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Downtown Director Kathy Walters Resigns From City of Henderson

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Kathy Walters, director of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission (DDC), has submitted her resignation to the City of Henderson effective September 30, 2020.

In a statement to WIZS News, Walters said she has “decided to retire and simplify my life.”

With approximately 10 years of prior experience working for the City of Henderson, including a turn as DDC director in the ‘90s, Walters returned to the role at full-time status in September 2019.

Henderson City Manager E. Terrell Blackmon said, “Kathy Walters chose to resign from her position, as she has several years of prior government service with the State of North Carolina. In the short while that I have been here, she has been a valuable member of my team and was instrumental in the City of Henderson regaining its status as a Main Street Community.”

A part of the Main Street Program from the mid-1980s until approximately 2010, a time that included Walters’ first tenure as director, a lapse in the completion of requirements cost the downtown area the coveted distinction.

The DDC announced last month that after a lengthy recertification process, the N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center has officially renamed Henderson a designated N.C. Main Street Community. Benefits of Main Street status include technical assistance with building restoration and access to grant money – perks that can help attract new businesses and breathe new life into downtown.

Dr. Stephen Pearson, chair of the DDC, said Walters was instrumental in the reestablishment of Henderson to Main Street status and was personally helpful with his new role.

“She did a fantastic job as executive director, and it’s been an absolute pleasure working with her,” Pearson said. “She was a great help to me transitioning into my position.”

Blackmon said the City will begin the recruitment process to name a new DDC director in the coming weeks. In the interim, Blackmon and Development Service Director Corey Williams will perform the day-to-day activities of Walters’ position.

Ducky Derby

Rubber ‘Ducky Derby’ Race to Be Held in Downtown Henderson This Saturday!

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

The 11th Annual FGV Ducky Derby Race will be held this Saturday, September 19, 2020, at 11 a.m. on Garnett Street in downtown Henderson.

Several changes from previous events will be in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The public is still welcome to join the fun in-person. Social distancing and masks will be required for all participants.

Proceeds from the annual event provide services for local families with children age five and younger. (Click here for article and video from last year’s event.)

This year, with the uncertainty surrounding event-planning, no individual tickets for rubber ducks were sold. Instead, Smart Start secured sponsors to support this event.

Approximately 2,000 rubber ducks will “race,” with each representing a child enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Founded by singer and entertainer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library partners with Smart Start programs to offer youth one free book a month – via mail – from birth through age five.

Applications for the Imagination Library can be found at local pediatric offices, childcare centers, the Granville Vance Public Health Department, Maria Parham Health, libraries and the FGV Smart Start office.

The “lucky duck” [child] who wins the Ducky Derby will receive the grand prize of free Chick-fil-A for a year.

“We wanted to have something for the public; so many things aren’t going to happen this fall. We decided we wanted something that we can still have and – possibly – people could come out and see,” stated Garry Daeke, outreach coordinator for FGV.

Those not able to attend in-person can view the event live on the FGV Smart Start Facebook page.

To enroll your child in the Imagination Library or with questions, please call FGV Smart Start at (252) 433-9110.

Henderson Men's Shelter

Henderson Men’s Shelter, Hope House to Open Under New COVID Guidelines

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-Information courtesy Jane King, Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners of Hope has had to navigate some new obstacles this year, but with your help, we will continue to offer services to homeless men both in the emergency men’s shelter and in Hope House.

However, there will be some big changes for the upcoming shelter season which are necessary to keep everyone as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VOLUNTEERS

We will not be able to use volunteers for supervision this year. Even with the strictest safety guidelines, we need to minimize the number of people who come into contact with our guests at the shelter, so we will depend on a minimum number of paid staff to cover all shifts and provide backup in case someone is not able to work a shift. This puts an added burden on our budget, so it would help greatly if you would consider donating money instead of your time as a volunteer this year.

MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY

The maximum occupancy for the 2020-2021 season will be six men. In order to maintain a minimum safe distance, we cannot house the 10-12 men we have had over the past year. This allows room for an adequate distance between sleeping spaces as well as during meals, showers, etc. To accomplish this we will limit stays to a maximum of 14 days. If a man still needs shelter after a seven-day break, he may return for another 14 days if there is room.

