Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk 5-11-21 Scottie Richardson, Crossroads Christian

/by

“It’s a great day to be a Colt!” said Scottie Richardson, athletic director at Crossroads Christian after the school’s golf program won the state 1A championship by two strokes on Monday at Bryan Park-Players Course in  Greensboro.  The championship is the first athletic championship of any type ever won by the school. Two years ago Crossroads Christian was runner up in the state.  Richardson gave credit to golfing coach James Darnell. “He’s a local legend,” Richardson said. He went on to say that Darnell has to be part caddy and part psychologist as a golfing coach.

Richardson, who is also head basketball coach at the school, said all of the coaches of the school’s various athletic programs would “trash talk” with each other about which one would win the school’s first state championship but all of the coaches at the school have been very supportive of Coach Darnell and his team.

Speaking about Monday’s championship Richardson said, “It was a great atmosphere when the sun was out.” The tournament had to shut down for an hour and a half due to thunderstorms to rolled through the Guilford County area on Monday afternoon.

Richardson also acknowledged that the golf team will lose some players to graduation this year but feels that the team’s underclassmen are good enough to keep the team competitive in the coming seasons.

Representing the Crossroads Christian School Colts this year at the NCISAA Boys’ State Championship were Caden Woodward, Tyler Darnell, Merritt Cogdill and Colby Taylor.

For full details and complete audio click play.

 

 

TownTalk 5-11-21; KARTS Provides Key Service To Rural Residents

/by

Irene Johnson, executive director of KARTS discusses the transportation services offered by the agency, the effects of Covid-19 and the need for drivers.

Johnson stressed Kerr Area Rural Transportation Authority operates with a “safety first” approach to everything.

For Broadcast Audio Click Play. Written story below.

 

The term “public transportation” may conjure up images of crowded buses headed across a busy commercial district in a large city, but rural areas have public transportation services that help people get to medical appointments or complete errands in town.

In Vance, Franklin, Granville and Warren counties, 55 KARTS buses travel the country roads to pick up rural residents who rely on public transportation.

KARTS, or Kerr Area Rural Transportation Authority, has been serving the four-county area since 1983, said Irene Johnson, KARTS executive director. She told John C. Rose Tuesday on Town Talk that she wants to spread the word about KARTS.

Anyone who needs a ride to get a COVID-19 vaccine can ride for free, Johnson said. “We will make that possible at no cost” to the rider, she said. Just call KARTS at 252.438.2573 after scheduling the vaccine appointment.

Johnson said KARTS buses are on the road Monday through Saturday, and some drivers begin their shifts behind the wheel by 2:30 a.m. Many riders go to dialysis centers she said, and appointments there start as early as 4 a.m.

But KARTS buses take riders to Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, too. A scheduler can provide details about schedules and fare costs. Visit www.kartsnc.com for a breakdown of roundtrip fares. A roundtrip fare between 1-10 miles costs $8; a roundtrip fare between 11-20 miles is $10.

Those Around the Town shuttles that scurry throughout Vance County are KARTS buses, too. Johnson said there are designated stops for those shuttles, which generally run between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

COVID-19 restrictions created extra steps for KARTS, including sanitizing machines for the vehicles when they’re off the road, as well adding hand sanitizer stations on each bus. Masks are required to board the bus, and drivers have extras for anyone who needs one.

In addition to transporting people to their medical appointments and grocery shopping, Johnson said KARTS also takes people to work. She said at least four buses deliver workers daily to their jobs at Revlon in Oxford. Johnson estimated that those 55 buses are handling an average of 400 appointments a day, down from as many as 700 at one time.

KARTS, like many other rural transport agencies across the state, need qualified drivers. “We’re comfortable at 400 (trips), but we could use 20 drivers right now,” she said.

Drivers must be at least 21 years old and pass a background check and a drug screen.

“You’ve got to be someone who likes people,” she noted. “The easy part is being behind the wheel – you may be the only person they see all day.”

(KARTS is an advertising client of WIZS.  This article and audio are not paid ads.)

The Local Skinny! May 11 Jobs in Vance

/by

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

The Vance County Detention Center currently has vacancies for the position of Detention Officer.  To apply, go to the website www.vancecountysheriff.org, click on the EMPLOYMENT TAB.  Follow directions for personal history and authorized release information and deliver to the Vance County Detention Center (jail) at 516 Breckenridge Street in Henderson.  252-738-2200.

