Warren County NAACP to Lead March to the Polls

/by

On Thursday, November 3rd, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. the Warren County Branch of the NAACP will lead a March to the Polls and celebrate their voting rights victory in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. They will be joined by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President of the North Carolina NAACP.

The March to the Polls is part of the statewide “It’s Our Time, It’s Our Vote” campaign to register, educate, mobilize and protect the vote in North Carolina. The Warren County March is one of more than 55 marches across the state during Early Voting.

Warren County March to the Polls is to heighten awareness as we elect county commissioners, judges, senators, governors, president and other officials. These offices are so important that full participation of every eligible voter is recommended.

Before the march, Dr. Barber will discuss the importance of this election and the historic voting rights victory in the case of “NC NAACP vs McCrory” when key portions of House Bill 589 were overturned by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.

VGCC Advisory Committees hold annual meetings

/by

Citizens from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties came together at the Main Campus of Vance-Granville Community College on Oct. 25 as the college’s advisory committees held their annual meetings.

VGCC’s 38 advisory committees are made up of people from the communities served by the college who have worked in the fields for which the college offers training. Committees advise not only curriculum and continuing education programs, but also VGCC’s South, Franklin and Warren campuses, the Small Business Center and other departments. Many committee members are VGCC alumni. Each fall, these committees meet on campus with the heads of the programs they advise.

At the Oct. 25 meetings, VGCC faculty and staff communicated with advisory committee members about new developments in the academic programs, about how to tailor classes and training to meet employment needs, and about changes in the workplace. Committee members made suggestions on what the college should be doing to enhance or adapt instruction.

Holding its first meeting was the advisory committee for one of VGCC’s newest degree programs, Histotechnology. Sheila Deloney, a certified histotechnologist and assistant administrative director for anatomic pathology and autopsy services at UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill, was elected as the committee’s first chair. Dr. Dianne Dookhan, a pathologist who works at Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson, among other facilities, was elected vice chair.

Students in VGCC’s Culinary Arts program prepared a reception in the Civic Center, preceding the meetings. The menu included Dijon crusted pork loin, seasonal vegetable succotash, polenta with a mushroom cream sauce, beef roulade filled with peppers, spinach, carrots and provolone cheese, herb roasted red potatoes, various pasta selections and assorted desserts.

In remarks during the reception, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, thanked the advisory committee members for serving and supporting the college. “Our Advisory Committees are important to us, because they connect the college with our communities, meet the needs of our local employers, and maintain bonds with our alumni,” President Williams told the attendees. “Your input, your leadership, and your advocacy strengthen our academic programs.”

Employers connect with students at VGCC Manufacturing Day

/by

Vance-Granville Community College held a “Manufacturing Day” celebration on Friday, Oct. 7, in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. An estimated 275 middle and high school students from Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties attended, along with VGCC students and other members of the community. They learned about how manufacturing has changed, local career possibilities in the field and options for education and training related to careers in the industry. The event was one of many Manufacturing Day celebrations held across the country that day.

Participating employers included Altec of Creedmoor, Asteelflash of Raleigh, Delhaize America/Food Lion Distribution Center of Butner, Dill Air Controls Products of Oxford, Eaton of Youngsville, Glen Raven of Norlina, Ideal Fastener of Oxford, Mars Petcare of Henderson, Novozymes of Franklinton, Plastic Ingenuity of Oxford, Revlon of Oxford, Shalag of Oxford, Staffmark of Henderson, Stay Online of Creedmoor, Sunrock of Butner, Superior Tooling of Wake Forest, TFS of Wake Forest and Universal Forest Products of Franklinton.

VGCC technical programs were also represented, including Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology, Automotive Systems Technology, Bioprocess Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Engineering Technology and Welding Technology.

Attendees also learned about the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP), which partners with colleges like VGCC and employers to prepare a skilled workforce. During lunch, Robbie Earnhardt, owner of Superior Tooling, discussed NCTAP with representatives of the other companies in attendance. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the apprenticeship I had,” Earnhardt said. An alternative to the traditional four-year college degree, the program takes a student from high school through a two-year community college program like Mechatronics Engineering Technology, with the guarantee of a job at the completion of the program. “We need more local industry partners in NCTAP,” Earnhardt said, noting that Dill Air Controls Products has already joined. “Many industries have trouble finding skilled workers. This can help.”

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program at VGCC organized Manufacturing Day, with support from the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training Alliance (AMSTA), a partnership of VGCC and local K-12 school systems. With the help of the $1.75 million TAACCCT grant, the largest single competitive grant in VGCC history, the college has developed and enhanced innovative training programs for advanced manufacturing careers. The TAACCCT grants are part of a nearly $2 billion initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor to expand targeted training programs for unemployed workers, especially those impacted by foreign trade. For more information on TAACCCT, call (252) 738-3342.

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Needs Assessment

/by

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Needs Assessment

The following survey allows Cardinal Innovations to determine what needs the community is experiencing regarding Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Substance Use Disorders.  Please click on the survey links below.

