1983 Vance Basketball Team

Town Talk 11/11/20: Wilson Hoyle III Remembers Joe Stepusin, Wayne Adcock

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

Wilson Hoyle III, Henderson native, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

As managing director and head of CAPTRUST’s Advisor Group, Hoyle oversees the firm’s business development and practice management initiatives.

Hoyle, not to be confused with his father Dr. Wilson Hoyle, Jr., dentist in Henderson, reflected on growing up in Vance County, the recent passing of community leaders Coach Joe Stepusin and Mr. Wayne Adcock and the lasting impact that educators have on a person’s life.

A retired teacher and coach with the Vance County School System, Stepusin passed away at the age of 86 on September 28, 2020.

Former superintendent, principal and educator with the Vance County School System, Adcock passed away November 1, 2020, at the age of 73.

Both men played a role in Hoyle’s upbringing. “When I got the news on both of them… A lot of things pop in your head, and you tend to reflect on your own life,” said Hoyle. “I just felt grateful to have people like those two men that have made my life richer.”

1983 Vance Senior High School Basketball Team. Coach Joe Stepusin standing – far right, back row. Wilson Hoyle III (number 15) on lower right. (Photo courtesy Ricky Stilley)

Hoyle said Stepusin – his high school basketball coach – was respected without having to raise his voice. “I was so proud to be a part of that team; he was my coach. The thing I remember most was just his kindness; he was so kind-hearted. I don’t recall him ever yelling at us at practice when we probably should have been yelled at a few times!”

Going on to play football at Wake Forest University, Hoyle said Stepusin would attend one or two games a year. “I would see him outside of the locker room, and he always told me he was proud; it makes you feel good.”

Remembering Adcock, Hoyle shared a story of how he would jump the fence of the former Henderson High/Middle School’s Veterans Field to practice and “act like I didn’t see Mr. Adcock seeing me.”

When Hoyle approached Adcock about his supposed trespassing, he said the then middle school principal expressed support for his practice and joked they would need to get a key made for Hoyle so he “wouldn’t get hurt jumping the stupid fence.”

“It really motivated me to know that people in my hometown were proud of me, supported me and encouraged me,” said Hoyle. “We all can’t do enough of that day in and day out.”

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

Oxford Prep School

Town Talk 11/11/20: Donated Items Needed for Oxford Prep’s Senior Project

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

McKayla Boyd and Bryce Garrett, seniors at Oxford Preparatory School, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Boyd, of Oxford, and Garrett, of Bullock, discussed their senior project: collecting items for local families affected by abuse and domestic violence.

Partnering with Families Living Violence Free (FLVF) in Oxford, items collected will be distributed to families in need this holiday season.

Requested items include:

  • Toys for children ages 1-6 (new or used)
  • Adult and child hygiene products
  • Non-perishable food items (ramen, soups, breakfast items, snacks, canned food, etc.)
  • Throw blankets
  • Clothing items – size 2T to Adult (new only, please)

Donors are asked to sign up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AACA72BA2FDC34-griffin

Donations may be dropped off at the front lobby of the school located at 6041 Landis Road in Oxford. Items will be sanitized before taken to FLVF for distribution.

Stating that Oxford Prep is big on students giving back to the community via service hours, Boyd said the senior class is happy to partner with FLVF for this drive. “I spent a lot of time looking for an organization that would let us do something to give back to our community,” said Boyd. “When I found FLVF, they were very excited to work with us.”

Garrett said his class is looking forward to providing supplies to those in need, and he hopes to see the drive become an annual event. “Our goal for our school is to keep this a tradition,” he said.

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

Home and Garden Show 11-10-20

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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.

NC State Board of Elections

Four Facts About the Vote-Counting Process in NC

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections

The State Board of Elections is releasing the following facts about the post-election vote-counting process in North Carolina, in part to address rapidly spreading misinformation. These processes are required by law.

