130 Vance Co. Educators Expected to Attend State Rally; Schools Closed May 1

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Educators and school staff from across North Carolina will gather at a planned protest in downtown Raleigh on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

The N.C. Association of Educators’ Rally for Public Education participants will ask legislators for increased funding for the hiring of additional support staff, the reinstatement of retirement health benefits and advanced degree compensation and an increase in the minimum wage for hourly employees.

A high number of leave requests for the day led some local school systems, including Vance and Franklin County, to declare May 1 a holiday for students and an optional workday for teachers.

Terri Hedrick, public information officer for Vance County Schools, told WIZS that of the school system’s 900 employees, 130 requested leave to attend the rally. While rally participants account for only 14% of overall staff, Hedrick said, “Those asking off are in classrooms and are vital to student instruction.”

In a recent press release, Vance County Schools stated that Superintendent Anthony Jackson recommended the school day change and the Vance County Board of Education approved the holiday in an effort to support public school educators.

The missed instruction day for students will not be made up.

The VCS press release explained, “While it is always important for students to be in school and learning, school system officials believe that our extended school day times at all grade levels this school year will be sufficient for student instruction even with the missed day on May 1. The school day was extended for the 2018-2019 school year by about 15 minutes at the elementary, middle and high school levels.”

Hedrick stated that the majority of employees at the system office will be at work tomorrow – including Dr. Jackson – and do not currently have plans to attend the “Day of Action” rally.

In a message sent to NC public schools earlier this month, State Superintendent Mark Johnson encouraged educators to find alternative ways of voicing their concerns.

His message read, in part:

“I encourage discussions about different ideas and opinions. Your voice is crucial. I want you to know why I cannot agree with one group’s proposal to encourage schools to close on May 1.

Weather hit us hard this year, and I do not want to encourage any more students missing any more school days. It’s not good for students’ academic and nutritional needs, or for our bus drivers and some other non-certified staff, who may miss scheduled work hours and, as a result, pay.”

As an alternative, Johnson suggested that educators take action on a day when schools were not in session, such as the week of spring break. Spring break for many NC schools concluded last week.

Vance County Board of Education member Ruth Hartness expressed her support for local educators participating in the rally.

“They have an issue and they have to voice it in some way,” said Hartness. “I agree with them. I see no harm in it and it may do some good. Hopefully, the legislature will listen to these folks and something will come through that will be to their liking.”

In the meantime, Hartness said she believes the school system does a good job of educating the community with its current resources.

“The answer to many of the issues is more money from the legislature for schools. We are doing the best we can with the money that we have been given.”

Henderson Police Department

HPD: Forced Entry at Deer Crossing Court; Resident Injured

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On Saturday the 27th of April 2019, around 10:45 p.m., four individuals forced entry to the residence of Adrian Burwell (40) and Rageane Watson (24) at 1422 Deer Crossing Court. Once inside, the suspects searched the residence. It was reported that nothing was taken from the residence.

During the apparent robbery, Rageane Watson was struck by a discharged firearm. Ms. Watson was treated and transported to an area medical facility for further treatment where her condition is listed as stable.

Our investigation into this matter is still ongoing and it should be noted this incident does not appear to be random. This is all of the information we can disclose at this time.

As we follow up on leads, we strongly encourage anyone with information to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141, or through Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925. You can also contact us through Facebook Messenger, or the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers P3 app.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

National Day of Prayer Activities Planned for Vance Co.

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The National Day of Prayer is this Thursday, May 2, 2019. Four local prayer services are scheduled for noon – at City Hall on Rose Avenue, the Vance County Courthouse in downtown Henderson, the ACTS house across from The Daily Dispatch and at the flagpole at Maria Parham Health on Ruin Creek Road.

WIZS will broadcast the City Hall service live at noon. Then, we’ll broadcast at 7 p.m. from the gym at Vance County High School.

