New Henderson Fire Chief Soon?
In a brief phone interview with Henderson City Manager Frank Frazier Tuesday morning, Frazier said the process of selecting a fire chief for the Henderson Fire Department continues. He said he has a couple of interviews set up for next week and that a decision could come as early as the end of next week.
August 31 was the date that former Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson retired after 40 years of service to the department and 16 years as chief. Assistant Fire Chief Steve Cordell is serving as Interim Fire Chief during the application and selection process.
Frazier previously told WIZS News that he had “received 11 applications from human resources that (he was) reviewing. There are several internal applicants. Besides the internal applicants, most of the other applicants are not local.”
One of those 11 applications is that of Interim Fire Chief Cordell. Cordell expressed his excitement about being selected as the interim chief. He said, “I would love to be the next fire chief and to provide the leadership needed to move the department forward.”
Frazier said, “The City of Henderson Fire Department has maintained a very good record and has been actively involved in the community for many years, so we certainly want that to continue. Our department has experienced a good amount of retirement of seasoned firefighters, so it will be important for the new chief to provide leadership to insure that training and other aspects of running the fire department are passed on to the newer firefighters.”
Cordell said, if selected as chief, he would love to continue the good things going on in the department and the opportunity to carry the department successfully into the future.
The interviews for the new chief are being conducted by Frazier as well as the human resources director.
Wright’s Commission Seat To Be Filled
The 60-day deadline to fill Eddie L. Wright’s District 5 Vance County Commission Seat is November 9. Archie B. Taylor, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, sent a request to the chairman of the local Democratic party asking for the names of individuals good for the position who fulfill the requirements. Betty Boyd, who is the Third Vice Chair and in charge of publicity, told WIZS News, “We met last Thursday night (Oct 15) at Perry Library. Four candidates made a three minute speech. Leo Kelly received the nomination to serve the unexpired term of the late Eddie Wright.”
Vance County Clerk to the Board Kelly Grissom said, “It will go to the board on November 2. If they decide to appoint him, it would be done during that meeting. Then, he would be sworn in during the board’s December 7 meeting.”
The board is not bound by state statute to appoint Kelly, but all indications to date seem to suggest the Vance County Board of Commissioners will accept the Democratic Party’s nomination.
Commissioner Tommy Hester, who is Republican, said, “My personal opinion is, yes, I do expect that, but I’m only one vote. And my vote is to go along with that because that’s up to the Democrats. If that’s the recommendation, I’m going to vote for it. I can only talk for myself. If (Mr. Kelly) is who the Democratic party is recommending, that’s the normal procedure, and that would be who I think we should go with.”
Hester spoke of knowing Kelly for a longtime, his respect for Kelly and that Kelly “is an excellent person.”
Kelly was a longtime Dean at Vance Granville Community College. A news article published by the college in 2009 quotes VGCC’s president at the time, Randy Parker, as saying, “Leo Kelly is the longest-serving full-time employee in the history of our college, and his dedicated leadership has made an enormous difference in the lives of so many people in our communities.”
Whoever is appointed will fill the seat for approximately one year because the district 5 seat was already due for election in 2016 anyway. At that point, if the appointee chooses to run for the seat, he or she will either be elected or defeated by a challenger.
Wright was first elected in 2000. He served on the Granville-Vance Public Health District Board and was a minister of a local church.
Soon after Wright’s death, the news was not as much about this process or who the appointee would be, but rather more about Wright himself. At that time, Taylor said Wright’s death had come as a shock to him as it had to many others. While Wright had suffered from joint ailments for years, no one in the public seemed to expect his death.
Taylor said, “The county is going to feel his abscence. He was a man of great faith and spiritual beliefs, an elder of the church, a pastor and preacher, and he was a champion of the little man. He was definately wanting of a better quality of life for everyone in this county. He was a great advocate for those who didn’t have a voice. He is going to be missed.
“His voice of reason and compassion will be missed. He showed his faith by his work. (Wright) had a very supportive family during this illness. They have been extremely supportive of him and that speaks highly of them and their spiritual values.”
As for the laws governing the appointment to Wright’s seat, Vance County Attorney Jonathan Care provided WIZS News with the North Carolina General Statute. N.C. G. S. 153a-27 essentially means the newly appointed board member must be of the same political party, a resident of the same district, that the board shall consult the county executive committee of, in this case, the Democratic Party and, if an appointment is not made within 60 days, then the appointment is to be made by the Clerk of Court. Neither the board nor the clerk is bound by the Democratic Executive Committee’s recommendation.
Wheelchair Pedestrian Hit and Killed
On October 21, 2015 around 9:12 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the area of E. Andrews Ave and US 1 South, Henderson in reference to a person that had been struck by a semi-truck.
