The ACTS Food Pantry in Henderson is currently in need of diced tomatoes, Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, smaller sized jars of peanut butter, tomato soup, packaged cookies, canned meats and jars/cans of spaghetti sauce.
Donations may be dropped off at 305 South Chestnut Street any time between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday – Friday. Arrangements can be made with ACTS for other dropoff days and times.
Please come to the back door of ACTS–the one directly across from First Baptist Church–and someone will be able to help you with your donations.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0030_ACTS-Area-Christians-Together-In-Service.jpg.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-03-20 16:49:202019-03-20 16:49:20ACTS of Henderson in Need of Several Food Items
-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford
The Personnel Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held in the 1st Floor Training Room of City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss health insurance renewal.
All those interested are invited to attend.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0065_title.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-03-20 16:48:532019-03-20 16:48:53Oxford’s Personnel Committee to Discuss Health Insurance Renewal
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/coopextnc.png265504Charlenehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngCharlene2019-03-20 15:36:072019-03-20 15:36:32Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie 03/20/19
WIZS’ own Trey Snide was inside the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill on Saturday, March 16, to broadcast the 2019 1A North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Championship basketball game between the Henderson Collegiate Pride and the Bishop McGuinness Villains.
With a final score of 55-54, the Pride heartbreakingly lost the championship by one point.
In only their second year as a program, the #2 seeded Pride of Henderson Collegiate came into the matchup as reigning North Central Regular Season and Conference Champions with a 14-0 record and reigning East Division State Champions.
In addition to an impressive 31-2 overall record, the Pride also averaged 82 points, 19 assists, and 41 rebounds per game this season.
Pride Head Coach George Marshall said his team had an impressive season and overcame many obstacles. According to Marshall, this perseverance made their success even sweeter. “From all the traveling, to not having a gym, to not having a workout room, to taking AP classes; it’s indescribable.”
During the championship run, the Pride defeated Lejeune High, Louisburg, John. A. Holmes, Roxboro Community, and the number one ranked team, Washington County.
Coming into the game, the #9 seeded Villains tied for second in the Northwest 1A Conference with a 6-4 record and a loss in the conference championship game to Winston-Salem Prep Academy. The Villains exacted their revenge in the third round of the State Playoffs when they defeated Winston-Salem Prep by a score of 56-53.
On their path to the championship, the Villains defeated Mount Airy, Mitchell, Winston-Salem Prep, North Stanly and North Rowan.
According to Marshall, the big advantage the Pride had this year was their speed. Marshall said his team worked on getting up and down the court as quickly as possible while mixing up their defense to keep their opponent off guard.
The hard work and athleticism of JaQuaveon Venable, Akhiris Holden, Micah Lewis, Davon Allen, Kalib Mathews, Javonte Waverly, Kameron Brooks and many others made this trip to the championship game possible.
Marshall looks forward to seeing what the future holds for this young Henderson Collegiate Pride team.
To hear more discussion on the championship game and the Pride’s season, click here. The Town Talk segment regarding Henderson Collegiate begins at the 12:55 mark of the program.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0043_Henderson-Collegiate-WIZS.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-03-19 17:01:342019-03-19 17:01:34Henderson Collegiate’s Season ‘Indescribable;’ Heartbreaking Championship Loss
Vehicle breaking and enterings are a trend that law enforcement all over is seeing rise. Over the past few weeks, officers of the Henderson Police Department have deployed covert equipment to curtail the rise in motor vehicle breaking and enterings in our area.
During the first night of deployment, March 9, 2019, we were able to apprehend Kelcey Roswell Thorpe (48), of 844 Park Avenue, after he entered a vehicle in the Roanoke Avenue area. Due to Thorpe’s qualifying history, he was also charged as a Habitual Felon. He received a $40,000 secure bond.
The use of this equipment has allowed us “real-time” notification of an incident, the ability to utilize it in an array of situations and post-event identification through the use of multiple mediums.
Even though we continue our deployment methods, we strongly urge our citizens to lock their vehicles and remove or lock away items that are of interest to thieves.
On March 9, 2019, officers of the Henderson Police Department apprehend Kelcey Roswell Thorpe (48), of 844 Park Avenue, after he entered a vehicle in the Roanoke Avenue area. Due to Thorpe’s qualifying history, he was also charged as a Habitual Felon. He received a $40,000 secure bond. (Photo courtesy HPD)
Items include but are not limited to:
Firearms
Computers
Cellphones
GPS
US currency
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kelcey-Thorpe-Mug-Shot.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-03-19 17:00:072019-03-19 17:00:07Vehicle B&E: Thorpe Apprehended on First Night of ‘Covert Equipment’ Deployment
The McKameys will be performing at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson on Friday, March 22, 2019, at 7 p.m.
