News 09/30/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
HPD Chief Credits Agency Cooperation, Public’s Help With Drug Arrests
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS Town Talk for a general discussion on crime in the city as well as to provide updates on recent newsworthy incidents.
Barrow reassured listeners that law enforcement is making strides in the on-going war against drugs, a feat that he believes is made possible by the cooperative spirit between local agencies.
“We’ve federally indicted 152 people now since I became chief in December 2013,” Barrow said. “I think that’s very successful. Our District Attorney’s office has made some transitions to move some cases along in the state court system, which has really helped.”
“Our agencies are working really well together right now. The sheriff [Curtis Brame] has been a blessing to our agency. Our togetherness shows and shines through; it’s like it should be.”
Another essential part of fighting crime, according to Barrow, is the information and assistance provided by the general public and organizations such as Vance County Crime Stoppers.
“We wouldn’t solve anything without the public unless we saw it first hand,” said Barrow. “The information the public gives us is vital to every investigation – especially violent crimes and drug deals.”
While violent crimes and drug arrests often get the most press, Barrow reassured citizens that most calls are less intense in nature. “We get a large volume of calls, the majority of which are common, domestic calls such as arguments and civil issues.”
When asked about police pay and retention rates, Barrow said progress has been made in making salary and benefits more competitive, an accomplishment he credits, in part, to Henderson City Manager Frank Frazier.
“In my short tenure as chief, the City Manager [Frazier] has been instrumental in assisting the police department with huge pay increases. We aren’t quite there yet, but we do have benefits that people don’t have in other locations. It takes us going out and making those recruitment contacts for people to understand what the City of Henderson has to offer.”
To hear Barrow’s interview in its entirety, including updates on recent crimes in Henderson, please click here. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
George Rose Watkins III Foundation to Hold Stew Sale in Memory of Tripp Watkins
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Morgan Watkins
A Brunswick Stew Sale will be held at Rose Oil Company in Henderson on Friday, October 18, 2019, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in memory of Tripp Watkins.
Stew is available for $8 per quart; proceeds will help fund the George Rose Watkins III Foundation.
Tripp Watkins pictured. (Photo courtesy the Watkins Family)
The foundation was founded after Watkins, the son of Chip and Gayle Watkins, passed away after a long battle with addiction.
The George Rose Watkins III foundation exists to bring awareness and aid to those suffering from mental illness in the form of addiction and their families who are suffering and striving to find help and solutions.
“The foundation was started to continue Tripp’s legacy after he passed away two years ago. This is our way of helping families get through addiction and bring awareness to those around us,” said Morgan Watkins. “This foundation is close to our hearts and we are looking forward to lending a helping hand to those going through this terrible struggle in life.”
Rose Oil Company is located at 613 US 158 Bypass in Henderson. Please call (252) 438-7141 for tickets.
Reminder: Night Out Against Crime Offers Free Family Activities Tues. Evening
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy the Henderson Police Department
Vance County’s Annual Night Out Against Crime will be held Tuesday, October 1, 2019, from 5 until 8 p.m. in front of the Henderson Police Department on Breckenridge Street. In case of rain, the event will be held Tuesday, October 8.
Bring the family out for presentations and displays by the Henderson Police Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers, Henderson Fire Department, Vance County Fire and EMS, NC State Highway Patrol, Vance County Schools and many other agencies and organizations.
Bleachers will be set up for participants to enjoy performances by the Badd Boyz and Lady Badd Boyz Social Club of Henderson, line dancers, Ballet Arts Dance Studio, Midnight Blue Martial Arts, Vance County High School’s JV cheerleaders and South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church’s gospel group.
Free hotdogs will be served and bouncy houses and activities for children will be available.
Vance Charter High School Students Attend UMO AgFest
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, The University of Mount Olive
The University of Mount Olive recently hosted its 6th Annual AgFest event to promote and celebrate awareness of agriculture and other academic opportunities at UMO. The event was attended by more than 1,600 visitors from 63 schools from across North Carolina, including local students from Vance Charter School in Henderson.
This year’s event offered a new fair-like format and expanded activities. Representatives from agricultural companies and organizations from across the region and state interactively engaged with students to spark their interests in careers, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE), and even some Career Development Events (CDE) topics.
Members of Vance Charter School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) attended the 6th Annual University of Mount Olive AgFest. (Photo courtesy UMO)
Attendees participated in hands-on learning experiences in production agriculture, animal science, horticulture, landscaping, wildlife, forestry and natural resources, provided by some of the largest agribusinesses in the region.
Experiences included virtual reality, precision agriculture technology and equipment, livestock showing demonstrations, and other exciting booths.
For those students with interests outside the field of agriculture, there were demonstrations and booths highlighting education, biology, math, physics, and more. Numerous food booths were on-site featuring Got to Be NC Products, and there was music, fun, sunshine, and games for all.
The event ended with a concert featuring up and coming Nashville recording artist Matt Stell with special guest Canaan Cox.
Dr. Sandy Maddox, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, said, “This event creates a unique opportunity for FFA members from across the state to experience UMO, our faculty, students, and beautiful campus. We had great weather, the new fair-like format was a tremendous success, and the feedback we have received from the attending advisors and students has been overwhelmingly positive. We are thankful to all those people and groups that work so hard to make this event a reality. I am especially thankful to our wonderful partners including Food Farm – Home of the Original Piggly Wiggly and Got to be NC, for providing food from some of the finest NC – based companies around.”
Children & Families Invited to First Annual Pumpkin Splash
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department’s First Annual Pumpkin Splash will be held at the Aycock Rec. Center on Monday, October 28, 2019, from 6 – 8 p.m.
For $5, participants ages 2 to 13 will be able to pick out the perfect pumpkin from the pool and decorate it with their family.
Registration and fee are due to the Aycock Rec. Center by October 21.
Please contact Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 or email lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us for more information.
Town Talk 09/26/19: Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow On-Air
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
‘Rise Against Hunger’ Meal Packing Event to Hold Planning Meeting Oct. 1
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Brian Daniel
A “Rise Against Hunger,” a Vance County community day of service meal packing event, is scheduled to be held on Martin Luther King Day, January 23, 2020, at the Vance County Farmers Market, sponsored by the Vance County Farm Bureau.
An informational and planning meeting will be held this coming Tuesday, October 1 at 7 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, located at 114 Church St, in Henderson.
We invite all interested churches, civic organizations, Fellowship of Christian Athletes or other community businesses to attend this meeting.
A representative from Rise Against Hunger will be on hand to answer questions and provide other information leading up to the event.
For more information around Rise Against Hunger, visit their website at www.riseagainsthunger.org or contact the First UMC Henderson church office at 252-438-8804.
Maria Parham to Offer Free Clinical Breast Exams
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Maria Parham Health
To celebrate October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, FREE clinical breast exams will be offered at Maria Parham Health on Thursday, October 24, 2019, from 5 until 7 p.m.
Join Maria Parham for:
- Free clinical breast exams
- Breast cancer resources
- Follow up resources
- Prevention education
- Wellness information
For more information, please call (252) 436-1605 or visit mariaparham.com
H-V Rec. Youth Basketball Registration Underway
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Youth Basketball registration will be held Monday, September 23 through Sunday, November 3, 2019, at the Aycock Recreation Center.
Youth basketball is for boys ages 4-18 and girls ages 4-14.
Registration fee is $40 ($30 for those who played a sport in the 2019 season). Program fee waivers are available to those who qualify.
For more information, please contact Steve Osborne at (252) 438-2670 or email sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us.
