100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments
The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG) has been awarded $200,000 by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) under the 2019 cycle of the Urgent Repair Program to assist residents in the counties of Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren.
The Urgent Repair program finances emergency home repairs for homeowners who are elderly or have special needs and whose incomes are below 50% of the median for the area. Only repairs that address imminent threats to the life and/or safety of occupants of the dwelling unit or accessibility modifications will be performed under the program. A total of 18 households are projected to be assisted.
In the Urgent Repair Program, one or two critical problems may be repaired, but the entire house is not addressed. Examples of work typically done under this program include roof or HVAC system repair, well or septic system repairs, adding accessibility features like ramps, bathroom grab bars and wider doors.
The COG will provide assistance to those whose homes are selected for repairs in the form of a loan. Homeowners will receive an unsecured deferred, interest-free loan, forgiven at a rate of $2,000 per year until the principal balance is reduced to zero. The maximum amount of the loan available is $10,000.
Applications are available starting September 2, 2019, and must be returned to the COG office by 5 p.m. on November 1, 2019. Clients to be assisted will be selected by January 1, 2020.
The application and program information are available on the Kerr-Tar Regional COG website at www.kerrtarcog.org or by calling 252-436-2040.
The funds provided by the NCHFA for the Urgent Repair Program come from the North Carolina Housing Trust Fund.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0096_1-1.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-29 16:53:092019-08-29 16:53:09Kerr-Tar Regional COG to Offer Eligible Residents Emergency Home Repairs
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Granville County Government
Granville County Crime Stoppers will host a seminar on Ministry Safety and Security on September 4.
This one-day course, to be held at West Oxford Baptist Church (627 Hillsboro Street), will instruct participants on how to build a security team, how to deal with difficult people and situations and ways to protect people from harm.
The purpose of Granville County Crime Stoppers is to help make Granville County a safer place to live, work, and raise a family by assisting law enforcement in the fight against crime.
The church is a public place and is susceptible to a variety of safety and security situations.
Fees for this seminar include the cost of materials and lunch.
At Vance-Granville Community College’s recent fall convocation, college President Dr. Rachel Desmarais announced awards to a pair of outstanding employees for the 2019-20 year.
Tammy Ball, an instructor for Office Administration and Medical Office Administration and Online Retention Specialist, was named Faculty Member of the Year, while Jennifer “Jenny” Luffman, Accounts Receivable and Third Party Billing Coordinator for the VGCC Business Office, was selected as the Staff Member of the Year.
The honors are two of VGCC’s three Glen Raven Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards. Glen Raven, Inc., the custom fabrics manufacturer with a facility in Warren County, is a longtime partner and supporter of the college. In addition to sponsoring the annual stipends to recognize excellence among VGCC instructors and staff members, Glen Raven has endowed several scholarships for students.
Ball and Luffman are now eligible to be considered for the N.C. Community College System’s statewide R.J. Reynolds Excellence in Teaching and BB&T Staff Person of the Year awards, respectively.
“This year, Vance-Granville Community College celebrates 50 years of excellence, which would not have been possible without outstanding faculty and staff members like Jenny and Tammy,” said Dr. Desmarais. “The fact that both are not only dedicated members of our team but also VGCC alumni is a testament to the quality education they received here, as well as the community atmosphere that this institution has maintained.”
Tammy Ball
A Youngsville resident, Ball has been teaching at VGCC for the past six-and-a-half years but first developed a great passion for the college over 20 years ago, when she was a student. “I came to VGCC to study in the college transfer program,” Ball recalled. “After graduation, I looked to the college for classes to support my career in healthcare, and when I finally did decide to transfer, returned to VGCC once again to take business and accounting classes to take with me to the university.”
Tammy Ball (left) accepts the Faculty Member of the Year award from Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of VGCC. (VGCC photo)
After working as a medical records manager and clinical secretary at a retirement community, Ball completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration at N.C. State University. She then worked full-time at the university for several years, primarily in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Since joining VGCC, Ball has taught not only curriculum but continuing education courses, many of which she also developed, and has advised many on-campus and online students. She was lead advisor for the Office Administration Club for three years and has served on a variety of college committees.
