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H-V Job Readiness Program Offers Youth Summer Employment Opportunities

May 9, 2019/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Henderson-Vance Job Readiness Program offers Vance County teenagers ages 14-18 job training and possible job opportunities.

All applicants must be enrolled in school and must register for and attend three days of unpaid training on June 17-19, 2019. The training will teach the job skills needed for HVRPD’s summer youth employment opportunities.

Please register at the Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Road in Henderson.

Please contact Shantel Hargrove at 252.430.0382 or shhargrove@ci.henderson.nc.us or Gregory Kelly at 252.431.6099 or gkelly@ci.henderson.nc.us for more information.

Thornton Branch Introduces ‘Seed Library’ & Community Garden

May 9, 2019/by WIZS Staff

-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Richard H. Thornton branch of the Granville County Library System continues to offer innovative services by introducing a “Seed Library” and community garden to residents and library patrons. Now available to the public is a card catalog filled with vegetable seeds, as well as herbs and berries that can be “checked out,” taken home and planted in family gardens.

According to Adult Services Librarian Ashley Wilson, families can come in, browse through the “card catalog” that has been stocked with a wide variety of seeds, and select what they would like to grow. Collards, cucumbers, corn, melons, squash, tomatoes, peas, peppers, okra and other vegetable seeds have already been prepared and are available in starter packs, which include growing instructions.

The Richard H. Thornton branch of the Granville County Library System introduces a “Seed Library” and community garden to residents and library patrons. Now available to the public is a card catalog filled with vegetable seeds, as well as herbs and berries that can be “checked out,” taken home and planted in family gardens. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)

With a limit of three packs of seeds per family, it is hoped that those who begin their own gardens will share seeds after harvest to keep the project ongoing from season to season.

“The community played a large role in the plant and seed selections at the library,” Wilson notes. “We asked what they would like to see growing – most said tomatoes – so we made sure we offered tomatoes. The library values community input in all our projects and this one wouldn’t have been possible without it.”

Packets offered were also selected based on local soil conditions and other criteria that would make them “region friendly,” with many of the seeds available being donated by interested community members in support of this project.

To continue the message of sustainability through gardening, the Thornton Library also announces the addition of an on-site community garden. Planted just outside the front entrance and in the surrounding area, plantings include strawberries, peas, okra and other seedlings, as well as lavender, mint and cooking herbs.

“Visible and open access gardens are a way that my family has always enjoyed the growing season, especially when we didn’t have a place to grow ourselves,” Wilson explains. “Open gardens also gave us a chance to learn about new plants or varieties we may not have seen before.”

To continue the message of sustainability through gardening, the Thornton Library also announces the addition of an on-site community garden. Planted just outside the front entrance and in the surrounding area, plantings include strawberries, peas, okra and other seedlings, as well as lavender, mint and cooking herbs. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)

Through mulch donated from a local business and in garden beds constructed by library staff and volunteers, seedlings are just now peeking through the soil. Taller plantings and bush varieties such as tomatoes and blueberries can also be spotted along the library’s exterior walls and around the corner to the side entrance.

As these plantings grow and mature, community residents are encouraged to come by and keep track of the garden’s progress, and to share in the harvest once the produce has reached its peak.

To provide hands-on instruction in using fresh ingredients in the kitchen, cooking demonstrations and samplings have been scheduled at the Thornton Library during the month of May, with all ingredients provided. The “What’s Cooking at the Library” series kicked off on May 8 with a class on making homemade pasta. Demonstrations continue on May 15 with Sultan’s Pilaf, and on May 22 with Versatile Salads and Dressings. These programs are being held at 2 p.m. in the library’s large conference room.

The Richard H. Thornton Library is located at 210 Main Street in Oxford and is one of four branches of the Granville County Library System, which also includes the South Branch in Creedmoor, the Stovall Library and the Berea branch.

For more information about programs and presentations offered through the Granville County Library System, visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/ or call 919-693-1121.

Vance Co. Properties Committee to Discuss Relocation of Senior Center

May 9, 2019/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board, Vance County Board of Commissioners

Vance County’s Properties Committee is scheduled to meet Friday, May 17, 2019, at 8 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.

The main topic to be discussed is the proposed relocation of the Vance County Senior Center.

E.M. Rollins to Offer STEM Activities for the Entire Family – May 25

May 9, 2019/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy Veronica Young, School Counselor, E.M. Rollins Elementary

E.M. Rollins Elementary School and the Youth Connecting Foundation will host a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Fair on Saturday, May 25, 2019, from 11 a.m until 2 p.m.

Events will be held at E.M. Rollins in Henderson and will include hands-on, interactive and educational features.

Bring the entire family. Refreshments will be served.

