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Henderson Trying To Address Sewer Bypasses Caused By Heavy Rain

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Leaders in the City of Henderson are trying to address sewer bypasses caused by heavy rain.  Storm water inflow and infiltration continues to present issues and a lot of times in the same areas.

WIZS News finds not fewer than 10 press releases in 2020 about sewage bypasses in Henderson.

At the nearby RDU airport, the National Weather Service indicates rainfall amounts about 10 inches above normal this year.  The Greensboro area is about 18 inches above normal.  In Fayetteville, the 2020 total is about 15 inches above normal.

Most recently, the City of Henderson’s sewer collection system bypassed approximately 115,180 gallons of untreated water on December 24, 2020, as was disclosed by a press release from the City.

The press release read, “The overflows occurred at Sandy Creek Pump Station, and several manholes including Neathery Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/S. Elizabeth Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/Willow Lane, intersection of Pinkston Street/Farrar Ave, S. Pinkston treet (Green Acres). Approximately 114,420 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek. Approximately 760 gallons of untreated water was contained on the ground.

North Carolina General Statutes require a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.

In an email to WIZS News, Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon said these issues “will continue to be here until we are capable of adequately and systematically addressing both our aging and in some cases non-existent infrastructure. I choose not to dwell too much on the past although it has impacted our present and how we address issues in the future. But, also, keep in mind that some weather events do create challenges that we just can’t prepare for that are not just confined to Henderson, but shared by other communities around the region.”

Blackmon continued, “The City of Henderson recently adopted a storm water ordinance which is a requirement by the State of NC if we intend to keep issuing building permits and encouraging development in our community. There are basic requirements that we have up to five years to comply with as a part of our storm water management program. Further, the City Council did agree to apply for a $2.5 million loan to assist with addressing some of our storm water issues. We will know in early spring whether or not we were successful with this effort. This process will be a marathon and not a sprint, but we have started making strides to address these issues.”

Covid Case Closes Vance County Animal Shelter To Public For A While

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The Vance County Animal Shelter is closed until further notice, according to a printed notice on the front door of the facility.

This is a covid-related situation.

Chief Animal Control Officer Frankie Nobles told WIZS, “We had a positive case, and we are taking all precautions to keep the public safe.”

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen said, “As far as operations within our animal services department, we are still able to make emergency response calls with the staff that we have available – albeit a limited staff at the moment. Although the shelter is shut to the public this week internally we will be able to continue with feeding, cleaning and working with the animals, but due to staff shortages and to keep the public safe we have closed the shelter this week.”

The Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson, which normally loads up and transports shelter animals each Friday night, has indicated to WIZS that the normal two masked folks from the society are not being allowed inside the shelter this week.  To complete the adoption run anyway, and attempt to keep the adoption lines open to the northeast to places like New York and Pennsylvania, Ruin Creek Animal Protection is attempting to work with others, including Granville County.

Artists in Warren, Vance, Granville Awarded Funds

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— press release courtesy of the Warren County Arts Council

Warren County Arts Council Awards Funding to Regional Artists

The Warren County Arts Council has awarded $6,701 in direct funding to 7 artists in the North Carolina Arts Council’s first ever Artist Support Grant program. The Warren County Arts Council was chosen by the North Carolina Arts Council to be the lead arts council in a grants region that includes: Warren, Vance, Halifax, Northampton, Granville, and Franklin counties.

“The Artist Support Grants program responds to the impact of the pandemic by ensuring that artists and the state’s arts infrastructure have the resources needed to help our state make a strong social and economic recovery,” said Wayne Martin, executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council.

“We are honored to serve as the lead arts council in this new initiative,” said Charla Duncan, Chair of the Warren County Arts Council. “Working with our regional partners in this new consortium of rural counties gives us a chance to impact local artists in ways we haven’t been able to do before.”

Twenty-two artists from all six counties and from various disciplines applied for funding in this competitive application process, requesting a total of $25,900 in funding. Artists were not allowed to request more than $1,200 in funding. This year the grants are non-matching, but will most likely require a match in future cycles.

“Our review panel had a tough decision to make. The state only granted our region $5,000. The Warren County Arts Council chose to contribute $1,000 to increase the impact,” stated Duncan. “The Vance County, Franklin County, and Northampton County arts councils also contributed, so in total we were able to increase our region’s funding by $1,700.”

