Missing Person – James Albert Williams Sr.
Mr. Williams has been safely located as of this afternoon (08-17-21).
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Vance-Granville Community College addresses needs of employers and students
Vance-Granville Community College, John M. Belk Endowment, and myFutureNC are working together to better address the needs of local employers and adult students.
Dr. Rachel Desmarais, President of Vance-Granville Community College called on adults across the region to visit BetterSkillsBetterJobs.com as a first step to gain the skills they need to secure the jobs they want.
“After a year of challenges like no other, we know many adults are examining their work situations and even considering career changes,” said Desmarais. “So we are making an extra push this summer to connect adults to a variety of fast, flexible, and affordable programs at VGCC which lead to current open jobs in our communities.”
“From biomanufacturing to warehousing, mechatronics to supply chain and logistics, emergency medical training to truck driving certificates, and many more, our courses are a direct pipeline to many of our region’s top employers,” Desmarais said. “That’s why we hope everyone will visit BetterSkillsBetterJobs.com today to quickly connect with us and explore all of the opportunities we offer that can lead to better skills, a better job, a bigger paycheck, and an even brighter future.”
Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties with four attractive campuses, one in each county. Established in 1969, VGCC offers more than 40 curriculum programs, in which students work toward certificates, diplomas and degrees. Area residents and businesses can also take advantage of a variety of Continuing Education opportunities, as well as the High School Equivalency and Adult High School dploma programs.
For more information about Vance-Granville Community College’s Better Skills. Better Jobs. Initiative, please visit: BetterSkillsBetterJobs.com/VGCC/
Happy 4th of July – FREEDOM!
Happy 4th of July!
Please enjoy our Freedom 4th of July audio message as well as the written message below.
This Fourth of July weekend is sure to be filled with cookouts, fireworks and lots of red, white and blue. But if you notice that your Stars and Stripes are more than a little worn, faded or torn, do you know how to properly retire your U.S. flag once it’s been replaced with a new one?
The National Flag Foundation quotes the U.S. Flag Code about when and how to properly dispose of a flag:
“The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
There are other ways to properly and respectfully dispose of a U.S. flag that does not involve a fire, however. Given the different materials used in the manufacture of flags today, burning may not be the best option.
One option in Granville County is a flag disposal box, which has been available to county residents for a few years. It’s located just outside the county tax office, 141 Williamsboro St., Oxford.
The local Boy Scouts are responsible for retrieving the donated flags and conducting ceremonies to retire them in a respectful manner.
Other organizations, in addition to the Boy Scouts, that could help with proper flag disposal are the Girl Scouts, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Flag Day (June 14) is one of the most common days to hold flag disposal ceremonies, according to the National Flag Foundation, based in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Local Memorial Day Events Remember, Honor Those Who Served Country
Memorial Day means cookouts and an unofficial kickoff to summer, but numerous agencies in the Vance and Granville area are hosting events to honor and remember Americans who have died in service to their country.
Slightly cooler weather ushers in the long holiday weekend, which should make outdoor observances a bit more comfortable. WIZS News has compiled a list of events that will take place on Monday, May 31:
- Maria Parham Health – gather around the flagpole at 10 a.m. to remember and honor those who have died while serving in the military. The ceremony will include prayers, music, guest speakers, laying of a memorial wreath and the reading of names in memoriam.
- Henderson American legion Post 60 – 10 a.m. Adjutant Jeremy Hetrick, U.S. Army (Ret) invites the public to the ceremony, during which the names of Vance County veterans killed in combat will be read.
- City of Oxford Veteran’s Memorial – 10 a.m. to noon. 300 Williamsboro St., in front of City Hall. Gathering at 10 a.m. and ceremony to begin at 11 a.m. In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved to American Legion #90 building, 914 Williamsboro St.
- N. Hix Recreation Complex – Walk of Remembrance on walking track. Signs with names of military veterans as well as fire, EMS and law enforcement members will be posted to honor their service. Sponsored by Kindred Hospice.
