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Town Talk (08/01/19): George Daye Seeks Reelection to Henderson City Council

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

George Daye, the incumbent candidate for the Henderson City Council’s 4th Ward At-Large seat, was the guest of honor on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.

Daye is running against Jason A. Spriggs in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election.

Also serving on the Human Resources, Public Safety and Regional Transportation Committees for the City of Henderson, Daye said he would like to continue to seek affordable housing opportunities for residents should he be reelected to the City Council.

“It would help the community a lot if we had decent housing,” said Daye. “The City is doing a good job. When you have a complaint, [the solution] doesn’t just happen the next day. It takes time to get things resolved, but we’ve seen progress.”

Promoting additional rent-to-own opportunities to help residents achieve the pride that comes with homeownership is one way Daye said the City can help with the housing situation.

Daye, a resident of N. Pinkston Street, said he was “blessed” to achieve homeownership through a similar rent-to-own opportunity.

Another area of concern, according to Daye, is Henderson’s high crime and drug rate. “We need to somehow get control of our young people because what they are doing is killing our city.”

To accomplish that, Daye, who is also the president of Raemac Transportation, suggested working closely with law enforcement and local churches.

“I do think we have people in place that are willing to see Henderson go forward. People in [influential] positions should be willing to work with the community to see a better Henderson. We need to do everything we can to work with the Henderson Police Department to downgrade these things that are going on.”

“Then we need to carry the message forth to our churches. To me, the church should be the backbone of seeing that other people are living the best that they can. Many of us get in our churches and do our own thing and that is as far as we are going. I look at the need and the cry of the people that ride with me every day and there are some issues that we can help solve.”

Despite the issues, Daye said that he loves the city that he has called home for the majority of his life, “Henderson is a fine place to live; I’ve been here 76 years.”

Acknowledging his age, Daye said he has served in a mentoring capacity to current opponent Spriggs in the past, and initially questioned running for reelection because he was “looking for a younger person to take the position.”

Believing he has at least one more term left in him, Daye said he decided to file but will “support Jason all the way” if Spriggs is elected.

“As the time drew nigh, I said ‘well, if I win this election I’ll be 80-years-old when I get out of here. So, I refiled and if I win, I’ll give it my best shot.’”

(This is not a paid political advertisement. Jason Spriggs participated in a similar Town Talk interview with WIZS on July 24, 2019.)

To hear Daye’s Town Talk interview in its entirety, including discussion on a replacement for retiring Henderson City Manager Frank Frazier, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Sadies Coffee Corner Holding Contest for Downtown Henderson Mural

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Sadies Coffee Corner (SCC) is looking to the community to provide a mural that represents Henderson and its future! SCC is looking to engage young people in this creative opportunity to tell the story of Henderson.

To enter, submit a rough sketch and a one to two-page description detailing the meaning of the mural. Entries will be judged on young people’s role in crafting the mural sketch and narrative, the meaningfulness and creativity of the design, and the connection to the theme “Henderson Moving Forward.”

Judges will include a panel of SCC staff, votes from your community and the City of Henderson. The winning agency will receive a gift card to cover the purchase of art supplies and a cash prize of $500.

THE CANVAS TO PAINT ON – 324 S. Garnett Street in Henderson
Judging Criteria:

  1. Youth driven
  2. Relation to the theme
  3. Creativity and originality
  4. Quality of artistic composition
  5. Overall impression/story
  6. Accompanying essay

Rules:

  1. There are no fees incurred to enter the contest.
  2. Those entering the contest may not be included on the judging panel.
  3. Only one entry per individual or team.
  4. Entries must be submitted on or before Saturday, August 31, 2019, at info@sadiescoffeecorner.com.
  5. Participants agree to have their sketches, essay, and organization information published online.
  6. Winners agree to be recognized in local media.
  7. Award of the gift card must be used for art supplies to help complete the creation of the mural.
  8. Winner agrees to share images of final artwork with SCC facebook and social media upon completion.
  9. Decisions of the contest judging panel are final.

If you have questions about the 2019 Mural Contest, please contact info@sadiescoffeecorner.com.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Perry Memorial Library to Wrap Up Summer Reading With Big Bang BOOM!

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-Information courtesy Perry Memorial Library

The Perry Memorial Library will hold their 2019 Summer Reading Program finale on Friday, August 2, 2019, at 2 p.m.

With a live performance by the “high-energy” band Big Bang BOOM, both parents and children will find it hard to stay in their seats!

Playing covers (with a twist) combined with their hard-rocking, funky original music, Big Bang BOOM is one of the highest sought after children’s acts in NC.

Following the finale, Perry Library will spend the remainder of August planning upcoming programming. Tuesday, September 3 will officially start the library’s fall programming.

