Annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards Nominations Being Accepted Now

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UPDATED: THE VANCE COUNTY DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS IS FEB. 16, 2024

Do you know someone who makes a difference in the community through volunteerism? Nominations for the annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted now. Each year, the awards are presented to individuals who make significant contributions to the communities they live in through volunteer service.

An individual or group from the public, nonprofit and private sector may be nominated for this recognition award by a community member. For more information or to make a nomination online or download a nomination form, visit https://www.nc.gov/working/volunteer-opportunities/volunteernc/governors-volunteer-service-awards.  Use this site to locate your county’s contact person to whom you submit nominations. The nominations may be downloaded or completed online.

Some counties have designated specific individuals to receive the nominations from their county. According to information on the state government website, different counties may establish their own deadlines for submission. Vance County residents who wish to send in a nomination should do so by Feb. 16 via email to volunteernc@nc.gov.

Granville County nominations are due by Friday, Jan. 12 and should be submitted to kim@tnvlc.onmicrosoft.com.

In Franklin County, nominations should be submitted by Jan. 31 to Charles Mitchell charles_mitchell@ncsu.edu.

Warren County residents should send nominations by Feb. 1 to Crystal Smith at crystalsmith@warrencountync.gov.

The Local Skinny! ‘Next NC Scholarship’ Helps Students Pay For College

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When it comes to paying for a college education, one of the first things for parents and students to know is the difference between scholarships and grants versus loans. A loan has to be repaid; grants and scholarships don’t.

Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais said her school’s financial aid officers at each of the college’s four campuses are ready to help prospective students as they navigate the sometimes choppy waters of paying for post-secondary schooling.

The Next NC Scholarship is just one of the funding streams available to many state residents, Desmarais said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Students in households that make less than $80,000 are eligible for at least $3,000 an academic year at a community college under the Next NC Scholarship. There are several other criteria to be eligible for the Next NC funds, including being a state resident already enrolled in a program and taking at least 6 credit hours.

Close to one-third of VGCC’s traditional student population use some type of financial aid to pay for their tuition and fees, she said.

Whether students are in a path for a certification, a two-year associate degree or want to transfer to a four-year college or university, Desmarais said it’s important to keep student loan debt as low as possible.
“The less debt you can accumulate during that time is important,” she said, adding that scholarships like the Next NC Scholarship and Pell Grants from the federal government both help students be able to afford college.

“They help individuals get that good job and not be stacked with debt,” Desmarais said.

“If you’re spending all your money repaying student loans, you’re not really getting ahead,” she noted.

Many high school seniors and their parents are in the process of completing the all-important Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which opened on Dec. 31, 2023.

VGCC will host a FAFSA Day on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the Main Campus in Henderson, Desmarais said. This is a time when families can learn more about the financial aid process and get help completing the online documents. The event will take place in Building 7, with check-in in the front lobby. There is plenty of nearby parking to accommodate participants.

“We’re here to help,” Desmarais said. “We enjoy meeting new folks and helping them walk through the financial aid process. We’re excited about helping people plan for college.”

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Wreaths Across America Mobile Museum Plans Stop In Oxford Jan. 26-28

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The City of Oxford is one of the scheduled stops for a Wreaths Across America tour, whose mission is to recognize military veterans and remember those who died in service to the country.

The organization’s Mobile Education Unit will be set up at 105 Lewis St., Oxford from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 through Sunday, Jan. 28, according to information from Karen Worcester, the group’s executive director.

“The mission of Wreaths Across America is to Remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Worcester said in a press statement.

“The Mobile Education Exhibit provides the unique opportunity for communities to come together and share the stories of those who served and sacrificed. Through our partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, the exhibit also serves as an official ‘Welcome Home’ location for our nation’s Vietnam veterans,” she said.

The exhibit will be set up for two days in the northeastern part of the state before it comes to Oxford; from there, it will continue to stops in Havelock, New Bern and Mooresville. Each stop will allow the community, veterans, active-duty military and their families to engage in interactive exhibits, view short films, share stories and educate visitors who come to the exhibit.

When the mobile exhibit arrives, all veterans, active-duty military, their families, and community members are invited and encouraged to visit, take a tour and speak with WAA representatives and volunteers. They can also share more about the national nonprofit and its volunteer work to support our heroes and their communities year-round.

To host the MEE in your community, whether it be for a parade, a school-related or veterans’ organization, or a public or private event, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/About/MobileEducationExhibit to make a request.

