‘Community Voices’ Kick-Off Session Draws Interest; Next Meeting April 30
Turner Pride, County Extension Director with Vance County Cooperative Extension, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the revival of the center’s “Community Voices” program.
The community-based program, sponsored by Vance County Cooperative Extension and N.C. A&T State University, helps citizens tackle community issues while developing effective leadership skills.
“Community Voices provides citizens with a free, actionable and self-directed training program,” said Pride. “It is a way to gather individuals, some who may not already be in a leadership position or involved in civic organizations, to talk about issues in their community and develop action plans.”
During a public kick-off session at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market on April 9, an estimated 25-30 interested community members heard from Coop. staff, public officials, business owners and members of the most recent “Community Voices” group – the class of 2016.
“Individuals from the 2016 group spoke and gave testimonials of their experiences and successes with the program,” Pride said.
According to Pride, the 2016 class made great strides in their four chosen areas of focus – healthcare, jobs, education and housing in Vance County.
“This year’s group can decide to continue work in these four areas or they can decide to embark on a different path. We [Coop. staff] are here to act as facilitators and provide the support and the tools for the community to accomplish what they want to accomplish,” explained Pride.
Pride reported that while the initial meeting for 2019 was more of a general interest session, issues surrounding healthcare and housing were discussed, and could possibly become topics the new group decides to tackle.
“At last week’s meeting, the discussion on healthcare focused on health disparities in our community and the prevalence of chronic disease and illness,” Pride stated. “Healthcare issues discussed by previous groups have included the community’s access to insurance, doctors, healthy eating habits, access to fresh foods and health education.”
Pride said he is looking forward to seeing the direction this year’s group will take and hopes that all community members, including local youth, will get involved.
“Youth ages 16 and up that are interested in the direction and future of the community and want to see and be a part of something bigger than themselves are invited to come out as well. We know the youth often see through a different lens than we do, so it would be good to hear their voices.”
The next session of “Community Voices” will be held at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market – 210 Southpark Dr., in Henderson (off Beckford Drive) – Tuesday, April 30, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. All are welcome; attendance at the first meeting is not required for participation in the April 30 meeting.
With questions concerning the program, please contact Pride at (252) 438-8188 or email turner_pride@ncsu.edu.
To hear the Town Talk interview with Turner Pride in its entirety, click here.
Kerr Lake Set for T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League Tournament
-Press Release, Fishing League Worldwide
WHAT:
The FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournament season will continue Saturday, April 27, 2019, with a T-H Marine FLW BFL North Carolina Division tournament on Kerr Lake. Up to 400 boaters and co-anglers will be competing for top awards of up to $8,000 and $3,000 respectively in the one-day tournament.
WHEN:
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Takeoff: 6:30 a.m. EDT. Weigh-In: 3 p.m.
Nutbush North
115 Jack Wade Farm Road
Henderson, N.C.
Hosted by the Vance County Tourism Development Authority
NOTES:
Kerr Lake is expected to host another excellent day of bass fishing for anglers competing in this late-April BFL tournament. A variety of patterns will likely be seen. This past weekend, fishing isolated buck bushes in the backs of spawning pockets with a shakey-head rig, and a buzzbait produced the winning limit for BFL boater Keith Joyce. Working along wind-blown points with a jig, and fishing flats with a crankbait have also produced quality bites in past BFL events held on the lake this time of year.
A five-bass limit nearing 20 pounds should be enough to take top honors at this BFL North Carolina Division derby.
The 2019 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they will compete to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
The 2019 BFL All-American will be held May 30 – June 1 at the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland, and is hosted by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Commissioners of Charles County. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League on FLW’s social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
City of Henderson Announces Recent Untreated Wastewater Discharges
-Press Release, City of Henderson
Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater
General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a Public Notice when untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.
The City of Henderson experienced heavy rainfall on April 13, 2019, and had a discharge of untreated wastewater. The discharge was an estimated 21,600 gallons at the Sandy Creek Pump Station, located at 482 Rock Mill Road, and was discharged into Sandy Creek, a part of the Tar Pamlico River Basin.
Two other spills occurred at Neathery Street (12,000 gallons) and Rockspring Street (6,000 gallons), which also are a part of the Tar Pamlico River Basin. The City continues to work on ways to increase pumping capacity at the Sandy Creek Pump Station as well as reducing Infiltration/Inflow of the sanitary sewer system.
The Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on April 13, 2019, and is reviewing the matter.
For more information contact the City of Henderson Water Reclamation Facility at (252) 431-6080 or Joey Long, ORC at (252) 431-6030.
Altec Industries Sponsors VGCC Golf Tournament’s Afternoon Round
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Altec Industries of Creedmoor recently made a contribution to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund to serve as the afternoon round sponsor for the upcoming 35th Annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament.
