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Finance Celebrates 22 Years of Financial Reporting Excellent

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— press release from Franklin County, NC Government

Franklin County’s Finance Department holds a 22-year record of excellence in financial reporting. The team has achieved the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. The Finance Department was recently notified by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) that its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report was awarded the Certificate of Achievement of Excellence. The Certificate of Achievement is awarded by the GFOA of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report. Attainment of the certificate of the achievement represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

For additional information, contact Franklin County Finance at (919) 496-3182 or visit www.franklincountync.us. The Finance Office is staffed by Director Jamie Holtzman, Deputy Finance Director Mattie May, Christy Henson, Jan Wright, Claire Fuller and Tonya Pearce.

Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses.

VGCC Logo

Grow with VGCC AgriTech

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Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus is the site of the upcoming AgriTech program, one of the many continuing education classes offered at VGCC’s four campuses.

Tanya Weary, dean of business & industry solutions and of the South Campus in Creedmoor, said registration is open for the class, which will be held in-person one evening a week for 10 weeks; the remaining two-thirds of the class’s 96 hours will be completed online.

The class begins on Sept. 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the cost is $188.25. Tuition assistance is available for eligible participants, she told John C. Rose on Town Talk August 3, 2021, which you can hear in its entirety by clicking play below.

As a dean at VGCC, Weary said she enjoys seeing the many exciting things happening on and around the campuses in the four counties VGCC serves.

“Lives are being changed,” Weary said. “It’s an incredible experience to see and witness every day.”

The AgriTech program is one way to help participants gain knowledge about agriculture, whether it’s for launching a business, improving skills for someone who already works on a farm or other agriculture-related endeavors.

“Agriculture is making an impact on society,” Weary said. “No matter what realm of agriculture you’re going into, you’re making some kind of impact.”

Instructor Kelly Dixon will introduce topics such as sustainable and organic farming methods, equipment maintenance, plant, soil and animal sciences, among others. Dixon and her family farm in Granville County and Dixon is the ag teacher at Vance Charter School.

Weary said the class will also discuss basic computer skills and marketing techniques, both important tools for agricultural entrepreneurs who use social media or need to create marketing materials to promote their business.

Another project that VGCC is launching is the result of a $286,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will provide professional development opportunities for K-12 educators to learn more about teaching agriculture and biology.

Weary said VGCC bought some drones that will be used to provide some hands-on opportunities for students to learn how to use drones in agriculture, from simple aerial photography to using drones to check fields.

Weary said U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics point to strong employment opportunities in agriculture between 2020 and 2025. “This program gives (students) an introduction into the economic, environmental and social impacts of agriculture,” she said.

Visit https://www.vgcc.edu/conVanceed/agritech/ to learn more about the class.

Contact Weary at wearyt@vgcc.edu or call 252.738.3521.

Click play below for the TownTalk interview with Dean Weary.

(Originally Broadcast Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Original article by Laura Gabel on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.)

“Shop With A Cop” Program Seeks Sponsors For Annual Holiday Event

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Summer is in full swing, its sweltering temps encouraging folks to stay inside in the air conditioning. But it won’t be too long before summer gives way to cooler weather that will usher in the holiday season.

And in the middle of this heat, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is preparing for the annual “Shop with a Cop” scheduled for December. This is the sixth year that the Chamber has partnered with local law enforcement agencies and area businesses to make the event possible.

The Chamber is asking for sponsors to join Maria Parham Health to help make this event a success. Again this year, MPH has stepped up to be the presenting sponsor, according to information from Sandra Wilkerson, director of administration and events for the Chamber.  The goal is to raise at least $5,000 from sponsors so members of the Henderson Police Department and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office can take underprivileged youth in the community Christmas shopping.

The shopping spree will take place at the local Walmart, and the Chamber is partnering with law enforcement and local business to continue to build the community partnership.

The campaign kicks off on Sept. 22. Contact Wilkerson at sandra@hendersonvance.org or 252.438.8414 to learn more.

The three sponsorship levels are gold, silver and bronze.

For $1,000, Gold Sponsors get their name on a ticket board, company recognition on social media at the live kickoff event and raffle drawing, as well as recognition in Chamber publications and on the actual shopping day.

Silver Sponsors, for $750, get their name on the ticket board, recognition on the social media live kickoff event and raffle drawing, and recognition on the day of the shopping spree.

And for $500, Bronze Sponsors get their name on the ticket board, and recognition at the live kickoff event on social media.

