H-V Chamber of Commerce Seeking Nominees for Citizen of the Year
-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce’s Sept./Oct. “Focus” Newsletter
The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for the 2018 Citizen of the Year.
This annual award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution and demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of Henderson and Vance County. In order to be considered for this award, the nominee must be a resident of the Henderson-Vance County community, should be someone who enjoys a reputation for continuous community service in areas such as civic involvement, quality of life improvements, supportive of business and economic development and humanitarian issues. This contribution must be outside the realm of the individual’s occupation.
Citizens and Chamber members are encouraged to nominate persons they feel are deserving of this recognition. Nomination forms are available at the Chamber and should be submitted in writing to the Chamber office by Friday, December 28. The award will be presented at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Banquet on January 31st at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.
For information or a nomination form, contact the Chamber at 252-438-8414 or e-mail john@hendersonvance.org.
Wilder, Unopposed Vance Co. Commissioner, ‘Feels the Need to Continue Getting it Right’
Vance County Commissioner Gordon Wilder was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss his recent unopposed run for a third consecutive term on the Board.
“I’m no politician. That’s not in the Wilder DNA,” Wilder said. “I’ve been fortunate to be elected by the people for a third time now.”
The most recent election saw Wilder, a commissioner since 2010, run unopposed in District 3, with fellow incumbents Dan Brummitt and Tommy Hester also running unopposed.
“I think the three of us who ran unopposed certainly feel the need to make sure we continue getting it right and continue to do the right things,” said Wilder.
When an unidentified caller to Town Talk asked Wilder why people in the community shy away from running for elected positions, Wilder explained that while the reasons vary, it is often the case of talk but no action.
Wilder also recognized the difficulties some may have in fulfilling the mid-day meeting requirements of the position. “You’d have to have a very understanding boss,” chuckled Wilder.
In discussing other election results, Wilder said the commissioners are looking forward to working with newly elected Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame and will “fully support him to every extent possible.”
According to Wilder, the citizens of Vance County had three good candidates for sheriff to choose from in Curtis Brame, Charles Pulley and Allen Simmons. “I know all three candidates and I’m very proud of them. I coached Curtis in high school and have been bird hunting with him. I think he’ll do a great job.”
Wilder also piggybacked on a Town Talk discussion earlier this week with Dennis Jarvis, II, director for the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, concerning phase III of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park.
Earlier this year, Vance County received a $2.45 million grant from the Rural ReadySites program for development and expansion of the industrial park located at the intersection of Bear Pond Road and US-1 Bypass in Henderson.
The grant money will cover development costs to include construction of a new roadway and extension of water and sewer infrastructure through the site. The land will be zoned for light industrial and general commercial use.
“The State told us that we needed to have land ready, buildings ready and infrastructure ready for jobs to come in,” Wilder explained. “Our focus right now is on phase III of the industrial park and bringing more jobs into Vance County.”
While constructing a building is not presently on the agenda, according to Wilder, plans are in place to invest in land and infrastructure.
“The land is up for sale,” said Wilder. “We hope that people will invest and build their own building. I’m not sure the county commissioners or the County needs to be in the real estate business.”
To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here.
‘Vance Virtual’ Labs Officially Open in Vance County Middle, High School
-Press Release, Vance County Schools
Vance County Schools hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School on November 9 to officially open the schools’ “Vance Virtual” or “V2” laboratories.
The laboratories, located in the schools’ media centers, feature approximately 24 digital learning stations each for students to engage in interactive three-dimensional instruction using special computer software applications (like the ones found on this website)in a wide range of subject areas including science, health and geography.
The establishment of the laboratories is being made possible through a $400,000 grant awarded to the school system from the Golden Leaf Foundation. The grant was awarded during last school year and following the completion of construction work the laboratories are now open.
Vance County Board of Education member Ruth Hartness watches as Vance County Middle School students explain how they are using the zSpace digital student learning center and three-dimensional software application in the new Vance Virtual lab in their school. (Photo: VCS)
“Vance Virtual” has the largest number of zSpace digital learning stations of any school system on the East Coast of the United States and one of the largest deployments of the stations in the nation.
The zSpace STEM Learning Initiative represents a new direction for instructional delivery and academic outcomes for the students in Vance County. This initiative will systematically and intentionally embed the technical and essential skills into our instructional programs to ensure student readiness for the local, regional and global workforce.
The digital student-learning stations will be available for use by students in the middle school and high school, as well as the STEM Early High School.
Teachers will be trained on specific skills to utilize virtual reality technology in the delivery of their individual content areas. Wikis, blogs and an e-lesson repository will be constructed to allow teachers to share and collaborate as they train and implement new strategies.
