National School Choice Week

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Parents encouraged to apply for Opportunity Scholarships Now

Raleigh, NC – Parents of more than 280,000 students choose non-traditional education options in North Carolina.  This week is National School Choice Week.  “I have been a strong advocate for parental school choice during my tenure in the North Carolina General Assembly,” said Representative Paul Stam.  “I believe that parents should have school choice options among traditional public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and home schools,” he continued.  Competition and choice work for schools just like it works for any other business or industry.  Where school choice exists, all schools improve.

The legislature passed the Opportunity Scholarship program that allows families to receive up to $4,200 per year to attend a participating private school of their choice.  There are scholarships remaining for the spring semester of the current school year.  Applications for the current school year must be completed by January 31, 2016.

The application period opens for next school year (fall 2016- spring 2017) on February 1, 2016.  The priority application period for next school year ends on March 1, 2016.  The application period will remain open as long as funding is available.  There is funding for approximately 6,000 scholarships per year.  Parents may complete a scholarship application by going to the website of the North Carolina Education Assistance Authority at www.ncseaa.edu.

To be eligible for the scholarship the student must have attended a public school the previous school year. The prior public school experience is waived for students entering kindergarten or first grade.  Also, parents must meet income limits to be eligible for the scholarship.  The income limits varies based upon the number of people in the household.  For example, for a family of four the household income must be less than $59,667 per year.

“I encourage eligible families to apply now for the Opportunity Scholarships,” said Representative Stam.  If they have any questions, they may contact the North Carolina Education Assistance Authority at 1-855-330-3955 (toll-free).

(This information came to WIZS in the form of a Press Release from N.C. Rep. Paul Stam of Wake County.)

News 01/26/16

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News 01/25/16

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WIZS Marketing Press Release

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Kevin Bullock, Senior Marketing Consultant at WIZS radio, has successfully met the requirements to earn the designation of Certified Radio Sales Manager (CRSM) as certified by the Radio Advertising Bureau.

The CRSM designation is awarded to managers who have completed a comprehensive training program and successfully passed a final exam that tests their knowledge and management skill sets. The certification was developed and administered by the Radio Advertising Bureau.

This is Bullock’s fourth marketing certification from the RAB.

The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) is the sales and marketing arm of the Radio industry. Today RAB constituents number nearly 7,000 members including some 6,000 stations in the U.S., and over 1,000 associate members in networks, representative firms, sales and international organizations. RAB leads and participates in educational, research, sales, and advocacy programs that promote and advance Radio as a primary advertising. medium.

Winter Weather

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WIZS.com – Facebook/wizsradio – Twitter/wizsradio

Check Back for additional Closings and Delays

 

Send Your Closing or Delay to:
johncharles@wizs.com
or text to 2524320774

 

Closings & Delays

Schools

  • Crossroads Christian Schools – CLOSED Tuesday, January 26.
  • Granville County Public Schools – CLOSED Tuesday, January 26, for all students and school system employees. This Saturday, January 30 will be a make-up school day. School will open on an early release schedule on this day. Making up instructional hours this Saturday will help protect our calendar for the remainder of the year.
  • Vance County Public Schools – CLOSED Tuesday, January 26, for all students and school system employees.
  • Vance-Granville Community College – All VGCC campuses will open at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 26.
  • Victory Christian School and Daycare – CLOSED Tuesday, January 26.

 

Court

  • The District Attorney’s offices – in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties will open at 9:30 am on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.  Franklin County District Court, Vance County District Court and Vance County CMS Court will begin at 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.  Granville County Superior Trial Court will begin at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.  Anyone who missed his/her court date Monday, because of court cancellations, will be mailed a notice by the Clerk of Court notifying of a new court date.

Winter Storm Jonas Update

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Winter Storm Jonas continues to make travel difficult throughout Vance County.

Snow fall totals received thus far are approximately three inches with localized higher amounts in certain areas of the County.

