Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden
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Gateway CDC May 17th Social at 5 p.m.
Join Gateway CDC in downtown Henderson for a “community social with a purpose” on May 17.
The social will be held at Southern Charm on Garnett Street from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and CDC President Heather Joi Kenney said it’s a time for everyone in the community to gather, spend time with friends and colleagues as plans continue to take shape for “The Henderson Vision.”
“We will continue to work on adding vision statements to The Henderson Vision banners in the hope of creating a unified vision for Henderson that will culminate in a community-wide branding campaign, Kenney said.
“All are welcome, including children. This is a fun and relaxed event and we hope to see all community members out.”
Food will be available for purchase from a food truck parked on Breckenridge Street, and donations – tax deductible – will be accepted for the Henderson Vision fund, set up to provide much-needed resources to downtown area businesses.
Southern Charm is located at 200 S. Garnett St.
For more information, contact Gateway CDC at 252.492.6298.
Franklin Commissioners Seek Residents To Serve On Variety Of Advisory Groups
-Information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks, III
Franklin County has numerous opportunities for citizens to participate and serve on advisory boards, councils and commissions. An online application can be found at https://www.franklincountync.gov/government/boards_and_commissions/index.php.
A printed application may be obtained by contacting Kristen G. King, Clerk to the Board, kking@franklincountync.gov or 919.496.5994. Applications should be received by June 22.
The county’s board of commissioners is asking for interested residents of Franklin County to consider joining any of the following:
Airport Advisory Council: The council makes recommendations regarding operations, marketing, strategic planning and other measures related to Triangle North Executive Airport. The board meets at least quarterly.
Board of Adjustment: The board is responsible for reviewing variance and administrative appeal requests and meets on a monthly basis as needed.
Department of Aging Advisory Board: The board advises staff of concerns of the elderly population. The board meets quarterly.
Economic Development Commission: The purpose of the commission is to assist in promoting economic development. The board meets every other month.
Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee: The committee works to assure provisions of a high level of quality care and service to persons in need of emergency medical services in Franklin County. The board meets quarterly.
Historic Preservation Commission: This board works to conserve and preserve the heritage of the county through documentation and regulation of historic districts or landmarks, or through the acquisition of historic properties. The board meets monthly.
Library Board: The board advises on issues pertaining to library services. The board meets quarterly.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: The board advises on issues pertaining to parks and recreation and matters relating to recreational facilities. The board meets quarterly.
Planning Board: The board serves in an advisory capacity for rezonings, text amendments and policy documents guiding the County’s growth. The board meets on a monthly basis as needed.
Solid Waste Education Task Force: The task force develops strategies for encouraging activities that support recycling. The board meets every other month.
Tourism Development Authority: This board promotes tourism and works to build a stronger economic base for the creation of job opportunities specific to tourism-related activities and endeavors. Three members should be affiliated with businesses actively involved in collecting the occupancy tax, four shall be persons generally involved in cultural, educational, and/or hospitality industries. The board meets every other month.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 05-08-23 Noon
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Henderson City Council Approves Resolution to Name Bridge in Memory of Master Trooper
The Henderson City Council unanimously approved a resolution to name a bridge in Vance County in memory of Master Trooper James “Brent” Montgomery.
The action item appeared on the Council’s agenda Monday night. The resolution calls for the I-85 bridge at Satterwhite Point Road to be named in memory of Montgomery. He died in March 2021 from complications of COVID-19 at age 50.
He had been a trooper for 15 years in Vance, Warren and Franklin counties, and before joining the Highway Patrol had worked with the local sheriff’s office and police department.
“As a dedicated public servant, he was exemplary in the performance of his duties and an inspiration to all who knew him,” according to information included in the Council’s agenda packet.
A portion of the resolution reads:
WHEREAS, the Henderson City Council desires to honor former North Carolina State Trooper and dedicated public servant James “Brent” Montgomery; and
WHEREAS, Master Trooper Montgomery served the North Carolina Highway Patrol in Vance, Warren and Franklin counties with diligence and honor for 15 years; and
WHEREAS, Master Trooper Montgomery served as Field Training Officer, Traffic Crash Instructor, Taser Instructor and had charge over the School of Safety Program; and
WHEREAS, after enduring a difficult battle with Covid-19, James Brent Montgomery, at 50 years old,
passed away on March 15, 2021; and
WHEREAS, personally and professionally, Master Trooper Montgomery was loved and respected for his exemplary conduct and service to the community.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Henderson City Council does hereby request the North Carolina Board of Transportation name the Satterwhite Bridge over I-85 for the late Master Trooper James ‘Brent’ Montgomery.”
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TownTalk: CultureFest Coming To Oxford This Weekend
CultureFest is coming to downtown Oxford and organizers hope that all those who take part in the festivities will leave with a greater appreciation not just for diversity, but for all the things that different world cultures share in common.
“It’s back and bigger than ever,” said Ajulo Othow, one of those planning the event. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and a postponement from last fall because of an impending hurricane, the festival will resume for its second year in the Littlejohn parking lot in Oxford.
