News 03/11/20
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Town Talk 03/10/20: New Henderson City Manager Edward ‘Terrell’ Blackmon
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Edward “Terrell” Blackmon, Henderson’s new city manager, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
A native of Smithfield, and now a resident of Henderson, Blackmon brings over 25 years of economic development experience gained in various planning positions in Monroe, Raleigh, Garner and Tarboro, NC.
Blackmon received his MBA from Montreat College and his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is also a licensed real estate broker in North and South Carolina, in addition to being recognized as a certified housing development finance professional by the National Development Council.
He is married to the former Akenna Vaught of Lenoir, NC and they have two adult sons: Edward Terrell Blackmon, II and Robert Kennan Blackmon.
Blackmon said it was the area’s potential and the “hard sell” of the Henderson City Council that ultimately led him to the decision to call Henderson home. “I saw Henderson as a great opportunity for me personally and professionally. The City Council really sold me on the potential of the community; there’s a lot of opportunities for this community to grow.”
Arriving a few weeks prior to the official retirement of Henderson City Manager Frank Frazier on January 31, Blackmon said he was fortunate to have Frazier, a 35-year City veteran, available in the transition period.
“I can’t say enough how helpful he [Frazier] was during that period of time, and still makes himself available now,” said Blackmon. “The City Council, Mayor Ellington and Frank all did an excellent job of developing a plan to help make my transition here as city manager a little easier.”
In discussing areas of focus moving forward, Blackmon said officials are working on reestablishing Henderson as a designated Main Street City, enforcing residential and commercial codes, planning larger-scale redevelopment projects, identifying ways to attract private investment and expanding the Kerr Lake Regional Water System (KLRWS).
A 60-percent majority partner of the KLRWS (other partners include the City of Oxford and Warren County), Henderson City Council members approved a rate structure at their Monday meeting that would allow the city to upgrade the water output from 10 million to 20 million gallons a day, Blackmon reported.
Explaining that the KLRWS provides water to other municipalities and county systems in the four-county region, Blackmon said the expanded output would ‘increase the capacity to sell water to our customers, improve our water quality and allow the City to set rates and keep rates affordable for the citizens of Henderson.”
Impressed with the way the various entities have worked together on the KLRWS, Blackmon said he is happy to report a similar “collaborative spirit” in his dealings thus far with both City of Henderson and Vance County officials.
“I am already meeting and working with City and County officials on strategies that will hopefully benefit not just the City of Henderson but benefit all of Vance County,” said Blackmon. “We definitely want to be a partner with the County as it relates to economic development. The City has a lot of value that we can add to the economic development conversation as we are looking to create more jobs, retain the industries we do have and try to attract new industries to our community.”
To hear the interview with Blackmon in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Maria Parham Franklin Celebrates Newly Expanded Behavioral Health Facility
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-Press Release, Maria Parham Health
Maria Parham Health, part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Thursday, February 20, 2020, to celebrate its newly expanded behavioral health facility at Maria Parham Franklin. Representatives from the hospital and Duke LifePoint Healthcare joined community leaders, elected officials, health care providers and other supporters to celebrate the completion of the project.
“This project has been a true partnership since the beginning, and I am grateful for our many partners – including Duke LifePoint Healthcare, as well as local, state and non-profit organizations for contributing their time and resources to expanding services at Maria Parham Franklin,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “Since opening our doors, this facility has provided care to thousands of patients, and we are so honored to continue serving the health needs of this community.”
Since October 2018, the hospital has operated its Maria Parham Franklin location, which provides 24/7 emergency care, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services and a 13-bed inpatient geriatric behavioral health unit for adults 55 years and older. Spanning 14,900 square feet, the new 20-bed adult behavioral health unit adjoins the current facility and will serve patients 18 years and older.
“As Franklin County continues to advance and grow, a strong foundation for healthcare is critical for our long-term success,” said Sidney E. Dunston, Franklin County commissioner and chairman of the Commissioner’s Hospital Committee. “We are proud to be restoring critically needed healthcare services back to our community, while also adding new jobs and opportunities for growth.”