Additional snow accumulation on Saturday is expected to total three to four inches before the last the system moves out of the area.

Vance County did not receive the amount of ice accumulation that was forecast, which was very fortunate.

Only a few power outages were reported to the 911 Center and Emergency Operations Center, according to Brian Short, Director of Emergency Management for Henderson and Vance County. Duke Energy reports that there are currently no outages in Vance County.

Roadways continue to be dangerous and residents are still encouraged to stay at home unless they absolutely must venture out.

A local Proclamation of a State of Emergency remains in effect for Vance County.

Presently there are no shelters open, and Short says he does not foresee the need to open any at this point.

The 911 Center is currently overstaffed and will remain so throughout the event.

(Information received in the form of a press release from Brian Short, who wrote the majority of the above script.)

News 01/22/16

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NCDOT and Highway Patrol Implement “Quick Clearance Law” Due to Impending Winter Storm

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NORTH CAROLINA STATE HIGHWAY PATROL·THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016

For the safety of the traveling public and to ensure that plow, salt and sand trucks can effectively work to clear roads, NCDOT is working closely with the State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement to identify and move abandoned vehicles that are blocking travel lanes or constitutes an immediate safety hazard.
Under the current state of emergency and North Carolina’s Quick Clearance Law, NCDOT’s IMAP (Incident Management Assistance Patrol) trucks are moving cars to the shoulder when possible. In other cases, the Highway Patrol and local law enforcement are coordinating with towing companies to have the vehicles removed.
Troopers, National Guard soldiers, other law enforcement and IMAP crews will be checking all abandoned vehicles to ensure they are not occupied. Drivers whose vehicles are abandoned within a city limits need to call their local police department. If the vehicle is off the roadway and is not considered a safety hazard, it will NOT immediately be towed.
For drivers to locate abandoned vehicles outside city limits, please visit NCDPS – Towed / Stored Vehicle Search.
NCDOT crews will be working to clear roads and restore safe driving conditions as quickly as possible as the impending winter storm approaches.

Local Governments Declare State of Emergency

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Local Proclamation of a State Of Emergency Winter Storm Jonas

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

The following Proclamation is issued by the Mayor of the City of Henderson and the Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners:

WHEREAS, information from the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other sources indicate that a significant winter storm is approaching North Carolina and is likely to produce considerable frozen precipitation; and

WHEREAS, this frozen precipitation is expected to be comprised snow, sleet and freezing rain, which is expected to cause power outages; and

WHEREAS, there is a high probability that this storm will create travel and other hazards for the citizens of Vance County and the City of Henderson within the next several hours; and WHEREAS, the weather conditions associated with this winter storm are such as to constitute a potential and imminent threat to life and property;1

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority contained in Article 1 of N.C.G.S. Chapter 166A, Article 36A ofN.C.G.S. Chapter 14, and Section 5 of the Local Emergency Management Ordinance, I, Eddie Ellington, Mayor of the City of Henderson, and I, Gordon Wilder, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists within the City of Henderson and County of Vance.

I further proclaim that the ordinances set forth below, which are contained in Section 5 of the Local Emergency Management Ordinance of Vance County are necessary in order to maintain an acceptable level of public order, services, and protection of lives, safety and property during this emergency, and that the same shall be in effect within the City of Henderson and County of Vance until this Proclamation
expires or is rescinded. I hereby order all City and County law enforcement officers, public safety personnel and all other emergency management personnel subject to my control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the emergency ordinances
set forth below.5

A. General Emergency Protective Measures are in place. No public restrictions are imposed at this time.

I further proclaim that the Emergency Operations Plan adopted by the City of Henderson and County of Vance, and all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements are in effect and shall remain in effect until this proclamation expires or is rescinded. All emergency personnel are hereby ordered to cooperate in the implementation of the provisions of the Emergency Operations Plan and all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements, and to furnish assistance thereunder.

