Noon News stories include:
– Shauna Guthrie is appointed as Secretary Treasurer of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians
– Death of George B. Rush Jr., former manager of WIZS Radio
For full details and audio click play
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Faculty, staff, and leaders from Vance-Granville Community College and Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) recently attended a virtual signing ceremony to formalize an agreement that creates new opportunities for students from the community college to complete bachelor’s degrees.
The co-admission agreement, which is designed to improve transfer student access and success through a collaborative baccalaureate degree program, was signed by ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon and VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais.
“ECSU continues to collaborate with North Carolina community colleges to afford transfer students a greater opportunity to earn their undergraduate degrees,” Chancellor Dixon said in a statement from the university. “We are excited to work with President Desmarais and her staff to provide these students with a clear path to ECSU so they can continue their education.”
VGCC is the fourth community college to sign such an agreement with ECSU, a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system offering more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
“This strong new partnership with Elizabeth City State University will help VGCC students achieve their academic and career goals,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of the community college. “We look forward to supporting Vanguards who choose to continue their education as Vikings.”
Under the agreement, VGCC students can choose a “co-admission” transfer pathway in which they can take ECSU degree programs without actually leaving the community college. Students will receive special joint academic advising services and virtual support. There will also be assistance for active-duty military and veteran education benefits and resources available to qualifying students. Students will receive either on-site or virtual classroom presentations; joint virtual financial aid counseling; access to the ECSU library online resources; and access to programming through the university’s Office of Student Activities and other campus organizations.
Alternatively, eligible students can complete the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Fine Arts degree programs at VGCC, and if they maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA), they will be guaranteed admission to ECSU. Application fees for these transfer students will be waived.
“We are excited about creating opportunities for our students that will assist them with long-term success!” said Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of learning, student engagement & success. “Our team has worked diligently to create multiple pathways for students, including non-credit to credit, and from our institution to four-year institutions. A special thanks to Kali Brown, Dean of Student Access and Support, and Dr. Antonio Jordan, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services, for partnering with me on this important work for our students. Further, I appreciate the visionary leadership of Dr. Rachel Desmarais, as we continue to strategically seek partnerships that will benefit our students.”
For more information, prospective students can apply for admission online at www.vgcc.edu or call (252) 738-3234.
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-Information courtesy South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church
South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church (SHPHC) presents “Christmas Time’s A-Comin’: A Bluegrass Christmas” on Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 6 p.m.
Admission is free and open to the public (social distancing in the sanctuary).
You can also watch online on the SHPHC Facebook page (click here) or YouTube channel (click here).
All donations benefit area children in need. You may also donate online at www.shphc.org/give and select “Caroline Fund.”
SHPHC is located at 905 Americal Road in Henderson, NC.
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-Information courtesy Judy E. Stainback, Drewry Volunteer Fire Department
The Auxiliary of the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department will hold a drawing for a handmade queen-sized quilt on December 18, 2020.
Tickets are $2 each or three for $5 and can be purchased at Ellington’s Hair Trends, 121 Rose Avenue in Henderson or by calling (252) 492-3051.
Proceeds to benefit the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department and The Auxiliary of the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department.
The North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians (NCAFP) installed Dr. Shauna Guthrie of Henderson as the organization’s secretary/treasurer.
According to information sent to WIZS News by NCAFP Executive Vice President Greg Griggs, who is also from Henderson, Guthrie’s term is one year, and the installation took place during the NCAFP’s virtual annual meeting.
Guthrie, MD, MPH, FAAFP is a Henderson family physician and is presently the medical director at Granville Vance Public Health, the local health department. She provides full scope outpatient primary care services, according to Griggs.
Griggs said, “She also contracts to provide services locally including correctional health, inpatient adult medicine, and hospice care. She previously practiced at Vance Family Medicine, a Rural Health Clinic, where she did full-spectrum family medicine, including inpatient medicine and obstetrics.”
Dr. Guthrie has served on the board of the NCAFP for the past five years. This year she served as the at-large member of the NCAFP Executive Committee. Griggs said in his information release, “She enjoys giving back to the profession by teaching medical students.”
Shauna Guthrie, MD, MPH, FAAFP, a Henderson family physician, was installed as Secretary/Treasurer of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians (NCAFP) for a one-year term during the organization’s virtual annual meeting.
More than 400 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students attended the NCAFP’s Virtual Annual Meeting.
(WIZS RADIO IN HENDERSON PRESENTS LOCAL NEWS ON THE AIR AT 8AM, 12 NOON AND 5PM M-F. 100.1 FM / 1450 AM.)
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Henderson City Council’s Public Safety Committee met Thursday, December 3, 2020, to discuss the City’s handling of COVID-19 and recent homicides.
