Vance County High School

VCHS Viper Graduation Moved Inside, Will Air Live on WIZS

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We have an important message for the Class of 2022 graduates at Vance County High School. The large amount of rain over the last 24-hours has greatly impacted the field conditions of the high school stadium field. After careful consideration, the decision has been made to move the Vance County High School graduation indoors into the VCHS gymnasium. Each graduate received 4 tickets for the rain location. We also want to let you know that the VCHS graduation will be livestreamed on the VCS website tomorrow, May 25, at 9am and aired live on WIZS.
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Aarika Sandlin

Director of Communication and Marketing
Vance County Schools | www.vcs.k12.nc.us

TownTalk: The City Of Henderson Budget

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The proposed budget for the City of Henderson includes a bump in salary for some frontline city employees, continued funding for economic incentives and grants and, what may interest city residents most – no increase in taxes or fees for city services.

The $22.68 million also includes a $1.65 million appropriation from the fund balance, which City Manager Terrell Blackmon called a “considerable reduction” from the appropriation from the previous fiscal year. This reduction is due largely in fact to the availability of ARPA pandemic relief funds.

“The fund balance is still doing great at this time,” Blackmon told WIZS News Tuesday in a statement via email, adding that it remains well above minimum requirements of both the City Council and the Local Government Commission.

Blackmon provided details of the budget to WIZS News earlier Tuesday via email. The city council is set to vote on approval of the 2022-23 budget at its June meeting.

According to Blackmon, personnel costs are the biggest variable in the proposed budget.

“Although there is no cost-of-living increase in the FY23 budget, we are absorbing salary increases from police and fire the past two years in addition to cost-of-living and premium pay increases in the current budget,” Blackmon stated.

In an overview of the budget that was presented to the city council, Blackmon noted that revenues – although up – continue to be projected in a conservative manner and expenditures limited to capital needs.

The budget addresses one of the issues in the city’s recently adopted strategic plan – employee recruitment and retention – by giving frontline workers in operations, water and wastewater departments a $1 increase in their hourly rates. He said this moves those salaries closer to the current market rate and will hopefully help to retain employers in these areas.

The city may have to take a second look at water rates once construction begins on the regional water system expansion, but that is not expected to begin until early 2023. Blackmon said the city is seeking approval for the project from the

The budget designates $25,000 to the Downtown Development Commission for incentive and grant programs toward continued downtown revitalization and $100,000 in economic development grants for ongoing projects at M.R. Williams, North Central Medical Transport and MAKO Laboratory.

The police and fire departments will get funding for leasing and lease-purchase of needed equipment, including police cars under a 5-year lease plan and possible purchase of a new fire engine by the fire department.

Blackmon said the budget reflects “further positive steps to help the city grow and reach its full potential.”

Part of that potential lies in the West End Urban Redevelopment Plan, which focuses on improvements to areas near the downtown area as well as the Flint Hill Community Development Plan. These projects represent a $1.5 million investment in redevelopment activities in the city, which could include acquisition of properties, down payment help for first-time home buyers and urgent repairs to homes – all of which would help strengthen the downtown area and nearby neighborhoods.

“We must continue to work towards innovative ways to promote and energize redevelopment initiatives now to position the city to be ready for near future business prospects and citizenship,” Blackmon said.

See the full proposed budget at https://cms8.revize.com/revize/henderson/recommended%20budget%20FY%2023.pdf

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 05-24-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for May 24, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email michele@hendersonvance.org to be included.

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Name of the Company: Henderson Family YMCA

Jobs Available: Multiple positions are available.  Part-time.  Camp Counselor; Lifeguard; Members Services (nights and weekends); Nursery Attendant/Kids Zone (mornings and evenings); Substitute Group Fitness Instructor; Wellness Center Attendant (nights and weekends).  Specific details about each position are listed online at the Henderson Family YMCA website.

Method of Contact: Visit the website at https://www.hendersonymca.org/get-involved/employment-opportunities.  You can download and print out the application(s) here, or you can stop by the Membership Services desk at the YMCA on Ruin Creek Road, to pick up an application.  Questions: Call 252-438-2144.

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Name of the Company: Jersey Mike’s Subs – Opening June 8 in Henderson, NC

Jobs Available: Hiring now for Crew Members and Shift Leads.  Looking to hire people to provide premium service while making premium sandwiches.  All employees learn all positions.  Shifts are available from 6:30 am – 10 pm, including opening, lunch, and closing.  Employees must enjoy people!  Paid training is available, with opportunities to grow with the company.

Method of Contact: Go to jerseymikes.com/careers and select the 997 South Beckford Drive location.

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Name of the Company: Eastern Minerals

Jobs Available: Full-time positions available now.  High School Diploma or GED required.  Also must pass pre-employment drug screen.  Positions:  Warehouse Shipping/Receiving (must be able to drive forklift and lift 50 lb bags);  Industrial Maintenance Technician on production machinery (good basic knowledge of industrial electronics and 3-phase motors with strong mechanical aptitude) and Working Maintenance Supervisor over team of 4-5 employees (provide support to manufacturing operation, industrial electronics and 3-phase motors, welding and electrical aptitude required.)

