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Granville County Initiates ‘Thank a Vet’ Program

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Granville County Register of Deeds will soon be providing veterans with a FREE service through the “Thank A Vet” program. Beginning November 12, a photo ID card will be offered that can be used for discounts at participating businesses in Granville County.

This service will be available to all veterans who register, or have already registered, their DD-214 form.

To register, veterans should bring a valid, state-issued driver’s license or identification card, such as their military ID, and an original DD-14 form.

If the DD-14 form has already been registered with the Granville County Register of Deeds office, record verification will be provided prior to issuing this “Thank A Vet” photo identification card.

The Granville County Register of Deeds office is located at 101 Main Street in Oxford, inside the Courthouse building. Hours for issuing these cards will be Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Members of Granville County’s Veterans Affairs Committee will be distributing flyers pertaining to this program at the annual Military History Show at the Henderson-Oxford Airport (Oct. 26) and the Annual Veterans Parade in Downtown Oxford (Nov. 10).

Registration is going on now. A list of participating businesses will be provided when the photo ID card is issued.

Those with questions about this FREE photo ID service should contact Kathy Taylor, Granville County Register of Deeds, at kathyadcock@granvillecounty.or or at 919-693-6314.

Ducky Derby

VGCC Students Help With Ducky Derby

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College students volunteered at Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start’s 10th Annual “Ducky Derby” fundraiser in downtown Henderson on Saturday, September 21.

The Ducky Derby festival, the local Smart Start program’s signature fundraiser, was a sell-out event, with record-setting attendance. Young children and their families watched over 2,250 yellow rubber ducks, purchased by supporters, swim down the “river” on Garnett Street and race to the finish line.

VGCC student Simone Rose assists with F-G-V Smart Start’s 10th Annual Ducky Derby fundraiser in downtown Henderson. (VGCC photo)

A part of the festival included providing entertainment and games for the children, such as corn hole and ring toss, face painting and balloon animals.

Students from VGCC’s Early Childhood Education degree program assisted with implementing the games and helped to make sure that all the ducks had a safe journey down the “river.” Additionally, students assisted with the setup and cleanup of the event.

Participating VGCC students included Tiffany Bailey, Debi Brotherton, Brittaniana Channell, Cornisha Mitchell, Simone Rose and Ashley Wright.

“This event was an excellent example of our instructors and students serving as stellar representatives of VGCC and collaborating with the community we serve and was particularly appropriate since these students are in training to teach and nurture children,” said Antoinette C. Dickens, the college’s Department Chair of Public Service and Work-Based Learning Coordinator.

VGCC’s Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares students to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs; preschools; public and private schools; recreational centers; Head Start Programs; and school-age programs.

The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

For more information, contact Dr. Tracey Bennett Carter at (252) 738-3471 or cartert@vgcc.edu.

Home and Garden 10/08/19

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News 10/09/19

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I Voted Sticker

Mayor Ellington Re-elected; Spriggs Unseats Daye on Council

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Incumbent Mayor Eddie Ellington won re-election in Tuesday’s non-partisan City of Henderson municipal election.  He earned 652 total votes to 568 votes from challenger Sharon Owens.

Just 12.60% of voters turned out.

Jason Spriggs defeated incumbent George Daye for City of Henderson Alderman At-Large 4th Ward by a final, unofficial count of 637 to 509.

Ellington told WIZS News that he plans to continue to work on the positive growth he’s seen in Henderson over the last 12 to 18 months and indicated the biggest thing now for the City is to find the next City Manager, of which the manager is the one who deals with the day-to-day running of the City.  Ellington said he wanted to work towards positive growth for all of the City and its citizens.

Of the four larger precincts in Henderson, Owens carried the north, south and east, while Ellington won re-election behind a large margin of victory in west Henderson.

Owens thanked her supporters, said it would not be the last she was heard from, and said she would have more time for civics in Henderson just as soon as she retired.  She spoke of getting more involved and holding those in office more accountable.

Spriggs spoke to WIZS News and talked about seeing positive economic growth in additional areas in the City, whereas a lot of growth has already occurred along Dabney Drive and to the west.  He spoke in an excited and enthusiastic voice and expressed appreciation toward George Daye, who has worked with Spriggs in the past and encouraged him about running for the City Council.

Daye could not be reached for comment on election night but previously said on WIZS “TownTalk” that he hoped Spriggs would win to see some younger blood on the council.

Hometown Debate Series to Tackle Delivery of Medical Services – Oct. 17

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The NC Institute of Political Leadership and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce present the 2019 Hometown Debate Series: A Conversation on the Delivery of Medical Services.

The event is free to the public and will be held at the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus in Henderson on Thursday, October 17, 2019. The discussion begins at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.

State Representatives Donna McDowell White and Maryann Black will speak at the occasion, along with Gregory Griggs, with the NC Academy of Family Physicians and Jordan Roberts, with the John Locke Foundation.