Henderson City Councilman Jason Spriggs provided the following statement to WIZS News:
“Overall, there was agreement among all attendees that the City and its leaders have taken a sincere approach to informing the citizens of Henderson about the seriousness of the Coronavirus. I have to say that Mayor Pro Tem Sara Coffey was adamant about ensuring every citizen was clear about the proper precautions. Mayor Eddie Ellington, Manager Terrell Blackmon and Lisa Harrison of Granville Vance Public Health were in agreement that a continued approach to informing and educating the citizens of Henderson, concerning COVID-19, would be a helpful supplement to all of the various information that has been made available through various channels, specifically WIZS and the various public Facebook pages maintained by GVPH, Henderson Rec and Parks Department, the Henderson Police Department and fire departments. The mayor pointed out the various COVID testing opportunities, public messages and public actions.”
Spriggs continued, “Concerning the homicides, Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow highlighted the HPDs continued work with local and state authorities. He specifically stated that in his 22-years of service with the City, he has not seen a greater period of collaboration among law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels. Chief Barrow did note that the majority of the unfortunate homicides were not connected to one another and that because of increased community assistance, those homicides have consistently yielded arrests.”
Fellow Henderson City Councilman William Burnette concurred with the meeting’s outcome:
“There was a very lengthy conversation about COVID. Lisa Harrison with the Health Department joined via Zoom. She gave updated information on Vance County. We did have a conversation with Chief Barrow about the measures the police were taking to deal with the homicides. The ones responsible have been arrested and are awaiting trial.”
Stories include:
– No Visitor Policy enacted at Maria Parham Hospital
– Public Safety Committee Meeting
– Gang Free Event
– Supreme Court vote recount
– Walking at Aycock Rec Center
For full details and audio click play
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-Information courtesy the County of Vance
The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet on Monday, December 7, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.
Agenda Items Include:
1. Reorganization of Board
2. Adopt Schedule of Holidays
3. Renewal of Board of Commissioners Meeting Schedule (First Monday of each month at 6 p.m., unless otherwise noted)
4. Public Comments (for those registered to speak by 5:45 p.m. – speakers are limited to five minutes)
5. Public Hearing – Ambulance Franchise Ordinance Amendments
6. Public Hearing – Economic Development Project Duke Energy Grant
7. Appointment – Stuart Hill, Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. – FY 2019-2020 Audit Report
8. Appointment – Elliot Clark, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Program Update
9. Appointment – James Johnson, Program Director – Family Resource Center South Atlantic
10. Water District Board
a. Monthly Operations Report
11. Committee Reports and Recommendations
a. Public Safety Committee
– Ambulance Franchise Application
– North State Medical Transport
12. County Attorney’s Report
a. REO Properties – Bid Acceptance
– 715 Vaughan Street – Parcel 0075 02004
– 322 Pearl Street – Parcel 0098 01003
– 318 Pearl Street – Parcel 0098 01004
– 335 Pearl Street – Parcel 0098 02021
– 225 Pearl Street – Parcel 0098 03012
b. REO Properties – New Offers
– Andrews Avenue Lot – Parcel 0079 03036
– East Avenue Lot – Parcel 0079 03038
13. County Manager’s Report
a. Records Preservation – Register of Deeds
b. Lease Renewal – Scott Parker Building
c. Extension of Tax Listing Period
14. Consent Agenda Items
a. Budget Amendments
b. Tax Refunds and Releases
c. Monthly Reports
d. Minutes
15. Miscellaneous
a. Appointments
b. Voting Delegate and Alternate – Legislative Goals Conference
Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.
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The Vance County Board of Elections will conduct a statewide hand-eye recount for all the ballots in three percent (3%) of the precincts casting ballots. The recount will start on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at 8:30 a.m.
If the recount is not finished on Thursday, December 10, the recount will continue on Friday, December 11 starting at 8:30 a.m.
The recount will take place at the Vance County Board of Elections office located at 300 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, NC. The recount is open to the public; however, space is limited.
In an effort to continue social distancing practices during the COVID–19 pandemic, please RSVP your interest in attending the meeting by email to fgill@vancecounty.org.
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Jamila Green, supervisor for Work First and Emergency Services with the Vance County Department of Social Services (DSS), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.
Green addressed the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ (NCDHHS) announcement that it will issue automated payments to thousands of eligible households, including local residents, to assist with winter heating expenses via the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).
To be eligible for the LIEAP program, a household must:
The automated payments began December 1, 2020, and will be issued through March 31, 2021. Payments are designed to help eligible seniors and people with disabilities access winter heating in a safe manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a recent press release issued by the NCDHHS, eligible households may qualify to receive an automated payment for the 2020-2021 LIEAP season if a member of the household 1) is age 60 or older or a person with a disability receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services, 2) currently receives Food and Nutrition Services and 3) received LIEAP during the 2019-2020 season. These households were notified of eligibility in November and do not need to apply for this benefit.
Any household with a person age 60 or older or with a disability receiving DAAS services who did not receive notice of an automated payment is encouraged to submit a paper application for LIEAP assistance.
In Vance County, LIEAP applications may be mailed or dropped off at the local DSS office – 350 Ruin Creek Road, Henderson, NC 27536 – or applicants may contact Vance County DSS by phone at (252) 492-5001.
Please visit Vance County DSS online at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/social-services/ for additional information.
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