An email received recently by WIZS News from Cardinal Innovations staff read, “In order to ensure that the voices of our members, their family members, their providers, and other community members are being heard, we are conducting this survey to collect information about those needs.

“Cardinal Innovations Healthcare is dedicated to our members and our communities. Our purpose is to enhance the health and well-being of the individuals and their families that we serve.”

Henderson and Vance County are served by the Five County Community Office located at 134 South Garnett Street, Henderson, NC 27536.  Phone 252-430-1330.  The Five County Community Office staff assists individuals and families affected by mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities or substance use disorder conditions and serves Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Vance and Warren counties.  Cardinal Innovations Healthcare as a whole serves 20 some counties in this area.

Link to English survey:  2016-2017 Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Needs Assessment

Link to Spanish survey: https://www.questionpro.com/t/AJGCTZXy50

https://www.cardinalinnovations.org/

(Note – Cardinal Innovations is an advertising client of WIZS Radio.  This post is not in connection with that and is being presented in the public interest.)

Vance-Granville awarded $150k for public safety training

/by

The Cannon Foundation Board of Directors recently approved a $150,000 grant to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund to renovate a 3,200-square-foot space on the college’s Main Campus for an Emergency Simulation Lab.

The new lab will enable law enforcement and emergency services departments in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties to train and certify their current and future public safety workers using a realistic scenario-based curriculum in a controlled environment.

The grant will be used, along with funds from the Connect NC bond (approved by North Carolina voters earlier this year), to complete the final phase of Building 10, which opened in August on the main campus in Vance County. The building houses classrooms, labs and faculty for VGCC’s law enforcement, fire/rescue and emergency medical services education and training programs.

“We are very pleased to receive this grant, because it will allow Vance-Granville to further enhance our vital partnerships with the local agencies that protect and serve our communities,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “We’re excited about the possibilities that this new lab will provide for us to serve students and our public safety partners.”

The Cannon Foundation, based in Concord, N.C., is part of the philanthropic legacy of Charles A. Cannon, an industrialist and humanitarian who was president and chairman of Cannon Mills Company for more than half a century.

“Our region is fortunate that VGCC has hands-on, real-life emergency simulation equipment to train students and professionals in public safety careers,” said Kaine Riggan, VGCC’s grants and government relations coordinator. “The simulation lab will give us a new facility in which to provide training for first responders throughout our four counties to be prepared for emergency scenarios, which saves lives.”

VGCC’s PRISim ShootBack system, for instance, fires plastic ammunition up to 110 miles per hour, teaching life-saving defense techniques and methods for using less-than-lethal force, when appropriate.

The college is currently seeking a $15,000 sponsor for a new EMS simulation mannequin that can, among other things, simulate stroke symptoms, ensuring that students are more prepared to recognize and call the stroke code into the ER, where saving even a minute can save a life.

VGCC is now starting the design phase of the renovation project, which will complete the overhaul of the 16,000-square-foot building, a former commercial structure that was purchased by the college in 2010.

Vance County Appearance Commission seeks your help

/by

 

The Vance County Appearance Commission is seeking increased participation from residents across the county in efforts to recycle household items and other materials that can be reused.

Local participation in recycling by residents is less than 30 percent across Vance County. Members of the County Appearance Commission want more residents to recycle.

Recycling in Henderson and throughout Vance County is easy. In the city of Henderson, all recyclable items can be placed in the plastic bins provided by the city. Once the bins are placed by the street curb on designated pick-up days, Waste Industries personnel will collect the items for proper recycling. For residents living outside of Henderson and in Vance County, all recyclable items can be taken to one of the eight manned collection sites located throughout the county and placed in the large, recycling bins. They are collected regularly by Waste Industries for proper recycling.

Residents do not have to separate recyclable items in the city or throughout the county. Separation of the items is done during the recycling process.

Items that should be recycled include: any plastic bottles, containers and jugs; all aluminum, steel and tin cans; all mixed paper; all newspapers; all magazines; all milk cartons; all paper or cardboard cartons; all food boxes; all envelopes; all flattened cardboard boxes; all glass jars and bottles of any color; used cooking oil; used motor oil and filters; large appliances including refrigerators, AC units and water heaters; all electronics including televisions, radios, cell phones, computer towers and monitors and keyboards; furniture; and bed mattresses.

In the county, these recyclables items can be taken to the manned collection sites located on: N.C. 39 North of Henderson; Warrenton Road near U.S. 1 Bypass; Gun Club Road; Tungsten Mine Road; old Aycock school site on Vicksboro Road; North Chavis Road off U.S. 1 Business; Manson-Drewry Road; and Brodie Road.

Electronics for recycling are accepted only at the N.C. 39 North and Brodie Road collection sites.

Used tires also are accepted for recycling at the Transfer Station near the N.C. 39 North site. These items must be covered with a tarp for proper transportation to the site.

