TownTalk: Military History Show Taking Place On October 28

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The 8th annual Military History Show will take place at the Henderson-Oxford Airport later this month, and organizer Harry Coombs said he’s looking forward to another successful event during which attendees can see military hardware up close and better understand what men and women of the military may have endured during their time in combat.

Coombs said he expects a bevy of re-enactors to be on hand for the event, which takes place on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There have been re-enactors, in full military gear, from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, among others, he said on Tuesday’s Town Talk.

“It’s the same every year,” he said, “but it’s different every year,” he added, since he doesn’t always know well ahead of time exactly who is going to show up. Proceeds benefit the Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee. The airport is located at 6514 Airport Rd., just over the Granville/Vance line.

One thing that will return, he said, is the popular silent auction. Items are available for viewing during the event, and high bidders can claim a variety of items and services.

And Total Flight Solutions is back once more to provide helicopter rides – just be prepared to pay the ticket price and wait in line, Coombs said. “It’s always very popular.”

There’s no charge for admission to the event, but there is a donation bucket for anyone inclined to “throw some money into the bucket.”

And any student who may be interested in getting some community service hours is welcome to contact Coombs – there seems always to be a need for parking attendants.

Once parked, individuals can see displays of how camps may have been set up, depending on the era in which the war took place. Tents will be set up, and there will be some equipment on display. Re-enactors are available to answer questions as well.

The yellow Navy bi-plane may be on display again this year, Coombs said. A weapons demonstration will be held – firing blanks – and there could be a couple of heavy artillery pieces as well.

So whether you’re a military history buff or want to learn more about military history, mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 28. It promises to be an entertaining, educational event for the whole family.

To learn more, contact 919.691.7697.

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Events At Perry Memorial Library

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Perry Memorial Library patrons can check out books, sure, but the library offers a wide range of programs and services, not all of which directly involve reading.

Youth Services Director Melody Peters said, for example, that young people can come on each month on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. to learn how to crochet. Yep. Once someone expressed an interest, Peters and staff got busy figuring out how to make the request a reality.

“Someone who’s been doing this for a very long time is sharing” the skill with others, Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

There’s a program request bin located just inside the library doors, and Peters said people are filling it with ideas. Want to make a suggestion for a workshop or other idea for programs at the library? Drop a note in the bin, she said.

As Halloween approaches, Peters said she sees an uptick in young people choosing books that have scary or spooky themes. She admits to being more of a Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew mystery gal herself, but she said she’s ordered some new titles that qualify for the horror genre for those adventurous readers.

Recently, a group of youngsters came in near closing time – already in their pj’s – to check out books (maybe for that evening’s bedtime reading). Peters said one of the children requested a particular title that was not available, but all was not lost. Peters said she helped her find another chapter book that was part of a series, so now maybe this young patron has another set of books to enjoy from the library.v

There’s always something to discover at the library. Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn about available programs and services for youth and adults.

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MPH Shines A Pink Light On Breast Cancer Awareness

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Information courtesy of Donna Young, MPH Market Coordinator, Communications and Marketing

Pink lights will illuminate the Maria Parham Health campus in Henderson through the month of October as the hospital observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The front entrance will be bathed in a pink glow, serving as a reminder for women to get screened for breast cancer, which the American Cancer Society said claims 40,000 lives each year.

Breast cancer is most treatable and curable when detected at its earliest stages. clinical breast examinations and mammography are key to early detection. Women should ideally have a clinical breast exam every three years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40. Women should also have yearly mammograms starting at age 40.

“The impact of cancer on an individual, their family and loved ones is profound and can be devastating,” said Bert Beard, Maria Parham’s CEO. “With the advancements in surveillance and detection of breast cancer, it is really a matter of creating awareness and educating our communities of the importance of screenings and mammograms. Going pink is just one more way we remind everyone to be aware, take action, and get screened.”

Maria Parham Health will also observe “Pink-Out Day” on Oct. 20, when team members at all MPH facilities will don pink attire in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

If you would like to schedule a mammogram or talk with a provider about your breast health, call 800-424-DOCS. For more information on breast cancer and mammograms, visit https://www.breastcancer.org/  and https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/.

