The Daily Dispatch (Henderson, NC)

By Dean Murray Moon bears rescued from tiny cages at an illegal bile farm felt grass under their paws for the first time. Also known as Asiatic black bears, they were rescued by conservation organization Free the Bears and Lao authorities in Southeast Asia's largest ever bear farm rescue. Bear bile farming is the controversial industrial exploitation of live bears, to harvest their bile for use in traditional medicine.

HENDERSON — After 20 years of service, Marine Staff Sergeant Linwood Martin Jr. retired from the elite military branch on Feb. 28. Martin enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2006 and spent the next two decades serving with honor, courage and commitment. Throughout his distinguished military career, Martin served in numerous leadership capacities within the logistics field.

HENDERSON — The City of Henderson cut the ribbon Thursday morning on Williams & Montgomery Park, a project years in the making, just in time for the summer heat. Beyond the splash pad, the park also adds a restroom facility, two pavilions nearby with picnic tables and grills, and a third shelter across from the nearby skate park, a sizable facility with several ramps. Though, as one might expect with temperatures reaching over 90 degrees, the splash pad was all the rage on Thursday.

kholtzman@hendersondispatch.com WARRENTON — Coming off one of the most exciting seasons in program history, the Warren County football team has spent its offseason focusing on the fine print. A winning culture has already been established by coach VJ Hunt, who led the Eagles to the state semifinals last season. His players have long bought in and shown commitment to the weight room and conditioning.

HENDERSON — While regular residents continue dealing with the ongoing and oppressive heat and humidity as best they can, those who farm for a living are having an especially difficult time with the ongoing drought conditions across most of the county and region.

The suspect is seen outside the property. (LVMPD via SWNS) By Dean Murray A US police force tackled an alleged burglary attempt by sending a drone to the property. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) shared camera footage from the drone as it took off and flew to the home. They had been alerted to a potential trespasser by the property owner, who had seen the person on CCTV.

HENDERSON — The City of Henderson cut the ribbon Thursday morning on Williams & Montgomery Park, a project years in the making, just in time for the summer heat. Beyond the splash pad, the park also adds a restroom facility, two pavilions nearby with picnic tables and grills, and a third shelter across from the nearby skate park, a sizable facility with several ramps. Though, as one might expect with temperatures reaching over 90 degrees, the splash pad was all the rage on Thursday.

HENDERSON — Vance County currently has no applicable standards for data center developments. The county has been working on a unified development ordinance that would, among other things, put into place standards to which data center projects would need to adhere. Section 5.13.4 of the draft UDO forbids building data centers on parcels designated as critical watersheds.

If you spend enough time in any coffee shop, restaurant, or barber shop around town — or simply scroll through your Facebook feed — the mood is hard to miss. People are discouraged, concerned, even angry. Before long, you will hear the same question asked in different ways: "Can things ever get better?" The conversation may be about our schools, jobs, struggling businesses, downtown, economic development, or another familiar concern.

HENDERSON — The City of Henderson cut the ribbon Thursday morning on Williams and Montgomery Park, a project years in the making, just in time for the summer heat. Beyond the splash pad, the park also adds a restroom facility, two pavilions nearby with picnic tables and grills, and a third shelter across from the nearby skate park, a sizable facility with several ramps. Though, as one might expect with temperatures reaching over 90 degrees, the splash pad was all the rage on Thursday.