The collection sites are open Mondays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Recycling is a good idea and is important because it: saves natural resources; prevents environmental problems that come from landfills; saves energy; prevents pollution; creates jobs; and saves money.

The Vance County Appearance Commission is urging all county residents to do their part to protect our environment for future generations by recycling today and always!

Voluntary Water Conservation

/by

UPDATE: NOON

Water conservation order has now been lifted per Brian Short, Director of Emergency Operations for Vance County.

**************

Henderson is the managing partner of The Kerr Lake Regional Water System, which prepares and distributes clean, fresh water to Henderson and areas in Vance County, areas in and around Oxford and Warrenton plus other outside sales to areas like Franklin County.

The water plant lost power at some point as a result of the weather.  Vance County Director of Emergency Management Brian Short said power had been restored but reserve tanks need to refill.

Voluntary water conservation efforts are in effect until further notice.

You may have received an automated call or text.

Warren County Farm Tour Oct. 1st

/by
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The second annual Warren County Farm Tour will take place on October 1st, 2016, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit selected local farms and learn about the production methods they use to be successful. There will be three tour stops highlighting intensive vegetable production, fruit production and livestock. The tour will end with a catered lunch, featuring a keynote presentation by Will Hooker, internationally recognized Permaculture Designer and Professor Emeritus at NC State University. The cost is only $5, which includes lunch and transportation. Pre-registration is required; call the Warren County Extension Center for details (252-257-3640), or e-mail paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu.

Hendersonians Report Discolored Water

/by

Update 5:40 P.M. Tuesday:

The City Clerk, Esther McCrackin, has issued a press release on behalf of the City of Henderson.  It states:

“Customers who receive water via the Kerr Lake Regional Water System may be currently experiencing discolored water from their taps.  The City believes this is a result of the Kerr Lake Regional Water plant experiencing manganese from the surface water which was removed but was captured in the remaining sludge and is now showing up in the distribution system.

“With the interaction of chlorine, it is making its way through the distribution system, including Henderson customers and also customers of the City of Oxford and Warren County.  Based on action taken at the plant as well as additional flushing within the system to take place, the problem with discolored water should be resolved by the end of the week.  Should you continue to observe discolored water after this time, please call the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant at 252-438-2141.

“It is important to note that the water is safe to drink.”

—————-

Update 2:15 P.M. Tuesday:

According to Esther McCrackin with the City of Henderson:

“Minor changes in the weather and water chemistry have created a discolored water issue.  The water is safe to drink and the City anticipates the issue will be resolved by the end of the week.”

Optimist Bowl Preview (THURSDAY GAME)

/by

The annual Optimist Bowl is tonight with Southern Vance High School visiting Northern Vance High School for a 7 p.m. kickoff.  Live analysis and play by play coverage begins on WIZS 1450 AM at 6:45.  You can also listen by going to WIZS.com or with the free Tunein Radio App on your smartphone or tablet.

Jeff Jenkins announces the Grid Iron Report on Tuesdays and Fridays on WIZS.  It’s part of “Sports Mayhem” with Kemp Collins at 1 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Scouting Report on Southern Vance from Jeff Jenkins:

Although their record stands at 0-2, The Raiders Offense has been effective from the beginning, scoring 22 against a strong Ravenscroft squad in their opener, and 48 against Webb last week, but without yet chalking up a win.  Scoring on the ground and through the air has been pretty even.  Against Ravenscroft, Southern quarterback Corey Twitty, Jr. passed for 2 TDs, both to Zamari Ellis; and Malik Boyd ran for the third score.  Tyrese Henderson and Shammond Lyons both ran for 2 pt conversions.  Twitty led all rushing with 105 yards (although 15 yards were called back on penalties) and Shammond Lyons ran for 94 yards (but had a 39 yard run called back).

Against Webb last week, Malik Boyd led the Raiders rushing  with 159 yards on 13 carries and scored twice; Tyrese Henderson gained 100 yards and scored a TD and a 2 pt. conversion;  and Lyons ran for a TD and a conversion.  Twitty passed for 89 yards, including 2 touchdowns, both to Shammond Lyons.  Then when Twitty was knocked out of the game early in the second half, Lyons took over at quarterback and threw a TD pass to Ellis in overtime.  Lyons also attempted the essential 2 pt conversion run in overtime and was stopped short.

And so, the Raiders have scored a very respectable 35 points per game; but their defense has not been nearly as effective, allowing 46 per game.

Scouting Report on Northern Vance from Jeff Jenkins:

Thanks to the last altogether unfortunate contest with Warren County, The Vikings’ numbers are not as impressive as the Raiders.  Northern Vance stands at 1-1, after Northern scoring 42 points against East Chapel Hill, and then 5 against Warren, giving them a modest 23 ½  point average – about the same as they had at the end of last season.  On the other hand, the Viking defense was consistently excellent, chalking up shut-outs in both games. (Keep in mind that Warren County scored it’s 7 points against the Viking offense – on a fumble recovery and run-back).