WIZS Radio Local News Audio 06-26-23 Noon
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: Dingee Promises To Be Stingy As State Auditor
Charles Dingee is running for N.C. Auditor in next year’s general election, and the slogan he’s come up is helpful for voters to know how to pronounce his name and remember the office he’s seeking: Dingee will be stingy with taxpayer dollars.
Dingee was a guest on TownTalk Monday and talked about his platform and areas of improvement with the state auditor’s office.
The election is more than a year away – November 2024 – but Dingee said it’s not too early to campaign.
“We are crisscrossing the state and educating voters,” Dingee said, “letting them know why I’m the best person to do this job.”
The state auditor is a member of the Council of State, a 10-member body comprised of elected officials that is part of the executive branch of state government.
Dingee said the first things he’d do as auditor is to seek funding code reform and to make the anonymous tip line public.
Citizens who suspect fraud or other wrongful acts within state government can call the tip line.
With more than 120 employees, the auditor’s office should be the vehicle that ensures transparency, he said, “responsible for making sure your money – your taxpayer money – gets where it’s supposed to be.”
Dingee has experience with the banking industry and with running his own business. Small business owners “know the value of a penny (and) make sure every penny is accounted for.”
His “strong conservative business background,” coupled with his Republican affiliation, are what make him the better candidate for the job currently held by five-time incumbent Beth Wood.
“Frankly, the current state auditor hasn’t been doing (the) job.”
In addition, he said he wants to see all larger state agencies undergo an annual – or at least biannual – audit. For example, the state Board of Elections hasn’t had an audit in 13 years, and that’s too long.
“I would like to hope that our bureaucratic officials …are doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” he explained. “But if nobody’s looking, is everthing ok?”
“Government should work for the people – government should be letting people know this is what we’re doing. I’m going to make sure it happens when I’m your state auditor.”
Visit https://charlesdingee.com/ to learn more.
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The Local Skinny! Fireworks At Cokesbury On Saturday
If you’re looking for some fireworks fun this weekend but don’t want to go all the way to Kerr Lake, you may want to head over to the Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department before dusk on Saturday, July 1.
Chief Adam Pegram said gates will open about 6 p.m. for the annual fireworks display. Folks can park across the street and then head over to where the action is – there will be music and food vendors will hamburgers and hotdogs, popcorn and sno-balls to enjoy.
“We’ll start shooting when the sun goes down,” Pegram said.
The Cokesbury event is the same evening as the county tourism fireworks display at Satterwhite Point, but Pegram said it’s not about competition – it’s about giving back to the community that supports the fire department.
“We’ve been working together for several years,” Pegram said. The goal is “having family fun at both locations and enjoying the holiday.”
Please keep in mind, however, that no matter where you enjoy the holiday, to be safe and considerate, Pegram reminds.
“Just be patient when we’re trying to exit and empty the parking lot,” he said.
“Come and enjoy yourself and have a good time,” Pegram said, but please remember to pick up your trash before you leave.
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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Composting
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Families Living Violence Free Seeks Volunteers To Fill Openings On Board
Families Living Violence Free, the only domestic violence and sexual assault center in the area, is seeking volunteer leaders to join its board of directors.
The FLVF staff provides an array of services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. All services are free and confidential, said Peggy Roark, FLVF executive director.
The board of directors is a group of volunteers that come together for monthly meetings to govern, organize and support FLVF’s strategic planning. In addition, each member serves as a goodwill ambassador for FLVF and serves on at least one board committee. Board members are expected to participate in community events and make a personal financial contribution to the organization.
Families Living Violence Free’s board also is seeking to fill the position of treasurer. This also is a volunteer position. Candidates with experience in accounting, budgeting and finance are encouraged to apply.
The board plans to expand its membership and needs individuals with a variety of skills, with a strong emphasis on board candidates with accounting, legal, fundraising, and media expertise.
If you are interested in an opportunity to volunteer your time and talents to an organization committed to giving voice and support to domestic violence and sexual assault victims, please submit your resume to proark@FLVF.org or P.O. Box 1632 Oxford, N.C. 27565.
North Henderson Baptist Hosts VBS July 16-19
Youngsters of all ages are invited to attend North Henderson Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School.
The VBS will begin July 16 and continue through July 19, according to information from Pastor Eddie Nutt. Classes are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and there will be classes for each age group.
A meal is provided each evening as well.
North Henderson Baptist Church is located at 1211 N. Garnett St. in Henderson.
Franklin Continues Expansion Of Broadband Network
-information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James Hicks
The Franklin County board of commissioners approved in May spending more than $430,000 to get a matching grant from Brightspeed to bring high-speed internet service to more than 1,400 homes throughout the county.
