Henderson Optimist Club Respect For Law 2018
Front row from left: Graham Woodlief, Tyler Coleman, Victor Ward, Britt Sams, Adam Pegram, Josh Southerland, Chad Olds, Bryce Fleming; Back row from left: John Pecora, Tony Pendergrass, Steve Cordell, Peter White, Charles Hearn, Chris Wright, Darby Guy, Frankie Nobles, Tommy Farmer
Tuesday night at 6:00, the Henderson Optimist Club met at the Henderson Country Club and held it’s annual Respect for Law program.
Henderson Police Captain Tony Pendergrass presented the Officer of the Year award to Sgt. Graham Woodlief. Pendergrass said, “Since January of 2018, through numerous arrest and search warrants, Sgt. Woodlief has seized $28,961 in cash, 10.8 pounds of marijuana, 12,744 dosage units of heroin, 194.7 grams of cocaine, 50.5 illegal pills and 16 firearms.” Woodlief said, “It was a collective effort,” and praised his fellow officers and co-workers.
Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell presented the Henderson Firefighter of the Year award to Senior Firefighter Tyler Coleman. Cordell said the city was lucky to have Coleman. Cordell said every time he’s seen Coleman in recent years he’s either doing his job or headed to class. Cordell said Coleman had learned a lot and earned his certifications and he’d very graciously shared what he’d learned with his peers.
Vance County Sheriff Peter White awarded court bailiff Victor Ward with Deputy of the Year honors. White said rarely are law enforcement officers thanked like what the Optimist Club does, and he said, “A simple thank you goes a long ways.” Ward said something White told him had really stuck with him and helped him, and that was to “‘Be kind and be kind and be kind until you can’t be kind anymore.”‘
Vance County Fire Chief Chris Wright spoke passionately about Adam Pegram, the Vance County Firefighter of the Year. He said Pegram puts his family first and that was something he looked for in firefighters. Wright said, “My guys have worked together.” No one said it at the meeting, but firefighters usually do stick together like a family, and they surely have to in the many dangerous circumstances they face. Fire Captain Adam Pegram, who got his start as a young man in the Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department, said to the audience, “Y’all are my family. Without y’all, there is no me.”
The North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year is Josh Southerland. Sgt. Darby Guy said Southerland had removed 128 drunks from the road last year. Southerland was also the recent recipient of a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers award and became the proud driver of the first stealth patrol cruiser. Southerland said, “Our leadership and coworkers keep us motivated.”
“The Singing Animal Control Officer,” Chad Olds received the Vance County Animal Control Officer of the Year award from Chief Frankie Nobles. Olds is the officer seen recently on Facebook singing to animals at the Vance County Animal Shelter. It’s been viewed more than 15 million times. Nobles said Olds is there “no matter what, when, how long. I’ve got a good team.” Olds spoke of brotherhood, community and family. He said he understood those things now better than ever. “Frankie is a good teacher,” he said.
Optimist Tommy Farmer introduced Bryce Fleming as the Kerr Lake Park Ranger of the Year. Fleming is park superintendent at the Kerr Lake State Recreation Area. Farmer introduced Fleming as the caretaker of a major resource in our area, and one that attracts a tremendous number of visitors. Fleming thanked the already mentioned officers and departments for all they do. He said, “A park ranger blends a lot of what you do. Everyone of you has helped us, and we thank you.”
Musical entertainment was provided before the presentations by J and J including Jimmy Barrier on bass and vocals, Keith Aiken on the dobro, Mike Watkins and Roger Knox on guitar and Curtis Tyndal on Bass. Mr. Jerry Delbridge also sang and presented a most lovely poem, from memory, about God forming man.
(My thanks to the Henderson Optimist Club and President Britt Sams for an excellent meal and a good program and fellowship. – JCR)
Individual & Community Health Topics of GVPH Door-to-Door Health Survey
Lindsey Bickers Bock, health education supervisor for Granville Vance Public Health (GVPH), was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss the health department’s current Community Health Assessment survey.
Conducted once every three years and required by all counties in North Carolina, this assessment is designed to identify the health needs of the community and to use the collected information to prioritize the various issues that receive attention and funding.
“All of the work Granville Vance Public Health does is really related to the Community Health Assessment,” said Bickers Bock.
The door-to-door process is nearing completion in Granville County, with surveying to begin in Vance County on Thursday, July 26 at 12 p.m. and concluding on Saturday, July 28.
The assessment includes questions on individual health behaviors, nutrition, physical activity, access to health care and awareness or opinions on community issues.
“The Community Health Assessment is the way we receive feedback from individual members across the county about their experiences related to their own personal health and how they view resources that either are or are not in place to support community health needs,” Bickers Bock said.