“I’ve seen first-hand how the college can help our community through workforce training and transferable courses,” Ball said. “I love each day at VGCC where I can give back and help my own community learn and grow!”
Jennifer Luffman
Luffman, a resident of Bullock, said that she set a goal of one day working at VGCC while she was a student at the college, earning associate degrees in Accounting and Business Administration. “The staff and faculty were always energetic and helpful, and I could tell they loved their jobs,” Luffman recalled.
Dr. Rachel Desmarais (left), president of VGCC, presents the Staff member of the Year award to Jennifer Luffman. (VGCC photo)
She first went to work in the medical billing field for a neurologist, but two years after graduating from the community college, she was hired as a cashier at VGCC’s Main Campus. That was 14 years ago.
“I held the cashier position for a couple of years, and then I became a Lead Accounting Technician,” Luffman said. “Currently, I am the Accounts Receivable and Third Party Billing Coordinator. VGCC has helped me to grow professionally.”
She has also served as chair of the VGCC Scholarship Committee, on various N.C. Community College System task forces, and as president of the Vance County Association of Educational Office Professionals.
Luffman added, “I love VGCC and I love working with the staff and faculty, but most importantly, I love helping our students.”
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Jenny-Luffman-VGCC.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-28 16:57:162019-08-28 16:57:16VGCC Honors Faculty and Staff Members of the Year
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, NCDOT
To ensure the safest and most efficient travel possible for North Carolina residents and visitors this Labor Day weekend, the N.C. Department of Transportation will suspend most road construction projects causing lane closures on major routes across the state.
Where possible, closed lanes will be opened from Friday morning until Tuesday evening. There are, however, some locations where the type or stage of construction will not allow an opening for safety reasons.
Drivers can check the status of the route they plan to take in advance by visiting DriveNC.gov. They can also follow NCDOT on social media to track travel updates by region or route.
NCDOT encourages drivers to follow these tips to navigate the roads safely over the holiday weekend:
Leave early to get a head start on your drive. Travel at non-peak hours when possible;
Stay alert. Even if construction work is suspended, you may encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts in work zones;
Be patient and obey the posted speed limit;
Use alternate routes when possible to avoid traffic congestion;
Travel at times when you are normally awake and take frequent breaks;
Avoid distracted driving; and
Don’t drive drunk or impaired.
Labor Day weekend is also a time for law enforcement to crack down on drunk driving. The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program has already started its “Booze It & Lose It” campaign, geared toward catching people who are driving under the influence.
Sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols will be in place in all 100 counties through Monday to keep impaired drivers off the roads. If you plan to drink over the holiday period, NCDOT and GHSP strongly urge you to call a friend, use a ride-share service or take a cab or public transit.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NCDOT-Logo.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-28 16:55:462019-08-28 16:55:46NCDOT Suspending Most Major Lane-Closing Projects for Labor Day Travel
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Granville County Government
Granville County Libraries need your old toys for library programming! Plastic only please, and the toys DO NOT have to be in good condition!
Examples of toys include Barbie dolls, baby dolls, action figures that can be disassembled, etc.
Those interested can drop off donations to the Thornton Library in Oxford (210 Main Street) or to the South Branch Library in Creedmoor (1550 South Campus Drive) from September 3 through October 21.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Toy-Donations.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-28 16:54:482019-08-28 16:54:48Granville Co. Libraries Seeking Old Toy Donations
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Rep. Terry Garrison and N.C. Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland visited the Triangle North industrial site on Friday, August 23, in Vance and Granville Counties.
Along in Vance County were Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington, Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen and Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director Dennis Jarvis along with the site’s original developer Eddie Ferguson.
Ellington told WIZS News, “We were very appreciative of NC Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland making the trip to tour our Triangle North-Vance Business and Industrial Park. He was very impressed with the former Semprius building site that totals roughly 50,000 square feet and is already equipped with production and manufacturing space, offices, cubicles and conference rooms. It is ‘move-in’ ready to accommodate a viable business. The Secretary expressed with the current business growth along with educational and economic growth aligning together that he needed to be in Vance County to help sell this facility and region.” Ellington added, “We are thankful, ready and ‘Open for Business!’”
