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Town Talk: Brummitt Discusses Vance Co. Budget, Fire Restructuring

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On Tuesday’s Town Talk edition, Vance County Commissioner Dan Brummitt provided an update on discussions held at the June 3, 2019, Vance County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Continuing to hammer out the details of the FY 2019-20 Vance County budget – proposed at $48,362,611 – commissioners have a matter of weeks to finalize plans before the set July 1 implementation date.

One topic that has been much-discussed in recent months is the restructuring of the volunteer fire departments. Under the current proposal, paid part-time positions would be added to the County’s volunteer fire departments with the exception of the Vance County Fire Department, which would remain as currently structured.

Brummitt, who serves on the County’s Fire Commission, is not in favor of this plan.

“Under the current proposal, in order to accommodate adding part-time individuals to volunteer departments, the funds would have to come from somewhere else,” explained Brummitt. “I don’t agree with having a tax increase just to avoid going through some reorganization.”

“We can do more for the County and put more firefighters and first responders in our community for the same dollar amount we are currently spending.”

To hear the Town Talk interview with Dan Brummitt in its entirety, including more on his views of fire restructuring, listen to Town Talk by clicking the play button above. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Endows Third VGCC Scholarship

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation recently endowed a new scholarship specifically designed to support Vance-Granville Community College Nursing students who are enrolled in a program to complete bachelor’s degrees.

In awarding the “Triangle North Healthcare Foundation RIBN Presidential Scholar Award,” preference will be given to students in the “Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses” (RIBN) program. RIBN students are simultaneously enrolled at the community college and North Carolina A&T State University. They earn associate’s degrees in nursing through VGCC over three years (while also taking A&T courses online) and then continue for one year of additional courses at A&T required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

From left, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation (TNHF) executive director Val Short, VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and Arline Richardson, a TNHF board member and chair of its Scholarship Committee, celebrate the creation of the new scholarship. (VGCC photo)

The new endowment marks a continuation of the partnership between the college and the foundation, which has already created two VGCC Academic Achievement Scholarships, one of which is also designed to be awarded to students in the RIBN program. The Presidential Scholar Award is the college’s second-highest scholarship tier.

“Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is pleased to support the RIBN program, which enables a local student to achieve a bachelor’s degree in nursing at a university while remaining in the community,” said Val Short, the Foundation’s executive director.

Based in Henderson, the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation provides grants to nonprofits organizations, governmental agencies, and schools in Vance, Warren, Granville and Franklin counties. The Foundation also provides scholarships to students in the region who are pursuing health care careers.

“We are grateful for the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation’s partnership with our college to further strengthen the RIBN program,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “This scholarship will be a new source of support to help outstanding Nursing students prepare for rewarding careers in health care and meet employers’ need for highly-trained professionals.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,400 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Ag. Commissioner Troxler: ‘Farmers Should Prepare for Hurricane Season’

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler’s annual plea for farmers to prepare for hurricane season is especially poignant this year in light of Hurricane Florence’s destruction in 2018.

“So many of us are still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Florence. This storm has been a disastrous reminder of just how important it is to have an emergency plan for your farm, food company or agribusiness,” Troxler said. “Take precautions, think through your plan now and discuss it with your employees and family.”

Scientists at N.C. State University are predicting 13 to 16 named storms in the Atlantic basin this year, which is the average as of recent years. Of those storms, five to seven could become hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs June 1 to Nov. 30.

Planning helps farmers protect their families, workers, equipment and buildings, Troxler said. “Livestock operations should maintain emergency plans that address power needs and on-site feed capabilities,” he said. “Also, identify places to relocate animals from low-lying areas. We need farmers to take these precautions to reduce animal losses from the storm.”

Farmers and businesses should review insurance policies to ensure they have proper coverage, including wind, hail, flood and catastrophic coverage if necessary. Some coverage takes 30 days to go into effect.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a website, www.ncagr.gov/disaster, with links and resources for different types of agribusinesses to plan and recover from a disaster. A Farm Emergency Plan Template is available on the site to help organize information that is needed after a disaster.

Rodrick Allison to Perform ‘A Laugh With Dad’ at Spring St. Missionary Baptist

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-Information courtesy Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church

The Men‘s Ministry of Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church present “A Laugh with Dad” as provided by Rodrick Allison (aka Rod of God) on Sunday, June 16, 2019, at 11 a.m.

For over 17 years, Allison has performed his signature style of clean comedy nationally and internationally, leaving countless audiences filled with laughter.

He has performed with legendary recording artists such as Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Tye Tribbett, Kelly Price, Kim Burrell, Tramaine Hawkins and numerous other artists.

Rod is known as the “attorney by day and comedian by night” entertainer because he is also a lawyer. When he’s not performing he can be found providing legal services in his private law practice and in the courts of North Carolina.

Throughout his comedic career, he has remained committed to his mission of proving “you can be funny without being vulgar, and be a Christian without losing your sense of humor.”

Bring Dad for an afternoon of fellowship and entertainment. Spring Street Missionary Baptist is located at 511 Orange Street in Henderson.

News 06/04/19

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HFD Participates in ‘Smoke Alarm Saturday;’ 9V Battery Donations Needed

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Fire departments across North Carolina participated in the 2nd annual “Smoke Alarm Saturday” campaign on June 1, 2019.

