Ducky Derby

Rubber ‘Ducky Derby’ Race to Be Held in Downtown Henderson This Saturday!

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

The 11th Annual FGV Ducky Derby Race will be held this Saturday, September 19, 2020, at 11 a.m. on Garnett Street in downtown Henderson.

Several changes from previous events will be in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The public is still welcome to join the fun in-person. Social distancing and masks will be required for all participants.

Proceeds from the annual event provide services for local families with children age five and younger. (Click here for article and video from last year’s event.)

This year, with the uncertainty surrounding event-planning, no individual tickets for rubber ducks were sold. Instead, Smart Start secured sponsors to support this event.

Approximately 2,000 rubber ducks will “race,” with each representing a child enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Founded by singer and entertainer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library partners with Smart Start programs to offer youth one free book a month – via mail – from birth through age five.

Applications for the Imagination Library can be found at local pediatric offices, childcare centers, the Granville Vance Public Health Department, Maria Parham Health, libraries and the FGV Smart Start office.

The “lucky duck” [child] who wins the Ducky Derby will receive the grand prize of free Chick-fil-A for a year.

“We wanted to have something for the public; so many things aren’t going to happen this fall. We decided we wanted something that we can still have and – possibly – people could come out and see,” stated Garry Daeke, outreach coordinator for FGV.

Those not able to attend in-person can view the event live on the FGV Smart Start Facebook page.

To enroll your child in the Imagination Library or with questions, please call FGV Smart Start at (252) 433-9110.

Henderson Men's Shelter

Henderson Men’s Shelter, Hope House to Open Under New COVID Guidelines

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Jane King, Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners of Hope has had to navigate some new obstacles this year, but with your help, we will continue to offer services to homeless men both in the emergency men’s shelter and in Hope House.

However, there will be some big changes for the upcoming shelter season which are necessary to keep everyone as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VOLUNTEERS

We will not be able to use volunteers for supervision this year. Even with the strictest safety guidelines, we need to minimize the number of people who come into contact with our guests at the shelter, so we will depend on a minimum number of paid staff to cover all shifts and provide backup in case someone is not able to work a shift. This puts an added burden on our budget, so it would help greatly if you would consider donating money instead of your time as a volunteer this year.

MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY

The maximum occupancy for the 2020-2021 season will be six men. In order to maintain a minimum safe distance, we cannot house the 10-12 men we have had over the past year. This allows room for an adequate distance between sleeping spaces as well as during meals, showers, etc. To accomplish this we will limit stays to a maximum of 14 days. If a man still needs shelter after a seven-day break, he may return for another 14 days if there is room.

Health guidelines will be strictly enforced and if a man refuses to comply, he will be asked to leave. Where we have tried to be lenient in the past, the health and safety of our residents and staff require us to be very strict this year.

MEALS

We will still be asking people to sign up to bring meals, but in order to prevent the spread of germs, we are asking that volunteers bring eight meals served in take-out trays and/or lunch bags. Individual bottles of water, tea, or juice will be greatly appreciated.   Each man will receive his meal without touching any other person’s food. You can remain in your car when you bring the meal and someone will come out to get the food.

There are a few restaurants that will provide meals occasionally, but we need volunteers to pick those up and deliver to the shelter. If you know of a restaurant to add to our list, please contact me. Breakfast will consist of cereal bars, juice boxes, etc. that can be bagged for the men to take as they leave.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Everyone in the shelter MUST wear a mask over their mouth and nose except when eating, showering, or sleeping. Hand washing and social distancing will be enforced. Anyone who does not comply will be asked to leave.

We have asked the Health Department for guidance on cleaning, and we are exploring additional safeguards including an air handling system to circulate and disinfect the air in the shelter.

HOPE HOUSE

Our resident capacity will be limited to no more than four men. We have three men in Hope House at the moment, and the oversight committee is reviewing applications to accept one new resident. During this pandemic, we believe it safest to have only two men in each bedroom, and we are keeping the single room free in case of a need to quarantine.

The Hope House residents are following safety guidelines and keeping the house sanitized as much as possible.