The expansion project cost for construction and equipment totaled more than $10 million. With both phases of the Maria Parham Franklin project now complete, the capital investment totals more than $16 million and was made possible by Duke LifePoint Healthcare, The Dorothea Dix Hospital Property Fund, The Golden Leaf Foundation and the North Carolina Department of Commerce through the North Carolina Community Development Block Grant.
“Access to high-quality behavioral health services is a growing need for communities across our nation, and Duke LifePoint Healthcare is proud to have been a part of restoring these essential health services to this region,” said Harry Phillips, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Duke LifePoint Healthcare. “This project underscores our commitment to engage patients and people, lead quality innovation and advance knowledge to improve health in the communities we serve.”
H-V Chamber Seeks Nominees for 2020 Small Business of the Year Award
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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is looking for nominees for the 2020 Small Business of the Year. This is your opportunity to recognize an outstanding business in the small business community.
You are encouraged to nominate chamber member businesses that are deserving of this recognition.
2020 Small Business of the Year Criteria:
- Employs a maximum of 50 people
- Member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and must be located in Vance County
- Must be a viable, on-going business for three or more years, experiencing growth or stability over its business life
- Provides critical service or products, fills a void in the business community, or has a unique approach to the delivery of goods and services
- May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business
- Business is supportive of community growth and sustainability
- Is not a governmental agency or municipality
Anyone can nominate a business they believe deserves recognition and meets the criteria. Companies may also nominate themselves.
All nominated companies will be required to submit a written application and return it to the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020, to be considered. All applications are confidential.
For a nomination form or if you have questions, please email michele@hendersonvance.org or call the H-V Chamber at (252) 438-8414.
Henderson Man Involved in Shooting Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison
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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced QUINDARIUS DANTE RAINEY, 30, of Henderson to seven years imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
RAINEY was named in an Indictment filed on July 31, 2019, charging him with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. On November 12, 2019, RAINEY pled guilty to that charge.
According to the investigation, during the early morning hours of August 26, 2018, RAINEY was captured on video surveillance shooting a handgun with an extended magazine multiple times at another man. The shooting occurred in the parking lot of the 85 Bar & Lounge in Henderson.
The victim attempted to flee and RAINEY continued to shoot at the man while chasing him. RAINEY then entered his vehicle and fled the scene. The victim was not injured, but several nearby businesses and cars sustained property damage.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017, the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices in those communities on a sustained basis to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. Dodson and John Parris prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Vance Co. Schools Continues Support of Decades-Long Leandro Case
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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools
At the Vance County Board of Education meeting held on March 9, Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson addressed the on-going Leandro Case.
What is Leandro? In 1994, families from five low-wealth counties (Hoke, Halifax, Robeson, Vance, and Cumberland) claimed that North Carolina was not providing students with the same educational opportunities as those in higher-income districts, at which time the court case began and is still ongoing.
Both sides agreed in 2017 to have an independent consultant come in to make recommendations, unveiling the WestEd report.
Dr. Jackson shared the WestEd Leandro Report that gave eight recommendations for a sound, basic education for children. 1) Revise the state funding model to provide adequate, efficient, and equitable resources, 2) Provide a qualified, well-prepared, and diverse teaching staff in every school 3) Provide a qualified and well-prepared principal in every school, 4) Provide all at-risk students with the opportunity to attend high-quality early childhood programs 5) Direct resources, opportunities, and initiatives to economically disadvantaged students 6) Revise the student assessment system and school accountability system 7) Build an effective regional and statewide system of support for the improvement of low-performing and high-poverty schools 8) Convene an expert panel to assist the Court in monitoring state policies, plans programs, and progress.
The Vance County Board of Education indicated unanimously they support this cause and the district will continue to follow the decades-long case as it continues in court.
For more information on the case, please visit the Public School Forum of North Carolina website at www.ncforum.org/leandro/.