Join churches and pastors from across the community at National Day of Prayer services on Thursday. Brought to you by Friendly Barber Shop and Clearview Church.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Releases 13th Annual Sustainability Report

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-Press release and additional information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

We are pleased to share Duke Energy’s latest Sustainability Report, which highlights how the company is charting a path to a cleaner, smarter energy future for customers. Released this morning, the report shows a company continuing to shift from coal to natural gas with a greater reliance on renewable energy, a company transforming the customer experience by investing in new technologies that help customers make smart energy decisions and save money, and a company that offers electric rates below the national average in all customer classes and all service areas for the fifth consecutive year.

A few highlights include:

  • As of year-end 2018, we owned or contracted over 7,100 megawatts of wind, solar and biomass energy. This includes 500 megawatts of solar added in North Carolina during the year, which helped the state remain second in the nation for solar capacity.
  • Our energy efficiency initiatives helped customers reduce energy consumption and peak demand by more than 16,700 gigawatt-hours and 5,900 megawatts, respectively, since 2008. This reduction in consumption is more than the annual usage of 1.25 million homes, and the peak demand reduction is equivalent to 10 power plants each producing 600 megawatts.
  • We installed 1.6 million smart meters last year, giving 62% of our total customers access to real-time information to help make smarter energy decisions.

Also reflected is how the company is contributing to North Carolina’s positive growth. During 2018, for example, we helped attract more than 4,000 new jobs and $2.4 billion in business investment here.

We continue to be proud of this important work for our customers and appreciate your interest and support. For more information on the 2018 Sustainability Report, I encourage you to view our news release included, in part, below:

Duke Energy News Release:

Duke Energy continues to generate cleaner energy at prices below the national average for its 7.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Those facts were spelled out today in the company’s 13th annual Sustainability Report – a report card on the company’s progress at meeting its sustainability goals. The report can be found here – and a PDF copy for download can be found here.

“Duke Energy is successfully reducing our environmental impact while keeping electric prices low for customers,” said Cari Boyce, senior vice president, stakeholder strategy and sustainability. “It’s not a question of clean or affordable. We’re safely and reliably achieving both.”

Among the highlights in this year’s report:

  • In the six states where Duke Energy has retail electric customers, the company’s electric rates were below the national averages, according to data from the Edison Electric Institute.
  • Duke Energy relies on a balanced energy mix that includes carbon-free nuclear, lower-cost natural gas, hydroelectric and coal. In 2018, nearly 38 percent of the energy produced by the company was carbon-free.
  • Duke Energy-owned and purchased renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric power) was equivalent to roughly 9.3 percent of its generation mix in 2018 – reflecting an 11 percent increase compared to 2017.
  • The company’s use of coal has dropped more than 50 percent from 2008 to 2018 – from 63 million tons annually to 29 million tons. The use of cleaner-burning and lower-cost natural gas has spurred much of that reduction.
  • Duke Energy’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions remained roughly flat in 2018 – despite producing 2 percent more energy versus the previous year. The company’s carbon intensity, the amount of CO2 produced per kilowatt-hour generated, fell 2 percent from the previous year. Overall, the company’s carbon emissions have dropped 31 percent since 2005.
  • Duke Energy established new goals in the report. One is to reduce water withdrawals by its generation fleet by 1 trillion gallons by 2030 – compared to its 2016 mark of 5.34 trillion gallons.
  • Duke Energy is also investing more in energy storage. The company is looking to install more than 400 megawatts (MW) of battery storage over the next 15 years. Today, work is underway at the Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station in South Carolina to increase its pumped storage output by more than 300 MW.

Watkins Vol. Fire Dept. to Hold BBQ Chicken/Pork Fundraiser – Fri., May 3

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-Information and flyer courtesy Watkins Volunteer Fire Dept.

The Watkins Volunteer Fire Department will hold a BBQ Chicken and Pork Fundraiser on Friday, May 3, 2019, starting at 11 a.m.

Chicken or BBQ Pork Plate* – $8

Chicken/BBQ Pork Combo Plate* – $12

1-pound BBQ Pork – $8

*Plates come with boiled potatoes, slaw, bread and dessert and are available for eat in or take out.