Register Now For Hot Sauce Contest Car Show

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Just past the food trucks, live music stages and hot pepper contest is another popular aspect of the annual Hot Sauce Festival in downtown Oxford: The car show.

Whether it’s a restored Model A or a souped-up Chevy, car enthusiasts flock to the car show to ooh and aah over the shiny, well-cared-for vehicles.

Owners of classic, antique and custom cars and trucks may enter their vehicles to be judged. Trophies will be awarded to the winners and all participants will receive a dash plaque.

Registration is required, and details regarding site and entry points will be sent via email prior to the day of the hot sauce festival.

Visit https://oxfordnc.recdesk.com/Community/Program to register for the car show.

Registered participants can come as early as 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, but everyone must be parked by 10:45 a.m. Please have the exhibitor’s entry number clearly displayed on the driver’s side windshield for judging.

Show organizers recommend that car owners be on hand during the contest to answer any questions from the judges. Judges also must have access to all areas of the show vehicle including trunk, interior and engine compartment. But the judges will not open these areas themselves.

 

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Latest Local Virus Data as of Friday, Aug 27

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— courtesy of Granville-Vance Public Health

In the past 7 days, there have been 127 new cases in Vance County, a 51% increase from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Vance County is 5.2%. According to the CDC Data Tracker, there is high community transmission in Vance County.

In the past 7 days, there have been 227 new cases in Granville County, a 33% increase from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Granville County is 6.3%. According to the CDC Data Tracker, there is high community transmission in Granville County.

In Vance County, 59% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of vaccine and 53% are fully vaccinated.

In Granville County, 64% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of vaccine and 59% are fully vaccinated.

In North Carolina Friday, there were 8,105 newly reported cases. The daily percent positive rate is 12.8%.

As of Friday in the state, there were 3,651 hospitalized.

65% of the adult population in NC is at least partially vaccinated and 60% of the adult population is fully vaccinated!

Siplen Arrested, Charged with First Degree Murder

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— Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame Press Release

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of Suzette Siplen for the First Degree Murder of Xavier “Peter” Vann.

Vann was located in the front yard of his residence located at 1609 Nicholas Street, Henderson N.C., on the morning of the 5th day of August 2021. It was determined that Vann was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Vann was transported to Duke University Medical Center where he later died.

Through investigative technique Siplen became a person of interest in this incident. Investigators with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office established Probable Cause for an Arrest Warrant on Suzette Siplen on the 17th day of August 2021.

Having obtained warrants for the arrest of Siplen the investigation then focused on the apprehension of the suspect.

On the 24th day of August Suzette Siplen, age 52, was located in Durham N.C. residing in a local motel. Siplen was arrested without incident.
Siplen has been placed in the Vance County Detention Facility on a single charge of First Degree Murder. No bond has been set at this time.

Assisting with the investigation were the N.C. SBI and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office.

SportsTalk: Vance Vipers FB Coach Pender Previews Roanoke Rapids

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Click to Play Audio Preview of VCHS at Roanoke Rapids

Vance Co. Coop Ext Report 8-26-21 Wayne Rowland Woody Ornamentals

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Thank you for listening to WIZS Radio.  Your Community Voice!!

Volunteer Fire Depts in Warren/Franklin Counties Receive Funds

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Volunteer fire departments in Warren County received $213,576.50 and Franklin County departments were awarded $73,454.55, according to the complete listing from N.C. Department of Insurance.

The Volunteer Fire Department Fund was created to assist North Carolina’s volunteer fire departments with purchasing equipment and making capital expenditures. It is administered through the N.C. Department of Insurance/Office of the State Fire Marshal. Eligible volunteer fire departments must be rated/certified by the N.C. Department of Insurance.

Here’s a breakdown for Warren and Franklin County, by department:

Warren County:

  • Afton-Elberon Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $7,400
  • Arcola Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $10,950
  • Churchill-Five Forks Volunteer Fire Department Inc. – $30,000
  • Hawtree Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $22,717.50
  • Lake Gaston Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $25,010
  • Long Bridge Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $9,918.50
  • Macon Rural Fire Department, Inc. – $5,315
  • Norlina Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $28,272.50
  • Palmer Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $30,000
  • Ridgeway Volunteer Rural Fire Association – $9,992
  • Soul City Volunteer Rural Fire Association – $8,560

Franklin County:

  • Gold Sand Rural Fire Department, Inc. – $23,495.50
  • Justice Rural Volunteer Fire Association, Inc. – $29,463.00
  • White Level Rural Fire Department, Inc. – $9,367.93