Health guidelines will be strictly enforced and if a man refuses to comply, he will be asked to leave. Where we have tried to be lenient in the past, the health and safety of our residents and staff require us to be very strict this year.

MEALS

We will still be asking people to sign up to bring meals, but in order to prevent the spread of germs, we are asking that volunteers bring eight meals served in take-out trays and/or lunch bags. Individual bottles of water, tea, or juice will be greatly appreciated.   Each man will receive his meal without touching any other person’s food. You can remain in your car when you bring the meal and someone will come out to get the food.

There are a few restaurants that will provide meals occasionally, but we need volunteers to pick those up and deliver to the shelter. If you know of a restaurant to add to our list, please contact me. Breakfast will consist of cereal bars, juice boxes, etc. that can be bagged for the men to take as they leave.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Everyone in the shelter MUST wear a mask over their mouth and nose except when eating, showering, or sleeping. Hand washing and social distancing will be enforced. Anyone who does not comply will be asked to leave.

We have asked the Health Department for guidance on cleaning, and we are exploring additional safeguards including an air handling system to circulate and disinfect the air in the shelter.

HOPE HOUSE

Our resident capacity will be limited to no more than four men. We have three men in Hope House at the moment, and the oversight committee is reviewing applications to accept one new resident. During this pandemic, we believe it safest to have only two men in each bedroom, and we are keeping the single room free in case of a need to quarantine.

The Hope House residents are following safety guidelines and keeping the house sanitized as much as possible.

DONATIONS

Here is a list of the most needed items:

  • Socks – white tube socks – not short socks or dress socks
  • Underwear – boxers and tee-shirts in sizes L, XL, 2X, and 3X
  • Thermal underwear – prefer black waffle weave – sizes L, XL, 2X, and 3X
  • Gloves – waterproof, please – not knitted
  • Shower shoes
  • Hand sanitizer in small bottles that men can carry in their pocket
  • Disposable razors
  • Toothpaste – sample sizes
  • Soap – travel sizes
  • Laundry pods – eliminates the problem of not measuring powder or liquid properly
  • Tall Kitchen Trash Bags (13 Gallon Size)
  • Pine-sol type cleaner – gallon containers
  • Spray shower cleaner (scrubbing bubbles or similar item)
  • Paper Towels
  • Bleach
  • Clorox spray cleaner plus bleach

We cannot accept used clothing, bedding, or other items. New items should be delivered in their original packaging.

Please do not bring donations to the shelter! Needed items can be delivered to WIZS radio station or to the First Presbyterian Church office in Henderson on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please contact Jane King at (252) 432-9494 to make other arrangements.

CONTRIBUTIONS

All contributions are tax-deductible.

Checks may be made out to CPOH and mailed to: Community Partners of Hope, PO Box 1791, Henderson, NC 27536

PRAYERS

As always, we need your prayers. Please include our ministry on your church’s prayer list and encourage others to learn more about and pray for our guests, our staff, and all who make this possible.

NC DOT

Election Campaign Sign Season Underway

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-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Transportation

Drivers traveling on North Carolina roadways are likely seeing what has become an election-year tradition – a lot of campaign signs.

A state law passed in 2011 allows campaign signs to be placed in the state road right of way as early as 30 days before the start of early voting, which starts on Oct. 15. That means signs legally started going into place this week.

There are restrictions regarding the signs. They include:

  • Whoever places a sign is required to get the permission of any property owner of a residence, business or religious institution fronting the right of way where a sign would be placed;
  • No sign is permitted in the right of way of a limited-access highway such as an interstate;
  • No sign can be closer than 3 feet from the edge of the pavement of the road;
  • No sign can obscure motorist visibility at an intersection;
  • No sign can be higher than 42 inches above the edge of the pavement;
  • No sign can be larger than 864 square inches; and
  • No sign can obscure or replace another sign.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has the authority to remove any signs that violate these rules. If anyone else removes or vandalizes a sign, they could be subject to a Class 3 misdemeanor citation from law enforcement.

