Maria Parham Clinics Cancel Afternoon Appointments; Planned Surgeries Not Affected

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Due to adverse weather conditions, all Maria Parham Health Physician Practice Clinics closed at 12 noon today, Aug. 8. If you have an appointment scheduled for this afternoon, our team will be reaching out to reschedule as soon as possible.

Good news: The hospital itself is fully operational with no loss of power, so all scheduled surgical procedures will proceed as planned.

Donna Young, the hospital’s marketing and communications coordinator and public information officer, said patients can find the latest information at the Maria Parham Health Facebook page.

 

Mayor Elliott Declares State Of Emergency As Tropical Storm Debby’s Rain, Wind Continues To Pound NC

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Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott has declared a severe weather state of emergency as Tropical Storm Debby continues to bring rain, significant wind gusts and the potential for flash flooding across much of the state.

Although basically a formality, having a state of emergency order in place allows the city to act more quickly if needed to address problems that arise as a result of damage from the storm.

Details are contained within a proclamation issued by Elliott Thursday morning. WIZS News received the information just after 9 a.m.

Information from the National Weather Service that Henderson will experience intense rain and probable flash flooding topped with significant wind gusts over the next 24 to 48 hours as the system makes its way northward.

These extreme conditions have the potential for causing downed trees, power outages, flooding, tornadoes and other damage. Having a state of emergency in place gives municipalities the authority to respond to and mitigate emergency situations that may arise.

Read the full proclamation at https://henderson.nc.gov/

 

Criminal District Court Cancelled 8-8-24

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Hon. Henry Gupton, clerk of court in Vance County, told WIZS News criminal district court is cancelled 8-8-24.

Gupton said, “Our district court judge has decided to cancel district court today … Let me be clear.  Criminal district (court) is cancelled but not civil district.”

Vance County Schools with Respect to Storm System Debby

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— UPDATE 4PM WEDNESDAY

Vance County Schools has announced that due to “severe weather predictions for our region, including high winds, heavy rain, and potential power outages, (Vance public schools) will operate on an early dismissal schedule for Thursday, August 8.”

– EM Rollins STEAM Academy will close at 12:00 PM.
– Vance County High School (VCHS) and Vance County Early College (VCEC) will close at 12:30 PM.

With safety as the top priority, the school system said, “We will continue to closely monitor the weather and its impact on our region. A decision regarding school for Friday, August 9, will be made no later than 3:00 PM on Thursday.”

Maria Parham Health Hosts Appreciation Lunch for Local Law Enforcement and Firefighters

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The smell of burgers grilling will be wafting across the campus of Maria Parham Health Thursday as hospital staff hosts the 2nd  annual Burgers for Badges to honor local law enforcement officers and firefighters.

Law enforcement officers and firefighters are invited to pull around to the back entrance of the hospital between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and, with a quick flash of their badge, will receive a complimentary meal as a token of gratitude for their service and dedication, according to hospital officials.

Attendees will be treated to a delicious burger with all the toppings, accompanied by scrumptious sides and dessert. This event is a gesture of appreciation from Maria Parham Health to the brave men and women who work tirelessly to keep the community safe.

“We are immensely grateful for the selfless service and sacrifice of our local law enforcement officers and firefighters,” said Bert Beard, CEO at Maria Parham Health. “This event is our way of expressing our heartfelt appreciation for their unwavering commitment to our community’s safety and well-being.”

Please note that this event is exclusively for law enforcement and fire personnel. Maria Parham Health kindly requests attendees to respect this guideline.

Shriners Fish Fry Today; Get Plates Until 7 PM

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WIZS was live at the 60th annual Shriners Fish Fry today during the 11 a.m TownTalk segment. Come get some fish today until 7 p.m. 

Today’s THE Day, if you’re a member of the Tri-County Shrine Club. Or, if you’re someone who is planning to drive out to the annual Fish Fry. Today’s the day. Come get your fish between now and 7 p.m.

Take-out plates are ready now and the cars are lining up to get plates of perfectly battered and fried fish, complete with cole slaw, potato salad and hush puppies.

If you’ve got a ticket, great, but if you don’t, no problem. Shriners will happily take your $10 in exchange for a plate.

It’s all for a good cause – proceeds go to Shriners Children’s Hospital and burn centers.

Orders of 10 plates or more were delivered to places of business who called.

