N.C. Community College President of the Year Dr. Stelfanie Williams

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— courtesy VGCC

Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, has been named President of the Year for 2018 by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. She is the first leader in VGCC history to receive the honor.

The President of the Year Award, sponsored by Wells Fargo, was established by the State Board in 2001. This award encourages, identifies, and rewards outstanding leadership and commitment to the community college mission among the presidents of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System.

“My fellow trustees and I are delighted that the State Board of Community Colleges has recognized Dr. Williams for her visionary leadership,” said Danny Wright, chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees. “Our entire region has been blessed to have Dr. Williams lead Vance-Granville Community College to new heights of excellence by embracing innovation and fostering strong partnerships. She serves our institution, our community and the state of North Carolina with warmth, humility and a passion for student success. This award is a well-deserved honor for Dr. Williams and reflects positively on the entire Vance-Granville team.”

College leaders nominated Williams as part of a competitive selection process in which an eight-page narrative is submitted and candidates are interviewed by an awards committee. The awards process emphasizes accomplishments that presidents have led in the past three years at their institutions – demonstrating broad community partnerships, improving services through technology, workforce education, economic development, advocacy at the local and state levels, long-range planning, innovation in program development and supporting professional development for college employees, among other criteria.

Williams became the sixth president of VGCC in 2012. Since then, she has focused the college on a “Vanguard Vision” strategic plan that addresses educational excellence, continuous improvement, employee and student engagement in college life, and institutional stewardship. Under her leadership, the college has added seven curriculum degree programs, including Mechatronics Engineering Technology, which provides training for advanced manufacturing careers. That program has been supported by some of the largest grants in the college’s history — part of the $40 million in grant funding (including a record-setting, in-kind donation from Siemens PLM Software) secured since 2013. Williams also helped initiate the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training Alliance (AMSTA) with the Career & Technical Education high school programs from the four public school systems in the college’s service area.

Her tenure has seen the second-largest private donor gift in VGCC history, as well as six consecutive highest-yielding annual golf tournaments for scholarships. With a focus on student success, the institution has improved completion rates, graduating the largest classes ever in 2015 and 2016. The most recent graduating class (2017) featured the largest number of associate’s degrees awarded in the history of the college.

She collaborated with North Carolina Central University to establish the “Eagle Voyage” partnership that now allows students with associate degrees to complete one of three bachelor’s degree programs without having to leave the VGCC campus. Meanwhile, the college has also partnered with North Carolina A&T State University through a program called “Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses” (RIBN), in which students simultaneously enroll at VGCC and the university to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

In addition, Williams introduced a private donor-funded college promise program called the “VanGuarantee” in an effort to make college more accessible for students with the greatest financial need. The scholarship program has garnered national attention and was highlighted by the White House in 2016.

Williams has championed Vance-Granville’s embrace of technology to provide greater academic offerings and support to students. The “Vanguard Online Learning through Technology” (VOLT) initiative has made six degree programs available completely online.

Prior to leading VGCC, Williams served as faculty and in several administrative capacities at other North Carolina community colleges. She also currently serves as adjunct faculty for the North Carolina State University College of Education.

Williams earned baccalaureate degrees in public policy and Spanish at Duke University, a master’s degree in project management from Western Carolina University, and her doctorate in adult and higher education from N.C. State University.

Williams has served on a number of boards and is the current secretary of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents. In 2014, she was awarded the I.E. Ready Distinguished Leadership Award by North Carolina State University. In late 2017, Williams was appointed to a pair of statewide panels that are focused on education issues: the “My Future NC” Commission and the Governor’s Commission on Access to Sound, Basic Education.

–VGCC–

(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.)

Maria Parham Health Implementing New Visitor Restrictions during Flu Season

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— Press Release from Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health Implementing New Visitor Restrictions during Flu Season

Henderson, NC (January 12, 2018) – Our primary goal at Maria Parham Health is to provide the best quality of care in an environment that is safe for our patients. To protect them, at times we must manage their exposure to illnesses that are easily spread, like the flu.

We carefully monitor flu activity levels in our hospitals and the community. When certain thresholds are met, we must take action to halt the spread and limit the number of visitors allowed in our patient areas. Due to the high numbers of respiratory illness and influenza, Maria Parham Health has implemented visitor restrictions.

If you are visiting our hospital during flu season, please be prepared for the possibility of limited visitation and safety hygiene requests to be made.

Visitors are limited to immediate family members or designated adult caregivers, who have no fever, cough, or other flu-like symptoms.

Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to visit unless for a medical appointment or an ED visit.

All persons with flu symptoms (cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, vomiting, extreme tiredness, muscle aches and or diarrhea), please do not visit patients.

Visitors are asked to wash hands frequently. Foam hand cleanser is available throughout the building.

If you are here for services and have flu symptoms, please ask for a mask upon arrival.

You may see some of our staff wearing masks as a safety precaution for our patients.

To help prevent the spread of flu germs outside of the hospital, please wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol hand gel and encourage others to do so as well.

