NC Tobacco Trust Fund Grants Available For Agricultural Projects

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— press release

The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission is accepting applications for the 2021 grant cycle. The key objectives for 2021 are supporting the agricultural industry, impacting rural communities and stimulating economic development. Funds will be awarded in the fall of 2021 for selected innovative projects.

Applications information is now online at www.tobaccotrustfund.org for qualifying organizations. “Creating opportunities for North Carolina producers and creating jobs in current or former tobacco-dependent regions are our 2021 priorities,” said William H. “Bill” Teague, NCTTFC Chairman. “Applications will be accepted online for innovative projects within North Carolina. Selected projects should expect to start in November of 2021.”

The NCTTFC was established in 2000 by the N.C. General Assembly to help members of the tobacco community including farmers, tobacco workers and related businesses. Its original funding was established through tobacco industry annual payments as a result of the Master Settlement Agreement. Funding is now appropriated to the NCTTFC which then reviews, selects and disperses the funds to grant projects.

Past NCTTFC projects includes fair and farmers market improvements, cost-share grant programs for farmers, commodity marketing, researching alternative crops and support of agricultural education programs.

More information can be found at the NCTTFC’s website (www.tobaccotrustfund.org), or by calling Jeff Camden at 919-397-6766. The deadline for applications submission is Friday March 5, 2021.

Local News Audio

Noon News 1-11-21 Wilton Baskett Passes; Davis Chapel Partners With Raleigh Firebirds

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Stories include:

– Death of Vance Co. basketball coach Wilton Baskett

– Davis Chapel partners with Raleigh Firebirds for basketball tournament

For full details and audio click play.

 

Davis Chapel, Raleigh Firebirds 3v3 Build Community, Celebrate MLK

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The Davis Chapel Park in Henderson is the place to be on January 18 – that’s where members of the professional men’s basketball team the Raleigh Firebirds will come to town to host a 3v3 basketball tournament.  The event is from noon to 2 p.m.

Firebirds owner Wade Harris told WIZS host Trey Snide and guest Brandon White during a recent WIZS SportsTalk program that his team is partnering with Davis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church to put on the event. There is no cost to sign up; visit the team’s website Raleighfirebirds.net for more information, or text or phone 919.830.0305 to learn how to enter the tournament. Winners will get 4 season tickets to the Firebirds home games.

“The Firebirds are really all about community service, engaging in the community and finding ways that we can support our youth,” Harris said. “We figured the 3-on-3 tournament would be a nice way to not only introduce the Firebirds to the community, but also to introduce the community to the game of basketball,” he said.

Click Play to Listen to Wade Harris on WIZS SportsTalk…

Although the fan base and sponsorships are in and around Wake County at the moment, Harris said the Firebirds are “here to provide opportunities for young men still chasing that dream of being a professional basketball player. This is really a platform for them to be able to do that, as well as to develop certain aspects of their games, so that they can expand and grow,” he added.

Spectators will probably get a chance to see some of the Firebirds put on an exhibition as well, Harris said.

The Davis Chapel Park, located at the corner of Chestnut and Rock Spring streets, was chosen as the site of this event for a couple of reasons. The church has adopted the park and Harris spoke with the son of the pastor there. “(The park) is a great setting for a tournament like this,” Harris said. “We want to bring even more life to the park itself,” he said, “and if there are some things that we can do to uplift that park and to uplift the people that go and frequent that area, then we want to do that,” he continued.

“Everything happens for a reason…Martin Luther King Day is certainly a good day for us to celebrate in general, but it’s a great day for us to bring the 3-on-3 game to Henderson, North Carolina,” Harris said. Originally set as a New Year’s Eve celebration, the threat of inclement weather forced organizers to reschedule the event.

“It’s a way to bring the community together and identify some needs… and to see how we might be able to support in addressing those needs,“ Harris said.

City of Henderson Logo

Henderson City Council Regular Meeting Monday, January 11

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Henderson City Council Regular Meeting scheduled for Monday, January 11.  Click here for AGENDA.

PUBLIC NOTICE
Henderson City Council Scheduled Regular Meeting
Monday, 11 January 2021
6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536

Due to COVID-19 health mandates issued by Governor Cooper, the number of citizens allowed into Council Chambers is limited.  However, members of the community are strongly encouraged to provide questions/comments for Council in writing as follows and to listen via Zoom:

Written Comments:

  1. Email written comments to: emccrackin@ci.henderson.nc.us
  2. Emails received by 3:00 p.m. the day of the meeting will be read aloud at the meeting.  Comments are limited to 3-minutes per person.

ZOOM MEETING INVITE:

City of Henderson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: City Council Meeting

Time: Jan 11, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85250543071?pwd=L2tqMzRzU3R1T2N2YThlL0dNMURGUT09

Meeting ID: 852 5054 3071

Passcode: 346554

U.S. ATTORNEY RECOGNIZES LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DURING LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY

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— press release

RALEIGH, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. recognizes the service of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which is being observed Saturday, January 9, 2021. On this date, communities across the country will show their appreciation and support for law enforcement agencies and their personnel in various ways.

“I ask every citizen of the Eastern District to join me in recognizing the tremendous service and sacrifices that our law enforcement officers have made this past year and make every day,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. “Together, with our ongoing partnerships, commitment, and dedication, we will continue to work together to ensure that our citizens, here in the Eastern District of North Carolina, are safe and secure.”

