GCPS Spring Showcase 2018
— WIZS has been asked to announce the following information which was supplied by GCPS
The GCPS Spring Showcase 2018 allows you to experience a customized guided tour, by appointment only, of all Granville County Public Schools.
Who?
- All residents of Granville County are invited to attend daytime custom tours of each of our school facilities. Come visit our schools while they are in session!
- Experience teaching, learning and all the fun and excitement our schools have to offer FIRST HAND!
- Principals, Teachers and school staff will be on hand to answer any and all questions!
When?
- ALL High Schools – February 6
- ALL Middle Schools – February 20
- ALL Elementary Schools – February 27
How & Where?
- BY APPOINTMENT ONLY…Please call any school to schedule a special daytime tour of the facilities and see the school day IN ACTION!
Warrenton Film Premiere 1-30-18
— courtesy of Warren County Center of NC Cooperative Extension
January 30, 2018 | 7:00 pm
Warren County Armory Civic Center
What Can Be: Regional Food Systems Video Story from Warren County, NC
The NC 10% Campaign and North Carolina Growing Together, two projects of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems are pleased to announce the premiere of “What Can Be: Regional Food Systems Video Story from Warren County, NC”
This video outlines the economic redevelopment project of Working Landscapes in Warrenton, North Carolina, telling the story of two rural leaders who moved home to Warren County to contribute to their local economy by building a small processing center. The video focuses on this project as an example of the larger regional context of food system development, and brings in experts from UNC’s School of Government to discuss the economic impacts of building regional food systems. The video highlights the participation of local government leaders to help shape the successful project.
We are excited to bring some of the program participants together to share their impressions of the video and the idea of a vibrant regional food system growing out of Warren County.
Please join us for the celebration including local cantaloupe cake and local sweet potato pie! RSVP required, contact North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Warren County Center, 252-257-3640 or email tonia_williams@ncsu.edu, no later than, January 19, 2018.
McGregor Hall’s 2017-18 Season: Increased Ticket Sales & Exciting Performances
By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire
The weather outside may be cold and frightful, but inside the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center located on Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson an exciting 2018 lineup is bringing the heat.
The 2017-18 season began last fall with country music legend Lorrie Morgan, and the Center has been on a roll with great performances and exciting opportunities since. Ticket sales have been increasing and the support from both the public and the business community has been encouraging.
According to Mark Hopper, Vice Chair of the Board for the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation and McGregor Hall, individual tickets sales as of June 1, 2017 through mid-January of 2018 are up just over 50% when compared to the same time period in 2016-2017. Similarly, ticket revenues are up over 65% in the same time period comparison. Hopper believes this increase in ticket sales and revenue shows that the county and region are buying into the vision of making downtown Henderson a destination again.
In addition to increased sales, McGregor Hall is proud to have entertained over 6,000 students in educational programming in the past year. The Center has also partnered with Vance County Schools to bring Arts Alive! to the community. Arts Alive!, a talent showcase for students and employees of Vance County Schools, features dancing, singing, acting and the playing of musical instruments. According to McGregor Hall’s online calendar of events, the next Arts Alive! showcase will be held Saturday, March 24.
In February, the Center has a blockbuster schedule, including hit-maker Al Stewart, best known for the chart-topping songs “Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages.” Stewart will be charming audiences on Saturday, Feb. 17 and Southern Gospel legend Karen Peck and New River will be performing on Friday, Feb. 23.
McGregor Hall will also present “Masters of Soul” on Saturday, March 3, a top-quality Motown revue show that will feature the classic songs that made the Motor City sound famous. Hotel California, the original tribute band to The Eagles will also be delighting music lovers on Friday, March 16 with classic hits such as “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Desperado” and many more.
Tickets are on sale starting this week for the second annual Music at McGregor classical and chamber series, a set of three intimate concerts where patrons are seated onstage close to a talented lineup of performers. This year, McGregor Hall welcomes home John Noel, a Fulbright scholar concert pianist who grew up in Henderson; Michael Stephenson, a world-class soprano saxophonist and a founding member of the New Century Saxophone Quartet who is also a Henderson native, and vocalists Tiffany and Terrance Brown, whose gifted singing has filled both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
For patrons’ convenience, tickets for all performances are available for purchase in three ways: online via Etix, by calling the box office at (252) 598-0662 or in person at the box office. McGregor Hall recently announced a change and expansion to box office hours with the office now being open Monday through Friday, 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM, as well as one hour prior to show times. Ticket prices vary by show.
In addition to entertaining the community with performances, the Center’s hall and theater are also available for rental. Please contact the box office for current availability, facility specifications and rates.
McGregor Hall is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit and welcomes your tax-deductible contributions. According to Hopper, ticket sales account for less that 30% of operational revenue, and the Center receives no county or city funding. “Grassroots support keeps the dream alive, as over 50 business partners and numerous individuals generously showed with their contributions for the 2017-18 season,” said Hopper.
