Wright’s Commission Seat To Be Filled

/by

The 60-day deadline to fill Eddie L. Wright’s District 5 Vance County Commission Seat is November 9.  Archie B. Taylor, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, 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.  Betty Boyd, who is the Third Vice Chair and in charge of publicity, told WIZS News, “We met last Thursday night (Oct 15) at Perry Library.  Four candidates made a three minute speech.  Leo Kelly received the nomination to serve the unexpired term of the late Eddie Wright.”

Vance County Clerk to the Board Kelly Grissom said, “It will go to the board on November 2.  If they decide to appoint him, it would be done during that meeting.  Then, he would be sworn in during the board’s December 7 meeting.”

The board is not bound by state statute to appoint Kelly, but all indications to date seem to suggest the Vance County Board of Commissioners will accept the Democratic Party’s nomination.

Commissioner Tommy Hester, who is Republican, said, “My personal opinion is, yes, I do expect that, but I’m only one vote.  And my vote is to go along with that because that’s up to the Democrats.  If that’s the recommendation, I’m going to vote for it.  I can only talk for myself.  If (Mr. Kelly) is who the Democratic party is recommending, that’s the normal procedure, and that would be who I think we should go with.”

Hester spoke of knowing Kelly for a longtime, his respect for Kelly and that Kelly “is an excellent person.”

Kelly was a longtime Dean at Vance Granville Community College.  A news article published by the college in 2009 quotes VGCC’s president at the time, Randy Parker, as saying, “Leo Kelly is the longest-serving full-time employee in the history of our college, and his dedicated leadership has made an enormous difference in the lives of so many people in our communities.”

Eddie L. WrightWhoever 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.”

As for the laws governing the appointment to Wright’s seat, 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.

Wheelchair Pedestrian Hit and Killed

/by

On October 21, 2015 around 9:12 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the area of E. Andrews Ave and US 1 South, Henderson in reference to a person that had been struck by a semi-truck.

Upon arrival, officers found the victim deceased from serious injuries.  The driver of the semi-truck struck the pedestrian in a wheelchair, and left the scene without contacting local authorities.  The semi-truck left in the direction of US 1 South towards Vanco Mill Road, Henderson.  The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department with the assistance from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.  The name of the victim is being withheld pending further investigation.

Companies that may have had their semi-trailer trucks in the area around the time of the collision are encouraged to contact the Henderson Police Department.

The Henderson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the semi-truck. 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 offer a reward up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

VGCC to hold Bone Marrow Registration events

/by

Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with the Project Life Movement and the “Save the Fox” campaign, is planning a four-county bone marrow registration drive in October.

Members of the community are invited to join VGCC students, faculty and staff at one of four events being held on each of the college’s campuses: Monday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the student lounge in Building 2 on Main Campus in Vance County; Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room on the Franklin County Campus near Louisburg; Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the seminar room (G1131) on South Campus, located between Creedmoor and Butner; and Thursday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in Building 2 on the Warren County Campus in Warrenton.

There will also be a station set up outside on each campus to assist visitors from the community.

At each event, participants will have their cheek swabbed to provide DNA that will enter a growing bone marrow donor registry. The painless registration process takes only a few minutes, but could save a life if a participant turns out to be a match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant. Such treatments are the only hope for many people diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other blood cancers and diseases. Around 60 percent of those in need of a donation currently cannot find a donor match, according to Project Life, a national movement that started with students at Davidson College and has spread to more than 25 other schools.

Project Life supports a local campaign called “Save the Fox,” named after North Carolina Superior Court Judge Carl Fox of Orange County. Judge Fox was diagnosed with blood cancer in April and needs a bone marrow transplant.

Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 55 and in good health to join the registry. A video from Project Life featuring Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is posted online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKVegqJS7hI  to demonstrate the easy cheek swab process.

