Retired VGCC Faculty Member, Wife Establish Scholarship

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Wesley and Sheila Smith of Kittrell recently established a new scholarship for students at Vance-Granville Community College.

Wesley Smith has a longstanding association with VGCC. He graduated from the college’s Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology (often called HVAC) program in 1988. Several years later, Smith returned to become an instructor and head of the same program. “I was a good fit for the job,” he recalled – so good, in fact, that he remained in that position for 27 years, before retiring from VGCC in 2018.

Left to right: Kay Currin, Sheila Smith, Wesley Smith, Dr. Rachel Desmarais, Eddie Ferguson. (VGCC photo)

Now, Smith and his wife have created the “Wesley E. and Sheila K. Smith Academic Achievement Scholarship,” which will be awarded each year to a worthy student. Preference will be given to students in the HVAC program who meet certain academic requirements.

“I want to help students because this is a great career and the HVAC technician can make a good income,” Mr. Smith said.

“Wesley Smith spent decades educating, inspiring and supporting students while preparing them for their careers, and now, he is continuing his outstanding legacy of service through this scholarship,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “We thank Wes and Sheila for their generosity, which will help students complete the training they need for good jobs in our community.”

VGCC Endowment Fund Director Eddie Ferguson added, “Dedicated, caring faculty members like Wes have helped make our college a special community over the past five decades, which makes it fitting that he and Sheila have created a scholarship during our 50th anniversary year, which will reward excellent students for years to come.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,700 scholarships to students since 1982.

Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education.

For more information, call (252) 738-3409.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education to Meet on School Improvement Plans

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a special meeting on Monday, November 25, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The purpose of this meeting is to approve School Improvement Plans and receive information regarding long-range facility planning.

The Board will also meet in a Closed Session pursuant to N.C. General Statutes 143.318.11 (a)(1), 143-318.11 (a)(3), and 143.318.11 (a)(6) to discuss confidential matters and consult with the Board attorney.

News 11/22/19

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Town Talk 11/21/19: ‘Most Influential Fisherman’ Speaks to Vance Co. Students

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Pastor Bobby Fletcher, with First United Methodist Church of Henderson, and Clay Dyer, described as “the most inspirational fisherman on the planet” were the guests of honor on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

Dyer, whose life motto is “If I can, you can,” shared his message with students at AdVance Academy today, visits Vance County Middle School tomorrow and will be the guest speaker at First United Methodist Church on Sunday.

Photo courtesy Clay Dyer

Born with no left arm, a partial right arm and no lower limbs, Dyer said he has never let his physical build limit his potential as a human being, an award-winning fisherman or a man of God.

“There’s nothing in life that can get you down unless you allow it to,” said Dyer. “Handicapped or disabled is a state of mind. You’re only as handicapped or disabled as you allow yourself to be.”

According to Dyer’s website (www.clay-dyer.com), he started fishing at age five and began competing in fishing tournaments at age 15. He fished with FLW from 2000 to 2010 and began his career with BASS in 2012.

His television appearances include ESPN, Fox, CNN Headline News, Versus, the Outdoor Channel, Fox Sports South, the 700 Club and CBS.

Published articles on his fishing prowess have appeared in USA Today, Newsweek, Bassmaster and FLW Outdoors Magazine.

Video examples of Dyer’s fishing technique and tips can be viewed by searching his name on YouTube.

Dyer currently fishes the Bassmaster Open Series and select charity events but spends the majority of his time sharing his life experiences through motivational and leadership presentations to various charities, churches and schools.

“I’m just trying to have a positive impact on God’s kingdom by encouraging people and showing them that no matter what adversity they may face in life, they can overcome,” Dyer stated.

Fletcher said bringing Dyer’s positive message of resiliency to the community is just another step in making Vance County an even better place to live.

“Vance County has a lot of potential; we need to let the good things be known. Bringing in an outstanding, world-known speaker like Clay will greatly encourage the kids. He will show them how to be a champion.”

To hear the interview with Dyer and Fletcher 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.