DONATIONS

Here is a list of the most needed items:

  • Socks – white tube socks – not short socks or dress socks
  • Underwear – boxers and tee-shirts in sizes L, XL, 2X, and 3X
  • Thermal underwear – prefer black waffle weave – sizes L, XL, 2X, and 3X
  • Gloves – waterproof, please – not knitted
  • Shower shoes
  • Hand sanitizer in small bottles that men can carry in their pocket
  • Disposable razors
  • Toothpaste – sample sizes
  • Soap – travel sizes
  • Laundry pods – eliminates the problem of not measuring powder or liquid properly
  • Tall Kitchen Trash Bags (13 Gallon Size)
  • Pine-sol type cleaner – gallon containers
  • Spray shower cleaner (scrubbing bubbles or similar item)
  • Paper Towels
  • Bleach
  • Clorox spray cleaner plus bleach

We cannot accept used clothing, bedding, or other items. New items should be delivered in their original packaging.

Please do not bring donations to the shelter! Needed items can be delivered to WIZS radio station or to the First Presbyterian Church office in Henderson on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please contact Jane King at (252) 432-9494 to make other arrangements.

CONTRIBUTIONS

All contributions are tax-deductible.

Checks may be made out to CPOH and mailed to: Community Partners of Hope, PO Box 1791, Henderson, NC 27536

PRAYERS

As always, we need your prayers. Please include our ministry on your church’s prayer list and encourage others to learn more about and pray for our guests, our staff, and all who make this possible.

NC DOT

Election Campaign Sign Season Underway

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Transportation

Drivers traveling on North Carolina roadways are likely seeing what has become an election-year tradition – a lot of campaign signs.

A state law passed in 2011 allows campaign signs to be placed in the state road right of way as early as 30 days before the start of early voting, which starts on Oct. 15. That means signs legally started going into place this week.

There are restrictions regarding the signs. They include:

  • Whoever places a sign is required to get the permission of any property owner of a residence, business or religious institution fronting the right of way where a sign would be placed;
  • No sign is permitted in the right of way of a limited-access highway such as an interstate;
  • No sign can be closer than 3 feet from the edge of the pavement of the road;
  • No sign can obscure motorist visibility at an intersection;
  • No sign can be higher than 42 inches above the edge of the pavement;
  • No sign can be larger than 864 square inches; and
  • No sign can obscure or replace another sign.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has the authority to remove any signs that violate these rules. If anyone else removes or vandalizes a sign, they could be subject to a Class 3 misdemeanor citation from law enforcement.

Campaign signs can remain in place for 10 days after the Nov. 3 election. Signs still in the right of way after the deadline are in violation of state law, and the NCDOT is authorized to remove and dispose of them.

ACTS of Henderson Food Pantry

ACTS of Henderson Announces Current Food Pantry Needs

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy ACTS of Henderson

ACTS of Henderson is currently in need of the following items for its food pantry:

  • Boxed macaroni and cheese
  • Brown sugar
  • Ketchup
  • Boxes of pasta
  • Canned fruit (any kind)
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Cans/cartons of beef/chicken broth
  • Beef/chicken bouillon cubes
  • White sugar
  • Canned baked beans
  • Paper towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Prepared salad dressing
  • ‘Awesome’ brand cleaner (from Dollar Tree or Roses)
  • Standard size clean, dry grocery bags
  • Wrapped, unused silverware packages

Items may be dropped off at the ACTS location at 201 South Williams Street in Henderson any weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you need to drop off at a time other than this, please call ACTS at (252) 492–8231 to make arrangements.

Home and Garden Show 09-15-20

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com on Tuesday at 4:30 PM.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 09-16-20 – Japanese Stilt Grass

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.

NCDOT

Town Talk 09/16/20: Mentality Large Part of Litter Problem; Adopt-A-Highway May Help

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

WIZS Town Talk host John Charles Rose discussed roadside trash and what he thinks of those that litter on Wednesday’s edition of Town Talk at 11 a.m.

Specifically, Rose mentioned Graham Avenue in Henderson, an area, he said, that is well-kept around the business portion near Ruin Creek Road but has issues with roadside debris and uncut grass just a short distance away.

In a drive through the area recently, Rose said he was dismayed by the litter in a location that serves as a gateway to the city, but was also encouraged by the community service witnessed in a recognized acquaintance.

“Here’s this great man on the side of the road [picking up trash]. Bob Fleming, I saw you out there yesterday. Thanks for what you’re doing. I’m sorry you’ve got to do it. Thanks for being strong for your community.”

