Bob Harrison’s Apprentice

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Kaine Riggan is the Executive Director of the Downtown Development Commission in Henderson.  Riggan writes a regular column in The Daily Dispatch newspaper which appears on Wednesday.  WIZS.com is re-publishing this article courtesy of The Daily Dispatch and Kaine Riggan.  The photo was taken in 1988 by Ricky Stilley, and it is used with his permission and the permission of The Daily Dispatch.

I had some great teachers throughout my time in the Vance County School system. Robert Pirie from Zeb Vance and John Sadler from Henderson Junior High particularly took an interest in my writing and encouraged me to do more of it.

But some of the best tips I received on the craft came from a job at WHNC where I found myself under the tutelage of a slightly-built and mildly-ornery newsman named Bob Harrison.

“A very pleasant good afternoon everyone” is how he started the scripts from his antique typewriter with a worn-off E. His hand-written notes on half-sized manila paper were scattered across the desk as he translated them into his 5:00 broadcast script in order of their newsworthiness.

The station’s director, Peg Turner, had hired me as a weekend DJ when I was 16 and by the end of the Summer, it had expanded into filling in on Mondays for this regionally iconic newsman who had been writing and reading the 5:00 news in Henderson since 1955.

As I write this article today from the Downtown Development Commission office, I am only steps away from the doors of the municipal building where he first showed me how to sort through the police reports to scope out the headlines and remove the domestic stories for discretion and respect.

A moment of silence in loving memory of that discretion and respect.

Harrison was a chemistry, physics and math teacher at Henderson High School and had reached national recognition for his new coverage of the Harriett & Henderson Cotton Mill strike in 1959, for which he won several awards.

On many Mondays directly after the broadcast, I recall watching the clear, acrylic “line 1” button on the phone to see if Mr. Harrison had any notes for his understudy. Even after what I might have considered a smooth on-air performance, that unmistakable voice would have a stern tone as he told me to “slow down, and don’t be so damn dramatic about it.”

Wise advice for so many of life’s adventures.

What he didn’t know was that while the records were spinning for my on-air shift, I’d study those retired scripts from his army-green file cabinets and read them out loud in my best Bob Harrison impression, getting the feel for the rise and fall of the sentences. It was not only his delivery, but the writing itself that held a cadence, a meter – a rhythm that was friendly to the reader.

In fact, if you have a moment, listen to a three-minute snippet of Bob Harrison’s 5:00 newscast that I’ve placed on my website at www.KaineRiggan.com. Click on the antique radio on the homepage and it will be sure to make you smile.

It’s also worth mentioning that while collecting the juicy bits from police reports, I often ran into John Rose, who was always gracious and helpful to me. It’s particularly telling of his character that he chose to be kind given that my boss at WHNC had worked for him at WIZS and had recently become competition by moving across town along with the majority of his on-air staff.

Rose would slide me his stack of goodies after he had already sorted through the duds, saving me a lot of time. A lesser-gentleman might have just told me where to stick my asterisks.

I’ll end my Wednesday article in the words of my teacher, Bob Harrison.

“It’s 45 degrees in the Gateway City and the Kerr Lake level is at 299 feet. Today’s news is brought to you by Larry’s Service Company and Ralph’s Supply Line Country Market.”

Henderson Police Department

HPD Statement on Facebook (3-22-18)

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The following was published on the afternoon of March 22, 2018 on the Henderson Police Department – NC Facebook page, which is available by clicking here.

As most of you are aware, our community has been struck in the past few weeks with several violent acts. Your officers, along with a multiple SBI agencies, have been working furiously around the clock to solve these heinous acts. We have reached out to other state and federal agencies requesting more assistance than they are currently providing, and have made internal adjustments through overtime expenditures.

We have always utilized external resources to assist and develop cases within our community that fit various criteria. With the assistance of ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we have federally indicted over 110 individuals in the past six years, there (are) several set to be indicted in the near future, and more to come after that.

For the immediate time, we met again this past week with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to garner further assistance in the prosecution of violent and narcotic offenders within our community and we have also gathered further support and resources from state and federal law enforcement.

Our greatest request is to our community. The families that are suffering need your assistance. We have two unsolved cases, and we need our community to take a stand, and provide information to help solve them. You information can remain anonymous if you wish, by calling Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925 or by downloading the P3 app on your smart phone or tablet device. If you wish to speak with someone directly, you can call our main number at (252) 438-4141. There is a cash reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the people responsible for these crimes.

VGCC Trustees OK Budget Requests For County Funding

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— courtesy VGCC

VGCC Trustees OK Budget Requests For County Funding

The Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees approved a proposed total budget request of $3,190,150 for the 2018-2019 fiscal year for Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties at its bimonthly meeting on the college’s Main Campus on Monday, March 19.

