VCHS Junior Selected For 2023 Governor’s School

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Vance County High School junior Thuy Nguyen will represent Vance County at the 60th annual N.C. Governor’s School, a prestigious summer program that provides a unique enrichment experience for rising high school seniors from across the state.

Nguyen has been selected to participate in the four-week summer residential program, according to information from VCS Director of Communication & Marketing Aarika Sandlin.

This year, 650 students were selected by a state committee named by the State Board of Education and NC Department of Public Instruction. There are two Governor’s School locations –  one at Meredith College in Raleigh and the second at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem.

During the monthlong program, students attend classes that integrate their selected discipline – which includes English, Spanish, Mathematics, Natural Science, Social Science, Art, Choral Music, Instrumental Music, Dance and Theater – as well as other courses that encourage them to explore and ask questions.

The 2023 session is June 18 – July 15, 2023.

Learn more about Governor’s School at https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/enhanced-opportunities/north-carolina-governors-school

Gateway CDC April 12 “Social” Is A Time To Celebrate, Envision Henderson’s Future

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Any type of social gathering is likely to create opportunities for folks to take part in conversations on a variety of topics and to share their unique and collective perspectives. Heather Joi Kenney, president and CEO of Gateway CDC in Henderson, wants the entire community to come out to an informal “social” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12.

Southern Charm Event Venue, 200 S. Garnett St., is the gathering spot, and Kenney said the event is open to all in the community. In fact, there needs to be a good representation from the community, she said, to hear a variety of perspectives about what’s working well and what could use improvement.

On a recent TownTalk segment, Kenney said it’s good to hear what’s great about a community, but it’s also important to know what’s not so great. The April 12 gathering is a time to celebrate and imagine the bright future that awaits Henderson.

Surely one of the positive points within the community include events that take place in and around the Breckenridge Street area, bordered by Perry Memorial Library, McGregor Hall and the police department.

Attendees to the April 12 event who come early and sign in will get a $5 coupon to use at the Soulbachi food truck, which will be parked nearby on Breckenridge from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Kenney is a real “glass half full” person, and she and her organization are interested in revitalization – of properties, of mindsets, of attitudes – that have a real impact on Henderson and its future.

“The Henderson Vision” is one tangible facet of this revitalization. Established through $25,000 in grant funds from Duke Energy’s Hometown Revitalization program, Gateway was able to help downtown businesses with microgrants to pay for façade improvements, as well as some interior renovations, Kenney said.

 

That money has been spent, but she expects more money will be coming in, through grantors like Duke Energy, but also from local government support and from collaboration with other community partners.

Downtown revitalization has been a recent focus, but Kenney said it’s important to include areas near the city’s heart as well – William Street, Chestnut Street, as well as areas like Flint Hill and West End.

“We are working to raise some more funds so we can help additional businesses,” she said.

Kenney challenged city and county officials – as well as absentee landlords – to step up to show support for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

American Legion Post 60 Plans April 21 Chicken Plate Fundraiser

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The Henderson American Legion Post 60 will have a chicken plate fundraiser on Friday, April 21.

Pickup is from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Post 60 Building, located at the corner of Garnett and Spring streets in Henderson.

Plates are $10 and include grilled chicken, boiled potatoes, green beans, bread, dessert and barbecue sauce.

Orders of 10 or more plates can be delivered, according to Post Commander Ted Grissom. Tickets are available from any Post 60 member or by calling Grissom at 757.968.6346, post Historian Edward Woodlief at 252.767.4044, or Andy Roberson at 252.432.2432.

The local post supports veterans and their families, as well as the community. Grissom welcomes veterans from any branch of military service to attend monthly meetings at Post 60 held the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

Easter Sunrise Service April 9th; 6:15am; Henderson Point Campground

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Frank Sossamon has asked us to announce…

There will be an Easter Sunrise Service Sunday. You can gather on the shore of beautiful Kerr Lake for a celebration of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

April 9th at 6:15 a.m.

Henderson Point Campground – Glass House Parking Lot – 1427 Rev. Henderson Road, Henderson, NC.

Bring a chair and a friend!

Pastor Frank Sossamon will be speaking.  There will be special music.  Four local churches are involved.

Sossamon indicated that there will be an opportunity to hear the audio from your car as well.

The Local Skinny! Reflecting On The Chamber Banquet

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Commentary: There is more going on in this speech than just the business portion that’s on the surface.  And while it’s about business and was offered in a business setting and in a business context and does in and of itself have deeper business significance than just what is on the service, is this message not also about life itself?  Should each person everywhere not hear it?  Listen in and decide for yourself.

CLICK PLAY!

 

2023 Chamber board chair Bert Long, of HG Reynolds, spoke at the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce annual membership meeting and banquet on Thursday, March 30, 2023 and said each chamber year has a theme. He spent some time pondering to help come up with this year’s theme, naming 2023 “A Year of Collaboration.”

The idea is to propel the business community forward, work together or cooperate.

Long said, “In the current environment, working together can go a long way. We need conflict, but hear me out. We need healthy conflict. We must have conversation and spend time to understand each other, and we can’t learn and grow without it.”

“How,” he asked. “It starts by listening. Sometimes business leadership is looked to for answers, but there also needs to be respect. Once we listen, we must respond in a respectful manner. The tone is important.”