Short of changing the mentality of those that litter, Rose said the best solution may be local groups, organizations and individuals working together on litter cleanups through the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program.

Established in 1988 in response to growing concern about roadway trash and debris, the NCDOT asks volunteer groups to commit at least four years of volunteer service to a two-mile stretch of roadway. Litter cleanups happen at least four times a year, and sometimes more frequently on heavily-traveled roads.

According to the NCDOT website, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers must be at least 12 years old. Children ages 12-17 must be supervised by an adult who is at least 21.

Participants are provided with safety training, safety vests and trash bags.

To volunteer with Adopt-A-Highway, interested groups should first use the litter management map to determine roadway availability and then request a segment when submitting their application online or by mail.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

NC MedAssist Warrenton Giveaway

Free OTC Medicine Giveaway at Warrenton Armory Sept. 17

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy NC MedAssist

NC MedAssist is offering a free over-the-counter medicine drive-thru event at the Warrenton Armory on Thursday, September 17, 2020, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Armory is located at 501 US 158 Business East in Warrenton, NC.

The event is held in collaboration with the Warren County Health Department and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medication. No identification is required. Face masks are required to participate.

Available over-the-counter items include cold/cough medicine, pain relief, vitamins, children’s medicine and more.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Click here to order your medication online prior to picking up at the event.

Local News Audio

Local News Audio 9-16-20 Noon: Schools Plan B; Flash Flooding

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– Flash Flood Watch
– Granville County Schools Plan B Coming
– Vance County Schools
– Shop With A Cop

Click Play for Local News Audio and Full Details…

 

Granville County Tourism

Granville Visitors Spend More Than $54 Million in 2019

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Granville County Government

In data shared from a recent statewide study, the economic impact of visitor spending in 2019 has been reported, with Granville County expenditures showing an increase of 4.5 percent over the previous year. According to the annual study by Visit North Carolina, a part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, visitor spending in Granville during 2019 totaled $54.79 million, compared with $52.44 million reported in 2018.

Granville County Tourism Development Director Angela Allen attributes the county-wide growth in tourism and visitor spending to a growing local economy – such as the opening of new restaurants and gathering places – as well as the wide variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

“As more and more people are discovering our welcoming atmosphere and relaxed lifestyle, we are quickly becoming a choice destination,” Allen remarked. “Our new marketing campaign bears this out. We are ‘Uniquely Carolina.’”

North Carolina currently ranks number 6 in the country for overnight visitation. Will Tuttell, director of Visit North Carolina, credits the state’s natural beauty and authenticity for this ranking. The 2019 study indicates that visitors spent more than $73 million per day across the state in 2019, setting a new record as more than $26.7 billion in expenditures was reported. This total represents an increase of 5.6 percent from 2018.

“The numbers confirm the strength of North Carolina’s tourism industry as an anchor for economic development,” Tuttell remarked. “The money that is spent here by our visitors benefits everyone by sustaining jobs and reducing our residents’ tax burden.”

Visitor spending in Granville County has seen a steady increase over the past decade. Approximately $37 million reported in 2010, with $40.89 million in 2011, $42.97 million in 2012, $44.43 million in 2013, $44.26 million in 2014, $45.69 million in 2015, $47.11 in 2016 and $49.51 in 2017.

The COVID-19 pandemic and an emphasis on “staying home” during 2020 have presented its own set of challenges for tourism in the coming year. Allen offers a reminder that Granville County continues to offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities, as well as locally-owned shopping and dining experiences, that keep our area in the forefront.

“Granville County already features many of the outdoor activities and natural surroundings visitors are looking for,” she reminds. “There are five lakes to choose from for fishing, kayaking and outdoor fun, as well as hiking and biking trails, open areas, play spaces and so much more. And there are ample opportunities for shopping, dining and supporting our local businesses. We’re working hard to spread the word that Granville continues to be a ‘unique,’ choice destination for visitors.”

To learn more about tourism in Granville County, log onto www.visitgranvillenc.com, or contact Tourism Director Angela Allen by phone at (919) 693-6125 or by email at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org. Statewide county statistics from the  Visit North Carolina study are available through their website at https://partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies.