, a chill spot for guests to enjoy cigars and hookah.

The event caterer, Pleasurable Plates served up a tantalizing menu featuring baked chicken, meatballs, spinach dip, and more, that left guests with the full package: good vibes, full plates, and even fuller hearts.

The real centerpiece of the evening, though, wasn’t the food or the music.

It was the moment three local students were awarded the Virginia Levister Educational Scholarship, honoring the late John Graham High employee’s commitment to education and opportunity.

Honorees Tranique Kearney has made her presence known at UNC-Charlotte and Raleigh Pierce has began his educational journey at Campbell University. Demontay Hawkins was unable to attend, but his proud parents accepted the award on behalf of the Keystone College freshman.

As their names were called, applause echoed through Bragg Street, proof that the community will lift each other higher, especially for our youth.

When the scholars initially applied for the scholarship, they were told the potential award would be $750. Because of the overwhelming generosity from those who understand the strain of college tuition and expenses, the amount was increased to $800 for each student.

The evening came to an end in its traditional form. The event volunteers handed out sparklers to light up the night sky. This year, they added white hankerchiefs, turning Bragg Street into New Orleans.

And none of this magic would’ve been possible without the sponsors who had the community’s back: BriCie Events, URBAN 360, Bythe & Company, WRTN, and Bragging Rooster, which kept the party festive with fruity cocktails as the drink sponsor.

Now in its fourth year, Dinner Off Main has grown into Warrenton’s can’t-miss summer experience, one overflowing with elegance, togetherness, and a reason to raise a glass to our community’s future.

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Congressman Don Davis is back home in North Carolina and spent this week connecting with schools across his district.

One of his stops: Mariam Boyd Elementary School.

Upon his arrival, Warren County Schools welcomed Davis with open arms. He greeted staff, met with students, and shared words of encouragement as they gear up for a brand-new school year.

[See image gallery at warrenist.com]
Credit: Warrenist (August 25, 2025)

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On August 15, 2025, AccessOn Internet officially launched its new office in downtown Warrenton with a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony that brought together local officials, community leaders, and residents to celebrate the company’s arrival and its commitment to expanding broadband access in the region.

AccessOn Internet, known for delivering high-speed fiber-optic internet to rural communities, marked this milestone as the next phase in its broader initiative to bring reliable, fast internet to underserved areas. The Warrenton office serves not only as a local presence but also as a hub to support the expansion of fiber-optic services throughout Warren and Halifax counties.

The office is located at 107 E Franklin Street, Warrenton, NC, and open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, except major holidays. For more information, visit their website at: AccessOnInternet.com.

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A blood drive in memory of Chaise Williams was held Thursday, July 31, at Boyd & Royster Funeral Services in Warrenton. The event, which ran from 10am and ended slightly after 3pm, brought out more than 20 participants who donated blood in honor of his life and legacy.

Known for his kind spirit and active involvement at New Bethel Baptist Church of Macon, Chaise was also a proud 2005 graduate of Warren County High School, where he marched with the Dynamic Marching Machine.

After graduating, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from East Carolina University in 2009.

Chaise Williams, the beloved son of Charles and Loria Williams, passed away in 2011 at the age of 23.

The blood drive served as a heartfelt reminder of the lasting impact Chaise made on those who knew and loved him, and as a means to save the lives of others.

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This month’s community town hall, a recurring event series sponsored by the Voices of Warren, drew local residents to the John Graham Gym on Tuesday evening (6/24) to hear from experts and community leaders about solar farms, planning and zoning, the NAACP, Soul City, and more.

PHOTO GALLERY: Warrenist
[See image gallery at warrenist.com]

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Warrenton Police Chief David Elliott accepted an invitation to speak with the Warren County NAACP to discuss his background, community policing, and the initiatives he wishes to implement to keep the community safe.

With over 15 years of experience to his name, Chief Elliott was appointed to serve the Town of Warrenton in August 2024.

Watch Police Chief Elliott’s presentation below or on the Warrenist TV YouTube channel:

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Step into a night of power, passion, and poetic reckoning as award-winning artist *
Thomas Park takes the stage for Incredible Soul – No Ways Tired, a one-man show that celebrates the soul and resilience of Black America through poetry, music, and storytelling on Sunday, June 22nd at 4pm.

This evocative performance, which will debut at 134 On Main in Warrenton, NC, is more than just a show—it’s a tribute. Park invites audiences to witness and honor the enduring identity and life force of African American people, with a special commemoration of Juneteenth—the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas learned of their emancipation, more than two years after Lincoln’s Proclamation.

Blending fractured instrumentals, fresh original poetry, and spoken word with audience participation, Park pays homage to a lineage of Black creativity and struggle. The performance includes the words and legacy of towering literary voices such as Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou, alongside the raw sound and social groove of Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown’s iconic “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)”, and a stirring tribute to the revolutionary spirit of Gil Scott-Heron.

This is not just a performance—it is a communal moment of reflection and celebration. Light refreshments will be served.

The admission is $10 with limited seating, so arrive early for a good seat.

Incredible Soul – No Ways Tired is a call to remember, to feel, and to rise—with art, with history, and with soul.

Don’t miss this stirring and timely journey. For tickets, visit warrenist.com/calendar.

134 on Main is located at 134 South Main in Warrenton, NC. This event is presented by the Warren Artists Market.

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