The Local Skinny! Vance County Schools Receive Blue Ribbon Awards

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For the fourth year in a row, Vance County Schools has been recognized by a statewide organization for excellence in communications. The district took four Blue Ribbon awards at a recent ceremony of the North Carolina School Public Relations Association, according to information from VCS Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin.

Of the 344 awards given out during the ceremony, Vance County received two Gold level awards, one Silver and one Bronze level award.

The BlueRibbon Awards are the highest honor presented by t6he NCSPRA to school districts. The awards are given for outstanding communication in eight categories: marketing, digital media engagement, electronic media, excellence in writing, publications, image/graphic design, photography and special events/programs.

“This recognition is an honor for our entire district, as well as a testament to the hard work of our team,” Sandlin said in the press statement. “We are grateful for the ongoing collaboration between the Communications department and the Center For Innovation staff as we work together to provide opportunities and experience for our students and showcase our district’s story.”

Here’s a breakdown of the award-winning programs and projects:

VCS earned Gold level recognition in the Special Events and Programs category for its Engage, Inspire, Empower conference, held in April 2023 for young women in grades 7-12 and in the Digital Media Engagement category for its Alumni Roll Call 2023 social media campaign.

The district took Silver and Bronze in the category of Image/Graphic Design for its use of AI technology that turned each principal into a superhero during Principal Appreciation Month.

The Bronze award was given for a billboard campaign called Sharing Our Story at New Heights. The billboard is on Norlina Road across from the Food Lion Shopping Center.

The NCSPRA identified a “Best of the Best” for each category, and VCS was honored in the Special Events/Programs category.

Other school district winners were:

  • Digital Media Engagement: Guilford County Schools
  • Electronic Media: Guilford County Schools
  • Excellence in Writing: New Hanover County Schools
  • Image/Graphic Design: Chatham County Schools
  • Marketing: Rutherford County Schools
  • Photography: Durham Public Schools
  • Publications (Electronic & Print): Durham Public Schools

Visit www.ncspra.org to learn more about the organization.

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Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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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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Franklin County Reports Discharge Of 32K Gallons Of Untreated Wastewater

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-information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks, III

 

Franklin County Public Utilities experienced a discharge of more than 32,000 gallons of untreated wastewater at the Industrial Park Pump Station. The discharge was the result of a complete mechanical system failure. The discharge started Friday, Feb. 9 and concluded on Saturday, Feb. 10.

The discharge of wastewater was estimated to be 32,400 gallons and approximately 20,000 gallons of the 32,400 gallons discharged reached the surface waters of Brandy Creek, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks, III.

Franklin County Public Utilities staff was dispatched to the site and started cleanup after the discharge stopped.

Residents do not need to take any action at this time.

The Division of Water Quality was notified of this event on Feb. 10, 2024, and the matter is under review. For additional information concerning this event, please contact Franklin County Public Utilities at 919.556.6177.

Visit www.franklincountync.gov to learn more.

 

Dabney Drive

NCDOT Hosting Drop-In Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 To Discuss Dabney Drive Project

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The N.C. Department of Transportation is hosting a public, drop-in style meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 for people to learn more about the proposed project that would help ease congestion and improve safety on Dabney Drive.

The proposed project would improve Dabney Drive from Coble Boulevard to U.S. 158 Business, including construction of a roundabout at the Dabney Drive/Dorsey Avenue intersections.

Interested individuals can just drop by E.M. Rollins Elementary School, located at 1600 S. Garnett St. any time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. NCDOT staff will be available to answer questions.

People have until Tuesday, Feb. 27 to submit comments by phone at 984.205.6615, code 4600, by email Dabney-drive-henderson@publicinput.com or by mail to:

 

Zahid Baloch

NCDOT Division Project Team

1573 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1573

 

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Tony Gallager at magallagher@ncdot.gov or 919.707.6069 as early as possible so arrangements can be made.

People who speak Spanish and have limited ability to read, speak or understand English may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.

TownTalk: Estate Sale To Benefit American Cancer Society

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Frances Garrett is putting on an estate sale to benefit the American Cancer Society. Make plans to come out to shop beginning Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Garrett is a cancer survivor and she and her loyal volunteers have all the items priced and ready for sale, according to Aaron Ramsey, one of the volunteers that makes up Garrett’s team she calls “Frances and Friends.”

There are numerous household items that are just waiting for a new home – from lamps and all sorts of glassware to figurines and other collectibles.

“She works day and night,” Ramsey said on Monday’s TownTalk. “She’s one of the highest volume fundraisers throughout the state – they give her an award every year.”

For Garrett, it’s a labor of love – to show support for fellow cancer survivors while raising money to contribute to the cause.

And, Ramsey said, all proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society.

Cash or checks will be accepted.

“Come on out and take a look,” Ramsey said.

The sale is located in the shopping plaza on Raleigh Road, between Dollar Tree and the Salvation Army Family store, across from M.R. Williams.

 

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The Local Skinny! RAM Clinic In Henderson This Weekend

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Organizers and participants of this weekend’s Duke RAM pop-up clinic in Henderson are planning to provide medical wellness checkups, as well as dental and vision services – all free of charge.

Duke University senior Saajan Patel has invested a good chunk of his time over the past three years to get the Remote Area Medical clinic up and running. This is the third year that the clinic has been held at Vance Charter School, and Patel said he’s excited for what the weekend holds.

Patients can begin lining up as early as midnight on Friday, Feb. 16 in advance of the clinic’s opening at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. Dentists, optometrists, doctors, nurses and other health professionals are volunteering their services during the two-day clinic. Patients need only show up and get in line for care; no proof of insurance or ID is required, Patel said.

In rural North Carolina, where access to services may be limited for residents, Patel said. “Getting into the health care atmophere is so cumbersome…hopefully RAM makes it easier for patients to connect” patients with services.

Patel said through his participation with RAM, he’s been able to see firsthand the health disparities that exist in areas like Henderson and Vance County. He hopes to be able to continue to serve rural North Carolina in some capacity “and make a difference” after he graduates in May with a degree in biology and minors in global health and chemistry.

The clinic hours are Saturday, Feb. 17 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 18 from 6 a.m. to about 12 noon or 1 p.m. Vance Charter School is located at 2922 Ross Mill Rd.

Other community partners will be on hand to provide information, from how to enroll in Medicaid or Medicare to demonstrations on how to properly use Narcan in case of drug overdose.

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Cooperative Extension With Wayne Rowland: Thinning Pine Stands

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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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Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 15 For March 5 Primary

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Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 15 for the upcoming March primary elections, and there are two contested local races on the ballot for Vance County voters to consider, according to information from Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin.

There are a total of four seats on the board of commissioners, as well as three seats on the board of education; District 2 Commissioner Archie Taylor faces challenger from fellow Democrat Valencia Perry to determine who will be on the November 5 ballot.

In the District 5 School Board race, Democratic incumbent Linda Cobb faces Democratic challenger William Earl Purvis in the primary election.

The other seats on the ballot include Districts 1, 5 and 6 for the board of commissioners and seats for Districts 3 and 4.

Each candidate is running unopposed in the primary election; however, there are two candidates – one Republican and one Democrat – in the race for the District 1 seat on the board of commissioners.

The incumbent, Democrat Carolyn Faines, faces opposition from Republican challenger William Heitman.