Vance County Logo

Vance Commissioners Discuss Fire Trucks, Possible Board of Elections Move

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

The Vance County Board of Commissioners held a regularly-scheduled monthly meeting on Monday, August 5, 2019. Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen provided WIZS a briefing on items discussed:

Fire Trucks

The Board is considering the donation of two fire trucks to fire departments in need – a 1994 model and a 1984 model that will be available if the Hicksboro Fire Department accepts the available 1994 truck.

“Regarding the fire trucks, we must provide notice and create the necessary donation documents, so the Board did not take action on formally donating either [of the vehicles]. They did declare the 1994 County truck as surplus with the intention of donating it to the Hicksboro Fire Department at the next meeting,” McMillen explained.

“The old Kerr Lake station truck is the 1984 model which Hicksboro will be giving back to the County once they take on the 1994 model. Watkins Volunteer Fire Department has now declined interest in the 1984 model, so that will still be on hand if another department needed it.”

Vance County Board of Elections

The Vance County Board of Elections has requested a move to the former Eaton Johnson Middle School building, 500 N. Beckford Drive, Henderson. According to McMillen, the Vance County Properties Committee will meet to discuss this further and “may have a larger discussion on the Henry A. Dennis Building in the future.”

“Once the Department of Social Services moves to the Eaton Johnson building, we will have some spaces come available which will afford us the opportunity to make some departmental moves should the Board decide to do so.”

Kids’ Summer Camp Teaches Construction, Life Skills

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

Twenty-four second through sixth graders participated in Rebuilding Hope’s Kids’ Construction Camp August 5 – 7, 2019.

Campers rotated through six stations: Hammer & Nails, Masonry, Electrical & Plumbing, Roofing & Shingles, Bible Study and Take-Home Project.

“So many people in our communities have construction skills, and they’re generous with their time and help with the camp,” says RHI coordinator Randolph Wilson.

“While campers rotate through areas of construction, we want them to be aware of how they are building their lives.”

This year’s project was building a wooden tray and we were in collaborating with picplumbing.com to help us with teaching the kids various tips and tricks. Each camper also took home a tool apron, goggles, a tape measure and carpenter’s pencil.

At the end of camp, participants received certificates of completion.

Rebuilding Hope volunteers Jerry Ayscue (right) and Richard Roberts teach youth nail gun safety at the ministry’s annual Kids’ Construction Camp. (RHI photo)

 

Town Talk 08/07/19: Artist Spotlight Rewind With Wes Collins

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Granville’s New Teacher Homecoming Tailgate to be Held Tues., Aug. 13

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Granville Health System are sponsoring a welcome event for new teachers coming to Granville County on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, from 3 until 5 p.m. on the grounds and in the cafeteria at the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford.

This event will welcome and recognize new employees to Granville County who are being employed at Falls Lake Academy, Granville County Public Schools and Oxford Preparatory School.

The Homecoming Tailgate event will provide an opportunity to meet local elected officials, as well as business owners and leaders in Granville County.

Upon arrival, new teachers will be met by Chamber of Commerce staff and volunteers and will be encouraged to take selfies of their “First Day of School” with their cellphone cameras. Cheerleaders from each of the schools have been invited to greet and welcome the new teacher arrivals to the event.

Presiding will be Tanya Evans/Duke Energy, President of the Chamber, with remarks from event sponsor Granville Health System CEO John Snow.

Guests will enjoy typical tailgate food in the cafeteria and will hear remarks from Vance-Granville Community College President, Dr. Rachel Desmarais, as well as each administrator from the three schools.

The outside grounds at the Masonic Home will have a tailgate atmosphere with tents where Chamber of Commerce member businesses have been invited to set up tables with their business information and to bring interactive games to go along with the tailgate/Homecoming theme. Sponsor Granville Health System plans to have a sports medicine tent at the event.

The Chamber is preparing new teacher gift bags, provided by GHS. Chamber member businesses wishing to contribute items for gift bags for the 100 new teachers should contact either of the Chamber’s offices – Toni Anne Wheeler, 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or Wanda Garrett, 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education to Hold Special Meeting – Aug. 8

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Thursday, August 8, 2019, at 5 p.m. at the Masonic Home for Children, St. John’s Building Conference room.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss policy matters related to Board operations, and to enter session pursuant to General Statute 143-318.11(a)(1), (a)(3) and (a)(6) to prevent the disclosure of confidential personnel records and to consider matters relating to employee performance, and to consult with the Board’s attorney.

Dywanda Pettaway, Clerk to Board of Education

News 08/07/19

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Terry Garrison

Governor Roy Cooper Shows Support for NC House Rep. Terry Garrison

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

On Sunday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper visited Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson and was officially welcomed by Mayor Eddie Ellington. Cooper was in town to support NC House 32 Representative Terry Garrison.

Ellington thanked Cooper for being a “friend” to the local area and praised Garrison’s support of the community. “Rep. Terry Garrison and I as well as the City Council, city manager and staff have always worked well alongside one another, when he was our county commissioner and now as our State House Representative,” said Ellington. “He has championed legislation that improves the lives of our citizens.”

Garrison, a local Democrat who represents areas in Vance, Granville and Warren County, has stood firm with the Democratic governor in not voting with Republicans to override the governor’s veto of the state budget.

Numerous carrots have been dangled in front of Garrison as incentives, including the much-ballyhooed Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) move.

