Tar River Land Conservancy Seeks Re-Accreditation

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Franklin County-based Tar River Land Conservancy has protected more than 23,000 acres of land and almost 200 miles of streams since 2000. As a nationally-accredited land trust working to preserve natural resources in eight counties, including Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren, the organization participates in a review process to retain its credentials.

“The Land Trust Accreditation Commission administers an accreditation program to recognize land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever,” according to a statement from Derek Halberg of the Tar River Land Conservancy. TRLC  was accredited in 2013, re-accredited in 2018, and currently is in process of another renewal.

The commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance,  will conduct an extensive review of Tar River Land Conservancy’s policies and programs. The  commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending  applications.

According to Halberg, comments must relate to how Tar River Land Conservancy complies with national  quality standards, which address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. It would be most helpful, he said, if comments to support the TRLC application could be made by Dec. 9, 2023.

For the full list of standards, visit http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and resources/indicator-practices.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org.

Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public  Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

To learn more about TRLC, visit https://www.tarriver.org/

 

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Elliott Prepares For Granville Central Friday Night

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Homecoming for the Vance County Vipers proved to be another successful outing, even if a bit on the wet side, as they faced off against Louisburg.  The result was an impressive 36-3 win.  Head coach Aaron Elliott said one of the keys to the victory was shutting down the Louisburg offense which dominated the second quarter of the game.  “We did a good job at half time.  We were prepared for the wishbone offense but not for the unbalanced line they used,” Elliott said of the game.  In the second half the Vipers turned former Louisburg player Shamir Sheppard loose on offense and defense and the rout was on.

Granville Central is this week’s opponent and Elliott knows that despite a 1-4 record the Vipers have to be ready. “Granville Central is disciplined and they don’t make mistakes,” Elliot said.  “We are confident and if we stay disciplined and stay humble we should be OK,” Elliott continued.

Elliott, who was a guest on Thursday’s SportsTalk, knew the Vipers would be good.  “Back in the spring I told everyone we could be 10-0 this season,”  Elliott stated.  With only four games left in the regular season that prediction may come to pass but three of the last four games are on the road with three games against Granville County rivals.

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Terry Garrison

TownTalk: Black Leadership Caucus Endorses Candidates For Oct. 10 Municipal Election

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The following is part of continuing coverage on the upcoming Oct. 10 nonpartisan municipal elections in the City of Henderson:

 

The Henderson-Vance Black Leadership Caucus held a candidate forum recently and has announced their endorsements for the upcoming municipal elections, now just a couple of weeks away.

Terry Garrison is president of the caucus and he spoke with WIZS News about the Sept. 7 candidates’ forum; his interview was aired on Thursday’s Towntalk.

The caucus voted to endorse the following candidates:

  • Mayor: Melissa Elliott
  • Ward 1: Geraldine Champion
  • Ward 2: Janice Ward
  • Ward 3 at-large: Michael Venable
  • Ward 4 at-large Tami Walker

 

“We certainly are appreciative to each one of the candidates,” Garrison said, “and their willingness to serve.”

The endorsement process was not easy, he said. “The forum, without a doubt, was a big part of that process, but also the members’ familiarity with candidates was also a factor.”

Ultimately, Garrison said it came down to which candidate the caucus members felt best represented their interests and the interests of the city of Henderson.

“Race…was not a driving force with endorsements made by the caucus,” he said; rather, “the way the candidates responded…they were the kind of responses they wanted to hear,” Garrison noted.

“All of the candidates gave a good response, and it was not an easy decision (or) an easy choice,” he said.

According to Garrison, more than 90 percent of the candidates that the caucus has endorsed in past elections have won their contests – at least in Vance County. They may not have won the overall state or national election, but they’ve carried Vance County.

“But we have also endorsed candidates who have lost – it’s not a slam dunk,” he said.

He encouraged all the candidate to continue to “campaign hard and the best candidate will win.”

He also encouraged everyone to come to the polls and cast their ballots.

“If people don’t vote, they don’t have a voice,” he said, “because they didn’t participate in the process.”

Garrison said he is optimistic that whoever gets elected will have the best interests of the community at heart. “I have hope for America and this state,” he said. “Despite our differences, we share one thing in common – we are all human beings. Underneath the skin, the blood is the same.”

 

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The Local Skinny! Jones Shines A Light On Autism This Saturday

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The president of a local nonprofit invites the community to come to an event on Saturday, Sept. 30 that she said will “shine a light on autism.” Tiffany Jones is president of Community Uplift Project and she said the upcoming event is part training, part workshop to help people understand the very complex nature of autism.

“Shine A Light On Autism” begins at 11 a.m. at the nonprofit’s location, 105 S. Garnett St.

“The reason for this event and workshop is to allow people to know what autism is,” Jones explained on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent or grandparent of a child on the autism disorder spectrum, this program is sure to provide insight to help you better understand autism. The National Autism Association will be on hand for a presentation as part of the event.

Jones said her passion to share about autism is a result of her working with a child in a daycare setting a few years ago.

“After learning how to be there for her, it fueled my passion for how to be there for others,” she said. “I want to make sure that (people) understand how to interact” with individuals who have autism.

Understanding that autism manifests in different ways is important. What may seem like misbehavior to the untrained eye is a person with autism who may not know how to handle their emotions, she said. “Some are not verbal, so we have to learn how to talk to them, how to handle them when they have outbursts,” she continued.

