News 10/31/19
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VGCC Names Edmonds to Lead Workforce and Community Engagement
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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
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Jerry E. Edmonds, III, was recently named Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Engagement at Vance-Granville Community College. In this new position, he will oversee training programs that respond to community needs and prepare students for workforce success, including apprenticeship programs, and support economic development for the region.
In addition, Edmonds will lead the development of partnerships with businesses and government agencies, and coordinate outreach and marketing for the entire college.
Jerry Edmonds, VP of Workforce and Community Engagement. (VGCC photo)
“With the combination of private sector and community college experience that Jerry brings to our college, we look forward to his leadership enhancing VGCC’s ability to serve our communities and build a job-ready workforce,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the college president.
Edmonds most recently served as Dean of Workforce and Economic Development at Halifax Community College. Prior to his role as Dean, he served as the Small Business Center Director at Halifax Community College, from 2014 until 2017. In 2016, Edmonds was a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) award recipient. In addition, he achieved North Carolina Community College System level three certification, in recognition of the highest level of Small Business Center Network proficiency.
Before entering the higher education field, Edmonds held a variety of executive leadership positions within Johnson & Johnson and IBM, where he was the recipient of numerous training, recruitment, marketing and leadership awards.
Edmonds earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with an emphasis on Marketing, from Marshall University in 1985 and his Master of Science degree in Human Services Management from Springfield College in 2001. He is currently working toward a doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin.
Edmonds is active on a variety of community boards including Working Landscapes, a non-profit agricultural organization based in Warrenton; the North Carolina Community College System Workforce Development Leadership Council; and the Roanoke Rapids chapter of Rotary International, where he served as President from 2017 – 2018 and as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.
“The role of Vance-Granville Community College, and specifically the department of workforce and community engagement, is to educate and train students to perform well in existing and future jobs in our service area and beyond,” Edmonds said. “I am excited to join such a talented team of faculty, staff and administrators dedicated to student success and advancement.”
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church to Observe Veterans Day Service
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-Information Angela Crawford, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church will observe its Annual Veterans Day Service on Sunday, November 3, 2019, during morning worship service. The guest speaker will be Elder Jamel Kinard.
The public is invited to attend.
The church is located at 2464 Rock Mill Rd. in Henderson.
**On Sunday, November 10, 2019, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church’s morning worship service will begin at 9:30 a.m.
New Life Baptist to Hold Trunk-or-Treat Oct. 31
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-Information courtesy Linda Faulkner, New Life Baptist Church
New Life Baptist Church, located at 2174 Vicksboro Rd. in Henderson, will hold Trunk-or-Treat on Thursday, October 31, 2019, from 6 until 8 p.m.
Join the church for some family fun including hayrides, refreshments and candy!
Wildfire Risk Remains High in North Carolina
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-Press Release, NCDS&CS
The N.C. Forest Service is urging people across North Carolina to remain vigilant in reducing wildfire risk. While recent rainfall brought immediate and temporary relief to much of the state, warmer, drier days combined with winds could quickly dry forest fuels, increasing the risk of wildfire.
Many tourists come to Western North Carolina to see the changing leaves or for extended stays to hunt. Some of these visitors will use campfires as a source of heat. Where there is fire, there is the risk of that fire escaping into areas where fuels are dry and readily available.
“During dry and windy periods of weather with little rainfall, everyone needs to be extra cautious when burning. It takes very little to start a damaging wildfire,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Dry forest fuels are right there, ready to burn if ignited by the tiniest of sparks.”
The N.C. Forest Service offers the following tips:
- Anyone building campfires in an established campground should use existing fire rings if possible and clear a safe area around them of at least 15 feet. Never leave campfires unattended and ensure they are completely out before leaving.
- Always check the weather prior to burning and follow state and local regulations if you plan to burn yard debris such as leaves, grass, sticks and stubble. There are many factors to consider before burning. Make sure you have a valid burn permit.
- Use care when removing ashes or coals from wood-burning stoves, fireplaces or pellet stoves. “Often, homeowners will dispose of ashes in their yards, at the edge of the woods, or in landscaped and mulched areas such as flower beds. When ashes or coals are not completely extinguished and fuel conditions are favorable for fire due to dry weather and wind, ashes can reignite and start a wildfire,” said Greg Smith, Mountain Regional Forester with the N.C. Forest Service. “It is best to put the ashes in a metal or steel bucket or barrel and douse them with water while stirring the mixture until the ashes and coals are completely drenched and cold.”
- Be attentive and cautious when burning backyard fire pits during the fall and winter seasons. Homeowners should handle a fire pit as they would handle a campfire. Clear a safe area around the fire pit of at least 15 feet. Use properly seasoned, dry, split wood for fuel, and do not use flammable fluids, such as gasoline and lighter fluid, to light or relight fires. Use a metal screen to prevent embers from flying out of the fire pit. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fire. Make sure you have a hose, bucket and shovel nearby. Keep a phone nearby, too.
- Always exercise caution with any outdoor burning. Even when burn bans are not in effect, weather conditions may not be favorable for outdoor fires. Outdoor burning is discouraged during periods of low humidity or high winds.
The N.C. Forest Service encourages residents to contact their local county forest ranger before burning debris. The ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options to help ensure the safety of people, property and the forest.
To find contact information for your local county ranger, go to the forest service website. To learn more about fire safety and preventing wildfires and loss of property, visit www.ncforestservice.gov.
News 10/30/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Town Talk 10/29/19: Infinite Possibilities Offers Local Help to Domestic Violence Victims
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In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WIZS has featured advocacy groups and individuals on Town Talk each Tuesday in October.
To complete the series, Erin Carter, Victim’s Advocate with Infinite Possibilities, Inc., was on Tuesday’s edition of the public affairs presentation to discuss her work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“We support those who seek help with domestic violence situations from start to finish,” Carter said. “We accept walk-ins and offer appointments, work on safety planning, complete a danger assessment, discuss their current and any prior abusive situations, assess their needs and refer them to a lawyer if necessary.”
Carter explained the organization works with other domestic violence groups to provide shelter services for individuals and their children who need to be removed from a dangerous home situation.
Children are especially vulnerable in domestic violence situations and will often show signs of emotional or mental trauma in the way they interact with others or how they perform at school, said Carter.
While it is fairly well-known that domestic violence has a detrimental impact on children, Carter said what is not as commonly discussed is the frequency of abuse occurring among church-going families.
“The biggest myth, one that many people believe, is that domestic violence doesn’t happen in the churches, but it does; that’s one of the biggest places you find domestic violence,” said Carter.
Carter explained that her involvement as an advocate has shown that domestic violence victims involved in a religious organization are often ashamed to come forward with abuse allegations. “It’s something that just isn’t talked about in the church, isn’t addressed,” said Carter.
To help combat this stigma, Infinite Possibilities sends letters and information to parishioners every October offering advice on how to speak to their congregation on domestic violence, along with available resources for victims.
If you or someone you know is involved in a domestic violence situation, trained, compassionate, local people are available to help you 24/7. “The biggest tip I can give is to be vocal and speak up. Many times victims suffer in silence because they feel ashamed or uncomfortable,” Carter said.
With office hours available Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and a 24/7 crisis hotline, Infinite Possibilities offers victims a way to “quietly step away instead of making the dangerous move of confronting the abuser themselves,” said Carter.
Infinite Possibilities is located at 314 S. Garnett St. in Henderson and is also available by phone during office hours at (252) 431-1926. The 24/7 hotline is available by calling (252) 425-2492. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.
To hear the interview with Carter 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.
Vance Co. Schools to Host Parent & Family Night
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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools
On Thursday, November 14, 2019, Vance County Schools will be hosting a Parent and Family Night at Vance County High School from 5:30 – 7 p.m. There will be light snacks and childcare for children under 12.
Topics for the session include “Be SMART,” “The Pep for Career & College Prep” and “Living Longer and Stronger Together.”
“Be SMART” is a public education campaign to reduce the number of unintentional shootings that occur when children or teens get access to guns that are not stored responsibly.
“The Pep for Career & College Prep” will give parents of high school students valuable tools and info to assist them with navigating college entrance steps and ways that VCS is assisting with career prep.
“Living Longer and Stronger Together” is a great session for all parents to learn about healthier eating and discuss the positive and negative effects of the way we eat.
We are very excited about our sessions and hope to see you there!
MPH Volunteer Services to Hold Dynamic Shopping Event Oct. 30 & 31
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-Information courtesy Lisa Radford, MPH
Dynamic Shopping, a lifestyle show event, will be held at Maria Parham Health in the JT Church classroom in Henderson on Wednesday, October 30 from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Thursday, October 31 from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
A variety of items can be found, from small electronics, cookware, luggage and so much more. Open to the public.
Proceeds benefit Volunteer Services of Maria Parham Health.
NC Coop. Extension to Hold Chainsaw Safety Workshop
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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, NC Cooperative Extension Agent
While chainsaws are a valuable and important tool for farmers and woodland owners, they expose the operator to significant hazards. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, hospital emergency departments treat about 36,000 people annually for injuries related to chainsaw use.
In order to help users better understand and manage the risks, the NC Forest Service and NC Cooperative Extension have partnered to offer a chainsaw safety workshop on Friday, November 15, 2019. The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Granville Expo Center near Oxford and will feature classroom instruction as well as live demonstrations.
This workshop is designed to provide a basic level of safety instruction to farmers and woodland owners who may be using a chainsaw for general farm and woodland maintenance.
The Granville Expo Center is located at 4185 Highway 15, which is just south of Oxford (take exit 215 off of I-85 and head south).
Additional details are available at https://go.ncsu.edu/manageyourwoods. Registration is requested, which can be done online at the aforementioned website, by phone at 252-438-8188 or 919-603-1350, or via email paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or johnny_coley@ncsu.edu.