City Fire Chief

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The process of selecting a fire chief for the Henderson Fire Department is underway, with applications in hand and interviews being set up, according to City Manager Frank Frazier.

August 31 is the date that former Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson retired after 40 years of service to the department and 16 years as chief.  Assistant Fire Chief Steve Cordell is serving as Interim Fire Chief during the application and selection process.

Frazier said, “I have received 11 applications from human resources that I am reviewing and should be setting up interviews over the next two weeks or so.  There are several internal applicants.  Besides the internal applicants, most of the other applicants are not local.”

One of those 11 applications is that of Interim Fire Chief Cordell.  Cordell expressed his excitement about being selected as the interim chief.  He said, “I would love to be the next fire chief and to provide the leadership needed to move the department forward.”

Frazier said, “The City of Henderson Fire Department has maintained a very good record and has been actively involved in the community for many years, so we certainly want that to continue.  Our department has experienced a good amount of retirement of seasoned firefighters, so it will be important for the new chief to provide leadership to insure that training and other aspects of running the fire department are passed on to the newer firefighters.”

Cordell said, if selected as chief, he would love to continue the good things going on in the department and the opportunity to carry the department successfully into the future.

A little more than a month ago, former Chief Wilkerson said, “We restructured the department some after he (Ranger) retired, and they may do that again when I leave, but the mission is still the same.”  He agreed that it was to protect and serve.

Danny Wilkerson started as a firefighter on July 24, 1975.  On April 1, 1999, Chief Danny Wilkerson became chief as former Chief Ranger Wilkerson retired.  Ranger served 40 total years and 32 years as chief.  All together, their time protecting and serving spanned 55 consecutive years.

Wilkerson reflected to a time in 2009 when deadly fires occurred in Henderson almost back to back.  Several young people had perished.  He said, “I felt like we were doing something wrong.  That’s when we started our fire inspection program, and we haven’t had a fire death since then.  We try to get into every home in the city limits and do inspections, get the person a smoke detector and install it.”

The interviews for the new chief are being conducted by Frazier as well as the human resources director.  Applications are still being accepted as of the time of this publication.



 


OBESITY A SOUTHERN TRADITION
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A SOUTHERN TRADITION & A MAJOR HEATH PROBLEM


As a group, southern states tend to lead the pack when it comes to being significantly overweight or, in technical terms, obese.


Arkansas is by far the leader in adult obesity with a trend line that is only rivaled by Mississippi.  Arkansas’ obesity rate is 35.9% with Mississippi at 35.5%, based on 2014 data.


North Carolina is in the middle of the pack, with an obesity rate of 29.7% in 2014.


Obesity in North Carolina:


    

  •    Year       % of Population       US Ranking
    • 

  •    1990                 12.3                            9th
    • 

  •    1995                 16.3                          12th
    • 

  •    2000                 20.9                           11th
    • 

  •    2005                 24.7                           17th
    • 

  •    2010                 29.4                           14th
    • 

  •    2014                 29.7                           24th
    • 



Cost of Obesity in North Carolina


Heart Disease, Arthritis and Obesity related Cancer are the major diseases that relate to both Medical Claims & Hospital Charges, not counting Lost Productivity on the job.


The chart below details the total cost of Unhealthy Lifestyles in NC.  Note that excess weight is the largest contributor to the overall cost; add in Diabetes, Hypertension and High Cholesterol and you can see the total cost of Obesity.


Obesity Chart


 


Vance-Granville Basketball Ready for 2015-2016 Season
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by Kevin Bullock


The Vance-Granville Community College Vanguard Basketball Team kicked off the season on October 1st with media day at Western Vance High School. Coach Michael Woody introduced the 2015-2016 version of the Vanguards to the media, and allowed questions after a 15 minute scrimmage in the Western Vance Gym. Below is the active roster for VGCC Basketball.


Aaron Robinson, Freshman, Shooting Guard, Southern Alamance High School


Alcyone Moore, Sophomore, Shooting Guard, Myers Park High School


Chris Pernell, Freshman, Shooting Guard, East Wake School of Arts


Darius Williams, Freshman, Small Forward, Carvers Bay High School (SC)


Phillip Williams, Freshman, Power Forward, Hemingway High School (SC)


Donal Gooch, Jr, Freshman, Power Forward, East Wake School of Arts


Dy’Quan Marrow, Freshman, Point Guard, Northern Vance High School


Joseph Avery, Freshman, Off-Guard, Westover High School


Raekwon Hall, Sophomore, Point Guard, Wakefield High School


TyQuon Reid, Freshman, Point Guard, Hillside High School


Tyrek Beverly, Sophomore, Off-Guard, J.F. Webb High School


Antonio Adams, Freshman, Small Forward, J.F. Webb High School


Anthony Mims, Freshman, Small Forward, Northern Vance High School


Stefan Cates, Sophomore, Off-Guard, J.F. Webb High School


Coach Woody is excited about the opener against Wake Tech, but acknowledges that they may not be Vance-Granville’s primary rival this year. Woody said, “Everybody thinks that Wake Tech is our big rival, but we’ve got Pitt circled on the calendar.” Vance-Granville will play their home games this year at Aycock Recreation Center. See their full schedule below.


