Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Native Plants
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UNC Football Retains the Victory Bell After Emotional Double Overtime Victory 47-45
— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS
The Victory Bell remains in Chapel Hill after an emotional battle between the North Carolina Tar Heels and long-time rival Duke Blue Devils called for double overtime. UNC quarterback Drake Maye completed 28 passes for 342 yards and one touchdown. Maye also ran 12 times for 22 yards, including a rushing touchdown.
“I saw Drake Maye do some things tonight, that were just unbelievable,” said UNC head coach Mack Brown. “He made play after play after play, including the two-point play that normal people just don’t make.”
Through the air, Maye looked poised in the pocket, dispersing the ball to seven offensive playmakers. One of Maye’s top targets, wide receiver Tez Walker, reeled in seven passes for 162 yards.
UNC’s ground attack was equally successful. Tar Heel running back Omarian Hampton demonstrated elusiveness and explosive speed, carrying the ball 31 times for 169 yards.
UNC wasted no time putting points on the board. Their first offensive drive consisted of 10 plays, which accumulated 75 yards. During that drive, Maye connected with Walker for a 43-yard completion before rushing into the end zone for a one-yard score.
After UNC’s defensive unit limited Duke to four yards, Maye led a fast-paced offensive attack, advancing the 67 yards in 3:51 to set up a 31-yard field goal.
Towards the beginning of the second quarter, Duke, down by 10, found its footing and marched 70 yards for a touchdown to shrink UNC’s lead to six. However, for most of the first half, UNC was dominating in total yards and success through the air.
On the ensuing possession, the Blue Devils took advantage of UNC’s poor field position by forcing an interception to set up a scoring opportunity at the UNC 14. A few plays later, Duke quarterback Grayson Loftis rushed three yards into the end zone to give his team its first lead of the night.
UNC’s last drive of the first half resulted in a 25-yard field goal to reclaim the lead.
After Duke failed to gain a yard on its first drive of the second half, UNC went 55 yards to set up a 27-yard field goal and extend its lead to six.
Throughout the third quarter, The Tar Heel defense stunned the Blue Devils, limiting them to 16 yards of total offense and forcing multiple punts. With the clock winding down at the end of the third quarter, UNC’s offense found themselves in an excellent scoring position. Then, at the top of the fourth quarter, Hampton plowed his way into the end zone, building a comfortable 12-point lead.
Duke’s offense bounced back in the fourth quarter, outscoring UNC 22-10. After scoring three touchdowns, Duke managed to take the lead with 41 seconds left in the game. However, that lead was brief because UNC kicker Noah Burnette booted the ball 43 yards through the end zone to tie the game up at 36-36.
Duke received the ball to start the first period of overtime. With minimal success, they had to settle for a 49-yard field goal. The Tar Heels responded with another Burnette field goal to force a second overtime.
On UNC’s second possession in overtime, Maye rushed five yards into the end zone and completed a two-point conversion. Duke, down by eight, responded with a touchdown after Loftis hit wide receiver Jordan Moore in stride. Unfortunately for Duke, the two-point try was unsuccessful as the ball fell incomplete. Tar Heel fans immediately stormed the field to celebrate the hard-earned victory.
“What a game,” said Brown. “It was fun to coach. It was fun to watch and both teams competed.”
Warren Library Prepares To Crank Up Outreach Services Again
The Warren County Memorial Library is getting its outreach services back on track and has hired Benjamin Griffith to the library staff to help provide materials into the community once again. Scheduled stops should be in place by December.
“Ben is a great addition to the library staff. I look forward to working with him to grow and expand outreach services in the county. We plan to visit daycares, assisted living facilities, homebound individuals, and more.” said Library Director Christy Bondy.
Griffith grew up in Littleton, where he developed a love for books, theatre and visual art. Performing on Lakeland’s stage starting at age 12, he saw firsthand the impact that literature and the arts have on our community. This formative experience inspired him to pursue a B.A. in Drama, graduating magna cum laude from UNC-Greensboro in 2015.
His first role after graduation was working at McKay’s Used Books and More of Greensboro, where as a bookseller he helped patrons find their favorite titles. Since moving back to the eastern part of the state, he has worked for the City of Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, as well as the Lakeland Cultural Arts Center of Littleton. He is excited to share his knowledge and experience with others in his new role and looks forward to championing outreach to every corner of Warren County.