Former Congresswoman Clayton to Speak at Cotton Memorial Presbyterian

May 9, 2019/by WIZS Staff

-Information courtesy Carolyn Snipes, Cotton Memorial Presbyterian Church

Former Congresswoman Eva Clayton will be the speaker for the Mother’s Day Program at Cotton Memorial Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 12, 2019. Mrs. Clayton will speak during the 11 a.m. morning worship service.

Please come and join the church in worship. All are welcome.

Cotton Memorial is located at 511 N. Chestnut St. in Henderson, NC.

‘Parent University’ Participants Treated to Youth Performances, Guest Speakers

May 9, 2019/by WIZS Staff

-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools’ “Parent University” kickoff on April 30, 2019, was a resounding success. The evening was punctuated by youth performances from around the district. When parents and special guests arrived, they were treated to the crescendo and raucous sounds of West Oxford Elementary students led by teacher Michael Epps.

Once inside, there was more musical excitement from the drumline of Mary Potter Middle School led by Mr. Detroit Yancey.

(Photo courtesy GCPS)

The special guest speakers were evangelist and former district and superior court judge Carolyn Thompson, founder of Abigail’s Ministry. Mrs. Thompson spoke about several child safety topics and gave parents strategies and best practices.

Our next guest speaker was Ms. Dedra Eatmon, founder and CEO of Tassel to Tassel. As a college transition strategist who imparts life skills and empowerment through her organization, she challenged our parents and kids to hold each other accountable and set goals for the destination of college.

The event also featured several choral selections from Stovall-Shaw Elementary and their choir, as well as Mary Potter Middle Schools’ Alyssa Hester who contributed beautifully to a great event.

After the event, there were community organizations and district student support departments represented to provide parents and guests with resources and support for their role as parents.

Granville County Public Schools extends a huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the event’s success!

(Photo courtesy GCPS)

News 05/09/19

May 9, 2019/by Larry

Proposed Vance Co. Budget Includes Increase in Fire Tax, New Deputy Positions

May 8, 2019/by WIZS Staff

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the County’s proposed FY 2019-2020 budget.

Presented to the Vance County Board of Commissioners at their May 6 meeting, the General Fund Budget is proposed to be $48,362,611, a figure that includes all tax-supported governmental activities and represents a 0.4% increase over the current budget.

According to the 247-page proposal, the budget provides sufficient funds to improve the current level of services in several areas and addresses many of the priorities and goals established by the board of commissioners during their annual planning retreat.

In summary, the budget:

Includes no increase in the general fund property tax rate with a continued pattern of minimal revenue growth.
Includes an increase of 2.3 cents per $100 in value in the fire tax rate to provide part-time positions to the volunteer fire departments which will assist with improving response times and lowering ISO ratings.
Includes no increase in the solid waste household fee and includes no increase in the water usage rate while reducing the amount transferred from the general fund to cover water system debt service.
Improves the current level of services and maintains the county’s healthy financial condition. The general fund balance is projected to be 31.2% by the end of FY19 down from 37.8% in FY18 due to the purchase of land for economic development. The fund balance appropriated to balance the budget is $1,192,442 with a total of $500,000 expected to be spent on non-school and non-debt capital projects.
Addresses salary compression, retention and employee pay by funding a salary progression plan to move employees along the pay scale on a regular basis.
Focuses on improving rural fire protection and enhancing overall public safety. This includes providing funding for part-time positions at volunteer fire departments and the rescue squad, replacing a portion of viper radios for public safety departments, and providing staffing increases for the sheriff’s office.
Includes 2 new deputy sheriff positions, 1 new building codes enforcement officer Ill position, 2 new telecommunicator positions, 2 position upgrades (DSS and tax office), and 2 part-time custodian salary adjustments.
Prioritizes citizen health and continues working to improve the county’s substance use disorder challenges through increased funding for the health department.
Advances economic development opportunities for residents and businesses while supporting distance learning opportunities for students by funding initial efforts to deploy affordable wireless broadband in the county with a focus on unserved and underserved areas.
Includes a major investment in school capital providing $5,252,000 to Vance County Schools to support redesigns for the middle and high schools, multiple HVAC replacements, parking lot redesign and paving at the middle school, ADA upgrades, replacement of the high school boiler system, and other requested school capital needs.
Implements the FY20 CIP which includes renovations for a new DSS/Senior Center facility as a major debt project and several smaller pay-go (cash) funded projects from fund balance.

“I was pleased with how the budget came together this year,” said McMillen. “Going into it, we were wary of the fact that there wasn’t going to be a lot of additional revenue. We were able to maximize the County services and add some new services with very limited additional revenue growth.”