The company is a longtime supporter of the golf tournament and partners with VGCC training programs related to advanced manufacturing, including Welding and Mechatronics Engineering Technology.
Altec is a leading provider of products and services to the electric utility, telecommunications, tree care, lights and signs, and contractor markets.
The Golf Tournament is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Henderson Country Club, and is among a series of events celebrating the community college’s 50th anniversary. Businesses and individuals can still take advantage of sponsorship opportunities at various levels. For golfers, the afternoon round is sold out, but there are openings to play in the morning round.
For more information, contact Kay Currin at currink@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3409.
Pictured, from left, are Altec Human Resources Manager Jeff Tingen and Patrick Wooten, General Manager for the Creedmoor location, symbolically presenting the sponsorship donation to VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson. (Photo courtesy VGCC)
State Highway Patrol Concludes ‘Operation Drive To Live’
-Press Release, North Carolina Dept. of Public Safety
The State Highway Patrol has concluded a week-long campaign held annually each year to combat fatal collisions involving teen drivers. During the week of April 8 through April 12, troopers participated in Operation Drive to Live, placing emphasis on education and enforcement across the state.
Troopers were out in full force monitoring driver behavior in and around school zones while offering educational programs to local high schools. The operation is conducted in proximity to spring break and prom season, in hopes teen drivers will gain an understanding of the dangers associated with driving.
In 2018, the Highway Patrol investigated over 55,261 motor vehicle collisions involving drivers and passengers who were between the ages of 15 – 19. Of those collisions, 10,287 injuries were reported and 94 resulted in one or more fatalities.
This year, SHP performed 179 traffic safety presentations and patrolled 540 school zones throughout the week. The following statistics also reflect the efforts of SHP during the campaign.
| Speeding | 3,973 |
| License Violations | 1,248 |
| Seatbelt Violations | 1,180 |
| Child Seat Violations | 127 |
| DWI Under 21 | 34 |
| Warnings | 1,535 |
While the operation has concluded, the efforts of reducing teenage driver collisions will continue throughout the year.
For stats related to a specific county, please contact your local SHP office. A contact list can be obtained by visiting the following link: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/law-enforcement/state-highway-patrol/troop-offices
Potential New Vance County Park Subject of Upcoming Public Meetings
-Press Release, Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department
The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department will hold public meetings to gain input for the possibility of applying for a grant for a new public park on the corner of Williams and Montgomery Street in Henderson.
If successful, this grant will be for a skate park, splash pad, outdoor exercise and fitness stations, a shelter for picnics and a walking trail that will encompass the park.
During these meetings, we will receive input and answer any questions from the citizens of the Henderson-Vance Community. These meetings will be held at the City Council Chambers, located at 134 Rose Avenue, Henderson, on Tuesday, April 23 and Thursday, April 25, 2019, at 6 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Kendrick Vann, director of Recreation and Parks, by phone at (252) 431-6093 or email kvann@ci.henderson.nc.us.
Maria Parham Health Reaches Agreement with UnitedHealthcare
-Information courtesy Maria Parham Health
Maria Parham Health is pleased to announce that we have reached a new agreement with UnitedHealthcare. This is a win for our patients who deserve access to quality healthcare here at home, and we appreciate your patience as we worked through this process.
With this new agreement, our hospital* and employed physician* services will be back “in-network” with UnitedHealthcare. You will have “in-network” access to care beginning:
April 25 for hospital services; and
May 1 for employed physician services.
Both commercial and Medicare Advantage insurance plans are included in the agreement.
From the outset, we have been committed to ensuring your healthcare needs would continue to be met, and we are pleased to continue this commitment. Our new contract gives us the ability to continue reinvesting in patient care by recruiting new physicians and caregivers and enhancing the services we provide.
Thank you for the trust you place in Maria Parham Health and our team of caregivers. We look forward to meeting your healthcare needs for generations to come.
*Please note, the contract is between UnitedHealthcare’s insurance plans and Maria Parham Health, its employed physicians, and select Duke LifePoint Healthcare facilities. It does not affect Duke University Health System hospitals or clinics.
Pins for Pets Bowling Proceeds to Benefit Local Spay/Neuter Programs
-Information and photos courtesy Community Partnership for Pets, Inc.
On March 16, 2019, animal shelter directors, veterinarians, volunteers, friends, family and bowlers got together for the annual Pins for Pets bowling tournament. This event was held at the Palace Pointe Fun Center in Roxboro, NC.
Over $12,000 was raised through donations, bowling fees, bowling lane sponsors, raffle prizes, silent auction items plus a generous matching grant from the VF Fund.
The art was made from old, used bowling pins re-purposed into one-of-a-kind “pin art.” Community Partnership for Pets, Inc. thanks each artist for using their talents to create these fun pieces of artwork.
Proceeds from the event will be used to fund spay/neuter programs in Granville, Warren and Vance Counties, NC.
