SportsTalk: Downey Prepares Vance Charter For Basketball Season

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High school basketball season may not get underway until November, but you can be sure that many of our local players are on the court during the summer prepping for the upcoming season.  Vance Charter Men’s Basketball Coach Taron Downey certainly has his team in the gym now preparing for November. Downey, who was a guest on SportsTalk Thursday, describes the team’s workouts as good. With five or six seniors returning, Downey hopes to advance into the state playoffs this season. Vance Charter finished 15-11 last year, good enough to earn the team its first appearance in the playoffs, but with such a senior laden team, he expects they will go much deeper in the playoffs this season.

Downey, who played his high school ball at J.F. Webb before moving on to Wake Forest and some pro ball says it’s different than when he played. “Social media is the big difference,” Downey said Thursday. Players use social media to promote themselves and highlight what they can do on a basketball court, but Downey adds that nothing beats seeing a player in person. “Social media can just be a highlight reel,” Downey stated. Still, Downey contends its an excellent recruiting tool that was not available to him during his time at J.F. Webb.

Downey feels the area produces some very good basketball players that can go on to college and have successful careers, but being in a rural area can mean that some deserving players go overlooked and once again social media can help with that.  Downey thinks that he has a couple of players who would make good candidates to move up to the next level.

Right now, Downey has Vance Charter moving full speed ahead and praises his players for having great focus this summer. “They have bought into it,” he says of his players, and he says it is not easy to get players to do that. He says he hopes to “win’em all,” this season. He adds that may not be a realistic view, but he adds that there is nothing in the rule book that says you can’t do just that.

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Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Communication, Pt. 3

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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: Plans For New Convention Center On Parham Rd.

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There’s a lot of planning that goes into any construction project, a statement to which Vance County Director of Tourism Pam Hester will attest. But in the case of a possible convention center complex that is in the works for the area, it’s a matter of turning a vision into reality.

Hester was John C. Rose’s guest on Wednesday’s Town Talk and she shared some initial ideas about how acreage just off Parham Road could be transformed into a spot that locals – and visitors – can enjoy. The property is owned by the Vance County Department of Tourism.

“Hopefully, this will be the catalyst for change,” Hester said, in an interview recorded earlier and aired Wednesday. A healthy economic environment is one that has a mixture of businesses, large and small. This convention center and the focus on increased tourism, she said, can be an economic driver.

Initial plans show a 27,000 square foot convention center, which Hester said would be included in the first phase of the three-phase project. “It’s in the conceptual stage right now, (and) we’ve got to go back for some tweaks.” The size could increase to about 30,000 square feet, with a main room that can accommodate 500 for dinner, but as many as 1,000 for trainings and other types of meetings. The main room can be divided into three separate meeting spots, each with its own separate entrance, so Hester said each smaller room could house a different event at the same time.

The Tourism office will be located there, too, which will allow staff to oversee facility usage and rentals – anything from boat and car shows to corporate training events, weddings and sports camps.

“It’s more than just a convention center,” she explained. “It’s more like a community/convention/welcome center.”

The second phase would include addition of a hotel, which is important for tourism in a couple of different ways: Visitors need a place to stay when they attend events in the area, and tourism programs are funded by the 6 percent occupancy tax that hotels and motels generate.

“That would open up a world of opportunities for us,” Hester said of the additional space for visitors to stay. Add a restaurant and the complex becomes more attractive for groups looking to hold events there.

Although Vance County has 319 fewer available hotel rooms, Hester said the county enjoys the highest occupancy tax rate ever. “That six percent that hotels collect is up significantly – it’s much higher than it’s ever been,” she said.

The project’s third phase would be addition of a greenway or walkway to connect with other parts of the city. And there will be a handicap-accessible children’s playground, she added, as well as a place to walk dogs and even a charging station for electric cars.

Like all projects, area officials have been discussing possible timelines for construction and completion.

“I would like to see it start tomorrow,” Hester said, “but that’s not realistic.” More than likely, getting the project underway in 2025 is more realistic.

