News 10/24/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Town Talk 10/23/19: Local Participants Needed for UNC-Sponsored Well Survey
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Dr. Frank Stillo, research manager for the MacDonald Gibson Research Group at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Drew Griggs, a junior chemistry major at UNC, were on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to invite local residents to participate in a private well survey.
Stillo, who recently received his Ph.D. in public health from UNC, has been studying disparities in drinking water since early 2014.
He is particularly interested in how lead exposure involving residents with private wells affects children under the age of 7 in predominantly African-American communities. Lead is a neurotoxin, and young children are especially sensitive to the damage overexposure can cause to their still-developing brains, Stillo explained.
Griggs, son of Greg and Melanie Griggs of Henderson, attended a lead exposure seminar this summer held by the Gibson Research Group and said he was motivated to apply for a position as part of Stillo’s survey team.
The study group is seeking 300 households who use private well water and have a child under the age of seven living in the home.
Participants will receive the benefit of a well water test, dust testing, lead blood testing for their child provided by a licensed UNC phlebotomist, a consultation on ways to mediate lead issues if discovered and a $75 cash gift card – all free of charge.
In a small Wake County study of 29 cohorts completed a few years back, Stillo said a research team found that 28% of participating households with a well had elevated levels of lead in their drinking water. In running a variety of tests, Stillo said the team concluded that the majority of lead issues arose from plumbing structures inside the home.
“When you have water that is stagnant in your plumbing system and it doesn’t have a chance to get treated like those on the public water system, it will leach the lead out of the different metals in your system. When I had the same problem, I reached out to 24 Hour Emergency Plumbing Services near me and asked them to fix the plumbing,” said Stillo.
Factors such as the age of the house, age of plumbing materials and components of piping and connectors, also affect the level of lead exposure.
“Another reason well water has higher levels of lead is that residents with wells are stewards of their own water systems, whereas people on the public system have someone with technical expertise looking after their best interests,” Stillo said. “People on a public system are constantly having their water tested. Many on private wells don’t know to test their well water or what to test for and often don’t understand the effects of contaminants.”
Griggs said he is excited to be a part of this drinking water survey that can bring awareness to his hometown and took the first step in informing the community by reaching out to WIZS for an on-air interview.
“There are a lot of different ways to serve people; I’m really fortunate to have found an outlet to do so at UNC, especially one that can help a small, underserved community like Henderson.”
To learn more about the survey, please visit https://gillingswellwater.web.unc.edu/, email gillingswellwater@unc.edu or call (919) 843-5786.
To hear the interview with Stillo and Griggs 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. DSS, Senior Center to Occupy Former EJMS by 2021
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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen provided WIZS with the following summary of the Vance County Properties Committee meeting held Tuesday, October 22, 2019:
Related to the former Eaton Johnson Middle School, the Vance County School System will convey the school and property to the County for $1.
In a separate, unrelated agreement, the County is agreeing to utilize school capital funds, lottery funds if necessary, and any future school bonds to provide $8.3 million in capital funding for several facility usage redesigns, preventative maintenance items, school safety and technology initiatives in the school system over the next five years.
During the meeting, commissioners met and reviewed budget and timeframes related to a renovation at Eaton Johnson in order to move the Vance County Department of Social Services and the Senior Center to the property.
The projected timeframe for the move of these departments to the former Eaton Johnson is March 2021.
Reminder: Maria Parham to Offer Free Clinical Breast Exams – Oct. 24
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-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
Early detection saves lives!
Calling All Thespians! McGregor Hall to Hold ‘Into the Woods’ Auditions
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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall
Stephen Sondheim’s Masterpiece “Into the Woods” is coming to McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in early 2020 and will be directed by Mark Hopper.
Here is your chance to be a part of every musical theatre thespian’s dream show in a state-of-the-art theater with a live professional orchestra!
Auditions will be held onstage at McGregor Hall, 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. You may choose to audition on either Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. or Sunday, November 10 at 7 p.m. You may be asked to attend an additional callback audition on Tuesday, November 12, at 7 p.m.
A list of characters and vocal ranges is available by CLICKING HERE.
Rehearsals will begin in late December. Performances will be held on January 31 (daytime school field trip show) and February 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 2020.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FOR AN AUDITION REGISTRATION FORM
SHP Identifies Trooper Struck In Vance County Crash
— NCSHP Press Release
RALEIGH – The Highway Patrol continues to investigate a crash involving a state trooper who was hit by a vehicle on US 1 in Vance County. On Tuesday, October 22 at approximately 7:59 p.m., a 2012 Buick traveled off the roadway and struck the trooper from behind as he was conducting a traffic stop.
As a result of the crash, Trooper Craig I. Hundley, a 12-year veteran, assigned to Troop C, District 4 (Franklin County) was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
“Once again, we are reminded of the dangers our brave men and women face each day while keeping our communities safe”, said Colonel Glenn M. McNeill, Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “While I am very thankful for the overwhelming amount of support already received, I encourage everyone to continually uplift Trooper Hundley and his family as he begins the recovery process.”
The driver of the Buick, Justin O’Brien Venable, 32, of Henderson, has been charged with felony hit-and-run, felony violation of the move over law, DWI, careless and reckless driving and possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage. Mr. Venable was transported to the Vance County Jail and placed under a $35,000 secured bond.