“We are excited that students are taking the initiative on this drive,” said VGCC academic & career coach Seletha Pherribo, who is helping to organize the events. Nicholas Kemp of Franklinton, a Radiography student, is coordinating the drive at the college’s South Campus, while Associate Degree Nursing student Erica Medlin of Oxford is coordinating it on Main Campus. Medical Assisting students at VGCC’s Franklin Campus are taking the lead there. The Student Government Association and other student organizations will also be supporting the effort. “We hope to make this an annual tradition at VGCC, and register as many members of our community as possible,” Pherribo added. “As the ‘Save the Fox’ campaign says, ‘together, we can save lives.’”

For more information, contact Seletha Pherribo at (252) 738-3518 or pherribos@vgcc.edu or Dr. David S. Lindsay at (828) 772-0365 or www.projectlifemovement.org.

Anyone who is unable to attend one of the VGCC events but wants to join the registry can find more information at www.deletebloodcancer.org.

VGCC announces 2015-16 Vanguards Basketball schedule

/by

The Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team is scheduled to play at least 30 games during the 2015-2016 season, including 12 home games. This is the program’s third season under the leadership of head coach Michael Woody.

The Vanguards compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II, which includes ten two-year colleges in North Carolina and Virginia.

The regular season kicks off when VGCC hosts conference rival Wake Tech Community College on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. All home games are scheduled to be played at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson, and all are free and open to the public. The second home game, versus Bryant & Stratton College on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m., will be recognized as Veterans’ Appreciation Night.

VGCC’s tough conference schedule is again highlighted by area rival Louisburg College. VGCC welcomes the Hurricanes to Aycock on Dec. 2, before the Vanguards return the favor in Louisburg on Jan. 18. VGCC also plays the defending national champion, Richard Bland College, in Petersburg, Va., on Nov. 24 and at home on Feb. 3.

The regular season will continue through Feb. 23, with VGCC’s final scheduled game at home, versus Guilford Tech Community College. The team will celebrate “Sophomore Appreciation Night” at that game. After the regular season ends, the Vanguards are scheduled to participate in the NJCAA Division II Region X tournament. The first two rounds of the tournament are to be played at Richard Bland on Feb. 27-28. The semifinals and finals will follow at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, on Mar. 4-5.

Vance-Granville Community College

Men’s Basketball Schedule

2015-16

Date                             Opponent                                 Location                      Time

Nov. 6                          Wake Tech CC                         Aycock                         7 p.m.

Nov. 8                           Univ. of Mt. Olive JV                   Mt. Olive                       3 p.m.

Nov. 10                         Bryant & Stratton                     Aycock                         6 p.m.

Nov. 14                         Davidson Co. CC                      Aycock                         3 p.m.

Nov. 16                         Saint Andrews JV                      Saint Andrews               6 p.m.

Nov. 18                        Patrick Henry CC                     Aycock                         6 p.m.

Nov. 20                         Va. Univ. of Lynchburg            Aycock                         7 p.m. 

Nov. 22                         Central Carolina CC                    Sandhills CC*                3 p.m.

Nov. 24                         Richard Bland College                Richard Bland                7 p.m.

Dec. 2                          Louisburg College                   Aycock                         6:30 p.m.

Dec. 8                           Central Carolina CC                    Central Carolina CC        7 p.m.

Jan. 5                           USC-Salkehatchie                    Aycock                         7 p.m.

Jan. 7                           Lenoir CC                                Aycock                         7 p.m.

Jan. 11                          Methodist Univ. JV                     Methodist                      8 p.m.

Jan. 13                          Patrick Henry CC                       Patrick Henry CC           6 p.m.

Jan. 16                          UNC JV                         Dean Smith Center         9 a.m.

Jan. 18                          Louisburg College                      Louisburg                      3 p.m.

Jan. 19                          Lenoir CC                                  Lenoir CC                      7 p.m.

Jan. 23                          Guilford Tech CC                        Guilford Tech CC            3 p.m.

Jan. 25                          Pitt CC                                      Pitt CC                          7 p.m.

Jan. 27                         Catawba Valley CC                  Aycock                         6 p.m.

Feb. 3                          Richard Bland College                        Aycock                         7 p.m.

