VCS November Student Spotlight Honorees

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Two Vance County Schools fifth graders share the November Student Spotlight, whose goal is to celebrate exceptional students who are making a difference in their schools.

This month’s honorees are Olivia Zheng of Dabney Elementary and MiLay Cheek at New Hope Elementary, according to Grace Herndon, VCS Communication & Innovative Support.

The Student Spotlight program, sponsored by Vance County Schools and the Vance County Public School Foundation, aims to celebrate students who demonstrate excellence in academics and exhibit commendable qualities like kindness, dedication and a commitment to personal growth.

 

Olivia Zheng, Dabney Elementary

Olivia Zheng, a fifth grader at Dabney Elementary, is described as a model student. She is an excellent student and also promotes a harmonious school environment. Olivia’s

love for math and dreams of a future in the medical field showcase her passion for learning and making a difference. Her motivation to attend school comes from positive experiences with teachers and friendships. She is fascinated by the history of the Mayans and Aztecs and enjoys helping peers with homework.

Aside from academics, Olivia has always aspired to visit Hawaii. If Olivia could have any superpower, she would choose teleportation so that she could go to Disneyland. Moreover, she actively contributes to her school community by assisting peers with homework, showcasing her commitment to collaboration. Her advice to fellow students is to work and study hard, listen to teachers, and follow the rules. Olivia’s admiration extends to her parents,

who serve as a source of care and support in her life. If given a magic wand, Olivia’s wish would be for money.

 

MiLay Cheek, New Hope Elementary 

MiLay has a love of learning and demonstrates a dedication to whatever she does. Since

transitioning from virtual school to New Hope, MiLay has felt the warmth of the school community

and the encouragement from dedicated teachers, especially Mrs. Broughton, who keeps her excited about learning. MiLay’s passion for literature is evident, finding joy in reading for fun. Academic goals fuel her dreams, with hopes of attending STEM Early High and ultimately reaching Harvard to pursue her passion of becoming a veterinarian. MiLay has taken an interest in the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas in Social Studies. While MiLay focuses on school and family, she finds inspiration in her aunt and mom—two strong role models who embody resilience and hard work.

Beyond academics, MiLay extends kindness to her peers, stepping in to mediate conflicts and create a positive atmosphere. Her dream adventure takes her to Washington, DC, where she envisions exploring the White House with friends. Her advice to fellow students centers on making good choices, focusing on schoolwork, and setting life goals. If granted a superpower, MiLay would choose mind reading to understand people’s thoughts.

Local Non-Profit Sponsors Dec. 10 Christmas Bazaar To Benefit Victims Of Domestic Violence

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A local nonprofit organization that assists victims of domestic violence is sponsoring a Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The pop-up shop will be held at Kearah’s Place, 946 W. Andrews Ave, Suite 0, according to information from Courtney Anthony.

Interested in being a vendor? Contact Anthony at Canthony.kearahsplace@gmail.com.

Founded in 2013, Kearah’s Place provides programs including transitional housing and support services to help men and women become self-sufficient and financially independent.

Kearah’s Place can help with classes on life skills and job readiness, community referrals, and by providing basic critical needs such as healthcare services, housing, food and clothing.

Through a holistic approach to ending the cycle of domestic violence, poverty, displacement and homelessness, men and women can benefit from the programs and services they receive from Kearah’s Place.

VGCC Community Band Presents Holiday Concert Dec. 11 At McGregor Hall

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-information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

 

On Monday, December 11, the VGCC Community Band will present its annual Holiday Concert at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will last approximately one hour. There is no charge for admission.

 

The public is invited to this performance, which will feature a variety of seasonal music and non-holiday favorites. Selections will include patriotic music, a medley influenced by the popular sea shanty genre, and holiday songs ranging from “Mary, Did You Know?” to “Santa at the Symphony.”

 

“I always see the VGCC Community Band concert as the start of my holidays,” said Betsy Henderson, department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities for Vance-Granville Community College. “It’s a great tradition for the whole family! You’ll be entertained with some classic holiday music, and your spirits will be lifted.”

Directed by Brian D. Miller of Louisburg, the VGCC Community Band is comprised of both VGCC students and non-student adult community members. Band members have a wide range of abilities and experience and come from the college’s four-county service area and beyond; some members are from Virginia. Contact Director Miller at bmiller9302@vgcc.edu to learn more about the band program.

 

 

Celebrate Christmas Bluegrass-Style At Sunday Concert At Clearview Church

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Join Jimmy and the Sound Barriers this Sunday at Clearview Church for a special holiday performance, Bluegrass style.

“Christmas Time’s A-Comin’” will begin at 6 p.m. at Clearview Church, 3485 Hwy .158 Business in Henderson.

