TownTalk: World FlingGolf Tournament Coming to Kerr Lake Country Club

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FlingGolf is a “thing,” and it’s coming to Henderson this weekend.

Exactly what, you may ask, is this thing called fling?

Well, picture, if you will, a lacrosse stick – you know, it’s a long stick with a little basket or cup on one end of it.

Now picture a group of folks, those modified lacrosse sticks in hand, on a golf course. And instead of teeing up the ball in the tee box, the golf ball is nestled in that little cup and gets flung instead of whacked with a driver down the fairway.

Sound interesting? That’s what Johnathan Norton thought when he first started reading about FlingGolf five or so years ago.

It’s been around for a decade or more, but it’s just been in the past few years that the word’s gotten out about this novel sport. And now Henderson has landed the first stop on a national fling golf tour.

Johnathan and his father David Norton were guests on Monday’s TownTalk to talk about the North Carolina Open set for Mar. 29 and 30 at Kerr Lake Country Club. There’s an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start both days, and spectators are welcome. So far, more than 40 people have registered for the tournament, which kicks off the 2025 New Swarm Tour, a 10-tournament series that takes players up and down the East Coast, as well as West Virginia, Missouri and California.

“A lot of the top players will be here,” Johnathan said, including one who lives in Durham, who Johnathan said is the world’s longest flinger with flings of 240 or 250 yards.

According to David, one of the advantages to playing FlingGolf is that no alterations to the golf course are necessary. “You play it just like golf. You just play it like that and have fun with it,” he said.

And players don’t need much equipment, Johnathan said. “One fling stick, one golf ball and you’re good to go.”

Tournament rules state that players have to use the same stick all the way from the tee “fling” to the hole for the entire round; everyday players can choose from among different sticks if they’d like, more like traditional golfers do during a round.

The strategy is quite similar to traditional golf, too, the local FlingGolfers agree. And just like golf clubs, fling sticks are made of different composite materials to accommodate players’ skills and needs.

So when golfers need to “fling” around a dog leg right, they can put a little English on that fling stick and send that ball, hopefully, in the right direction. Ditto with sandtraps and other hazards, same as regular golf.

“There are some people on the tour who are really good at it – I’m still learning,” he said, but “it’s definitely possible…shot-shaping definitely comes into play.”

Visit https://flinggolf.com/pages/wlf to register for the tournament.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Organic Gardens

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On the Vance County Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland:

How the Organic Garden can be grown to provide healthy vegetables for your family.

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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Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Men’s Breakfast Thursdays At 7 AM

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Rebuilding Hope Co-director Tom Wille invites men in the community to a weekly breakfast and devotion time to discuss and reflect a bit on God’s word and how it applies to our daily lives.

“If you are looking for a community to serve in, a community to grown in, a community to be encouraged by, then come hang out with us,” Wille wrote in a recent Rebuilding Hope newsletter.

Come at 7 a.m. on Thursdays for a biscuit – a full breakfast on the first Thursday of the month – and then stay for a devotion and prayer time for various needs across the community.

Volunteers do the cooking and lead the devotion, Wille said.

“We learn as men about things like 1 Timothy 3:2-5 how these attributes can positively affect us and those around us. Proverbs 27:17 shows how we can encourage each other through positive relationships,” he said.

There’s time for prayer – prayer for individual needs, as well as needs for the ministry and for the larger community. Prayers are offered for other ministries that serve their communities in particular ways, from food and shelter to worship and counseling

“While our main focus is to point people to Jesus through maintenance construction, we also understand the need to support each other and the other groups in our area that point people to Christ through their focus of ministry,” Wille said. “Each of these places is important.”
If you’d like to support Rebuilding Hope, Inc. with a financial contribution, there’s an online link to make a secure payment. Visit www.rebuildinghopeinc.org and click on the Donate button at the top of the page. There’s an option to donate to General Ministry for daily operations, SOS (Servants on Site) to pay registration fees or to contribute to the summer mission camp and Memorial to make a gift in remembrance of someone.

 

41st Annual VGCC Golf Tournament Set To Tee Off May 5,6

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The 41st annual Vance-Granville Community College Foundation’s Golf Tournament for Scholarships is set for Monday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 6 at the Henderson Country Club.

The four-member team Super Ball tournament begins with lunch and registration at 11:30 a.m. and shotgun start at 1 p.m., according to information from Sheri Jones, The VGCC Foundation’s associate director.

Find registration forms and sponsorship information here:

The VGCC Foundation Golf Tournament – Vance Granville Community College.

The golf tournament is one of VGCC’S primary fundraisers for The Foundation. Money raised will be used for scholarships to help eligible students with the cost of tuition and books, as well as emergency grants.

The golf tournament provides resources for the College to remove barriers in order to enhance and expand its efforts to address need-based aid for students and promote equitable outcomes for all learners.

Sponsors, please note that payment must be received to guarantee your sponsorship. Please make checks payable to The VGCC Foundation. Online payments can be made at The VGCC Foundation Online Gifts Page.

For more information, contact foundation@vgcc.edu.

