Distinguished Alumni Award Due To VGCC Foundation Board By Aug. 31

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The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation board is seeking nominations for its third annual Distinguished Alumni award. Nominations are due by Aug. 31.

Throughout its 55-year history, VGCC has served the citizens of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, preparing them for careers and further secondary education in dozens of certificate and curriculum programs.

Many alumni of VGCC have gone on to make significant impact in their communities and careers. Two years ago, the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation began recognizing one outstanding VGCC alumnus each year with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes and honors outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to their community, college or career. Mara Shelton was the 2022 recipient; Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley was honored in 2023.

Alumni who have completed a diploma or degree program at VGCC are eligible for the award. Current VGCC Foundation Board members are not eligible. Selection will be based on the following criteria:

  • Exhibits outstanding leadership and character
  • Achieved significant accomplishments in career area
  • Exhibits outstanding service to the community
  • Supports VGCC in some capacity

Visit www.vgcc.edu/foundation to complete the nomination form or request one via email at foundation@vgcc.edu. Please note that nominees remain nominated for three years after the receipt of their nomination.

The award will be presented during the annual the VGCC Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Sept. 26.

Sossamon Plans Concert Tuesday, July 23

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Pastor Frank Sossamon has scheduled a concert for Tuesday, July 23 at Freedom Life Church of God. Come listen to some good old Southern gospel music and hymns, featuring Sossamon, accompanied by Marsha Ranes on piano.

The performance begins at 4 p.m. and will highlight the activities of Community Partners of Hope. Sossamon said the event’s offering would benefit this worthwhile ministry and its ongoing activities.

Come out for a great time of worship, inspiration and fellowship at Freedom Life Church of God, located at 1001 Martin Creek Rd.

Call 252.432.1469 for more information.

Coop with Jamon Glover: When Your Child Gets In Bed With You

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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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Warren County Seeks Members To Form New Tourism Development Authority

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The Warren County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to establish a Warren County Tourism Development Authority.

State and local statutes require establishing a TDA to oversee revenue generated by the newly levied 5 percent occupancy tax on short-term lodging.

The occupancy tax is not a property tax; rather, it is similar to sales tax, in that it is passed on to visitors and occupants of short-term rental lodging facilities. While the tax is collected by the Warren County Finance Office, the established TDA board is the sole entity that oversees how revenues are spent.

Revenue must be spent on tourism and marketing and tourism-related infrastructure.

Individuals interested in participating should complete a statement of interest before Aug. 9. The form

can be found on the www.warrencountync.com website or by visiting https://www.warrencountync.com/FormCenter/County-Commissioners-9/Statement-of-Interest-to-Serve-on-the-Wa-79

The TDA composition includes:

  • One (1) Town of Macon representative recommended by the Town of Macon’s Board of Commissioners to be appointed to a three-year term.
  • One (1) Town of Norlina representative recommended by the Town of Norlina’s Board of Commissioners to be appointed to a three-year term.
  • One (1) Town of Warrenton representative recommended by the Town of Warrenton’s Board of Commissioners to be appointed to a three-year term.
  • One (1) representative recommended by the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce to be appointed to a three-year term; this representative should be staff of the Chamber, or a member of the Chamber’s board that is also a Warren County-based business owner.
  • The Director of Warren County Community and Economic Development (CED). The CED Director’s term is not limited to the number of years.
  • One (1) short-term rental owner to be appointed to a two-year term; this membership position is intended to be filled by a property owner renting out a private residence as a short-term rental.
  • One (1) Warren County hotel, motel, or bed-and-breakfast operator to be appointed to a two-year term; in the absence of such a business, this member can be a private residence short-term rental owner.
  • One (1) Warren County tourism-related business owner to be appointed to a two-year term.

For more information on the Warren County occupancy tax, visit https://www.warrencountync.com/876/Occupancy-Tax-5.

Contact Paula Pulley, clerk to the Board of Commissioners, at paulapulley@warrencountync.gov or call 252.257.3115 to learn more about serving on the county’s boards and commissions.

Pop The Hood: Know The Difference Between Coolant And Antifreeze

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— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Although the terms often are used interchangeably, it’s important to know that antifreeze and coolant are NOT the same thing.

Coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze; antifreeze contains either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, which keep your engine from freezing in winter or overheating in summer.

And while it may sound strange to be talking about “anti-freeze” products in the middle of summer, it’s always good to know just what your vehicle needs to operate efficiently in any type of weather. Let the professionals at Advance Auto Parts help you choose the product that’s just right for your needs.

Michael Puckett, a district manager at the Advance Auto on Raleigh Road, said different types of antifreeze come in different colors, according to their particular uses and ingredients.

Vehicle owners should follow the original manufacturer’s specifications when choosing antifreeze.

Coolants are usually 50/50 mixes of distilled water and the glycol, but different brands may offer different ratios.

In addition to raising the boiling point and lowering the freezing point of water, coolant also helps prevent corrosion.

Unless it’s an emergency situation, it’s never a good idea to put plain ol’ water in your vehicle’s radiator. But it IS always a good idea to disconnect the battery cables and make sure the engine is cool enough to work on before adding any fluids, even if you’re just topping off.

When your car or truck engine is not running, the coolant is in the radiator. When the engine is running, however, the coolant courses through passageways in the engine, absorbing heat before returning to the radiator to be cooled by fresh air.