Method of Contact: Apply in-person at Eastern Minerals, 170 Eastern Minerals Road, in Henderson, NC.

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Name of the Company:  Buchanan’s Store

Jobs Available: Needed immediately is a Cook for the Deli Department.  Must be 21 years old.  Must have experience in food service, be able to work well with people, must have transportation to get to job site and able to work on a regular basis.

Method of Contact: Apply in person at Buchanan’s Store, located at 6547 Drewry-Virginia Line Road in Manson, NC.  Can also apply by sending a message on Buchanan’s Store Facebook page.  Call for additional information 252-456-2580.  Store hours are 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week.   

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Name of the Company: 3HC Home Health & Hospice Care

Jobs Available:  Open positions at Henderson Office for Home Health Nurses –  RN’s a LPN’s.  Certifications are required.  Nurses provide quality medical care to patients in their home setting.

Method of Contact: Send your resume to Angela Rhodes, Clinical Talent Acquisition Specialist at 3HC by email – arhodes@3HC.org.

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Name of the Company: Biscuitville – Dabney Drive Location

Jobs Available: Needed immediately Cashiers.  Must be guest obsessed and can take orders outside the restaurant using an electronic tablet or take orders over the speaker with a headset.  Must be available to work from 5:30 am – 3 pm, including weekends.

Method of Contact: Apply in-person at the restaurant location or online at www.biscuitville.com.

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Name of the Company: Select Products – Paper Converter Manufacturer

Jobs Available:  Multiple open positions:  CDL Licensed Truck Drivers; Maintenance Mechanics; Fork-Lift Operators; Machine Operators; and Order Pickers/Packers.

Method of Contact: Apply in-person at the plant, located at 1133 Poplar Creek Road in Henderson NC, across from VGCC.  Ask for Zollie Perry, Human Resources Manager.

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Name of the Company:  For Your Occasion Event Rentals

Jobs Available: Full-Time and Part-Time Positions Available.  Professional appearance and strong leadership skills are needed.  Positions Include:  Warehouse/Installer/Driver (execute installation and breakdown of large and small tents, familiar with warehouse operation organization, maintenance, and cleaning, and drive crew vehicles including 24 ft. box trucks, vans truck and trailers.).  Must be detailed oriented, team driven, able to train staff, organized, positive attitude, exceptional communication skills, and professional demeanor, with knowledge of OSHA safety guidelines. This position has room for growth.  Full-time with $12-$16 hour, depending on experience.  8 hour shift, Monday – Friday, with possible weekend work.

Linen and Warehouse Attendant – Must have experience laundering clothing and fabrics through application of dry cleaning detergents and stain removers and by pressing and folding materials, experience cleaning, sanitizing and organization of objects/spaces.  Washing dishes, flatware glasses and re-stocking inventory.

Event Coordinator– Establish and maintain relationship with customers, vendors and venues.  Plan event details with customer, including tent, tables, chairs, linens, and other essentials.  Create reliable financial reports, project budgets, collect payments on time, assist with logistics of delivery and pick-ups.

Method of Contact: Contact Tara Glarum at info@fyoeventrentals.com.  For Your Occasion Event Rentals warehouse and show room located on East Andrews Avenue in Henderson, NC.  919-426-6562

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Name of the Company: Variety Wholesalers, Roses Stores

Jobs Available:   Multiple job positions are open.  Merchandise Analyst; Human Resource Coordinator; Marketing Coordinator; Payroll Specialist; Accounts Payable Clerk.  Specific details about each of these positions can be found online at the variety wholesalers website.  Go to https://www.rosesdiscountstores.com to read more details.  On the home page, go to the bottom of the home page and click on careers.  College degrees are needed for the Merchandise Analyst and Marketing Coordinator.  High School Diploma and experience needed for the other 3 listed.  Applicants should have a strong desire to work in a fast-paced environment and eager to contribute to the team’s success.  Good communication skills are needed.

Method of Contact: Apply at https://www.indeed.com.  Put in the Indeed.com search bar the names of the job positions or Variety Wholesale Company to see all position(s).  Call 252-430-2600 with questions.

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Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS.  Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast.  This is not a paid ad.

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Click It Or Ticket Campaign Underway To Promote Seatbelt Use

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Information courtesy of Governor’s Highway Safety Program

The statewide Memorial Day Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign kicked off Monday and for the next couple of weeks, law enforcement officers in all 100 counties will be keeping an extra eye out to make sure everyone riding in vehicles is buckled up for safety. “Although citizens could face a citation and fines for not wearing their seatbelt, the real goal here is saving lives,” said Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell. “Your chances of being killed or seriously injured in a car crash are reduced by nearly half when you wear a seatbelt.”

In 2021, 555 North Carolinians who were not wearing seatbelts lost their lives in vehicle crashes, including nearly 30 over last year’s two-week Click It or Ticket enforcement period.

North Carolina law requires all passengers in a vehicle to be properly restrained and violations are punishable by fines of up to $180. Children younger than 8 years and under 80 pounds must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat or booster seat. If a passenger under 16 is not properly restrained, the driver faces a $266 fine.