The Local Skinny! VGCC Craft Show Fundraiser Is This Saturday

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Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

 

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation is sponsoring a fall craft show fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 14 to help fill the shelves of the school’s food pantry. The community is invited to come out from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The admission “price” per person is a donation of three food items that can be used in the food pantry – think canned goods, non-perishable items or paper products, organizers say.

VGCC Foundation Associate Director Sheri Jones said more than 45 vendors – many from the four-county area that VGCC serves – will be set up and ready for business Saturday.

“This is a way to stock our food pantry, as we have seen an increase in usage over the last few months,” Jones said.

All proceeds from the event will go toward stocking the shelves of the food pantry, which serves currently enrolled students, as well as faculty and staff.

Call 252.738.3323 or email douglasa@vgcc.edu to learn more.

VGCC students and employees in need of food pantry services may learn more at www.vgcc.edu/food-pantry.

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UNC Football Outplayed Syracuse to Remain Undefeated

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— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

An impressive display of consistent explosive runs on offense and strong tackles on defense from the North Carolina Tar Heels (UNC) paved the way for an impressive 40-7 win over Syracuse.

On offense, UNC quarterback Drake Maye completed 33 passes for 442 yards. He connected with 11 receivers, including Devontez Walker, who caught six passes for 43 yards in his debut for UNC. After weeks of backlash, the NCAA reversed course and granted Walker, the two-time transfer, immediate eligibility a few days before the game. As Walker led his team onto the field before kickoff, cheers erupted throughout the stadium.

“I just felt blessed to be out there, said Walker. My teammates have been in my corner since I arrived.”

UNC’s potent offense started strong, executing 14 plays for 64 yards. Through a dynamic ground game, UNC quickly reached the red zone. However, the drive stalled out 11 yards outside of the end zone. Then kicker Noah Burnette made a 29-yard field goal to give UNC an early lead.

Throughout the remainder of the first half, Maye had plenty of options on offense. He distributed the ball to numerous playmakers to score three consecutive touchdowns.

“North Carolina is a fantastic football team, and I tip my hat to Mack Brown, said Syracuse head coach Dino Babers. Today, they were fantastic on offense, fantastic on defense, and I think they’re going to go a long way this season.”

In contrast, Syracuse’s run-heavy offensive unit struggled to build momentum against UNC’s aggressive defense. Therefore, the unit had to punt the ball away on all four of its first-half possessions.

Although Syracuse demonstrated offensive efficiency at the start of the second half by scoring on its first possession, the momentum quickly dissipated with no room to run.

UNC’s defense, led by linebacker Cedric Gray, defensive back Don Chapman, and defensive lineman Myles Murphy, intercepted two passes and amassed 51 total tackles, one sack, and three TFLs.

Vance Sheriff Accepts $691,536 From N.C. Rep. Sossamon For Body-Worn Cameras

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame wants his employees to be safe when they are performing their duties, and he’s crunched the numbers, so he knows the price tag for state-of-the-art equipment.

When he learned that local legislators could make a request for body-worn cameras and supporting equipment from something called non-recurring funds, he got in touch with N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon, (R. Dist. 32) who represents Vance County and most of Granville County.

“I gave him the numbers and the platform (information and) it was granted, thank God,” Brame told WIZS News in advance of a meeting Thursday, where Sossamon presented a check to Brame and county officials for $691,536.

“This will be a big help for us,” Brame said. The funds will be used to outfit sheriff’s staff and detention staff with body-worn cameras and the supporting equipment needed to upload and store video footage. In addition to providing an extra layer of protection for the officer, Brame said the cameras will be useful if a situation were to arise and false claims are lodged against his officers.

In an interview earlier this week, Sossamon said he’s “elated” for Brame, his staff, and the residents of Vance County.

“We have some appropriation chairs that are very, very pro law enforcement,” Sossamon said in an interview this week. “Any time they can support law enforcement, they’re going to do it.”

The equipment, Sossamon predicted, will be a selling point for recruiting, not to mention “a morale booster for the sheriff and for his officers.”