I direct that copies of this Proclamation be disseminated to the mass
communications media for publication and broadcast, and that a copy of this Proclamation be posted in City Hall as well as the Vance County Courthouse and other public buildings as appropriate.

This Proclamation shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect for a Period of five days unless sooner rescinded pursuant to a.s. 14-288.16.

(This document as supplied to WIZS News is signed by Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington and Gordon Wilder, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners.)

N.C. Gov. Declares State of Emergency

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Press Release

Governor Declares State of Emergency as North Carolina Prepares for Winter Storm 
Snow and ice could cause power outages, dangerous driving conditions
Raleigh, N.C. – Governor Pat McCrory is urging North Carolinians to prepare for winter weather and monitor local forecasts as the state’s first significant winter storm moves in later today.  McCrory will activate the State Emergency Response Team today and has declared a State of Emergency to prepare for expected snow and ice accumulations over the next 36 to 48 hours.
“Given the snow and ice accumulations that are predicted, combined with gusty winds and already saturated grounds, this storm has serious potential,” said Governor McCrory. “Ice accumulations of one quarter inch or more can weaken tree limbs and lead to downed power lines. Needless to say, we’re watching this storm very carefully.”  
Wednesday’s cold front brought two to four inches of snow to the mountains, while portions of central North Carolina saw a trace of snow.  The storm system moving into the state later today is expected to bring another eight to 18 inches of snow across much of the mountains; four to eight inches of snow plus one quarter inch of ice across the Triad; one to four inches of snow plus one quarter to one half inch of ice across the Triangle; and two to four inches of snow with an additional one quarter to four-tenths inch of ice in the Charlotte region. Eastern and coastal counties are expected to get mostly rain with perhaps a mix of freezing rain.
The wintery conditions caused two weather-related fatalities late Wednesday. A Forsyth County woman died after she lost control of her car on a sleet and snow-covered road and struck another vehicle head on. In Stokes County, a woman died after she lost control of her car on a snow-covered road and ended up in a creek.
“As we’ve already seen, these conditions can be treacherous,” said Department of Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry. “If you can stay off the roads when the frozen precipitation begins, please do. If you must be out, we can’t overemphasize the importance of following safe driving tips.”
Governor McCrory said state agencies began preparing for the storm Tuesday. North Carolina Emergency Management has been working with counties to assess and mobilize resources and state transportation crews have been treating roadways. Already, NCDOT crews have spread more than 1.1 million gallons of brine, a salt and water solution which prevents ice from bonding to the roadways.
Other state preparations include:
  • All state highway patrol troopers activated or on standby
  • 15 teams of National Guard soldiers in Humvees are positioned across western and central North Carolina to assist stranded motorists
  • Chain saw crews are on standby to quickly clear blocked roadways
  • NCDOT has staged extra equipment and personnel near typical travel trouble spots along I-77 in Surry County; I-40 in McDowell County and I-26 in Polk and Henderson counties.
Late Wednesday, the governor signed a State of Emergency declaration and issued executive orders waiving certain vehicle weight and service hour requirements.  Executed under the Emergency Management Act, the State of Emergency declaration enables the governor to mobilize the necessary resources to respond to a storm. It also is the first step in seeking federal funds to help defray the cost of providing emergency services, clearing debris and repairing any damaged public infrastructure. The executive order waives restrictions on weight and the hours of service for fuel, utility and other truck drivers that may be working to deliver supplies, restore services or clear debris in response to the winter storm. Both orders are in effect for 30 days but could be canceled earlier if conditions warrant.
“Our state agencies are ready for this winter storm,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry. “We need North Carolinians to partner with us in storm preparation by getting their emergency supply kits together, fueling their vehicles and gathering needed heating supplies.”
More information about storm response and recovery efforts can be found on www.ReadyNC.org or by following @NCEmergency on Facebook and Twitter. Real-time information about weather and road conditions and other emergency preparedness actions can be found via the free ReadyNC mobile app.

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