Granville County Welcomes Brides On Wheels (BOWs) Bridal Tour
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-Information courtesy Granville County Tourism Development Authority
Are you planning a 2020- 2021 wedding? If you are (or hope to be), you are invited to be a part of the Granville County Brides on Wheels (BOWs) Bridal Tour to see what this community just outside of the Triangle has to offer. From rustic to elegant, outdoor to indoor, you will find something that will help make your wedding day perfect.
Reserve your spot now for this year’s tour scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2020.
The Granville County BOWs Bridal Tour day includes five or more venues, meet & greets with local vendors, and a goodie bag for VIP registrants. All you have to do to become a VIP Bride is register yourself and one guest, sit back, relax and take a scenic trip of Granville. The schedule is tentative, so check back often for additions and changes.
Please note that tour seating is limited, so pre-register to assure your spot. For more information, visit the tour’s website at www.brides-on-wheels.com or call (919) 693-6125.
*RAIN DATE FOR BUS TOUR IS SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2019. You will be notified if postponed.
Follow this Event on Facebook for updates and more: https://www.facebook.com/granvillebridaltour/
Purchase tickets at https://granvillebows2020.eventbrite.com
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 03/10/20
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Vipers Name Campbell Head Football Coach; Meet & Greet Scheduled March 12
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-Press Release, Vance County High School
The Vance County Board of Education has approved Edwin J. Campbell, Jr. as the new head football coach at Vance County High School.
Coach Campbell comes to Vance County with an impressive football background. A Raleigh native, Campbell attended Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, where he was a standout varsity defensive back and team captain. Campbell also played college football at Elizabeth City State University before earning his degree at Winston-Salem State University.
Campbell later returned to Southeast Raleigh as the varsity defensive coordinator, marking the beginning of his coaching career. Since then, Campbell has coached for several of North Carolina’s most elite football programs, holding positions such as interim head coach, assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator.
Most recently, Campbell was an assistant coach for 3-time state champion Wake Forest High School under Head Coach Reggie Lucas. The Cougars finished the 2019 season 12-2 overall, losing in the 4AA Eastern Regional Final. Prior to his stint at Wake Forest, Campbell helped lead Zebulon B. Vance High School of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to two 4AA Western Regional Finals.
In 2018, as assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, Campbell was instrumental in helping Zebulon B. Vance reach its first-ever state championship game. Following the departure of Zebulon B. Vance Head Coach Aaron Brand, Coach Campbell also became the interim head coach at Zebulon B. Vance.
Campbell has also held coordinator positions with varsity football teams at East Wake and Leesville Road high schools in the Wake County Public School System.
“We took our time and did our due diligence while searching for our new head football coach,” Athletic Director Joe Sharrow said of the coaching search. “We ultimately believe that Coach Campbell is uniquely equipped with the experience and expertise that makes him the right fit for our school and what we needed at this time. I am fully confident in his ability to benefit the lives of our student-athletes and be an extremely successful coach for us.”
Campbell will replace Darry Ragland, who resigned in January after leading the Vipers to a 13-10 record over two seasons. The Vipers graduated seventeen seniors and are expecting many new contributors at key positions.
“I am excited and appreciative that Principal Rey Horner and Athletic Director Joe Sharrow have put their trust in me to lead the Vance County Vipers football program,” Campbell said in a statement. “I look forward to meeting the players and guiding them, not only to be their best on the football field but also their best in this community as great examples of how positive young men conduct themselves.” Campbell continued, “I am confident that by leading a team with the right attitude, structure, and the support of the community, we will build a football program that will make Vance County proud.”
Vance County High School will introduce Coach Campbell, wife Chernessa Campbell, and son Edwin J. Campbell III (Tre) at a community meet and greet on Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. All community members, current and former players, parents, fans, media, and anyone interested in Viper Football are encouraged to attend.
The Vipers will open the 2020 football season on the road at Bunn High School on August 21. They will play their first game at home the following week in the County Line Clash against Warren County High School on August 28.
News 03/10/20
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm