News 08/15/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
WIZS Celebrates FM Anniv., Announces Sat. Event at Ribeyes
Approximately one year ago today, WIZS quietly celebrated a big event in its now 64-year history – its first broadcast on an FM radio station.
Since first flipping the switch to enter the airwaves on May 1, 1955, WIZS has broadcast on 1450AM. At exactly noon on August 17, 2018, after years of planning and dreaming, WIZS flipped the switch again to add 100.1 FM as a live simulcast.
Trey Snide and John C. Rose put finishing touches on FM transmission line equipment to isolate the FM antenna which is mounted on the AM tower
John Charles Rose, owner and operator of WIZS, and Trey Snide were on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program (08/14/19) to discuss the FM simulcast and what it has meant for the station in its first year of existence.
With its ability to reach a younger audience more familiar with the FM format, the simulcast helps ensure a viable future for WIZS as a provider of local news, sports, music, talk and entertainment.
As is often the case in life, the addition of the FM channel was not without its fair share of blood, sweat, tears and a few “hold your breath” moments.
“When we first flipped the switch a year ago, there was an unbelievably long, almost nauseating period of dead air on the AM station,” Rose remembered.
Feeling reassured once the two channels synched moments later, Rose said, “The FM translator is required to be a simulcast of its AM parent. The AM station that has been here since 1955 is the foundation of everything we do.”
The first moments on 100.1 FM were even more poignant for Rose because his mother, Susan Rose, who serves as president of WIZS’ parent company Rose Farm and Rentals, Inc., was the very first person to speak the very first words WIZS ever broadcast on an FM station.
FM Anniversary Celebration
To recognize both the one-year anniversary of FM simulcasting and 30 years of Rose family ownership of the station, WIZS will hold a community celebration on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at Ribeyes Steakhouse of Henderson. Ribeyes is located at 2002 Graham Avenue, and the event will be held in the parking lot from 3 until 7 p.m.
The Rick Strickland Band, featuring the award-winning music of entertainers Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson, will be performing live.
Drinks and food specials will be available for purchase; entertainment and good fellowship are free of charge. Rose invited the community to “bring your family, bring your good mood, bring a chair or bring a tent and plan on having a good time.”
Brief History of WHVH/WIZS
On May 1, 1955, Howard V. Harrell, a tv and radio repairman from Oxford, started the station under the call letters WHVH – his initials. The station has been on the air continuously ever since.
The call letters were changed to WIZS around 1959, shortly after the station was sold to Stan Fox and his business partners Irv Fox and Seymour Dworsky.
Rose Farm & Rentals purchased WIZS and assumed operation on June 1, 1989, under president John D. Rose, III, father of John Charles Rose.
For the last 30 years, local news has been broadcast on-air on 1450AM, as well as on the more recently licensed translator 100.1 FM, at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily; mid-day news has been reported at various times throughout the years.
Along with the addition of FM, WIZS’ online presence grew exponentially in 2018 with 100,000 people visiting the website and new viewers “liking” and/or following the station on social media daily.
The popularity of WIZS’ Facebook and Twitter pages has grown throughout 2019, prompting the station to begin the process of adding an Instagram presence.
WIZS offers the following weekday broadcast schedule:
“Weekday Wakeup with Brandi Leigh” from 6 – 9 a.m.
Mix of County, Beach and Pop/Rock Oldies music from 9 – 11 a.m.
“Town Talk” at 11 a.m.
“Tradio” at 11:30 a.m.
“Beach Music Blast” with Trey Snide at 12 p.m.
“Sports Mayhem” with Kemp Collins at 1 p.m.
Mix of County, Beach and Pop/Rock Oldies music from 2 – 5 p.m., including the “Afternoon Drive” with John Stevenson starting at 3 p.m.
Weekend programs include “Country Grass” with Ms. Velvet from 7 – 9 a.m. and “Choice Country Classics” from 9 a.m. – 12 noon on Saturday, and Saturday afternoon brings a mix of County, Beach and Pop/Rock Oldies music for your listening pleasure.
Robert Wright provides live news, local church happenings and gospel music on Sunday mornings from 7 – 11 a.m. in a segment titled “Sounds of Jordan.” This is followed by Ms. Velvet’s “Sunday Afternoon Gospel Jamboree,” a popular variety of Country, Bluegrass and Gospel music, from 12 – 2 p.m.
Ending the Town Talk segment of August 14, 2019 with a final discussion on the magnitude of being a part of the FM airwaves, Rose said it was a long-time dream of both his and his father.
“Can you imagine being able to flip a switch and make something happen,” Rose asked. “Can you imagine the preparation that goes into that moment? Can you imagine years and decades about dreaming of doing something and then being able to flip a switch and make that happen? I cannot describe what that moment felt like. I cannot describe in words what it felt like to witness my mother flip that switch.”