In other action, the board also heard updates on the college’s recent grant success, the state’s audit of energy consumption, and the annual financial audit by the state.

VGCC’s budget requests for plant operations and maintenance funding, which include $2,578,710 in current expenses and $611,440 in capital outlay, now go to the board of county commissioners in each of the four counties served by VGCC. The capital outlay budget is composed of $95,960 in recurring needs and $515,480 in one-time needs.

“We are requesting level funding for operating funds for each of our campuses from our counties this year,” said Steven Graham, VGCC’s vice president of finance and operations. “We have projected that our continuation costs are in line with the amount of funding that we are currently receiving from our respective counties.”

Of the $2.57 million current expense county budget, $1,151,597 is being proposed for Vance County for the Main Campus and the nursing simulation lab at Maria Parham Health; $752,184 for Granville County for Main Campus, South Campus and the Culinary Arts location in Oxford; $369,168 for Franklin’s campus; and $225,625 for Warren’s campus. The college will be using $80,136 in institutional monies to fund current expenses.

Of the $95,960 in recurring capital outlay requests for facility improvement needs, funding by county is: Vance, $41,220; Granville, $28,740; Franklin, $20,000; and Warren, $6,000.

The college is requesting the one-time capital outlay funds of $515,480 for the Main Campus in accordance with VGCC’s Capital Improvement Plan submitted to Vance County, said Graham. Vance and Granville share in the funding of the campus between Henderson and Oxford on a 3:1 ratio. A total of $386,610 is being requested from Vance County and $128,870 from Granville.

“The majority of that requested funding will go towards parking lot repairs and resurfacing here at the Main Campus,” said Graham, adding that the funds will also help with the replacement of groundskeeping equipment and a campus police vehicle.

County funding represents approximately 9.5 percent of the college’s overall budget.

Grants Update

Vance-Granville has received grants totaling $1,615,222 for 2017-2018, according to a report delivered to the board by Dr. Ken Lewis, the college’s vice president of institutional research and technology.

The grants include: Perkins, $185,266; NCWorks Career Coach, $116,000; Duke Energy/Piedmont Natural Gas Apprenticeship, $200,000; Department of Transportation Summer Institute, $35,000; Basic Skills Continuation, $827,504; Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, $205,000; Heavy Equipment Operator, $31,452; and NC Tobacco Trust Fund, $15,000.

Additional grants are in progress, including the NC TechHire Alliance, Governor’s Innovation Grant, Siemens Solid Edge CAD and Tecnomatix, and Cannon Foundation, Dr. Lewis noted.

The update was provided from the board’s Curriculum Committee, chaired by Trustee Barbara Cates Harris.

Environmental Assessment

Vance-Granville has saved more than $1 million in energy and water costs over the past decade, according to the results of a State Energy Office assessment recently announced by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

“We are pleased to report that Vance-Granville is 30 percent below the baseline for community colleges in energy consumption and 27 percent below our 2007-2008 consumption,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, VGCC’s president, in making the announcement to the board.

The environmental quality assessment gave VGCC a ranking of 12th out of the 58 community colleges in lowest consumption, which Dr. Williams described as “extraordinary given the age of our buildings.”

Danny W. Wright, VGCC’s chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “This demonstrates great stewardship on the part of the people who manage plant operations.”

State Financial Audit

The State Auditor’s Office gave Vance-Granville a clean financial statement audit for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, according to an announcement from Dr. Williams.

“The results of our tests disclosed no deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that we consider to be material weaknesses in relation to our audit scope or any instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards,” said State Auditor Beth Wood in a letter to the college’s Board of Trustees.

“This is a great credit to our Business Office as well as all of the employees throughout the college who deal with financial information,” said Dr. Williams. “I know that I speak for all of the board in commending all staff involved.”

State Budget Priorities

The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) has adopted seven legislative priorities for the 2018-2019 session of the North Carolina General Assembly, Dr. Williams informed the trustees.

Totaling $52.6 million in recurring funds and $15.2 million in non-recurring funds statewide, the priorities are: closing the skills gap by investing in short-term workforce training programs leading to industry credentials; modernizing the information technology system; ensuring colleges continue to have direct access to information technology staff; incentivizing student access and completion; ensuring high school students are career and college ready; ensuring students have access to 21st Century equipment; and supporting faculty and staff.

The NCCCS adopted a comprehensive strategic plan in February, “Putting Education to Work,” that will guide the system through 2022, focusing on student interest and access, clear and supported pathways for student progress and success, economic and workforce impact, and system effectiveness.

Building Projects

A final assessment of field work has been submitted to the college for the replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and fire alarm systems on the Main Campus, according to a report of the board’s Building Committee, delivered by Trustee Donald C. Seifert, Sr., chair.

The fire alarm replacement work will be completed first, with the initial HVAC system renovation projects for two of the Main Campus buildings being completed in 2019.

With design work and construction documents scheduled to be completed in April, bids are scheduled to go out in May for the renovation of a 3,200-square-foot area at the back of Building 10 to accommodate a practical simulation lab for the Fire/Rescue, Basic Law Enforcement Training and Emergency Medical Services programs. The renovation should be completed this summer.

Renovations to the Welding lab and a demonstration area in the Welding classroom at Franklin County Campus are expected to be completed in early April.

Each project is being funded by monies allocated by the Connect NC Bond passed in March 2016 by North Carolina voters.

Exterior masonry renovations on the Main Campus, which are scheduled to be bid out in April and to begin in May, are being funded by the bond funds and a remaining balance of $69,000 from county resources used for structural renovations to roofs and masonry.

Other Action

In other action:

• Sovanny “Sophie” Taylor of Louisburg, student trustee and president of the Student Government Association, detailed recent and upcoming events for students.

• The Investment Committee, chaired by Trustee L. Opie Frazier, Jr., reported on college’s investments.

• Trustee Sara C. Wester, chair of the Personnel Committee, updated board members on new employees, retirements and resignations, and she informed the board of the plans for the annual evaluation of the president.

• Dr. Williams announced the following events: Sixth Annual Dinner Theater, April 26-27; Endowment Fund Golf Tournament, May 1; Vance-Granville Community Band concert, May 7; and Graduation, May 11. She said the board will have its annual retreat on Aug. 27.

The next meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, May 21, at the Main Campus.

–30–

News 03/23/18

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VGCC Culinary Arts program accepting reservations for lunch April 5

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— courtesy VGCC

The Culinary Arts program at Vance-Granville Community College is inviting the public to enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared by students on Thursday, April 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The luncheon will be held at the Masonic Home for Children on College Street in Oxford, where the Culinary program is based.

Tickets are $9, plus applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees, and can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/culinaryApril5. Note that the Eventbrite ticketing website works best in the Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers.

“The successful planning and execution of the luncheon will give our students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate both front and back of the house skills,” said Chef Teresa Davis, the VGCC Culinary Arts program head.

She said the buffet menu is set to include:

Shrimp and Artichoke Orzo Salad
Pan Seared Chicken Breasts with Pea and Parmesan Pan Sauce
Roasted Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Creamed Kale or Lemony Green Beans
House Made Rolls, and
Apple Puffed Pastry with Vanilla Ice Cream.

For more information about the Culinary Arts program, contact Chef Teresa Davis at davist@vgcc.edu or (919) 690-0312.

–VGCC–

News 03/22/18

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Henderson Police Department

Two Shot, One Dead, Merriman St.

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Two Shot, One Dead, Merriman St

On March 20, 2018, around 11:00 PM, officers with the Henderson Police Department were dispatched to the 400 block of Merriman Street. Once on scene officers located a vehicle that had been shot. The occupants of the vehicle received gunshot injuries and were transported to area medical facilities for treatment. One victim, Darrion Richardson, age 23, succumbed to his injuries. The second victim is still receiving treatment for his or her injuries.

We are currently gathering information and investigating this incident in conjunction with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. We urge members of our community to come forth with any information that may lead to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for this crime and any other heinous crime.

Please contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141, Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925, or use the P3 app on a smartphone or tablet device. Callers may remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers offers rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in criminal acts.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

News 03/21/18

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Zeb Vance Ruritan Club Boston Butts for Easter 2018

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— submitted by Edward Woodlief

The Zeb Vance Ruritan Club will be cooking and selling BOSTON BUTTS for EASTER. Pre-sale only $25.00. Orders must be in by Sunday March 25th . They will be ready for pick-up Good Friday March 30th , from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bearpond Fire Department parking lot at 325 Bearpond Rd. in Henderson. Contact any Ruritan member or phone 252-767-4044.

Proceeds to benefit local student scholarships and club projects.

(WIZS Radio and WIZS.com will be glad to make just such an announcement for your non-profit, church or civic club.  Please fill out the form at https://wizs.com/psas/ to have your Public Service Announcement aired and published or email johncharles@wizs.com for more information.)

Union Chapel United Methodist Church Stew 4-7-18

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The fine folks and excellent cooks of Union Chapel United Methodist Church are about to cook some more delicious stew.

Edward Woodlief submitted the following announcement:

The Methodist Men of Union Chapel United Methodist Church, 6535 Raleigh Road, are having their Stew Sale, Saturday, April 7. $8.00 per quart. Orders are pre-sell only: You can place your order by phoning John Frazier at 252-438-7788. Stew orders will be ready for pickup at the church in Kittrell from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

(WIZS Radio and WIZS.com will be glad to make just such an announcement for your non-profit, church or civic club.  Please fill out the form at https://wizs.com/psas/ to have your Public Service Announcement aired and published or email johncharles@wizs.com for more information.)