But her nonprofit encompasses other needs as well, she said. “We do community feedings, a community clothing closet…and a drop-in day care coming up soon,” she said. Community Uplift Project feeds people “spiritually and naturally,” she said. “And we make sure they know who God is. We uplift you in so many different ways,” she said and try to provide for the needs of the community.

“We make sure they know there is hope, that somebody cares and that God is with them.”

Community Uplift Project’s current fundraiser has a goal of 100 people making a donation of $33 to support the mission.

The space can hold about 300 people, and Jones said she is expecting more than 100, if not more. “I can’t wait to see the families, parents and teachers,” Jones said.

To learn more, email communityupliftproject2020@yahoo.com or call 252.425.6056.

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Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: My Parenting Journey

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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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VCS Gets Visit – And School Supplies – From Dept. Of Administration Secretary Cashwell

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Information from VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support Aarika Sandlin

Vance County Schools welcomed N.C. Department of Administration Secretary Pamela Cashwell Wednesday, who paid a visit to the school district and brought with her some useful supplies for students.

Cashwell and a team traveling with her were on a special mission as part of the Governor’s School Supply Drive, according to a statement from Aarika Sandlin, VCS chief officer of Communication & Innovative Support.
There were books, backpacks and more in the boxes of supplies that were delivered, all of which can be used to have an immediate impact on the learning experiences of VCS students, Sandlin stated.

During her visit, Cashwell toured the Administrative Services Center and spoke with VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett and other staff members.

The group visited Carver Elementary, and Principal Regina Miles and Student Ambassadors offered a warm welcome, even rolling out a real red carpet in honor of the visit.

Cashwell made the most of her visit by stepping into classrooms and engaging with students and educators.

“Vance County Schools extends its utmost gratitude to Secretary Pamela Cashwell and the N.C. Department of Administration for their visit, unwavering support, and dedication to the future of our students.,” Sandlin stated. “Together, we continue to have a positive and lasting impact on the educational journey of our community’s children. “

For more information about Vance County Schools, visit https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/

Grace Ministries Begins New Program For Those In Recovery

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Grace Ministries of Henderson is starting a program to help individuals with addiction issues on the road to recovery.

A New Beginning is part of Grace Ministries’ addiction awareness kickoff event, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 215 Crozier St., according to information from Paul Faucette.

There will be free food, as well as music and plenty of drug education resources available.

The program is designed to help those in addiction, as well as friends and families of individuals battling addiction.

Donations are being accepted to help fund the new community ministry.

Contact Faucette at 252.425.8579 to learn more.

 

TownTalk: Night Out Against Crime Tuesday, Oct. 3

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Local law enforcement officials are hoping to see a big turnout at the upcoming Night Out Against Crime, and they join event organizers who have planned a bevy of activities and fun for the whole family.

Come on down to Breckenridge Street on Tuesday, Oct. 3 between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to take part in this annual event. Planning committee Lora Durham said law enforcement agencies from the city and the county will be on hand to help provide a positive interaction with the residents they serve. Durham, along with Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame and Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow, were guests on Wednesday’s TownTalk segment to spread the word about next week’s event.

“This is nothing but a positive thing,” said Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame. The event is designed to heighten awareness and have the community come together to learn more about how to make their neighborhoods safer.

Brame said he and Barrow enjoy a positive working partnership, and he wants citizens of the city and county to work in partnership, too.

Barrow said the Breckenridge Street location, just a few steps from his own office at the police department,  is a perfect fit to host the event.

“That one section has turned out to be one of our best locations to have events for the City of Henderson,” Barrow said. “It’s easy to cordon off and have any event we want. National Night Out is one of those events.”

Things kick off with remarks from Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington, local law enforcement leaders and others. Henderson and Vance County have participated in the National Night Out event since the mid-1990’s.

“The community does care about crime,” Durham said. “We want to prevent it as much as we can…This is a good, safe event where people can bring their children,” she said, adding that it also is an opportunity for people to learn more about keeping themselves and their neighborhoods safe.

“It’s gonna be a fun night,” Durham said, adding that children and grownups alike will have a “fantastic time.”

The Clearview Church Praise Team will offer a musical selection during the opening ceremony, and then later a DJ will play music as participants enjoy free food – hotdogs, chips and drinks while they last – and Kona Ice – the truck will be on hand providing free ice cones for the first 200 people.

City and county agencies will be on hand to provide information about the services they provide, including animal services, fire and rescue personnel, and other community agencies such as Crime Stoppers, Vance County Schools, Vance-Granville Community College.

Home And Garden Show

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

  • Cole crops may need top dressing with nitrogen.
  • Start controlling fire ants.
  • Check cole crops for insects. Ex Loopers, cabbage worms, Harlequin bugs.
  • Planting trees and shrubs? Planting depth is everything!
  • Control weeds in the garden. One weed left to seed out can produce 1000’s of weeds in your garden next year.
  • Sowing tall fescue? Soil/seed contact is essential.
  • Now is a great time to collect soil samples. Avoid the rush this fall. .2 week analysis time.
  • Fertilizing your lawn? Use a slow release product.
  • If you have vacant areas in your garden consider planting a cover crop. Ex Crimson clover

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