To hear the 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 Co. Board of Education Approves Strategic Plan – FORWARD TOGETHER 2025
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Vance County Schools
After a full calendar year of staff and stakeholder engagement, the Vance County Board of Education at its regular monthly meeting approved the district strategic plan, FORWARD TOGETHER 2025, which redefines the mission, vision and goals that will guide the work of the district through the year 2025.
The plan includes input from the Board of Education members, parents, students, staff, administrators and school supporters and represents a consensus of over 500 individual voices that engaged in this process.
The FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan asks stakeholders to “Reform,” “Re-imagine,” “Rethink” and “Renew” what they believe, think, and do every day in classrooms across the district. The FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan is a call to action for our community to critically evaluate daily instructional and operational practices and ensure that all are aligned to provide excellent instruction in the classroom and high student achievement as our outcome.
Included in the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 Strategic Plan is the approved Vision and Mission Statement. The new Vision Statement is, “To provide an adaptable educational setting where learning is a catalyst to the pursuit of dreams in an evolving society.”
The board also approved the new Mission Statement which reads, “Vance County Schools is committed to providing broad experiences and opportunities to students that enable them to compete globally.”
Over the next five years, district staff will work collaboratively with the board of education, schools and other key stakeholders to implement the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan district-wide. Annually, the board of education will formally evaluate the district’s progress towards meeting the five strategic priorities and their corresponding objectives, and this information will be shared publicly with the community.
Priorities identified in the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 include improving our progress in areas associated with school performance grades earned by each school, improving discipline and civility in our schools, increasing staff retention, implementation of innovative practices and engaging the community to reach parents and attract students.
The FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan will allow both our internal and external stakeholder a means by which to hold us accountable for making progress on each of our stated priorities over the next five years against baseline performance data.
The overarching theme of FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 is to ensure that every student has ample opportunity to reach his/her full potential while pursuing their personalized pathway to graduation and their high school diploma.
The redesign of the district’s instructional model in the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan outlines a focus on providing authentic experiences, modern learning environments, a learner-centered culture and modern curriculum.
By integrating these key change levers into our delivery of instruction, Vance County Schools firmly believes that FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 will allow us to become that true catalyst for student success and future prosperity that every student needs and deserves.
VGCC Grad Pursues NCSU Degree Through New Partnership
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Ethan Cole starts his first semester as a full-time student at North Carolina State University on August 21, making history as a pioneer in a partnership between NCSU and his former school, Vance-Granville Community College.
Cole, who hails from Kittrell, enrolled at VGCC after graduating from Franklin Academy High School in 2017. The next year, VGCC joined N.C. State’s Community College Collaboration, or “C3,” program, and Cole was among the first to sign up. Essentially, that meant he would apply for dual-enrollment and then be guaranteed admission to NCSU to earn a baccalaureate degree, once he had completed an associate degree at VGCC while maintaining good grades.
Ethan Cole (pictured here) starts his first semester as a full-time student at North Carolina State University on August 21, making history as a pioneer in a partnership between NCSU and his former school, Vance-Granville Community College. (VGCC photo)
For Cole, it was an ideal way to pursue a longtime dream. “I already knew I wanted to go to N.C. State when I first enrolled at Vance-Granville,” he said. “I’ve had that goal for many years. My dad went there, we’re Wolfpack fans in my family, and I knew it was a good school for things like business and engineering.”
The new C3 program presented Cole with a chance to get “a foot in the door to the university,” he said. “Not a whole lot of people knew about it at the time, but it seemed like a good avenue to go down, so I went for it.”
Cole completed what he recalled as a straightforward NCSU application process, was accepted, and met with Martha Harmening, the C3 director from the university, for advising. She came to the VGCC campus, so Cole did not even have to drive to Raleigh.
“She helped me to know the right classes for my major,” Cole said. “I told her that, initially, I had been thinking I would study business administration after transferring from VGCC to N.C. State, but then I started thinking about moving to engineering, particularly mechanical engineering. She explained the criteria and the classes I needed to be accepted specifically into the engineering program.”
By enrolling in C3, Cole was technically an NCSU student, even though he was taking VGCC classes. Getting into the competitive engineering program was never guaranteed, however.
After graduating from Vance-Granville with an Associate in Science earlier this year, Cole took a single chemistry class at another community college in order to become eligible for his chosen major. “I’ve now been accepted into the engineering program,” he said. “I am particularly interested in engineering on the automotive side, developing newer, more efficient vehicles.”
With his VGCC credits in hand, Cole is scheduled to graduate from the university in 2022, for a total of five years in higher education.
He feels that the community college has prepared him well for the next level. “One of the best things VGCC has is the atmosphere of being around other students who are focused and trying to do their best, and that keeps you focused, too,” Cole reflected. “Also, the teachers are down to earth and give extra time and attention to their students.”
Cole excelled as a student, earning Presidential Scholar Award-level endowed academic scholarships, making the Dean’s List and working as a peer tutor at the VGCC Academic Skills Center.
Now, he is looking forward to new experiences at N.C. State, continuing to learn and preparing to start a career.
