Center For Innovation Cutting-Edge Hub For VCS

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Vance County Schools officially opened its Center for Innovation at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning, and community representatives were on hand to see how the former Henderson High School building has been transformed into a high-tech hub for student learning.

“It is just a special day in Vance County,” said Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Michele Burgess. The building is a city landmark and has been outfitted with all sorts of technology to enhance students’ education. The new life of technology, innovation, virtual learning and robotics that the students will experience is going “to put our school system on top of the leader board for sure,” Burgess told WIZS News Monday.  (Click here to listen to Michele Burgess on WIZS News – 3 min)

There’s an audio room and a “green room” where students can come in and learn about broadcasting and recording, she noted, and added that there will be a community meeting room outfitted to accommodate all types of technology and an adjoining kitchen that can be used for catering. Community groups will be able to rent this space for their meetings, she said.

There will be another ribbon-cutting later to officially open the Wayne Adcock Community Auditorium.

Also housed at the 219 Charles St. location are AdVance Academy, STEM Early High, Vance Virtual Village, MakerSpace/Robotics Lab, a professional practice lab, technology resource center and family resource center.

TownTalk: VGCC Student Enrollment Day to Take Place on All Four Campuses

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The four campuses of Vance-Granville Community College will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 31 for Enrollment Day, a time when prospective students can drop in, learn more and get help as they plan their next steps in education.

Dr. Antonio Jordan, director of admissions and enrollment services and Kali Brown, dean of student access and support, spoke with John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk about the upcoming event. Fall semester classes begin on Aug. 16.

“There’s something special about a face-to-face interaction,” Brown said of the in-person event. It’s an opportunity to have students come to campus, have access to the offices they would need for the enrollment process in a face-to-face setting. Both the VGCC application and the financial aid application are accessed and completed online, and Saturday’s event is a time for students and their parents or family members to questions or get help navigating the process.

Jordan said he looks forward to having students back on campus. “We’ve done a great job virtually, but like Dean Brown mentioned, there’s just something special about having them on that campus, having them in tone of those computer labs, having them in the admissions or enrollment center and being able to talk with them and work with them,” he said.

Having weekend events to meet students’ needs is probably going to become more routine, he added. Increasingly, the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours just aren’t convenient for those who have full-time jobs or other commitments, so VGCC leaders are “thinking outside the box” by offering the Saturday opportunity, he said.

For complete details and audio click play.

In addition to the two applications, the enrollment process includes a new student orientation.

Jordan will be at the main campus in Henderson to facilitate the new student orientation, which will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. During the orientation, students will have an opportunity to learn about majors and careers, complete their own career assessment and then figure out the best way to achieve their goals.

Although VGCC uses social media, email and other methods to share information, Brown said it’s critical for students to be able to have a face-to-face conversation with college representatives to guide them. The Enrollment Day is a chance to set up student accounts, as well as set up meetings with advisors to select classes.

There is, of course, the matter of paying for classes. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a first step, but there also are grants like the Long Leaf Commitment grant that can help, as well as numerous VGCC scholarships through the VGCC Foundation, Brown said.

The VanGuarantee is a program that helps students pay for fees and books that financial aid may not cover. This program is available for students who take a minimum of six credit hours, Brown added.

Vaccination Requirements for Healthcare Workers

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Maria Parham Health on Friday issued a statement to WIZS News concerning the vaccination of its healthcare workers.

The statement said:

“At this time, Maria Parham Health is strongly encouraging and supporting all of our team members to become fully vaccinated. There is significant evidence that grows daily indicating that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Understanding that the situation changes daily, we are committed to carefully evaluating the research and the level of COVID-19 activity in our communities as we make this very important decision independent of approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We will continue to evaluate our procedures and closely follow guidance from our local, state and federal partners in public health.

“We are aware of Duke University Health System’s decision to require the COVID-19 vaccine for its team members, and we respect this position. Like the majority of hospitals and health systems in the country, we are continuing to discuss this complex issue and determine best next steps for the communities we serve. Maria Parham Health remains committed to strongly encouraging and supporting all of our team members to become fully vaccinated.”

On Thursday the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) announced its position approved by the association’s board of trustees supporting COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers. In a press release issued by the State of North Carolina, the NCHA also announced several of its member health systems intend to be first in the state to require COVID-19 vaccination for their employees, including Atrium Health, Cone Health, Duke University Health System, Novant Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health and the following UNC Health hospitals – UNC Medical Center, UNC Rex, UNC Johnston, UNC Chatham, UNC Rockingham and UNC Southeastern.

In response, Mandy K. Cohen, M.D., Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said in the press release:

“I am so grateful to our hospitals and health systems who have been tremendous partners as we’ve worked together to respond to the pandemic. We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to our healthcare workforce who have selflessly given so much of themselves to protect and care for us and put us on a path to recovery. Thank you to the North Carolina Healthcare Association, and the health systems that are leading the way requiring vaccination for employees, for taking action to protect the health care workforce, their patients, our communities and the state. Vaccinations are our way out of the pandemic. Don’t wait to vaccinate.”

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Case of Female’s Body Near I-85 North and Flemingtown Road Being Investigated as Homicide

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Update 3:45 p.m. Friday –

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame issued a press release Friday afternoon, and it indicates a description of a possible suspect and vehicle and interagency cooperation have led to a suspect being in custody.

The press release indicates the victim in the case is Cierra Jackson of Richmond, VA.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to the I-85 exit ramp Thursday afternoon at 3:26.  A female was observed laying on the roadside, and it was believed she had been stabbed.

