In a press release, Esther McCrackin, City Clerk – City of Henderson, NC, informed local media:
The Boards and Commissions Committee of the Henderson City Council will meet on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in the large conference room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The purpose of the meeting is to consider applications for various boards, committees and commissions. The public is welcome to attend.
According to the investigating Trooper with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, two people died in this accident early Monday evening. Norman Soloman, 67, of Warrenton and Jason Plummber, 47, of Middleburg. Both men were riding in a Buick passenger car. The two occupants of a Toyota were transported to Maria Parham with non-life threatening injuries. It happened just outside the Henderson City Limits on Norlina Road, where Old Norlina Road intersects near the old Freeze Maid location. The driver of the Buick attempted a left turn onto Old Norlina Road.
By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire
Community conversations regarding the potential consolidation of Henderson and Eaton-Johnson Middle Schools and Northern Vance and Southern Vance High Schools began last Thursday, January 25 and continue through the end of February.
The Vance County Board of Education, Superintendent Anthony Jackson and school system staff are seeking community input on the potential of consolidating both middle schools and high schools as a result of declining student enrollment across the district and to increase financial sustainability.
The proposal includes consolidating Henderson Middle and Eaton-Johnson Middle School for the 2018-19 school year and Northern Vance and Southern Vance High School for the 2019-20 school year.
According to Terri Hedrick, public information officer for Vance County Schools, there is no current plan of which particular school buildings would be closed by this consolidation. “All plans, including which school buildings would remain in use, are open for discussion. Nothing is set in stone. No final decisions have been made,” said Hedrick.
At the January 8 board meeting, it was reported that enrollment in Vance County Schools has continued to decline, from 6,848 students for the 2012-13 school year to 5,980 students in the current 2017-18 year.
According to Hedrick, this decline in numbers is due to multiple factors including the increased number of choices when it comes to education. “Students and parents have more choices as to where they attend school in Vance County. This includes private schools, charter schools and home schooling. Students can also go outside of the county to attend charter or private schools as well,” said Hedrick.
In addition to the increased number of educational choices outside of the public school system, research has shown Dr. Jackson and his staff that birth rates in Vance County have been declining in the last few years and that fewer families living in the county have school-age children. “All of these factors play into the discussions we are having on the possible consolidation of two middle and two high schools,” said Hedrick.
Projections indicate that the consolidation of the middle schools could save the district an estimated $1 million annually, with the high school consolidation saving approximately $1.4 million.
The consolidation proposal projects a reduction of 19 positions at the middle school level and 25 positions at the high school level, plus operational and monthly costs for facilities no longer needed.
The board emphasized that if this proposal moves forward, savings created by the consolidation will be given back to the school system to support students, staff and program offerings. Hedrick indicated that these savings could be used for additional funding of advanced placement and honor courses, technical educational courses, athletics, clubs and fine arts programs amongst other areas.
The proposal is not expected to affect any of the district’s 10 elementary schools, the STEM Early High School or the Early College High School located on Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus.
The first two community conversations to discuss the proposed consolidations were held Thursday, January 25 at the Administrative Services Center located on Graham Avenue and at Henderson Middle School. According to Hedrick, approximately 120 people attended the first two meetings with the majority of the comments being positive and in support of the consolidation. “We were pleased with the large turnout and heard a lot of positive feedback and answered a lot of questions,” said Hedrick.
Additional public meetings will be held as follows:
Tuesday, Jan 30- Administrative Services Center at 10:00 am
Wednesday, Jan 31- Northern Vance High School at 6:30 pm
Monday, Feb 19- Southern Vance High School at 6:00 pm
Monday, Feb 26- Eaton-Johnson Middle School at 6:00 pm
Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes a 30-minute presentation from Dr. Jackson followed by smaller group discussions. According to Hedrick, the group discussions are driven by the questions of the public in attendance and have included a range of topics such as academics, staffing, transportation and athletics/extracurricular activities.
Feedback from these conversations will be presented, along with a recommendation, at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 12.
By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire
Community leaders and state health officials met Tuesday, January 23 in the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College for an early morning breakfast and to share updates on the state of healthcare in Vance County. One common theme amongst the speakers was the urgent need of an educated workforce to meet the demands of healthcare in both the local area and in the state of North Carolina.
The forum, titled The Vance County State of Healthcare, was hosted by Maria Parham Health and included opening/closing remarks and guest introductions from Robert F. Noel, Jr., MD., a general surgeon in his eighteenth year of practice at Maria Parham.