If you find you’re having to top off coolant levels often, it could be a sign that there’s a leak in the system somewhere.

It’s a good idea to think about doing a system flush every few years, but that depends on the make and model of the vehicle.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

TownTalk: NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Rates and More

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Anyone who owns a vacation home or rental property may know the difference between a homeowner’s insurance policy and a dwelling policy. They are two distinct types of coverage, and N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has successfully negotiated an agreement that provides for a rate increase of 8 percent for dwelling policies.

The Rate Bureau had requested a 50.6 percent increase, but as the head of what Causey calls a consumer advocate agency, it’s his job to keep an eye on the bottom line to make sure that people who want and need insurance have access to the best information to make decisions about coverage.

“My job is to protect consumers…to make sure they’re getting a fair shake and (insurance) companies are financially solvent so that they can pay claims when needed,” he said on Thursday’s TownTalk.

Although the rates vary across the state – higher rates in counties along the coast and lower in some of the western counties, Vance County’s rate is just over half of that 8 percent level, Causey said – 4.8 or 4.9 percent.

The new rates take effect on Nov. 1.

Renters need to remember, however, that a dwelling policy is for the structure; renters still need to consider renters’ insurance to protect their personal property against, loss, theft or damage.

Causey explained that, as insurance commissioner, he is only able to offer two responses to a Rate Bureau for a rate request: yes or no.

So far, in his 8 years, his answer has always been “no,” which puts the request on a path that involves going to court. The dwelling policy rate request had been scheduled for later this month, but it was canceled when an agreement was reached in May.

“I’ve beem criticized for not going to court,” Causey said, but court cases are expensive and those costs get passed along to taxpayers. The way he sees it, “getting as close to 0 as you can get – that’s much better than going through that court process.”

So far, a request for a homeowner’s insurance rate increase is still on for October. During the required public comment period, Causey said he received more than 25,000 comments – not surprisingly – asking that rates not go up.

“I heard the message loud and clear,” Causey said.

With his consumer advocacy hat on, Causey reminds current policy holders to review their coverage regularly, shop around and choose financially sound companies that will be able to pay claims.

Make sure you ask your insurance agent about deductibles and make sure you ask for replacement value coverage.

“If you don’t have replacement value coverage, you’re not going to be happy with your claim,” he said. Having this type of coverage may cost a few dollars more in premiums, he said, but “it’s worth its weight in gold.”

Oh, and don’t fall for TV and internet ads. Choose local agents with local companies, he said.

Email him at mike.causey@ncdoi.gov, visit www.complaint.ncdoi.gov to file a complaint or phone the department 855.408.1212.

“We’re here to help and that’s the message I want to get out,” Causey said.

 

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Granville County Names Stacy Hicks To Lead 911 Emergency Communications Dept.

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– information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Stacy Hicks has been appointed to lead Granville County’s 911 Emergency Communications Department. Hicks joined Granville County government in 2006 as a telecommunicator and has held a variety of positions in the department over the past 18 years.

“I’m honored to have been selected as Granville County’s 911 Emergency Communications Director,” said Hicks.  “The eighteen years I have spent serving the citizens of Granville County has only reinforced how critical the 911 center is for the safety of our community,” she said in a press release issued Thursday.

Since joining the county as a telecommunicator, Hicks has progressed through the Emergency Communications ranks serving as a Telecommunication Supervisor, Emergency Medical Dispatch Coordinator, Training & Quality Assurance Coordinator and Operations Manager.  Hicks most recently served as the Interim 911 Emergency Communications Director.

“While running a 24/7 public safety operation is challenging, I’m confident in our staff’s training and abilities. We hope all citizens and visitors to our county have peace of mind that when they are dealing with an emergency that a calm and professional voice will answer when they call 911,” Hicks said.

Hicks holds an Associates degree in Business Administration from Vance-Granville Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UNC-Greensboro. She is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Public Administration program at East Carolina University.

Hicks has received numerous national and  state certifications including the National Emergency Number Association Emergency Number Professional,  Advanced Level Emergency Medical Dispatch Quality, Emergency Fire Dispatch Quality, Association of Public  Safety Communicators Communications Training Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency National  Incident Management System Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce, North Carolina Division of  Criminal Information Operations, and the National Association of Counties Performance Leader Master  Certificate.

The 911 Emergency Communications Center is located in the Granville County Law Enforcement Center at 525 New Commerce Dr. in Oxford.

Vance County Logo

County’s New Chief Code Enforcement Officer Set To Begin Work Monday, July 15

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Vance County has selected Bob Rosch as the new Chief Code Enforcement Officer, effective Monday, July 15.

The code enforcement office is located in the same office as planning, but it will function as a separate department with Rosch as the department head, according to information received Wednesday from Kelly Grissom, clerk to the board of county commissioners.

Prior to joining Vance County, Rosch served as a multi-trade building and fire inspector for the town of Morrisville. He is certified by the N.C. Dept. of Insurance Level III in all  building trades and he holds several certifications from the National Fire Administration as a Fire Inspector and Fire Plan Reviewer.

“I am happy to return to Vance County where I previously resided for many years and look forward to serving the community,”  Rosch said.

“I am more than thrilled to bring Mr. Rosch on board with the rest of the Vance County team,” said County Manager C. Renee Perry. “His inspections experience will definitely be of benefit to Vance County.”