 


Oct 24              Juco Jamboree (Scrimmage)                  Myrtle Beach SC                                  TBD


Oct 27              Saint Andrews University (Scrimmage)  Laurinburg SC                                       TBD


Nov. 6                      Wake Tech                 Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm


Nov. 10           Brayant Stratton         Aycock Recreation Center                6:00pm


Nov. 14                       Davidson Co. CC        Aycock Recreation Center                3:00pm


Nov. 16                        Saint Andrews              Saint Andrews                                      6:00pm


Nov. 18                      Patrick Henry CC       Aycock Recreation Center                6:00pm


Nov. 20                       Univ. of VA at Lynchburg Aycock Recreation Center                      7:00pm                                    


Nov. 24                        Richard Bland College   Richard Bland College                           7:00pm


Dec. 2              Louisburg College      Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm


Dec. 4              Pitt CC Tournament      TBD                                                     TBD


Dec. 8              Central Carolina CC      Central Carolina CC                              7:00pm


Jan. 5              USC-Salkehatchie       Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm


Jan. 7              Lenoir CC                   Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm


Jan. 11              Methodist Univ.             Methodist University                              8:00pm


Jan. 13              Patrick Henry CC         Patrick Henry CC                                 6:00pm


Jan. 18              Louisburg College          Louisburg College                                  3:00pm


Jan. 19              Lenoir CC                     Lenoir CC                                             7:00pm


Jan. 23              Guildford Tech CC        Guildford Tech CC                                3:00pm


Jan. 25              Pitt CC                         Pitt CC                                                 7:00pm


Jan. 27                        Catawba Valley CC     Aycock Recreation Center                6:30pm


Feb. 3              Richard Bland College           Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm


Feb. 5               Mid-Atlantic Christian    Mid-Atlantic Christian                            6:00pm


Feb. 8               Wake Tech CC             Wake Tech CC                                     7:00pm


Feb. 11                        Pitt CC                                    Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm


Feb. 13             Bryant/Stratton College  Bryant/Stratton College                          3:00pm


Feb. 15             Sandhills CC                 Sandhills CC                                         6:00pm


Feb. 16             Catawba Valley CC      Catawba Valley CC                              6:30pm


Feb. 23                        Guildford Tech CC     Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm


 


Home Games are Bold


VGCC defeats Central Carolina in women’s volleyball match
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via Andrew Beal


The Vance-Granville Community College women’s volleyball team notched another Region X conference victory on Sept. 29, with a 3-0 win (25-16, 25-18 and 25-18) at home over the Cougars from Central Carolina Community College. That brought the Vanguards’ record to 7-5 (3-2 in conference play).


Kara Reese of Henderson led VGCC in kills (12) and in blocks (six). Reese and Rachel Thomas of Louisburg also contributed ten digs apiece. Caitlyn Robins of Creedmoor was dominant in digs (15) and aces (six) while also posting five kills. As in VGCC’s previous conference wins, Melissa Elliott of Townsville was the team leader in assists, with 26 this time.


“After starting out slowly in our first two sets, we settled down and played good defense,” said VGCC Coach Christopher Young. “We had strong performances from Rachel Thomas, Caitlyn Robins and Morgan Carter, great blocking from Jesse Edwards and Kara Reese, and Melissa Elliott did a great job setting up hitters. Jesse left the third set early with an injury, but we stayed the course with strong defense and pulled away with the 3-0 victory.”


VGCC was coming off a pair of non-conference losses on the road at nearby Louisburg College. In the first match of the Sept. 22 doubleheader, the Hurricanes won in three sets (25-21, 25-14 and 25-18). In the second match, VGCC lost the first two sets to Louisburg, 25-22 and 25-17, came back to win the third set, 25-17, but lost the fourth, 25-10.


Over the course of both Louisburg matches, Reese and Robins each had 19 digs, while Edwards and Thomas each had 18. Edwards recorded the most kills (12) and blocks (15). Elliott led the Vanguards in assists, with a total of 32.


The next home match for the Vanguards is set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson. The visiting opponent is the squad from Davidson County Community College. Doubleheaders at Aycock versus Rockingham Community College on Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. and Laurel University on Oct. 10 at noon will wrap up VGCC’s home schedule for 2015.


GrassStreet
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Our very own “GrassStreet” band from Henderson will be performing this week at the International Bluegrass Music Association event, taking place for the third straight year in Raleigh.  This is a big deal.


