Community Leaders Visit Vance Co. Public Schools During ‘Community to Schools’ Event
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Vance County Schools
Vance County Schools hosted another “Community to Schools” event on Friday, December 7, with community leaders visiting four of our local public schools to learn more about what educators and students are working on during a typical school day.
Superintendent Anthony Jackson and other key school system leaders escorted the business, church, civic and public service agency representatives on visits to L.B. Yancey Elementary School, Vance County High School, STEM Early High School and Vance County Middle School. The visits were held during a four-hour period in the morning.
At each of the schools, school administrators greeted the touring group. They showed the participants key advances and programs for our students at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Those who participated in the school visits were able to go into classrooms and see teachers and students at work and they visited computer labs, educational workrooms and the new Vance Virtual laboratories at the middle and high schools.

Dr. Carnetta Thomas discusses student incentive programs at L.B. Yancey Elementary School while hosting community leaders in her school. (Photo Credit: VCS)
Dr. Carnetta Thomas, principal of L.B. Yancey Elementary School, introduced the tour group to several of her teachers and students who were actively engaged in classroom work. She also had them visit with students, parents and staff during the school’s special “Books & Breakfast” event held throughout the school and featuring parents eating breakfast with the students and then going into various parts of the school to read with, and to, student groups.
During their visit to Vance County High School, Principal Rey Horner welcomed the tour participants and talked about the many programs and services provided to students in his school including the Vance Medical Academy, Fire & Public Safety Academy, varied Career and Technical Education programs, expanded extra-curricular activities for students and the newly expanded athletics programs for male and female students.
The group also visited the school’s newly renovated cafeteria and music room. They received hands-on experiences in the Vance Virtual lab, located in the school’s media center, as student ambassadors showed them how the zSpace digital student learning centers provide three-dimensional studies for students through special software applications in a variety of subject areas.

Teresa Robinson of Walmart Distribution Center, watches a Vance County Middle School student demonstrate the three-dimensional dissection tool on a zSpace digital student learning center in the school’s Vance Virtual lab. (Photo Credit: VCS)
Horner noted that the newly consolidated high school, now with more than 1,100 students, has had a smooth beginning to the new school year and he and his staff are continuing to provide additional educational opportunities to their students.
The tour group then visited the STEM Early High School and saw firsthand how teachers and students focus on project-based learning, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Assistant Principal Melonee Hunter led the visit and was assisted by an outstanding group of student leaders. The tour participants were able to visit several classrooms to see how students work in groups to collaborate on projects teachers challenge them to complete as teams.
The final stop for the “Community to Schools” tours was Vance County Middle School where Principal Heddie Somerville welcomed the group to the newly consolidated school that serves over 900 students in grades 6-8. The facility, formerly known as Northern Vance High School, has been renovated to accommodate the middle school population and Somerville stressed that more work will be done to the facility throughout the school year and the upcoming summer to provide additional educational enhancements for students. Her school’s student ambassadors led a visit for the tour participants in the Vance Virtual lab and demonstrated how students use the digital student learning centers to enhance classroom instruction through the use of state-of-the-art technology.
Duke Energy Down to Fewer Than 30 Outages in Aftermath of Winter Storm Diego
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy
The sun is shining (finally!) in NC, and that means this should be a great day for MELTING SNOW and ICE! We are wrapping up the few remaining outages in our region. At this time, we are down to fewer than 30 outages affecting 250 customers across my 10-county district.
Estimated restoration times for the remaining customers have been posted to our website.
We deeply appreciate the patience our customers have shown, and we’re doing all we can to restore every customer as fast as possible. Unless conditions change dramatically, this will be my final update regarding Winter Storm Diego.
Reverse Raffle Raises $6,000 for ‘Shop With A Cop’ Event
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
Thanks to the support of the local community and area businesses, it’s time to “Shop With A Cop!”
A total of $6,000 was raised during a Reverse Raffle held at Henderson Country Club in November. Over the next two weeks, area law enforcement officers will take several underprivileged children shopping for Christmas with the money raised.
The event is brought to the community by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, Henderson Police Department and the Vance County Sheriff’s Department. Maria Parham Health is the presenting sponsor for this event.