Jarvis told WIZS, “I was pleased to speak with Secretary Copeland, I stressed to him our exit 209, off of I-85, is the premier industrial site north of Durham. We have over 500 acres of industrial property and two buildings that provide over 200k square feet of prime industrial space with direct access to the main campus of VGCC.
We were able to discuss areas of progress for our community like workforce development, industry sectors, and the potential for investments for our community.”
In Granville County, the tour was led by Granville County’s Economic Development Director Harry Mills, according to a press release from Granville County Government, and included an overview of park sites with a focus on its close proximity to Interstate 85 and the airport.
Located in Oxford, Triangle North Granville includes more than 500 acres of development-ready land in an easily accessible location, offering state-certified sites, access to water and sewer, electric system plans in place and a short drive to the Research Triangle Park.
Also participating in the tour and presentation were Granville County Commissioner Tony Cozart, Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent, and Katherine Noel of the Economic Development Advisory Board.
Pictured: Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington, Secretary Tony Copeland and Rep. Terry Garrison.
Pictured: Harry Mills, Comm. Tony Cozart, Secretary Tony Copeland, Rep. Garrison, Mayor Sergent and Kathrine Noel at the Triangle North entrance. (Granville Co. Govt. photo)
Economic Development Director Harry Mills provides an overview of park sites at Triangle North. (Granville Co. Govt. photo)
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Triangle-North-Visit-Henderson.png265504John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2019-08-27 16:55:172019-08-29 16:07:37Triangle North Industrial Park Selected for Site Visit
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Huntsboro Hemp Company’s Garrett and Katie Brewer, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Vice President of Product Development respectively, were on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss CBD and their production process.
CBD, or cannabidiol, continues to gain popularity among the general public as a potential, and more natural, remedy for anxiety and inflammatory-related disorders. So popular has it become that you can now ship it online from Synerva.
While producers and distributors of CBD refrain from making specific health claims, the Brewers said customers’ testimonials include reports of relief of everything from headaches and joint pain to more chronic conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Industrial hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of the cannabis species and does not provide the “high” typically associated with the THC compound found in its “sister” plant, marijuana.
According to Katie, industrial hemp must contain 0.3% or less THC to be considered legal.
“Testing is very crucial in our industry,” said Garrett. “We get certificates of analysis, which are lab reports essentially, from the time the flower is in the field all the way until it gets to the consumer. So we test at every stage of the process – from ingredients to final product.”
Garrett explained that it is this strenuous testing and dedication to providing quality ingredients, that makes Huntsboro Hemp Company unique. “That is what sets us apart – the way we make our recipe. Every time you get a bottle, you are going to get the exact same experience.”
Huntsboro Hemp currently offers three products including tinctures – used as drops placed under the tongue, bath “bombs” that enter through the skin by soaking in a bathtub and local honey infused with CBD to be consumed orally.
Huntsboro purchases hemp from local growers, including their own family farm, to ensure a pesticide and herbicide-free product that is sold at local retailers.
For the sake of transparency, Katie explained that not only does the company provide a superior product but is also dedicated to keeping the process as local as possible, even using Durham-based lab Avazyme, Inc. as their testing facility.
In a testament to the popularity and growth of the CBD industry, the Brewers quickly outgrew their first location established in 2018 and have recently set up headquarters at 123 Williamsboro Street in downtown Oxford.
Katie said the new building offers a wonderful view and provides “an office, room for production, space to meet with vendors, an area to host events and puts us right in the middle of downtown.”
To learn more about Huntsboro Hemp Company, please visit huntsborohempco.com.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
To hear the Brewers’ interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Adult Basic Skills and Continuing Education at Vance-Granville Community College, was the guest of honor on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.
Celebrating 50 years of serving and educating the community, Tucker said the college continues to excel because it adapts to the changing needs of both residents and employers alike.
Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Adult Basic Skills and Continuing Education at Vance-Granville Community College, was the guest of honor on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk. Celebrating 50 years of serving and educating the community, Tucker said the college continues to excel because it adapts to the changing needs of both residents and employers alike. (WIZS photo)
“While there are careers that require a two-year or four-year degree, there are also careers that require a specific skillset or certifications,” said Tucker. “VGCC’s Continuing Education Department works to quickly ascertain the needs of the workforce and then builds a skilled workforce for the employers.”
