ICYMI: Vance County Fire Services

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In the ongoing conversations among county leaders about the future of the Vance County Fire Department, many things remain unresolved. But when county commissioners approved the 2023-24 budget on June 14, a couple of issues were addressed, including raising the hourly pay for part-time firefighter to $15 from $14 and agreeing to conduct a fire study.

Following the budget adoption meeting, Interim County Manager Scott Elliott told WIZS News, “At the July 10 meeting, staff will bring forth the proposed scope of the work to be conducted by the fire study and seek board approval and for execution of a contract.”

Dozens of citizens – many of them affiliated with one of the county’s fire departments – attended a meeting of the county’s Public Safety Committee on June 7. Over the last 45 days in particular, citizens and those in the fire service have continued to express their concerns about the proposal from the committee to restructure the Vance County Fire Department.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt, a member of the committee, maintained that the fire department will not be dismantled; rather, paid staff would be reduced by attrition and more volunteers would be added to that department’s roster. The ultimate goal is to provide 24/7 fire coverage across the county, Brummitt said, but it can’t all happen at once.

With the budget in place, a hiring freeze in place, and the study coming, the board, with a great deal of county staff help, has preserved its option to act on the study, including amending the budget.

After the June 14 meeting, Finance Director Katherine Bigelow said, “What is being approved is freezing the four vacant Vance County Fire Department positions and their capital expenses consisting of turnout gear and fire boots, for example,” as she went over some items with WIZS.

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Sheriff Brame: 18 Arrested In Recent Operation In, Around ABC-Permitted Establishments

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A total of 18 people face more than 30 charges related to a variety of alcohol and other criminal violations following a joint operation with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and state law enforcement officials.

Sheriff Curtis R. Brame said his officers, with assistance from agents with the N.C. Department of Public Safety and Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, conducted the operation in mid-May “in and around ABC-permitted establishments located in the county,” Brame stated in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon.

Altogether, 18 people face charges, including Chapter 90 drug offenses, one felony charge, eight charges stemming from outstanding warrants, three violations of the open-container law and one charge of an illegal outlet.

No other details were available from Brame at this time.

TownTalk: Former NC Governor McCrory Talks Division In Politics

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In 2012, Pat McCrory was elected as governor of North Carolina. He served one term, having attained statewide recognition as mayor of Charlotte from 1995-2009. He lost a bid for a U.S. Senate seat in 2022.

No longer seeking election himself, McCrory in the last month has accepted a role as national co-chair of an organization called No Labels.

It’s not a political party and it won’t be endorsing candidates, but it has the potential to affect upcoming national elections, he explained, by offering voters a choice other than what’s on the traditional Democrat or Republican tickets.

McCrory was a guest on Tuesday’s TownTalk to discuss his association with No Labels and what it is working on at a national level.

No Labels, established in 2009, is oiling its political machine in advance of the upcoming 2024 Presidential elections.

McCrory cited recent polls that show voters are dissatisfied with the current frontrunners for President. And if Super Tuesday – the day many states hold primaries – produces a Trump-Biden race, then No Labels could jump into the race with its own candidates.

“No Labels is talking about running a bipartisan third-party option,” McCrory said. “A Republican and Democrat on the ticket.”

The main push now, he said, is getting on states’ ballots now. They have been added in five or six states, but the goal is 20 by December and, ultimately, all 50 states. “We hope to be in North Carolina in a short period of time,” he noted.

The group is expected to release a more detailed agenda in July with additional information about a variety of topics it will get behind.

He said No Labels seeks to provide a common-sense approach to address challenges that the mainline parties find little on which to compromise.

“I’m a conservative who believes the more competition, the better.” Divisions and failure to find compromise among political parties only create chaos, he said.

“I’m in favor of more choice,” McCrory said. And if No Labels does come up with a President/Vice President team as an alternative for voters, dissatisfied with the options from traditional parties, make no mistake: “It’ll be to win, not to be a spoiler.”

Read more at https://www.nolabels.org/ and listen to the complete interview with McCrory just below.

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Events At Perry Memorial Library

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Walk into Perry Memorial Library in the coming days and weeks and you just may find something more than reading material, thanks to a craft workshop that is taking place today afternoon.

Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters joined WIZS co-host Bill Harris on Tuesday segment of The Local Skinny! to let families know about some interesting upcoming programs at the library.

Kindness Rocks! Is a program that has just a few simple ingredients: Young people, paint and rocks, Peters said.

The young artists will paint a simple inspirational word or picture on the rock, then place it somewhere for it to be discovered by someone walking by.

The idea is “to leave messages around the community where you live,” she said. Participants will find spots inside and outside the library to place their “kindness rocks,” with the hope that it brightens the day for the person who finds it.

Next Tuesday, June 27, at 11 a.m., the Farm Bureau Room will become a concert venue as the band “Big Bang Boom!” takes the stage. The group plays kid-friendly music, Peters said, and invites all to come enjoy.

Later that day, beginning at 4:30 p.m., representatives from the local animal shelter are going to bring along some adoptable pets for children to interact with and maybe even read a story to, Peters said. Kids will get a chance to make toys for dogs out of old t-shirts.

And on Thursdays, don’t forget the Mother Goose story time and Lego Fun Club. The story time is at 11 a.m. and the Lego group kicks off at 4 p.m. Last week, there were 35 kids enjoying their time creating with the classic plastic bricks.

Visit  https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn more.

 

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Vance County Schools Named National Beta District

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– information courtesy of VCS Communication Coordinator Brielle Barrow

For the fifth year in a row, Vance County Schools has been named a National Beta District of Distinction from the National Beta organization for 2022-2023.

The award is given to districts that offer National Beta in all schools in their district and induct qualifying students in eligible grades 4-12. Vance County Schools  is one of only 42 districts to receive this award nationwide, according to information from Brielle Barrow, VCS communication coordinator.

All award recipients received a National Beta District of Distinction award to display at their district office. In addition, National Beta District of Distinction principals received a plaque to display at their school.

This national award is evidence of Vance County Schools’ commitment to academic excellence, leadership development and service involvement; it illustrates the district’s dedication to preparing students for college and career readiness. Students who participate in National Beta follow the motto “Let us lead by serving others.”

FSU Bronco Roundup Set For July 11 At Fox Pond Park

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Attention, Fayetteville State University alumni in the four-county area:

The annual Bronco Roundup & Sendoff is just a few weeks off and organizers hope alums will join in the fun!

The FSU Alumni Chapter representing Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties is hosting the free event on Saturday, July 22 beginning at 2 p.m. at Fox Pond Park Shelter #1.

Please RSVP by texting 252.213.5977 by July 10, so organizers can plan appropriately.

This event is open to any FSU alumni in the area, according to contact person Tannis Jenkins.

Power Of Attorney, Wills And Trusts Topic Of July 11 Meeting

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The public is invited to come out and learn more about a couple of legal processes at an upcoming Community Info Series.

Join attorney Nathan Baskerville on July 11 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. as he explains details about the process of being a power of attorney and wills and trusts.

The informational meeting will be held in the Baskerville Funeral Home Chapel, located at 104. S. Chestnut St. in Henderson.

For more information call 252-430-6824 or 919-624-5752 or email cbaskervillefuneralhome@gmail.com.