Location: Watkins Fire Department – 1590 Horseshoe Bend Road, Henderson.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

News 04/30/19

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WIZS 1450AM / 100.1 FM NEWS – 8A, 12 NOON, 5P; M-F

Henderson Police Department Press Release, Shooting Victim

National Day of Prayer services in Vance County, Thursday, May 2

Embrace Henderson Spectacular, May 4, 11a to 3p at Saddlerock Farm

Henderson Rec Players Announce Summer Show Auditions

Relay for Life Plant Sale, Saturday, May 4th, 9a-2p, Tractor Supply

H-V Chamber Logo

Local Chambers, VGCC to Host 2019 Small Business Luncheon

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s March/April 2019 Focus newsletter

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, along with the Franklin, Granville and Warren County Chambers and the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center, will host the 2019 Small Business Luncheon in a collaborative effort again this year. The event will be held at Henderson Country Club on Thursday, May 9, 2019. Duke Energy is once again the presenting sponsor for this event.

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website states, “We recognize that more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.”

As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Of those small businesses and their owners, the organization says, “Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.”

This local annual spring luncheon is a part of the national effort to recognize the merits of small businesses within every community. After lunch and a keynote address, the event will conclude with the presentation of the Vance County Small Business of the Year. This will be the seventeenth consecutive year that the Chamber has presented this award. Franklin, Granville and Warren Counties will also award Small Business of the Year honors for their counties.

Criteria for the Henderson-Vance nominee are:

– Employs a maximum of 50 people;

– Member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and must be located in Vance County;

– Must be a viable, on-going business for three or more years, experiencing growth or stability over its business life;

– Provides critical service or product, fills a void in the business community, or has a unique approach to the delivery of goods and services;

– May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business;

– Business is supportive of community growth and sustainability;

– Is not a governmental agency or municipality

Former recipients of the Vance County award include J.M. White Funeral Service, Medical Arts Pharmacy, Vanco Outdoor Equipment, Quick Print, Satterwhite Point Marina, Dataforge, Johnson’s Block & Concrete Company, Inc., City Tire, Inc., Henderson Wellness Center, Franklin Brothers Nursery & Greenhouses, Inc., Ballet Arts, Interiors Downtown, Fogg’s Exxon, Vance Furniture, Gray’s Gourmet, The Peanut Roaster and Raemac Transportation.

The event is by invitation only and will include lunch and a key address.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact the Chamber at 252-438-8414 or Jay@hendersonvance.org.

Henderson Rec Players Announces Summer Show Auditions

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

The Henderson Rec Players, now under the umbrella of the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, announces its summer show auditions will be held Saturday, May 11, 2019. Auditions begin at 10 a.m. and will be held at First Baptist Church of Henderson – 205 W. Winder St. (across from McGregor Hall). 

Audition for a role in “Guys & Dolls,” “Disney’s The Lion King Jr.,” and Neil Simon’s stage play, “Rumors.” All those auditioning will be asked to read lines from the script. No prepared pieces will be necessary.

“Disney’s The Lion King Jr.” is part of a summer theatre camp experience for rising 3rd – 11th graders. Click here for more information on the Summer Theatre Camp for Kids.

“Guys and Dolls” will be performed July 5-7 and 12-13 under the direction of Jo Ellen Nowell. “Disney’s The Lion King Jr.” will be directed by Cindy Clark and performed July 15-28.

“Rumors” will round out the Henderson Rec Players 46th summer season with performances August 9-11. The show will be directed by Betsy Henderson.

To learn more about auditions and the upcoming shows, please visit https://www.mcgregorhall.org/auditions.

The Henderson Rec Players Summer Series is proudly presented by the Rosemyr Corporation.

 

Faith Dove

Oak Level UCC to Hold Annual Usher’s Program – Sun., May 5

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-Information courtesy Katrina Reid, Oak Level United Church of Christ

Oak Level United Church of Christ announces their annual Usher’s Program will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2019, beginning at 3 p.m.

The usher board invites all ushers to come fellowship in uniform. Speaker will be Rev. Charles Burwell of Big Ruin Creek Baptist Church. Music will be rendered by Oak Level’s Male Choirs.

Oak Level UCC is located at 5631 Jacksontown Road in Manson, NC.

 

 

 

News 04/29/19

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