Wayne Kinton, musician and band leader, says, “We’re just glad they let us come over here to do a few shows.”  That’s Kinton’s modesty for you.  David Kinton plays bass/mandolin, Ricky Hargis is on the banjo and Tab Kearns the dobro.


GrassStreet IBMA


GrassStreet sends out regular email updates, and the most recent installment reads like this:


Hello from IBMA World of Bluegrass in beautiful Raleigh, NC! We’re excited that the center of the bluegrass world is once again in Raleigh for the 3rd straight year. We’ll be learning from the experts on the business and musical side of the music we love all week long. Plus we’ll get to pick a little too towards the end of the week.


If you’ll be in town for the big event, be sure to stop by and say hey during one of our performances. Also, if you’re not sure what all the fuss is about, check out https://ibma.org/world-of-bluegrass/ or https://www.wideopenbluegrass.com/index.php for more info.


In addition to the ticketed events, there’s lots of free music going on this week.


THURSDAY, OCT. 1st from 6-7pm – The Architect (108 E Hargett St) – $10 cover; part of the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble (https://www.ibma.org/world-of-bluegrass/bluegrass-ramble)


FRIDAY, OCT. 2nd from 5-7pm – Brasco Marketing (305 W Martin St) – Free show! Part of the First Friday Raleigh, featuring local art and music. See www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh for info


SATURDAY, OCT. 3rd –  All free shows during the Wide Open Bluegrass StreetFest 2-3pm – Common 414 (414 Fayetteville St) 5-6pm – High Lonesome Strings Stage (Fayetteville St between Davie & Martin) 7-9pm – Paddy O’Beers (121 Fayetteville St)


Whew! That’s all for now. Going to be a busy and fun week of bluegrass


Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for highlights from out adventures in the city!


Wayne, David, Ricky & Tab


www.grassstreet.net


County Fire & EMS
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Vance County Welcomes Chris Wright as Fire Chief


Vance County is pleased to announce Chief Chris Wright has joined the County to lead the County’s Fire Department. In his position, Mr. Wright will be responsible for leading the Department of 35 full and part time employees and providing guidance

alongside of the EMS Director for the reorganization separating the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Departments.


Wright, a native and lifelong resident of Vance County, comes highly qualified. He has served as the Chief of the Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department for the past seven years and most recently has worked as a Fire Lieutenant with the Youngsville Fire Department. Also over the course of his career he has held positions as a Training/Safety Officer as well as a Fire Captain with the City of Henderson where he spent 11 years. Additionally he has served as the Emergency Services Director and Fire Marshal for over four years in a neighboring county. Chief Wright holds a level III Fire Inspector license in addition to numerous other fire certifications and serves as an instructor at the Vance Granville Community College teaching courses in Firefighting level I & II, Live Fire, Pump Operator, Aerial Operator and Emergency response.


Wright holds an associate’s degree in Fire Protection Technology as well as in Emergency Preparedness Technology from Durham Technical Community College and has been involved in emergency services within Vance County and surrounding counties for over 25 years.


Vance County Announces Javier Plummer as EMS Director


Vance County is pleased to announce Mr. Javier Plummer has been promoted to EMS Director to lead the county’s Emergency Medical Services Department. In his new position, Mr. Plummer will be responsible for leading the Department of 45 full

and part time employees and providing guidance alongside of the Fire Chief for the reorganization separating the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Departments.


Plummer, a native and lifelong resident of Vance County, is a highly qualified paramedic who has spent his entire professional career with the County for over 15 years. In his current role as a captain and paramedic, he has worked closely with the current battalion chiefs and has been a steady presence overseeing personnel on his shift. Mr. Plummer is well regarded for his demeanor and paramedic skills and is poised to lead the Department. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from North Carolina Central University and holds numerous certificates on the basic, intermediate, and paramedic level as an Emergency Medical Technician.


District 5 Wright Seat
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In the wake of longtime District 5 Vance County Commissioner Eddie L. Wright passing away earlier this month on the eighth, the Vance County Board of Commissioners now faces a November ninth deadline.


Eddie L. Wright


Vance County Attorney Jonathan Care provided WIZS News with the North Carolina General Statute.  N.C. G. S. 153a-27 essentially means the newly appointed board member must be of the same political party, a resident of the same district, that the board shall consult the county executive committee of, in this case, the Democratic Party and, if an appointment is not made within 60 days, then the appointment is to be made by the Clerk of Court.  Neither the board nor the clerk is bound by the Democratic Executive Committee’s recommendation.


The 60-day deadline means the commissioners must approve a name to fill Wright’s unexpired term by November ninth.


As a part of the process, Archie B. Taylor, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, has sent a request to the chairman of the local Democratic party asking for the names of individuals good for the position who fulfill the requirements.


Care said the commissioners asked for the nominations to be given “by the 16th of October, which gives the commissioners a chance to make a selection at the regular meeting on November 2 or have a special called meeting before that if they feel the need.”


