Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

H-V Rec. & Parks: Jackson St. Park Reopens, Aycock Rec. Center’s New Hours

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-Information courtesy Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department

Park Reopening

Jackson Street Park (325 Breckenridge Street, Henderson) is now open. Please follow Henderson Vance on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter for updates on the future reopening of Fox Pond Park (467 Vicksboro Rd.).

All park patrons must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Mass gathering limit of 50 people outdoors
  • Wear mask/face covering outdoors if not possible to consistently be six feet from non-household members.

The Aycock Recreation Center announces its new hours of operation:

Monday – Thursday

Open: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 – 3:30 p.m.,  6 – 8 p.m.

Closed: 12 – 1 p.m., 3:30 – 6 p.m.

Friday

Open: 8 – 12 p.m., 1 – 5 p.m., 6 – 8 p.m.

Closed: 12 – 1 p.m., 5 – 6 p.m.

Saturday

Open: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 – 4 p.m.

Closed: 12 – 1 p.m.

Sunday

Open 1 – 5 p.m.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools – Return to “Plan C”

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— courtesy Granville County Public Schools

GCPS Makes Winter Shift to Full Remote Instruction – Return to “Plan C”

At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 7, 2020, the Granville County Board of Education voted unanimously to shift all students back to remote learning effective Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Superintendent McLean, working closely with officials from the Granville Vance Health Department, recommended this shift due to the surge in the pandemic, which has negatively impacted the readiness indicators for the school district.

Dr. McLean explained, “We have been closely monitoring the metrics that impact our ability to provide in-person learning to our students. The recent trends have made it increasingly difficult to do so in a safe and effective manner. Therefore, in order to keep our students and staff safe, we will be shifting to full virtual learning to bridge us through the winter holiday season.”

In person learning, or a shift back to “Plan B”, could resume as early as Monday, January 25 if the readiness indicators improve. The Board will review updated metrics at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, January 11, 2021. Until then, all students will be served remotely, with the exception of traditional calendar high school students, who are required to take NC standardized final exams in person on December 16 – 22. These high school students’ individual schedules are being shared with students and their families for each school.

Since all students will be shifting to remote learning during this time, families are encouraged to take advantage of the various services offered by the district. Additional support with laptop repairs, free MiFi hotspots and paper learning packets are available for students. In addition, the district will also be giving away a limited number of student desks to families just before the winter holiday break. These desks are being provided to partner with our families in providing productive home learning centers. Also, the meal service program will provide enough meals for students to have breakfast and lunch for each day during the winter break. More information about these programs will be provided to families via email, phone calls and letters home.

Chairman David Richardson offered his perspective on the change in instructional services, stating, “We know that this shift to Plan C will create some new challenges for our families. However, based on the recommendations from our local health experts, we feel that the safety of our students and staff must be our top priority. We will do all we can to continue to keep students’ learning the focus during this time while remembering that grace and flexibility should be practiced by all.”

Written and provided to WIZS Radio by Dr. Stan Winborne, Assistant Superintendent of Operations & Human Resources, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools

Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners of Hope Men’s Homeless Shelter Meals

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From Community Partners of Hope here locally, the homeless men’s shelter and Hope House:

“Thanks so much to all of you who have prepared meals or have already signed up! We have three days left in December that need volunteers – Monday 12/14, Tuesday 12/15, and New Year’s Eve 12/31. There are also lots of days in 2021. In November we served 12 different men. (Friday) night we had only two men. We have asked that you bring eight meals served in take-out trays so we will have enough if we have our maximum occupancy of six guests and two supervisors. Any leftover food is taken to the men in Hope House, but if you want to call the shelter manager for a closer estimate, his number is 252-820-0701.  Bear in mind that we don’t have any way to know who might show up each night. Thank you again for your support and your prayers!”

S-Line Rail Corridor

S-Line Rail Corridor Meeting to Address Future Opportunities for Local Area

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

Please join the S-Line (rail corridor) Stakeholder Committee for a virtual meeting on Thursday, December 10, 2020, from 1 – 2 p.m. to hear from transit-oriented development and land-use planning experts. You will learn how the local area can plan for current and future opportunities along the S-Line.

Meeting agenda:

1 – 1:05 p.m.: Welcome and Opening Remarks, Mayor Mann of Sanford, Mayor Jones of Wake Forest, Co-Chairs of the S-Line Stakeholder Committee

1:05 – 1:20 p.m.: S-Line Update, NCDOT Deputy Secretary Julie White and Rail Director Jason Orthner

1:20 – 1:40 p.m.: Using Rail to Create Place and Economic Value: NC Case Studies, Terry Shook, Shook Kelley

1:40 – 1:50 p.m.: Tailoring Land Use and Economic Development Opportunities for S-Line Communities, Jeff Bandini, Urban Land Institute

1:50 – 2 p.m.: Next Steps and Closing, Julie White, NCDOT

To register for the virtual meeting, please click here.

For more information on plans for the S-Line, click here.

Rescue Ranch

Town Talk 12/7/20: Rescue Ranch, Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society to Partner

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

Krissie Newman, co-founder of the Rescue Ranch in Statesville, NC, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

The 87-acre ranch promotes humane education by focusing on animal rescue through hands-on learning and care.

Newman discussed her passion for animals, the operation of the ranch during the COVID-19 pandemic and working with other animal protection services such as the local Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society (RCAPS).

To hear the interview in its entirety, click play.

Locally, RCAPS is dedicated to helping homeless animals find rescue placement and works closely with area shelters.

Heading into the new year, Rescue Ranch will partner with RCAPS for its new foster and adoption program. “We will be taking in volunteers willing to foster with us and working with Ruin Creek on adoptions,” said Newman. “This is something that has been in our footprint at the ranch for a long time; now is the time to bring the dogs and the cats into the program.”

In addition to the rescue foster and adoption program, Rescue Ranch’s future plans include nature hiking and walking education trails, a 24-hour emergency veterinarian clinic with an extern program and a therapeutic riding program.

Tours of the ranch are available by appointment by calling (704) 768-0909. To learn more about Rescue Ranch,  please visit www.rescueranch.com. For updates on RCAPS, please visit the group’s Facebook page.

Local News Audio

Noon News 12-7-20 Shauna Guthrie NCAFP appointment; George B. Rush Jr. passing

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Noon News stories include:

– Shauna Guthrie is appointed as Secretary Treasurer of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians

– Death of George B. Rush Jr., former manager of WIZS Radio

For full details and audio click play

 

Elizabeth City State University

VGCC Forms New Partnership With Elizabeth City State University

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Faculty, staff, and leaders from Vance-Granville Community College and Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) recently attended a virtual signing ceremony to formalize an agreement that creates new opportunities for students from the community college to complete bachelor’s degrees.

The co-admission agreement, which is designed to improve transfer student access and success through a collaborative baccalaureate degree program, was signed by ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon and VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais.

“ECSU continues to collaborate with North Carolina community colleges to afford transfer students a greater opportunity to earn their undergraduate degrees,” Chancellor Dixon said in a statement from the university. “We are excited to work with President Desmarais and her staff to provide these students with a clear path to ECSU so they can continue their education.”

VGCC is the fourth community college to sign such an agreement with ECSU, a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system offering more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

“This strong new partnership with Elizabeth City State University will help VGCC students achieve their academic and career goals,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of the community college. “We look forward to supporting Vanguards who choose to continue their education as Vikings.”

Under the agreement, VGCC students can choose a “co-admission” transfer pathway in which they can take ECSU degree programs without actually leaving the community college. Students will receive special joint academic advising services and virtual support. There will also be assistance for active-duty military and veteran education benefits and resources available to qualifying students. Students will receive either on-site or virtual classroom presentations; joint virtual financial aid counseling; access to the ECSU library online resources; and access to programming through the university’s Office of Student Activities and other campus organizations.

Alternatively, eligible students can complete the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Fine Arts degree programs at VGCC, and if they maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA), they will be guaranteed admission to ECSU. Application fees for these transfer students will be waived.

“We are excited about creating opportunities for our students that will assist them with long-term success!” said Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of learning, student engagement & success. “Our team has worked diligently to create multiple pathways for students, including non-credit to credit, and from our institution to four-year institutions. A special thanks to Kali Brown, Dean of Student Access and Support, and Dr. Antonio Jordan, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services, for partnering with me on this important work for our students. Further, I appreciate the visionary leadership of Dr. Rachel Desmarais, as we continue to strategically seek partnerships that will benefit our students.”

For more information, prospective students can apply for admission online at www.vgcc.edu or call (252) 738-3234.

SHPHC Bluegrass Christmas

SHPHC Presents ‘Christmas Time’s A-Comin’: A Bluegrass Christmas’

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

-Information courtesy South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church

South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church (SHPHC) presents “Christmas Time’s A-Comin’: A Bluegrass Christmas” on Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 6 p.m.

Admission is free and open to the public (social distancing in the sanctuary).

You can also watch online on the SHPHC Facebook page (click here) or YouTube channel (click here).

All donations benefit area children in need. You may also donate online at www.shphc.org/give and select “Caroline Fund.”

SHPHC is located at 905 Americal Road in Henderson, NC.

Drewry Volunteer Fire Dept

Drewry Volunteer Fire Dept. Holding Drawing for Handmade Quilt

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

-Information courtesy Judy E. Stainback, Drewry Volunteer Fire Department

The Auxiliary of the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department will hold a drawing for a handmade queen-sized quilt on December 18, 2020.

Tickets are $2 each or three for $5 and can be purchased at Ellington’s Hair Trends, 121 Rose Avenue in Henderson or by calling (252) 492-3051.

Proceeds to benefit the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department and The Auxiliary of the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department.

Dr. Shauna Guthrie

Dr. Shauna Guthrie of Henderson NCAFP Secretary/Treasurer

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The North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians (NCAFP) installed Dr. Shauna Guthrie of Henderson as the organization’s secretary/treasurer.

According to information sent to WIZS News by NCAFP Executive Vice President Greg Griggs, who is also from Henderson, Guthrie’s term is one year, and the installation took place during the NCAFP’s virtual annual meeting.

Guthrie, MD, MPH, FAAFP is a Henderson family physician and is presently the medical director at Granville Vance Public Health, the local health department.  She provides full scope outpatient primary care services, according to Griggs.

Griggs said, “She also contracts to provide services locally including correctional health, inpatient adult medicine, and hospice care. She previously practiced at Vance Family Medicine, a Rural Health Clinic, where she did full-spectrum family medicine, including inpatient medicine and obstetrics.”

Dr. Guthrie has served on the board of the NCAFP for the past five years.  This year she served as the at-large member of the NCAFP Executive Committee.  Griggs said in his information release, “She enjoys giving back to the profession by teaching medical students.”

Dr. Shauna Guthrie

Shauna Guthrie, MD, MPH, FAAFP, a Henderson family physician, was installed as Secretary/Treasurer of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians (NCAFP) for a one-year term during the organization’s virtual annual meeting.

More than 400 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students attended the NCAFP’s Virtual Annual Meeting.

(WIZS RADIO IN HENDERSON PRESENTS LOCAL NEWS ON THE AIR AT 8AM, 12 NOON AND 5PM M-F.  100.1 FM / 1450 AM.)