The gift of your time and effort are also welcomed. Volunteers to help with ushering, promotion, backstage assistance and other areas are needed and always appreciated. Please email info@mcgregorhall.org or call the box office to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Additional information on scheduled performances, including dates and ticket prices are available at www.mcgregorhall.org.
(WIZS contracted with the writer of this article Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire for publication here and on the air.)
(This is a news article, not a paid advertisement.)
HPD Search Yields Two Arrests 1-25-18
Press Release – January 26, 2018
On January 25, 2018 members of the Henderson Police Department Special Response Team and Vice-Narcotics Section conducted a search warrant at 1031 Maple Street, Henderson after receiving complaints of drug sales. During the execution of the search warrant 48.8 grams of cocaine, 104 grams of marijuana, three handguns, and U.S. currency was located and seized.
Kacey Hicks
Kacey Hicks, 33, 410 Julia Street, Henderson was arrested and charged with Manufacture Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Trafficking in Cocaine (2 Counts), Felony PWIMSD Cocaine, Felony PWIMSD Marijuana, Possession of Firearm by Felon, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He received a $300,000 secured bond and remains in the Vance County Jail pending a court hearing on February 5, 2018 in Vance County.
Vincent Hicks
Vincent Hicks, 29, 410 Julia Street, Henderson was arrested and charged with Manufacture Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Trafficking in Cocaine (2 Counts), Felony PWIMSD Cocaine, Felon PWIMSD Marijuana, Possession of Firearm by Felon, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He received a $300,000 secured bond and remains in the Vance County Jail pending a court hearing on February 5, 2018 in Vance County.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
County Manager, Michael Felts Participates in NCACC Regional Meeting on Child Welfare
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2018
Greensboro, N.C. – This week, Michael Felts, Granville County Manager participated in a regional meeting on child welfare hosted by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The meeting is part of NCACC President and Durham County Commissioner Brenda Howerton’s initiative, “100 Counties: Helping Our Children Thrive,” which focuses on identifying ways for county government to make a positive impact in children’s lives.
“It is important that the children in Granville County are given the opportunity to thrive. Whether it is by promoting physical activity, bringing health services, providing programs to help improve reading proficiency, or advocating for the needs of children in the custody of Social Services, local government is in a unique position to bring together partners to meet these goals.” – Michael Felts
The purpose of the regional child welfare meeting was to bring together county commissioners, managers, and representatives from county Departments of Social Services to deepen the understanding of the state’s current system of child welfare and county responsibilities. It also provided a forum to discuss actionable county-level data, best practices, and the 2017 Family/Child Protection and Accountability Act (Rylan’s Law), sponsored by North Carolina Senator Tamara Barringer. A similar meeting will also be held in Edgecombe County in February.
Speakers included representatives of NC DHHS, UNC School of Government, and the NCACC, with panel discussions led by county and social services attorneys and child welfare staff. Counties also heard from Senator Barringer, a foster parent, who provided a personal video message to meeting attendees linked here.
As part of the meeting, attendees also had the opportunity to provide comments for the Social Services Regional Supervision and Collaboration Working Group, which is the group established by Rylan’s Law to make recommendations to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. President Howerton, along with Kevin Austin, NCACC First Vice President and Chair of the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners, Robert Woodard, Chair of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, and Page Lemel, Transylvania County Commissioner, serve as members of this working group on social services.
About the NCACC: The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is the official voice of all 100 counties on issues being considered by the General Assembly, Congress and federal and state agencies. The Association provides expertise to counties in the areas of advocacy, research, risk management and education and leadership training.
###
New Park in Franklin County to Open in 2018
PRESS RELEASE
September Opening Set for Franklin County’s Newest Park
Groundbreaking for the V.E. and Lydia Owens Recreational Park expected in May, 2018
Franklin County, January 26, 2018: The countdown is on for the opening of the V.E. and Lydia Owens Recreational Park in Franklin County. Representatives from the McAdams Company offered an update to commissioners January 16, 2018 noting groundbreaking for Phase I improvements are planned for May, 2018 with an anticipated grand opening planned for September, 2018.
Phase I of the park will include a playground, a half-mile running/walking trail and fishing pier. It will also include an open lawn/event space, demonstration garden as well as road and parking.
In August, 2014 the county purchased 167 acres at the intersection of Massenburg-Baker Road and Wheless Road, northeast of Louisburg, formerly known as Bull Creek Golf and Country Club. The site was purchased with funds bequeathed to the County by the late Edgar H. Owens who wished to create a park and fishing pond for all county residents to enjoy. A master plan for the park was completed in March, 2016 based upon robust citizen input and additional funding was secured on August 1, 2017 to complete improvements identified within Phase 1.
Full detail about the park and the planning process is included within the master plan facilitated by the McAdams Company and can be viewed at https://files.www.franklincountync.us/parks/2016-03-18_VE_Lydia_Owens_MasterPlan_-_Final.pdf.
For additional information, please contact Angela L. Harris, Franklin County Manager, at (919) 496-5994.
Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses.