VCRFM Memorial Garden

Join N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Weekly Online Garden Chat

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension

The local offices of N.C. Cooperative Extension will host a weekly online Garden Chat beginning Thursday, September 10, 2020. The public is invited to join Master Gardener℠ volunteers from the surrounding area each Thursday afternoon for a fun and engaging conversation about timely garden topics.

Each session begins at 2 p.m. and will feature an informative presentation on subjects such as plants for fall color, sustainable landscaping, selecting groundcovers and fighting fire ants. Seasonal gardening tips and helpful web resources will also be shared.

These interactive sessions will last about 45 minutes and will include time for participants to get questions answered about their own gardening challenges. The Garden Chats are hosted by the Master Gardener volunteers of Warren, Vance, Granville and Person Counties.

Registration is required to obtain access to these online sessions, and complete details are posted at http://go.ncsu.edu/mastergardenerchat or by calling (252) 438-8188 or (919) 603-1350.

Suspect At Large After Man Shot Dead on Neathery Street

/by

Press Release – September 3, 2020

At approximately 4:15PM Officers of the Henderson Police Department were dispatched to 409 Neathery Street in reference to a shooting. When Officers arrived they found Rashod Murphy (Age 21) unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene and the immediate family was informed.

The investigation thus far has led us to obtain warrants for Se’Quayveon Batchelor (Age 22) for 1st Degree Murder, and we believe he is our sole suspect at this time. We do know that the victim and suspect were well-known to each other, and this seems to be an isolated incident. We are still actively working this investigation with tremendous and timely cooperation from our citizens. As to not compromise the integrity of the investigation, no further information will be available at this time. We will update everyone if the situation changes.

Se’Quayveon Batchelor’s whereabouts are currently unknown, and we are asking the public to call us, message us through Facebook, use the P3 App, or call Crime Stoppers (252-492-1925) with any information on his location. Please do not approach him, as he is considered armed and dangerous. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of perpetrators.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

VGCC Logo

VGCC Advances the Virtual Classroom through Proven Faculty Development

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) have partnered to advance the success and equitable outcomes for students in VGCC’s four-county service area. The college is the first community college in North Carolina to partner with ACUE to offer its nationally-recognized faculty development program in evidence-based teaching practices for online instruction.

Numerous and independently validated efficacy studies confirm that students are more engaged, learn more, and complete courses in greater numbers—more equitably with their peers—when taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty.

In September, about 75 VGCC faculty will begin their professional learning experience in ACUE’s microcredential courses in Designing Student-Centered Courses, Promoting Active Learning Online, and Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Online Learning Environment—enhancing the college’s teaching and learning efforts.

“In these ACUE microcredential courses, faculty will experience a proven learning design that not only provides foundational knowledge but also enables faculty to have an immediate impact on their virtual classrooms by implementing, reflecting upon and refining evidence-based teaching practices based on peer and expert feedback,” said Petra Kohlmann, partnership director, ACUE.

Faculty who satisfy course requirements will earn microcredential credit toward ACUE’s Certificate in Effective College Instruction, which is the only nationally-recognized college teaching credential endorsed by the American Council on Education.

“We are pleased to begin this partnership with ACUE and view this as an investment in our faculty to the ultimate benefit to our students. VGCC is committed to supporting excellent teaching and learning for the benefit of all students, and research has demonstrated the implementation of evidence-based teaching practices can improve student achievement and close equity gaps,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of VGCC.

“As VGCC faculty members and co-facilitators of the ACUE courses that will be offered this fall, we look forward to strengthening our educational practices with what we will be learning. It is beneficial for us as faculty to continuously learn and grow and these courses are great opportunities for doing this. Students will benefit from what we learn because we will be implementing specific strategies in our online classes both this semester and for future semesters. The overall goal is for every student to have an exceptional educational experience at VGCC,” said Dr. Erica Jastrow, department chair of nursing/co-facilitator and Tammy Ball, online retention specialist and instructor of medical office administration at VGCC.