Feb. 5                           Mid-Atlantic Christian Univ.         Mid-Atlantic Christian     6 p.m.

Feb. 8                           Wake Tech CC                          Wake Tech CC              7 p.m.

Feb. 11                         Pitt CC                                     Aycock                         7 p.m.

Feb. 13                         Bryant & Stratton                       Bryant & Stratton           3 p.m.

Feb. 15                         Sandhills CC                             Sandhills CC                 6 p.m.

Feb. 16                         Catawba Valley CC                    Catawba Valley CC        6:30 p.m.

Feb. 19                         Va. Univ. of Lynchburg                Lynchburg                     7 p.m.

Feb. 23                         Guilford Tech CC                     Aycock                         7 p.m.

Feb. 27-28                     Region X Tournament                 Richard Bland                TBD

Opening Rounds

Mar. 4-5                        Region X Tournament                 Sandhills CC                 TBD

Semifinals & Finals

 

Bold = Home Game, to be played at Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson, N.C.

Schedule is subject to change.

*As part of the Region X Blast-Off Tournament.

 

Cooper Assistant Principal of Year

/by

David Cooper, of Aycock Elementary School, has been named the 2015-2016 Assistant Principal of the Year for Vance County Schools.

Cooper was surprised Tuesday morning by members of the Vance County Board of Education and school system administrators while he was in a classroom at his school.
Superintendent Anthony Jackson made the announcement that Cooper had won the prestigious honor. He was presented balloons by Ruth Hartness, a member of the board, and a planted dish garden by Dorothy Gooche, another member of the board. Ed Wilson, also a board member, participated in the presentation.
DJ Cooper Asst Prin Year 2015

Aycock Elementary Principal Kristen Boyd was on hand for the presentation as were several of the school’s faculty members. Following the surprise announcement, Cooper was greeted with cheers in a nearby hallway by students and teachers from the fifth, fourth and third-grade classrooms.

“I am so honored by this,” Cooper said. “I accept this award on behalf of our entire school.”

Cooper has been with Vance County Schools for more than 15 years. He began his career with the school system as a fifth-grade teacher at Dabney Elementary School. He was a teacher until 2012, when he became an assistant principal at Henderson Middle School. Cooper served as an administrator at the middle school until July of 2014, when he assumed his current duties at Aycock Elementary.

He earned the district’s Assistant Principal of the Year award following interviews done by a special selection committee. In addition to Cooper, other administrators nominated were Willie Fuller, an assistant principal at Eaton-Johnson Middle School, and Desmond Thompson, an assistant principal at Southern Vance High School.

Interview with Jo Dee Messina 10/20/2015

/by

Jo Dee Messina will be performing in Durham at the Carolina Theater on Thursday October 22 at 8:00 PM. Be sure to check out the audio below of the interview on 10/20/15 with Jo Dee about her new album “ME” and her new song “He’s Messed Up”.

VGCC Drama students present Shakespeare spoof

/by

via Andrew Beal

Theatre lovers will soon be able to enjoy all 37 of William Shakespeare’s plays in one evening — sort of — at Vance-Granville Community College.

Drama students will present “The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)” on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson, Nov. 5-8. Performances begin on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; and on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the small auditorium in Building 2.

The play features three overachieving actors attempting to perform the entire Shakespearean canon in 97 minutes. Fast-paced, witty and physical, it is an evening of laughter for Shakespeare lovers and haters alike. The three actors play all of Shakespeare’s characters with help from numerous funny costume changes and props. Due to the nature of the humor, the play is recommended for ages 14 and over.

Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, founding members of the “Reduced Shakespeare Company,” “The Compleat Wrks” was first performed in 1987. The London Evening Standard called the play “wildly imaginative, thoroughly affectionate to its source material and, above all, infectious fun.”

Students in the cast are Jordan Bunting of Macon, Spencer Nunn of Warrenton and Lee Powell of Oxford.