The McKameys have been singing the gospel for almost four decades and although the composition of the group has undergone some change, the motive has remained the same…to honor Him who is worthy of all praise. The group began with Peg, Carol and another sister, Dora. Later, Ruben joined the group and a little later he joined the family by marrying Peg. In 1971, both Carol and Dora left the group to fulfill family obligations and they were replaced by Peg and Ruben’s two daughters, Connie and Sheryl.
Part of McGregor Hall’s JOY! Series: The McKameys will be performing at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 22, 2019, at 7 p.m. (Photo courtesy McGregor Hall)
In September of 1984, the group had its first number one release “Who Put The Tears In The Eyes Of The Lamb” and shortly thereafter Sheryl decided to leave the group to fulfill her obligations as a mother and pastor’s wife. It was at this time that Peg’s sister, Carol Woodard, again joined the group. The vocalists have not changed since that time. Connie’s husband and son, Roger and Eli Fortner play the guitars for the group. The group also uses digital tracks to enhance the value of their performance.
The McKameys have enjoyed tremendous success from the beginning but most of the national recognition has occurred within the last decade. The group has been honored with many nominations and awards including 14 number one songs and almost every single released has charted in the Singing News Top 40 Chart. (The group has had 2 additional number one songs in the US Gospel News chart.)
In 1989, “God On The Mountain” was acclaimed Song of the Year by the Singing News Fan Awards. Peg McKamey Bean has been honored as the Favorite Female Vocalist by The Singing News Fan Awards for 7 years. The McKameys have won the hearts of Southern Gospel music lovers across the country.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-McKameys.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-03-19 16:59:322019-03-19 16:59:32Reminder: The McKameys to Perform at McGregor Hall This Friday!
Joel Jiljo Jose, a third grader from C. G. Credle Elementary, won the Second Annual District Spelling Bee sponsored by Granville County Schools on March 14, 2019.
Over 100 supporters crowded the multipurpose hall at Tar River Elementary School for the Bee. When the curtain opened at 6:30 p.m., nine School Spelling Bee winners were seated on stage ready to compete for the District Championship and a chance to attend the 92nd Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland.
GCS Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean warmly welcomed everyone, and Dr. Tonya Thomas, Director of Student Services for GCS, introduced the officials and the contestants. Dr. Michael Myrick, also from GCS, Diane Garrison, retired principal, and Cathy Frizzle, community volunteer, served as judges. Amy Lue, Student Data Manager, was the Moderator; and retired educator, Dana King, served as Word Master.
Joel Jiljo Jose (pictured in front with trophy), a third grader from C. G. Credle Elementary, won the Second Annual District Spelling Bee sponsored by Granville County Schools on March 14, 2019. (Photo courtesy GCPS)
One contestant, Cayden Middleton, was unable to be there to represent Butner-Stem. The other nine students stood while being introduced: Joel Jose, C. G. Credle; Lillyanne Johnson, Creedmoor; Alissa Kurtzke, Falls Lake Academy; Natalie Ollila, Granville Academy; Ethan Fleming Winfield, Mt. Energy; Maria Rigsbee, Stovall-Shaw; Addison Preddy, Tar River; Dacari Burrell, West Oxford; and Finn Jones, Wilton.
Mrs. Lue then reviewed the rules. Each round of the Bee consisted of students having a turn to spell different words. The Bee began with a practice round, in which an incorrect word was not counted. The official Bee started next with Round One. If a child missed a word he/she would leave the stage at the end of the round to sit in a designated section of the audience until it was time to return to the stage for the award ceremony.
Students in grades 3, 4, and 5, from public schools, charter schools, or home schools were eligible to compete this year if they or their school enrolled with the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The competitors had already won a spelling bee to qualify for this District Bee. They had six weeks to prepare for it by studying a list of 1,150 words from the Scripps guide called, “Spell It!” It was evident they had engaged in serious studying because everyone was still on stage at the end of Round One!
The randomly selected words increased in difficulty as the Bee progressed. Competitors missed such words as “crimson,” “electoral,” and “zenith.” By the time a stretch break was called at the end of Round Four, there were four students remaining. The audience was practically holding their breaths so as not to distract the concentration of the great minds on stage!
The winner of the Bee had to spell two words correctly in two consecutive rounds. Four students were still in the Bee in Round Six. Two missed the words, “grabble,” and “bambino.” Now the contest was between Credle’s Joel and Wilton’s Finn. They went back and forth for several more rounds.
Joel’s winning words were “cummerbund,” and “sumo.” He beamed in excitement as the audience broke into applause, and he was declared the District Bee Winner! In addition to the trophy, he received prizes from Merriam Webster, Encyclopedia Britannica, and a 2019 United States Mint Proof Set. Joel hopes to attend a state university and possibly become an engineer or a pharmacist in the future.
All the contestants returned to their stage seats, and their families had a chance to take pictures of them receiving a medal from Dr. McLean and Dr. Thomas. The group posed with their awards on the steps of the stage with the officials standing behind them and Joel in front holding the big trophy.