In reference to recent discussions on possible jobs created by the potential DHHS move from Raleigh to Granville County, Ellington clarified, “People need to understand and get the facts. These ‘1800-2000′ jobs already exist. This is not for new jobs or positions. It’s basically moving the building. Of course, I realize some may not want to drive and may quit. But most are not, given these are state jobs with good benefits and it’s probably an easier drive to Creedmoor than downtown Raleigh.”

In recent interviews with Garrison on WIZS’ TownTalk, he said there was more at stake than just the DHHS. In fact, Medicaid expansion, which could affect approximately 19,000 people in Vance County alone, is at stake as a part of the state budget, as is additional money for education and teacher compensation.

“Representative Garrison and I have had long talks in regards to the need for Medicaid expansion and the effects that it would and can have on our community partners, Maria Parham Health and the jobs of the ones that continue to invest and work there, but also the needs and lives of our residents,” Ellington said.

“The studies have been done and accepting federal funds for Medicaid expansion would generate close to 175 jobs in Vance County, $79 million in Vance County business activity and $591 thousand in new Vance County revenue. Keep in mind these numbers are for Vance County and Henderson. Imagine what can be done for the entire state. Talk about an economic boost along with providing healthcare to those who so desperately need it.”

The reception was a timely and strong showing for Garrison. He has been under tremendous pressure, even to the point of health concerns, since this all began to unfold more than a month ago.

In the intense political arena of late, Henderson and Vance County have gotten a lot of attention, and while there has been disagreement from some locally as to Garrison not, in effect, voting against the governor, what has been firm is Garrison’s stance to continue to negotiate.

If there is any room in the final sentence or two of a news story, which has otherwise been fact, it’s this: Garrison, so far, has not been for sale. His bargaining appears to have been open and honest, and it’s very possible, despite the fact that Garrison could himself at some point benefit too, that his negotiations have already produced more tangible results than a boat full of political promises from elsewhere. Time will tell…

Town Talk 08/06/19: Local Marinas Offer Summertime Fuel & Refreshment

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Catherine Hughes, co-owner of Satterwhite Point Marina in Henderson and Rudd’s Creek Marina in Boydton, VA, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss the steady business that the busy summertime months provide.

“It is a really busy time,” said Hughes. “We are open every day except Monday. Gas stock is really busy right now with the sale of non-ethanol gas, and ice cream is also a big seller, believe it or not. It’s a big thing for a lot of families to stop by and get some ice cream and some other things that we have in the store.”

Satterwhite Point Marina on Kerr Lake offers boat storage, lakeside cabin rentals, a public launching ramp, gas dock and a convenience store. Located off Interstate 85 – Exit 217 – and down Satterwhite Point Road, Satterwhite Point Marina is located by water off Buoy K.

The Hughes’ new Rudd’s Creek Marina offers wet slips, a gas dock with convenience and a marine store on Bugg’s Island Lake. Rudd’s Creek Marina is located at the end of Rochichi Drive, next to Rudd’s Creek Park and Campground off US 58 in Boydton, VA.

To hear the interview with Hughes 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.

Woodland Owners Invited to ‘Marketing Timber’ Workshop

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension

Woodland owners are invited to a Marketing Timber Workshop on Thursday, August 29, 2019, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Granville County Expo Center (4185 US 15, Oxford, NC). This workshop is co-sponsored by the NC Forest Service and NC Cooperative Extension.

For most woodland owners, a timber sale is a once or twice in a lifetime event. With such limited experience, it can be difficult to be certain that the price is fair and that the harvest is conducted properly. At this workshop, woodland owners will get advice from the experts on how to navigate the process successfully.

Presenters will include an NCSU forestry specialist, a woodland owner, and a Registered Consulting Forester.

This is a free event, but registration is requested.

For more information, visit https://go.ncsu.edu/manageyourwoods, call (252) 438-8188 or (919) 603-1350, or email paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or johnny_coley@ncsu.edu.

Oxford Logo

Bears Spotted in Oxford! City Offers Safety Tips to Avoid Confrontation

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy the City of Oxford

There have been several bear sightings in the City of Oxford recently. Here are a few bear safety tips to help avoid confrontation:

*If you see a bear, remain calm and leave it alone. Never feed, approach or surround a bear.

*If you absolutely must feed your pets outside, make sure all food is consumed and empty bowls are removed.

*Clean all food and grease from barbecue grills after each use.

*Keep birdseed, bird feeders and hummingbird feeders where a bear can’t reach.

*If a bear is in the area, remove all bird feeders — even those advertised as “bear-proof.”

*Don’t leave birdseed outside.

*Keep trash cans stored in a garage, basement or other secured areas, if possible.

*Look into purchasing bear-proof garbage cans or garbage enclosures.

*Keep all garbage sites clean.

Bear sightings are quite normal during this time of the year when bears are starting to forage for food and look for mates. The black bear is the only species found in North Carolina and tend to be shy and non-aggressive toward humans, but if frequently fed, bears can become dependent on human food, leading to more interactions with people.

If you encounter a bear that is not aware of your presence, back away and leave the area. Give the bear plenty of room.

If you spot a bear cub, remain alert. The cub’s mother is sure to be near, state officials say.

If you meet a bear at close range, speak to it in a calm, assertive voice, wildlife experts advice, “Stay calm and do not run. Remain upright and back away from the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, which the bear may perceive as a threat.”