TownTalk: Around Old Granville – Natural Disasters

If you’re a Baby Boomer, chances are you grew up hearing stories from parents or grandparents about Hazel. That’d be Hurricane Hazel, the October 1954 storm that tore through this part of North Carolina on a path that went all the way to Canada.

It’s just one example of a natural disaster that people use as a yardstick of sorts by which to measure other storms. Hazel made landfall in Calabash as a Category 4 storm as it headed straight up the middle of the state on its way north.

Millenials, Gen Xers and Gen Zers will be able to tell stories about Florence, Fran and Floyd, but hurricanes are just one category of natural disaster that has struck this area. WIZS’s Bill Harris chatted with local historian Mark Pace to remember a number of historic events that affected the four-county area in Thursday’s TownTalk segment Around Old Granville.

“What made Hazel so remarkable,” Pace said, was that it was very short-lived. After making landfall on the coast, it reached this area by about 2 p.m. “By 3:45, it was gone from Vance County,” he said. “It came through like a freight train.”

Forty-two years later, Hurricane Fran took more or less the same route as it rolled through North Carolina, killing 36 people and causing extensive damage in September 1996.

Hazel’s fierce winds snapped off a lot of the trees halfway up, Pace said, and it brought great destruction in a short period of time.

This area was also subjected to what is called “the Great Storm of 1893,”

“People didn’t have to worry about the electricity going out,” Pace said, because there weren’t many places that had it. “In a lot of ways, they were able to deal with the effects of the storm a lot better” than we do today.

Over the years, information from climatologists and weather forecasters help prepare for weather events like hurricanes, but people don’t always have a lot of advance warning about tornadoes.

And this area has had its share of tornadoes. Just last year, Epsom experienced a rash of tornadoes, spawned in the remnants of Tropical Storm Debbie. They were relatively weak – F-0 and F-1 – but that’s strong enough to cause damage.

In the Oak Hill community in northern Granville County, a tornado flattened Oak Hill School in November 1952, Pace said. Luckily, it was after school had let out, so there were no injuries. But the yearbook in subsequent years was renamed ‘The Tornado.’

Other tornadoes have demolished warehouses and killed more than a dozen people in Warrenton in 1936, homes in Huntsboro in 2016 and tore roofs off the Medical Arts building on Ruin Creek Road in 1988.

And while nobody welcomes hurricanes and tornadoes, there are plenty of people who wish for a good snowfall every winter – none more than schoolchildren. And probably a teacher or two.

But even the biggest snow fans may balk at the possibility of having 2 feet of snow on the ground. That’s what Warren County got during a massive storm in 1856.

Henderson got close to that – 22.5 inches – in 1922, which collapsed a couple of tobacco warehouse roofs and part of the Corbitt Factory, Pace said.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: When the Money’s Tight

Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Jamon Glover

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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TownTalk: N.C. Strength Sports Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony June 21

The Brick Power Team will host an induction ceremony for the N.C. State Strength Sports Hall of Fame on June 21 at 220 Seafood Restaurant in Henderson.

Harry Orr said Randy Perry and Will Lynch are this year’s honorees.

Orr, executive director of the statewide group, also is part of the Brick Power Team, said the honorees will receive plaques to recognize their accomplishments and contributions to the sport of powerlifting and weight lifting.

The Brick Power Team is an outreach ministry of Freedom Life Church of God and raises money for worthy causes with weightlifting competitions.

He said the group is accepting donations to help defray costs associated with the event.

All donations are tax-deductible.

“Any donations will be appreciated, whatever size,” Orr said.

The Brick Power Team will have a fish plate fundraiser on Monday, July 28 at 220 Seafood Restaurant, with most of the proceeds going to Freedom Life Church of God, which Orr said is instrumental in the work of the Brick Power Team.

“The Brick Power Team is putting it on,” he said. “Whatever we get out of that, we give most back to the church.”

Tickets are $10 and plates are take-out only.