In the meantime, planning continues and ideas keep percolating among tourism staff, its governing board and the county commissioners. Hester said she is hopeful to get some grant funding as well as developing a plan for corporate sponsorships.

 

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Granville Fire District Set Up To Help Fund Local Departments

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Granville County residents will be paying an extra tax that will be used to provide financial help to fire departments across the county.

The Granville County Fire Protection and Rescue Service District was established with the passage of the new county budget that went into effect July 1, according to information from Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

Fire departments throughout the county will now receive funding from this dedicated funding  stream, and the money must be spent on fire and rescue services. The newly formed district includes all unincorporated areas of the county, as well as the town of Stovall. It took effect after several months of public meetings and deliberation by the board of county commissioners following the completion of an in-depth study by the N.C. Fire Chiefs Consulting firm.

Anyone who lives within the municipal limits of the Town of Butner, City of Creedmoor, City of Oxford and Town of Stem are not in the Fire Protection and Rescue Service District and are not subject to the applicable district tax.

The tax rate is $0.06 per $100, which means that a homeowner with a home valued at $100,000 would see a rise of $60 in his or her annual tax bill.

The tax is expected to generate $1,875,733 in fiscal year 2022-2023.

“The district will help protect the health and safety of all Granville County residents by providing a dedicated and sustainable funding  source for the county’s volunteer fire departments and ensure that all residents receive professional fire  protection services when needed no matter where they live in the county,” the press release stated.

Before this district was established, there was not a dedicated funding source for fire departments in Granville County, which made it difficult for individual fire departments to plan for capital expenses like trucks and stations, not to mention annual expenses such as standard equipment, training, utilities and other routine costs to keep a fire department operational.

Departments will receive a base funding level and the volunteer fire departments will also be eligible to receive additional enhancement funding. Fire departments with “first responder” designation will receive $85,454  and include Berea, Brassfield, Bullock, Cornwall and Stem. Antioch, Butner, Corinth, Creedmoor, Granville Rural, Oxford, and Providence departments will get $80,192. South Virgilina will get $53,377 since they also get funding from Halifax County, VA.

Although final authority rests with the county commissioners, the fire and rescue services district will have an advisory board – the Granville County Fire Commission – whose  members will be appointed by the county commissioners and will have members who reside in the north, central and southern portions of the county as well as the president of the Granville County Fire Chief’s Association.

 

The Board of Commissioners recognized that fire departments throughout the county are facing a host of distinct challenges that would need sound and thoughtful financial planning. One of these future challenges is staffing, which may be required by the NC Department of Insurance to keep fire insurance affordable and have firefighters ready when emergencies occur.

To learn more, contact the Granville County Tax Administration Office at 919.693.4181 or visit the office at 141 Williamsboro  St., Oxford.

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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Home And Garden Show

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— On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Keep your garden journal up to date
  • If you plan to renovate your lawn, start making preparations for this now! Ex Soil test, seed.
  • Keep hydrated when working in the garden. Drink water and take rest breaks!
  • Check your garden twice a week for insects and disease. If you need ID of garden problems Call Cooperative Extension 252-438-8188
  • Continue your fruit spray program. Be mindful of the harvest interval before you spray iespecially if you think you will harvest fruit soon.
  • If you are canning or freezing your vegetables Cooperative Extension has recommendations to help you preserve your fruits and vegetables
  • Use trash bags to help keep deer out of your garden, electric fence is best.

 

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 07-18-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance forJuly 19, 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.