Versatrim, a local manufacturing plant in Henderson, has open positions.  They are a leading molding brand company in North America.  On Thursday, May 13th, they will be holding a job fair from 10 am – 2 pm at 599 Raleigh Road in Henderson.  Jobs are available on first and second shift.  For additional information, contact Karen Lambert at karen@versatrim.com.

Biscuitville on Dabney Drive is hiring.  Apply at biscuitville.com/careers.

Hollander Sleep Products, LLC. – job opening for Forklift Operator – 1st Shift.  Contact HR Manager at  jjvoss@hollander.com or contact NC Works at 857 South Beckford Drive, Suite G in Henderson or call NC Works 252-438-6219.

MR Williams Inc, located on Raleigh Road in Henderson – job openings for Repack Order Selector and a Delivery Driver (CDL license is not required). To apply, applicants should contact the NC Works office in Henderson at 252-438-6219.

Legacy Human Services – Substance Abuse Aide – This part-time position serves as a presence and a resource within the adult male substance abuse halfway house, as well as a role model for the residents. The main job responsibilities include driving the male residents to meetings and appointments, supervising male residents and monitoring the home the home for security, meal preparation, passing medication and other duties as assigned. Call 252-438-6700 ext 204 Laura Newton for more information.

The City of Henderson is currently accepting applications for a Meter Reader. A full listing of current job openings may be viewed online at http://ci.henderson.nc.us

Huntstone Pool/Club House Destroyed by Fire

/by

West of Henderson along U.S. 158 Business near Old Watkins Road, the Huntstone subdivision saw its swimming pool clubhouse destroyed Monday by fire.

Vance County Fire Chief Chris Wright said late Monday, still on the scene, that the fire call came at 4:54 a.m.  He said Watkins Volunteer Fire Department, Bearpond Volunteer Fire Department and the Vance County Fire Department responded.

Yellow tape fully encircling the building and part of its grounds was lifted one last time for the day about 6:15 p.m. when the State Bureau of Investigations team prepared to leave.  It appeared samples were being placed in sealed containers for transport to a lab.

Wright said more details were likely to emerge in the next few days.  Wright presently serves also as the Vance County Fire Marshall.

The site of the facility is very near the entrance to the subdivision and is situated along E. Waycliff Road.  Online tax records show the facility and it’s nearly two acre parcel to be owned by Huntstone Community Association, Inc. with an assessed tax value in excess of $230,000.

TownTalk 05-10-21 Economics, Jobs, Inflation

/by

Host John C. Rose discusses economics, employment and inflation including the effect stimulus payments have had, how the lack of employees has effected the shipping of goods and concerns about inflation.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Acting U.S. Attorney G. Norman Acker, III Recognizes Police Week 2021

/by

In honor of National Police Week, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina G. Norman Acker, III recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Sunday, May 9 through Saturday, May 15, 2021.

“This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am constantly inspired by the extraordinary courage and dedication with which members of law enforcement act each day, putting their lives on the line to make our communities safer. To members of law enforcement and your families: we know that not a single day, nor a single week, is enough to recognize your service and sacrifice. On behalf of the entire Department of Justice, you have our unwavering support and eternal gratitude.”

“During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe,” said Acting United States Attorney Acker.  “I want to acknowledge the work performed by federal, state, and local law enforcement, who often face uncertain and dangerous situations without question and without expectation of thanks.  We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities that they have sworn to serve.

During the Roll Call of Heroes, a ceremony coordinated by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), more than 300 officers will be honored.  Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), of the law enforcement officers who died nationwide in the line of duty in 2020, nearly 60 percent succumbed to COVID-19. Here in the Eastern District of North Carolina, two officers died in the line of duty.

Additionally, according to statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 46 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts and 47 died in accidents in 2020.  LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website.

The names of the 394 fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Thursday, May 13, 2021, during a Virtual Candlelight Vigil, which will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm EDT. The Police Week in-person public events, originally scheduled for May, have been rescheduled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns to October 13-17, 2021. An in-person Candlelight Vigil event is scheduled for October 14, 2021.

Those who wish to view the Virtual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, 2021, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF. The FOP’s Roll Call of Heroes can be viewed at www.fop.net. To view the schedule of virtual Police Week events in May, please view NLEOMF’s Police Week Flyer.

To learn more about National Police Week in-person events scheduled for October, please visit www.policeweek.org.