Epsom Park Closer To Reality With $434K Grant Award

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-information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James Hicks

 

The future of Epsom Park became clearer after crucial funding was announced last week.

The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority awarded more than $17 million in grant funding to provide support to 39 local parks and recreation projects through N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). Franklin County will receive $434,625 for Epsom Park.

The county’s board of commissioners adopted the Epsom Park Master Plan, approved the application and matching funds for PARTF grant, and added the project to the county’s Capital Improvement Plan at the Mar. 21, 2022 board meeting.

“The development of this park will enrich the lives of the residents of the Epsom community by offering a safe facility that encourages creative learning while promoting physical activities for healthy living,” said Franklin County Parks & Recreation Director Oliver Greene.

Epsom Park’s master plan includes a playground, a picnic shelter, a large multipurpose field, and a paved walking path – all to be included in the PARTF fund project. An outdoor fitness area and a 9-hole disc golf course are included on the master plan as future facilities.

PARTF grants require a 50/50 match from the requesting local government. Franklin County’s match is $434,625.

With outdoor recreational opportunities like V.E. & Lydia F. Owens Park and the future Epsom Park along with revitalized downtowns and a robust expansion of rural broadband internet, it’s no surprise that Franklin County is ranked as the state’s fourth fastest-growing county over the next two decades.

“Our parks and recreation areas are so valuable to our communities and they’ve become more popular than ever,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a press release earlier this week announcing the grant awards. “These projects we’re funding…will give people even more opportunities in North Carolina to build healthier and happier lives.”

Stay updated with information from Franklin County by visiting www.franklincountync.gov;  signup for email updates using the “Get Email Updates” button on the homepage.

NC State Board of Elections

Officials Begin Mailing Absentee Ballots To Signal Countdown To Nov. 8 Election

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-information courtesy of N.C. State Board of Elections

Beginning today, North Carolina’s county boards of elections wile begin mailing absentee ballot to voters who request them for the 2022 general election, signaling the start of voting midterm elections.

Election Day is 61 days away – November 8.

Contests in this election include a U.S. Senate seat, all 14 U.S. House seats, two seats on the N.C. Supreme Court, four seats on the NC Court of Appeals, all 170 seats in the N.C. General Assembly and numerous judicial and local seats across the state.

As of Thursday, Sept. 8, more than 53,000 N.C. voters already have requested an absentee ballot for the general election. The state currently has more than 7.35 million registered voters.

County Boards of Elections are busy registering new voters, preparing ballots, testing voting equipment, hiring and training poll workers and preparing early voting sites and Election Day precincts, among other responsibilities, according to a press statement from the executive director of the State Board of Elections Karen Brinson Bell.

“We encourage all eligible North Carolinians to register to vote and to make a plan now about when and where they will cast their ballot in 2022,” Bell said in a press statement issued Thursday. “Your state and county elections officials are here to provide accurate information to help you safely and securely exercise your right to vote. We will make sure your vote counts.”

Sample ballots are available through the State Board’s Voter Search tool. Voters should locate their voter record and scroll down to the “Your Sample Ballot” section. (Note: Sample ballots are posted by county as soon as they are available.)

 

How to Request a Ballot

In North Carolina, all registered voters may request an absentee-by-mail ballot. Voters may do so:

  1. Online at the C. Absentee Ballot Portal.On the portal, select “Option 1 — Request an Absentee Ballot.”
  2. On paper using the English N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF)or the Spanish N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF).

Voters requesting a ballot must provide their date of birth and one of the following to verify their identity:

  • North Carolina driver’s license number or NCDMV-issued identification card number; or
  • Last four digits of Social Security number.

The request form must be signed by either the voter or the voter’s near relative, legal guardian or person assisting the voter due to a disability. A typed signature is not allowed.

The paper absentee ballot request form can be mailed or returned in person to your county board of elections. Your county board of elections must receive the completed and signed absentee request form by 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 1.

For more information, see Vote By Mail and Detailed Instructions to Vote By Mail.

Also starting Friday, the absentee ballot portal will open for military and overseas voters, as well as visually impaired voters, to receive and return their absentee ballot through the online service.

Click  North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal for more information and Military and Overseas Voting to learn more about this process.

Absentee voting is safe and secure. For more information on the security of absentee voting, see Statement About Absentee Ballot Security in North Carolina.

 

Important Dates and Deadlines: 2022 General Election

  • Tuesday, September 13: State Board meets to adopt early voting sites and schedules for more than a dozen counties that have not confirmed those schedules yet. Details: State Board Meeting: September 13, 2022 | NCSBE
  • Friday, October 14: Regular voter registration deadline for voters who want to vote on Election Day. Details: How to Register.
  • Thursday, October 20: One-stop, in-person early voting begins. Eligible individuals may register and vote at any one-stop early voting site in their county. For early voting sites and schedules, see One-Stop Early Voting Site Search.
  • Tuesday, November 1: Absentee ballot request deadline. The State Board encourages voters to request their absentee ballot as early as possible to ensure enough time to complete and return the ballot.
  • Saturday, November 5: In-person early voting and registration ends at 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 8: Election Day. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters should go to their designated Election Day polling place. Find your polling place through the Voter Search Absentee ballots received after 5 p.m. November 8 must be postmarked by Election Day and received by mail by 5 p.m. Monday, November 14. Ballots withouta postmark must be received by Nov. 8.
  • Friday, Nov. 18: County canvass day; results are certified at the county level.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 29: State canvass day; final results are certified statewide.

Queen Elizabeth II Defined an Era, Part of the Story of our World

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WIZS News Special Report —

These days, twenty-somethings have their life ahead of them to do as they wish: some 25-year-olds are in graduate school, others are well into their life in the world of work. Some are married with children and some are enjoying the singles scene.

But in 1952, one 25-year-old woman began her reign as queen of England. Today, that 70-year reign came to an end when Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96.

The WIZS News team joined others across the world Thursday to offer remembrances of a woman who shared the world stage while 14 U.S. Presidents came and went.

Queen Elizabeth II made four official state visits to the United States and, no doubt, met innumerable dignitaries during her time on U.S. soil. But WIZS friend and special correspondent Brandon Boyd said she met with the same person on each of her four visits: golfer Arnold Palmer. “She followed Arnold Palmer all during his golf career,” Boyd told John C. Rose and Bill Harris during a special report at the top of the 5 p.m. newscast.

Perhaps it was her love of golf, so revered in her native Scotland, that drew her to Palmer. Or it could have been his nickname that did it: Palmer was known as The King. Whatever the reason, Palmer and Queen Elizabeth enjoyed a special friendship.

Regular listeners to WIZS know that Bill Harris is a genealogy enthusiast with a keen nose for history.

“Most folks of English descent,” Harris said, whose ancestors came to the Colonies back in the days before 1776, could trace their lineage back to shared ancestors with the Queen. Harris said he has done just that, and finds that he is an 18th cousin – twice removed – to Queen Elizabeth II.

That’s more than three U.S. Presidents can claim: Martin Van Buren was of Dutch heritage, Dwight Eisenhower was of Swiss heritage and John F. Kennedy was of Irish heritage.

Queen Elizabeth II will no doubt be remembered for many things, from her historic reign to her love of the Corgi dogs that were always seen by her side. It was said she loved that breed “because of its energy and untamed spirit,” Boyd noted, adding that that was symbolic of the way she reigned. “She had a remarkable life and an amazing run.”

During that run, she appointed 15 prime ministers to their roles – some longer than others, depending on how long Parliament enjoyed their performance in office. Her first prime minister was none other than Winston Churchill. And just three days ago, the Queen was photographed at her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, welcoming Liz Truss as the newest prime minister.

Churchill was born in 1874. Truss was born in 1975, nearly a century apart.

