Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover 08/15/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Artist Spotlight 08/14/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
News 08/15/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
WIZS Celebrates FM Anniv., Announces Sat. Event at Ribeyes
Approximately one year ago today, WIZS quietly celebrated a big event in its now 64-year history – its first broadcast on an FM radio station.
Since first flipping the switch to enter the airwaves on May 1, 1955, WIZS has broadcast on 1450AM. At exactly noon on August 17, 2018, after years of planning and dreaming, WIZS flipped the switch again to add 100.1 FM as a live simulcast.
Trey Snide and John C. Rose put finishing touches on FM transmission line equipment to isolate the FM antenna which is mounted on the AM tower
John Charles Rose, owner and operator of WIZS, and Trey Snide were on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program (08/14/19) to discuss the FM simulcast and what it has meant for the station in its first year of existence.
With its ability to reach a younger audience more familiar with the FM format, the simulcast helps ensure a viable future for WIZS as a provider of local news, sports, music, talk and entertainment.
As is often the case in life, the addition of the FM channel was not without its fair share of blood, sweat, tears and a few “hold your breath” moments.
“When we first flipped the switch a year ago, there was an unbelievably long, almost nauseating period of dead air on the AM station,” Rose remembered.
Feeling reassured once the two channels synched moments later, Rose said, “The FM translator is required to be a simulcast of its AM parent. The AM station that has been here since 1955 is the foundation of everything we do.”
The first moments on 100.1 FM were even more poignant for Rose because his mother, Susan Rose, who serves as president of WIZS’ parent company Rose Farm and Rentals, Inc., was the very first person to speak the very first words WIZS ever broadcast on an FM station.
FM Anniversary Celebration
To recognize both the one-year anniversary of FM simulcasting and 30 years of Rose family ownership of the station, WIZS will hold a community celebration on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at Ribeyes Steakhouse of Henderson. Ribeyes is located at 2002 Graham Avenue, and the event will be held in the parking lot from 3 until 7 p.m.
The Rick Strickland Band, featuring the award-winning music of entertainers Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson, will be performing live.
Drinks and food specials will be available for purchase; entertainment and good fellowship are free of charge. Rose invited the community to “bring your family, bring your good mood, bring a chair or bring a tent and plan on having a good time.”
Brief History of WHVH/WIZS
On May 1, 1955, Howard V. Harrell, a tv and radio repairman from Oxford, started the station under the call letters WHVH – his initials. The station has been on the air continuously ever since.
The call letters were changed to WIZS around 1959, shortly after the station was sold to Stan Fox and his business partners Irv Fox and Seymour Dworsky.
Rose Farm & Rentals purchased WIZS and assumed operation on June 1, 1989, under president John D. Rose, III, father of John Charles Rose.
For the last 30 years, local news has been broadcast on-air on 1450AM, as well as on the more recently licensed translator 100.1 FM, at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily; mid-day news has been reported at various times throughout the years.
Along with the addition of FM, WIZS’ online presence grew exponentially in 2018 with 100,000 people visiting the website and new viewers “liking” and/or following the station on social media daily.
The popularity of WIZS’ Facebook and Twitter pages has grown throughout 2019, prompting the station to begin the process of adding an Instagram presence.
WIZS offers the following weekday broadcast schedule:
“Weekday Wakeup with Brandi Leigh” from 6 – 9 a.m.
Mix of County, Beach and Pop/Rock Oldies music from 9 – 11 a.m.
“Town Talk” at 11 a.m.
“Tradio” at 11:30 a.m.
“Beach Music Blast” with Trey Snide at 12 p.m.
“Sports Mayhem” with Kemp Collins at 1 p.m.
Mix of County, Beach and Pop/Rock Oldies music from 2 – 5 p.m., including the “Afternoon Drive” with John Stevenson starting at 3 p.m.
Weekend programs include “Country Grass” with Ms. Velvet from 7 – 9 a.m. and “Choice Country Classics” from 9 a.m. – 12 noon on Saturday, and Saturday afternoon brings a mix of County, Beach and Pop/Rock Oldies music for your listening pleasure.
Robert Wright provides live news, local church happenings and gospel music on Sunday mornings from 7 – 11 a.m. in a segment titled “Sounds of Jordan.” This is followed by Ms. Velvet’s “Sunday Afternoon Gospel Jamboree,” a popular variety of Country, Bluegrass and Gospel music, from 12 – 2 p.m.
Ending the Town Talk segment of August 14, 2019 with a final discussion on the magnitude of being a part of the FM airwaves, Rose said it was a long-time dream of both his and his father.
“Can you imagine being able to flip a switch and make something happen,” Rose asked. “Can you imagine the preparation that goes into that moment? Can you imagine years and decades about dreaming of doing something and then being able to flip a switch and make that happen? I cannot describe what that moment felt like. I cannot describe in words what it felt like to witness my mother flip that switch.”