  1. It’s the Law. The post-election “canvass” process occurs after every election. Canvass is the entire process of ensuring votes have been counted correctly and required audits have been completed, culminating in the certification of results during meetings of every county board of elections. By law, these meetings will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 13. Also pursuant to state law, the State Board of Elections will meet at 11 a.m. November 24 to finalize the results. N.C.G.S. § 163-182.5.
  2. All Eligible Ballots Must Be Counted. In 2020, county boards of elections must count absentee by-mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day that arrive in the mail by 5 p.m. November 12. Ballots from military and overseas voters received by 5 p.m. November 12 will also be counted, as required by state law. N.C.G.S. § 163-258.12. During the post-election period, county boards also conduct research to determine whether to wholly or partially count provisional ballots. All eligible provisional ballots are counted during the canvass process. N.C.G.S. § 163-182.2. The post-election period ensures that the ballots of eligible voters will be counted as long as they meet statutory deadlines and comply with all other laws. This allows more eligible voters to lawfully exercise their right to vote.
  3. Results Must Be Audited. After each election, the State Board randomly selects two precincts in every county, where paper ballots must be counted by hand for the highest contest on the ballot – the presidential race in 2020 – and compared with the tabulated results. Called the “sample hand-to-eye count,” this audit recounts the ballots in the random precincts to ensure reliability of machine-tabulated results. Bipartisan teams at county boards of elections have been conducting these audits during the past week. The State Board of Elections conducts additional audits to verify the accuracy of the count. The results of all audits will be submitted to the State Board as part of the final certification of the election. For more information, see the Post-Election Procedures and Audits webpage.
  4. Elections Officials Do Not “Call” Elections. Many North Carolinians have contacted elections officials to ask why certain contests have been “called” for a particular candidate, while others have not. The state and county boards of elections have never – and will never – “call” or project a race for any candidate. Projections are made by media and/or candidates using unofficial results, typically based on the vote difference and the number of votes yet to be counted in a contest. In some cases, including the North Carolina governor’s race and North Carolina U.S. Senate race, the trailing candidates “conceded” when they realized they could not make up the vote differential with the ballots still uncounted. The State Board will certify final results on November 24. After that, the boards of elections will issue certificates of election to the prevailing candidates. N.C.G.S. § 163-182.15.
Local News Audio

Noon News 11-11-20 Weather Update; Veteran’s Day Events; Henderson Tobacco Warehouse; Covid19

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Noon News for 11 Nov. 2020. Stories include:

– Weather update

– Veteran’s Day Events around the local area

– Henderson Tobacco Warehouse revitalization

– Covid19 update

For full details and audio click Play

 

 

Coach's Corner Logo

Sports Talk 11/10/20: Mako’s Sports Partnerships; VCHS Begins Football Workouts

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

In the first segment of WIZS Sports Talk, Chad Price, Founder/CEO of Mako Medical, discussed Mako’s partnership with the ACC and Big South.

In the second segment, Hunter Jenks, head football coach of Vance County High School discussed the start of workouts for the Vipers.

Click play to hear the Sports Talk audio…

 

Darryl Lamont Jones

Suspect Arrested in Bunn Car Wash Homicide

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

-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

On November 10, 2020, at approximately 2 p.m., law enforcement personnel from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit, State Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh Police Department arrested Darryl Lamont Jones on an outstanding warrant for First Degree Murder. 

Darryl Lamont Jones

Darryl Lamont Jones allegedly shot and killed Mariano Palacios Hortelano at the Bunn car wash on October 27, 2020. Jones is currently in the Franklin County Detention Center without bond. 

The joint efforts of the Franklin County Sheriff‘s Office, the Bunn Police Department, the Raleigh Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) led to Jones‘s identification and subsequent arrest. 

Darryl Lamont Jones, 20 years of age, 25 Monarch Court Youngsville, North Carolina.

This matter remains under investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

If anyone should have any additional information pertaining to this investigation, please call Detective Wayne Daniels with the Franklin County Sheriff‘s Office at (919) 340-4343.

NC Governor Logo

NC Lowers Indoor Gathering Limit to 10 to Slow Spread of COVID-19

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that North Carolina’s indoor mass gathering limit will be lowered to 10 people in an effort to drive down North Carolina’s key COVID-19 metrics. Executive Order 176 will go into effect on Friday, November 13 and will be in place through Friday, December 4, 2020.

“This reduction in our indoor gathering limit aims to slow the spread and bring down our numbers,” Governor Cooper said. “It also sends a serious signal to families, friends and neighbors across our state. Success in slowing the spread will help our businesses.”

As the weather gets colder, more people will be gathering indoors. Science has shown that indoor gatherings increase the risk of transmission of COVID-19, and this Executive Order seeks to limit indoor gatherings that could rapidly and dangerously spread the virus.

The Order does not change the reduced capacity limits for certain businesses that have already been laid out. For more on this, read the Frequently Asked Questions document.

