TownTalk: Shriners Fish Fry Coming May 14th

/by

The Tri-County Shrine Club is in the final planning stages of the annual Fish Fry to benefit Shriners Children’s Hospitals. The menu is the same, but Shriner Donald Seifert said the May 14 event will take place in a new location and customers can enjoy an eat-in option.

“We’ve missed the eat-in option,” Seifert said on Wednesday’s TownTalk. But this year, Tony and Tammy Sanford are hosting the fish fry at their business on Raleigh Road, right across from the headquarters of Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

“It’s really a neat place,” he said, adding that the interior of the former Toyota showroom has been transformed into a 1950’s style diner. “Tony Sanford and his wife Tammy have been really gracious to offer their facility,” Seifert said, a central location with easy access and plenty of parking.

Eat in or pick up plates from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Shriners Hospital for Children, which provides top-quality care – free of charge – to children.

“The cost to them is zero – there’s never a bill,” Seifert said. It’s a cause worth supporting, and the local community has supported the Shriners for 60 years. Seifert said the best he can tell, this will be the 61st year that Shriners and countless volunteers have come together to produce plates of perfectly fried fish with all the trimmings.

“We try to furnish a good plate of fish for the money. I don’t think you can beat it,” he said. “I know you can’t beat the cause.”

Businesses who wish to purchase plates can call Seifert at 252.438.8355 to arrange delivery of 10 plates or more.

CLICK PLAY!

TownTalk: NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey Visits The Studio

/by

As the commissioner for the N.C. Department of Insurance, Mike Causey keeps his finger on the pulse of the insurance industry for the state and for its citizens, handling everything from rate requests by insurance companies, reports of possible insurance fraud from consumers and keeping an ear to the ground about possible cuts to his department in the upcoming budget.

Causey said it’s important for consumers to reach out to his office – via email, phone call or by visiting the website – it’s the best way he and staff can help.

Legislators often refer constituents to the Department of Insurance to get help with issues, and Causey said he and his staff are only too happy to help.

But right now, he’s got his eye on a budget proposal from the N.C. Senate that effectively eliminates a program popular with senior adults who seek advice about health insurance and prescription drug plans during the annual Open Enrollment period.

It’s called SHIIP – Seniors Health Insurance Information Program – and Causey called it one of the best programs the state has ever had.

More than 800 volunteers across the state help senior adults answer questions during Open Enrollment for Medicare, Medicaid and prescription drug plans.

“We do a lot to help our seniors,” Causey said during a visit to the WIZS studio Tuesday morning.

The federal government is looking to cut SHIIP’s funding, which Causey said is vital. If the Senate budget proposal goes through, it would essentially shut the program down.

“Let’s not cut anything from our much-valued SHIIP program,” he said. The program helps people save money by reviewing their plans each year, Causey said, adding that last year alone, SHIIP helped more than 66,000 people.

“That’s a lot of folks,” he said.

And more folks are on the way – more seniors, in fact. North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states for retirees. “I would urge all retired citizens or anybody to please get in touch with your state representative and your state senator and let your feelings be known” about budget issues or other concerns they need to know about.

“If they don’t hear from you, they don’t know.”

To add insult to injury, the state wants to cut 19 full-time positions from the Department of Insurance. “If anything, we need to add 19 – we don’t need any cuts.”

The Department of Insurance is a self-funding agency.

“Money comes from the Insurance Regulatory Fund, and we bring in hundreds of millions of dollars through that fund to the general fund every year,” he said.

“We’re a money maker for the state,” he noted. “We’re asking for the House and the Senate to take a good look at the Department of Insurance” and what it brings to the table as budget work continues.

Visit www.ncdoi.gov to learn more, email Causey at mike.causey@ncdoi.gov or phone toll-free 855. 855.408.1212.

Whichever method you use, Causey said you’ll get a quick response, and you get the help you need.

“We’re here to help,” he said.

CLICK PLAY!

Council To Review Dual Role Of Manager/Attorney

/by

The Henderson City Council voted 7-1 Monday to review in nine months the dual roles of city manager and city attorney, the current position of Hassan T. Kingsberry.

