Facility Upgrades to Close Aycock Rec. Center Through August

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Aycock Recreation Center will be closed beginning Saturday, July 27 and reopening on Saturday, August 31, 2019.

On Friday, July 26, the center will close at 6 p.m.

During this closure, we will be making upgrades to the facility. Patrons may still utilize the outdoor walking track.

For more information, please contact Tara Goolsby at (252) 438-3948 or tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us

 

VGCC Pins 19 Practical Nursing Graduates

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Nineteen Practical Nursing graduates were honored for their completion of the one-year program at Vance-Granville Community College during a pinning ceremony on July 24 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.

Upon receiving their diplomas, the graduates are now eligible to sit for the national exam for licensed practical nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Nineteen Practical Nursing graduates were honored for their completion of the one-year program at Vance-Granville Community College during a pinning ceremony on July 24 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. Front row (L to R): B. Williams, L. Clayton, M. Wanjiku, E. Ogachi, T. Onchiri, M. Casady, S. Mugambi; Second row (L to R): S. Nyambariga, J. Kortor, C. Howarth, S. Wilson, M. Sellers, S. Alston, C. Blakenship; Third row (L to R): S. Hawkins, M. Goedeker, T. Adesina, B. Kilmer. (VGCC photo)

Among the Practical Nursing graduates recognized at the ceremony were Candice Howarth of Bullock; Mary Wanjiku of Cary; Shaquile Hawkins and Sharlett Wilson, both of Creedmoor; Timothy Adesina and Justin Kortor, both of Durham; Stephanie Alston of Henderson; Laveasta Clayton of Knightdale; Megann Casady of Louisburg; Mikayla Sellers of Middleburg; Brittany Williams of Oxford; Marylou Goedeker, Sylvia Mugambi, Stephen Nyambariga, Esther Ogachi and Teresa Onchiri, all of Raleigh; Cindy Blankenship and Suzanne Wiley, both of Wake Forest; and Bryanne Kilmer of Youngsville.

Welcoming remarks were offered by Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of academic affairs; Erica Jastrow, the chair of the college’s Nursing Department; and Candice Howarth, president of the Practical Nursing Class of 2019.

“Our Nursing program goes all the way back to 1970, almost to the founding of this great institution, of which we are celebrating 50 years of existence this year,” said Dr. Brown. “Now we are proud to add to that history the Practical Nursing Class of 2019, a diverse group of students from several towns in our region.” While many members of the class have chosen specific nursing specialties for their careers, many also plan to continue their education, he said.  He encouraged the graduates to “aspire, accelerate and achieve in every walk of life.”

“With success comes great responsibility,” Jastrow noted in her remarks. “The work that these graduates did a year ago was work for their future selves that are here graduating today. I hope that others are inspired by your success to begin working toward their future selves. We at VGCC would love to have the opportunity to work with others to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.”

News 07/26/19

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City of Henderson Logo

Search Process For New City Manager Begins

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At a special called meeting of the Henderson City Council Thursday afternoon, a human resources consultant with the NC League of Municipalities (NCLM), Hartwell Wright, appeared before the board to discuss the process of replacing retiring Henderson City Manager Frank Frazier.

Wright, who is a resident of Vance County and was a City of Henderson employee some 15 years ago before going to the NCLM, indicated that three things were needed to get the process started: an administrator, a group of people who would be conducting the search and if the search would be performed confidentially.

The board indicated, and confirmed to WIZS News after the meeting was complete, that Frazier will administer the process from a logistical point of view, that the entire board would work together as a unified body to conduct the search, rather than having a committee or consultant do it, and that the search would be performed confidentially.  In other words, applicant names will be held in strict confidence.

What will not be confidential is updates to the public.  Wright urged that local media be kept up to date so citizens would be kept up to date on where the City was in the process and so forth.

Wright said the word professional over and over, and the board members, mayor and city attorney very much agreed that the highest of professional standards would be used to complete the process.  Councilman William Burnette said, “We were elected to find the best.”

Wright told the board that this decision is as “important a decision as you will do.”  He said, “Your manager is your ambassador, your ambassador to your citizens.”

The next step is to build a profile, and it was suggested that each council person write down four things he or she was looking for in a manager.  Then, the board can agree on the most important.