Governor Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen also underscored the need for people to wear a mask anytime they gather with people outside of their immediate household. As the holiday season approaches, NCDHHS released health guidance to help people celebrate as safely as possible without spreading the virus.

“Let’s keep our friends, family, and loved ones safe this holiday season. If you are going to travel or get together, plan ahead to reduce the risk to your family and friends,” said NCDHHS Secretary Cohen. “Remember, it’s not how well you know someone when it comes to wearing a mask. If they don’t live with you, get behind the mask.“

Dr. Cohen also provided an update on North Carolina’s data and trends.

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is decreasing but still elevated.

Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of cases is increasing.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is level but above 5 percent.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is level but high.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.

Testing

  • Testing capacity is high

Tracing Capability

  • The state is continuing to hire contact tracers to bolster the efforts of local health departments.
  • There have been almost 350,000 downloads of the exposure notification app, SlowCOVIDNC.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.

Mortgage, Utility and Rent Relief Program Expands

Also today, Governor Cooper announced that full-service restaurants are now eligible for assistance through the Mortgage, Utility and Rent Relief Program (MURR) administered by the NC Department of Commerce.

These businesses may apply for up to four months of rent or mortgage interest capped at $20,000 per location for up to two locations. Businesses can learn more and apply by visiting www.nccommerce.com/murr.

Henderson Tobacco Warehouse

Town Talk 11/10/20: Henderson Tobacco Warehouse Revitalization Project

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

Alexandra Green, vice president and director of operations of the Baltimore-based Acquest Group, and Jason Spriggs, Henderson City Councilmember (4th Ward At-Large), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Green discussed Acquest’s revitalization plans for the 87,5000 square foot historic tobacco warehouse on Zene Street located within walking distance of downtown Henderson, NC.

Phase One of the project includes the completion of a healthy food market. Deemed a low income and low food access community by the USDA, Green said Henderson qualifies as a “food desert” with many residents relying on SNAP benefits to feed their families.

According to the project’s website (www.hendersontobaccowarehouse.org), in addition to providing the community with fresh, locally-sourced food products, the market will also require a full staff to run day-to-day operations, retail sales and building management.

The Acquest Group estimates that Phase One will employ 40 full-time employees and be open to serve customers at least 80 hours per week, averaging more than $64,000 in weekly SNAP sales and $169,400 in total sales every week.

Rendering of the revitalized Henderson Tobacco Warehouse by Ben Althoff, B.A. Art Services –https://www.baartservices.com

“This is an exciting opportunity for the east side of Henderson to have access to fresh foods and other opportunities that we’ve been requesting for years,” said Spriggs. “I always tell people that I’m all in, and we are going to see it through.”

Describing Acquest as a family-based development firm in operation for 40 years, Green said community projects such as these are the “lifeblood” of the group.

“We love doing land development; we love building subdivisions and commercial spaces, but what we are passionate about doing is building communities, especially communities of color and low-income areas,” said Green.

Green said the group’s partnerships with the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, Henderson City Council, local USDA office and NC Cooperative Extension office, along with the excitement and support of the community, are making this project a reality.

While she admits the timeline is “ambitious,” Green believes construction on the warehouse can begin in early 2021.

To ensure success, Green said the project begins with food security, job availability and economic opportunities with plans to expand to include affordable housing and investment in youth.

“We know this project can’t be successful without a plan to bring up the entire neighborhood,” stated Green. “We don’t see a point in bringing in amenities and services without making an effort to drastically improve the living situation of our neighbors in this community.”

Green continued, “We are dedicated to improving lives, not only through food access but also with affordable and safe housing, improved neighborhood walkability, educational opportunities and with our business incubator and marketplace. We are eager to empower locals to start their own businesses and build generational and community wealth.”

To learn more about the warehouse revitalization project, please visit www.hendersontobaccowarehouse.org.

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

American Flag

WIZS to Honor Veterans With Special ‘Heroes We Remember’ Program

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

Veterans make up a special part of our nation, state and community. In honor of Veterans Day, WIZS Radio presents a special program this Saturday, November 14, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. featuring music performed by the President’s United States Marine Band.

Titled “Heroes We Remember,” this program, sponsored by JM White Funeral Home, will feature music and a message that will inspire and give thanks to those who have served this country.

Be sure to listen live this Saturday at 1450 AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.