“The quality of online instruction is critical to the success of our student population. Our college has amazingly talented faculty who believe in quality teaching, learning, student success, and equity. We are pleased that our new partnership with ACUE will help us to build upon the transformative student success work being done at the college by faculty and staff,” said Dr. Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement and success at VGCC.

Local News Audio

Local News Audio 9-3-20 Noon

/by

Michael Fisher, Vance Co. Board of Commissioners (District 2) Candidate

Henderson City Council’s Land Planning Committee to Meet Sept. 3

City of Henderson’s Sewer System Bypassed 786,000 Gallons of Untreated Water

For Full Details and Local News Audio, Click Play Below…

 

GVPH Diabetes Prevention

GVPH Offers Pre-Diabetes Screening, New Diabetes Prevention Class

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

Granville Vance Public Health will kick off its Diabetes Prevention Program with a pre-diabetes screener and Diabetes Prevention class on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.

The new Diabetes Prevention class will be held at Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford, NC. The class will be limited to ten to ensure social distancing guidelines are met. For those uncomfortable with attending in person, a virtual option will be offered.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. To determine if you are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes and qualify for the class, take the pre-diabetes screener at https://.surveymonkey.com/r/3VPHQK2.

For more information on GVPH’s Diabetes Prevention Program, please contact regional coordinator and lifestyle coach Ashton Johnson at (919) 690-2114 or ajohnson@gvdhd.org.

 

Sossamon Funeral Home

Funeral Service for Retired Lieutenant Jimmy Cordell – Friday, Sept. 4

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Obituary courtesy Sossamon Funeral Home

James Martin “Jimmy” Cordell, 77, of Henderson, NC died Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at Maria Parham Health.

Born in Durham County, he was the son of the late George Franklin Cordell and Gertrude Hunt Cordell Breland.

Jimmy retired as a Lieutenant in the investigation division of the Vance County Sheriff’s Department where he proudly served for thirty-four years. In recognition of his dedicated service, he was the recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award from Gov. Mike Easley. He was a member of the Henderson Masonic Lodge #229 and a member of the Granville County Shrine Club and Tri-County Shrine Club and was a member of Amran Temple. He attended Calvary Baptist Church in Henderson.

Surviving are two daughters; Tammy C. Williams (Anthony) and Lisa C. Baker (A.P. III), one son; Steve F. Cordell (Anita), the mother of his children; Linda A. Cordell, seven grandchildren; Matthew Williams, Nathan Williams, Jessica Williams, Payton Baker, Price Baker, Chelsey McCann (William) and Kasey Newcomb (Sam), three great-grandchildren; Kayleigh Mae McCann, Anna Kate McCann and Cullen Sanderson.

A funeral service will be held Friday, September 4, 2020, at 11 a.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, conducted by the Rev. Frank Sossamon and Dr. Gene Wood. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

Serving as active pallbearers are Matthew Williams, Nathan Williams, Price Baker, William McCann, Sam Sanderson, W.L. Harris, Tim Robinson and Rudy Hunt. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Department, City of Henderson Fire Department, all Master Masons and Shriners.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.

The family will receive friends at his home.

We ask that all who attend the service practice social distancing and wear a face mask. The service will be live-streamed on at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCowMURMIKi8cJi3qiNKhsVw.

Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com

On Wednesday’s segment of the noon news, WIZS remembered Cordell. “WIZS expresses its condolences to the family of Jimmy Cordell and to our friend and public servant Steve Cordell, Henderson Fire Chief, on the passing of his father. We will remember Jimmy fondly and respectfully. He had a very good sense of humor and will be greatly missed in our community.”

Vance County Schools Logo

Vance County Schools Surpasses State Graduation Rate

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools has surpassed the state graduation rate once again, while also posting the highest graduation rate in the history of the district.

We are pleased to report that our 2019-2020 graduation rate is 90.3%, compared to the state graduation rate of 87.6%. This represents an increase of 3.6% over the 2018-2019 4-year graduation rate of 86.7%. Seven years ago, Vance County Schools’ posted a graduation rate of 64.9% — the lowest in the state. We have improved our graduation rate by over 25% during that time, now surpassing the state graduation rate.

