Virginia Completes Comeback to Defeat UNC, 31-27

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— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

The Virginia Cavaliers bounced back after trailing by 10 points at the top of the third quarter to hand the Tar Heels their first loss. With the win, the Cavaliers beat a top-10 opponent on the road for the first time in program history.

The Cavaliers took an early 7-0 lead after UNC’s offensive unit failed to advance the ball through the air. After completing a short pass to wide receiver J.J. Jones for a gain of five yards, UNC quarterback Drake Maye’s three pass attempts fell incomplete. Following the incompletions, UNC had to punt the ball away.

“That first drive was lackadaisical on offense,” said Maye. “Afterwards, they came down and scored. After that, we knew we were in a dogfight.”

UNC responded by moving 75 yards in just 2:29. Maye connected with wide receiver Tez Walker, who reached the end zone for the fourth time in two games. In total, Walker caught 11 passes for 146 yards.

The Cavaliers once again secured the lead after completing a fourth-down conversion to set up a three-yard rushing touchdown.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Maye connected with tight end Bryson Nesbit, who carried the ball 62 yards down the left sideline to the end zone.

For much of the second quarter, strong tackling and excellent coverage downfield from both defenses kept the game tied.

With under a minute left in the half, the Tar Heels executed seven plays for 54 yards, setting up a 43-yard field goal.

During UNC’s first offensive possession of the second half, Maye made plays with his legs, including a three-yard scamper to reach the end zone. With the rushing touchdown, UNC extended its lead to 10.

In response, the Cavaliers marched to the UNC 11 to set up a series of Mike Hollins runs, including a one-yard rushing touchdown. The touchdown shrunk UNC’s lead to three.

At the beginning of the fourth half, the Cavaliers reached the end zone for the third time to reclaim their lead. Although UNC had ample chances to put the game away, Virginia’s defense excelled in the second half, allowing only 10 points.

“Obviously, tonight was a disappointing loss for us,” said UNC head coach Mack Brown. “Congratulations to Virginia, they out-coached us and played better than us tonight.”

One Arrested on Drugs, Weapons Charges; Officers Recovered 7,500 Dosage Units of Heroin

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A 24-year-old man faces drugs and weapons charges after a team of law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at a home on Raleigh Road.

Members of the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, State Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) served a search warrant at 3701 Raleigh Road in response to a drug complaint.

Officers recovered 7,500 dosage units of heroin, drug manufacturing equipment, marijuana, one handgun, and $12,736.00 in currency. Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News that each dosage unit was valued at between $8 and $10, which adds up to about $60,000 street value if sold individually.

Police arrested Kortez Williams, and he was charged with three counts of trafficking heroin, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver heroin, trafficking heroin by manufacturing, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver marijuana, one count of possess firearm by felon, two counts of maintaining a dwelling place for a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Williams, who had been out on bond for possession of a firearm by a felon, was placed in the Vance County Jail without privilege of bond.

Trick or Treat

Henderson Trick-Or-Treat Options For Halloween

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Halloween is fast approaching, and as pint-sized ghosts and goblins pick out costumes that no doubt will range from kooky to spooky, it’s important for the adults in their lives to know when and where the trick-or-treating will be taking place.

Citywide hours for trick-or-treating will be observed from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

But before that, families can come downtown between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to participate in the trick-or-treat event hosted by downtown merchants, said Henderson Downtown Development Manager Tracy Madigan.

This means that Garnett Street will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning at 3 p.m., Madigan said.

She also encourages businesses and organization to join in the fun – it’s free to participate; all you need to do is purchase candy and then be ready to hand it out when youngsters come by.

Kick it up a notch and decorate your storefront to provide some extra “spirit,” she said.

If you would like to participate in giving out candy but do not have a place in downtown to do so, please contact Alice Sallins at 252.767.4579 or Madigan at 252.425.0844 and they can help you find a spot to set up.

You can share this event on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/667972732098803

Early Voting Underway In Nov. 7 Henderson Mayor Runoff

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Despite an on-again, off-again start, early voting for the Nov. 7 mayoral runoff election began today (Thursday) and will continue through Saturday, Nov. 4.

City residents may come to the Andrea L. Harris Operations Center, 900 S. Beckford Dr., to cast their vote weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The lone Saturday early voting day scheduled is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to information from Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin and Board Chair James Baines.

Registered voters who live within city limits may vote in the nonpartisan municipal election; elections officials remind voters that state law requires voters to show an acceptable form of photo ID to cast their ballots. The only two candidates on the ballot in the Nov. 7 runoff election are Melissa Elliott and Greg Etheridge.

Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters who have requested them beginning today, Oct. 19. A voter can fill out an absentee ballot request at  https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail/detailed-instructions-vote-mail or by completing a request form provided by the county board of elections office. The request must be received through the website or by the Vance County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2023.

