Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health Urges Patients to Schedule Cancer Screening

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– MPH press release –

Maria Parham Health has joined a nationwide effort to encourage patients to resume appropriate cancer screening to prevent excess deaths.

Maria Parham Health is urging people across the country to talk with their health care provider to resume regular primary care checkup and recommended cancer screening. This has the potential to lessen the negative impact that the pandemic is having on identifying and treating people with cancer.

Throughout the pandemic, many healthcare resources were redirected to combat rising COVID-19 cases and to prevent the spread of the virus. Elective medical procedures, including cancer screening, were largely put on hold at the onset of the pandemic. The impact was immediate as screening related procedures dropped drastically in March and May 2020 according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Estimates also project 35% of Americans missed routine cancer screening due to COVID-19 related fears and service disruptions. ACS foresees that the pandemic-related reductions in health care access and cancer screening will result in a short-term drop in cancer diagnoses and a later corresponding increase in late-state diagnoses and preventable deaths.

“Simply put, regular cancer screening tests can improve and save your life,” said Kimberly Smith, Director of The Cancer Center at Maria Parham Health. “Screening increases the chance of detecting some cancers early, when they may be easier to treat. We’re encouraging everyone in our community to talk to their doctor or a health care professional about getting on track with their recommended cancer screening.”

Screening refers to testing individuals who have no signs or symptoms of disease. It is critical to ensure that patients with signs or symptoms associated with cancer undergo diagnostic evaluation as soon as possible. Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among women and colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of death among men and women in the U.S., yet nearly one in three people for whom screening is recommended were not up-to-date with screening prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about cancer screening, visit www.mariaparham.com or contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

(Maria Parham Health is an advertising client of WIZS Radio and wizs.com.  This is not a paid ad.)

The Local Skinny! May 26 Home And Garden Show

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WIZS, Your Community Voice.  Thank you for listening!

 The Local Skinny! each Wednesday on WIZS is the Vance County Cooperative Extension Service Home and Garden Show.

 

TownTalk 05-26-21 Jayden Watkins Helping Others To Reach ‘Higher Heights’

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Like most teenagers, Jayden Watkins likes to spend time on social media, watching TV and talking with other kids his age. But unlike other kids, Watkins is a preacher, a podcast host and author.

Watkins is completing 7th grade at Henderson Collegiate this year. He and Town Talk host John C. Rose spoke earlier in the week. The conversation was recorded for presentation Wednesday because Watkins is in school when the show airs.

“I love what I do and all the honor goes to God,” Watkins said. His podcast is called The Preferable Podcast, and the title comes from a song that – you guessed it – the young man wrote. The podcast launched in March 2020, “right when we hit the pandemic,” he said, adding that he wanted to create a “platform for people to come and learn how to make themselves a better person and then make a better world.”

The song is dedicated to his community, he said, and he wrote it in response to numerous negative things that were happening in the area. “I was trying to help other people, most of all, to leave the past behind them and reach the heights that God would have them reach,” he said.

“Higher Heights: The Past Is Behind Me And The Future Is Before Me is the title of the book he wrote – when he was a preteen. It contains 40 devotionals and targets young people between 13-18 years.

Watkins will have a book-signing on June 13 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Tiffany’s, 110 S. Garnett St., in downtown Henderson.

Watkins said he remembered getting a little pushback from people when he was writing his book. “’What does a 9-year-old have to say?’” he said he heard from naysayers. That skepticism, which he called a roadblock, “only proves that you are doing something right,” he said. Being told he was too young to be preaching, too young to write a book, served to inspire him to persevere.

“I have a desire to encourage people,” Watkins said. The podcast is one way that he uses social media in a positive way and to provide encouragement. Along with special guests and different perspectives, the podcast includes motivational quotes to help people start their day, Watkins said.

His twin sister, Jaydah, has contributed in her own way to the podcast, Watkins said. He admits that his exposure to music popular with young people was limited, but Jaydah introduced him to hip-hop. When he listened to some of the lyrics, he could better incorporate positive messages to reach his audience.

Way back when Watkins was 9 years old, he preached his first sermon. What he called his “debut message” was given at Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church. Since then, he has preached at Nutbush and Big Ruin Creek. Watkins said he remembers his grandfather recording him as a 9-year-old so he could practice and become a better public speaker.