Steve Cannon Named Rebuilding Hope’s August Spotlight Volunteer

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

In his 10 years as a Rebuilding Hope volunteer, Steve Cannon has seen a lot of wheelchair ramps and rooftops, but the “divine appointments” stand out.

“I was a fulltime volunteer for six years, serving as the construction coordinator,” Steve says.

“I had the opportunity to visit with homeowners and their families when doing job assessments. This time was always special. These were divine appointments.”

Steve Cannon named Rebuilding Hope’s August 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)

Steve says he “experienced hurting people looking for answers and hope. I got the opportunity to pray with them and present the Gospel.

What was really special was experiencing the power of the Gospel. People putting their faith in Jesus. Seeing their hopelessness turn to hope.”

The Pickens, S.C., native volunteered after hearing a presentation about RHI’s mission and ministry.

After he retired from the North Carolina Forest Service in 2009 with 30 years of service, Steve says, “God called me to get involved in the ministry and the opportunity it gave to introduce our community to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Moving into a part-time role, Steve serves where he’s needed – at the warehouse or during outreach events, such as SOS D-Now and Kids’ Construction Camp.

“I encourage others to volunteer,” says the outreach pastor at New Sandy Creek Baptist Church. “God uses you to bless others, but God also blesses you through His work. Most of the time I felt like I got the biggest blessing.”

In other activities, Steve has worked with Embrace Henderson in its outreach events and Joy Club in the public schools.

Steve and wife Ann have been married nearly 33 years and have two daughters.

In his leisure time, Steve says he enjoys hiking and hunting.

NC Dept of Agriculture

State Sees First Mosquito-Borne EEE Case of the Year

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

A four-year-old, unvaccinated mare in Cumberland County was euthanized after contracting the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in North Carolina this year. EEE is a mosquito-borne disease that is preventable in equine by vaccination.

EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for signs of the disease to appear.

“If your horses exhibit any symptoms of EEE, contact your veterinarian immediately,” said State Veterinarian Doug Meckes. “It is imperative that horse owners keep their vaccines current, talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating them as soon as possible against EEE and West Nile virus.”

The vaccinations initially require two shots, 30 days apart, for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. Meckes recommends a booster shot every six months in North Carolina because of the state’s prolonged mosquito season.

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to manufacturers’ instructions.

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.

News 08/01/19

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Town Talk (07/31/19): ‘Visit NC Farms Mobile App’ Launch Announced

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Representatives from NC A&T’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences toured several locations in Vance and Warren counties today to learn more about agricultural opportunities in the local area.

The group began the tour at the ReBuilding Communities NC Cultural Center, 117 Church Street in Henderson, where they were greeted by Executive Director Edythe Thompson, Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington and Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen.

From there, the tour continued to the Henry and Ardis Crews Micro Gardens located at 424 Hamilton Street in Henderson, where Vance Co. Cooperative Extension ANR Technician Wayne Rowland discussed the Crews’ efforts to provide sustainable and efficient gardening practices for the community.

The next stop brought the group to the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (VCRFM), 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson, where they heard the history of the market and learned of its various community uses.

Turner Pride, extension director for Vance Co., also announced the official launch of the “Visit NC Farms Mobile App” for the five-county region consisting of Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren.

Developed by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the app connects users to local farms, restaurants and other agriculturally-related places and events.

“With this app, you can see places that can be toured such as wineries, Farm-to-Table restaurants, individual farmers markets, and farms that are open to the public,” Pride explained.

Pride said the launch of this app is just one way that the community is sharing with both residents and visitors alike that “goodness grows in Vance.”

Diane Cox, executive director for the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG) said the app was a collaboration between her agency, NC Cooperative Extension and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

After a successful soft launch in June, Cox was happy to discuss the official launch of the app during Wednesday’s tour.

“Please let Kerr-Tar COG know or let your Cooperative Extension directors know if you are having an event so we can help you market those through the Visit NC Farms App,” said Cox. “It’s a great marketing tool for farmers and it is free.”

A free download of the app is available for Apple products and Androids. Please visit https://visitncfarmstoday.com/ for more information.

NC A&T’s Chancellor Harold Lee Martin, Sr., a tour participant, spoke with WIZS on the future of NC farming and the importance of technological advances in agriculture.

“We see lots of small farmers developing, growing and returning to NC,” Martin said. “We see younger farmers using their education, their technology and science skills to do farming differently from their parents and grandparents. There are going to be more demands from the farmers of the future who are using science, technology and strategy to enhance productivity and profitability.”

Martin said this technological movement mirrors the shift officials are seeing in the state’s economy. “We are seeing movement from more of a skills economy to a knowledge-based economy. Education plays a bigger part in helping us create jobs, retain jobs and attract jobs to NC.”