Awards went to: Senora Lynch, a potter from Warren County; Marvin Richardson and the Stoney Creek Singers, contemporary pow wow singers from Warren County; Ellen Newbauer, a woodworker from Warren County; Jereann King Johnson, a quilter from Warren County; Lydia Dudley, a singer from Warren County; Allison Darcy, a writer from Granville County; and Brandi Parker, a theatrical director from Vance County.

Funding will be used to support projects or needs that enhance the artists’ craft and careers.

The grant review panel consisted of arts professionals from across the state, and not members of any of the arts councils in the qualifying region. The panel included: Trista Porter (Executive Director, Greenville Museum of Art); Amy Grossman (President & CEO, NC Folk Festival); Hobey Ford (master puppeteer and Kennedy Center Partner in Education); Antoine Williams (mixed media artist and Guilford College professor); and Sarah Bryan (Executive Director, NC Folklife Institute).

“We were so honored to have such a thoughtful and intentional group of panelists,” said Duncan. “It was clear that they value the arts in rural communities as much as we do.”

For more information or questions please contact the Warren County Arts Council at warrencountyartscouncil@gmail.com. The Warren County Arts Council can be found online at warrencountyartsnc.org and on Facebook and Instagram at @wcartcouncil.

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About the Warren County Arts Council

The Warren County Arts Council was founded on April 20, 1999 in order to promote and increase appreciation for the arts in Warren County.

About the North Carolina Arts Council

The North Carolina Arts Council builds on our state’s longstanding love of the arts, leading the way to a more vibrant future. The Arts Council is an economic catalyst, fueling a thriving nonprofit creative sector that generates $2.12 billion in annual direct economic activity. The Arts Council also sustains diverse arts expression and traditions while investing in innovative approaches to art-making. The North Carolina Arts Council has proven to be a champion for youth by cultivating tomorrow’s creative citizens through arts education. www.NCArts.org

Local News Audio

WIZS Noon News 12-30-20: Arrests, Garbage Collection; School Audit; Gold!

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WIZS Noon News 12-30-20:

 

Vance County Sheriff’s Office Charges Against Suspects

New Year’s Garbage Collection in Henderson

Granville County Public Schools Good Audit

GOLD!! Local Gold in Franklin County

 

Click Play For WIZS Local News Audio…

 

Town Talk Logo

Free Wellness Conference Call Jan 4th: High Blood Pressure and Diabetes (more info Monday on TownTalk)

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Henderson City Councilwoman and the pastor of Holy Temple Church, Rev. Ola Thorpe-Cooper, plans to appear on TownTalk Monday, January 4th.  She is a past worker for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

It is also planned that Ola Thorpe-Cooper will be joined by Toni Wilson, who operates the Talk to Toni Wilson YouTube Channel.

On TownTalk, they will discuss and promote a free wellness conference call which also is scheduled for Monday, January 4th, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The topic will be “Understanding Hypertension and Diabetes affect on Blood Vessels.”

Free Call-in Line
(425) 436-6330
Access Code – 8605811#

In an email to WIZS News, Ola Thorpe-Cooper wrote, “This Conference is for anyone 21 years and over with a goal of good health consciousness!!”

For more information ahead of time, call 202 236 4637.

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Sidebar:

At the Henderson City Council meeting September 14, 2020, Council members voted to appoint Ms. Ola Thorpe-Cooper to fill the unexpired term of Fearldine Simmons. Simmons passed away at the age of 73 on August 9, 2020. Her term was active through 2021.

Thorpe-Cooper was approved by a 5-2 ballot vote and will serve as the representative for the Council’s Ward 4 seat.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said, “Ms. Ola Thorpe-Cooper is a fine lady that will serve our City well. If you look back on her impressive, noteworthy achievements through the years, that’s what she has done her whole life, help others. We welcome her aboard and look forward to her encouraging personality and many talents.”

