Cokesbury Fire Department

The Local Skinny! Fireworks At Cokesbury On Saturday

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If you’re looking for some fireworks fun this weekend but don’t want to go all the way to Kerr Lake, you may want to head over to the Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department before dusk on Saturday, July 1.

Chief Adam Pegram said gates will open about 6 p.m. for the annual fireworks display. Folks can park across the street and then head over to where the action is – there will be music and food vendors will hamburgers and hotdogs, popcorn and sno-balls to enjoy.

“We’ll start shooting when the sun goes down,” Pegram said.

The Cokesbury event is the same evening as the county tourism fireworks display at Satterwhite Point, but Pegram said it’s not about competition – it’s about giving back to the community that supports the fire department.

“We’ve been working together for several years,” Pegram said. The goal is “having family fun at both locations and enjoying the holiday.”

Please keep in mind, however, that no matter where you enjoy the holiday, to be safe and considerate, Pegram reminds.

“Just be patient when we’re trying to exit and empty the parking lot,” he said.

“Come and enjoy yourself and have a good time,” Pegram said, but please remember to pick up your trash before you leave.

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Families Living Violence Free

Families Living Violence Free Seeks Volunteers To Fill Openings On Board

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Families Living Violence Free, the only domestic violence and sexual assault center in the area, is seeking volunteer leaders to join its board of directors.

The FLVF staff provides an array of services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. All services are free and confidential, said Peggy Roark, FLVF executive director.

The board of directors is a group of volunteers that come together for monthly meetings to govern, organize and support FLVF’s strategic planning. In addition, each member serves as a goodwill ambassador for FLVF and serves on at least one board committee. Board members are expected to participate in community events and make a personal financial contribution to the organization.

Families Living Violence Free’s board also is seeking to fill the position of treasurer. This also is a volunteer position. Candidates with experience in accounting, budgeting and finance are encouraged to apply.

The board plans to expand its membership and needs individuals with a variety of skills, with a strong emphasis on board candidates with accounting, legal, fundraising, and media expertise.

If you are interested in an opportunity to volunteer your time and talents to an organization committed to giving voice and support to domestic violence and sexual assault victims, please submit your resume to proark@FLVF.org or P.O. Box 1632 Oxford, N.C. 27565.

North Henderson Baptist

North Henderson Baptist Hosts VBS July 16-19

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Youngsters of all ages are invited to attend North Henderson Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School.

The VBS will begin July 16 and continue through July 19, according to information from Pastor Eddie Nutt. Classes are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and there will be classes for each age group.

A meal is provided each evening as well.

North Henderson Baptist Church is located at 1211 N. Garnett St. in Henderson.

Search On For VCHS Athletic Director In Wake Of Noel’s Resignation

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Vance County High School Athletic Director Raymond Noel has resigned his post, and VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support Aarika Sandlin has told WIZS News that the district is seeking a qualified applicant to fill the position.

“We are very appreciative of all that Mr. Noel did for VCHS,” Sandlin said in a statement to WIZS.

“Vance County Schools is committed to finding a strong leader to continue the work of the Viper Athletic program,” she said.

Candidates must hold a valid NC teacher certification and have at least five years’ experience as a PE teacher or coach; candidates should have at least a bachelor’s degree in physical education; a master’s degree in athletic administration or equivalent training and experience is preferred, according to the job description.

Find the complete job description at www.vcs.k12.nc.us. Click on Job Opportunities in the top right corner of the home page.

Interested applicants should apply on the VCS website www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

NC Cooperative Extensions Offer Pesticide Application Recertification Hours June 27

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Anyone who needs recertification hours to stay certified for pesticide application can register to attend a class offered June 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Participants can earn two recertification hours for categories A, B, D, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, T or X.

Class locations are listed below.  Registration is required. Sign up by calling the Person County Extension Center 336-.599.1195 or by visiting https://go.ncsu.edu/2023multicredit.

This will be an in-person class only.

Be sure you have all your credit hours to remain certified for applying the pesticides you need. If you have any questions regarding this information or about requirements needed for your current licensure, contact Mikayla Berryhill at 336.599.1195 or 919.603.1350 or by email mikayla_berryhill@ncsu.edu.

 

CLASS LOCATIONS:

  • Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension, Granville County Center, 125 Oxford Outer Loop, Oxford
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension, Person County Center, 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro
  • N.C. Cooperative Extension, Warren County Center, 158 Rafters Ln, Warrenton

The Local Skinny! Teacher Bags Being Prepared by Chamber

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce wants to help new teachers in the county feel welcomed as they begin – or continue  – their careers providing instruction to students in the area.

