Polar Plunge Raises Funds for Vance County Special Olympics

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire

Held on a chilly morning earlier this month, the 2018 Special Olympics Vance County Polar Plunge saw a total of 53 courageous people brave the freezing water of Kerr Lake.

The sixth annual event took place on Saturday, February 3 and began at 9:30 am with participants checking-in at the Satterwhite Point Glass House. Participants were required to raise at least $30 to take part in the plunge. Hot cocoa and a t-shirt were provided to all plungers, with additional t-shirts being sold to assist fundraising efforts.

Participants were asked to come dressed to impress, with costumes highly encouraged. Rules included no wetsuits allowed, tennis or water shoes required and warm, dry clothes to change into recommended.

Before the lake plunge began, prizes were awarded for best individual and team costume, most money raised by both an individual and a team and largest team.

The contest was followed by the main event-the icy plunge into the lake. Vance County Special Olympics Local Coordinator Crystal Allen reported that participants did everything from sticking their toes in the water to running in.

The event raised over $7,000 for the Special Olympics, with proceeds going directly to equipment, uniforms and supplies for Vance County athletes.

“We are so appreciative that you have helped us to fulfill our goals,” Allen said. “We hope to have even more participation next year!”

Special Olympics North Carolina is a non-profit amateur sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 Olympic-type sports to nearly 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization relies on generous support from individuals, businesses, and foundations to provide services.

According to the Special Olympics North Carolina website, approximately $2.57 million dollars has been raised for athletes in NC since 2000. These funds were raised by over 46,000 donors and made possible by over 5,000 fundraising events.

“Special Olympics strives to provide children and adults with intellectual disabilities hope for a healthier, longer and more fulfilling life through sports training and competition that keeps them engaged in regular physical activity within a structured peer network,” said Allen. “Through participation in Special Olympics, our athletes build self-confidence and improve their overall health and well-being.”

Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or coaching a Special Olympics sport is asked to contact Allen at (252) 431-6091. “Without volunteers from the community, we could not provide a program for our local athletes,” Allen said.

Allen thanks all who made the fundraiser successful, “On behalf of the local committee, athletes and community participants of Special Olympics Vance County, I would like to offer a sincere thank you for your generous contribution to our annual Polar Plunge.”

Mark your calendar for next February’s Polar Plunge, get your friends or co-workers together to form a team and plan to wear your best lake-diving costume.

Dispatch earns 9 awards from N.C. Press Association

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(Congratulations to The Daily Dispatch!)

— by Dispatch staff

— republished with permission

The Daily Dispatch received nine awards in its division in the annual North Carolina Press Association contest, which included entries from October 2016 to September 2017.

“I am thrilled to see our staff’s work honored,” said Nancy Wykle, publisher and editor of The Daily Dispatch. “We do our best every day to serve our advertisers and readers, and this reaffirms the dedication our staff has to serving this community.”

Advertising account representatives Stephanie Ranes and Diane Robbins received awards.

Ranes received first place for Best Community Service Signature Page or Best Shared Page for the “In Loving Memory” ad.

Robbins took both first and second place for Best Entertainment Ad for Carolina BBQ & Chicken and iExteriors 2017 NGAA, respectively.

In the newsroom, sports editor Logan Ulrich won second place for sports enterprise writing for his piece “Local football coaches deal with low turnout.” He also took second place for sports photography for the photo accompanying “Spartans advance to title game on PKs.”

Ulrich also placed third for sports feature writing for the article “Thoughts of family fuel Daye” and third for sports news reporting for the article “Kerr-Vance state title game.”

Reporter David Irvine placed third for headline writing.

The paper’s staff also won first place for the special section celebrating the Henderson’s 175th anniversary. “The win for the 175th section was really a win for the entire community because we had so many people here contribute to the section to make it successful,” Wykle said.

The newspaper received the awards Thursday in Raleigh.

News 02/23/18

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Public Health Serving You 02/21/18

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West End Community Watch 2-20-18 Write Up

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— information based on written submission of Claire Catherwood

The West End Community Watch group met February 20, and the speaker was Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

He began by recounting recent police activity which has been heavy over the last week, including an officer involved shooting, a shooting near a popular local establishment and a bank robbery.