Yamlet Foster is Jayden’s mom. “She helps me with my ministry,” he said. “She makes sure I have what I need and that I am happy.”

He said he hopes to study political science and biblical studies in college, but he hasn’t decided which school he would like to attend.

Watkins’s book is available for purchase online at retail outlets including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Target.

Click play for Jayden’s TownTalk broadcast audio.

 

City of Henderson Logo

Council Consensus So Far To Have No Tax or Fee Increases

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Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon said the Henderson City Council agreed by consensus to approve the recommended fiscal year 2021-2022 as presented.

“I say by consensus because they are required to wait a minimum of 10 days after the budget is presented before they can take an official vote,” Blackmon said.

The budget was first presented on May 10 at the regular meeting.  The consensus was present on May 17th.  Therefore, 10 days had not yet elapsed.

Blackmon said, “They will officially adopt the budget at their June 14, 2021 regular meeting.”

No one spoke for or against the budget at the public hearing May 10.  Council conducted its business asking general questions after the public portion of the meeting closed.

It’s a hold-the-line budget when it comes to spending because of the pandemic according to Blackmon.  He said, “No new positions added for the upcoming year, although we have several current open positions that will remain open until filled. Again, just no new positions.”

He indicated City employees would receive a two percent cost of living raise.

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SportsTalk 5-25-21 Malia Simmons, Vance County High School

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Just after graduation from Vance County High School yesterday, Vipers Softball player Malia Simmons signed a letter of intent to play for Winston-Salem State yesterday. Simmons, who has set a number of school records, began as a Southern Vance Raider but finished her high school career as a Vance County Viper. “We were not the best. We had what we had. We had to make it work,” Simmons said about her high school years.

In addition to playing softball at Winston-Salem State, Simmons will be majoring in nursing. She said Winston-Salem State has one of the top nursing programs in the state and after talking to the school’s head softball coach, she said choosing the school was the best decision for her.

“Super Excited,” said Kim Simmons, Malia’s mother, about the choice of schools. “She had several college offers,” added Ms. Simmons. Kim said of her daughter, “I didn’t expect her to succeed like she has.” She also encouraged her daughter by telling her, “Reach for your dreams, the sky is the limit.”

“I’m really proud of the choice she is making,” said Malia’s father when asked about her decision to attend Winston-Salem State.

In addition to school and softball Malia also worked full time creating a difficult schedule for her and her parents. The hard work and commitment has paid off for Malia as she will continue her softball career and further her education at Winston-Salem State.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance

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In partnership with the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce…Jobs in Vance on WIZS for the Week of May 25, 2021…The Chamber compiles and provides the information, and it is presented here and on the radio.

Name of the Company:  Supply Line Country Market

Jobs Available: Cashier

Method of Contact: Stop by store located at 235 Raleigh Rd. or call 252-438-2836

Name of the Company:  Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC of Henderson, NC

Jobs Available: Automotive Service Technician – Experience with 2 plus years preferred with certifications

Contact Person: Tony Crabtree

Method of Contact: Stop by showroom or call 252-492-6161

Name of the Company: Legacy Human Services

Jobs Available: Director of Mental Health Services – This part-time position serves to administratively and clinically manage the mental health line of business which includes: The ADP Center, Warren Street Group Home, and Burnette Road Apartments.

Substance Abuse Aide – This part-time position serves as a presence and a resource within the adult male substance abuse halfway house.

Part-time Direct Support Professionals (DSP) for our group homes which are 24-hour residential facilities serving adults with Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren Counties. These positions are for every other weekend and require sleepover.

Qualified Substance Abuse Professional – The primary purpose of this full-time position is to provide LCAS clinical services as a member of the Assertive Community Treatment Team.

Contact Person: Laura Newton

Method of Contact: If you are interested, please come by our office at 626 S. Garnett Street in Henderson for an application or call 252-438-6700 ext. 204 for more information.