Jobs Openings for Tuesday, July 19, 2022

 Business Name –  Henderson Collegiate School

Job Opening – Job openings for multiple positions at a high performing K-12 Public Charter School in Henderson, NC.  These include: Elementary Lead Teacher, Elementary Teacher Assistant, High School (HS) ACT Prep Teacher, HS English Teacher, HS Spanish Teacher, College Counselor, Middle School (MS) Art Teacher, MS Science Math Teacher, MS Science Teacher, MS Social Studies Teacher, MS Technology Teacher, ESL Teacher, and Special Education  Teacher,

How To Apply – Apply online at HendersonCollegiate.org or Contact Kate Liddle, Director of Talent Acquisition at kliddle@hendersoncollegiate.org.  Henderson Collegiate is located at 1071 Old Epsom Road in Henderson, NC>

 

Business Name –  Henderson Family YMCA

Job Opening – Position open for Director of Human Resources.  Reports to the CEO, oversees daily operations of HR/Payroll.  Strategically plans and processes new employees from applicant, to orientation that meet organization standards, towards organization goals.  Communicates with insurance carriers on risk management, reporting, and policies, to insure safety and compliance of the YMCA.  Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource or equivalent, with HR experience.  Good communication skills, proficient in computer skills, and good interpersonal and critical thinking skills.

How To Apply – Apply online at www.hendersonymca.org, Click on Get Involved – Employment Opportunities.

 

Business Name –  Vance County Government

Job Opening – Multiple positions open.  These include:  Deputy Register of Deeds, full-time; Perry Memorial Library Assistant, part-time; Fire Department Engineer, full-time; Dept of Social Services Social Worker I and II, full-time; Custodian for Veterans and Cooperative Extension Offices, full-time; Detention Officers; full-time.

How To Apply – Apply online at www.vancecounty.org.  Click on Departments tab at top of page, click on human resources and then Job Postings.

 

Business Name –  Walmart Distribution Center #6091 in Henderson, NC

Job Opening – Freight Handler/Order Filler,  Full-time.  Salary – $17.55-$23.55 an hour.  Fulfill store orders through pulling merchandise through layer using electronic voice control equipment, stacking onto pallets, placing labels in appropriate area on freight, and transporting  using power equipment.  Inspect merchandise for damage and mis-placement. Moves, lifts, carries products up to 60 lbs., and work in varying temperature conditions.

How To Apply – Apply online at www.walmart.com/us/jobs/freighthandler or apply on Indeed.com website.

 

Business Name –  Versatrim

Job Opening – 1. Customer Service Representative – provides information in response to inquiries about products and services, handle and resolve complaints.  Need enthusiastic individual who can listen to customer issues and then offer unique and innovative solution to each problem.  Must be 18 yrs old older.  HS diploma/GED required. Must be available to work M-F, 9am – 6pm.  Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills. 2. Sales Support Specialist – responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to the sales team and customers during the sales process.  They assist customers in resolving sales-related issues in a timely manner, generally providing real-time support. Requires proficiency in MS Office, Good time-management skills, ability to work and think independently, must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

How To Apply – Apply online at www.versatrim.com, click on Careers tab at the top of the homepage.

 

Business Name –  Vance-Granville Community College

Job Opening Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement and Success, full-time.  Salary $34,276 – $51,415. Requires Associate Degree in business or related field with experience in community college a plus.  Provides administrative duties including scheduling meetings, make travel arrangements, enter and retrieve data using Datatel, file and retrieve electronic and hard copy documents, handle mail, coordinate meetings, skilled in office machines and proficient in computer skills.

How To Apply – Mail or deliver resume to the Human Resource Office at VGCC main campus on Ruin Creek Road, Henderson NC or apply online at www.vgcc.edu or on www.indeed.com.

 

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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Juvenile Charged With Murder In Weekend Shooting Death

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A 17-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a shooting death that occurred over the weekend in Vance County.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident on Monday, July 18, according to a press release from Vance Sheriff Curtis Brame. He is being held in secure custody.

Saivion Best was found with multiple gunshot wounds by Sheriff’s deputies after they responded to a call about 10 a.m. Sunday at 187 Vincent Hoyle Rd. The shooting had taken place at the residence, which was identified as Lot 8.

The victim was transported to Maria Parham Hospital by Vance County EMS, but he was pronounced dead a short time after arriving at the hospital.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations arrived on scene and began an investigation which led them to the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.