After departing the VCRFM, tour participants enjoyed lunch and presentations by representatives from Warren County Schools, Warren County Cooperative Extension and Warren County Government at the Warren County Armory Civic Center.

To hear the Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

VGCC to Offer FREE Six-Part Series on Creating Digital Business Marketing

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-Information courtesy Sheri Jones, Director, VGCC Small Business Center

Small Business Six-Part Series on Creating a Digital Marketing Blueprint for Business

In a world where digital marketing reigns, the rules seem to constantly fluctuate. Small business owners need resources they can rely on that are easy to manage while maintaining all the other aspects of running a business. This six-part series provides small business owners with a blueprint, or framework, that will give them the knowledge and tools they need to successfully market their business in today’s online world.

Attendees who are present at each of the six 2-hour seminars will receive a 12-hour certificate of completion at the conclusion of the series.

Dates and times for each day in the series are listed below. These events will take place at the Thornton Library, 210 Main Street in Oxford, with instructor Melanie Diehl. Sessions are limited to 18 participants and lunch will be provided.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own technology, but laptops will be available for use during the seminars if needed.  It is important that participants also bring login information for their social media accounts.

To register for this series, please visit https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/small-business-center/#schedules

August 12, 2019

Lesson 1: Creating a Digital Marketing Blueprint for Your Business (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

Description: Before launching any marketing campaign it’s important to know what your business needs and why you need it. Not all businesses need to be on all platforms. Learn about the basics that will get your business started online and best practices for implementing additional platforms, or if you even need them!

Lesson 2: Identifying your Target Market (1 – 3 p.m.)

Description: Not everyone is your potential customer or client. In this session, we discuss how to identify your target market (aka Avatar) and how to create messages that they connect with and how to reach them where they are.

September 16, 2019

Lesson 3: Websites and Point of Sale Systems for your Business (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

Description: Your website is the one piece of the internet you actually own. There are multiple options for creating a website, from a single landing page to a multiple page site with customer access and shopping carts and more. How will you make online selling easy? In this session, learn from a panel of experts about websites and POS systems and determine what’s best for your small business.

Lesson 4: Email Marketing for your Small Business (1 – 3 p.m.)

Description: Email marketing has a 90% deliverability rate and an average of 38x ROI. Done right, it can really drive sales and brand awareness for your small business. This seminar will help you avoid common mistakes and maximize your emails for powerful impact!

October 14, 2019

Lesson 5: Facebook Marketing for your Small Business (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

Description: Learn the latest strategies for using Facebook to market your business: what’s new and why it’s important; the difference between a Facebook profile, a page, business manager and ads manager. Learn the difference between Facebook ads and boosted posts, and about groups and bots. Pre-requisite: Facebook personal profile AND Facebook business page.

Lesson 6: Harnessing the Power of Instagram (1 – 3 p.m.)

Description: With over 500 million monthly active users on Instagram, your business has the potential to reach, engage, and build a massive community on Instagram. But where do you start? Join us for this seminar where we will cover how to build your Instagram brand, the ins and outs of Instagram and hashtags. Bring your device and be ready for some hands-on time to practice what you learn in class. Pre-requisite: Instagram account.

SPONSORED BY:

Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation, Thornton Library and the VGCC Small Business Center.

Medicaid Debate Goes Beyond the Coverage Gap

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-Information courtesy Leslie Rudd, Office of the North Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus

RALEIGH – Current Medicaid recipients in 27 counties received letters this month explaining the Medicaid transformation process. As part of a Republican plan created in 2015, up to 772,000 people currently on Medicaid have to transfer to a new managed care system by September 1; it’s up to DHHS to make sure changes to patient care and billing are completed by November 1.

The success of phase one of Medicaid transformation is tied to funding in the 2019-21 budget. As Republicans target DHHS and shut down budget negotiations over Medicaid expansion, they are also putting North Carolina’s current Medicaid patients at risk.

https://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2019/07/25/the-budget-the-veto-and-medicaid/

Vance County has close to 19,000 Medicaid recipients – including children and disabled adults.

A complete breakdown of Medicaid recipients can be found here: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/reports/dashboards#enroll

 

Salvation Army

Salvation Army Family Store to Hold Anniversary Sale

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Emory Taylor, Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Family Store, 218 Raleigh Rd. in Henderson, will hold an Anniversary Sale on Saturday, August 10, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The one day only event will feature a tent furniture sale and all clothing will be marked down to 99 cents.

Donations of loose-leaf paper, rulers, pencil cases/boxes, scissors and other school supplies will also be accepted to support local children in need of back-to-school items.