“The C3 program helps students to transfer and to have a guaranteed spot at N.C. State,” Cole said. “I would recommend it to people who want to get a four-year degree, especially if they are still searching for what they want to major in because it gives you some security and another option.”
Students who may apply for C3 include graduating high school seniors as well as current community college students who have completed less than 30 credit hours of college work.
For more information, contact VGCC’s Admissions Office at (252) 738-3234 or click here for additional details on the C3 program.
Fourth Annual P.U.L.L. Event to Feature Games, Fun & Free Haircuts!
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 announces the fourth annual Henderson – Vance P.U.L.L. (Peace, Unity, Love, Live) event Wednesday, August 21 – Sunday, August 25, 2019.
The five-day event features free haircuts for school-age kids at participating businesses, a basketball tournament at the former Henderson Middle School gym, a softball game at Aycock Rec. Complex and a community festival and cookout at Chestnut Street Park.
Please see the flyer below for additional information, including locations, dates and times.
For more information, please contact Greg Kelly at 252.431.6099 or gkelly@ci.henderson@ci.henderson.nc.us.
News 08/14/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Town Talk 08/13/19: What You Need to Know About NC’s Medicaid Transformation
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Vance County Department of Social Services’ Denita DeVega, director, and Goldie Davis, program administrator of economic services, were on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss changes to Medicaid requirements.
As part of the first phase of the Medicaid Transformation, Vance County recipients must enroll in one of four State-approved health plans and select a primary care physician by Friday, September 13, 2019.
“The process for being eligible for Medicaid and maintaining Medicaid remains the same,” Davis said. “You will still go to your local DSS to apply for Medicaid, benefits will still be maintained at your local DSS and your questions can still be answered at DSS.”
Changes to Medicaid requirements will take effect on November 1, 2019.
Medicaid recipients who have not selected a health care plan by the September 13 deadline will have one chosen for them by the State, Davis reported.
According to a recent press release from DSS, a health plan – through Medicaid – is a group of doctors, hospitals and other providers that will work together to provide healthcare to meet collective needs. The goal is for every medical service – physical health, mental health and medicine – to come through the same healthcare plan.
A primary care provider (PCP) should also be selected to assist with health care needs, which could be in the form of a family doctor, clinic or other health care provider.
Recipients who already have a primary care provider may keep the one they have or choose a new one.
“Ideally, what the State wants is for all of the physicians that are currently enrolled and contracted with Medicaid to be enrolled and contracted with all four plans,” Davis explained. “This will give the recipients the liberty to continue with the same primary care physician regardless of which health plan they choose.”
DeVega announced that a series of informational sessions have been scheduled to guide local recipients through the requirements.
These sessions will be held at Vance Co. Department of Social Services at 350 Ruin Creek Rd in Henderson and are scheduled for Monday, August 26, from 9 – 11 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m., and Tuesday, August 27 from 9 – 11 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m.
It is recommended that those who are senior citizens bring a trusted family member or friend to assist in the selection process.
If unable to attend the information sessions, an outreach specialist is available for assistance at Vance Co. DSS from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Assistance will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
For a list of doctors for each health plan, or to enroll, visit ncmedicaidplans.gov, use the NC Medicaid Managed Care mobile app or call 1-833-870-5500. A language line is also available.
For eligibility information or with questions about Medicaid’s new requirements, contact Cathy Hope, 252-492-5001 x 3221, Shelonda Boyd, 252-492-5001 x 3266, Shalonda Daye, 252-492-5001 x 3204, or Vance County Department of Social Services, at 252-492-5001.
To hear the Vance Co. DSS interview in its entirety, including an introduction of new director DeVega, 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.
New Principal Named at STEM Early High School
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Vance County Schools
The Vance County Board of Education approved Gradesa Lockhart as Principal of Vance County’s STEM Early High Middle School. The approval came during Monday night’s board meeting.
Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Jackson, said “Ms. Lockhart clearly distinguished herself as the best and most prepared candidate for STEM. [She] is an experienced principal, serving most recently [at] the Bluford STEM Academy in Guilford County.”
Ms. Lockhart comes to Vance County with 15 years of administrative experience in different schools within North Carolina and was instrumental in transforming Bluford into a STEM magnet school. Prior to that, she served as a teacher for a little over seven years.
Gradesa Lockhart received her Master’s in School Administration from North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro. Her bachelor’s degree in Middle School Math and Science was earned at North Carolina Central University in Durham. Ms. Lockhart is also currently in pursuit of her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership.
Ms. Lockhart’s first day is Wednesday, August 14.
Public Safety Committee to Discuss Emergency Operations, Fire Redistricting
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board, Vance County Board of Commissioners
Please be informed that Vance County’s Public Safety Committee (Brummitt, Faines, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at 3:45 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room of the Vance County Administration Building located at 122 Young Street in Henderson.
Topics to be discussed include:
– Emergency Operations Plan Update
– Fire Redistricting
News 08/13/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm