VCS’ Dr. Anthony Jackson Named NC Superintendent of the Year

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony D. Jackson was named the 2020 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at the North Carolina School Board Association Conference.

The event was held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro and the honor is given by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association and the North Carolina School Boards Association.

Dr. Jackson has served as Superintendent for Vance County since 2015. Since being in Vance County, he has played a significant role in obtaining the Golden Leaf Grant, which helped the district implement the WeInspire Digital Transformation Initiative. Additionally, he has helped develop instructional programs including Youth Empowerment and Advance Academy, while student achievement is improving and graduation rates are increasing.

The NCSBA conference was filled with many other accolades for Vance County Schools as well. The Board of Education earned Master 2 certification, the only board in the state to earn such a distinction. Additionally, Vance County Middle School placed 2nd in the state-wide middle school video contest, while Vance County High School took the first place spot in the high school competition for the second year in a row.

There were several staff members from the district who presented at the conference as well, including Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent, Mrs. Michelle Burton, Director of Human Resources, and Mrs. Kedecia Stewart Faines, Vance County Schools teacher and former District Teacher of the Year.

Our district is, without question, Vance County Proud!

Town Talk 11/20/19: Cardinal Innovations & Baskerville Funeral Home Form Partnership

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Gina Dement, community engagement specialist with Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, and Charlie Baskerville, Jr., owner of Baskerville Funeral Home and a former Vance County magistrate, were the guests of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

Dement and Baskerville discussed their respective organizations’ recent partnership to offer free, monthly community engagement sessions at the funeral home located at 104 S. Chestnut Street in Henderson.

Recent meetings have included hard-hitting topics such as opioid use, trauma and resiliency, suicide prevention and guardianship rights and responsibilities.

In last night’s guardianship session, participants learned when guardianship is appropriate, how to start the process, guardians’ rights and responsibilities and available alternatives and strategies.

Dement said Cardinal Innovations is grateful to have an accessible place in the community to offer these sessions. “We are so thankful that Mr. Baskerville came to us. He said he wanted to give people a way to be engaged in their community.”

“I wanted a way to inform residents about favorable things happening in Henderson,” Baskerville explained. “People talk about the negatives, but we have some good things and good services available to the community.”

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare offers services for those with substance abuse disorders, mental health disorders and intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD). A 24-hour helpline staffed by licensed counselors is available by calling 1-800-939-5911.

For more information on Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, visit www.cardinalinnovations.org.

For additional information on the community sessions or if interested in hosting a similar program at your organization, contact Gina Dement with Cardinal Innovations Healthcare at (919) 215-0721or Gina.dement@cardinalinnovations.org.

To hear the interview in its entirety, including general discussion on community and mental health-related topics, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Vance-Granville Community College Band to Present Winter Concert

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

On Monday, December 2, 2019, the Vance-Granville Community College Band will present its Winter Concert at 7:30 p.m. in McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson, NC. The concert is free to the public and will last about an hour.

Brian Miller, the conductor of the band, commented that the band is playing classics of band literature. “All of our music is good, solid, traditional band music,” said Miller. “We will open with Sousa’s ‘Manhattan Beach March’ and will close with his ‘Century of Progress March.'”

On Monday, December 2, 2019, the Vance-Granville Community College Band will present its Winter Concert at 7:30 p.m. in McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson, NC. The concert is free to the public and will last about an hour. (VGCC photo)

“No band concert is complete without Sousa, for Sousa is the greatest band composer of all time. His music has a universal and timeless appeal,” commented Miller.

In addition to the Sousa marches, the band will perform some light classics that include a transcription of Shostakovich’s “Waltz No. 2,” and themes from Wagner’s “Tannhauser,” incidentally considered by Sousa to be the greatest operatic composition of all time.

A chief focus of the concert, of course, is seasonal holiday music. Claire Ramsey will read “The Night Before Christmas” with a special band accompaniment. Audience members will hear such traditional favorites as “Blue Christmas,” “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” and a medley entitled “Christmas Around The World.”

The Old Vanguard Woodwind Quartet will perform in the middle of the concert and will have some special Beatles transcriptions that the audience will recognize and appreciate.

“Band concerts are very old-fashioned and traditional,” said Miller. “What a great way to start the Christmas season! We are pleased to present this wonderful music in the middle of historic downtown Henderson. McGregor Hall is such a terrific performance venue. We are so fortunate to have such a facility in Henderson.”