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H-V Emergency Operations

Hazardous Travel Continues Into Jan 19, 2018

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The latest briefing from the National Weather service in Raleigh is always available when you click here.

It is slick and dangerous in many many locations.

Even where you can’t see snow or packed ice, black ice is expected on roads and walkways through Friday morning.

Winter Weather Advisory in effect until noon Friday.  Hazardous travel conditions exists across all of Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin Counties and all of central North Carolina.

Many primary roads, especially that received direct sunlight and which were treated and cleared by road crews are fairly good.  Shaded areas are not.  Most secondary roads and neighborhoods are not.  Travel is strongly discouraged.

Director of Emergency Operations for Henderson and Vance County, Brian Short, said, “Please see the attached (link above) from the NWS regarding our lingering winter weather and what we can expect over the next several days. Travel conditions will continue to be hazardous with black ice likely in place over night and in the early morning hours through tomorrow.”

VGCC – All Campuses Closed Jan 19, 2018

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All campuses of Vance-Granville Community College will be closed on Friday, January 19, 2018, due to inclement weather.

Thank you.

Andrew Beal
Public Information Officer
Vance-Granville Community College

Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools Closed Jan 19, 2018

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Due to the hazardous road conditions, all Franklin County Schools will be closed Friday, January 19 for students and staff.

After-school and evening activities are canceled and all Franklin County Schools’ Facilities are closed to the public.

Monday, January 22 will be a make-up day for students on the Traditional and Early College Calendars only.

Michelle Fiscus,
Director of Communications
Franklin County Schools
53 West River Road
Louisburg, NC 27549

Franklin County Logo

Franklin County will operate on a two-hour delay on Friday, January 19, 2018.

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Franklin County will operate on a two-hour delay on Friday, January 19, 2018.

National Weather Service

Winter Storm Warning Ended at 1 A.M.

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The latest briefing from the National Weather service in Raleigh is always available when you click here.

— UPDATE 8:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY, JAN 17, 2018  (Final Update for this Thread)

Winter Storm Warning extended to 1 a.m.  Travel not recommended.  Areas to south and west of Henderson experiencing numerous power outages due to heavy wet snow on limbs and lines.  Preliminary snowfall amounts so far about 6 inches in and near Henderson.  Additional accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.  Bitter cold will be extremely dangerous for animals and people.

— UPDATE 11:30 A.M. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17

From Director for Emergency Operations in Henderson and Vance County, Brian Short:

“Attached (in the link above) is the latest from the NWS regarding our current winter weather event. As you can see, they have once again increased our forecast snowfall totals to 6 to 8 inches. Other than that nothing has really changed.

“At this time we are continuing to monitor the storm with an overstaffed 911 center and are prepared to implement additional emergency protective measures if it should become necessary.”

— UPDATE 7 A.M. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 9 p.m.

Changes overnight include a slower arrival time of snow and higher accumulations.

The Director for Emergency Operations in Henderson and Vance County, Brian Short, emailed to local media and emergency preparedness teams, and he said, “Please see the attached (link above) from the NWS regarding today’s weather. Our forecast has changed again. We are now forecast to receive between 5 and 6 inches of snow with locally higher amounts possible. Currently light rain is falling but this is expected to change over to all snow this morning. It is also now expected to snow all day and finally taper off tonight.”

The NWS briefing says, “Once the snow develops, the onset of more intense snowfall rates will be rapid. Occasional but brief bursts of heavier snow may occur, resulting in road conditions quickly deteriorating. That is, road conditions could go from being fine one minute, to treacherous the next minute, when and where these heavy snow bursts occur.”

 

— UPDATE 3 P.M. TUESDAY, JAN. 16

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a Winter Storm Warning for all of central North Carolina late tonight through Wednesday, including the counties of Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and additional counties to the east and south.

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

The urgent winter weather message from the NWS says:

  • WHAT…Moderate to heavy snow expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions, possibly as early as the morning commute. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts up to 5 inches possible.
  • WHERE…The eastern Piedmont, the Sandhills and most of the coastal plain of central North Carolina.
  • WHEN…From 4 AM to 9 PM EST Wednesday.
  • ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Be prepared for significant reductions in visibility at times, especially between 8 AM and 1 PM.

Additional information will be published here and on WIZS 1450 AM as it is received.

— UPDATE NOON TUESDAY, JAN. 16

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 11 p.m. Tuesday until 7 p.m. Wednesday for snow.

Slippery roads are expected with forecasters indicating 1 to 3 inches of accumulations across all the WIZS listening area of Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin Counties.

After the precipitation ends, any snow or slush will freeze on roads, bridges and overpasses Wednesday night as the temperature for this area is forecast to be 15 overnight Wednesday into Thursday.  Wind chill values are expected to be around 6 or 7 degrees.  People and animals will be in danger.

Henderson and Vance County Director of Emergency Operations, Brian Short, wrote in an email to local media and emergency preparedness teams, and he said, “As you can see (in the update link above), our snowfall totals have increased slightly with 3 inches of snow being possible. We are not expecting this evening to be a major impact, but we do expect it to cause some travel issues during the day on Wednesday.”