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News 10/23/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Trooper Injured During Traffic Stop 10-22-19
According to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the NC Highway Patrol, on October 22, 2019 at approximately 7:59 p.m., a member of the State Highway Patrol was struck while conducting a traffic stop on US 1 in Vance County. The involved member was in the process of conducting a traffic stop on US 1 northbound near Sunrock Road when he was struck while outside of his patrol vehicle. A nearby trooper responded to the scene and immediately provided medical aid to the injured member. The injured member was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital and is in serious condition. The driver that had struck the member has been taken into custody at this time. Further details will be provided in a forthcoming release.
In addition to the press release information, WIZS News has learned the name of the injured trooper and that he primarily works in the Franklin County area. Since the injured trooper’s name has not yet officially been released by the NCSHP, WIZS is waiting on releasing his name as well.
Also, charged in connection with this case is Justin O. Venable of the Thomas Road in the Williamsboro community, according to Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame. Brame said Venable was confined to the Vance County Jail under a $35,000 bond. Venable faces charges of felony failure to move over, hit and run, DWI and possession of an open container.
Annual Show, Shine Event Draws Estimated 25,000 Visitors to Henderson
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The 18th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine event held in downtown Henderson this past Friday and Saturday featured over 450 cars, 20 Corbitt vehicles, two cruise-ins, four bands, two DJs, 44 vendors and an estimated 25,000 visitors, according to Vance County Tourism Director Pam Hester.
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said, “This was another positive, progressive day for Henderson and a testament of teamwork at its best. For the streets of downtown to be full of thousands of people shows what we truly have to offer and we are looking forward to many more days like this in the future.”
Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Michele Burgess said, “It was just a great day to be in Vance County on Friday and Saturday. Our Chamber was busy leading up to the event answering phone calls from folks wanting to know names of hotels, hours of operation, if dogs were allowed and other similar type questions. For the first time, our Chamber and presenting sponsor Boyd Chevrolet helped to sponsor a band on the main stage at Breckenridge Street from 3 – 6 p.m. It was well-received, but the late afternoon cool temperatures and drizzle probably sent a few home early.
I personally met and talked with visitors from Mebane, NC, Richmond and Charlottesville, VA, and Darlington, SC who drove in to visit our town. Vance County Tourism had the event well organized and there were plenty of local volunteers who stepped up to help. It was just a fun day to enjoy meeting up with local neighbors and meeting new visitors.”
The Corbitt Preservation Association’s Tom Burleson told our Susan Rose of WIZS that 39 visitors came to the old Bennett Perry house at Church and Chestnut Street to visit the Corbitt Museum, a record for a single day.
In addition to a Corbitt car, which is the only one of its kind known of at this point, the association also had a rare Corbitt fire truck on display in front of NC’s oldest operating fire station in downtown Henderson.
You can join the Corbitt Preservation Association and see lots more by typing Corbitt into the search box on Facebook.
In a Facebook conversation between WIZS and listener Rosemarie Renn, Renn said, “It was a great day and a great event. Pam Hester, Norman Dickerson and everyone involved did a fantastic job. In fact, it was the best in 18 years because there were a variety of food vendors and other vendors, something for everyone instead of just car stuff like it was in the past.”
The 18th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine event held in downtown Henderson featured over 450 cars, 20 Corbitt vehicles, two cruise-ins, four bands, two DJs, 44 vendors and an estimated 25,000 visitors. (WIZS photo)
The Corbitt Preservation Association displayed a rare Corbitt fire truck in front of NC’s oldest operating fire station in downtown Henderson. (WIZS photo)
The Corbitt Preservation Association displayed the body of a Corbitt automobile, recently found in Greensboro, NC, which is the only known one of its kind. (WIZS photo)
VGCC’s Dr. Levy Brown Selected to Attend Prestigious Thomas Lakin Institute
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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Dr. Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement & success at Vance-Granville Community College, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership presented by the Presidents’ Round Table.
Dr. Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement & success at Vance-Granville Community College, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership presented by the Presidents’ Round Table. (VGCC photo)
Dr. Levy Brown, a resident of Youngsville, North Carolina is responsible for leading and working collaboratively with faculty and staff in the areas of academic programs, teaching and learning, student success, student services, enrollment management, K-12 partnerships and other areas at the Vance-Granville.
Prior to joining Vance-Granville, he served as Dean of Arts and Sciences at Lenoir Community College located in Kinston, North Carolina. Brown has a Bachelor of Science in communication from East Carolina University, a Master of Library Science from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina and an earned Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from East Carolina University.
Hosted October 20-25, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri, The Lakin Institute seeks African-American participants whose experience and credentials indicate they are ready to attain the highest academic positions. The program is an opportunity for open dialogue with chancellors, presidents, and CEOs. It covers all aspects of academic leadership.
More than 300 participants have attended The Lakin Leadership Mentoring Program since its inception in 1994. The Institute has the highest graduate placement rate of any leadership institute in the United States. It is named in honor of Dr. Thomas Lakin, former Chancellor of the Ventura County (CA) Community College District.