Upon arrival, officers found the victim deceased from serious injuries. The driver of the semi-truck struck the pedestrian in a wheelchair, and left the scene without contacting local authorities. The semi-truck left in the direction of US 1 South towards Vanco Mill Road, Henderson. The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department with the assistance from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The name of the victim is being withheld pending further investigation.
Companies that may have had their semi-trailer trucks in the area around the time of the collision are encouraged to contact the Henderson Police Department.
The Henderson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the semi-truck. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offer a reward up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
VGCC to hold Bone Marrow Registration events
Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with the Project Life Movement and the “Save the Fox” campaign, is planning a four-county bone marrow registration drive in October.
Members of the community are invited to join VGCC students, faculty and staff at one of four events being held on each of the college’s campuses: Monday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the student lounge in Building 2 on Main Campus in Vance County; Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room on the Franklin County Campus near Louisburg; Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the seminar room (G1131) on South Campus, located between Creedmoor and Butner; and Thursday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in Building 2 on the Warren County Campus in Warrenton.
There will also be a station set up outside on each campus to assist visitors from the community.
At each event, participants will have their cheek swabbed to provide DNA that will enter a growing bone marrow donor registry. The painless registration process takes only a few minutes, but could save a life if a participant turns out to be a match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant. Such treatments are the only hope for many people diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other blood cancers and diseases. Around 60 percent of those in need of a donation currently cannot find a donor match, according to Project Life, a national movement that started with students at Davidson College and has spread to more than 25 other schools.
Project Life supports a local campaign called “Save the Fox,” named after North Carolina Superior Court Judge Carl Fox of Orange County. Judge Fox was diagnosed with blood cancer in April and needs a bone marrow transplant.
Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 55 and in good health to join the registry. A video from Project Life featuring Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is posted online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKVegqJS7hI to demonstrate the easy cheek swab process.
“We are excited that students are taking the initiative on this drive,” said VGCC academic & career coach Seletha Pherribo, who is helping to organize the events. Nicholas Kemp of Franklinton, a Radiography student, is coordinating the drive at the college’s South Campus, while Associate Degree Nursing student Erica Medlin of Oxford is coordinating it on Main Campus. Medical Assisting students at VGCC’s Franklin Campus are taking the lead there. The Student Government Association and other student organizations will also be supporting the effort. “We hope to make this an annual tradition at VGCC, and register as many members of our community as possible,” Pherribo added. “As the ‘Save the Fox’ campaign says, ‘together, we can save lives.’”
For more information, contact Seletha Pherribo at (252) 738-3518 or pherribos@vgcc.edu or Dr. David S. Lindsay at (828) 772-0365 or www.projectlifemovement.org.
Anyone who is unable to attend one of the VGCC events but wants to join the registry can find more information at www.deletebloodcancer.org.
VGCC announces 2015-16 Vanguards Basketball schedule
The Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team is scheduled to play at least 30 games during the 2015-2016 season, including 12 home games. This is the program’s third season under the leadership of head coach Michael Woody.
The Vanguards compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II, which includes ten two-year colleges in North Carolina and Virginia.
The regular season kicks off when VGCC hosts conference rival Wake Tech Community College on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. All home games are scheduled to be played at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson, and all are free and open to the public. The second home game, versus Bryant & Stratton College on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m., will be recognized as Veterans’ Appreciation Night.
VGCC’s tough conference schedule is again highlighted by area rival Louisburg College. VGCC welcomes the Hurricanes to Aycock on Dec. 2, before the Vanguards return the favor in Louisburg on Jan. 18. VGCC also plays the defending national champion, Richard Bland College, in Petersburg, Va., on Nov. 24 and at home on Feb. 3.
The regular season will continue through Feb. 23, with VGCC’s final scheduled game at home, versus Guilford Tech Community College. The team will celebrate “Sophomore Appreciation Night” at that game. After the regular season ends, the Vanguards are scheduled to participate in the NJCAA Division II Region X tournament. The first two rounds of the tournament are to be played at Richard Bland on Feb. 27-28. The semifinals and finals will follow at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, on Mar. 4-5.
Vance-Granville Community College
Men’s Basketball Schedule
2015-16
Date Opponent Location Time
Nov. 6 Wake Tech CC Aycock 7 p.m.
Nov. 8 Univ. of Mt. Olive JV Mt. Olive 3 p.m.
Nov. 10 Bryant & Stratton Aycock 6 p.m.
Nov. 14 Davidson Co. CC Aycock 3 p.m.
Nov. 16 Saint Andrews JV Saint Andrews 6 p.m.
Nov. 18 Patrick Henry CC Aycock 6 p.m.
Nov. 20 Va. Univ. of Lynchburg Aycock 7 p.m.
Nov. 22 Central Carolina CC Sandhills CC* 3 p.m.
Nov. 24 Richard Bland College Richard Bland 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 Louisburg College Aycock 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 Central Carolina CC Central Carolina CC 7 p.m.