The entire process is expected to take no less than six months, which is within the timetable that Frazier has already expressed, as he has essentially indicated he would stay on into 2020 until a new manager was hired.

Wright urged the council to “use the profile as a measuring stick, and you’ll be closer together” as a group leading up to the decision.

From the sound of it, all applicants can expect a professional process, fair practices and a council that will be administering the process as a well-informed and unified body.

Vance Co. Schools Announces Start Dates for 2019-20 Year

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

All students who attend Vance County Middle School, AdVance Academy, STEM Early High School and all Vance County elementary schools except E.M. Rollins will begin school on Monday, August 26, 2019. Open house will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019. Information on times will be made available as soon as possible.

E.M. Rollins Elementary School will begin school on Monday, August 5, 2019. Open house will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019, from 2 until 7 p.m.

Vance County Early College and Vance County High School will begin school on Monday, August 5, 2019. Open house will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019, from 1 until 7 p.m.

All parents and students are invited to attend open house events.

Town Talk 07/25/19

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Clothing & Backpack Giveaway to be Held at New Sandy Creek Baptist

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-Information courtesy Jackie Ayscue, New Sandy Creek Baptist Church

A community clothing and backpack giveaway will be held Saturday, August 24, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Family Life Center at New Sandy Creek Baptist Church.

Clothing, coats, backpack and school supplies will be given away.

New Sandy Creek Baptist is located at 1699 Weldon’s Mill Road, Henderson, NC.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

H-V Rec. & Parks to Offer Summer ‘Pop Up Parks’

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department presents “Pop Up Parks.” These parks will be held at Lincoln Heights, Cedar Hurst and Henderson Heights Apartments.

Times & Locations:

Lincoln Heights Apartments – Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on July 30, August 6, 13 and 20.

Cedar Hurst Apartments – Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m on July 31, August 7, 14 and 21.

Henderson Heights Apartments – Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on July 26, August 2, 9, 16 and 23.

For more information, please contact Gregory Kelly at (252) 431-6099 or gkelly@ci.henderson.nc.us.

 

 

News 07/25/19

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Town Talk (07/24/19): Jason Spriggs Discusses Henderson City Council Campaign

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Jason A. Spriggs, candidate for the Henderson City Council’s 4th Ward At-Large seat, was the guest of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.

A resident of Turner Avenue near downtown Henderson, Spriggs is running against incumbent George Daye in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election.

Spriggs, who said previous discussions with Daye led to his interest in Henderson’s political scene, expressed his surprise that Daye filed for reelection.

“George Daye filed on the very last day,” Spriggs said. “We didn’t expect it. From every City leader and County leader that I spoke with, he was not expected to do so. This is kind of where we’re at; this is politics, so we continue our campaign.”

Filing for the October 8 election began Friday, July 5 at 12 p.m. and ended on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 12 p.m. Offices that will be on the ballot include Mayor, 1st and 2nd Ward seats and 3rd and 4th  Ward At-Large seats.

With no one filing for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat by the July 19 deadline, the State Board of Elections approved an extension that began Monday, July 22 and ends Friday, July 26, 2019, at 12 p.m.

Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, Spriggs, who has called NC home for 20+ years now, said he is familiar with the rural way of life and understands the importance of local connections and personal relationships.

“In a small town, if they don’t know you – and I mean have eaten with you or have attended church services with you – you’re going to have some issues with not only getting known but also getting the support.”

Not being as well known around town is one reason Spriggs said his 2015 campaign for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat was, ultimately, unsuccessful.

Spriggs said he and his family’s establishment in the community has grown in the past four years and believes his ideas, coupled with suggested solutions, make him the right person for the job.

“The things that are going on in Henderson are not things that city leaders can take lightly,” said Spriggs. “A lot of youth are dying, residents are struggling to keep water and lights on and residents are struggling with addiction. No matter who I talk to, the first thing they say is ‘if they would just pick up this trash.’ The conversation then proceeds to crime and drugs. Those are the top three things.”

Conscious of budget constraints, Spriggs suggested using existing City resources and personnel to provide street litter cleanup on a weekly or biweekly basis.

He also referred listeners to his website at www.jason4henderson.com for more information on his campaign and a more extensive list of his ideas for improving Henderson.

(This is not a paid political advertisement. WIZS is in communication with incumbent George Daye to participate in a similar interview.)

To hear Spriggs’ Town Talk 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.