Rather than saying “Yes, but…” Long said, “What if we could say ‘yes and.’”

That could make a difference because as Long noted, everyone has a unique perspective but may need to put themselves in the other person’s shoes because that person has also had defining experiences and perspective as well.

We must work at it, he said, and celebrate the success of others.

Long concluded, “Take some time to connect. Explore how you can collaborate. It could be with someone in this very room.”

TownTalk: Happy Easter

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WIZS Radio wishes everyone a Happy Easter!

CLICK PLAY!

 

City of Henderson Logo

TownTalk: NARCAN The Subject Of Public Safety Committee Meeting

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The Public Safety Committee of the City of Henderson met Wednesday to discuss several topics including planning for how to spend money coming the city’s way from the second wave of the national opioid settlement.

Sara Coffey chairs the committee, which includes Melissa Elliott, Lamont Noel and Jason Spriggs. They were joined by City Manager Terrell Blackmon and assistant manager Paylor Spruill to discuss possible uses for the money, which is expected to be about $166,000. The city of Henderson got more than $200,000 in the first wave of the opioid settlement.

The city is one on only a handful of municipalities to get an appropriation – the bulk of the $600 million of North Carolina’s second-wave allotment goes to counties – Blackmon said.

And the money is supposed to be spent on treatment for those with opioid addiction, he noted.

One form of treatment is administration of NARCAN, which reverses the overdose effect of opioids. It’s a nasal spray and is fairly simple to administer.

Perhaps some of the funds – which the city will receive over the course of time and not in a lump sum – could be used to purchase NARCAN and have it available for use by police officers, first responders and even in schools.

This approach would satisfy the requirement that the money be used in ways that help people affected by opioids. Spruill said in the meeting that an over-the-counter form will be available soon.

The medicine causes no harm if administered to someone who isn’t in an opioid crisis, but it can be life-saving if administered to someone who is overdosing.

Coffey said she would hope the money would be used to help prevent more opioid issues in the community; she said first responders and the hospital deal with overdoses every single day.

This topic is on the agenda for the April 10 City Council meeting.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

Henderson Man Faces Multiple Drug Charges; Police Seize Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana

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A Henderson man faces numerous drug charges as a result of an investigation by the Henderson Police Department Narcotics Unit.

Cedric Antwon Neal, 36, of 212 Charles St. is in the Vance County Detention Center under a $469,998 bond.

Three search warrants were executed on April 4, 2023 – one at 408 Young Street, a second at 212 Charles St., and the third at the Scottish Inn, 1759 N. Garnett St., according to information from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

Officers confiscated 148 bricks of Schedule I, an additional 40 dosage units of Schedule I, 458 grams of cocaine, 52.5 grams of Schedule VI, as well as five semi-auto handguns, and $11,919 in U.S. currency.
According to the press release, Neal is a convicted felon and is currently under federal probation.

The charges against Neal are:

  • 5 counts of possession of a firearm by a felon
  • 6 counts of trafficking heroin
  • 2 counts of trafficking cocaine
  • 1 count of felony maintaining a dwelling
  • 1 count each of possession with intent to maintain, sell and deliver cocaine and marijuana
  • 1 count of manufacturing cocaine
  • 1 count manufacture, sell, deliver, possess within 1000 feet of a school

In addition to the bond, Neal remains in jail under a federal detainer for a probation violation.

West End Baptist

West End Baptist Establishes Scholarship At VGCC

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  • information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

West End Baptist Church has endowed a new scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College. The newly established scholarship represents years of dedication and contributions from West End Baptist Church.

The $15,000 donation to the VGCC Foundation creates a “Presidential Merit Award” level scholarship which means that the scholarship will provide $750 a year to cover tuition, books and college fees. The scholarship will be available to students in Vance County from the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 academic year onward. Preference will be given to students who have a minimum 2.5 high school or college GPA, are enrolled in at least 9 credit hours, have membership at West End or are referred by a church member.

Students interested in applying for VGCC scholarships are encouraged to apply beginning in mid-April.

“This scholarship presents another wonderful opportunity to expand resources that will allow us to educate, inspire, and support a diverse community of learners to achieve professional and personal success,” said Tanya S. Weary, VGCCF Executive Director.

Church treasurer Jerry Parrish and church member Bobby Van Brunt recently joined Pastor Cade M. Patterson in presenting a check to the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation. Van Brunt is both a WEBC member and former VGCC employee, and he played a major part in making the scholarship a success.

“We are proud to partner with VGCC to enable deserving students to further their education,” Van Brunt commented.  “Whether the choice is technical education or foundation for a university degree, students will achieve success for themselves while becoming an asset to the community.”

West End Baptist Church will celebrate its centennial anniversary in May, and it has been at its current location on Dabney Drive since 1944. Patterson said he sees this gift as a natural extension of the church’s mission within the community.

“I’m grateful to serve this generous congregation,” said Patterson. “As a church, West End strives to love our neighbors, just as Jesus commanded us. We hope that this scholarship is a gift that will lead people to consider Christ’s incredible generosity toward us.”

The VGCC Foundation offers more than 300 endowed scholarships for VGCC students—more than any other program of its kind in North Carolina. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, and churches, as well as the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Foundation have often been used to honor a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call 252.738.3409.