The event is free and open to the public. A love offering will be taken to benefit Anchor of Hope, a women’s ministry whose mission is to provide for those in need with gifts of gas cards, food and blankets.

“Their mission is to make Christ visible to all, and to let them know they are not alone in the storms of life,” Barrier stated. The group donates blankets to children and to the sick as a reminder that they are being covered with the grace and love of God.

TownTalk: Commissioners Debate Medical Co-Pay For Detainees

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners is considering putting a health copay in place for individuals detained in the Vance County Detention Center.

Finance Director Katherine Bigelow shared information with commissioners during their Monday, Nov. 20 work session.

Board Chair Yolanda Feimster sent the matter to the Public Safety Committee for further discussion and to work through details about how such a policy would work.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt was the sole member of the Public Safety Committee present at the work session; commissioners Sean Alston and Carolyn Faines were not present for the meeting.

Bigelow said she had spoken with officials in more than 25 counties as part of her research; “we are the only ones that do not do this,” she told commissioners.

Bigelow and County Manager Renee Perry said it would help curb costs for detainees who may make unnecessary trips to the health care provider – racking up a hefty fee for the county each time.

This would encourage inmates to take responsibility of their own health care, they noted. The basic idea is that the inmate may decide to lie down and rest instead of going to the infirmary to get pills for a headache, Perry said.

If the health care provider determines that the visit was not a medical necessity, the individual would be charged a copay; $20 is the allowable limit that can be charged.

“We will not make money on this by any means,” Bigelow noted, adding that $395,000 of the $550,000 budgeted for health care at the jail has already been spent.

In a follow-up statement to WIZS News, Perry said the jail is on track to have an overage of as much as $1 million by the end of fiscal year 2024 if no measures are taken to curb the spending.

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The Local Skinny! Maria Parham Health Receives Medicaid Expansion Funds

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Maria Parham Health joins more than 100 hospitals in the state’s 70 rural counties to share close to $2.6 billion federal funds that will be used to provide support as the state rolls out Medicaid expansion.

Friday, Dec. 1 marks the start date for NC DHHS to launch the Medicaid expansion across North Carolina, meaning an estimated 600,000 people will be eligible for full Medicaid coverage. Almost 300,000 people currently with limited Medicaid family planning benefits will automatically be enrolled.

In a statement to WIZS News, MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young said “Maria Parham Health is proud to join hospitals and health systems statewide in celebrating the launch of Medicaid expansion.” The Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP) funds enable hospitals to pay for the non-federal share costs of Medicaid expansion efforts, and will “strengthen the state’s healthcare delivery network and ensure greater access to healthcare, especially for those residing here in Vance County,” Young stated.

“These payments to hospitals are a lifeline and critical as we work to strengthen rural hospitals and health systems in North Carolina,” said NC HHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “The money will ensure people covered by Medicaid and Medicaid expansion have access to comprehensive physical and behavioral health care services in the communities they live in.”

Gov. Roy Cooper called Medicaid expansion “a monumental achievement that will save lives and provide better health care while sending billions to our economy.” “We’re beginning to see the real-life impacts of this extraordinary win for North Carolinians through these first payments to our rural hospitals that have been struggling for years to keep their doors open,” Cooper stated.

Medicaid expansion and HASP will be financed through new assessments on North Carolina hospitals and will allow the state to draw down more than $8 billion each year from the federal government based on expected ultimate expansion enrollment. This will have a historic impact on individuals across the state, including the more than 4.6 million people living in one of the 70 rural counties across North Carolina.

The HASP payments are calculated based on in-network Medicaid managed care payments to acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, hospitals owned or controlled by the University of North Carolina Health Care System and ECU Health Medical Center.

To learn more about Medicaid enrollment and eligibility, call the MPH helpline at 252.923.3747 or visit www.mariaparham.com/medicaid.

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Vance County NC

Vance County Manager Thanks Staff Leadership Team

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The new county manager for Vance County, Renee Perry, started November 1, 2023, and on November 20 as a Board of Commissioners work session wrapped up, she gave thanks to county staff and named her leadership team.

“I’m coming up on week three, and I just wanted to sing high praises to staff. They’ve been wonderful with helping me get acclimated, and I would just say that Vance County has some jewels and especially in administration,” Perry said. Perry said her leadership team consists of the following:

  • Finance Director – Katherine S. Bigelow, CPA
  • Human Resources Director – Argretta Johen
  • Clerk to the Board/Executive Assistant – Kelly H. Grissom
  • Special Projects Coordinator – Frankie Nobles

In the mid-October announcement by the Board of Commissioners of Perry’s appointment, Board Chair Yolanda Feimster stated that a recruitment process over the summer resulted in Perry’s selection and that Perry “will assist the board in continuing to achieve its ongoing goals as well as execute major capital projects.”