Now through July 11, the Chamber is collecting donations from area businesses for its annual New Teacher Bags program, and Chamber Events Coordinator Vanessa Jones said she’s already had a good response.

“There’s been a flood of emails from businesses that want to help us out,” Jones said.  “We’re excited for the opportunity…to make sure our teachers are having a good welcome” to the county and to their respective schools.

Donations in increments of 160 are what’s needed to fill up those bags, as that is the expected number of new educators across all schools – that includes Vance County Schools, Vance Charter School, Crossroads Christian, Kerr-Vance Academy and Henderson Collegiate.

The Chamber has set the mid-July deadline so all the bags can be ready for distribution for any new teacher orientations that may be held prior to the start of the teacher workdays at the beginning of the school year.

Items with business logos on them help identify local retailers and others that support the program – and the new teacher bags also are a great way for individuals new to the area to learn about where they can find certain goods and services.

Jones said any business or organization that cannot deliver the items to the Chamber office should contact her to arrange pickup. Call the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 or email her at vanessa@hendersonvance.org.

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TownTalk: Berry Village Proposed For Dabney Rd.

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A mixed-used development project that exists now only on paper has taken a key step forward after getting the green light from the Vance County Planning Board with a special use permit.

As it appears in its conceptual form, Berry Village would ultimately have a mixture of single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, as well as up to 250,000 square feet of commercial/retail development, according to City Manager Terrell Blackmon.

With approval from the planning board, the project proposal next heads to the City Council.

“As this project pertains to development and growth, it would be a boost to the city’s tax base,” Blackmon stated to WIZS News, “but more importantly it shows that Henderson is a viable destination for future housing and retail growth and we expect to see more developers choosing Henderson and Vance County for additional development opportunities.”

The 123 acres is located along Dabney Road, and at least two full access entrances would be along Dabney Road, where it meets Ruin Creek Road and then at Allen Road. A limited access point is planned for Dabney Road just across from Blessed Hope Baptist Church.

This is the general area where city leaders have proposed constructing a new fire department. The tract would have city services, including water and sewer.

The commercial and retail space, as well as the apartment units, will be located along Dabney Road, with townhomes in several different areas of the site map and the single-family homes will take up a total of just more than 31 acres.

In a posting on social media, City Council member Garry Daeke called Berry Village “a planned community development unlike any we have to date.”

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ICYMI: Vance County Fire Services

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In the ongoing conversations among county leaders about the future of the Vance County Fire Department, many things remain unresolved. But when county commissioners approved the 2023-24 budget on June 14, a couple of issues were addressed, including raising the hourly pay for part-time firefighter to $15 from $14 and agreeing to conduct a fire study.

Following the budget adoption meeting, Interim County Manager Scott Elliott told WIZS News, “At the July 10 meeting, staff will bring forth the proposed scope of the work to be conducted by the fire study and seek board approval and for execution of a contract.”

Dozens of citizens – many of them affiliated with one of the county’s fire departments – attended a meeting of the county’s Public Safety Committee on June 7. Over the last 45 days in particular, citizens and those in the fire service have continued to express their concerns about the proposal from the committee to restructure the Vance County Fire Department.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt, a member of the committee, maintained that the fire department will not be dismantled; rather, paid staff would be reduced by attrition and more volunteers would be added to that department’s roster. The ultimate goal is to provide 24/7 fire coverage across the county, Brummitt said, but it can’t all happen at once.

With the budget in place, a hiring freeze in place, and the study coming, the board, with a great deal of county staff help, has preserved its option to act on the study, including amending the budget.

After the June 14 meeting, Finance Director Katherine Bigelow said, “What is being approved is freezing the four vacant Vance County Fire Department positions and their capital expenses consisting of turnout gear and fire boots, for example,” as she went over some items with WIZS.

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Sheriff Brame: 18 Arrested In Recent Operation In, Around ABC-Permitted Establishments

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A total of 18 people face more than 30 charges related to a variety of alcohol and other criminal violations following a joint operation with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and state law enforcement officials.

Sheriff Curtis R. Brame said his officers, with assistance from agents with the N.C. Department of Public Safety and Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, conducted the operation in mid-May “in and around ABC-permitted establishments located in the county,” Brame stated in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon.

Altogether, 18 people face charges, including Chapter 90 drug offenses, one felony charge, eight charges stemming from outstanding warrants, three violations of the open-container law and one charge of an illegal outlet.

No other details were available from Brame at this time.