Additions to VGCC Building Will Enhance Public Safety Training

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College recently marked the completion of the second phase of renovation and construction work on Main Campus Building 10, providing additional instructional capacity for the Law Enforcement Training, Fire/Rescue and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs. That represents the culmination of a complete overhaul of the 16,000-square-foot building, a former commercial structure that the college purchased in 2010.

Pictured: Steve Barney, Head instructor for EMS programs at VGCC, in the EMS Lab. (VGCC photo)

Building 10 is located on Poplar Creek Road in Vance County, across the street from the rest of the college’s Main Campus. The first phase of its renovation was completed in 2016, providing new space to train public safety professionals and other students. Now, the newly completed area of the building allows participants to benefit from cutting-edge practical simulation training.

A new EMS lab will allow VGCC to provide training that was not previously available, using state-of-the-art equipment that gives students opportunities to participate in real-life scenarios. The lab will be used for EMT-Basic through EMT-Paramedic students, to include continuing education classes. Enhanced manikins in the lab provide immediate feedback to EMS personnel, so they can improve their skills. The equipment allows the instructor to input changes to various types of feedback from the manikins to the students, for maximum training flexibility.

In addition, the completion of Phase II includes a driving simulator that helps prepare police, fire and EMS students for safe emergency vehicle operations in a controlled environment. Finally, a firearms simulator provides 21st – century scenarios for officers to practice all forms of de-escalation techniques and all levels of the use of force. Both simulators help current officers improve their driving and firearms skills.

Pictured: Delton Farmer, VGCC Program Head -Business, in a car simulator. (VGCC photo)

“We are so very excited about the new space and equipment that allows us to better serve our fire, rescue, emergency services and law enforcement students and community agencies,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “Vance-Granville is proud to be able to provide this resource as we continue to meet the region’s demand for jobs in these areas.”

VGCC Board of Trustees member Doris Terry Williams added, “We are very fortunate to have this state-of-the-art expansion to our campus and the opportunity it provides for first-class training of area law enforcement officers and first responders.”

The H.G. Reynolds Company began renovation of this 3,200-square-foot portion of the building in 2018. In addition to the renovation, parking lot space was expanded.

A grant from the Cannon Foundation and funds from the statewide Connect NC bond (approved by North Carolina voters in 2016) supported the project.

Law Enforcement Partnership Results in Franklin Co. Drug Arrest

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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

On November 15, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit executed a search warrant at 114 High Rock Drive Louisburg, NC. As a result of the search warrant, Franklin County resident Daniel Casey Clark was arrested and charged with multiple felony drug offenses.

On November 15, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit executed a search warrant at 114 High Rock Drive Louisburg, NC. As a result of the search warrant, Franklin County resident Daniel Casey Clark was arrested and charged with multiple felony drug offenses. (FCSO photo)

In addition to the arrest of Mr. Clark, Narcotics Detectives seized LSD, Methamphetamines, Psilocybin (Mushrooms) and US Currency during the search.

This investigation into illegal drug activity began as a result of information provided by the Wake County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit alleging Daniel Casey Clark was involved in illegal drug activity in Franklin and surrounding counties. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit was able to validate the information provided which resulted in the arrest of Mr. Clark.

Daniel Casey Clark was charged with: Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver LSD, Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Psilocybin, Possession with Intent to Manufacture Dimethyltryptamine, Possession of Methamphetamines and Felonious Possession of THC Concentrate.

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Partnering and sharing information with our fellow law enforcement agencies continues to be important to our overall strategy of eliminating dangerous drugs from our neighborhoods. We appreciate the assistance of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit with this arrest and search.”

Daniel Casey Clark is currently in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond.

Daniel Casey Clark
35 years old
114 High Rock Drive Louisburg, NC 27549

If you have information regarding this case or if you would like to report drug activity in your community, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186.