Name of the Company: Vance Charter School

Jobs Available: K- 8 Math Interventionist

Contact Person: Julie Finch

Method of Contact: If you are interested please send a resume to Julie Finch at finchj@vancecharter.org

 

Name of the Company: Vance Charter School

Jobs Available: School Social Worker/ Counselor

Contact Person: Brian Mathis

Method of Contact: If you are interested please send a resume to Brian Mathis at mathisb@vancecharter.org

Name of the Company:  M.R. William, Inc.

Jobs Available: Repack Order Selector and Cooler Freezer Order Selector – 2nd Shift Operation. Sunday – Thursday starting at 7 a.m. daily. Also hiring for Sales Support

Contact Person: Kristy Granger – Human Resources Director

Method of Contact: They can website at www.mrwilliams.com / About / Careers to apply for any open positions or email their resume to kgranger@mrwilliams.com

Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS.  Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast.  This is not a paid ad.  Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email christa@hendersonvance.org to be included.

 

Town Talk Logo

TownTalk 05-25-21 There’s Lots Going On In Granville County – For Locals and Tourists

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From farmer’s markets and flock swaps to sports tournaments and bee extravaganzas, Angela Allen says there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Granville County.

Allen is the county’s tourism director and talked with John C. Rose Tuesday on Town Talk about a variety of upcoming events of interest to anyone looking for ways to get out and enjoy the springtime – and looser COVID-19 restrictions.

All during the pandemic, Allen said she was getting the word out about supporting local businesses. “Now, they can really get out and support them,” she said. And it’s not just local folks supporting local businesses, she said. People from outside the area “want to get on the road and explore neighboring counties – they want to get away,” Allen said. Advertising with a statewide reach has helped her help local businesses, she said.

“We’ve laid the groundwork for people to come and explore the area as we slowly but surely open back up,” Allen added.

It may be something of a new phenomenon, but in the post-COVID world “people are really starting to search in their own backyards to see what they can ‘get into’ and how they can support local businesses,” Allen said.

Click Play or Continue Reading Below.

The Creedmoor Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays from 1-5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is located at the American Legion building, 50 Legion St., Creedmoor. The Oxford Farmers Market is open on Saturday mornings 7 a.m. to noon. It is located at the corner of McClanahan and Lanier streets, near the police station.

If you’d rather go visit the farm itself, check out Lyon Farms in Creedmoor, Christmas Place Farms in Bullock or Dixon Farms outside Oxford for fresh strawberries, plentiful right now.

For a complete list of farms close by or across the state, download the Visitncfarms app, Allen said.

There are a couple of Memorial Day events – one at the Veterans Memorial at City Hall in Oxford and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Butner Gazebo at 10 a.m.

Although traditional media outlets continue to be effective ways to reach a wide audience, social media outlets have also become popular when it comes to “getting the word out” about events. Allen said she used to get information 3-6 months in advance of an event so she could promote it, “that window has gotten a lot shorter” since COVID, she said.

“As soon as I get the information, I try to put it up on website and social media,” Allen said. Sometimes, the event comes together in just a couple of weeks. “It’s a little bit ‘off trend’ now, but in the era of COVID, it can almost be on the day of the event” that people decide to attend.

Creedmoor’s new recreation center will kick off a “First Friday” event for families on June 4 at 7 p.m. The theme for the first event is “Wildlife” – a wildlife expert will show off some special animals and then have a “meet and greet” session, Allen said. There will be food trucks and other activities.

Southern States in Oxford is the site of a June 20 Flock Swap, where folks can find small farm animals, as well as other farm products like eggs, honey, plants. This event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Granville Beekeepers will host its annual Bee Jubilee on June 26 at the Expo Center on Hwy. 15 south of Oxford. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and beekeepers will share information about bees and pollinators. There will be a bevy of bee products available, as well as a kids zone and a farmers market.

Also on June 26, Dogs Deserve Better of Piedmont will host a Family Fun Fair at The Barn at Vino in Stem. There will be food trucks, live music, outdoor games and more than 40 vendors.

Learn more at visitgranvillenc.com.

(Granville Tourism and specifically visitgranvillenc.com is a sponsor of WIZS and wizs.com.  This is not a paid ad.)

Vance County Schools Graduation Day 2021

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(WIZS Radio, Your Community Voice, broadcast all four VCS graduations.)