Additional information will be published here and on WIZS 1450 AM as it is received.

— UPDATE NOON MONDAY, JAN. 15

The Director for Emergency Operations in Henderson and Vance County, Brian Short, emailed to local media and emergency preparedness teams, and he said:

“Attached (above) is the most recent single page brief issued by the NWS regarding the potential for snow in our area tomorrow night through Wednesday.

“We have been watching this system very closely for the past few days and at this point there is a fair degree of certainty that we will receive some accumulating snow, however the models depict the amounts at anywhere from a dusting to a few inches with 3 inches being the most that I have seen. In short, this is not expected to be a debilitating event in any way.

“With that said, travel conditions may be hazardous on Wednesday, but other than that we do not anticipate any real problems.

“We will continue to monitor it closely and will forward along additional information as it is received.”

Franklin County Sheriff

Christopher Leon Minor is Wanted

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Press Release from Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Christopher Leon Minor is wanted.  He has an active warrant for armed robbery and kidnapping that occurred 01/11/2018 at the Dollar General, 5174 US 401 South, Louisburg.

Mr. Minor has active warrants for his arrest.  Anyone with information of his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Woody, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.  919-340-4369.

FGV Smart Start to Enroll Kids in Dolly Parton Imagination Library

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Franklin-Granville-Vance Partnership For Children will soon begin enrolling kids in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program.  F-G-V Development Coordinator Garry Daeke told WIZS News that the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) is distributing $10.5 million statewide over two years.

Daeke said, “The NC Legislature during its last biennial budget allocated $3.5 million in fiscal year 17-18, and $7 million for fiscal year 18-19, for Dolly Parton Imagination Library program expansion throughout NC…Each local partnership then applies for funds to serve the number of children they believe they can enroll.

“We are in process of setting up our contract with the Dolly Parton Foundation, and will be announcing where and how to enroll very shortly. Initially, we will set up an announced enrollment day in each county, probably at local libraries, where parents can enroll children.”

You should look for enrollment forms at convenient locations like the hospital, health department and in pediatricians’ offices.

Daeke said, “Once we are up and running, there will also be on-line enrollment link for us on Dolly Parton’s web page, as well as our local webpage, www.fgvsmartstart.org.”

He said, “With the increased recognition that an important part of brain development occurs within the first three years of a child’s life, and that reading to children enhances vocabulary and other important communication skills, the American Academy of Pediatrics, which represents 62,000 pediatricians across the country, is asking its members to become powerful advocates for reading aloud, every time a baby visits the doctor.”

Daeke quoted Dr. Pamela High, who wrote the new policy.  He said, “It should be there each time we touch bases with children.”  The policy recommends that doctors tell parents they should be “reading together as a daily fun family activity” from infancy.

Maria Parham Health welcomes Dr. Aidevo Igbide

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The following is a press release from Maria Parham Health, not a paid advertisement.

Henderson, NC – Maria Parham Health (MPH), a Duke LifePoint hospital, is excited to announce that Aidevo S. Igbide, MD has joined their primary care physician practice, Maria Parham Primary Care. Dr. Igbide joins our community from Surrey, BC, Canada where she practiced family medicine. Dr. Igbide has over 17 years of experience as a doctor and has worked in multiple countries throughout the world. You can continue reading this article here.

Dr. Igbide earned her medical degree from the University of Benin, School of Medicine in Benin City, Nigeria. She completed a residency program at London Deanery, Sidcup Training in Family Medicine and also trained in internal medicine at the Queens hospital, London Deanery both located in London England. Dr. Igbide holds several licensures including North Carolina  medical Board and College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. She previously held a teaching license with the Washington State Medical Board. She is also certified through multiple organizations and societies including, Board certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. She is a Member Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP), United Kingdom and a Member Royal College of Physicians (MRCP), United Kingdom. She is ECFMG certified and board eligible with the American Board of Family Physicians (ABFM).

Dr. Igbide holds several active professional memberships in the following organizations, Canada Medical Protection association, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Canadian Medical Association and the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. When she is not working, Dr. Igbide enjoys swimming, aerobics and Zumba dancing, cooking and traveling. She is also a soprano soloist and enjoys taking time to practice her skill.

Maria Parham Primary Care is located in the Vance Medical Arts Building across from Maria Parham Health. This practice offers primary care services for the entire family including preventative care, annual wellness care, childhood illness, well child care, women’s health, treatment of chronic illness and geriatric care. Dr. Igbide joins Dr. Gary Smith and Dr. Kavitha Subramanian at Maria Parham Primary Care.

Dr. Igbide is now accepting patients at Maria Parham Primary Care located at 511 Ruin Creek Rd, Suite 101 in Henderson. To reach Maria Parham Primary Care, please call 252.436.0040 appointments can also be made online by visiting mariaparham.com.

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(Maria Parham Health is an advertising client of WIZS.  This is not a paid advertisement.)