To request more information on outreach services or schedule a visit, please call 252.257.4990.
China Company Set To Make Hemp Food Products In Louisburg
-information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III
Franklin County is the site for a new plant that will produce hemp food products, representing a $10 million investment and the creation of dozens of jobs.
China-based Q-power Inc. is in the final phase before it begins operation at 3959 NC-39 S in Louisburg, according to a press release from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III. The plan is to begin production before the end of the year. The project, initiated in 2018, was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Company Chairwoman Zhiyi Zhang led a tour of the facility Thursday. The company is investing in this new plant in Louisburg to produce hemp food locally.
“I am excited about Q-power opening its operations here in the county,” said Franklin County Manager Kim Denton. “Franklin County continues to grow and is well positioned for companies like Q-power to thrive.”
Q-power has been in business for more than 20 years and is an industry leader in hemp food production, including hemp seed, oil and protein.
“Q-power is committed to investing and exploring the market in the United States to meet our American customers’ needs,” said Zhiyi Zhang, Chairwoman at Q-power. “We are excited about opening this plant in Franklin County.”
VGCC Foundation Hosts Holiday Tree Online Silent Auction
-information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel
The Vance Granville Community College Foundation is helping the community get into the holiday spirit with a Festival of Trees Online Silent Auction. Bids will be accepted Nov. 12-19 for the pre-decorated holiday trees, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.
All fundraiser proceeds will benefit the VGCC Foundation and to help provide scholarships, financial assistance and more to VGCC students.
The trees will be on display in the VGCC Main Campus Civic Center in Henderson from Nov. 13-17 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Access photos of each tree on the VGCC Facebook Event page.
Winning bidders should pick their trees up by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
Access the auction here: www.vgcc.edu/festival-of-trees.
In addition to student support, the Foundation supports a broad range of special projects involving education, training and economic development in the community. Tax-deductible donations to VGCCF have often been used to honor a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Festival of Trees auction or the VGCC Foundation, contact VGCCF at foundation@vgcc.edu or 252.431.5913.
The Salvation Army Launches Red Kettle Campaign In Henderson
Those familiar donation kettles are getting set up and ready for the holiday season in Henderson as the Salvation Army kicked off the Red Kettle Campaign Thursday morning in front of Belk department store.
This year’s goal is $75,000, but placing spare change and bills into the iconic kettles is just one way to contribute – The Salvation Army has QR codes and online donation sites available to make donating as quick as a couple of clicks of the computer, phone or tablet, according to information from Capts. Josh and Amanda Keaton.
The Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s primary fundraiser each year, which helps to provide programming, food assistance, shelter, disaster response and more to those in need.
Volunteers are needed to ring the bell at each kettle location.
“We have integrated Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo into donation options at the Red Kettle,” said Capt. Josh Keaton. “Fewer people carry cash these days and prefer the convenience of using their smartphones for giving. This technology simplifies the donation process and encourages people to contribute to The Salvation Army during Christmas and beyond!” he said.
Across the United States, the Red Kettle campaign raises millions of dollars during the holiday season each year to provide help to families that need support with basic needs – from ultility bills or food assistance.
TownTalk: Granville-Vance Health Dept. Director Lisa Harrison Pleased with Cohen Visit
When it’s added altogether, Granville Vance Public Health is getting $9 million in federal and state funds to be used to improve access to mental health resources and battle substance abuse disorders through a variety of programs for young people and families.
For GVPH Director Lisa Harrison, that’s a big deal.
“Our dream is that this is ‘difference-making’ money,” Harrison said on Thursday’s TownTalk.
Specifically, the health department has received $4 million – $1 million each year for the next four years – in federal money to provide behavioral health programs to the school districts in Vance and Granville counties to combat drug use and substance abuse. The $5 million award comes from the General Assembly that will create spaces within the Emergency Department at Maria Parham Health to safely provide care for patients in mental health crises and intensive outpatient services at Maria Parham’s Franklin campus in Louisburg.
“I could not be more excited about all of these opportunities to address these issues. It’s definitely an interesting and exciting time to be in this work.”