- Gazebo Park, Butner – 10 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony
Vaccine and Questions Answered Thursday Outside Courthouse
On Thursday, May 20th here in Vance County, the courthouse will serve as a site to get a covid vaccine.
The Hon. Henry L. Gupton, clerk of court in Vance County, said Granville Vance Public Health would be on site at the courthouse starting at 9 a.m. to provide the vaccine. He said Lisa Harrison, local health director, would be present to answer any questions.
Gupton said, “There is a large docket that day. Maybe folks will come on and take the shot. I’m ready to get the office back open, rather than just being partially open as we are.”
Harrison told WIZS News, “Your health department is committed to getting vaccine out in the community to make it easier for everyone to access. The more people we can vaccinate, the safer we will all be from the severe effects of COVID-19. It is absolutely clear that COVID-19 presents more of a health risk to people than the vaccine. Let us know what questions you have. We are here to serve the public and protect the health of everyone.”
In order to participate, just show up. Enter from the Chestnut Street side of the courthouse along Church Street behind First Presbyterian Church. That’s the side with the most parking. Where to go from there will be evident as Granville Vance Public Health will have a banner in place.
Shrine Fish Fry May 19, 2021
Let’s go to the fish fry!
The local Shrine Club fundraiser supports local and national causes to help children.
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 marks the 57th fish fry, said Donald C. Seifert, who spoke recently on WIZS TownTalk.
The event is take-out only, he said, and runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 210 Industry Drive, between Mako and Servpro and around the corner from Lowes in Henderson.
There’s a lot of work that goes into the annual event, and he said club members look forward to serving a lot of customers on May 19. “We do have some good experience on moving folks through and getting them hot plates (of food),” he said.
Seifert said, “It’s very gratifying. The people of Henderson and the surrounding area have been so supportive – it’s just been a good project for us and I think people have enjoyed it also.”
When asked how many fish fry events he’d attended over the years, with only a slight pause, Seifert stated “It’s been most of them – I was here and I was a Shriner, so I was at the fish fry.”
Friday, May 14 – Remote, Asynchronous Instructional Day for all PK-13
From Vance County Schools:
In light of the current gasoline shortage, Friday, May 14 will be a remote, asynchronous instructional day for all PK-13 students. Students and parents need to check their child’s Google and/or Canvas classrooms for specific details on Friday’s instruction.
Granville School Board Moves Closer to Closing More Schools
The Granville County Board of Education is a step closer to determining whether to close one or more school campuses in the southern end of the county as it continues to define its school reorganization plan. During its May 3 meeting, the board voted unanimously to begin a study to close Granville Central High School and repurpose the campus.
Dr. Stan Winborne, district public information officer and assistant superintendent of operations & human resources, said in a press release that the campus, located off Sanders Road in Stem could possibly be used to house students from G.C. Hawley Middle School or South Granville High School.
The board also voted to direct district staff to review and update the possible closing of two elementary schools – Wilton and Creedmoor – those studies were paused back in the fall pending additional input from a strategic task force.
Board Chair David Richardson formed the task force, which presented findings to the board in April. “Their findings were presented to the board in April, which helped inform the Board’s current course of action,” Winborne stated.
Next steps of the school reorganizations may be determined at an upcoming board work session on May 17. “The goal of the is to finalize any possible reorganization decisions prior to July 1, 2021,” according to Winborne, but the actual closing or mergers likely would take effect for the 2022-23 school year.
Vance County Schools Asynchronous Remote Learning Day Thurs, Mar 18 Due to Weather
— courtesy of Vance County Schools
With the threat of inclement weather on Thursday, March 18, Vance County Schools will operate as an asynchronous remote learning day for all students and staff. Assignments will be posted to student’s learning platforms for completion. All buildings will be closed. Safety continues to be our priority. We encourage all of our families to keep a close eye on the weather tomorrow (Thursday) and stay safe.