Oxford Mayor Jackie Sargent and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen joined Othow on Monday’s TownTalk to discuss highlights of the festival, which will take place Saturday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A variety of entertainment is scheduled each half hour, which Othow said represents cultures from around the globe. St. Cyprian’s African Drummer group kicks things off at 11 a.m., and Sergent said she plans to stick close to the stage so she can enjoy all the performers throughout the day.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn some new things…celebrate each other and learn commonalities,” Othow said. Her mother, the late Dr. Helen Othow, had the original vision for CultureFest. “I’m proud to be able to continue the work she started.”
The festival has taken on a larger community feel since it found its downtown spot, with collaborators including The John Chavis Society, the City of Oxford, Granville Tourism, Downtown Oxford Economic Development Commission, Granville Ed Foundation, Mary Potter Club, Granville Museum and NC Arts Council all contributing to the event.
“I am really proud of this particular festival,” Allen said, adding that she expects folks from outside Oxford and Granville County to come to the festival. “It’s an awesome time to invite people into Granville County,” she said, while uniting folks who already call Granville County home.
There will be food trucks, more than 20 vendors with crafts and more, as well as children’s activities and demonstrations like tortilla making and much more during the daylong festival, making it a real interactive event, Allen said.
“Many hands have gone into making this a successful celebration and a community event,” she added, and that she hopes it becomes a fixture among the city’s festivals.
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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Planting Gardens
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Oxford’s New City Manager Set To Begin Work May 10
-information courtesy of City of Oxford Communication Specialist Sabrina Richards
The City of Oxford has a new city manager – William “Brent” Taylor has been appointed to the post and will be sworn in to begin his new duties in a ceremony on May 10.
Taylor most recently was town manager for Selma, NC and brings with him 30 years of experience in municipal government in the Carolinas, according to information from the city of Oxford.
He has experience with issues relating to police departments, town events and water and sewer management. In his role as town administrator in Walhalla, SC, Taylor helped secure ffunding for the Walhalla Water Treatment facility and improved the water quality for the city’s residents.
“We are excited to welcome Mr. Taylor as our new City Manager. He demonstrated multiple strengths to the board during his interviewing process.” said Mayor Jackie Sergent. “His passion for public service, commitment to transparency and accountability, and the ability to build relationships with employees and residents makes him the perfect candidate to lead our city.”
As city manager, Taylor will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city, strategic planning, budget management and community engagement.
“The people of Oxford have been very warm and friendly and the city has that small-town charm which not only makes me want to work here but even more importantly be a place to live,” Taylor stated upon his selection to the position.
A drop-in reception to welcome Taylor will be held in the City Hall lobby between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., before the regular monthly commissioners meeting begins. The public is welcome to attend.
MPH Earns Another Leapfrog “A” For Patient Safety
-information courtesy of Donna Young, MPH Marketing & Communication Coordinator
Maria Parham Health has earned another ‘A’ in hospital safety from a national watchdog group that rates hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers for protecting patients from preventable harm and errors.
This latest grade from The Leapfrog Group is primarily for the time during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. MPH received an A from the same group last fall.
“This outstanding result represents the work and collaborative efforts of our entire care team and partners over the years,” stated MPH CEO Bert Beard. “We are very proud to have sustained this high standard and will continue to work to provide access to high quality care for the region. With just over a quarter of the hospitals across the country receiving an A, we thank our communities for entrusting us with their care and for the opportunity to serve them at this high level.”
The Leapfrog Group, an independent national organization assigns letter grades of A, B, C, D and F to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
“This new update of Hospital Safety Grades shows that, at the national level, we saw deterioration in patient safety with the pandemic,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of the The Leapfrog Group. “But this hospital received an A despite those challenges. I congratulate all the leaders, staff, volunteers and clinicians who together made that possible,” Binder said in a press release from MPH Marketing & Communication Coordinator Donna Young.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated in the fall and spring each year.
To see Maria Parham Health’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HosptialSafetyGrade.org. and follow The Leapfrog Group ofn Twitter, Facebook and via its newsletter.
SportsTalk: Vance Charter Names Athletes Of The Year
Lance Stallings, Athletic Director for Vance Charter School, and his teams have been very successful on the field during the Spring sports season. The school’s lacrosse team, co-conference champions with J.F. Webb, hosts a second round playoff game against Swansboro Friday night. The softball team is currently in second place in the conference and two golfers, Hunter Gill and Bill Taylor, have qualified for state regionals.
Stallings, who was on SportsTalk Thursday, also announced that senior Christian Bean has been named male Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive year and sophomore Katherine Suther has been named female Athlete of the Year. “These two students are nominated and selected by the entire athletic department not just their coaches,” Stallings said. Both Bean and Suther joined Stallings on SportsTalk to talk about the award.
Bean plays three sports at Vance Charter: cross country, lacrosse and basketball. Once he graduates this year he plans on attending Appalachian State and majoring in recreation management. Suther also plays three sports: volleyball, basketball and soccer. “Soccer is my favorite,” Suther said. “We’ve grown together as a team. We had a lot of freshmen who had never played before,” Suther said. Suther also said that even though she is only a sophomore she has already begun to look ahead to college where she is considering going into sports medicine.
Soccer is just winding up the regular season and plays Oxford Prep Thursday night. A win by Vance Charter will ensure the team a share of the conference championship, but a loss will give Oxford Prep the title outright.
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