“Buy a fish plate to support Shriners Hospital,” Billy Currin said in an interview. He said they’d gotten about 600 lunch orders by 11:30 or so, and Vernon Mustian – taking a break from the fryer – said there’s plenty of fish for all.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame was out in the take-out line first thing and encourages everyone to come out and get some fish for a great cause. As someone who had been a burn victim himself as a young person, the result of a tobacco barn that blew up, he said, “Any time I can volunteer, I do my best to do it.”

Shriner Sherby Slaughter found himself under the tent on Fish Fry Day, taking money and tickets while plates get loaded into vehicles.

“They gave me a sit-down job, so I’m just where I need to be,” Slaughter said. He has offered his property for the past several years to host the Fish Fry, which has proven to be a perfect spot to get vehicles through the line safely and efficiently.

Slaughter said he is happy that he is able to provide the location – “anything we can do for the crippled and burned child,” he said.

One of those people shuttling plates of piping hot fish to the pick-up area is Dale Dancause, who said he’s been involved with Masons and Shriners for about 15 years.

“It’s all about the children,” he said, adding that his association with these two groups was “the best thing I ever did in my life.”

 

First Baptist Church To Provide Shuttle From ACTS To RAM Clinic Saturday

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Volunteers from First Baptist Church will be at ACTS, 201 S. William St., Saturday to provide shuttle service for anyone who may need transportation to the Duke RAM pop-up clinic.

Church Deacon Bert Long said the plan is to run two vehicles to the clinic between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Day 1 of the two-day clinic. The clinic doors open at 6 a.m. on Saturday and a cadre of physicians, dentists and other health care professionals will provide free care until 4 p.m. The clinic opens at 6 a.m. again on Sunday and will run through 12 noon or 1 p.m., depending on the number of clients.

This is the third year that the free medical, dental and vision clinic has set up shop in the parking lot of Vance Charter School on Ross Mill Road.

“We don’t know how much demand there will be…we’ll play it by ear,” he said of the shuttle service.

“If folks don’t have transportation, (and) they have a way to get to ACTS, they’ll have a ride to and from the clinic.

Long said providing transportation adds a new facet to the clinic, and he said that Duke University senior Saajan Patel, one of the clinic’s organizers, is excited at the prospect.

WIZS Continuing Coverage For Local Elections

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With early voting now underway for the upcoming March primary elections, WIZS continues to provide comprehensive coverage to give listeners information about candidates in local contests.

On Monday, Feb. 19, hear from the two candidates vying for the District 2 seat on the Vance County Board of Commissioners. Democratic incumbent Archie B.Taylor, Jr. faces opposition from Democratic challenger Valencia Perry. Their interviews were recorded and will be aired – unedited – in their entirety.

The other contested race is for the District 5 seat on the Board of Education – incumbent Democrat Linda Cobb faces challenger William Earl Purvis, also a Democrat. Find interviews with Cobb and Purvis on wizs.com, as well as a write-up on the WIZS webpage. The interviews were aired on TownTalk Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Stay tuned to wizs.com for complete election coverage.

Dabney Drive

NCDOT Hosting Drop-In Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 To Discuss Dabney Drive Project

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The N.C. Department of Transportation is hosting a public, drop-in style meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 for people to learn more about the proposed project that would help ease congestion and improve safety on Dabney Drive.

The proposed project would improve Dabney Drive from Coble Boulevard to U.S. 158 Business, including construction of a roundabout at the Dabney Drive/Dorsey Avenue intersections.

Interested individuals can just drop by E.M. Rollins Elementary School, located at 1600 S. Garnett St. any time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. NCDOT staff will be available to answer questions.

People have until Tuesday, Feb. 27 to submit comments by phone at 984.205.6615, code 4600, by email Dabney-drive-henderson@publicinput.com or by mail to:

 

Zahid Baloch

NCDOT Division Project Team

1573 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1573

 

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Tony Gallager at magallagher@ncdot.gov or 919.707.6069 as early as possible so arrangements can be made.

People who speak Spanish and have limited ability to read, speak or understand English may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools: 2-Hour Delay Wednesday, Jan. 17

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Granville County Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay tomorrow, Jan. 17. School officials made the decision because of the expected bitter cold temperatures predicted for overnight and Wednesday morning.

The delay is for students and staff.