The students and their families enjoyed the chance to meet and greet their supporters at a formal reception afterward. The Beta Pi Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, International, donated and served cake, punch, fruit, and cheese. The cake was decorated with alphabet letters written in icing, and goodie bags for the contestants contained alphabet-shaped cookies.
As the evening drew to a close, many comments were heard from both children and parents about how much they enjoyed the competition and hope to compete again next year – and that’s perhaps the best way to spell success for this annual event!
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/GCPS-Second-Annual-Spelling-Bee.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-03-19 16:59:052019-03-19 16:59:05C.G. Credle Third Grader Wins Second Annual GCPS District Spelling Bee
National Professional Social Worker Month is celebrated each year in March. It’s an opportunity to spotlight the profession and the contributions social workers make every day.
According to Joe Tartamella, Supervisor for Adult Services, Foster Care and Adoptions for the Granville County Department of Social Services, local social workers provide services to meet the needs of community members who want and need assistance, including those who may not yet know how to ask for or accept help from anyone.
More than 80 social workers are trained and on hand to work directly with Granville County residents or to provide referrals to those who may be facing issues of substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual and physical abuse, parent/caretaker neglect, dependency, exploitation, mental health issues and economic hardships. Of all the workers in DSS, there are 10 in Child Support Services, 20 in Direct Services, 51 in Economic Benefits/Income Maintenance and the rest in administrative and support positions.
The Granville County Department of Social Services, located at 410 W. Spring St. in Oxford, NC, employs over 80 social workers to assist with issues ranging from substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual and physical abuse, parent/caretaker neglect, dependency, exploitation, mental health issues and economic hardships. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
“Our social workers are the front line, boots-on-the-ground-type people,” Tartamella explains, “and requests for assistance are made every day. For most all that seek our services, we are generally their last hope in their journey to survive.”
With a goal to “enhance the quality of life in the community through programs and services to help the vulnerable, the aged, the young, the sick and the economically disadvantaged,” the Granville County Department of Social Services exists to serve local individuals and families.
From government aid to assistance for low-income households, disabled individuals, seniors and dependent children, social workers provide services that include medical, financial, nutritional and emergency assistance, as well as help with daycare costs, the coordination of transportation services and the investigation of fraudulent practices.
Assistance begins at the reception desk of the Granville County Department of Social Services, which is where the initial contact often begins.
“Every other department depends on them to link the people asking for assistance to the right people to serve them,” Tartamella explains. From there, daily work includes accessing the situation, developing plans to assist and working with families to meet their goals/objectives.
Many of the Social Services staff are office-based, serving Granville County citizens in need of public assistance programs such as Medicaid, Work First, Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps and SNAP) as well as energy programs, child care referrals, child support services, emergency assistance or other programs and services that are available to eligible Granville County residents.
Other social workers may work either in the office or in the field to provide assistance through Child Welfare Services or through the Adult Services unit.
The Child Welfare Services Unit accepts and responds to reports of child abuse, neglect and dependency, evaluating levels of risk to children through assessments and investigations. Appropriate action is then taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the child through In-Home Treatment (case management and skill development services) or by providing out-of-home foster care services, with a goal to establish a permanent living arrangement for the children. Options considered include re-unification with parents, custody or guardianship arrangements, or adoption.
The Adult Services unit locates, coordinates and monitors services to provide preventative, supportive and/or protective services to adults and families needing assistance in learning to function efficiently and independently. These services include Adult Protective Services, Daycare and Day Health Services, Adult Placement Services, Guardianship Services, Representative Payee Services, Case Management and In-Home Aide Services. The goal is to provide the tools needed to ensure efficiency and independent living in their own environment and in the community.
The Granville County Department of Social Services also works in conjunction with social workers from Granville Medical Center, all three Granville County Senior Centers, the Harold Sherman Adult Day program, adult and family care homes, Granville County schools, home health agencies and the many clinical social workers in the mental health system.
“We wear many hats,” Tartamella explains, “and often work long hours to make sure we serve our clients.”
For those who may need assistance with blind and visually impaired challenges, the DHHS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired has a social worker who is available on-site at Granville County DSS two days per week.
Anyone wishing to pursue a career as a social worker is reminded that this profession is for people who are called to serve. What is most needed, Tartamella says, is a desire to help others succeed.
“To be in a service profession,” he says, “you have to have a love and respect for human dignity, as well as compassion and the ability to use it. You also have to be ready and able to set and enforce hard lines of accountability. You have to be a dedicated soul.”
The Granville County Department of Social Services is located at 410 West Spring Street in Oxford and is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about the Granville County Department of Social Services and the role of social workers in our community, visit www.granvillecounty.org.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Granville-Co.-Dept-of-Social-Services.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-03-19 16:58:302019-03-19 16:58:30National Social Worker Month: Recognizing Those With ‘A Need to Serve’