Bert Beard, the chief executive officer of Maria Parham Health, was introduced by Noel as the first speaker. “Healthcare is something that effects everyone and has been in a constant state of change, which can cause confusion and concern for the people we serve. Our goal for the State of Healthcare program is to bring important information about the healthcare industry and those industries that work with and impact healthcare to our community. We value our partnerships in our community and in our industry and appreciate help in getting important information to our communities,” said Beard.
Beard spoke about population health, the shift in healthcare trends from a hospital-centered focus to a community-centered focus. He explained that hospitals could no longer focus solely on what was happening inside the hospital building, but must expand the focus to the health of the entire community.
Beard also shared updates on Maria Parham’s acquisition of the former Franklin Medical Center, which will be known as Maria Parham Franklin. The emergency department will be one of the first areas to reopen with a slated date of summer 2018. Imaging services including CT, MRI, ultrasound, x-ray and mammography are also scheduled to reopen along with the outpatient lab and a 13-bed geriatric behavioral unit. A new 20-bed unit is scheduled to open in 2019.
Stephanie McGarrah, vice president for public policy for the North Carolina Hospital Association, provided an overview of the healthcare industry in NC, the economic impact on NC health systems and NC workforce challenges.
McGarrah explained that while NC’s population continues to increase rapidly-the state was the ninth most populous in 2014-it ranks an abysmal thirty-second in the nation in terms of overall health. According to McGarrah, sources show that Vance County is considered amongst the most vulnerable of populations in the state with higher levels of poverty and higher levels of citizens without a high school diploma.
North Carolina hospitals and health systems have the unique challenge of serving all people, including the most vulnerable. “The health care industry is trying to determine how to address all health factors, including social determinants of health,” said McGarrah.
Another major issue facing the healthcare industry is that the demand for healthcare workers is outpacing the supply. McGarrah stated there are several contributing factors to this problem including the maldistribution of healthcare workers across the state, high level of worker burnout and new occupations being created by the emerging population healthcare model.
Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Stelfanie Williams and Dr. Levy Brown, the vice president of academic affairs at VGCC, addressed the college’s role in helping educate the next generation of healthcare workers. According to Brown, VGCC currently offers 15 programs in curriculum and continuing education related to various aspects of the healthcare industry with the majority of graduates finding employment at Maria Parham Health or other local healthcare systems.
Williams acknowledged the unique challenge VGCC faces in keeping up with rapid changes in the healthcare industry, but cited Maria Parham Health and Vance Co. newcomer Mako Medical Laboratories as valuable partners in training an educated workforce.
Mark Benton, the deputy secretary for health services for the Department of Health and Human Services addressed the issue of Medicaid and the impact of North Carolina not expanding the joint federal-state insurance plan.
According to Benton, the state has since sought a revised waiver to the federal oversight agency to transform the Medicaid program. The goal is to have the first phase implemented by July 2019.
Benton also addressed social determinants of health and the devastation of the opioid crisis and stated that the DHHS “envisions a North Carolina that optimizes health and well-being for all people by effectively stewarding resources that bridge our communities and our healthcare system.”
The buffet style breakfast was provided by Triangle North Healthcare Foundation. Beard emphasized the importance that Triangle North Healthcare played in making The Vance County State of Healthcare possible and thanked Executive Director Val Short for being instrumental in the planning of the forum.
— courtesy VGCC
The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center is offering a new series of free seminars that provide essential management skills for leaders of nonprofit organizations. The “Packing Your Toolbox for a Strong Nonprofit” series is presented in partnership with the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, a regional grant-making organization that was established in 2011 as the successor to the Maria Parham Healthcare Foundation.
The six seminars include “Leadership Development for Nonprofit Organizations,” on February 8; “How to Write a Business Plan — The Most Important Part of Starting a Nonprofit,” on February 22; “Financial Management for the Nonprofit Organization” on March 8; “Developing Your Nonprofit Board” on March 22; “Fundraising 101 for Your Nonprofit” on April 5; and “Finding & Writing Grants” on April 19.
Each session will begin with lunch at 12:30 p.m. and will end by 3 p.m. The series will be held in room 7109 (Building 7) on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation will cover all costs of this series, including tuition, lunch and reading materials.
Melissa Driver Beard of Driving Force Relations, who has served as executive director for several nonprofit organizations, will be the instructor for four of the sessions. Ed Ormsby, former director of the Small Business Center at Edgecombe Community College, will teach “How to Write a Business Plan,” while Karen Kennedy, Community Development Manager for the City of Sanford, will teach the final session on grants.
Participants in the leadership program will be required to become clients of VGCC’s Small Business Center, which is free of charge.
Small Business Center Director Tanya Weary said that these seminars will be particularly helpful to new executive directors or new volunteer leaders for nonprofit organizations. Space is limited for each seminar. The deadline to register is Jan. 31.