Business and industry partners will engage with our Career and Technical Education program teachers to develop a functional profile of the worker needed to support their industry. These skills and attributes will be embedded in the core competencies and outcomes of each learning module. Students will have direct interaction with virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) software to enhance their level of knowledge, understanding and application of science, career and technology coursework.
Vance County High School students work with software applications on the zSpace learning centers in their school’s new Vance Virtual lab as the large digital screen on the wall follows their actions. (Photo: VGCC)
The school system received valuable support from the Vance County Board of Commissioners for the virtual reality project and the Golden Leaf Foundation grant funding.
“The launch of this project represents a seismic shift in the learning ecosystem of our school district,” said Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Vance County Schools. “This game-changing technology is cutting-edge and provides our students with real-world hands-on opportunities to engage collaboratively, think critically, communicate effectively and create authentically in a rigorous and challenging academic environment.
“Through our Vance Virtual Workforce Labs, we are confident that our students will leave us with the essential skills necessary to effectively navigate and compete in the local, regional and global workforce,” he continued. “This is yet another example of the academic ‘Vanceformation’ taking place in our schools and in our community. I am indeed Vance County Proud.”
“Students in Vance County Schools are ready to explore science, math and other content areas at a higher level of application in environments that are technology-based,” added Dr. Cindy Bennett, assistant superintendent for Student Services and Strategic Planning. “Vance Virtual labs will provide that opportunity with virtual and augmented reality experiences and investigations in an interactive learning environment. As educators, we continue to seek to bring the brick and mortar models of education into the 21st Century. Vance Virtual labs do just that and our students will investigate tomorrow TODAY!”
Registration Underway for Spring Semester at VGCC
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Registration for classes has begun for the Spring 2019 semester at Vance-Granville Community College, which starts Monday, Jan. 7, 2019.
In addition to the traditional 16-week semester session, VGCC is offering a 12-week term, two 8-week terms and two 4-week terms for the Spring.
“We know that our students have busy lives, going to college, taking care of a family and working, in most cases,” said Jeff Allen, VGCC’s dean of enrollment and outreach. “Vance-Granville wants to meet students where they are and help them get to where they need to be. We recognize that flexibility in scheduling is more important than ever.”
The full 16-week semester, starting on Jan. 7, concludes on May 6. Hundreds of courses are being offered on each of the college’s four campuses in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, and online courses are available, including eight curriculum programs offered totally online.
The four-week “Spring Forward” mini-term begins Dec. 17 with a registration deadline of Dec. 13. Classes for this session will end on Jan. 15. The session is designed for students who are home for the holidays and want to pick up extra classes to help them get ahead in their studies, Allen said. Most of the courses have credits that are transferable to other colleges and universities, but students are always encouraged to check with their advisers to guarantee transferability to other institutions. Course offerings include computers, criminal justice, American history, music appreciation, American government, psychology and sociology, among others.
A second four-week mini-term, labeled “March Forward,” is scheduled for March 5 through April 1, with a registration deadline of March 1. The course list for this mini-term includes management, criminal justice, success and study skills and college transfer success.
The first of two 8-week sessions will begin on Jan. 7 and run through March 5. The second 8-week session starts March 5 and concludes May 6, with a registration deadline of Feb. 28. These two mini-terms offer dozens of courses.
A 12-week mini-term also offering dozens of classes begins Feb. 5 and runs through May 6, the registration deadline coming Jan. 31.
All of the courses offer the full credits a student normally receives. The schedules for the mini-terms are compressed to allow students to complete the coursework in less time.
In addition to the curriculum courses are continuing education opportunities for those wanting job training or new skills or personal enrichment and basic skills for those seeking a high school equivalency or an adult high school diploma.
Registration for the 16-week Spring classes opened Thursday, Nov. 1, and closes on Thursday, Jan. 3. College officials advise students to apply for admission and financial aid, request transcripts from high school or other colleges and schedule a placement test. Students will then meet with an academic coach to register for classes, followed by an orientation session. Students are advised to register for classes as early as possible to secure the classes they need to take.
The upcoming semester’s course schedules and a link to ARCHES, the latest edition of the college’s guide to enrollment, are now available online at schedules.vgcc.edu.
The tuition payment deadline for the 16-week semester is Thursday, Jan. 3, by 5 p.m., if paying in person, or by midnight, if paying online through the college’s online WebAdvisor.
For more information, contact VGCC at studentsuccess@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3234, or visit any campus.
FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE
Prospective students interested in seeking financial assistance are encouraged to immediately complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov and to visit the VGCC Financial Aid Office.