Chase Suspect Pearce Receives $535,000 Bond

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— information from a press release courtesy of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

As a result of a vehicle chase on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at approximately 11: 18 a.m. with the Vance County Sheriff Office Patrol Division and the Henderson Police Department Patrol Division, the suspect Paul Z. Pearce, age 28, was charged with the following:

Fleeing to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle; 2 counts of Second Degree Kidnapping; Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government Official; Attempted Common Law Robbery; Larceny of a Motor Vehicle; Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle; Resisting a Public Officer; First Degree Trespass; Injury to Personal Property; Possession of Heroin; Possession of Cocaine; Assault Physical Injury to Law Enforcement Officer and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Pearce’s bond was set at $535,000.00, and he was given a court date of January 28, 2021 in Vance County District Court.

This investigation is continuing.

18 Year Old Suspect Arrested On Four Drug Charges

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— courtesy of press release from Sheriff Curtis Brame

On December 23, 2020, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team served a search warrant at 252 New Bethel Church Road Lot 16 and Lot 26, Henderson, North Carolina 27537.

Arrested at Lot 16 was Djhante Blash, B/M, Age 18. Blash was charged with Maintaining a Dwelling, Possession of Marijuana and 2 counts of Trafficking Heroin. Recovered from Lot 26 were 3 assault rifles. Blash received a $125,000.00 bond and a court date was set for January 11, 2021, in Vance County District Court. This investigation is continuing.

NCDHHS

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Application Process Begins Jan. 4

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

— press release courtesy of NCDHHS

North Carolinians Can Apply Online for Help with Energy Costs Beginning Monday

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today (12-29-20) announced beginning Jan. 4, households can apply for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) online at www.epass.nc.gov.

Applying for these programs online is easy and convenient, as well as safe and helps people socially distance. Applicants can also call their county department of social services to apply by phone or print a paper application from www.epass.nc.gov to mail, fax or drop off at their county department of social services.

“We know that this is going to be a challenging winter for many families because of COVID-19,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to apply for help with their heating costs this winter while staying safe and socially distant.”

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is a seasonal program that provides for a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills. LIEAP applications will be accepted Jan. 4 to March 31 or until funds are exhausted. To be eligible for LIEAP, a household must:

  • Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
  • Have income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit
  • Have resources, such as saving and checking accounts and cash on hand, at or below $2,250
  • Be responsible for their heating cost

The Crisis Intervention Program is a year-round program that assists individuals and families who are experiencing a heating or cooling related crisis. A household is considered in crisis if it is currently experiencing or is in danger of experiencing a life threatening or health related emergency and assistance is not available from another source. CIP applications will be accepted until June 30 or until funds are exhausted. To be eligible for CIP, a household must:

  • Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
  • Have income equal to or less than 150% of the federal poverty level
  • Have an energy related crisis
  • Have a utility statement that shows how much is owed to alleviate the crisis

For more information on these energy programs and eligibility, visit the CIP and LIEAP websites at:

NCDHHS strongly encourages families to take advantage of the new ways to apply for energy programs to help maintain social distancing and help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Noon News 12-29-20 Covid 19 Update; Court House Repairs; Senior Bingo; Bridal Tour

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Stories Include:

– Latest Covid 19 figures for Vance County

– Court House repairs approved

– Senior Bingo even to be sponsored by Vance Co. Parks & Rec. Dept.

– 2021 Granville Co. Bridal Tour

For full details and audio click play.

 

No Biggie Apparently But Courthouse Needed A Few Repairs

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On Monday, December 21 at 4 p.m., Vance County’s properties committee met, and part of that meeting was to address a couple of courthouse repairs.

The full committee consists of commissioners Dan Brummitt, Archie Taylor and Gordon Wilder.  Commissioner Wilder told WIZS News, “We have had it repaired…(including) the caulking joints in the side of the building and around the windows.”

County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS, “We recently finished up a project to apply a coating to the courthouse roof that will extend its life. After 20 years the courthouse roof and other areas are showing maintenance needs and this was an attempt to extend the life of the roof.

“While we were completing this project we noticed a need for resealing the masonry control joints in the side of the building and around the windows, so we asked the existing contractor to provide a change order to our existing contract. The properties committee is recommending to the full board that we proceed with the change order, which adds the control joints work, price and time allowance, to our existing roof project scope of work.”

The county manager basically added that all involved want to keep up the maintenance to the facility.