In fact, Tucker said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais has been committed to providing an educated workforce to meet the current and future needs of local employers since taking the helm in January.
“One of Dr. Desmarais’ visions is that we meet the needs of our workforce in a short-term, workforce development kind of way,” said Tucker.
On the Adult Basic Skills side of the house, Tucker said the majority of jobs now have a minimum requirement of an Adult High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (GED).
“When you complete an Adult High School Diploma or receive your High School Equivalency, you are laying the groundwork to an employer that you are capable of completing a basic level of education. They know if you complete a high school credential then you have a certain level of academic skill,” explained Tucker.
Offering programs primarily to adult learners 18 years and older, VGCC provides High School Equivalency classes free of charge at all four campus locations. Daytime and evening classes are available.
Other programs and areas that fall under the Con. Ed. umbrella include Fire and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement Training, Occupational Extension, Occupational Healthcare, Personal Enrichment and VGCC’s Small Business Center.
For more information on VGCC’s Continuing Education division or to register, please visit www.vgcc.edu/coned, register in person at any campus location, or call (252) 738-3324/(252) 738-3345.
To hear Tucker’s interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Granville County Government
Every ten years, America comes together to count all the residents and households in the country, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting and distributing federal funds that support vital programs in communities, counties, states and across the nation.
Census results impact housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone.
Address canvassing for the 2020 Census has begun, with representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau in the field to update and verify local addresses.
These address listers may be knocking on doors across the area and asking a few simple questions to confirm the address and to request information regarding additional living quarters on the property.
For identification purposes, badges and briefcases will be visible indicating affiliation with the Census Bureau.
This operation is one of several activities the Census Bureau conducts for an accurate and complete count and will continue through mid-October as the 2020 Census prepares to officially start counting people in March 2020.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/NC-Census-2020.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-26 16:52:562019-08-26 16:52:56Address Canvassing Begins for 2020 U.S. Census
Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start will hold its annual Ducky Derby Festival and rubber duck race, a fundraiser for the local Smart Start program, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, in downtown Henderson, NC.
At noon, the festival begins on Breckenridge Street between the library and police station. This years’ activities include a bounce house and slide, as well as face painting and balloon animals for the children. Other activities are corn hole and ring toss. Vendors will be on hand serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, sausage dogs, fish sandwiches, corn on the cob, funnel cakes, ice cream, and snow cones.
Entertainment will include a DJ, singing performances from several daycare programs, and music from Henderson Collegiate, Mary Potter Elementary School band and choir, as well as the drumline from Granville Central High School.
The YMCA will lead line dancing and Zumba in the street. Children can man a real firehose with the assistance of the Henderson Fire Department, and Smart Start will be giving each child at the event a free book, as well as the opportunity for the parent to enroll any child age 0 to 5 in the Imagination Library, a program that sends a book each month to the child at their home.
Safe Kids will also be present and will set up childcare safety seat inspections for those parents with children still in car seats. Local nonprofits will have booths with information for families and children as well.
At 2 p.m., the entertainment switches to Garnett Street, where the rubber duck race will take place. Up to 2,000 rubber ducks will be poured into the Garnett Street “river” by a cement mixer provided by Greystone Concrete. The first duck to cross the finish line at Orange Street wins $1,000, second place $500, third place finish is $250, and the last duck to cross the finish line wins $100.
There will be an additional drawing at the end of the race for Chick-fil-A for a year. Winners of the cash prizes do not have to be present to win; however, the winner of the ‘Chick-fil-A for a Year’ prize must be present to claim the 52 meal tickets.
In Henderson, tickets are on sale at EZ Car Care, Dots Hallmark, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and the State Employees Credit Union. All Smart Start staff and board members also have tickets, please call (252) 433-9110.
Tickets will also be on sale the day of the race until 1 p.m. Ducks are $5 each, a Quack Pack of 6 tickets is $25, and a Flock of 25 tickets is $100.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Ducky-Derby-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-08-23 16:52:522019-08-23 16:52:52FGV Smart Start to Hold 10th Annual Ducky Derby