The Democratic Party of Vance County met this past Saturday and elected a new chair, Audry Davis, among other officers.  Betty Boyd, who is the Third Vice Chair and in charge of publicity, told WIZS News, “(The) Executive Board will meet in the next week to nominate a replacement to finish Rev. Wright’s term.”


Whoever is appointed will fill the seat for approximately one year because the district 5 seat was already due for election in 2016 anyway.  At that point, if the appointee chooses to run for the seat, he or she will either be elected or defeated by a challenger.


Wright was first elected in 2000.  He served on the Granville-Vance Public Health District Board and was a minister of a local church.


Soon after Wright’s death, the news was not as much about this process or who the appointee would be, but rather more about Wright himself.  At that time, Taylor said Wright’s death had come as a shock to him as it had to many others.  While Wright had suffered from joint ailments for years, no one in the public seemed to expect his death.


Taylor said, “The county is going to feel his abscence.  He was a man of great faith and spiritual beliefs, an elder of the church, a pastor and preacher, and he was a champion of the little man.  He was definately wanting of a better quality of life for everyone in this county.  He was a great advocate for those who didn’t have a voice.  He is going to be missed.


“His voice of reason and compassion will be missed.  He showed his faith by his work.  (Wright) had a very supportive family during this illness.  They have been extremely supportive of him and that speaks highly of them and their spiritual values.”


VGCC Ambassadors Announced
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Vance-Granville Community College has selected 13 outstanding students to serve as ambassadors during the 2015-2016 school year. Ambassadors represent the college at special campus and community functions, among other duties.


This year’s ambassadors include Dianna DeWeese of Creedmoor (Accounting and Business Administration), who serves as lead ambassador; Emory Gant-Hawkins of Henderson (Culinary Arts); Joy Herndon of Henderson (College Transfer/Vance County Early College High School);  Tonya Parrish of Henderson (Radiography); Shane O’Malley of Inez (College Transfer/Warren Early College High School); Ambrianna Winston of Manson (Office Administration); Daniel Davis of Norlina (College Transfer/Warren Early College High School); Erica Medlin of Oxford (Associate Degree Nursing); Cadeema Scotland of Oxford (Accounting and Business Administration); Francis Scotland of Oxford (College Transfer); Michael Frink of Raleigh (College Transfer); Kathy Conant of Wake Forest (Medical Office Administration); and Adam Rooker of Wise (Criminal Justice).


VGCC Ambassadors 2015-16


To qualify as an Ambassador, a student must have attended VGCC for one year and have achieved a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average. Each nominee undergoes committee interviews.


The Vance-Granville Community College student ambassadors for 2015-2016 include, in front, from left: Shane O’Malley, Daniel Davis, Adam Rooker, Joy Herndon and Cadeema Scotland; in back, from left: Francis Scotland, Dianna DeWeese, Emory Gant-Hawkins, Tonya Parrish and Michael Frink; not pictured: Kathy Conant, Erica Medlin and Ambrianna Winston.


Ambassadors receive special training through workshops covering leadership, motivation, hospitality and etiquette. In order for them to be helpful and responsive to visitors, they receive instruction in the college’s history, programs and services. Their duties include serving as guides or hosts and hostesses at events such as commencement, orientation for new students, scholarship awards ceremonies, college-sponsored concerts and activities at the Civic Center, and the annual Career Day. For their services to the college, ambassadors receive a scholarship.


For more information about becoming a student ambassador, call Kay Currin at (252) 738-3409.


Marijuana Seized
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VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE


PRESS RELEASE


SEPTEMBER 24, 2015


ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015, THE VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONDUCTED A MARIJUANA ERADICATION OPERATION AND DISCOVERED ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE (155) MATURE PLANTS OFF OF NC 39 NORTH.


092215 Marijuana Seized Sheriff


THE PLANTS WERE SEIZED AND DESTROYED WITH AN ESTIMATED STREET VALUE OF $235,000.00.


ASSISTING IN THIS OPERATION WAS THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE HIGHWAY PATROL (HELICOPTER), ALCOHOL LAW ENFORCEMENT, STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT.


THIS IS A JOINT EFFORT AIMED AT ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROWTH AND SALES IN VANCE COUNTY.


NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AND THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.


SHERIFF PETER WHITE


Gunshot Death in City
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Press Release: September 28, 2015


On September 26, 2015 around 3:44 A.M., officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the area behind the Quick Mart, 517 E. Andrews Ave, Henderson in reference to a subject that was shot. Upon arrival, officers found Horace Jackson, 49, of 912 Hargrove Street, Henderson suffering from a gunshot wound. Vance County EMS arrived and transported Mr. Jackson to Maria Parham Medical Center where he (died).


The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division and the State Bureau of Investigation. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.


Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow