Dennis Jarvis

Vance County Announces Dennis Jarvis, II as Economic Development Director

— courtesy Vance County Manager Jordan D. McMillen

Vance County is pleased to announce the hiring of Dennis Jarvis, II, as the Director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission. He will begin in this position on November 6th.

Jarvis has a total of 18 years experience in economic development, with the last 2½ years serving as the Director of Economic Development for the Town of Altavista, Virginia. Prior to that he has had Economic Development positions in higher education, non-profit organizations, consulting, and county entities in Virginia and West Virginia. Mr. Jarvis holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Bluefield State College and a master’s degree in political science from Marshall University. He is certified in Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI) and is eligible to obtain his Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification through the International Economic Development Council.

During his career he has been directly instrumental in the creation of over 800 new jobs with $62 million in new investment and $335,000 in grant funds. In addition, he has led marketing efforts, business retention initiatives, and has experience in obtaining public and private grants for community development.

Mr. Jarvis has a history of strong relationships with board members, staff, the business community, state and federal agencies, and the general public. He brings a passion for community and an energy for economic development and improving the quality of life for others. He will be a welcome addition to the county’s management team and the Vance County community.

(Press Release)

News 10/02/17

News 09/29/17

News 09/28/17

J.M. White Funeral Home Endows VGCC Scholarship

— courtesy VGCC

VGCC scholarship endowed by local funeral home

A new Vance-Granville Community College scholarship has been endowed by J.M. White Funeral Home of Henderson in memory of its namesake and co-founder, Jerry Marshall White Sr.

His widow and co-owner of the funeral home, Betty Oakes White, said that the family sought to create the scholarship because “education is the future for our children, and we want everyone to be able to get an education.” She noted that higher education in particular is more important than ever to allowing area residents to obtain gainful employment.

In awarding the Jerry Marshall White Sr. Memorial Academic Achievement Scholarship, preference will be given to students who are enrolled in VGCC’s Accounting and Business Administration programs.

Although this is the first scholarship that the business has endowed, J.M. White Funeral Home is a longtime supporter of the annual VGCC Endowment Fund Golf Tournament. “This community has been good to us, so we support our community,” Betty White said.

J.M. White Funeral Home was established in 1967 as Waite and White Funeral Home. Jerry M. White Sr. became the sole owner of the business in 1971, and the name was changed. After his death, the business continued to serve families in the area under the direction of J. Hillman Dickerson, who was supported by a loyal and professional staff. With the help of that staff, Jerry’s wife, Betty, gradually took over as manager of the funeral home, eventually becoming a licensed funeral director herself. Following in their father’s tradition of dignified service, Mr. and Mrs. White’s sons, Jerry White Jr. and Gregory Scott White, came into the business after gaining their education in funeral service. The funeral home has been operating at its current location on Zeb Robinson Road in Henderson since 1989.

“This scholarship is a wonderful tribute to J.M. White and to the half-century of service that the funeral home bearing his name has given to this community,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “We appreciate the White family’s support for VGCC students, which will make a difference for generations to come.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 8,800 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

–VGCC–

Help Seniors Get Hired!

Are you age 55 or older or, know someone who is? Are you unemployed and looking for a job? Are you interested in paid on-the-job community service training!

NC NCBA-SCSEP supports over 300 part-time positions in 18 counties by providing hands-on workplace settings for seniors to develop new skills and talents and support community service activities. Participants enhance or refresh work experience through exposure to various jobs. Must meet income guidelines, able to work 20 hours per week, participate in assisted job search, earn minimum wage stipend.

Call Beryle Lewis
919693 2686
blewis@myncba.com

News 09/27/17

Maria Parham Health $5 Masquerade Sale

Volunteer Services of Maria Parham Health will be hosting a $5 Masquerade Sale this week in the John T. Church classroom.  The event takes place Wednesday, Sept. 27 (7am-4pm) and Thursday Sept. 28 (7am-2pm).

Lisa Radford is the volunteer coordinator at Maria Parham Health, and in an email to WIZS News she said, “Volunteer services sponsors approximately 10 sales per year, for fun, for the public. They vary from Tupperware, books, peanuts etc. Proceeds go back into patient care in various ways.”

This week’s items include: jewelry, scarves, hats and much more! As Radford said it, “Come experience the frenzy.”

(Maria Parham Health is a paying advertising client of WIZS Radio and WIZS.com.  This information is presented in the public interest to support the institution, its patients and volunteer services at the hospital.)

News 09/26/17

News 09/25/17