Front Row (left to right): Mel Manning (Board Chairman, H-V Chamber of Commerce), Lt. Jessica West (Henderson Police Dept.), Vance Co. Sheriff Curtis Brame and Bert Beard (CEO, Maria Parham Health). Back Row (left to right): John Barnes (President, H-V Chamber of Commerce), First Sgt. Jeff Rowan (NC Highway Patrol), Chief Frankie Nobles (Vance Co. Animal Control), Chief Marcus Barrow (Henderson Police Dept.), Capt. LQ Watkins (Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office) and Chief Sean Newton (Vance-Granville Comm. College Public Safety).
Watkins Volunteer Fire Depart.’s Pancake Dinner to Benefit Raegan Owen
/by WIZS Staff-Information and flyer courtesy the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook Page
The Watkins Volunteer Fire Department will be holding an All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Dinner on Friday, December 14, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost for the meal is $7.
All proceeds benefit Raegan (Rae Rae) Owen. Raegan is the 10-year-old daughter of Randy and Debbie Owen. Randy is the Fire/Rescue Coordinator at Vance-Granville Community College. Raegan was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and has a long battle ahead. Please help us support this wonderful family!
Location: Watkins Fire Department – 1590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Henderson.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Gospel Singing & Free Giveaways at Victory Road Baptist’s Pre-Christmas Celebration
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Victory Road Baptist Church
Victory Road Baptist Church will be having its annual pre-Christmas celebration on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at 4 p.m. The Christland Singers and Mr. Willie B. & The Gospel Messengers will be rendering the music. Gift bags and toys will be given away. The food pantry and coat closet will also be open.
All items are FREE!
The church is located at 235 Booth Avenue, Henderson, NC.
Winter Storm Update & Cancellations
/by John C. RoseRemember to tune in to WIZS Radio at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM with a regular radio. You can Listen Live online by clicking here.
Click here for the LATEST BRIEFING FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
You may report weather delays and cancellations by email to news@wizs.com or by text at 432-0774. Delays and cancellations will be posted on the WIZS Facebook page – click here – and announced on the air for this event.
FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH:
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST TUESDAY…
* WHAT…Refreezing of melted snow and ice tonight will create very hazardous travel conditions through mid morning Tuesday.
* WHERE…Portions of central North Carolina.
* WHEN…Until 9 AM EST Tuesday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Dangerous travel conditions will linger through Tuesday morning. Road and sidewalk ice are likely to develop with clearing skies late tonight, in addition to the residual snow and ice on the ground and secondary roads.
* Temperatures will remain nearly steady in the 30s today, then fall into the 20s tonight.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Winter Weather Advisory for Black Ice means that icy roads from snowmelt will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery roads through Tuesday morning, so use caution while driving.
The latest road conditions for North Carolina can be found online at DriveNC.gov.
WIZS LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MONDAY AFTERNOON AND TUESDAY MORNING (12/10 – 12/11)
SCHOOLS –
- Vance-Granville Community College — All campuses closed Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, because of inclement weather.
- Vance County Schools — closed on Tuesday, December 11, for all students and school system staff members due to continued bad road conditions because of the heavy snowfall in our area. Revised high school exam schedule will be announced when everyone returns to school.
- Victory Christian School and Daycare – closed Tuesday, December 11th
- Crossroads Christian School – closed Tuesday, Dec 11
- Granville County School — school cancelled for all students and staff for Tuesday, December 11, 2018. The staff is consulting with our Board of Education on makeup days for students and staff and will communicate calendar updates very soon. Please know we are exploring all options. Updates to come soon.
- Franklin County Schools — closed Tuesday, December 11 for students and staff. All before and after school activities are canceled and all facilities are closed to the public.
GOVERNMENT –
- HENDERSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY NIGHT 12/10/18 CANCELLED, WILL BE MADE UP
- Franklin County Government Offices are expected to open Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 11:30 a.m., however employees are encouraged to monitor the Employee Notification Line for any possible changes in schedule.
COURT –
- The Vance County Clerk of Court Office — opening at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, and all Courts District and Small Claims are starting at 11:00 a.m.
BUSINESS –
- KARTS — closed Tuesday. Office Staff should follow inclement weather plan.
Maria Parham Inclement Weather Plan In Effect
/by John C. RosePerry Memorial Library Adding New Programs to Winter Youth Lineup
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy the Perry Memorial Library website
Winter youth programs will begin at Perry Memorial Library, 205 Breckenridge St., Henderson, on January 2, 2019, and run through April 30, 2019. December is a youth program planning month.
Youth activities for January – April include:
Mother Goose Storytime (ages 2-5) – Mondays at 11 a.m. *NEW*
Totally Tweens (ages 8-12) – Mondays at 5 p.m.
Story Explorers (ages 5-11) – Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
Pajama-Rama Storytime (all ages) – Wednesdays at 5 p.m. *NEW*
Books & Babies (ages birth-2) – Thursdays at 10:45 a.m.
Mother Goose Storytime (ages 2-5) – Thursdays at 11 a.m.
LEGO Fun Club (ages 5-13) – Thursdays at 4 p.m.
Grace Ministries Now Accepting New & Gently Used Items for Toy Drive
/by WIZS StaffGrace Ministries is holding their Second Annual Toy Drive now through Friday, December 21. Please donate new or gently used toys at 1501 Raleigh Rd. in Henderson.
The toy giveaway will be held at Rebuilding Hope, Inc., located at 414 Raleigh Rd., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 22.
For additional information, please call (252) 432-7124.