Campaign signs can remain in place for 10 days after the Nov. 3 election. Signs still in the right of way after the deadline are in violation of state law, and the NCDOT is authorized to remove and dispose of them.

ACTS of Henderson Food Pantry

ACTS of Henderson Announces Current Food Pantry Needs

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-Information courtesy ACTS of Henderson

ACTS of Henderson is currently in need of the following items for its food pantry:

  • Boxed macaroni and cheese
  • Brown sugar
  • Ketchup
  • Boxes of pasta
  • Canned fruit (any kind)
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Cans/cartons of beef/chicken broth
  • Beef/chicken bouillon cubes
  • White sugar
  • Canned baked beans
  • Paper towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Prepared salad dressing
  • ‘Awesome’ brand cleaner (from Dollar Tree or Roses)
  • Standard size clean, dry grocery bags
  • Wrapped, unused silverware packages

Items may be dropped off at the ACTS location at 201 South Williams Street in Henderson any weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you need to drop off at a time other than this, please call ACTS at (252) 492–8231 to make arrangements.

Local News Audio

Local News Audio 9-16-20 Noon: Schools Plan B; Flash Flooding

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– Flash Flood Watch
– Granville County Schools Plan B Coming
– Vance County Schools
– Shop With A Cop

Click Play for Local News Audio and Full Details…

 

West End Baptist

West End Baptist Men to Hold 220 Seafood Take-Out Fundraiser

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-Information courtesy Jerry Parrish, West End Baptist Church

The Baptist Men of West End Baptist Church will hold a Fish Fry Fundraiser at 220 Seafood Restaurant in Henderson on Monday, October 5, 2020, from 4 until 7 p.m.

Dinner will include trout, slaw, French fries and hushpuppies. The cost is $8 per plate.

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, plates will be take-out only.

All proceeds will be used to support local ministries, including ACTS, Lifeline Ministries, Rebuilding Hope, GRACE Ministries and others.

Local News Audio

Local News Audio 9-15-20 Noon

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– Ola Thorpe-Cooper’s appointment to City Council

– Parks & Rec Operations Schedule

– $50k to McGregor Hall

Click Play for Local News Audio and for Full Details…

 

City of Henderson Logo

Ola Thorpe-Cooper Appointed to Henderson City Council’s Vacant Ward 4 Seat

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

At Monday evening’s Henderson City Council meeting, Council members voted to appoint Ms. Ola Thorpe-Cooper to fill the unexpired term of Fearldine Simmons. Simmons passed away at the age of 73 on August 9, 2020. Her term was active through 2021.

Thorpe-Cooper was approved by a 5-2 ballot vote and will serve as the representative for the Council’s Ward 4 seat.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said, “Ms. Ola Thorpe-Cooper is a fine lady that will serve our City well. If you look back on her impressive, noteworthy achievements through the years, that’s what she has done her whole life, help others. We welcome her aboard and look forward to her encouraging personality and many talents.”

Thorpe-Cooper will be sworn in during the October 12, 2020, regularly scheduled Henderson City Council meeting.

The Drifters

McGregor Hall: ‘The Drifters in Concert’ Rescheduled for Next Fall

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-Information and featured image courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center has rescheduled “The Drifters in Concert” to Sunday, October 3, 2021, at 3 p.m.

The Drifters linked Fifties rhythm and blues with sweet Sixties soul music. They have enjoyed a string of honey-voiced lead singers, including Henderson native Ben E. King. Hit after hit followed, including “There Goes My Baby,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “This Magic Moment,” “Up on the Roof,” “On Broadway,” and many, many others.

All tickets purchased for the original 2020 concert date will be honored. Additionally, reserved seating will remain the same from the original ticketing orders. If you have purchased tickets for this event, a McGregor Hall representative will be in touch with you via email or phone.

If you have further questions regarding this concert, please contact McGregor Hall:

Email: info@mcgregorhall.org
Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/McGregorHallHenderson/
OR
Leave a voicemail on the McGregor Hall Box Office phone line at (252) 598-0662

PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/11557/mcgregor-hall-performing-arts-center

Thank you for your patience as McGregor Hall endeavors to navigate this unprecedented, challenging time in the arts industry, and ultimately, in world history.