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Vance Co. Rescue Squad Announces Christmas Raffle Winners

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

On behalf of the Vance County Rescue Squad, Treasurer Mike Fisher would like to thank those who purchased raffle tickets for the Christmas Spending Spree raffle.

This year’s raffle winners are:

1st Prize – $800 – Donna Stukes

2nd Prize – $500 – Robert Maddry

3rd Prize – $300 – Rachel Daye

4th Prize – $200 – Roger Matney

Please contact the Rescue Squad at (252) 438-7360 for more information.

News 11/20/19

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

Town Talk 11/19/19: Mast Drug Anticipates Dec. Opening of Dabney Dr. Location

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Richard “Dicky” Flye, president and CEO of Mast Family Drug Company, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the upcoming grand opening of the new Mast Drug Store.

The multi-generational business, part of the Henderson community for over 50 years, will be moving from its current location at 501 S. Chestnut Street to its new location on Dabney Drive.

New Mast Drug Store on Dabney Dr. in Henderson undergoes finishing touches before its anticipated December 2019 grand opening. (WIZS photo)

With an anticipated early December opening, the company is waiting on the final permits to be signed and approved by the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy before announcing an official date.

The new building is located on the Mast Drug-owned property beside Quick Print, and is being constructed by H.G. Reynolds Company, Inc, a group that Flye said, “has done a fine job and are good folks from Henderson.”

At 4,500 square feet, the new location will be more than double the size of the current Chestnut Street building, thus allowing for a bigger pharmacy area, larger storefront and a gift shop.

Flye said it is fair to say that while the location will be changing, the services and the community feel will only continue to grow.

In fact, customers will see many of the same familiar faces when the new location opens, including long-serving Mast Drug employee Gayle Cheek, pharmacy manager, and David Vick, retail manager.

Briefly describing the history of Mast Drug, Flye said there was a time when the current Quick Print Building was a Henderson Drug location owned by his father-in-law Bill Mast and partner Charles Barnett.

When Mast and Barnett parted ways, Mast continued to operate the pharmacy [current Mast Drug] on Chestnut Street while Barnett ran the drug store at the Dabney Drive location for a number of years before moving his business farther down the road.

“We’ve missed being on Dabney; it was time to come back. Dabney is growing and there is going to be a lot of construction there in the next couple of years. It’s a busy area and it makes business sense to do it,” said Flye.

The most important thing to the family, according to Flye, is that Mast Drug is able to expand its coverage and its services while remaining local.

“We have family members involved – a generation below me. This is for them to take forward. I’ll still be around for a good while, I hope! This will set it up so we can continue in Henderson. It means a lot for us to be in Henderson and stay here. We are Henderson folks and we look forward to seeing you at our new store.”

(This is not a paid advertisement)

To hear Flye’s 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 Truck Driver Training

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

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, will soon offer a Truck Driver Training program that gives students the training required to operate tractor-trailer rigs, obtain a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and become professional truck drivers.

Registration is going on now for the nine-week program, which will take place in early 2020, with a combination of classroom instruction, range driving and road driving.

Beginning in February 2020, Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, will offer a Truck Driver Training program that gives students the training required to operate tractor-trailer rigs, obtain a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and become professional truck drivers. (VGCC photo)

After a mandatory orientation on Thursday, January 23, classroom instruction will begin on Wednesday, February 12, in Building 7 (room 7105) on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. Classes will meet Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., ending on April 16, with the exception of Friday, April 10.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified commercial truck drivers is expected to grow by 21 percent through 2020, and trucking companies actively seek quality student drivers right out of programs like this one.

“Variety Wholesalers is pleased that VGCC has the economic insight to see the value of a truck driving school in Henderson,” said Ronald Bennett, Director of Transportation for Variety Wholesalers, Inc. “The logistics experts estimate a national shortage of over 50,000 drivers. Variety Wholesalers, as well as other area businesses, will certainly benefit from this program. It is also exciting to have another credentialing program available for the adults in Vance County. We look forward to the ‘fruits of their labor’ as time goes on.”

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the opportunity to be employed by commercial trucking companies, become an owner-operator, or take advantage of local jobs. This Truck Driver Training program is certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI).

Students must be at least 18 years old, have a valid North Carolina driver’s license, and be able to read and speak English well enough to take instructions from highway signs, to converse with officials, and to complete the required reports.

Tuition and fees for the entire class total $1,881, well below the average cost for commercial truck driving schools. A payment plan is available, and there are opportunities for scholarships to partially defray the cost of tuition and fees.

There are additional costs for the required DOT physical and drug screen, N.C. Motor Vehicle Record, permit and license.

The Truck Driver Training program is approved for funding by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Unemployed and underemployed individuals may qualify for tuition vouchers to take the course.

The deadline to register is Thursday, January 30, 2020.

For more information about the Truck Driver Training program, contact Kyle Burwell at burwellk@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3276, or Gina Brewer at brewerg@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3324.

Community Partners of Hope

Henderson Men’s Shelter in Need of Volunteers, Meals for Holiday Season

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

-Information courtesy Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners of Hope really needs volunteer assistance with the Henderson Men’s Shelter. Thanks to a few church groups and a number of individual contributors, most of November and December are scheduled; however, there are few volunteers for the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Can you help? Do you know someone who might be interested in doing an occasional shift?

Community Partners of Hope will gladly send someone to talk to your church groups if it will help inspire more volunteers.

OVERNIGHT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (always with a trained partner – 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.)

Thursday, November 21

Saturday, November 23

Sunday, November 24 through Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving)

Saturday, November 30

Saturday, December 14

Thursday, December 19

Saturday, December 21

*Also any night during Christmas week and the week after Christmas!

WELCOME SHIFT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (always with a trained manager – 5:30 – 9 p.m.)

Sunday, November 24 through Wednesday, November 27

Saturday, November 30

Saturday, December 14

Saturday, December 21

*Also any night during Christmas week and the week after Christmas!

MEALS NEEDED:  Please bring enough for 14 – 16 men plus tea

Monday, November 25

Wednesday, November 27

Friday, December 20

Saturday, December 21

Thursday, December 26

To volunteer or with questions, contact Jane King, volunteer coordinator, at 252-432-9494.

Henderson Family YMCA to Host ‘Ugly Sweater 5K’ at Kerr Lake

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

-Information courtesy the Henderson Family YMCA

The Henderson Family YMCA presents the “Ugly Sweater 5K” on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Kerr Lake Recreation Area – Satterwhite Point in Henderson.

The race starts at 10 a.m.; entrance gate closes at 9:50 a.m.

Early Bird Registration is being held now through Sunday, November 24. Cost is $10 for children, $20 for adults.

Open Registration will be held November 25 – December 6. Cost is $15 for children, $25 for adults.

Race Day Registration will be available on December 7. Cost is $20 for children, $30 for adults. (Race day registration does NOT include t-shirt.)

0-12 = child ~ 13 and older = adult

Proceeds benefit Girls on the Run of Northern North Carolina and Henderson Family YMCA STRIDE.

Register at the Henderson Family YMCA (380 Ruin Creek Rd), online at www.hendersonymca.org or on race day starting at 9 a.m. at Satterwhite Point Community Building.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

News 11/19/19

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

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Town Talk 11/18/19: Granville Vance Public Health Talks Flu Shots, Health Priorities

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Lisa Harrison, health director for Granville Vance Public Health (GVPH), was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss flu season and the department’s 2018 Community Health Assessment.

Flu Season

According to Harrison, now is the perfect time to receive your influenza shot for the 2019-2020 season. “We like to tell people to get their flu shot between Halloween and Thanksgiving. It’s nice to be protected as you spend more time with family and friends during the holidays.”

With a reported 341 deaths state-wide last season, Harrison said getting a flu shot is the best way to avoid becoming infected with the easily-transmitted virus.

“The number one preventable thing you can do is get the flu shot to make sure your immune system is ready to fight the flu with you,” explained Harrison. “Other things you can do include washing your hands with soap and water and covering your mouth when you cough.”

Flu season typically picks up in October, peaks between December and February and can last as late as May. With a 6-9 month protection period, Harrison said receiving the shot now will carry the majority of recipients through the anticipated flu season.

Shots are offered at GVPH, at most doctors’ offices, at drug stores, and even at some grocery stores.

“There are many places that offer the flu shot,” said Harrison. “We like you to get them where there is a nurse just in case you need any kind of follow up care.”

2018 Community Health Assessment

GVPH conducted the 2018 Community Health Assessment for Granville and Vance Counties in partnership with the NC Institute of Public Health, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, and a CHA Steering Committee. Over the course of nine months, the group gathered information directly from community residents through surveys and forums and reviewed state and national data.

Priority topic areas included access to health care, community safety, education, health equity, mental health and substance use disorder, nutrition and physical activity, poverty and housing, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and youth well-being.

The top three community health priorities identified were mental health and substance use disorder, youth well-being and access to health care.

Applicable to all three identified priorities, but especially youth well-being, the health implications of early childhood trauma is an emerging area of study and understanding.

“We understand so much better now that when people experience trauma early in life, it can affect their health outcomes later in life,” said Harrison. “Trauma can suppress the immune system and increase chronic disease.”

GVPH is currently working with community partners including the YMCA, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, other health departments, school systems and the Department of Social Services to “get a handle on how we become trauma-informed as agencies and how we better address trauma early on in people’s lives.”

For more detailed information, please click here to view GVPH’s 2018 Community Health Assessment Summary or visit GVPH’s website.

To hear Harrison’s 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.

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office: Father, Son Served on Drug Charges

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

-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On November 15, 2019, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and Vance County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Response Team served a search warrant at 2395 Spring Valley Road, Henderson, North Carolina 27537.

Arrested at the residence were Phillip Nathan Solomon and his son, Derek Lamar Solomon. Phillip Solomon was charged with Maintaining a Dwelling. Derek Solomon was charged with 2 counts of Trafficking Heroin, Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Heroin and 2 counts of Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Schedule 2. 

Phillip Solomon received a $7,000.00 bond and Derek Solomon received a $165,000.00 bond.

Phillip and Derek Solomon’s court dates were set for December 16, 2019, in Vance County District Court. This investigation is continuing.

Maria Parham Health

MPH’s Volunteer Services to Host ‘In the Bag’ Sale

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

-Information courtesy Volunteer Services of Maria Parham Health

Volunteer Services of Maria Parham Health will be hosting an “In the Bag” sale – one of the largest selections of wallets, pocketbooks, day bags, luggage and more that you’ll find locally.

In the Bag will be held in the John T. Church classroom Wednesday, November 20, 2019, from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Thursday, November 21 from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

These sales are open to the public.