Betsy Henderson, the VGCC Theatre Arts/speech instructor and department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, directs the play. Jason Sharp serves as the technical director. VGCC staff member and alumna Tia Garren of Henderson is the assistant director. Other members of the crew include students Chris Nicholson of Bullock, Jerome Bulluck of Henderson, Brittany Patterson of Henderson, Helen Claiborne of Oxford and Jessie Hartley of Oxford.

Admission is $10 for the general public, and $5 for students and VGCC employees. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by making reservations. For more information and to reserve seats, contact Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3371.

Shoes for Rescues

/by

You may notice a new billboard if you travel south on U.S. 1 Bypass in Henderson.  Local business WW Properties has once again donated a billboard for a civic cause.

Tracy Dreibelbis of Animal Advocates Coalition tells WIZS News the billboard came about when the coalition “said yes to the kindness of a local businessman who had billboard space and a passion for the long overdue new (animal) shelter scheduled to soon break ground on Brodie Road.”  She said photographer Tara Lynn of In Between the Blinks Photography and an unnamed professional designer helped with the billboard which “gives a hopeful glimpse into a brighter future for the homeless pets of Vance County.”

Animal Shelter Billboard Oct 2015

The present Vance County Animal Shelter stands today at 165 Vance Academy Road, much the same as it did when it was built in 1978.  The shelter, according to Dreibelbis, has not seen any renovation, remodeling or expansion in the last 36 years.  She said, “Charles Boyd and his family donated five acres of land to Vance County almost five years ago to house a new shelter.  Soon, the vision and efforts of many will become a reality.”

The new shelter is expected to be about 8,000 square feet and will include more kennels, a separate intake/exam room, meeting and education space and a separate reception area.  This, according to Dreibelbis, will give the present staff, headed by Chief Frankie Nobles, the needed room to work.

To learn more, visit Friends of the Vance County Animal Shelter on Facebook or go to www.vancecountyanimalshelter.com.

Animal Advocates Coalition Launches Shoe Collection Drive to Raise money for Homeless Pets                     

Shoe donations will also support micro-enterprises in developing nations and reduce what goes into landfills

The Animal Advocates Coalition is conducting a shoe collection drive from October 15 through December 14, 2015 to raise funds for homeless pets.  Animal Advocates Coalition will earn funds based on the number of pairs of shoes collected as Funds2Orgs will purchase all of the donated goods.  Those dollars will benefit the homeless pets of Vance, Granville, and surrounding communities.  Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used or new shoes at any of these drop off locations: WIZS Radio, 535 Radio Lane, Henderson; Butner/Creedmoor News – Creedmoor;  Granville Sr. Center – Oxford and Shear Magic – Henderson.  If you have a large quantity of shoes, the Animal Advocates Coalition will pick them up from your location.  They will also have a collection barrel at the Nov. 14th Hazardous Material Collection Day at the Granville Convention & Expo Center – Oxford.

To help rescued cats and dogs, Funds2Orgs will donate $1,000 to the Animal Advocates Coalition if at least 2,500 pairs of shoes are collected.

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise partners in developing nations.  Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other nations in Central America and Africa. Proceeds from the shoe sales are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send to her son to law school.

“We are excited about our shoe drive,” said Tracey Dreibelbis. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like donate to us and help those less fortunate become self-sufficient.  It’s a win-win for everyone.”

By donating shoes to the Animal Advocates Coalition “Shoes For Rescues” the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives.

The Animal Advocates Coalition can be contacted via email at AnimalAdvocatesGC@gmail.com.

Local organizations interested in learning more about conducting a shoe drive of their own can visit Funds2orgs.com.

 

VGCC to hold Business Technologies Fair

/by

Vance-Granville Community College will hold its second annual “Business Technologies Fair” on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Attendees will learn about VGCC’s programs that provide training for careers in fields related to business and information technology, including Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Technology Integration, Entrepreneurship, Global Logistics & Distribution Management, Medical Office Administration, Office Administration, Paralegal Technology and Simulation & Game Development.

At the same time, visitors to the fair will have the opportunity to talk about career pathways with representatives of employers who frequently hire graduates from these programs.

For more information, contact Carl Hann at (252) 738-3295 or hannc@vgcc.edu.