Officials Break Ground For Shell Building At H-V Industrial Park

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Local and state officials were on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park Thursday to officially begin construction of a shell building on that campus.

“It’s a great day to see some dirt moving,” said Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen to the small group assembled on the chilly, blustery afternoon.

“This project is really about partnerships,” McMillen continued. From the city’s water and sewer extension and the nonprofit industrial park board that oversees the property to the county that is paying the bills and financing the project, McMillen said it would not be possible to build and grow without this multi-agency collaboration.

“This is a day we have anticipated for some time,” said Vance County Board of Commissioners Chair Leo Kelly. Having a shell building ready to be finished out by incoming industry puts Vance County in strong competition with other counties as companies look to locate or relocate their operations.

State legislators Lisa Barnes and Frank Sossamon, each coming off wins in the Nov. 8 midterm elections, were on hand for the ceremony. County Commissioner Tommy Hester credited Barnes for helping Vance County secure the funding for the shell building, but also for her role in getting $5 million for water projects in Henderson.

Hester also is president of the industrial park board. “Lisa stepped up and said ‘What can I do to help Vance County,’” Hester said, adding that whenever anyone asks that question, he is not shy to answer.

He said there could be a building on the site as early as January. “If you build it, they will come,” Hester told the group.

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Aaron Elliott Looks Back On Vipers Season

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The Vance County Vipers were eliminated from the state high school football playoffs last week by Southern Durham, but the Vipers have nothing to be ashamed of after finishing 7-4.  According to Coach Aaron Elliott, turnovers and weather were factors in the loss. Some of the turnovers were weather related as rain continued on and off throughout the game. Elliott also said some questionable calls were likely a factor as well. “We had a fumble recovery for a touchdown that was called back by an early whistle,” Elliott said.  “It’s all part of the game,” he continued.

The Vipers will lose 14 seniors, but Elliott feels that will be overcome by incoming players from the JV squad next season. Additionally, his coaching philosophy will have a whole off-season to be absorbed by players both new and returning.  “We play together as a family. When your players trust and believe in you they will do anything,” Coach Elliott said on Wednesday’s SportsTalk with Bill Harris and George Hoyle.

With both running backs and the entire offensive line returning, the Vipers will have an excellent core for the 2023 season.

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TownTalk: Olde Towne Louisburg Candlelight Christmas Tour

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Join the Louisburg Historic District Inc. on a candlelight Christmas tour of homes and churches and other buildings on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Tickets are $50 each and must be purchased in advance, according to Bobby Cooper, chairman of the non-profit organization. Visit https://www.louisburghistoricdistrict.com/ to purchase tickets and learn more. He said he hoped to have as many as 500 attend the tour. Bring an extra $10 per person and enjoy a horse and carriage ride through the historic district, which should be all decorated for the holidays, including luminaries lining the streets along the tour.

Cooper and his wife Dorothy are part of a group that has been working the better part of a year to get everything in order for the five-hour tour, which begins at 4 p.m. at Person Place on the campus of Louisburg College.

Cooper spoke with WIZS’s Bill Harris and guest host Mark Pace as part of the tri-weekly history segment on TownTalk Thursday.

“We have a beautiful historic district,” Cooper said, adding that “it’s always decked out for the holidays.”

As a way to invite folks to come and enjoy all that Louisburg has to offer, the group set into motion almost a year ago the plan to create its own holiday historic homes tour. Patrons check in at Person Place, 605 N. Main St. and then head out for a self-guided tour of a dozen homes, churches and other buildings in the historic area.

“The whole point is preservation of history and places,” Cooper said. As development continues to push into the area, there’s growing pressure to remove structures that may have historical significance.

There’s no such thing as ever being finished with a home restoration, and Cooper said the homes that will be on the tour will show just that. “Some are further along, and some are very early in the process,” he said. Participants in the tour will be able “to get a glimpse into homes that aren’t already perfectly restored.

The buildings included on the tour date from the early 1800’s to around the 1940’s, he said.

“We do expect to sell out,” he said, adding that limiting the number of tickets will hopefully reduce wait times. They expect good attendance from people who live outside Louisburg, and local businesses and restaurants are being encouraged to open or to remain open later on the day of the tour to accommodate visitors.

In two weeks, there will be a special kickoff event for all $1,000 and up sponsors of the event. It will be held in another historic home that is not going to be part of the tour. Cooper said he expected that upwards of 100 people would be in attendance.

Through sponsorships and ticket purchase, the non-profit hopes to be able to continue to make improvements at Oakwood Cemetery, as well as improve the signage to clearly identify homes within the historic district. He also mentioned the possibility of developing a system for visitors to hear audio stories of particular homes by scanning a QR code to preserve the stories, as well as a revolving account of some sort to help owners as they try to save historic locations.

It’s important to save the physical locations, Cooper noted, but it’s also important to save the stories behind the buildings.

 

 

Crossroads Christian School

SportsTalk: Scottie Richardson Previews Winter Sports At Crossroads

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Scottie Richardson wears a couple of hats at Crossroads Christian. He is the men’s basketball coach but also oversees a very successful athletic program for the entire school as athletic director.  “We are coming off of the winningest fall season in the school’s history,” Richardson said on Wednesday’s SportsTalk.  From success on the volleyball court to a final four finish for the boy’s soccer team, things have been going well for Crossroads.

Winter sports are now here and Crossroads is off to a great start as both girl’s and boy’s basketball are undefeated so far this season. The boys are coming off a huge victory against crosstown rival Henderson Collegiate and are now preparing for holiday tournaments.

The Colts will be heading for Wilson for one tournament and then an MLK Event in Greene County is also upcoming.