Of note, McMillen said the proposed fire tax rate increase of 2.3 cents per $100 in value will allow the County to fund two part-time positions at each volunteer fire department, a proposition that has been much-discussed in recent Board meetings and work sessions.

According to McMillen, this rate increase would amount to approximately $23 annually for the average Vance County household.

“This tax increase will help improve response times for citizens and will also allow those departments to lower their ISO (insurance) rating, which translates into real dollar savings for citizens,” explained McMillen.

McMillen also noted that he was pleased the proposed budget provides the Vance County Sheriff’s Office with two of their requested four new deputy sheriff positions.

In total, $1.9 million in additional requests were unable to be funded, according to McMillen, including a request for four new positions at the Vance County Detention Center.

Board of Commissioners will meet in work sessions at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21 to discuss and review the proposed budget.

A public hearing regarding the budget will be held at the Board’s next regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, June 3 at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson.

The final, approved version of the FY 2019-2020 budget will be effective July 1, 2019. To view the proposed budget, please visit the Vance County website at www.vancecounty.org.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Jordan McMillen in its entirety, click here.

Hicks Convicted of Narcotics & Firearm Charges

May 8, 2019/by WIZS Staff

-Press Release, U.S. Dept. of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that KACEY HICKS, 34, of Henderson, North Carolina was convicted in federal court following a 2-day trial before Chief United States District Judge Terrance W. Boyle. The jury heard evidence that HICKS kept a residence in the Flint Hill neighborhood of Henderson. After receiving a complaint regarding drug activity at that residence, law enforcement conducted an investigation which led to a search warrant of the premises, where HICKS was found hiding under a bed in close physical proximity to a firearm.

Officers seized distributable quantities of cocaine and marijuana, ammunition, two additional firearms, drug paraphernalia, and US currency during the course of their search. The jury found HICKS guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana; felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; and maintaining a dwelling for drug distribution.

HICKS faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment followed by no less than 3 years of supervised release on the drug counts, and a maximum sentence 2 of 10 years imprisonment followed by no more than 3 years of supervised release on the firearm count.

This case was brought using the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas Crosby and Laura Howard handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

New VGCC President to Address Graduates as College Celebrates 50 Years

May 8, 2019/by WIZS Staff

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Dr. Rachel Desmarais, who earlier this year became the seventh president of Vance-Granville Community College, will serve as the principal commencement speaker for the college’s graduation exercises on Friday, May 10, 2019. As VGCC celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year, Desmarais follows in the footsteps of the school’s first president, Dr. Donald Mohorn, who was the commencement speaker at the first such ceremony, back in 1970.

Dr. Rachel Desmarais, who earlier this year became the seventh president of Vance-Granville Community College, will serve as the principal commencement speaker for the college’s graduation exercises on Friday, May 10, 2019. (VGCC Photo)

Jose Angel De Leon of Henderson, president of the VGCC Student Government Association, will be the student speaker.

Nearly 500 students are scheduled to be honored during ceremonies beginning at 6 p.m. at the gazebo by the lake on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. For those unable to attend the event in person, VGCC will broadcast a live video feed from the ceremony online on its YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/VanceGranvilleCC).

The VGCC Board of Trustees selected Dr. Desmarais to become the college president in December 2018, while she was serving as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Forsyth Technical Community College.

Once a student at Forsyth Tech, Desmarais became an adjunct instructor at the community college from 1996 to 1999 while also working in the private sector. She joined Forsyth Tech full-time in 2002 and served in a variety of academic and administrative roles over the next 16 years.

Jose Angel De Leon of Henderson, president of the VGCC Student Government Association, will be the student speaker. (VGCC Photo)

Desmarais earned her doctorate of philosophy in instructional design and technology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., in 2015 after getting her master’s of science in information technology management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2003. She earned a bachelor of music degree in voice performance from Mars Hill College in 1992.

She was also among fewer than 40 aspiring and emerging community college presidents nationwide who were chosen for the Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence in 2017-2018.

De Leon is graduating from VGCC with a degree in Criminal Justice Technology. A graduate of Norlina Christian School, he has earned Dean’s List and President’s List honors at the college and has been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

De Leon plans to continue his education at North Carolina Central University, where he will complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. His long-term plan is to earn his Ph.D. in criminal justice or criminology and become a college professor.

Students serving as graduation marshals will be Caroline Williamson of Bullock; Ebony Cotton of Franklinton; Hannah Edwards, Evin Swilley, April Zuniga-Trejo and Leslie Zuniga-Trejo, all of Henderson; Gricel Arroyo of Louisburg; Miranda Brown of Oxford; Rana Alashmali of Timberlake; and Ronnie Brodie, Jr., of Wake Forest.