You can sponsor a veteran’s wreath anytime for $17 at www.wreathacrossamerica.org. Each sponsorship goes toward a live balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest on Saturday, December 14, 2024, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery which was begun by Maine businessman Morrill Webster in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, and thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

Pizza Delivery Driver Robbed, Car Stolen

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Henderson Police Department Press Release:

On December 23, 2023 around 12:16 AM, officers received a report that a driver from Papa John’s had been robbed in the area of Burwell Avenue and his vehicle was stolen. The suspects were described as two males and one having a firearm. The vehicle, a Hyundai Tucson, was located in the area of Nicholas Street. Officers responded to the area and located the stolen vehicle. The driver attempted to flee on Chavasse Avenue and stop sticks were deployed. The stop sticks were successful in stopping the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and ran to the area of Raleigh Road where he was apprehended by officers.

The driver of the vehicle, Zion Howard, 19, was arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Howard received a $100,000 secured bond and was remanded to the Vance County Jail.

A suspect vehicle was also located on Chavasse Avenue that was following the stolen vehicle. This vehicle was stopped and the driver, Kyle’ Williams, 20, was arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, and carrying a concealed weapon. Williams received a $100,000 secured bond and remanded to the Vance County Jail.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

Suspect Arrested in Connection with Multiple Break-Ins in the County

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Press Release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame:

On January 3rd, 2024 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division arrested Jason Ayscue, age 43.

He was arrested in connection with multiple break-ins that occurred between September 30, 2023 and November 14, 2023 at In A Minute Shop on NC 39 Highway South, Kerr Lake Bait and Tackle on Nutbush Road and Sunoco on North Garnet Street in Henderson.

Ayscue was charged with three counts of felony breaking and entering, four counts of felony breaking and entering a coin/currency machine and two counts of misdemeanor damage to a coin/currency machine.

Ayscue was confined to the Vance County Jail under a $35,000 secured bond.

He is scheduled to appear in court on February 1st, 2024.

Anyone with information about these cases is urged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2200 or 911.

Democratic Party

TownTalk: NC Gubernatorial Candidate Josh Stein Coming To Henderson Jan. 9

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UPDATE 1-9-24:

N.C. gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein’s scheduled visit to Henderson this afternoon has been postponed because of the threat of severe weather forecast for later today.

Vance County Democratic Chairperson Angela Thornton told WIZS News earlier Tuesday.

“We look forward to coordinating with his campaign for a rescheduled date,” Thornton said in a written statement to WIZS.

Stein is the current state attorney general.

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ORIGINAL POST:

Blue may be the dominant color at next week’s meet and greet for one of the Democratic candidates for governor, but local party officials invite the entire community to Perry Memorial Library on Tuesday, Jan. 9 – no matter their party preference.

Joseph Brodie, first vice president of the Vance County Democratic Party, said Thursday that current N.C. Attorney General and gubernatorial hopeful Josh Stein will be in Henderson to meet voters and discuss the upcoming elections.

“All the public is invited to come down if they want to hear what Attorney General Josh Stein is going to be putting on the table,” Brodie said on Thursday’s TownTalk. “They can hear it for themselves.”

The doors open at 5 p.m. and the event begins at 5:30 p.m. Brodie said this visit does not constitute an endorsement by local party leaders. “We have the door open for all our Democratic candidates to come down and introduce themselves to the voters of Vance County,” he explained.

With the March primary elections fast approaching, Brodie said he is pleased with the progress that is being made within the local Democratic Party.

“I feel real good,” he said. “The Vance County Democratic Party has come a long way…people are in place, working together for one common cause – to elect Democrats, not only in Vance County, but in surrounding areas.”

Brodie said the focus now is in organizing the local precincts so that voters can get important information concerning candidates and races.

“We’re always striving for excellence,” Brodie noted, adding that more work needs to be done.

 

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Vance County Logo

William Coker New Vance County Animal Services Manager

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Vance County Manager Renee Perry has announced that William Coker has been selected to be the county’s Animal Services Manager.

Coker, a native of Vance County, has more than a decade of work experience in the county, having served in the Sheriff’s Office as well as with Animal Control.

He began his new role on Jan. 2, 2024 following a recruitment and interview process, Perry said in a press statement sent Thursday afternoon to WIZS. Coker succeeds Frankie Nobles, who accepted a new position as the county’s Special Projects Coordinator last year.

 

Maria Parham To Host Jan. 24 Open House For New Nurses

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Maria Parham Health invites nursing students or recent graduates of nursing programs to an Open House on Wednesday, Jan. 24 to learn about career opportunities in the health care industry.

The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the hospital’s main campus, 566 Ruin Creek Rd., according to information from MPH Market Coordinator Donna Young.

Prospective nurses will get the chance to speak with experienced nurses and health care leaders as they learn more about job opportunities and a variety of career paths that involve nursing.

Visit https://www.mariaparham.com/event/42 to register online.

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Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Logical Consequences

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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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