Miller, in addition to conducting duties for the Vance-Granville Community College Band, teaches online Music Appreciation courses for Vance-Granville. He is the band director and assistant administrator for Crosscreek Charter School in Louisburg and plays the pipe organ at Louisburg Baptist Church.

Prior to coming to Crosscreek and Vance-Granville, Miller was the longtime director of the Louisburg High School band program.

“Please tell everybody you know about our concert,” concluded Miller. “It will be fast-paced, interesting, and should leave you humming favorite tunes. The VGCC Band strives to be ambassadors of music in our multi-county service area. It is our pleasure to present this beautiful traditional music to the public.”

For more information, contact band director Brian D. Miller at 919-496-5877 or by email: Bmiller9302@vgcc.edu

Fourth Annual Henderson-Vance Community Dinner to Offer Free Thanksgiving Meals

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Fred Robertson

Individuals and local businesses have teamed up for the Fourth Annual Henderson-Vance Community Day Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 28, 2019. Meals are available free of charge to the public from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The event is hosted by Fred and Jennifer Robertson, and Williams and Tracey Jones, and will be held at the Elk’s Lodge located at 326 W. Rockspring Street in Henderson.

Delivery is also available by pre-order! The deadline to place delivery orders has been extended to Friday, November 22 at 5 p.m. Orders can be placed by email – pvtjoy33@yahoo.com, or texting (252) 432-8804 or (252) 213-8350.

With questions, please contact Fred at (252) 432-8804 or Tracey at (252) 213-8350.

Event Sponsors: Chris & Shannon Bullock, H & H Rental Brokers, Dr. Bridget Busby Waters, Bail Bonds by Kendra Henderson, Attorneys Joyce Fischer & Chrystal Satterwhite, Jones Trucking by Earlie Jones, Geter Barber College, Divine Styles by Barbara Bobbitt and St. Beulah Holiness Church.

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Rescue Squad Announces Christmas Raffle Winners

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

On behalf of the Vance County Rescue Squad, Treasurer Mike Fisher would like to thank those who purchased raffle tickets for the Christmas Spending Spree raffle.

This year’s raffle winners are:

1st Prize – $800 – Donna Stukes

2nd Prize – $500 – Robert Maddry

3rd Prize – $300 – Rachel Daye

4th Prize – $200 – Roger Matney

Please contact the Rescue Squad at (252) 438-7360 for more information.

News 11/20/19

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Town Talk 11/19/19: Mast Drug Anticipates Dec. Opening of Dabney Dr. Location

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Richard “Dicky” Flye, president and CEO of Mast Family Drug Company, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the upcoming grand opening of the new Mast Drug Store.

The multi-generational business, part of the Henderson community for over 50 years, will be moving from its current location at 501 S. Chestnut Street to its new location on Dabney Drive.

New Mast Drug Store on Dabney Dr. in Henderson undergoes finishing touches before its anticipated December 2019 grand opening. (WIZS photo)

With an anticipated early December opening, the company is waiting on the final permits to be signed and approved by the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy before announcing an official date.

The new building is located on the Mast Drug-owned property beside Quick Print, and is being constructed by H.G. Reynolds Company, Inc, a group that Flye said, “has done a fine job and are good folks from Henderson.”

At 4,500 square feet, the new location will be more than double the size of the current Chestnut Street building, thus allowing for a bigger pharmacy area, larger storefront and a gift shop.

Flye said it is fair to say that while the location will be changing, the services and the community feel will only continue to grow.

In fact, customers will see many of the same familiar faces when the new location opens, including long-serving Mast Drug employee Gayle Cheek, pharmacy manager, and David Vick, retail manager.

Briefly describing the history of Mast Drug, Flye said there was a time when the current Quick Print Building was a Henderson Drug location owned by his father-in-law Bill Mast and partner Charles Barnett.

When Mast and Barnett parted ways, Mast continued to operate the pharmacy [current Mast Drug] on Chestnut Street while Barnett ran the drug store at the Dabney Drive location for a number of years before moving his business farther down the road.

“We’ve missed being on Dabney; it was time to come back. Dabney is growing and there is going to be a lot of construction there in the next couple of years. It’s a busy area and it makes business sense to do it,” said Flye.

The most important thing to the family, according to Flye, is that Mast Drug is able to expand its coverage and its services while remaining local.

“We have family members involved – a generation below me. This is for them to take forward. I’ll still be around for a good while, I hope! This will set it up so we can continue in Henderson. It means a lot for us to be in Henderson and stay here. We are Henderson folks and we look forward to seeing you at our new store.”

