VGCC Logo

VGCC Joins #CCMonth Celebration

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Vance-Granville Community College added its name to the list of community colleges across the country to participate in #CCMonth, a month-long campaign to raise awareness about advantages of attending a community college and how they influence economies, academics and equity.

The campaign, coordinated by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), coincides with April’s designation as Community College Month. It’s a way to showcase that public community colleges are “a uniquely American educational model that was designed to guarantee access to affordable, high-quality higher education for all people,” according to a press release from VGCC’s Director of Communications Chris LaRocca. From nursing programs to trade certifications, community colleges “also serve as an onramp to bachelor’s, master’s and higher-level degrees for many students, and particularly for the most demographically and socioeconomically diverse students,” he stated.

Community college can accommodate adult students who work and go to school at the same time, and also make education accessible for many students who otherwise would not be able to access higher education.

“Community colleges are engines of diversity, equity and inclusion,” said ACCT President and CEO J. Noah Brown. “They give opportunities to all students, and they support all students throughout their educations, whether they attend to attain an associate degree or certificate, intend to transfer on for a bachelor’s or higher degree, or they take one or a few courses to learn a new skill or expand their horizons.”

The campaign is expected to have strong participation from community colleges and their supporters throughout the country.

NC Dept of Agriculture

COVID-19 Fund Helps Offset Quarantine Costs of H2A Workers

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Local farmers who employ H2A farmworkers can apply for some financial relief if any of those workers have to quarantine during the 2021 growing season.

N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said Wednesday that his department has $2 million of federal COVID-19 funds that can be used to offset quarantine expenses.

“Farmworkers have always been critical to agriculture, but the pandemic has shown how essential a healthy workforce is to agriculture and our food supply,” Troxler said. “While it is a priority for all farmworkers to get vaccinated, this program will enable employers to safely quarantine workers who test positive for COVID-19 and hopefully minimize spread to their coworkers and others.” 

Under this program, employers that have farmworkers with valid H2A visas will be eligible for reimbursement of the cost of meals and lodging for the duration of the quarantine period, not to exceed the per diem rates for federal employees.  The employer on record for the farmworker with a valid H2A visa may submit reimbursement request on behalf of any farmworker requiring to be quarantined following a positive test for COVID-19, provided the employer covered the initial eligible expenses out-of-pocket on behalf of the farmworker. The program will be for expenses incurred from March 11, 2021 through the 2021 growing season.

The application period will open on April 14 and will continue through Dec. 15, 2021 or until program funds are exhausted. These funds are provided through CARES Act funding and subject to any changes to the federal legislation.  

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in serious and substantial impacts on the food supply chain, including migrant farm labor in North Carolina. The H2A program is a critical component in planting and harvesting of North Carolina commodities. This program will help offset the financial burden of quarantine accommodations for workers that test positive for COVID-19 in off-site locations.

Details regarding the NCDA&CS COVID-19 Farmworker Quarantine Reimbursement Program will be available at http://www.ncagr.gov/QuarantineReimbursementProgram.htm.  Please contact H2Acovidprogram2021@ncagr.gov with any questions regarding this program.

Town Talk Logo

TownTalk 4-15-21; Traffic, Pedestrians plus Baseball Umpiring

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Thank you for listening to WIZS Radio. Your Community Voice!

TownTalk for 4-15-21

I-85 weird interchanges at all three major exits in Henderson.

Pedestrian dangers.

Plus, a special guest baseball umpire.

Broadcast Audio for TownTalk 4-15-21

The Local Skinny! April 15; Small Biz Summit on Agriculture

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VGCC to hold Small Business Summit focused on Agriculture

Vance-Granville Community College will present the 9th Annual Small Business Summit, entitled “Ag Alternatives & Legacy Farms,” on Thursday, May 20, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

This event will provide attendees with a day of agriculture education and information sharing, including discussions of niche farming, agritourism and farm modernization, led by a diverse group of successful farmers and business owners. Attendees will also learn about agriculture-related grants and financing options.

The event will be held outside, at Seven Springs Farms and Vineyards (332 Axtell Ridgeway Road, Norlina, NC), and all CDC-recommended social distancing and mask protocols will be followed.

Attendance is free of charge to the first 50 people to register. Lunch is included with registration and will be provided by The Meat Up Spot, a regional food truck (a vegetarian option will be available).

“Agriculture is an important part of our local economy, with many of our small businesses being involved in food and farming, so we are excited to focus on this sector,” said Tanya S. Weary, VGCC’s Dean of Business & Industry Solutions.

Derrick Jackson of Grass Grazed Farm in Durham will serve as the keynote speaker, discussing “A New Farming Model.” Jackson and his wife, Paige, operate a 60-acre farm, where they focus on sustainable pastured livestock, ethical practices and regenerative agriculture.