Chief Barrow also provided information about the “Ring” app, which can be used on Wi-Fi or with a smart phone.  The “Ring” app is a doorbell-like device which takes a picture and sends it to your computer or phone when anyone comes near your door.  The person does not need to actually ring the bell to trigger the camera.  It does cost about $200.  Chief Barrow stressed that while he did not wish to advertise a product, it is worthwhile to look into any technology which will keep people safer.

The remainder of the meeting was taken up by topics opened by those in attendance.  The final discussion was about the need of stressing and taking advantage of the good things about Henderson and Vance County.

Chief Barrow expressed his love of our area and his desire for all to recognize and celebrate the good.

(WIZS thanks Claire Catherwood for her written account of the meeting.)

SBI and Vance Sheriff Asking for Information in Ellington Murder Case

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SBI and Vance Sheriff Asking for Information in Ellington Murder Case

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 – Press Release

HENDERSON – The State Bureau of Investigation and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s help in solving an October murder case.

A $25,000 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of Tommy Ellington, 61, who was found shot to death outside his rural home about 6 a.m. on Oct. 2. Ellington was a farmer and owner of Quality Equipment LLC in Henderson.

Anyone with information about the murder is urged to call the SBI at 1-800-334-3000, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738-2206, or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Vance County NC

Two Vance County Committees to Meet Feb 26 and Feb 27

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Two Vance County Committees to Meet Feb 26 and Feb 27

Please review two press releases from Kelly Grissom, clerk to the board and executive assistant, with Vance County and the board of commissioners.

Please note that the County’s water committee (Wilder, Brummitt, Taylor) is scheduled to meet Monday, February 26 at 4:00 p.m. in the administrative conference room. Topics include incentives and revenue options.

All commissioners are invited to attend.

Please be informed that the County’s public safety committee (Wilder, Brummitt, Faines) is scheduled to meet Tuesday, February 27th at 3:00 p.m. in the administrative conference room. Topics to be discussed include fire and rescue services, purchase of cascade system and fire commission guidelines.

All commissioners are invited to attend.

News 02/22/18

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Swab to Save Lives at MP, Sat, Feb 24

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WIZS has been asked to announce:

Saturday, February 24 from 9 a.m. until noon, a Swab Day looking for a Bone Marrow Match for Dr. Michael Smith will be held.

Swab to Save Lives at Marketplace Cinema, located at 907 W. Beckford Drive in Henderson.

For more informtion, call Kathy Smith at 252-425-4985.

https://join.bethematch.org/swab4mike

Dr. Smith is the owner of Marketplace Cinema.

This announcement is offered as a public service.

VGCC hosts Duke Life Flight EMS Night Out

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— courtesy VGCC

VGCC hosts Duke Life Flight EMS Night Out

The Emergency Medical Services program at Vance-Granville Community College is hosting an informative seminar for area health professionals. “Duke Life Flight EMS Night Out” will be held Monday, Feb. 26, from 6 until 8:30 p.m. in the small auditorium in Building 2 on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. There is no charge to attend.

“This is an event specifically targeted at the prehospital and emergency medical providers who serve our community every day,” said Stephen Barney, VGCC’s coordinator/instructor for EMS Programs. Two lectures will be featured at the “Night Out.” In the first, Dr. Blake Buletko, stroke director at Duke Raleigh Hospital, will provide a presentation on stroke and caring for the acute neurological patient. Second, Brendan McGurk, critical care paramedic for Duke Life Flight, will review some of the tips, tricks, and pitfalls of 12-lead electrocardiogram interpretation.

Duke Life Flight’s goal for the event is to provide a fresh look at emergency medical care in the prehospital and emergency arena and to give back to the community of providers with whom they work.

Duke Life Flight is a CAMTS accredited critical care and Emergency Air and Ground transport agency based in Durham, providing services to North Carolina and surrounding states.

For more information about the event or about EMS training at VGCC, contact Stephen Barney at 252-738-3273 or barneys@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–