NC Forest Service

N.C. Forest Service: Statewide Open Burning Ban In Effect Until Further Notice

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A statewide open burning ban is currently in effect, and the N.C. Forest Service has cancelled all burning permits until further notice because of the increased risk of wildfires.

The ban prohibits all open burning in all 100 counties, even if a permit previously had been issued. New permits will not be granted until the ban is lifted. Anyone who violates the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 in court costs and anyone responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire, according to information from the N.C. Forest Service.

Local fire departments and law enforcement officers are assisting the N.C. Forest Service in enforcing the burn ban.

Although the burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, local fire marshals have the authority to suspend permits for those fires as well. Earlier Friday, WIZS News received information from Warren County Fire Marshal Greg Henry and Franklin County Fire Marshal Trey Evans stating that all burn permits issued for open burns within 100 feet of a residence also are suspended for as long as the state burning ban is in effect.

“It is spring wildfire season in North Carolina, and we are seeing wildfire activity increase due to dry conditions,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With these ongoing conditions, a statewide burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfires starting and spreading quickly. Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state. It is imperative that folks adhere to this burn ban until further notice.”

The N.C. Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions.

Contact your county’s fire marshal or N.C. Forest Service ranger for more information

 

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is open burning? 

A: Open burning includes burning leaves, branches or other plant material. In all cases, burning trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other nonvegetative material is illegal.

Q: May I still use my grill or barbecue? 

A: Yes, if no other local ordinances prohibit their use.

Q: How should I report a wildfire? 

A: Call 911 to report a wildfire.

Q: How should I report a person who intentionally starts a wildfire? 

A: Call 911 to report a wildfire.

Q: My local fire marshal has also issued a burn ban for my county. What does this mean?

A: The burn ban issued by the N.C. Forest service does not apply to a fire within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Local government agencies have jurisdiction over open burning within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The N.C. Forest Service has advised county fire marshals of the burning ban and has asked for their consideration of also implementing a burning ban. If a fire within a 100-foot area of a dwelling escapes containment, a North Carolina forest ranger may take reasonable steps to extinguish or control it. The person responsible for setting the fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

Q: Are there other instances which impact open burning?

A: Local ordinances and air quality regulations may impact open burning. For instance, outdoor burning is prohibited in areas covered by Code Orange or Code Red air quality forecasts. Learn more about air quality forecasts at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/air-qualityoutreach-education/air-quality-forecasts.

Q: Can I have a campfire when I go camping? 

A: Campfires would be considered open burning and are not exempt from the burn ban. During a burn ban, portable gas stoves or grills are alternate methods for cooking food while camping.

Q: What can I do to protect my house against the risk of wildfire?

A: Learn about wildfire risk assessments and preparedness and prevention plans on the N.C. Forest Service website at https://www.ncforestservice.gov/fire_control/fc_wui.htm or https://www.resistwildfirenc.org/.

2025 Duke RAM Clinic Provides 305 Patients With Free Dental, Vision, Medical Care

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This year’s Duke Remote Area Medical pop-up clinic served 305 patients in what amounts to more than $200,000 in free dental, medical and vision care.

This is the fourth year for the clinic, which set up shop most recently on Mar. 1-2 at Vance Charter School.

Over the course of two days, Duke RAM Co-Presidents Anvi Charvu and Lara Kendall said the patients had a total of 476 encounters with health care professionals – each patient could have more than one service if they needed it.

Since it first came to Henderson, the Duke RAM clinic has provided medical, dental and vision care to 1,020 patients that is valued at more than $926,000.

In this most recent clinic, more than 80 percent of the patients were seeking care from Duke RAM for the first time. Eight patients traveled more than 100 miles. The Duke RAM clinic does not ask for proof of insurance or other documentation in order to receive care.

A few statistics from the 2025 clinic’s 305 patients:

  • no dental insurance – 62 percent
  • no vision insurance – 65 percent
  • no health insurance – 43 percent
  • unemployed – 24 percent
  • Black – 38 percent
  • Hispanic – 30 percent

A total of 383 volunteers came together to provide a wide range of services. Doctors, optometrists and dentists, hygienists, nurses and other volunteers gave of their time to make the clinic a success.

A few facts from the 2025 clinic:

  • Dentists, hygienists and assistants performed 70 cleanings/fillings, 55 dental x-rays, and 90 tooth extractions.
  • Optometrists performed 163 eye exams, and volunteers created 195 unique pairs of prescription eyeglasses.
  • Physicians and nurses completed 84 general adult exams and 12 child wellness exams.

Numerous groups also provided support and organizers expressed gratitude for all the help they provided:

  • First Baptist Church
  • Sunrise Biscuit Co.
  • Granville-Vance Public Health Department
  • Sunflower Direct Primary Care
  • NC MedAssist
  • Medical Arts Pharmacy
  • AmeriHealth Caritas NC
  • Backpack Project
  • Edmonds Tennis & Educational Foundation

“We are so grateful for our Durham and Henderson partners who support our clinic efforts with such a strong sense of service. Our clinic could not be possible without such support,” the co-presidents stated in a written report shared with WIZS News.