Check Receipts For Accuracy – Scanning Errors Do Occur!

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Two area retailers have paid penalties totaling more than $4,700 in civil penalties for error rates in advertised prices and the prices that ring up at the register, according to information from the N.C. Department of Agriculture’s Standards Division.

The Walgreens located at 201 Trade St., Henderson paid $495 in September following a string of inspections over several months, during which the error rate fell from 14 percent to a passing level in August. The 14 percent error rate in February was based on 7 overcharges in a 50-item lot; subsequent follow-up inspections found error rates of 3.67 percent in March, based on 11 overcharges in a 300-item lot and a 6.67 percent error rate in May, based on 20 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in August and paid its penalty in September, according to the NCDA report.

The Warrenton Dollar General, 211 E. Macon St., paid $4,245 following an initial inspection in July found an error rate of 40 percent and a follow-up inspection in August showed an 18.33 percent error rate.

The store will be reinspected.

The July inspection showed 20 overcharges in a 50-item lot; the August inspection found an error rate of 18.33% based on 55 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.

“Our Standards Division does excellent work inspecting stores across the state for scanner errors that hurt consumers’ pockets,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “North Carolinians should only have to pay the price they see on the shelf and  this work is vital to make sure that happens. Our Standards Division will continue to inspect stores, but consumers should also check their receipts often and notify store managers if they see an issue.”

 

The department conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems in businesses to check for accuracy between the prices advertised and the prices that ring up at the register. If a store has more than a 2 percent error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss the findings with the store manager and conduct a more intensive follow-up inspection later. Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store. Consumers who would like to file a complaint about scanner errors they encounter, can call the Standards Division at 984.236.4750.

 

Penalties are assessed if a store fails a follow-up inspection. In addition to the penalties paid, the store will be subject to reinspection every 60 days from the last inspection until the error rate is at 2 percent or lower. Additional penalties may be assessed if a store fails reinspection.

Triangle North Businesss Park Future Home Of VGCC Training Facility

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It’s been a few years in the making, but a contingent of local officials joined Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and others Wednesday afternoon to celebrate a facility – yet to be built – that will support future training needs for existing and prospective industry.

VGCC is getting $11.5 million in the newly passed state budget, and N.C. Rep Frank Sossamon (R-Dist. 32) provided key support in getting the funding for his district, which in cludes Vance and most of Granville counties. Sossamon was  among those present Wednesday at the Triangle North Industrial Park, located in Granville County off U.S. 158 near I-85.

According to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel, 15 acres on the campus of the business park have been set aside for construction of the facility, the result of a collaboration among Granville County Economic Development, Kerr-Tar Council of Governments and the Triangle North board.

In her remarks at the event, Desmarais said the Triangle North Business Park represents a true collaboration among a cross-section of agencies, and it’s something that attracted her to the area. “I saw collaboration that I hadn’t seen before,” she said. “Today’s announcement is very important, for the people of Granville County and Vance County and the entire service area” the college supports.

No dates have been released for when work will begin, but this could well be the first to locate in the park. That fits in with Desmarais’s vision for VGCC to be a catalyst to build strong communities.

“Workforce development plus economic development equals regional prosperity,” Desmarais said.

The facility will support industry training needs in the areas of industrial maintenance, mechatronics, electronics, welding, and fabrication; serve as an advanced manufacturing company recruitment benefit; and support collaborative high school and college career and technical education partnerships. An investment of this magnitude will send a powerful message to current and future manufacturing stakeholders that our region values the manufacturing sector, supports growth and innovation, and increases employee value.

Abdul Rasheed, vice-chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees, talked about the impact the facility will have on the community.

“Doing this kind of investment begins to shape the kind of jobs, the kind of salaries, the kind of quality of life that we want for ourselves,” Rasheed said. “And that is very, very exciting to me.”

Granville County Board of Commissioners Chairman Russ May echoed sentiments from other speakers. This state funding makes possible the “beginning of some really great things for this community,” May said. “This is a start for much bigger and greater things for Granville and for Vance counties,” he said.

Additional construction funding will come from Granville County and from VGCC’s Board of Trustees.