Other sessions include a panel on “High Tunnel Production,” led by N.C. Cooperative Extension including Dean’s Greens Farm, Rocky Ridge Farms and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; “Land of Opportunity: Heir Property, Startups, and Finding Your Niche” with Patrick Brown of Brown Family Farms/Hempfinity; a session on “Agritourism, Partnerships and Building Community,” featuring Seven Springs Farms & Vineyards and Lake Gaston Outfitters; and a presentation on “Finding Resources: Cost-Share, Grants, and Financing Your Agribusiness.”

The event is hosted by the VGCC Small Business Center, with co-sponsors including Warren County Economic Development, The Meat Up Spot, Sweet Delights, Grass Grazed, and Seven Springs Farms & Vineyards.

The deadline to register is May 10. For more information, contact Small Business Center Director Sheri Jones at joness@vgcc.edu.

Register Here — https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530410026

(This text above is a VGCC Press Release.)

Audio of The Local Skinny! for 4-15-21

Bike Ride and Chicken Plates to Benefit Families

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame has provided WIZS News with a one-sheet flyer explaining there is a “benefit bike ride for the families of Captain Michael Davis and Trooper Brent Montgomery” coming up.

All bikers are invited.

May 1 is the date, and the Roses Parking Lot on Norlina Road/North Garnett Street is the place.  Register from 12 noon until 2 p.m.  Kickstands up at 2:30 p.m.

$10 per bike.

All proceeds from the bike ride, and the previously promoted BBQ chicken plate sale put on by Henderson-Vance First Responders, will be presented to the Davis and Montgomery Families.

Brame wrote on the flyer, “Let’s come together and show our love and support for these two families.”

As a reminder, the BBQ chicken plate event on Friday, April 30th is being handled by advanced sale of tickets.  Brame said on the flyer, “If you are interested in purchasing a benefit plate, donations are $10 and tickets must be purchased prior to April 16.”

Some additional contacts who have tickets, in addition to others you may have seen published or heard about previously, include Howard Anderson at 252.915.9288 or Eddie Hicks at 252.204.6040.

New Solid Waste Site Open on Warrenton Rd.

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As County Manager Jordan McMillen explained in an email to WIZS News, work at Vance County’s newest solid waste site on Warrenton Road has wrapped up.  He said the final punch list inspections were completed last week.

And the target date for opening the new site of today, April 14, was met.

McMillen wrote, “This site is located directly adjacent to the old site and the new site will offer additional space located further off of the road and includes a paved area surrounding the solid waste collection compactor.”

Green For Life (GFL) operates all of the county’s convenience sites by way of contract.

Last week Commission Board Chairman Dan Brummitt and Commissioner Archie Taylor took a ribbon cutting photo at the site alongside representatives from GFL.

Those in the photo from left to right include: Spencer Pernell – Operations Supervisor GFL; Chairman Dan Brummitt; Commissioner Archie Taylor – represents District 2 where the site is located; Randy Deming – General Manager GFL.

I Voted Sticker

Vance Board of Elections to Demonstrate/Purchase New Voting Equipment

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Vance County elections officials are preparing to purchase new voting equipment and will hold a public meeting next week as part of the decision-making process, according to Elections Director Faye Gill.

The meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2021 at Perry Memorial Library in the Farm Bureau Room. During the meeting, a simulated election and test of the new voting system and ballot-marking device will take place, giving participants an idea of how the new equipment will function. The equipment was purchased from Printelect/ES&S, a certified vendor of election equipment and the county’s current vendor. The Board of Elections received $83,876 from the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to help make the purchase, which must be made by June 30, 2021. Although the total cost for the new equipment exceeds $260,000, the HAVA money, along with a trade-in allowance of just over $21,000 and $30,000 from the City of Henderson reduces the amount that the county will chip in to fund the purchase.

The meeting is open to the public. Anyone interested in attending the meeting, can email Faye Gill at fgill@vancecounty.org to sign up for the meeting. Masks and social distancing will be required. Attendance is limited to 50 people.

Anyone not able to attend the April 19th meeting may provide comment to the Board of Elections via email to fgill@vancecounty.org or by delivering written comment to the Board of Elections office no later than 9:30 a.m. on April 19. The Board of Elections office is located in the Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St., Henderson.

To hear more, check out the broadcast audio from TownTalk 4-13-21

 

Smart Start

Smart Start Children’s Services Information Drive Thru Wednesday

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Garry Daeke, development coordinator, FGV Smart Start informs WIZS News the organization is holding a children’s services and information drive thru.

He said in an email, “Parents with young children can easily and safely access information by driving by our tents. Car seat installation/appointments will also be provided on site.”

And it’s right away, Wednesday, April 14th from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Henderson Family YMCA.

Included with the children services drive thru are:

  • Car Seat Safety Check and Installation/Appointments
  • Bicycle Safety Info
  • Dolly Parton Imagination Library Enrollment
  • Early Childhood Education Materials
  • Kindergarten Readiness Info and ‘Whisper Phones’
  • Ready4K Signup
  • Door Prizes While They Last

Daeke wrote, “Whisper phones improve the student’s focus and attention because they are listening to their own voices. (small plastic phone). Ready4K is an evidence-based family engagement curriculum delivered via text messages (parents can sign up to receive these).”