President Joe Biden issued a lengthy statement upon learning of the Queen’s death. “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch,” he said. “She defined an era,” adding that she was “a stateswoman of unmatched dignity.”

 

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Granville Announces Drew Cummings As New County Manager

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-information courtesy of Granville Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

The Granville County Board of Commissioners has selected Drew Cummings as the new county manager. Cummings has been an assistant county manager and chief of staff in Durham County for 14 years. He will begin his new job on Oct. 17.

“I am so excited to come to Granville County and look forward to working with the commissioners, staff, and the community to continue building on the strong groundwork that has already been laid,” Cummings said.

Cummings is a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. He and his wife, Amy, have three school-aged children and in his spare time Cummings enjoys exercise, woodwork, and singing in his church choir.

“The Granville County Board of Commissioners is unanimous in its selection of Drew Cummings,” said Tony Cozart, board chair. “His educational level and extensive experience make Mr. Cummings the desired candidate to serve as our next county manager.”

Before his time in Durham County, Cummings, worked in other areas of municipal government and was a middle school teacher for seven years before entering work in local government, according to a press statement from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood..

While in Durham County, Cummings focused on a wide range of issues including economic development, education, transportation, affordable housing, and homelessness. He has been a member of the International City-County Management Association (ICMA) as well as the North Carolina City and County Managers Association since 2004.

Cummings achieved his ICMA Credentialed Manager status in 2021 and is also a 2015 graduate of the UNC School of Government’s Public Executive Leadership Academy. He is a graduate of Harvard University, holding a BA in Government and received his Master’s in Public Policy from the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy.

Cummings comes to us with outstanding references, is very well trained in county administration, and has shown throughout his career that he is a person who has committed himself to getting results. His longevity with Durham County shows that he is willing to ingrain himself in a community and weather a few storms while moving towards a long-range vision of success. As a longtime Durham resident, Mr. Cummings is already familiar with this region and knows the needs and opportunities for success that we have in Granville,” Cozart said.

“I look forward to getting to know the community and staff much better in the coming months as we re-commit ourselves to the goals of responsive, innovative, efficient government and seek to seize the positive out of all the change we have seen over the past few years. It is a true honor.”

Corbitt Trucks

TownTalk: Preserving The History Of Corbitt Trucks

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The 20th annual Corbitt Truck Show and Reunion is coming up next month on Oct. 15, and it’s a great time to come out and view some of the vehicles that were manufactured right here in Henderson.

Corbitt Preservation Association Vice President Tom Burleson said the reunion coincides with the Show, Shine, Shag and Dine event, which brings thousands of car enthusiasts from all over into town for a weekend of fun.

Burleson told John C. Rose on Thursday’s TownTalk that his group is selling raffle tickets for some nice prizes – tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. First prize is a Milwaukee tool set, which retails for $750-$800. Second prize is a Hobart welding accessory kit, valued at $300.

Tickets are available from anyone in the Corbitt Preservation Association, their social media page, as well as at the museum on the day of the reunion – and Burleson said you don’t have to be present to win.

The Corbitt museum, located at 180 Church St., has plenty of Corbitt merchandise for sale. “We’ll be open for business that day and look forward to seeing people,” he said. There are Corbitt caps and t-shirts for sale, among other items. This year’s t-shirt features an image of a 1929 fire truck, whose chassis was built by Corbitt, which once known as the South’s largest truck manufacturer.

The fire truck originally was property of the U.S. Navy, but Burleson said it had more recently been used on the campus of the Maryland Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Officials there contacted the preservation association when it was ready to be retired, and it is now in the process of being restored to its former glory.

That very truck should be among the rolling stock of Corbitt vehicles that will be on display near the fire department on Garnett Street during the car show, Burleson said.

It’s not an everyday occurrence, but he said the group does hear from folks who have Corbitt vehicles.

“I enjoy it because it’s living history,” Burleson said of his interest in Corbitts. “So many people don’t know or appreciate what the Corbitt Company did for the country and for the community.”