(This is not a paid advertisement)

To hear Flye’s interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

VGCC to Offer Truck Driver Training

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, will soon offer a Truck Driver Training program that gives students the training required to operate tractor-trailer rigs, obtain a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and become professional truck drivers.

Registration is going on now for the nine-week program, which will take place in early 2020, with a combination of classroom instruction, range driving and road driving.

Beginning in February 2020, Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, will offer a Truck Driver Training program that gives students the training required to operate tractor-trailer rigs, obtain a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and become professional truck drivers. (VGCC photo)

After a mandatory orientation on Thursday, January 23, classroom instruction will begin on Wednesday, February 12, in Building 7 (room 7105) on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. Classes will meet Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., ending on April 16, with the exception of Friday, April 10.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified commercial truck drivers is expected to grow by 21 percent through 2020, and trucking companies actively seek quality student drivers right out of programs like this one.

“Variety Wholesalers is pleased that VGCC has the economic insight to see the value of a truck driving school in Henderson,” said Ronald Bennett, Director of Transportation for Variety Wholesalers, Inc. “The logistics experts estimate a national shortage of over 50,000 drivers. Variety Wholesalers, as well as other area businesses, will certainly benefit from this program. It is also exciting to have another credentialing program available for the adults in Vance County. We look forward to the ‘fruits of their labor’ as time goes on.”

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the opportunity to be employed by commercial trucking companies, become an owner-operator, or take advantage of local jobs. This Truck Driver Training program is certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI).

Students must be at least 18 years old, have a valid North Carolina driver’s license, and be able to read and speak English well enough to take instructions from highway signs, to converse with officials, and to complete the required reports.

Tuition and fees for the entire class total $1,881, well below the average cost for commercial truck driving schools. A payment plan is available, and there are opportunities for scholarships to partially defray the cost of tuition and fees.

There are additional costs for the required DOT physical and drug screen, N.C. Motor Vehicle Record, permit and license.

The Truck Driver Training program is approved for funding by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Unemployed and underemployed individuals may qualify for tuition vouchers to take the course.

The deadline to register is Thursday, January 30, 2020.

For more information about the Truck Driver Training program, contact Kyle Burwell at burwellk@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3276, or Gina Brewer at brewerg@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3324.

Community Partners of Hope

Henderson Men’s Shelter in Need of Volunteers, Meals for Holiday Season

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners of Hope really needs volunteer assistance with the Henderson Men’s Shelter. Thanks to a few church groups and a number of individual contributors, most of November and December are scheduled; however, there are few volunteers for the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Can you help? Do you know someone who might be interested in doing an occasional shift?

Community Partners of Hope will gladly send someone to talk to your church groups if it will help inspire more volunteers.

OVERNIGHT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (always with a trained partner – 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.)

Thursday, November 21

Saturday, November 23

Sunday, November 24 through Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving)

Saturday, November 30

Saturday, December 14

Thursday, December 19

Saturday, December 21

*Also any night during Christmas week and the week after Christmas!

WELCOME SHIFT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (always with a trained manager – 5:30 – 9 p.m.)

Sunday, November 24 through Wednesday, November 27

Saturday, November 30

Saturday, December 14

Saturday, December 21

*Also any night during Christmas week and the week after Christmas!

MEALS NEEDED:  Please bring enough for 14 – 16 men plus tea

Monday, November 25

Wednesday, November 27

Friday, December 20

Saturday, December 21

Thursday, December 26

To volunteer or with questions, contact Jane King, volunteer coordinator, at 252-432-9494.

Henderson Family YMCA to Host ‘Ugly Sweater 5K’ at Kerr Lake

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy the Henderson Family YMCA

The Henderson Family YMCA presents the “Ugly Sweater 5K” on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Kerr Lake Recreation Area – Satterwhite Point in Henderson.

The race starts at 10 a.m.; entrance gate closes at 9:50 a.m.

Early Bird Registration is being held now through Sunday, November 24. Cost is $10 for children, $20 for adults.

Open Registration will be held November 25 – December 6. Cost is $15 for children, $25 for adults.

Race Day Registration will be available on December 7. Cost is $20 for children, $30 for adults. (Race day registration does NOT include t-shirt.)

0-12 = child ~ 13 and older = adult

Proceeds benefit Girls on the Run of Northern North Carolina and Henderson Family YMCA STRIDE.

Register at the Henderson Family YMCA (380 Ruin Creek Rd), online at www.hendersonymca.org or on race day starting at 9 a.m. at Satterwhite Point Community Building.

(This is not a paid advertisement)