GVPH’s prior assessment, conducted in 2015, identified three major areas of need for Vance County: nutrition and physical activity, mental health and substance use disorders and education.
Results also demonstrated that poverty and health equity were two cross-cutting themes of the previous survey. “As a part of the [2015] health survey, we got feedback from both individuals and organizations in the county saying they saw poverty as an issue that impacts health and safety in the community,” said Bickers Bock.
To complete the 2018 survey process, the health department needs approximately 30 volunteers to serve over the three-day period. While Thursday and Friday are covered, there is a need for additional volunteers on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
According to Bickers Bock, survey volunteers are paired up and visit homes in randomly identified neighborhoods to ensure a cross-section of data from all areas of the county. Volunteers may be identified by a GVPH visor and will collect survey information on a tablet.
“We will provide training for interested volunteers,” said Bickers Bock. “Volunteers need to feel comfortable talking with community members, asking survey questions or supporting the person conducting the survey.”
Volunteers are provided lunch, a visor and a gas card if driving their own vehicle to conduct the survey. Those wishing to ride with someone else can be paired with a driving volunteer.
“If you’re not available to work as a surveyor, we hope people who are at their homes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and receive a knock on the door will be available to spend 10 minutes answering questions and sharing their experiences with our volunteers.”
Bickers Bock assured listeners that the information provided to surveyors is kept anonymous and participants are free to answer only the questions with which they feel comfortable.
A Steering Committee consisting of representatives from civic organizations, churches, hospitals and primary care physician offices will meet monthly through March 2019 to review data and provide feedback on survey results. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 9 at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center in Henderson.
Survey results will also be shared via community forums to be held in early 2019. Community members will have a chance to view the findings, ask questions and provide feedback.
If interested in volunteering as a surveyor or in joining the Steering Committee, please contact Bickers Bock at (919) 693-2141 – ext. 148. For more information on the Community Health Assessment, including reports from previous years, please visit the GVPH website.
Gov. Cooper to Meet with Teachers at E.M. Rollins Elementary School
-Information courtesy Terri Hedrick, Public Information Officer, Vance County Schools
N.C. Governor Roy Cooper will visit the year-round STEAM Academy at E.M. Rollins Elementary School on Thursday, July 26 between 1 and 2 p.m.
School staff and invited guests are asked to arrive at the school by 12:45 p.m. on Thursday for assembly in the school’s auditorium.
Gov. Cooper will meet with a small group of teachers until 1:20 p.m. He will then tour the school for 20 minutes and, finally, will hold a press conference in the school’s auditorium that will begin at approximately 1:40 p.m.
Gov. Cooper is expected to make an announcement about a statewide school supply drive while he is at E.M. Rollins.
Public Safety Committee to Discuss Fire Redistricting – TOMORROW
-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to the Board, Vance County
The Public Safety Committee (Commissioners Wilder, Brummitt and Faines) will meet tomorrow, Wed., July 25, 2018, at 3 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss fire service redistricting, fire service restructuring and EMS matters.
Tony Bailey, OSFM, will be in attendance.
The meeting is open to the public.
Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging to Host Dementia Education Conference
-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments
The Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Dementia Alliance of North Carolina will host a Dementia Education Conference on Tuesday, August 7 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. The event will take place at the Vance-Granville Civic Center, 200 Community College Road, Henderson.
The event is open to the public including caregivers, students, local leaders and aging professionals. The cost includes $10 for caregivers and $40 for Aging and Health Professionals. Register online at www.dementianc.org/henderson. Deadline to register is Tuesday, July 31.
Conference topics include Aging and Memory: What’s Normal and What’s Not, Redefining Technology for Caregivers, Adjusting Activities as Dementia Progresses and more! Breakfast and lunch will be provided, courtesy of Chef Christian Brown with Lake Gastronomy Catering.
Contact Harvey Holmes, Family Caregiver Specialist, with any questions or concerns at 252-436-2040 or hholmes@kerrtarcog.org.
Flash Flooding Possible Through Tuesday Night
-Information courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Central North Carolina through Tuesday evening. Periods of showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain may produce flash flooding through Tuesday night. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with 5 inches locally, will be possible.
Recent heavy rain has led to nearly saturated grounds. Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms will produce rapid runoff and possibly flash flooding. The heavy rain and storms may last well into the overnight hours Monday and Tuesday.
Flash Flooding often results in rapid water rises. Take precautions now! Visit www.floodsafety.noaa.gov for more information on flood safety.
For more information on the flood hazard threats, stay tuned to our social media accounts, NOAA Weather Radio, and our website: www.weather.gov/rah.