– Vance County Schools Press Release –

Graduation is an important milestone; one that commemorates and honors the hard work of students over the course of 13 years, as well as their families. Vance County Schools held the Class of 2021 Commencement Exercises, in-person, for all four district high schools: Vance Virtual Village Academy, Advance Academy, Vance County High and Vance County Early College.
Each graduation took place on Monday, May 24 with Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent, along with the school principal of each respective school, presenting diplomas as seniors walked across the stage.

Commencement Ceremonies

  • Vance Virtual Village Academy, Vance County School’s K-12 virtual school, graduated 20 seniors in its inaugural class. Principal Jessica Perry awarded diplomas to the students at an 8:30 AMceremony at the Vance County High School gymnasium. Graduate Camron Silvious address the Class of 2021, while Heddie Somerville, Principal at Clarke Elementary, was the keynote speaker.
  • Advance Academy, Vance County School’s flex school, graduated 96 students, with diplomas awarded by Principal Stephanie Ayscue. Commencement took place at a 10 AM ceremony at the Vance County High School stadium.
  • Vance County High School, the district’s traditional high school, graduated 175 students. At a
    1:30 PM ceremony, held at the Vance County High School stadium, Principal Rey Horner awarded
    diplomas. Tymiah Aniece Wimbush, Class of 2021 graduate, shared a poem to her fellow class.
  • Vance County Early College Principal, Travis Taylor, awarded 63 diplomas at a 4 PM ceremony at
    the Vance County High School gymnasium. Jorge Gomez Mancilla and Sarah Elizabeth Parish,
    Class of 2021 graduates, gave a farewell address.

Academic Achievements

As a district we honor and celebrate the academic achievements of our top high school scholars using the Latin honors system: Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude. The Class of 2021 worked hard and remained dedicated to their studies during a challenging year. Collectively, Vance County Schools honored 25 Summa Cum Laude, 20 Magna Cum Laude and 28 Cum Laude students.

Additionally, students earned 3,557 college credits while enrolled in high school. Of those, 48 students received their Associates degree. The class boasts 14 North Carolina Scholars, 60 National Beta Club members, as well as 24 National Honor Society members.

The Journey Beyond Graduation

The school district has 14 graduates enlisting into the United States military, including the US Army, US Air Force and US Navy. Additionally, there are 50 graduates who have already secured full-time employment and 158 accepted into college, earning nearly 7 million dollars in scholarships and grants! The Class of 2021 received college acceptances from the following:

Appalachian State University | Averett University | Barton College | Belmont Abbey College | Brevard College | Campbell University | Cape Fear Community College | Catawba College | Chowan University | Clemson University | College of Charleston | Concord University | Durham Tech | East Carolina University | Elizabeth City State University | Elon University | Fayetteville State University | Gardner-Webb University | Grace College | Greensboro College | Guilford College | Hawaii Pacific University | High Point University | Hollins University | Howard University | Jacksonville State University | Johnson & Wales University | Kansas State University | Lees-McRae College | Lenoir Rhyne University | Livingstone College | Louisburg College | Louisiana State University | Mars Hill University | Mary Baldwin University | Meredith College | Methodist University | Michigan State
University | North Carolina A&T State University | North Carolina Central University | North Carolina State University | North Carolina Wesleyan | New Jersey City University | Ohio State University| Old Dominion University | Queens University | Radford University | Roanoke College | Saint Augustine University | Saint Martin University | Shaw University | Southern Mississippi University | Strayer University | The New School New York | The University of Akron | The University of New Mexico | The University of Tennessee at Knoxville | University of California at San Diego | University of North Carolina at Asheville | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | University of North Carolina at Wilmington | University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of California at Riverside | University of Kentucky | University of Mount Olive | University of Nevada at Las Vegas | University of Northern Colorado | University of Oregon | Vance Granville Community College | Virginia Tech | Wake Tech Community College | Washington and Lee University | Western Carolina University | William Peace University | Wingate University | Winston Salem State University

Vance County Schools is extremely proud of the 354 Class of 2021 graduates. They have moved beyond obstacles placed before them, including a public health crisis, proving their resilience. We are confident the Class of 2021 will go forth and do great things!