FREE ‘Tidings of Comfort and Joy’ Community Concert Coming to McGregor Hall

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-Information courtesy the Vance County Arts Council Facebook page

The Vance County Arts Council presents “Tidings of Comfort and Joy” with Christmas music and dance for the soul on Saturday, November 30, 2019, at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson.

Performances begin at 4 p.m.; doors open at 3:30 p.m.

Admission is free; donations are welcome.

Performers include The Holden Brothers of Washington, DC, Brenda Branch & Chosen, Saxophonist Nick Tucker, Tyrone Burwell, Andrew Chien, Miguel Vitug, Brotherhood, Work in Progress, the Ballet Arts Allstars and more!

Sponsored by The North Carolina Arts Council, Maria Parham Health and Vance Family Medicine.

Downtown Louisburg’s Tree Lighting Festivities to Include Visit From Santa

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-Information courtesy the Town of Louisburg

You are invited to bring the family out for Downtown Louisburg’s 3rd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 5, 2019. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. at the Courthouse Square.

Hosted by the Town of Louisburg, the evening will include cookies, hot chocolate, tea, a live band, Christmas carols by local church choirs, a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and a special guest appearance by Santa Claus.

The 2019 Christmas Parade will be held in downtown Louisburg on Sunday, December 8 from 3 until 5 p.m.

Thornton Library Welcomes Children’s Author

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Children’s author Jo Watson Hackl was a special guest of the Granville County Library System on November 15 as she shared her book and her writing journey with fourth and fifth graders of six local elementary schools.

Hackl’s book “Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe” has been selected for North Carolina’s Battle of the Books competition, and schools who participated in the “meet the author” session will be taking part in this annual reading contest.

Children’s author Jo Watson Hackl explains her writing process to local fourth and fifth graders who are participating in “Battle of the Books.” (Granville Co. Govt photo)

Hackl says she spent her childhood “inventing characters and roaming the woods” in Mississippi, just outside of an actual ghost town.

Her childhood home is the setting for her book, which takes readers on an adventure with a twelve-year-old who follows clues to solve a mystery, along with her poetry-loving dog and the last resident of the town. The author’s goal is to inspire students to use the transformative power of reading to improve their academic performance and their creative writing skills. Her book has been awarded the Southern Book Prize for Children’s Literature.

Each student was able to take home their own copy of “Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe,” courtesy of Granville Health System (Granville Co. Govt photo)

According to Granville County Library System Director Will Robinson, the visit was the result of a partnership between the libraries and a Wake Forest book store, who will be coordinating future author visits with Children’s Librarian Amy Carlson.

Carlson says that the common goal of the library and the book store is to put a book in the hands of every child who participates.

Hackl’s visit was the first one scheduled through this partnership. Schools that attended on November 15 included Butner-Stem Elementary, C.G. Credle, Mount Energy, Stovall-Shaw Elementary, West Oxford Elementary and Wilton Elementary. Each student was able to take home a signed copy of the book, courtesy of Granville Health System.

For more information about this event, contact Carlson at the Richard H. Thornton Library at 919-693-1121.

NC Pecan Growers Prevail With Good Crop for Thanksgiving

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Pecan pie lovers can celebrate. The North Carolina pecan growers have a good crop ahead of the holidays despite a relatively dry summer and damages sustained during last year’s hurricane season. That is good news for consumers wanting to incorporate local ingredients into their Thanksgiving meals.

“Reports from growers are showing a good quantity and quality of pecans this year, with pecan season running into December,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

The department encourages consumers to look for the Got To Be NC logo on packaged pecans, visit local farmers markets or take a trip to more than two dozen pecan orchards across the state. December 13 will be Pecan Day at the State Farmers Market, where visitors can get free samples of a pecan dessert, plus mouth-watering pecan recipes to try at home.

The N.C. Pecan Growers Association offers an online directory to help consumers find local pecan orchards at www.buyncpecans.com. The website also includes pecan recipes and downloadable activities for children.

North Carolina is one of the Top 10 pecan-producing states in the nation. While pecans are grown across the state, the majority of commercial orchards are located in Eastern and Southeastern North Carolina.