For more information, contact Tanya Weary at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3240.
Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/small-business-center.
–VGCC–
(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS. This is not a paid advertisement.)
By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire
The weather outside may be cold and frightful, but inside the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center located on Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson an exciting 2018 lineup is bringing the heat.
The 2017-18 season began last fall with country music legend Lorrie Morgan, and the Center has been on a roll with great performances and exciting opportunities since. Ticket sales have been increasing and the support from both the public and the business community has been encouraging.
According to Mark Hopper, Vice Chair of the Board for the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation and McGregor Hall, individual tickets sales as of June 1, 2017 through mid-January of 2018 are up just over 50% when compared to the same time period in 2016-2017. Similarly, ticket revenues are up over 65% in the same time period comparison. Hopper believes this increase in ticket sales and revenue shows that the county and region are buying into the vision of making downtown Henderson a destination again.
In addition to increased sales, McGregor Hall is proud to have entertained over 6,000 students in educational programming in the past year. The Center has also partnered with Vance County Schools to bring Arts Alive! to the community. Arts Alive!, a talent showcase for students and employees of Vance County Schools, features dancing, singing, acting and the playing of musical instruments. According to McGregor Hall’s online calendar of events, the next Arts Alive! showcase will be held Saturday, March 24.
In February, the Center has a blockbuster schedule, including hit-maker Al Stewart, best known for the chart-topping songs “Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages.” Stewart will be charming audiences on Saturday, Feb. 17 and Southern Gospel legend Karen Peck and New River will be performing on Friday, Feb. 23.
McGregor Hall will also present “Masters of Soul” on Saturday, March 3, a top-quality Motown revue show that will feature the classic songs that made the Motor City sound famous. Hotel California, the original tribute band to The Eagles will also be delighting music lovers on Friday, March 16 with classic hits such as “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Desperado” and many more.
Tickets are on sale starting this week for the second annual Music at McGregor classical and chamber series, a set of three intimate concerts where patrons are seated onstage close to a talented lineup of performers. This year, McGregor Hall welcomes home John Noel, a Fulbright scholar concert pianist who grew up in Henderson; Michael Stephenson, a world-class soprano saxophonist and a founding member of the New Century Saxophone Quartet who is also a Henderson native, and vocalists Tiffany and Terrance Brown, whose gifted singing has filled both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
For patrons’ convenience, tickets for all performances are available for purchase in three ways: online via Etix, by calling the box office at (252) 598-0662 or in person at the box office. McGregor Hall recently announced a change and expansion to box office hours with the office now being open Monday through Friday, 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM, as well as one hour prior to show times. Ticket prices vary by show.
In addition to entertaining the community with performances, the Center’s hall and theater are also available for rental. Please contact the box office for current availability, facility specifications and rates.
McGregor Hall is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit and welcomes your tax-deductible contributions. According to Hopper, ticket sales account for less that 30% of operational revenue, and the Center receives no county or city funding. “Grassroots support keeps the dream alive, as over 50 business partners and numerous individuals generously showed with their contributions for the 2017-18 season,” said Hopper.
The gift of your time and effort are also welcomed. Volunteers to help with ushering, promotion, backstage assistance and other areas are needed and always appreciated. Please email info@mcgregorhall.org or call the box office to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Additional information on scheduled performances, including dates and ticket prices are available at www.mcgregorhall.org.
(WIZS contracted with the writer of this article Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire for publication here and on the air.)
(This is a news article, not a paid advertisement.)
Press Release – January 26, 2018
On January 25, 2018 members of the Henderson Police Department Special Response Team and Vice-Narcotics Section conducted a search warrant at 1031 Maple Street, Henderson after receiving complaints of drug sales. During the execution of the search warrant 48.8 grams of cocaine, 104 grams of marijuana, three handguns, and U.S. currency was located and seized.
Kacey Hicks
Kacey Hicks, 33, 410 Julia Street, Henderson was arrested and charged with Manufacture Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Trafficking in Cocaine (2 Counts), Felony PWIMSD Cocaine, Felony PWIMSD Marijuana, Possession of Firearm by Felon, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He received a $300,000 secured bond and remains in the Vance County Jail pending a court hearing on February 5, 2018 in Vance County.
Vincent Hicks
Vincent Hicks, 29, 410 Julia Street, Henderson was arrested and charged with Manufacture Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Trafficking in Cocaine (2 Counts), Felony PWIMSD Cocaine, Felon PWIMSD Marijuana, Possession of Firearm by Felon, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He received a $300,000 secured bond and remains in the Vance County Jail pending a court hearing on February 5, 2018 in Vance County.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