“Smoke Alarm Saturday” is North Carolina’s one-day, statewide, smoke alarm canvassing event aimed at highlighting the importance of functional smoke alarms and fire safety.

The event, held on behalf of Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey and the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), was created in response to a recent increase in fire deaths in the state. According to a press release issued by Causey’s office, 134 North Carolinians lost their lives in fire-related incidents in 2018, making it one of the deadliest years on record.

Members of the Henderson Fire Department assist with the 2019 “Smoke Alarm Saturday” event. (Photo courtesy Capt. Lee Edmonds)

According to Captain Lee Edmonds with the Henderson Fire Department, approximately 75 counties – including Vance – participated in Saturday’s event. Last year, 60 counties assisted with the installation of over 4,000 alarms in homes across the state.

The one-day canvassing event brought national media attention to NC, emphasizing the awareness that working smoke alarms do save lives, according to the OSFM.

While Edmonds said his group was glad to assist with this year’s event, door-to-door canvassing has been performed by the Henderson Fire Department for the past 10 years. In 2009, after a Vance County family tragically lost several of their children in a house fire, former fire chief Danny Wilkerson began an annual smoke detector inspection for City of Henderson residents.

The inspection, which begins anew each November following Fire Prevention Month in October, is free of charge to City residents. “We put new batteries in smoke detectors, replace old smoke detectors and install smoke detectors in places that did not previously have them during these campaigns,” said Edmonds.

To assist with this year’s smoke detector campaign, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Vance Class of 2019 will hold a battery drive through Friday, June 28, 2019. Donations of new 9 volt batteries are needed.

To donate batteries, look for the red box marked “Battery Drop Spot” at the following locations: City Hall (Henderson), Vance County Tax Office, Maria Parham Health (front desk of the main lobby), L.B. Yancey Elementary School, Vance-Granville Community College (Building 1, front lobby), Charles Boyd Chevrolet of Henderson, Vance County Department of Social Services and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

With questions on battery donations, please contact McKinley Perkinson at (252) 436-1402 or Evelyn Harris at (252) 738-3254.

VCHS’s Medical Academy Honors Nurse Aide Graduates

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Nurse aide graduates from Vance Medical Academy at Vance County High School were honored during the evening of May 29, 2019, at their pinning ceremony. 

All seven graduates have completed their studies and nurse aide training to qualify for the certified nursing assistant exam. 

Nurse aide graduates recite their professional pledge. They include, from left, Jenna Dement, Nancy Duran, Shirley Lopez-Alor, Lidia Morales Vital, Dayon Thornton, Emily Valenzuela Valdiolivar and Dyamond Williams. (VCS photo)

The graduates include: Jenna Dement, who will attend Wake Technical Community College to pursue an associate degree in Early Childhood Education; Nancy Duran to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College; Shirley Lopez-Alor to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College; Lidia Morales Vital to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College; Dayon Thornton to attend N.C. Central University to pursue a degree in nursing or animal science; Emily Valenzuela Valdiolivar to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College; and Dyamond Williams to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College. 

Jenna Dement (left) is pinned during the ceremony by Rebecca Davis, Health Science instructor in the Vance Medical Academy. (VCS photo)

Each of the graduates received a lapel pin and framed certificate in recognition of their achievements. Their pins were presented by Rebecca Harris, a registered nurse and their instructor in the Vance Medical Academy. 

During the event, the new graduates also participated in a candle lighting ceremony and recited the “Nurse Aide Pledge.” The pledge reads, “I solemnly pledge to uphold the standards of care with which I have been trained and to apply high moral and ethical value to my daily tasks. I further pledge that I will safeguard the confidentiality, respect and dignity of my patients and work only in the best interest of those committed to my care.”

Reminder: Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers to Perform This Sunday!

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

The McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will feature The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Show starts at 2 p.m.

A Part of the Music at McGregor Series

The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers, founded in 1998 by Joel F. Reed, promote choral artistry by modeling the highest quality choral standard and performing a breadth of literature, including music from the southern Appalachian region.

The McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will feature The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Show starts at 2 p.m. (Photo courtesy the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center)

The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers are currently 25 singers who rehearse monthly in preparation for the ensemble’s performances. Many of the members are professional musicians, working in public and private schools, colleges and churches. Others are professionals from the business and medical communities who reside in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and are, for the most part, alumni and retired faculty of Mars Hill University.

The ensemble has performed regularly in the North and South Carolina areas including conferences of North Carolina American Choral Directors Association and National Association for Music Education.

Tickets may be purchased by:

DROP IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

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Time Change for Vance Commissioners’ Budget Work Session

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold a budget work session on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at 4 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, 122 Young Street in Henderson.

Please note this a time change from the previously scheduled 6 p.m. meeting.

Go ‘In the Wild’ at Blessed Hope Baptist’s Vacation Bible School

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-Information courtesy Lauren Elliott, Blessed Hope Baptist Church 

Blessed Hope Baptist Church will hold Vacation Bible School from 6 until 9 p.m. nightly Sunday, June 9 – Thursday, June 13, 2019. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. each evening.

There will be classes, crafts, missions and recreation for ages 4 – adults. Bring the whole family and join us as we go “In the Wild.”

Blessed Hope Baptist is located at 741 Dabney Road in Henderson, NC.