The company began making buggies in 1899 and then produced horseless carriages when they began installing motors on the backs of the buggies. Although most known for their trucks, Corbitt also manufactured cars and tractors.

During World War II, Corbitt produced “big ol’ beasts” to transport all kinds of heavy cargo. “That was their niche and they sold a ton of them,” Burleson said. They’ve turned up in Europe, leftovers from the American presence.

And there are a couple of farm tractors that have been located in Brazil, the result of a deal between the U.S. and the South American country. A couple of shipments made it to Brazil before the deal broke down, Burleson said, but he said someone made contact with folks here to say he had one and his neighbor had one, too.

The Corbitt enthusiasts are keen to keep the vehicles in working order. “These are real things that are wonderfully still rolling,” Burleson said. “We have a good handful of folks who keep these things up and ride them and drive them and display them and love to talk about them,” he said.

To learn more, visit www.corbitttrucks.com or phone 252.767.2247 or 252.432.6476.

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Elliott Reflects On Vipers’ First Loss And Prepares For Northern Durham

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Last week as Vance County High School prepared for Riverside, Coach Aaron Elliott commented his team had not had a great week of practice, and last Friday Vance County was handed its first loss against a powerful Riverside team by the score of 42-13. Not only was it the Vipers’ first defeat of the season, they also lost starting quarterback Nazir Garrett to a concussion.  Now the Vipers will have to hit the road to take on Northern Durham which is coming off of a double overtime win at Franklinton.

Without their starting quarterback and a banged up team, Friday night’s game will be a challenge. “We have to be ready to play four quarters,” Coach Elliott said on SportsTalk on WIZS Thursday.  “I asked the guys a question after the game. I asked if they know how important practice is during the week,” Elliott continued. After getting an answer in the affirmative, Elliott said practice this week was much better.

While praising the team’s defense and their ability to stop the run against Riverside, Coach Elliott was surprised at how much they threw the ball.  Northern Durham is another team that does both well, and with the offense hobbled not having Garrett in the lineup, it will put more pressure on the Viper defense to step up.  With the injury bug hitting the Vipers it will also mean there are opportunities for back up players to make an impact.

The Vipers and the Knights kick off Friday night at 7pm at Durham County Stadium. Airtime is 6:50pm on WIZS Radio 1450 AM / 100.1 FM / via live internet stream at https://player.listenlive.co/53101.

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The Local Skinny! When Trains Rumbled Along Corbitt Road

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Sometimes it’s fun to just listen.

Listen and remember times gone by, through the eyes – and voices – of those who are no longer here.

Thursday’s The Local Skinny! segment is a remembrance of two much-loved subjects around here at the radio station: Trains. And John D. Rose, III.

John C. Rose played a clip for TownTalk guest Tom Burleson about Burleson’s father, Gilliam, as told by John C. Rose’s dad, who was recalling covering a Henderson City Council meeting.

Here’s the gist of the story, but treat yourself and go listen to the audio at wizs.com:

Although the trains were no longer crossing Garnett Street at Corbitt Road, across from the corner lot where the Burleson family lived, “they did have lights, bells and crossing gates across Garnett Street,” Rose recounted in the clip. “Gilliam comes to the city council meeting one night (to say that) due to malfunction, about 3 o’clock one morning, the lights and bells go off at the crossing, which of course wakes Mr. Burleson up,” Rose said, his chuckles escalating to laughter.

“I got to laughing so hard I had to go out of the room for awhile…and Mr. Burleson was up there describing the outrages that he was having to put up with at his residence,” Rose continued. When the police called the railroad’s home office to find out how to disable the offending equipment, came back a written reply that the railroad didn’t know it even had such equipment in Henderson. Long story short, the senior Rose said, “nothing was ever done about it until the railroad company finally took up the railroad tracks and when they did, they took the lights and bells with them.”

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Bedtime Problems, 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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