When North Carolina launched the Click It or Ticket initiative in 1993, only 64 percent of North Carolinians used their seat belts. Today, that number hovers around 90 percent.

In addition to increased enforcement statewide, the campaign will include a paid media component, including an influencer campaign where Tik Tok and Instagram influencers will share their own seatbelt messages with North Carolina audiences.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program, which is an arm of the N.C. Department of Transportation, provides grants to law enforcement agencies for various traffic safety initiatives, including campaigns like Click It or Ticket.

Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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TownTalk: A Look At The Vance Co. Budget

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Vance County residents can expect no increase in property tax rates or other fees if the commissioners approve the $55 million budget presented to them earlier this month.

The commissioners are expected to decide at their June 6 meeting, according to information from County Manager Jordan McMillen.

The proposed budget represents a 6 percent increase – or roughly $3.3 million – in the 2021-22 budget, and McMillen said the county is in a position to further plans to create a shell building in the industrial park, which will be a boost for future jobs and local investment.

The budget will use more than $1.6 million from the general fund balance.

“We do anticipate our fund balance increasing over the next year or so,” McMillen said in an email to WIZS News. He attributes this expected increase mainly to increased tax collections and, unfortunately, vacancies in some of the larger county departments and added that he anticipates moving additional fund balance money to plan longer term for future capital needs.

The property tax base is increasing $95 million from the prior year which, along with an increased tax collection rate, will account for $1.1 million in additional property tax revenue, according to the budget information presented to the commissioners for review.

The sales tax is projected to be $2.8 million more to the 22-23 budget than in the current budget. This increase will help fulfill recommendations from the recent salary study for county employees.

The proposed budget also has increased support for the fire department, with the addition of three new fire engineer positions – one for each shift.

McMillen said having such revenue growth in both property tax and sales tax is not something that the county is used to. “ I have not seen a situation where both property tax and sales tax were up to the degree it is right now,” he said. “Both are explainable when you look into what is making up the tax base growth and when you account for the pandemic’s impact on sales tax spending.,” he said, adding that he doesn’t anticipate it to be a “continual pattern.”

View the proposed budget here: https://www.vancecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MASTER-File-Website.pdf

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SportsTalk: Ryan Parker of Vance Charter Talks About Lacrosse and His Future

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Ryan Parker has had a lacrosse stick in his hand since he was about seven years old.  Now a senior at Vance Charter, that experience has paid off as the Knights went to the state playoffs this season compiling a 13-6 record. With 116 points on the season, Parker finished as one of the top scorers in the state.  He started playing in his yard with his brother and credits him along with his coaches Dan and Dennis Sandlin for his love of the game and to his success.

The road has not always been an easy one. During his freshmen year, Vance Charter didn’t have enough players to field a team and during his sophomore year the Knights only had the opportunity to play in four games before cv-19 caused the team, like many others, to close up shop. During Parker’s junior year, fall sports were pushed to spring and that meant Parker was playing and practicing lacrosse and soccer at the same time, but all of that hard work paid off in his senior year with the Knights making the state lacrosse playoffs. “It was our best season,” Parker said. “The team bonded.  We have a sense of brotherhood,” Parker added.

Parker is hoping to eventually become part of a Division I program and would love to go to Jacksonville University, but for now he will be heading to ECU in the fall and is planning to play club lacrosse.  Parker will majoring in marketing and sales.

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Maurice Harrison of First Street Arrested on Drug-Related Charges

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From the Office of Sheriff Curtis Brame —

On or about the 20th day of May 2022, Drug Investigators with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Henderson Police Department and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigations, executed a search warrant for illegal drugs at the home of Maurice Harrison. The residence is located at 230 First Street, Henderson N.C. 27537.

At the time of execution, the residence was found to be occupied by three individuals along with Mr. Harrison. In addition to the occupants, two individuals were located in the roadway parked in front of the home.

A search of the residence located an amount of raw heroin along with several bindles of suspected heroin. (A bindle is a common street term used to refer to a single dosage unit of heroin). A quantity of an, as of yet, unknown substance was also seized.

Maurice Harrison was arrested and charged with Possession of Heroin and Felony Maintaining a Dwelling. Harrison was placed into the Vance County Jail with no bond pending an initial court appearance. In addition to the drug violations, Harrison was also served with three outstanding warrants for arrest: Assault by Strangulation, Assault with a Deadly Weapon Intent to Kill Inflict Serious Injury and one Failure to Appear.

This investigation remains active and further arrests are anticipated.

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Maria Parham Health: Memorial Day, No Greater Love

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Memorial Day is coming up, and Thursday, May 26th at 10 a.m., Maria Parham Health will remember fallen heroes. The presentation called “Memorial Day, No Greater Love” will take place at the flagpole, weather permitting, in front of Maria Parham.

The public is invited to the event on the main, Henderson campus as those who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving the U.S. Armed forces will be remembered and honored.

The ceremony will include prayers, speakers, music, the hanging of a memorial wreath and the reading of names In Memoriam.

In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will move to the front lobby of the hospital. Either way, the address is 566 Ruin Creek Road.

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