Additional investigation has revealed the victim, Jackson, suffered numerous gunshot wounds to the body.  EMS pronounced her deceased at the scene.

The suspect has been identified as Tikeise Kenshaun Johnson, black male age 20, of Richmond.  Sheriff Brame’s press release said, “Johnson is being held in Dinwiddie, Virginia without bond and has several charges pending in Virginia. Johnson will be charged in Vance County with 1st Degree Murder.”

Vance deputies on scene took a description of a possible suspect and vehicle, which led to a “Be On The Lookout” throughout North Carolina and Virginia.

Brame said in the press release, “Virginia Law Enforcement apprehended the possible suspect in an unrelated incident in Dinwiddie, Virginia. With the information received in the BOLO, Dinwiddie officials made contact with Vance County in reference to this being a possible suspect in (the) homicide.”

Additional details remain under investigation.

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Update 10:50 p.m. Thursday –

According to a press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame, deputies received a call about 3:25 p.m. Thursday regarding a black female at the I-85 northbound exit 220.  The press release indicates that deputies were advised before arriving that the victim had possibly been stabbed.

Brame said in the press release, “Upon law enforcement’s arrival, the female had apparent injuries to her left leg and neck area. CPR was initiated. She was pronounced deceased on scene by EMS.”

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations has been called to assist with the investigation, and the investigation is ongoing at the time of this publication.

More information will be provided when it is available.

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Golden Leaf changes approved for Open Grants Program

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– courtesy of Golden Leaf and goldenleaf.org –

The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors approved changes to the Open Grants Program at its June 2021 meeting, guided by the recently adopted strategic plan. Historically, the Open Grants Program has awarded $200,000 or less in funding for projects. While most applications will continue to be for $200,000 or less, the Board approved funding for up to $500,000 for projects that meet certain additional criteria.

The Golden LEAF Foundation is committed to using the funds entrusted to it for projects that show the most potential for strengthening North Carolina’s economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities. The Open Grants Program allows eligible applicants to apply for Golden LEAF funding throughout the year. The Open Grants Program is for economic development projects aligned with Golden LEAF priority areas.

For projects that possess some additional characteristics, Golden LEAF may make awards of up to $500,000 from this program. To determine which projects will be eligible for consideration for an award of more than $200,000, Golden LEAF requires that the project include one or more of these characteristics:

  • Higher level of funding will lead to significant outcomes
  • Result of a planning process involving multiple organizations and members of the community
  • Building on a history of success that allows a project to scale and significantly increase outcomes
  • Funding will enable or encourage compelling collaboration, including uncommon or innovative approaches or organizations in more than one county
  • Funding will leverage significant funding from other organizations
  • Applicant has limited resources
  • The project cannot be implemented in phases without compromising its outcomes

Applicants who wish to apply for more than $200,000 in funding from the Open Grants Program must complete a required consultation with Golden LEAF staff.

More information is available on the website at goldenleaf.org on how Golden LEAF evaluates Open Grants Program proposals, including detailed characteristics of exceptional projects.

The Golden LEAF Foundation, headquartered in Rocky Mounty, was established in 1999 to administer a portion of the tobacco settlement agreement monies back into North Carolina’s rural and economically distressed communities. For almost 20 years, the nonprofit has partnered with state and local governments and other foundations to build economic opportunity across North Carolina through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

VGCC Logo

VGCC, myFutureNC, Belk Endowment Work Together To Support Adult Learners

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Vance-Granville Community College, John M. Belk Endowment, and myFutureNC are working together to better address the needs of local employers and adult students

Dr. Rachel Desmarais, President of Vance-Granville Community College called on adults across the region to visit BetterSkillsBetterJobs.com as a first step to gain the skills they need to secure the jobs they want.

“After a year of challenges like no other, we know many adults are examining their work situations and even considering career changes,” said Desmarais. “So we are making an extra push this summer to connect adults to a variety of fast, flexible, and affordable programs at VGCC which lead to current open jobs in our communities.”

“From biomanufacturing to warehousing, mechatronics to supply chain and logistics, emergency medical training to truck driving certificates, and many more, our courses are a direct pipeline to many of our region’s top employers,” Desmarais said. “That’s why we hope everyone will visit BetterSkillsBetterJobs.com today to quickly connect with us and explore all of the opportunities we offer that can lead to better skills, a better job, a bigger paycheck, and an even brighter future.”

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties with four attractive campuses, one in each county. Established in 1969, VGCC offers more than 40 curriculum programs, in which students work toward certificates, diplomas and degrees. Area residents and businesses can also take advantage of a variety of Continuing Education opportunities, as well as the High School Equivalency and Adult High School Diploma programs.

For more information about Vance-Granville Community College’s Better Skills. Better Jobs. Initiative, please visit: BetterSkillsBetterJobs.com/VGCC/

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Investigates Homicide

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On June 11th, 2021 around 4pm, 911 Central dispatched the Vance County Sheriff’s Office deputies to 519 Fields Ave. in Henderson to check on a resident’s welfare.

Upon arrival, the family member that called 911 met the deputies. The deputies, along with the family member, approached the residence to check on the occupant. No one answered the knock on the door or responded when deputies called out.

Upon entering the residence, deputies detected a pungent odor.  Moving further into the residence, deputies discovered a body that was later identified as Hiawatha Nicholson, a black male, age 73.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office along with the State Bureau of Investigations are investigating the death of Mr. Nicholson as a homicide.

Please contact the Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office with any information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects in the death of Mr. Nicholson.  The Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office may be reached at 252-738-2200