Town Talk 07/25/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Jackie Ayscue, New Sandy Creek Baptist Church
A community clothing and backpack giveaway will be held Saturday, August 24, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Family Life Center at New Sandy Creek Baptist Church.
Clothing, coats, backpack and school supplies will be given away.
New Sandy Creek Baptist is located at 1699 Weldon’s Mill Road, Henderson, NC.
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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department presents “Pop Up Parks.” These parks will be held at Lincoln Heights, Cedar Hurst and Henderson Heights Apartments.
Times & Locations:
Lincoln Heights Apartments – Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on July 30, August 6, 13 and 20.
Cedar Hurst Apartments – Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m on July 31, August 7, 14 and 21.
Henderson Heights Apartments – Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on July 26, August 2, 9, 16 and 23.
For more information, please contact Gregory Kelly at (252) 431-6099 or gkelly@ci.henderson.nc.us.
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Jason A. Spriggs, candidate for the Henderson City Council’s 4th Ward At-Large seat, was the guest of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.
A resident of Turner Avenue near downtown Henderson, Spriggs is running against incumbent George Daye in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election.
Spriggs, who said previous discussions with Daye led to his interest in Henderson’s political scene, expressed his surprise that Daye filed for reelection.
“George Daye filed on the very last day,” Spriggs said. “We didn’t expect it. From every City leader and County leader that I spoke with, he was not expected to do so. This is kind of where we’re at; this is politics, so we continue our campaign.”
Filing for the October 8 election began Friday, July 5 at 12 p.m. and ended on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 12 p.m. Offices that will be on the ballot include Mayor, 1st and 2nd Ward seats and 3rd and 4th Ward At-Large seats.
With no one filing for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat by the July 19 deadline, the State Board of Elections approved an extension that began Monday, July 22 and ends Friday, July 26, 2019, at 12 p.m.
Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, Spriggs, who has called NC home for 20+ years now, said he is familiar with the rural way of life and understands the importance of local connections and personal relationships.
“In a small town, if they don’t know you – and I mean have eaten with you or have attended church services with you – you’re going to have some issues with not only getting known but also getting the support.”
Not being as well known around town is one reason Spriggs said his 2015 campaign for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat was, ultimately, unsuccessful.
Spriggs said he and his family’s establishment in the community has grown in the past four years and believes his ideas, coupled with suggested solutions, make him the right person for the job.
“The things that are going on in Henderson are not things that city leaders can take lightly,” said Spriggs. “A lot of youth are dying, residents are struggling to keep water and lights on and residents are struggling with addiction. No matter who I talk to, the first thing they say is ‘if they would just pick up this trash.’ The conversation then proceeds to crime and drugs. Those are the top three things.”
Conscious of budget constraints, Spriggs suggested using existing City resources and personnel to provide street litter cleanup on a weekly or biweekly basis.
He also referred listeners to his website at www.jason4henderson.com for more information on his campaign and a more extensive list of his ideas for improving Henderson.
(This is not a paid political advertisement. WIZS is in communication with incumbent George Daye to participate in a similar interview.)
To hear Spriggs’ Town Talk 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.
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-Information courtesy Vance County Animal Services
Vance County Animal Services responded to a call on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, of a possibly rabid raccoon in the 1800 block of Bearpond Road.
The raccoon was sent off for testing and has tested positive for rabies.
As this time, Animal Services is asking the public to please make sure all cats and dogs are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Even if the pet is up-to-date, a booster vaccine is recommended if you live in the area.
Vance County Animal Shelter offers the rabies vaccine for $5.
The shelter is located at 1243 Brodie Road in Henderson and is open Mondays from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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-Information courtesy Maria Parham Health
The Maria Parham Health Relay for Life team will hold a Trout Dinner fundraiser at 220 Seafood Restaurant in Henderson on Monday, August 12, 2109, from 4 until 7 p.m.
The $7 dinner plate includes trout, French fries, coleslaw and hushpuppies. Drinks included with dine-in only.
Take out plates available and additional tickets may be purchased at the door.
Proceeds to benefit Relay for Life of Vance County.
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The Epsom Fire Department will host the 2nd Annual Colton’s Adventure Spaghetti Plate Fundraising Event and Silent Auction on Saturday, July 27, 2019, from 12 – 5 p.m.
The $7 meal includes spaghetti, salad with a choice of ranch or thousand island dressing, bread and dessert. Drink for eat-in only.
Delivery to local businesses will be available.
The fire department is located at 8120 NC 39 Hwy South in Henderson.
Ticket presale locations:
Mike’s Barber Shop – 1702 Parham St., Henderson
Salon 31 – 946 West Andrews Avenue, Henderson
Skippers BBQ – 2362 N. Garnett St., Henderson
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Michele Burgess, president of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss her new position and vision for the organization.
Beginning her third term as the head of the chamber, Burgess’ first official day serving under the title of “president” was July 22, 2019. She previously served as executive director from 1982-88 and 1995-99.
Burgess succeeded Vanessa Jones, who served as interim president in the months following former president John Barnes’ resignation earlier this year.
In discussing her local connections, Burgess said she is excited the chamber’s board chose a Henderson native as their leader.
“I live in Vance County and I love Henderson,” Burgess said. “I love where I live. This is my hometown and I’m proud of it.”
For her first task, Burgess said she and chamber staff will be focusing on membership. “We are going to look at who is a member and who is not a member. We want to reach out to those who maybe couldn’t afford the membership dues when they first opened but are a little more established now and could benefit from our services.”
As far as current members, Burgess said she wants to introduce herself, or in some cases reintroduce herself, encourage continued community involvement and to set the tone for her “hands-on approach” to the chamber’s mission.
Burgess believes, much as she did in her previous chamber roles, that the key to growing the community is to think outside of the box and get creative with strategies to help small businesses. “A large majority of our members are small businesses with 50 or less, and many with 20 or less, employees,” she explained.
Acknowledging that attending popular chamber events such as Business After Hours, Meet Me in the Street and various networking sessions aren’t feasible for all business owners, Burgess said the question then becomes, “What can we do to help you?”
Some of the ways the chamber can help small businesses, according to Burgess, include offering relevant training for employees and advocating for their particular industry.
“We [the chamber] can do that,” Burgess reiterated. “We are an organization that serves businesses; it’s all about building businesses. The chamber is all about relationships.”
Further emphasizing the importance of relationships, Burgess explained the connections that are often made at H-V Chamber-sponsored events serve business leaders and their staff well in the future.
“You do business with people that you like and trust,” Burgess said. “The way to do this is to be involved in your community, and especially to be involved with your chamber.”
To hear Burgess’ Town Talk 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.