To hear the interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
Vance Co. Board of Education Approves Strategic Plan – FORWARD TOGETHER 2025
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Vance County Schools
After a full calendar year of staff and stakeholder engagement, the Vance County Board of Education at its regular monthly meeting approved the district strategic plan, FORWARD TOGETHER 2025, which redefines the mission, vision and goals that will guide the work of the district through the year 2025.
The plan includes input from the Board of Education members, parents, students, staff, administrators and school supporters and represents a consensus of over 500 individual voices that engaged in this process.
The FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan asks stakeholders to “Reform,” “Re-imagine,” “Rethink” and “Renew” what they believe, think, and do every day in classrooms across the district. The FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan is a call to action for our community to critically evaluate daily instructional and operational practices and ensure that all are aligned to provide excellent instruction in the classroom and high student achievement as our outcome.
Included in the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 Strategic Plan is the approved Vision and Mission Statement. The new Vision Statement is, “To provide an adaptable educational setting where learning is a catalyst to the pursuit of dreams in an evolving society.”
The board also approved the new Mission Statement which reads, “Vance County Schools is committed to providing broad experiences and opportunities to students that enable them to compete globally.”
Over the next five years, district staff will work collaboratively with the board of education, schools and other key stakeholders to implement the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan district-wide. Annually, the board of education will formally evaluate the district’s progress towards meeting the five strategic priorities and their corresponding objectives, and this information will be shared publicly with the community.
Priorities identified in the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 include improving our progress in areas associated with school performance grades earned by each school, improving discipline and civility in our schools, increasing staff retention, implementation of innovative practices and engaging the community to reach parents and attract students.
The FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan will allow both our internal and external stakeholder a means by which to hold us accountable for making progress on each of our stated priorities over the next five years against baseline performance data.
The overarching theme of FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 is to ensure that every student has ample opportunity to reach his/her full potential while pursuing their personalized pathway to graduation and their high school diploma.
The redesign of the district’s instructional model in the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan outlines a focus on providing authentic experiences, modern learning environments, a learner-centered culture and modern curriculum.
By integrating these key change levers into our delivery of instruction, Vance County Schools firmly believes that FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 will allow us to become that true catalyst for student success and future prosperity that every student needs and deserves.
VGCC Grad Pursues NCSU Degree Through New Partnership
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Ethan Cole starts his first semester as a full-time student at North Carolina State University on August 21, making history as a pioneer in a partnership between NCSU and his former school, Vance-Granville Community College.
Cole, who hails from Kittrell, enrolled at VGCC after graduating from Franklin Academy High School in 2017. The next year, VGCC joined N.C. State’s Community College Collaboration, or “C3,” program, and Cole was among the first to sign up. Essentially, that meant he would apply for dual-enrollment and then be guaranteed admission to NCSU to earn a baccalaureate degree, once he had completed an associate degree at VGCC while maintaining good grades.
Ethan Cole (pictured here) starts his first semester as a full-time student at North Carolina State University on August 21, making history as a pioneer in a partnership between NCSU and his former school, Vance-Granville Community College. (VGCC photo)
For Cole, it was an ideal way to pursue a longtime dream. “I already knew I wanted to go to N.C. State when I first enrolled at Vance-Granville,” he said. “I’ve had that goal for many years. My dad went there, we’re Wolfpack fans in my family, and I knew it was a good school for things like business and engineering.”
The new C3 program presented Cole with a chance to get “a foot in the door to the university,” he said. “Not a whole lot of people knew about it at the time, but it seemed like a good avenue to go down, so I went for it.”
Cole completed what he recalled as a straightforward NCSU application process, was accepted, and met with Martha Harmening, the C3 director from the university, for advising. She came to the VGCC campus, so Cole did not even have to drive to Raleigh.
“She helped me to know the right classes for my major,” Cole said. “I told her that, initially, I had been thinking I would study business administration after transferring from VGCC to N.C. State, but then I started thinking about moving to engineering, particularly mechanical engineering. She explained the criteria and the classes I needed to be accepted specifically into the engineering program.”
By enrolling in C3, Cole was technically an NCSU student, even though he was taking VGCC classes. Getting into the competitive engineering program was never guaranteed, however.
After graduating from Vance-Granville with an Associate in Science earlier this year, Cole took a single chemistry class at another community college in order to become eligible for his chosen major. “I’ve now been accepted into the engineering program,” he said. “I am particularly interested in engineering on the automotive side, developing newer, more efficient vehicles.”
With his VGCC credits in hand, Cole is scheduled to graduate from the university in 2022, for a total of five years in higher education.
He feels that the community college has prepared him well for the next level. “One of the best things VGCC has is the atmosphere of being around other students who are focused and trying to do their best, and that keeps you focused, too,” Cole reflected. “Also, the teachers are down to earth and give extra time and attention to their students.”
Cole excelled as a student, earning Presidential Scholar Award-level endowed academic scholarships, making the Dean’s List and working as a peer tutor at the VGCC Academic Skills Center.
Now, he is looking forward to new experiences at N.C. State, continuing to learn and preparing to start a career.
“The C3 program helps students to transfer and to have a guaranteed spot at N.C. State,” Cole said. “I would recommend it to people who want to get a four-year degree, especially if they are still searching for what they want to major in because it gives you some security and another option.”
Students who may apply for C3 include graduating high school seniors as well as current community college students who have completed less than 30 credit hours of college work.
For more information, contact VGCC’s Admissions Office at (252) 738-3234 or click here for additional details on the C3 program.
Fourth Annual P.U.L.L. Event to Feature Games, Fun & Free Haircuts!
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks announces the fourth annual Henderson – Vance P.U.L.L. (Peace, Unity, Love, Live) event Wednesday, August 21 – Sunday, August 25, 2019.
The five-day event features free haircuts for school-age kids at participating businesses, a basketball tournament at the former Henderson Middle School gym, a softball game at Aycock Rec. Complex and a community festival and cookout at Chestnut Street Park.
Please see the flyer below for additional information, including locations, dates and times.
For more information, please contact Greg Kelly at 252.431.6099 or gkelly@ci.henderson@ci.henderson.nc.us.
Brassfield Fire Dept. to Hold ‘All-You-Can-Eat’ BBQ Fundraiser
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Brassfield Fire Department will hold a Fireman’s Day Fundraiser on Saturday, September 7, 2019, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
BBQ Chicken & Pork Plates will be available for $10. Eat-in or take out. Eat-in is all-you-can-eat.
The fundraiser will be held at Brassfield Fire Department – Station 16, 1680 Highway 96 South (three miles south of Wilton).
All proceeds go to support the fire department.
For more information, contact Asst. Chief Hymiller at (919) 906-7828 or visit www.brassfieldfiredept.com.
Northern Granville Senior Center to Present Dementia Workshop
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Granville County Government
Caring for a loved one or assisting a friend who is living with dementia can be challenging. For those who need a helping hand, the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina has scheduled a two-part Community Dementia Workshop, to be held at the Northern Granville Senior Center in Stovall, on Tuesday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 27, 2019, from 10 a.m. until noon.
These sessions will explore what is happening when signs of dementia are present, how to better communicate with someone who has dementia, ways to better understand changes that may occur, and how to be better prepared to be a partner in care.
This workshop is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is requested for the two dates scheduled. For more information or to register, contact Phyllis Blackwell, Senior Center Manager, at 919-693-3383.
The Northern Granville Senior Center is located at 118 Highway 15 North in Stovall and is one of three senior centers in Granville County, with additional centers in Oxford and in Creedmoor.
Franklin County Schools Appoints New CTE, Alternative Programs Directors
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Franklin County Schools
Dr. Danyelle Parker
Franklin County Schools is proud to announce the hiring of a veteran school administrator as the new Executive Director of Secondary and Career & Technical Education (CTE).
Dr. Danyelle Parker has served as CTE Program Manager for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools since 2016. In addition to her district office experience, she has school administration experience as a middle school principal and high school principal, as well as assistant principal.
Dr. Parker began her career in education as a middle school business education teacher and later a high school business education teacher. She has 22 years of combined experience as a CTE teacher and school administrator during which time she worked in Nash-Rocky Mount Schools, Wake County Public Schools, Yadkin County Schools and Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools.
“Dr. Parker’s expertise in career and technical education will help ensure that all of our students are career-ready and college prepared by designing innovative and engaging learning opportunities,” said Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools.
Parker earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Winston-Salem State University, a master of education degree from East Carolina University (ECU), a master of school administration degree from North Carolina State University, an educational specialist (EdS) degree in administration and supervision from ECU, and a doctorate of education from Gardner-Webb University.
Cleo Evans
Franklin County Schools is also proud to announce that a veteran alternative learning administrator has been hired as its new Director of Alternative Programs.
Cleo Evans, of Rocky Mount, will be responsible for implementing and maintaining alternative student programs and services in accordance with District and State of North Carolina objectives. The director serves as the administrator of Vine Academy in Franklinton.
“We are excited to welcome Ms. Evans to her new leadership position,” said Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools. “Her passion and commitment to the success of all students made her a clear choice for the position. This passion and commitment will translate into her new role, which has the ultimate goal of promoting a supportive environment with high expectations for students who participate in alternative programming.”
Evans has been the Hope Alternative Learning Administrator for Edgecombe County Schools since 2014. She has also served as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, member of the North Carolina Alternative Learning Board and Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Alternative Learning. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, as well as a master of education degree from Cambridge College in Chesapeake, VA.
The Director of Alternative Programs position will allow Evans to build upon her previous experiences to create a culture in which every student will learn and experience success that will prepare them for the world beyond the classroom.