Part of the excitement comes from a special group of visitors that spent most of a day last week in Granville and Vance counties. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Dr. Mandy Cohen, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were the main attraction at Medical Arts Pharmacy Friday afternoon to discuss the importance of access to health care and more in rural America.
“It was such a wonderful opportunity” to host the two high-profile health professionals in Henderson and Oxford, Harrison said. “It was such an amazing visit and so much fun.”
Becerra and others stopped in at the Oxford health department for a roundtable discussion, during which Harrison said Becerra asked good questions of the local representatives and seemed engaged in the dialogue.
Then it was on to Medical Arts Pharmacy, where Becerra, Cohen and others offered remarks about health care equity and the importance of providing adequate health care in rural areas.
In health departments like GVPH, Harrison said there’s always more need than money to satisfy that need, at least from local and state funding sources. Under Harrison’s leadership, GVPH has been awarded federal grants totaling more than $6 million since 2015.
The networking and partnerships across agencies – local, state and federal – are key to providing the very best care in the two counties, she said.
As governmental agencies, hospitals, schools and others all work together for a common goal, Harrison said she believes it will make a difference in the overall health outcomes for youth and families in the community.
Hear the complete interview with Harrison at www.wizs.com
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The Local Skinny! Rebuilding Hope Initiates Project ‘Roll On’
Rebuilding Hope volunteers spend a lot of time each year helping people make essential repairs to their homes, mostly fixing roofs and constructing handicap ramps. But the nonprofit’s founder Randolph Wilson said the group needs to turn its attention to some repairs at their own home – namely, the driveway and parking lot.
Project “ROLL ON” is underway to raise $100,000 to complete the repaving project, Wilson said.
And he’s asking for help from the community to make it happen.
“Please consider any gift to project ‘ROLL ON’ when you begin considering this year’s donations, or perhaps budgeting a contribution for early next year. Our desire is to be able to begin these repairs to the worst areas next spring and continue until completion,” Wilson said.
They kicked off the fundraiser campaign on Sept. 29 with an announcement in the monthly newsletter and an insert placed in the chicken plates that were sold on that day.
In a letter to volunteers and to other supporters, Wilson said he hopes to “gain support in acquiring much needed funds to repair the damaged pavement around our building. The parking lot and driveways are in real need of resurfacing to prevent damage to vehicles and also (to) allow proper drainage away from the building,” he stated.
Rebuilding Hope, Wilson said, has always been funded solely from individuals, churches, and business entities. “We must ask our faithful community once again to help us continue this good work. These are very difficult times for many people simply trying to afford housing, food and basic needs. We need to secure this ministry’s ability to respond to people with hope, by repairing this damage.”
The Rebuilding Hope ministry was founded in 2006 following a deployment to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“I knew then, as I know now, that one of the most basic physical needs people have is a place to shelter, to call home. My wife Gail and I, along with our patrons and volunteers, believe that their most important need is spiritual, and that coming alongside to offer help and hope in a time of need gives us opportunities to witness to them about Christ. It has truly been amazing over these past 17 years to see how God has moved through this construction ministry and the lives that have been touched,” Wilson said.
There are a variety of ways to make donations to Project ‘ROLL ON’:
Visit the website rebuildinghopeinc.org and select Donate to make an online contribution, mail donations to 414 Raleigh Rd., Henderson, NC 27536 or drop donations off in person at the office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 11-09-23 Noon
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Henderson Police Make Drug Arrest, Seize Heroin, Ecstasy
Henderson police arrested one man on numerous drug charges Wednesday.
Acting in response to a drug complaint, police officers conducted a search at 1932 Oxford Rd. and recovered heroin, Ecstasy, drug-making equipment and a stolen handgun.
Arrested was Marselle Rasheed Johnson, 35, according to information released Thursday by Police Chief Marcus Barrow. The search was conducted at 1932 Oxford Rd.
During the service of the warrant approximately 1,750 dosage units of heroin, 45 grams of raw heroin, drug manufacturing equipment, Ecstasy, and a stolen handgun were seized, according to information from Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
Johnson was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver MDMA, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of possession of a stolen firearm, one count of maintaining a dwelling place for a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Johnson received a $620,000 secured bond on the drug-related charges and a $99,000 secured bond for outstanding arrest warrants. Additionally, he was remanded to the Vance County Detention Center without bond for a parole violation.