The Council convened a special called meeting for Monday at 3:30 p.m. to go into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

When the council returned from the closed session, Council Member Lamont Noel made a motion to review the dual role in nine months’ time. Council Member Geraldine Champion cast the lone dissenting vote. All council members were present for the vote.

Voting yes were Council members Noel, Sara Coffey, Sam Seifert, Michael Venable, Garry Daeke, Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Tami Walker.

Kingsberry was sworn in as the city’s attorney on Dec. 10, 2024; he was then chosen to assume the role of city manager after former manager Terrell Blackmon tendered his resignation effective Jan. 10, 2025.

Click Play!

Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Most Common Ticks

/by

On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Michael Ellington:

Today’s show covers the four most common ticks and why they’re a problem. Also included are reminders for upcoming events and deadlines.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

Click Play!

Vance County Logo

Jeffrey Percy Hired To Be Vance County Facilities Maintenance Director

/by

Jeffrey Percy has been named Vance County’s Facilities Maintenance director, succeeding Brad Weatherington, who retired in December 2024.

Percy will begin his new job Tuesday, April 29, according to information from the office of County Manager C. Renee Perry. Percy has more than two decades of experience to the county, and has a background in electronics, project management and facility operations.

“I’m honored to serve the citizens of Vance County in this new role,” said Mr. Percy. “I look forward to using my experience to enhance our county facilities and provide safe, well-maintained environments for our employees and the public.”

Most recently, Percy worked in facilities maintenance at N.C. Specialty Hospital, where he was responsible for ensuring seamless operation and upkeep of healthcare infrastructure.

As Facilities Maintenance director, Percy will be responsible for administrative and supervisory work in planning and directing the maintenance, repair, cleaning and security of county buildings, grounds and other facilities, according to the job description.

In addition to supervising housekeeping and maintenance staff, Percy also will supervise and participate in semi-skilled level trades repairs for carpentry, plumbing and other needs by staff, as well as oversee contracted repairs. The director also oversees building security and courier services.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Percy to our team. His broad expertise, hands-on technical knowledge, and strong project management skills make him a valuable asset to our county. We look forward to the improvements and innovation he will bring to our facilities operations,” Perry said.

Perry also stated that Percy could play a role as the county considers construction of new jail and EMS facilities.

Special Projects Coordinator Frankie Nobles had served as interim director since Weatherington’s retirement, Perry said.

A Southern Durham High School graduate, Percy earned an Associate of Science degree in Electronics from DeVry University in Atlanta. His technical career began at IBM in Research Triangle Park, where he worked in robotic and test equipment maintenance. As global manufacturing operations evolved, he transitioned into IBM’s purchasing division, where he served as a parts data analyst and Engineering Change analyzer.

Percy advanced into a leadership role with CTG as an account manager, overseeing a large team of contract employees working on-site in coordination with IBM. Later, he spent a decade as a project manager in the reconstruction industry, managing complex restoration projects with precision and efficiency.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Fire Ants In The Landscape

/by

On the Vance Cooperative Extension Report from Wayne Rowland:

Fire ants can be controlled in the landscape by using fire ant baits.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

Click Play!

TownTalk: National Day of Prayer, May 1st at VCMS

/by

Local churches and interested individuals are invited to come out on Thursday, May 1 to take part in Vance County’s observance of the National Day of Prayer.

The event will take place on the football field of Vance County Middle School beginning at 6 p.m., and organizer Delilah Marrow welcomes all.

It’s not just one church participating, “we want all of the churches,” Marrow, an ordained minister, said on Monday’s TownTalk.

“Everyone is really glad that we are getting together and having a National Day of Prayer” observance, she said. It’s a time for everyone to come together to pray for the community.

“We are the body of Christ, one church – the church of Jesus Christ,” she said.

“When we pray, something happens…when we, in a city, come together we see the hand of God move. When you pray and believe God, something happens,” she said.

Marrow said the idea came to her during her daily prayers before Easter. A prayer partner provided encouragement to act on her vision, and her pastor mentioned the upcoming National Day of Prayer, observed each May 1.

“That ignited me to move forward,” she recalled. “God just laid out every piece of the puzzle (and) everything began to fall in place.”

To learn more, call Marrow at 252.422.1202.

CLICK PLAY!