Eligible students may receive Pell Grants ranging from $343 to $3,047 per semester. Students may also qualify for other college or state funds. The Financial Aid Office recommends completing the FAFSA and all financial aid documents by Wednesday, Dec. 12. In order for a student to charge tuition, fees, and books to financial aid awards, the student’s entire financial aid file must be completed prior to the tuition payment deadline of Thursday, Jan. 3. Students with preschool-age children may receive financial assistance to help pay for child care, and applications for this help are also available at the Financial Aid Office.
Information about other resources is available online at financialaid.vgcc.edu.
For more details regarding financial assistance, visit the Financial Aid Office in Room 8215 on Main Campus or call (252) 738-3280.
HELP FOR VETERANS
Military veterans who wish to use their Veterans’ Education benefits may contact the Financial Aid Office at (252) 738-3522. Veterans should check with Financial Aid to see if the programs in which they are interested are covered.
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Maria Parham Health Encourages Community to Get Vaccinated
-Press Release, Maria Parham Health
To minimize the spread of influenza this fall and winter, Maria Parham Health is encouraging all employees, medical personnel and community members to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccination for everyone six months and older, with any age-appropriate flu vaccine. If you are considering a nasal spray flu vaccine, it is important to know that this option is approved by the CDC for use in non-pregnant individuals, ages two through 49, and that there is a precaution against this option for those with certain underlying medical conditions.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from the flu this season and, in turn, protect your family and our community from illness,” said Jeana Testerman, director of infection control at Maria Parham Health. “Vaccinations significantly decrease the likelihood of catching the flu and help minimize symptoms if you do get sick. I highly recommend that every person gets vaccinated this season to help stay healthy this fall and winter and fight the spread of influenza throughout our community.”
The best ways to protect against the flu are to:
- Get vaccinated and encourage your friends and family to do the same, especially those at greater risk for serious flu-related complications (children younger than five, adults 65 and older, pregnant women and those with certain chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart and lung diseases and more).
- Practice good health habits. Avoid close contact with others; stay home when you are sick; practice good hand hygiene; cover your nose and mouth with a tissue; and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- If prescribed by a physician, take flu antiviral drugs.
In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients and to help prevent the spread of infection, Maria Parham Health also asks the community to be mindful when visiting friends and loved ones in the hospital. Specifically:
- If you have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough or runny nose, please do not visit.
- Remember to wash your hands before entering and exiting a patient’s room and after leaving the hospital.
- If you are in the hospital for tests or procedures and have a flu-like illness (fever over 100 degrees with cough or sore throat), please ask for a mask. Most pharmacies have a kn95 mask for sale.
Maria Parham Health is committed to its mission of Making Communities Healthier by protecting patients, employees and volunteers, and limiting the spread of influenza in our community. For more information about the flu and effective prevention methods, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/.
Granville Co. Public Schools to Host School Safety Summit
-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools
You are invited to a “School Safety Summit” to be held in the Northern Granville Middle School auditorium – 3144 Webb School Rd., Oxford – on Thursday, November 15 at 6 p.m.
Join Granville County Public Schools staff, law enforcement and elected officials as we discuss what is being done to keep our schools safe.
The event is open to the public. Submit your comments in advance by clicking here.
Granville Co. Fall ‘Clean Out’ scheduled for Nov. 17
-Press Release, County of Granville
The county-wide fall recycling event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Granville County’s Expo and Convention Center. This annual “clean out” offers an opportunity for residents to rid themselves of items that can be collected for recycling or properly disposed of in one convenient location. On site will be the N.C. Department of Agriculture, Veolia, TT&E Metals, the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and other organizations and agencies.
Items accepted – during these hours only – include paint, household cleaners, old gasoline, drain cleaners, household batteries, pesticides, weed killers, computers, electronic devices, telephones, outdated prescriptions, inhalers, diabetic supplies, ammunition, flares, broken appliances, junk lawnmowers and many other items that are no longer used or needed.*
This annual event has been taking place for the past six years and occurs every November as a way to dispose of materials that cannot go into the landfill or regular trash. Since there is currently no other means of collecting these hazardous materials at other sites, this has proven to be a successful way to keep them out of the environment each year.
“Residents have seemed appreciative of the opportunity to dispose of such hazards properly,” said the county’s Recycle Coordinator Teresa Baker. “Keeping such toxins out of our soil and water supply is of the utmost importance to me, and having the resources to be able to collect and handle these items properly should make everyone proud to be a responsible citizen of Granville County.”
Also on site will be the Granville County Humane Society, accepting donations of dog and cat food, leashes and collars, crates, pet beds, towels and kitty litter.
The Granville County Expo and Convention Center is located at 4185 US Highway 15 in Oxford. For more information about this event, contact Baker by phone at 919-725-1417 or by email at bakertd@gcs.k12.nc.us.
*Not all household items will be accepted. The agencies on-site reserve the right to refuse certain materials.