For the 2019-2020 year, Vance County Schools met or exceeded the state average in 8 of the 9 measurable subgroups. Those exceeding the state average included male, female, black, Hispanic, economically disadvantaged, English learner, and student with disabilities. The state and our district both measured greater than 95% for Academically and Intellectually Gifted students.

Our Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Jackson, is beginning his sixth year leading Vance County Schools. With each passing year, our graduation rate is improving. “This is a tremendous accomplishment for our district. As our graduation rate continues to climb, it gives certainty that the strategies and programs we have in place are preparing our students for their future. It also reiterates that when we work together, progress is possible.”

Our district continues to make progress, bringing innovative programs, partnering with our students and families, and personalizing education options for our students. We have robust fine arts programs at every school in our district. Additionally, we offer an alternative pathway for grades 6-12, a K-5 year-round STEAM Academy, our 6-8 STEM Early High School, an Early College High School, and new this year, an entirely virtual K-12 school. With 16 schools in our district, we are working hard to ensure our students have a learning environment that fits what they are seeking.

We continue to extend our program offerings to our students, providing a variety of opportunities for them within our schools. We offer Career and Technical Education programs, providing 13 career pathways for our students. Our Early College has been named one of the Best High Schools in America and our district continues to thrive with digital convergence through Modern Teacher, having been recently recognized nationally for the progress in the strategic planning process.

The programs and digital resources available for our students, the personalized education available through school options, the relationships being built between our staff and families, and the efforts of our community partnering with us, continue to be at the forefront of our students’ success.

We are extremely proud of our district and all that has been accomplished. We still have room to grow and Dr. Jackson emphasizes that “we will not be satisfied until all of our students graduate on time; the stakes are too high to accept otherwise.”

V3 Huskies

Vance Virtual Village Academy (V3) Unveils Mascot and Colors

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools recently added its sixteenth school to the district – Vance Virtual Village Academy, also known as V3. V3 is an entirely virtual school for students in grades K-12.

As the school year kicked off, the students of V3 worked to establish their identity relative to school colors and mascot. The students voted on their school colors and official mascot then participated in a school logo design contest.

Devin Crump, a sixth-grader at V3, designed the official logo for the school. The new mascot and colors were unveiled on September 1, 2020.

VCS is excited to reveal the Vance Virtual Village Academy Huskies. Their school colors are crimson and gray. The Huskies have an enrollment of over 200 students in their first year and look forward to an amazing 2020-2021 school year!

Local News Audio

Local News Audio 9-2-20 Noon

/by
  • Passing of Jimmy Cordell
  • Voter Registration Info Coming in Mail
  • Henderson Family YMCA Offers Daily Child Care, School Assistance

Click Play Below for Full Details and WIZS Local News Audio

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

‘Open for Business’ Loan Opportunity Available for Small Businesses Affected by COVID

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments 

Many small and local businesses in the Kerr-Tar Region have been negatively affected by COVID-19. In an effort to provide support to those businesses, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is rolling out the Open for Business Loan Program.

This loan program is designed to help small to medium size businesses recover from the economic effects of this pandemic.

The Open for Business Loan is a non-forgivable interest-free loan, ranging from $10,000 – $100,000. Eligible borrowers are small to medium size (1-99 employees) businesses who have been in business for at least 12 months and must be located in Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance or Warren counties.

Documentation providing evidence of a loss of revenue since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is required. All loans will require a personal guarantee and additional collateral. Funds can only be used for working capital and/or equipment and require an application fee of $200. Standard loan terms of 5 to 10 years.

The Open for Business Loan Program is locally administered and funded by the US Department of Commerce and Economic Development Administration with funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

To apply, visit www.kerrtarcog.org and click on the “Open for Business Loan” tab. Applications are available on the Kerr-Tar COG website at www.kerrtarcog.org or by calling Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments at (252) 436-2040. Applications should be completed as soon as possible as funding is limited.