Contact Orr to find out more about sponsoring the induction ceremony or to learn more about the hall of fame or the Brick Power Team at 252.432.4196 or email horr2553@yahoo.com

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TownTalk: Progress Being Made In Repairs To Vance County Jail

The Vance County Board of Commissioners offered thanks Monday – and a round of applause – to show their appreciation for the work that Special Projects Coordinator Frankie Nobles has done so far to tackle a long “to-do” list at the county detention center.

In providing an update on the progress made since he was given the lengthy list of repairs and maintenance projects, Nobles told commissioners he reckons about half of the items have been addressed so far.

“We’re going to work until we can get them (done),” he told commissioners during the regular monthly meeting.

Commissioner Tommy Hester said, “I want to say thank you, because this guy is doing a great job.” With that comment, the board offered a round of applause.

The state of the jail has been an ongoing topic of discussion for commissioners, and it’s just one of the five corrective action items that were included in a letter from the state dated April 1. In the letter, the state outlined required steps county leaders must take to get the facility back in compliance.

Commissioners took steps to put the repairs and maintenance under the supervision of the county rather than the sheriff’s office, and that’s when Nobles took over.

County Manager C. Renee Perry said, “We’ve been getting things done under Frankie’s leadership.”

Nobles added that the state is “very happy” with the progress that’s been made thus far.

In response to a question from Commissioner Tommy Hester about whether he’s had difficulty getting the work done, Nobles said, “Everybody that I’ve talked to has been caught up and paid except one,” who still has four invoices that haven’t been paid for. Commissioners had received reports that work wasn’t being completed either because workers weren’t being paid or because of safety concerns. For now, that challenge seems to be less of a problem than before.

The list of completed tasks is impressive, from power washing interior walls, ceilings and floors to replacing expired fire extinguishers and generator batteries. Broken glass has been removed and replaced, as well as air filters on the two-year-old units that apparently hadn’t been replaced since October 2023.

“Those units were completely stopped up,” Nobles said, adding that he didn’t know how they were still operational.

So after the paint, toilet and shower repairs and replacements, holes in walls patched and bunks bolted anew to walls…what’s left?

“The big stuff,” Nobles said. Things like locks on doors, the camera system, among others.

But for now, the county is happy – happier – because the state is happy as Nobles leads the effort to put more repairs in the “completed” column on his “to-do” list.

Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones told commissioners on Monday that the RFQ – request for qualifications – process closed just a couple of hours before the meeting began. There was one reply to the RFQ, which sets in motion the design/build process county leaders are considering for a new facility. The RFQ is scheduled to come before the commissioners on July 7 for possible approval. Commissioners will receive for review a copy of the RFQ before the July meeting, she said.

 

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Items to Buy and Sell

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS ~ YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE

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Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

  • 2 piece round sectional – $375. 3 wooden coffee tables – $125. 2 lamps – $60 for both. A set of used tires, 225 R17 – $60. Call (252) 767-4997 for more information on these items.
  • A Hotpoint deep freezer, cast iron frying pans, and an old cast iron wood stove. For more information on these items call (743) 208-3712 or email shumakerdebbie66@gmail.com.

Thursday, May 22nd, 2025

  • 2 Pairs of Crocs Shoes, Size 6/8 on both pairs. $10 for each pair. $20 for both pairs. Both pairs are in great condition. Also a round, dark wood, glass top, wooden bottom coffee table – $60 – it’s solid wood, heavy. A white, ivory shag living room area rug – $100. And a piece of furniture with cabinets at top and bottom – $60. You can call 432-0086 for more information on these items.

Monday, May 19th, 2025

  • Looking for someone to do floor in living room of a mobile home affordable price. Call (919) 339-8196 or email perrycarolyn0723@gmail.com.
  • A dining room table with removable leaf. Also an antique phone table, as well as 2×4 2×6 2×10 good wood for sale. Call (252) 767-6792 for more information.

Tuesday, May 6th, 2025

  • Selling a 75″ roku hdtv and a 1200 watt surround sound systems with 5 speaker and a 10″ subwoofer. Price is 500$ firm for both and both are in excellent condition thanks. For more information contact (252) 916-0446 or Mark41inhenderson@gmail.com.