As part of this national day of recognition, citizens across the country are encouraged to share their expressions of gratitude and support for local law enforcement agencies, officers, and public safety personnel within their respective communities. Likewise, citizens and officers alike are encouraged to share their positive experiences and collaborations with each other.

The Eastern District of North Carolina serves the 44 easternmost counties of North Carolina.

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Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society’s Animal “Ride To Freedom” Rides On

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The yearslong animal rescue “Ride To Freedom,” done weekly by Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society and Vance County Animal Services, continues tonight after a one-week covid disruption.

The plan that has rescued into the thousands of Vance County animals and gotten them to loving, safe homes continues this evening.  While the Vance County Animal Shelter remains closed to the public, and Chief Animal Control Officer Frankie Nobles continues to be unsure when it will reopen, arrangements for the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society’s “Ride To Freedom” were confirmed earlier this week so the tradition can continue.

Brandon Boyd, president of Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society, said, “We would like to thank our very important partners Chief Frankie Nobles and (the) Vance County Animal Shelter for their support and effort which allows this to happen along with our many passionate and faithful supporters that give to support this deserving cause.”

The loading of the animals can typically be watched online live via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RCAPS.Henderson.

Local News Audio

Noon News 1-8-21 Snow; Animal Rescue; Downtown Wifi; Stalking; Girl Scout Cookies; Tree Planting

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Stories include:

– Snow in the forecast

– animal rescue event to take place

– free wifi coming to downtown Henderson and Kittrell

– National Stalking Awareness Month

– Girl Scout Cookies to go on sale

– Tar River Conservancy to hold tree planting event

For full details and audio click play.

 

Open Broadband

Part of Agreement Commissioners Approve Means Free Wifi Downtown and in Kittrell

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The Vance County Commissioners approved an agreement Monday with an Internet broadband provider that will bring free Wi-Fi to parts of downtown Henderson and to the town of Kittrell.

County Manager Jordan D. McMillen said the Wi-Fi Zone agreement is a joint effort between the city and the county and begins a five-year commitment with Open Broadband, LLC.

“Now that the agreement has been signed it will take a few weeks or months for them to order the equipment and determine the areas downtown for equipment to be located,” McMillen said in a written statement to WIZS. Next steps include identifying downtown business owners to partner with Open Broadband to place antennas.

The plan is it to have Wi-Fi available in the general area between Orange Street and Rose Avenue along Garnett Street, as well as along the side streets which extend to Chestnut Street, McMillen added. “We are excited about this initiative and (are) glad to partner with the City to make it happen,” he said. The free public Wi-Fi for Kittrell will be available within the town limits.

Open Broadband, LLC is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that seeks to bring broadband internet service to underserved markets and rural areas, according to information provided on its website. It provides service in about 20 North Carolina counties.

At Least There Will Be Girl Scout Cookies; Local Sales Start Jan.16

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The countdown to cookie season is almost here! In just over a week, area residents will see the colorful boxes in the hands of local Girl Scouts, many familiar types and one new variety to enjoy. Each box is $5.

Sales kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16 and conclude on March 7. In addition to the traditional door-to-door sales and tables outside big box stores and groceries, Teresa Wimbrow, local membership director for the North Carolina Coastal Pines Council, reminds anyone looking to satisfy their cookie craving can order online by visiting  https://www.nccoastalpines.org/.

She said, “Some who live in neighborhoods will be knocking on doors but that practice is being discouraged for safety reasons and because of Covid. ”

The troops are “quite competitive in normal times” and Winbrow hopes that this year’s cookie sale will be another success. “We’ve never sold cookies in a pandemic before,” she said, and expressed gratitude that Walmart is allowing the troops to set up their booths again this year. Customers can find the cookie booths outside retailers such as Walmart by Jan. 24. All the scouts and the adult volunteers will wear masks and will follow all state-directed pandemic protocols. Expect to see them in operation on Saturdays and Sundays, Winbrow added.

Winbrow oversees Girl Scout troops in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. Franklin County has 11 troops, Granville has 10, Vance has 4 and Warren has 2 troops. Anyone interested in learning more about Girl Scout membership or volunteering can contact Winbrow. “The cookie sale usually sparks some interest,” she said, adding that the troops do get some new members during and after the cookie sale.

This year’s cookie list has favorites customers have been gobbling down for years, but there is a new cookie called Toast-Yay!, a French toast-inspired flavor. Traditional favorites such as Thin Mint, Shortbread, Tag-along and Do-si-do are all available as well, Wimbrow said.

Most of the local troops will pick up their cookies at a Durham warehouse this Saturday in advance of the Jan. 16 opening day. Proceeds from the cookie sale support troop activities such as trips and other outings, but the girls also choose to support land donate to local programs in their area.

For more information about scouting, visit the North Carolina Coastal Pines website at  https://www.nccoastalpines.org/. Contact Winbrow at 252.438.8103 or twimbrow@nccoastalpines.org.

Local News Audio

Noon News 1-7-21 Vaccine Hotline; ACTS Fish Fry; Possible Snow

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Stories include: I

– Information on the Covid 19 vaccine hotline from Granville Vance Public Health

– ACTS fish fry fundraiser

– Chance of snow in the local forecast

For full details and audio click play.