The voter registration deadline for this election was last Friday, Oct. 13, but eligible individuals who were not registered by that deadline may register and vote at the early voting site during the early voting period. New registrants will be required to provide proof of residence.

To learn more, call the Vance County Board of Elections Office at 252.492.3730 or email vance.boe@vancecounty.org.

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Are Well Rested For Carrboro Game

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When the Vance Co. Vipers football schedule was first released, Head Coach Aaron Elliott wasn’t pleased with where his bye week fell.  “It was late in the season and I was skeptical,” Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.   However, now that the bye week has occurred, the coach feels it’s worked to the Vipers’ advantage.  “We were pretty beat up.  We had some injuries,” Elliott said.

One of those injuries was to star defensive end Taeshawn Alston.  A shoulder problem has kept him out of several games this season, but he is now cleared to return.  Alston will be a game time decision this week at Carrboro.

The Vipers, according to Elliott, needed a break and the bye week has meant that they have come back to practice refreshed and ready to go.  “We had some great practices this week.  Monday’s was one of the most fun practices all season,” Elliott stated.

Elliott expects Carrboro to throw the ball Friday night but rain may interfere with offensive plans for both teams.  “We are prepared for whatever,” Elliot said.  Carrboro has struggled for much of the season, but it is senior night and nothing would please Carrboro more than to upset the 8-0 Vipers.

Listen below to Coach Elliott from SportsTalk, and tune in to the live broadcast of the game starting at 6:50 p.m. on 1450 AM / 100.1 FM / online here at wizs.com.

 

The Local Skinny! Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Presents Domestic Violence Awareness Event

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The fifth annual “Think Community” event is set for Saturday, Oct. 28 in observance of October as Domestic violence Awareness month. The program will begin at 3 p.m. at Clearview Church, 3485 U.S. Hwy 158 in Henderson.

Debbie Scott, domestic violence educator with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, has planned an afternoon full of inspiration and remembrance for participants to “break the silence, stop the violence” around domestic violence.

Others in attendance include Deputy Lawrence Carter, of the Vance County Sheriff’s Patrol Division, Jayden Watkins, local minister, author (and WIZS Radio employee), as well as Chief Magistrate Debbie Small and others.

Special guests include God’s Men of Harmony who will provide musical entertainment and “Miss Get It Right” will perform a poetic tribute as part of the day’s activities.

To learn more, contact Scott at the sheriff’s office at 252.738.2235 or by email at dscott@vancecounty.org.

CLICK PLAY!

 

NCDOT

TownTalk: NC DOT Has Local Job Openings

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The N.C. Dept. of Transportation has openings for more than a dozen jobs in the area, and representatives will be at NC Works Career Center next week to share information, accept applications and interview on the spot.

The hiring event will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the NC Works Career Center, located at 826 S. Garnett St. in Henderson.

The state DOT is looking to fill 17 positions, including six auto mechanic jobs in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Person counties, according to information from NCDOT Division 5 Road Maintenance Engineer Jonathan Arnold. Eleven additional transportation workers are needed – 10 in Franklin County and one in Vance County, Arnold noted.

“We are excited to partner with NC Works to host this hiring event for our 17 openings, and help job seekers in the area begin a great career start with NCDOT,” Arnold said in a press statement. “We are looking for qualified candidates who are passionate about making a difference in their community.”

Workstations will be available for candidates to apply the day of the event, and computers will be reserved for military veterans, who receive preference in the hiring process.

There are several websites to check out in advance of the hiring event:

CLICK PLAY!

Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Imagination

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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.

Click Play!

 

TownTalk: Medicare Open Enrollment is Here

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The open enrollment period to make changes to Medicare plans runs through Dec. 7, and Amber Gregory at the Vance County Senior Center encourages Medicare beneficiaries to take some time to review their current plans – there may be some tweaks to make that can save you some money.

“We want to find the best cost savings plan for you,” Gregory said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, “to save you money in the coming year.” Gregory works with the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, or SHIIP.

Medicare beneficiaries may already know that Part D is all about prescription drug plans, but Gregory said there are changes each year to be aware of to ensure that you’re getting the best price for medications.

“Get those plans checked,” she said. The open enrollment officially began Oct. 15, and between now and Dec. 7, Gregory said she’d be focusing on seeing those folks who want to make sure they are getting the most from their Medicare plans.

Gregory tells clients to check with their medical providers before making changes, since not all offices accept all insurances.

“I have many clients who are faithful to certain drug stores, and that’s perfectly fine,” Gregory said. She can help clients compare prices for prescription drugs among different pharmacies.

Most senior centers have a SHIIP counselor, Gregory said.

Call the state SHIIP office at 1.855.408.1212 to speak with a counselor who can help with Medicare questions.

The Vance County Senior Center is located at 500 N. Beckford Drive.

Contact Gregory at amber.gregory@vance.nc.gov or call 252.430.0257 to make an appointment.