The key to all of this success, according to Richardson, is developing younger talent and use that to build on.  The Colts certainly excel at that.  “Our middle school girl’s basketball team has not lost since 2019,” Richardson said.  With that kind of talent rising to varsity level athletics, it’s no wonder Crossroads continues to be a team opposing coaches fear when they appear on the schedule.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Potty Training, Pt. 1

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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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Lighting of the Greens, Christmas Parade Dec. 2 In Oxford

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Oxford’s annual Lighting of the Greens and Christmas parade are set for Friday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m.

The deadline to submit applications to participate is Nov. 25 at 5 p.m., according to information from the City of Oxford.

The festivities begin at 4 p.m., with the lighting of the greens at 6:45 p.m., followed by the parade at 7 p.m.

Families are invited to come downtown for ornament making, pictures with Santa, cookies, hot chocolate, performances, food and more.

Participants are responsible for decorating vehicles, tables and booths for the occasion.

Click the links below to complete the application online.

Christmas Parade Participant Application

Lighting of the Greens Application

Free Rabies Clinics In Granville For Cats, Dogs

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Granville County Animal Management will host the first of two rabies clinics tomorrow at the North Granville Senior Center in Stovall. The Senior Center is located at 118 U.S. Highway 15 S in Stovall.

Dog and cat owners can bring their pets – dogs on a leash and cats in carriers – from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, according to information from the county animal management department.

A second rabies clinic will take place at Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The fire department is located at 1680 NC Highway 96, Franklinton.

One-year doses will be available at the Stovall event, but the clinic at Brassfield FD will offer both one-year and and three-year doses. Pet owners interested in having a three-year dose administered to their dog or cat at the Brassfield event must bring proof of prior vaccination in the form of a paper certificate or official veterinary record.

For more information, please contact the Granville County Animal Shelter at 919.693.6749.

Funding and support for the rabies vaccine clinics is provided by PetcoLove, Granville County Government and the dedicated volunteers that work with the animal shelter.

Duke Heading to Pitt Looking 4th Straight ACC Win

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— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

Duke Bounces Back in the Second Half to Defeat Virginia Tech 24-7

Duke overcame early offensive woes to defeat Virginia Tech and extend its win streak to three.

Duke’s offense, led by sophomore quarterback Riley Leonard, struggled to find a rhythm for most of the first quarter. Their first drive stalled after three plays resulted in a gain of five yards. The Virginia Tech Hokies, on the other hand, got off to a hot start. Their first play went for two yards. Then Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Wells connected with wide receiver Da’Wain Lofton for an explosive 53-yard score.

Duke’s second offensive series also achieved minimal success. A penalty negated a 17-yard pass, and neither Leonard nor running back Jaquez Moore could find ample room to run. Then Duke managed to flip the script during its third possession.

A 13-yard catch by Duke’s Sahmir Hagans moved the chains for the second time in the first half. Leonard quickly found his footing and picked apart Virginia Tech’s secondary, piecing together an exciting 72-yard offensive drive to set up a 25-yard chip shot for kicker Todd Pelino. Pelino’s field goal was the turning point of the game.

“We responded to a little bit of a slow start and then took control of the game,” said Duke coach Mike Elko.

From then on out, Duke outpaced the Hokies. Duke extended its lead to 10 at the start of the third quarter after Leonard used his long legs and strong upper body to force his way into the end zone.

Duke’s ground game, led by running back Jordan Waters amassed 165 yards on 41 attempts. Leonard picked up a total of 48 yards with his legs. Duke compiled an additional 262 passing yards through four quarters of football with stellar performances from wide receivers Jalon Calhoun and Jontavis Robertson.

In this game, Elko relied on the performance of his dominant defense to secure the win. The unit deflected two passes, forced a turnover, and sacked Wells twice. They also limited Virginia Tech to 4 of 12 on third-down conversions and halted two attempts to convert on fourth down.

“Defensively, our best effort of the year,” said Elko.

What’s next?

Duke (7-4) will travel to Pennsylvania for a matchup against Pittsburgh (6-4). Pittsburgh, on the heels of Duke in the ACC Coastal Conference, is averaging 30 points per game.

TownTalk: GRACE Ministries Thanksgiving Feast

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Bobby West and others at G.R.A.C.E. Ministries will be humming right along on Saturday as they serve up pre-Thanksgiving meals for the community.

The public is welcome to come to the G.R.A.C.E. Ministries location, 215 Crozier St. beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, West said Wednesday on TownTalk.

Volunteers are welcome as well, beginning about 8:30 a.m., when the group will “get prayed up” before beginning the process of fixing about 2,000 plates to feed the community.

“I need about 1,000 plates packed and gone by 10:30,” West told John C. Rose. Several churches are picking up plates that will be distributed all across the county.

Grace Baptist Church, Norlina Baptist, Tungsten Baptist and West End Baptist are helping out in this effort, and New Sandy Creek Baptist is setting up a distribution site at the former Aycock School on Vicksboro Road.

“We have one purpose,” West said, “to serve and show love to our neighbors.”

This is the sixth year that the group has provided a meal before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Individuals who wish to support this ministry can send a check to G.R.A.C.E. Ministries, P.O. Box 316, Henderson, NC 27536.

But stay tuned for other ways to help with upcoming projects like the annual toy drive, he said.

West said G.R.A.C.E. Ministries is partnering with churches in Vance, Warren and Franklin counties this year to conduct its toy drive.

Gently used toys – no plush or stuffed toys, please – will be accepted and the toy distribution will take place on Saturday, Dec. 17. Call West at 252.432.7124 to schedule a donation at his workplace or at G.R.A.C.E. Ministries.

Projects like these are considered a win-win for the community and for the volunteers.

“It’s a humbling experience when you do something good for somebody,” he said.

 

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