Monday, May 5th, 2025

  • Willing to babysit any days and hours. Contact (252) 767-2369 or ethomerson913@gmail.com for details.

Latest Phishing Scam Involves Text Messages Claiming To Be From NCDMV

The N. C. Division of Motor Vehicles is alerting the public about a surge in fraudulent text message scams targeting residents. These scams falsely claim to request payment for fees, fines, or tolls and may appear to come from the NCDMV.

NCDMV does not and will never request payments via text message.

Citizens are urged to report any suspicious texts as spam and delete them immediately. Do not click on any links or provide personal information in response to these messages.

Protect yourself from scams!

Be cautious of unsolicited texts requesting payment or personal information.

Verify any NCDMV-related inquiries through official channels.

Report suspicious texts to your mobile carrier or the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint.

Learn more about how to identify phishing texts and scams at https://ncdoj.gov/internet-safety/phishing/.

Body Of Missing 2-Year-Old Found In Kerr Lake

-From Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

The body of a 2-year-old boy was recovered from Kerr Lake Tuesday afternoon, several hours after family members had reported the child missing.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said his office was notified just after 2 p.m. about a possible missing child.

Upon arriving at the residence, sheriff’s deputies were advised by the family that a two-year-old male was last seen in the yard of the home approximately 20 minutes prior to their arrival.  Responding units completed a search of the residence and the immediate surrounding area and were unable to locate the child.

Outside resources were contacted for assistance.  The following agencies and departments responded a short time later.  The NCState Highway Patrol, Henderson Police Department, Vance County Rescue, Vance County Fire, Vance County EMS, North Carolina State Parks, Granville, Franklin and Warren County Sheriff’s Offices, Wake Forest Fire Department and the REDS Team based in Garner.

Based upon the search area being located within 100 yards of the water’s edge of Kerr Lake underwater drones were deployed, along with other water rescue resources.  During the water operations units located the body of the missing two year old child submerged.  The child was located at approximately 5:18 p.m.  A recovery was then initiated by the responding units.  The body was transported to a local hospital.

The identity of the child is not being released at this time pending notification to all family members.

Brame said, “The Vance County Sheriff’s Office expresses our most sincere condolences and prayers for the family.  We also extend our thanks to all who responded to assist in this incident.”

TownTalk: Vance Elections Board Merges 5 Precincts To Create Newly Named Central Henderson, South Henderson Precincts

With the proposal to consolidate five voting precincts into two approved by the N.C. State Board of Elections, County Elections Director Haley Rawles presented the plan to county commissioners at their meeting on Monday.

North Henderson 1 and East Henderson 1 precincts are going to become Central Henderson voting precinct, and voters will go to the campus of the former Eaton Johnson Middle School to cast their ballots.

The Hilltop, South Henderson 1 and South Henderson 2 precincts will merge to become South Henderson precinct. Perry Memorial Library will be the voting place for that precinct.

Rawles told commissioners that no candidate seats will be affected; the consolidation will not change the ward or district.

Rawles said information about the changes in precinct locations will be mailed to residents in August and the information also will be published on the board of elections webpage and shared with local news outlets.

The Vance County Board of Elections voted in February 2024 to set the process in motion, and it got notice of approval from then-state director Karen Brinson Bell.

The county elections board had been talking about consolidating precincts for some time, she said. “This has been something that they’ve wanted for years,” Rawles said. This plan reduces from 12 to 9 the number of voting precincts in the county.

More voters are choosing to cast ballots during the early voting period, which has reduced the number of voters who come to the polls on election day. She provided numbers from recent elections to commissioners – one precinct had zero voters come in on election day.

She said the consolidation could reduce by 21 the number of poll workers needed on election day.

In addition to reducing the number of workers, Rawles said the move will reduce confusion for voters about their polling place and will increase the safety and accessibility for voters – and staff. It also will simplify delivery and pickup of elections equipment by county employees.

“The Board of Elections is trying to save the county some money,” said Elections Board Chair James Baines.

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