The debate is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, Humana, IIANC: Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, NC Rural Center and the NCAHU: North Carolina Associate of Health Underwriters.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Town Talk 10/08/19: Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Reports 1,300+ Domestic Calls

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In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WIZS’ Town Talk will feature local organizations that deal with various aspects of this prevalent type of abuse each Tuesday in October.

Debbie Scott, Gang Resource Specialist and Domestic Violence Investigator with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, was on Tuesday’s edition of Town Talk to discuss her role as a “supporter and advocate for those who are afraid.”

According to Emergency 911 reports, 1,304 domestic calls were reported throughout the City of Henderson and County of Vance between October 1, 2018, and October 1, 2019. Of these calls, 445 were assaults involving the victim being struck by the attacker’s body or a weapon; 84 were sexual assaults.

Scott said that once she receives a report of a domestic call, she follows up with a phone call to the victim and explains their options and available resources.

“I advise them if they should seek further assistance, make recommendations and share with them community resources,” said Scott. “I also explain their right to file a Domestic Violence Protection Order, otherwise known as a 50B, and sometimes serve as their support in court.”

Scott stated that protection orders can be taken out at the Vance County Clerk of Court Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and at the Magistrate Office after hours. The Vance County Courthouse is located at 156 Church St. in downtown Henderson.

Though Scott said many victims do not leave their partners after a domestic violence incident, she always suggests that they have a safety plan in the event that they do decide to remove themselves and their children from the abusive situation.

“I tell them to have some money set aside, at least a few dollars, talk to a family member or friend about staying with them for a few days, makes copies or take photos of important documents, keep a cell phone and don’t hesitate to call 911 or the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.”

When asked why victims do not leave abusive partners, Scott responded, “They’ll say they don’t have a job, they can’t support themselves or their kids, they worry about what will happen after they leave, they say they love them or think they will change; there are a variety of reasons.”

In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, resources and assistance for domestic violence victims are available at the Vance County Department of Social Services, located at 350 Ruin Creek Road in Henderson, or by calling the main office line at (252) 492-5001.

Infinite Possibilities, a non-profit domestic violence organization, is also available by calling (252) 431-1926 or the 24-hour local crisis line at (252) 425-2492. A National Hotline is also available by calling 1-800-799-7233.

Vance County ‘State of Our Schools’ Address to Highlight Successes

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

The Vance County State of Our Schools will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2019. The first event will take place at Henderson Country Club by invitation, designed for elected officials and business partners.

The evening event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Vance County Middle School and is open to everyone in our community.

The State of Our Schools is an opportunity for stakeholders in our community to hear directly from Dr. Jackson regarding the successes and accomplishments within our district.

Additionally, the Vance County Board of Education Chairwoman, Dorothy Gooche, Vance County Principal of the Year, Rey Horner and the Vance County Teacher of the Year, Mary Landis, will be speaking briefly.

There will also be a performance by the Vance County High School chorus at the mid-day State of the Schools address.

This event will provide information about how Vance County Schools continues to make progress, achieve growth and make a difference in the lives of our students, community and beyond. Our schools are linking learning to life and when those connections and relationships are made, success becomes apparent in our students, schools and community.

City of Henderson Logo

Henderson City Council to Hold Special Called Meeting on Manager’s Position

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

Mayor Eddie Ellington has requested a special called meeting of the Henderson City Council on Monday, October 14, 2019, from 3 – 5 p.m. or shortly thereafter in council chambers.

The purpose of the meeting is to hold a closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318-11(a)(6) regarding a personnel matter pertaining to the city manager position.

The regularly scheduled Henderson City Council meeting set for October 14, 2019, at 6 p.m will still be held and the public is welcome.

‘Scam Jam’ to Help Elders Avoid Falling Victim to Fraud

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-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

On Thursday, October 10, 2019, the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging along with the Vance County Senior Center has scheduled a SCAM JAM to help educate seniors on how to protect themselves from fraud and scams.

The Vance County SCAM JAM is a free educational and entertaining forum where seniors will learn to avoid today’s scams and frauds – from identity theft to telemarketing, Medicare fraud and even Grandparent Scams.

Seminar registration will begin at 1 p.m., and the event will start at 1:30 p.m. The seminar will be held at the Vance County Senior Center, 126 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, NC.

The SCAM JAM is designed to empower citizens to protect themselves and their families. Scheduled speakers include representatives of the Senior Medicare Patrol from the NC Department of Insurance, NC Department Secretary of State, Better Business Bureau as well as the local law enforcement and bankers.

The Kerr Tar Area Agency on Aging leads and is involved in the efforts that provide for the development and enhancement of comprehensive and coordinated community-based systems of services, opportunities, and protections for older adults which assist them in leading independent, meaningful and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

The agency serves Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren County.

For more information about the Kerr Tar Area Agency on Aging, please call 252-436-2040.