Jan. 5 USC-Salkehatchie Aycock 7 p.m.
Jan. 7 Lenoir CC Aycock 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 Methodist Univ. JV Methodist 8 p.m.
Jan. 13 Patrick Henry CC Patrick Henry CC 6 p.m.
Jan. 16 UNC JV Dean Smith Center 9 a.m.
Jan. 18 Louisburg College Louisburg 3 p.m.
Jan. 19 Lenoir CC Lenoir CC 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 Guilford Tech CC Guilford Tech CC 3 p.m.
Jan. 25 Pitt CC Pitt CC 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 Catawba Valley CC Aycock 6 p.m.
Feb. 3 Richard Bland College Aycock 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 Mid-Atlantic Christian Univ. Mid-Atlantic Christian 6 p.m.
Feb. 8 Wake Tech CC Wake Tech CC 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 Pitt CC Aycock 7 p.m.
Feb. 13 Bryant & Stratton Bryant & Stratton 3 p.m.
Feb. 15 Sandhills CC Sandhills CC 6 p.m.
Feb. 16 Catawba Valley CC Catawba Valley CC 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 Va. Univ. of Lynchburg Lynchburg 7 p.m.
Feb. 23 Guilford Tech CC Aycock 7 p.m.
Feb. 27-28 Region X Tournament Richard Bland TBD
Opening Rounds
Mar. 4-5 Region X Tournament Sandhills CC TBD
Semifinals & Finals
Bold = Home Game, to be played at Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson, N.C.
Schedule is subject to change.
*As part of the Region X Blast-Off Tournament.
Cooper Assistant Principal of Year
David Cooper, of Aycock Elementary School, has been named the 2015-2016 Assistant Principal of the Year for Vance County Schools.
Cooper was surprised Tuesday morning by members of the Vance County Board of Education and school system administrators while he was in a classroom at his school.
Superintendent Anthony Jackson made the announcement that Cooper had won the prestigious honor. He was presented balloons by Ruth Hartness, a member of the board, and a planted dish garden by Dorothy Gooche, another member of the board. Ed Wilson, also a board member, participated in the presentation.
Aycock Elementary Principal Kristen Boyd was on hand for the presentation as were several of the school’s faculty members. Following the surprise announcement, Cooper was greeted with cheers in a nearby hallway by students and teachers from the fifth, fourth and third-grade classrooms.
“I am so honored by this,” Cooper said. “I accept this award on behalf of our entire school.”
Cooper has been with Vance County Schools for more than 15 years. He began his career with the school system as a fifth-grade teacher at Dabney Elementary School. He was a teacher until 2012, when he became an assistant principal at Henderson Middle School. Cooper served as an administrator at the middle school until July of 2014, when he assumed his current duties at Aycock Elementary.
He earned the district’s Assistant Principal of the Year award following interviews done by a special selection committee. In addition to Cooper, other administrators nominated were Willie Fuller, an assistant principal at Eaton-Johnson Middle School, and Desmond Thompson, an assistant principal at Southern Vance High School.
Interview with Jo Dee Messina 10/20/2015
Jo Dee Messina will be performing in Durham at the Carolina Theater on Thursday October 22 at 8:00 PM. Be sure to check out the audio below of the interview on 10/20/15 with Jo Dee about her new album “ME” and her new song “He’s Messed Up”.
VGCC Drama students present Shakespeare spoof
via Andrew Beal
Theatre lovers will soon be able to enjoy all 37 of William Shakespeare’s plays in one evening — sort of — at Vance-Granville Community College.
Drama students will present “The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)” on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson, Nov. 5-8. Performances begin on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; and on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the small auditorium in Building 2.
The play features three overachieving actors attempting to perform the entire Shakespearean canon in 97 minutes. Fast-paced, witty and physical, it is an evening of laughter for Shakespeare lovers and haters alike. The three actors play all of Shakespeare’s characters with help from numerous funny costume changes and props. Due to the nature of the humor, the play is recommended for ages 14 and over.
Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, founding members of the “Reduced Shakespeare Company,” “The Compleat Wrks” was first performed in 1987. The London Evening Standard called the play “wildly imaginative, thoroughly affectionate to its source material and, above all, infectious fun.”
Students in the cast are Jordan Bunting of Macon, Spencer Nunn of Warrenton and Lee Powell of Oxford.
Betsy Henderson, the VGCC Theatre Arts/speech instructor and department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, directs the play. Jason Sharp serves as the technical director. VGCC staff member and alumna Tia Garren of Henderson is the assistant director. Other members of the crew include students Chris Nicholson of Bullock, Jerome Bulluck of Henderson, Brittany Patterson of Henderson, Helen Claiborne of Oxford and Jessie Hartley of Oxford.
Admission is $10 for the general public, and $5 for students and VGCC employees. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by making reservations. For more information and to reserve seats, contact Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3371.