The Local Skinny! Community Listening Event Analysis from Jayden Watkins

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Among the more than 175 folks who came to Monday’s “Breaking the Cycle” community listening session sponsored by the Pathways to Peace Coalition for Vance County was Jayden Watkins.

Watkins wears a lot of hats – he’s an author, a pastor, an entrepreneur, a leader of the Empowered youth group, among other things.

His comments during that listening session, however, came from his unique perspective as a teenager. Watkins, 16, said it’s important that teenagers’ voices be heard in discussions like this one, where the talk centered around how to combat growing violence in the community.

Another hat Watkins wears – mostly when he’s on a break from school – is that of part-time employee at WIZS Radio. And he spoke Thursday about the listening session held earlier in the week and possible outcomes that could result from so many people coming out to talk and listen to one another.

“It was important to me that my perspective as a teenager was heard,” Watkins said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny! Despite the fact that some teens are indeed involved in the senseless violence present in Vance County and elsewhere, Watkins said it’s not all teens. “Not all teenagers are lost or headed down a negative path—many are looking for ways to grow, lead, and contribute positively to society,” he said.

His youth mentorship organization, Empowered, has quickly grown from about 40 to more than 120 active members. They have “meet-ups” and talk about real stuff, Watkins said – mental health, trauma brought on by violence and more.

These teens are not “out on the street causing nonsense,” Watkins said. They’re in a safe space inspiring each other to grow stronger – empowering each other to make a difference.

Call Watkins at 252.425.0354 to sign up for Empowered or to make a donation to the nonprofit organization.

And while he sees the value in talking about the challenges this community faces, talking and listening alone aren’t going to solve the problems. “It’s equally important that we take action to bring those changes to life,” Watkins said. Change begins with action, he said.

Part of the change can come by making this a normal conversation, not just a group of people coming together for a couple of hours on one day and then having the community talk about it for a week before enthusiasm wanes.

Watkins called for adults – especially those in leadership roles who can implement policies and create roadmaps for change – to be consistent advocates.

“One person can start a movement,” he said, “but for a movement to grow, there has to be collective unity.”

And sometimes, just sometimes, it’s teenagers themselves who can come up with solutions. Watkins said, however, that “we aren’t recognized or our cry is not being heard” when grownups are talking about how to fix problems or address challenges that affect young people.

Involving youth in the discussions and decision-making can create possible solutions that may just work.

“I pray that those who attended the session don’t just walk away from the conversation with complaints or ideas of what needs to change,” Watkins wrote in remarks he prepared in advance of the radio program. He shared those remarks and we include some of them here:

“I hope we, as a city, will unite and take real action to spark…change. Progress will only happen if we work together to break down the limiting beliefs that hold us back. It all starts with changing our mindset.”

He said he encourages teens to stay in Henderson and be one of the changemakers the city needs. “We have the power to make a difference, but it starts with us—and with you,” he wrote.

“I encourage the adults in our community not to dismiss the dreams and visions of youth like me. Instead, do everything in your power to uplift and support us. If you hold a position of leadership, seek out a young person to mentor. Teach them not only how to lead, but how to lead better than you. If we don’t invest in us, Henderson will remain stagnant.”

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Vance County Logo

Vance County Animal Services Provides Assistance To Residents For More Than Strays

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Suppose you’ve seen a couple of unfamiliar dogs roaming in your neighborhood. They’ve been hanging around for a few days, no collars, looking kind of skinny. If you pick up the phone and dial 252.492.3136 to reach Animal Services, you’ve made the right call.

William Coker, Animal Services director, and his staff are available to help residents with domesticated animals – from dogs and cats to horses, cows and chickens.

But what about wildlife like deer or bats?

Well, it just depends, Coker said on a recent TownTalk segment.

“When we cross over is when a citizen needs our assistance,” Coker explained.

When a vehicle hits a deer, for example. Or someone calls to say a bat is in their house.

Both cases for Animal Services, Coker said. A 911 dispatcher will route such calls to Animal Services rather than Wildlife Management.

“If anybody uses the word ‘rabies,’ that’s Animal Services,” Coker said. “We take care of that.”

A recent report of a raccoon “acting funny” brought Animal Services out to observe just that – a raccoon “in a ditch in broad daylight. It was alive but it was acting mighty strange,” Coker said.

They handled the situation, but did not send the raccoon out to be tested for rabies because it hadn’t come into contact with any person or a person’s pet.

And as for coyotes, which Coker said are plentiful in Vance County, increased sightings during the day or noticing that a coyote is hanging around and not just passing through tells him a couple of things.

This time of year, he said, it could be a female that’s got some pups nearby. Females often go outside their normal range in search of food for their young. Second possibility: rabies.

Anyone who observes an animal acting strange or out of character should report the sighting to Animal Services during normal business hours.

If something occurs after hours, Coker asks that folks be thoughtful about whether it’s a true emergency before calling 911.

If those stray dogs have been hanging around for a few days, call Animal Services during business hours. If those stray dogs are exhibiting aggressive behavior or being a menace to other pets or otherwise acting strangely, it may be wise to call 911.