The money – $437,650 – will be coupled with $437,651 from Brightspeed as part of a $4 million Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant Phase II, according to information from Franklin Public Information Officer James Hicks.
The county will use ARPA funds to fulfill its commitment.
“This is an important milestone to celebrate,” said Franklin County Manager Kim Denton. “Five and a half years ago, the County began very focused efforts to improve broadband access and that work continues to move forward.”
Increased broadband access expands opportunities for education, healthcare, economic development and personal enrichment and entrepreneurship.
The locations of this deployment are in areas around Franklinton, Youngsville, to the east and north of Louisburg and in several areas along Highway 401 near Royal and to the west of Bunn.
A previous $3.9 million GREAT Grant – Phase I – provided high-speed fiber internet to nearly 2,000 homes in underserved areas of Franklin County. That project deployed fiber internet to 1,978 homes in the unincorporated areas of Franklinton, Centerville, Wood, Justice, Bunn, Green Hill, Laurel Mill, Montgomery, Firetower, NC 561, NC 56 East, Alert and Perry.
GREAT grants, established by N.C. legislature and awarded by N.C. Broadband Infrastructure Office, are provided to private broadband service providers to “facilitate the deployment of broadband service to unserved areas of North Carolina,” according to the Broadband Office’s website. For more information, please visit https://www.ncbroadband.gov/grants/great-grant.
Franklin County residents can find out more about broadband efforts in the County and see a map by visiting https://www.franklincountync.gov/community/broadband.php
Search On For VCHS Athletic Director In Wake Of Noel’s Resignation
Vance County High School Athletic Director Raymond Noel has resigned his post, and VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support Aarika Sandlin has told WIZS News that the district is seeking a qualified applicant to fill the position.
“We are very appreciative of all that Mr. Noel did for VCHS,” Sandlin said in a statement to WIZS.
“Vance County Schools is committed to finding a strong leader to continue the work of the Viper Athletic program,” she said.
Candidates must hold a valid NC teacher certification and have at least five years’ experience as a PE teacher or coach; candidates should have at least a bachelor’s degree in physical education; a master’s degree in athletic administration or equivalent training and experience is preferred, according to the job description.
Find the complete job description at www.vcs.k12.nc.us. Click on Job Opportunities in the top right corner of the home page.
Interested applicants should apply on the VCS website www.vcs.k12.nc.us.
NC MedAssist Plans Giveaway Event In Oxford Friday, June 30
NC MedAssist will host a local Mobile Free Pharmacy Event sponsored by Triangle North Healthcare Foundation on Friday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., Oxford.
This free medicine giveaway is open to individuals 18 and older and families needing over-the-counter (OTC) medication items. No identification is required, and there are no income restrictions. Everyone is qualified.
Participants will be able to learn more about NC MedAssist’s free prescription pharmacy program and receive free OTC items such as cough and cold medicine, vitamins, children’s, allergy medication and first aid supplies. The event will occur rain or shine, and all OTC items will be given first-come, first-served while supplies last.
If you can volunteer for this event, sign up at https://medassist.org/volunteer/, scroll down, click on the “Granville County Mobile Free Pharmacy-Alliance 6/2023” tab, and sign up for a timeframe that best suits your schedule.
Last year, NC MedAssist held 53 Mobile Free Pharmacy events across North Carolina. For each event, NC MedAssist is committed to bringing enough OTC medicine for 1,000 people in need. NC MedAssist’s overall goal is to help ease the burden of those in need by aiding people who have been forced to decide between buying food and purchasing life-saving medication.
Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is a non-profit regional grant making organization that supports and invests in health & wellness initiatives in Vance, Warren, Franklin & Granville counties that will result in immediate and long-term improvement in the health status of the region. Learn more at http://www.tnhfoundation.org/.
NC Cooperative Extensions Offer Pesticide Application Recertification Hours June 27
Anyone who needs recertification hours to stay certified for pesticide application can register to attend a class offered June 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Participants can earn two recertification hours for categories A, B, D, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, T or X.
Class locations are listed below. Registration is required. Sign up by calling the Person County Extension Center 336-.599.1195 or by visiting https://go.ncsu.edu/2023multicredit.
This will be an in-person class only.
Be sure you have all your credit hours to remain certified for applying the pesticides you need. If you have any questions regarding this information or about requirements needed for your current licensure, contact Mikayla Berryhill at 336.599.1195 or 919.603.1350 or by email mikayla_berryhill@ncsu.edu.
CLASS LOCATIONS:
- Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson
- N.C. Cooperative Extension, Granville County Center, 125 Oxford Outer Loop, Oxford
- N.C. Cooperative Extension, Person County Center, 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro
- N.C. Cooperative Extension, Warren County Center, 158 Rafters Ln, Warrenton