Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Cleanup perennial flower beds. Cut back plants, pull weeds and refresh mulch
  • Finish up your pruning chores. Fruit trees,blueberries,grape vines, broadleaf evergreens and ornamental trees.
  • Increase pollination of your garden by purchasing Honey bees or contacting a beekeeper to place a hive on your property
  • Keep your garden notebook up to date
  • Check vegetable seedlings that you are growing indoors daily, light,soil moisture
  • Plan your spring garden on paper before planting your garden
  • Check all Garden equipment have it ready when needed

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Vance County Courthouse

eCourts Odyssey Roll Out

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UPDATE 4-30-24 Noon

Clerk Of Court Henry Gupton Said Day 1 Of ‘Odyssey’ Went Smoothly on WIZS Radio’s The Local Skinny!

The clerk of court staff put in a full day Sunday – 9 to 5 – to make sure the transition from paper to paperless went as smoothly as it possibly could, and Vance County Clerk of Superior Court Henry Gupton said he thought things went very well on Monday – Day 1 – of the online data management system.

Gupton said he was happy and proud of the court staff, and he predicted that things would smooth out as everyone gets used to the Enterprise Justice system, also called Odyssey. Odyssey replaces paper processes with online access uploads and transactions. Features include online citation and ticket payments, as well as a free search portal to display court records and case events.

“The system is slow, we’ve got to get used to it,” he said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “It’s going to be very beneficial,” Gupton added.

But for the next 10 weeks or so, it’s going to probably be a slog.

Most of the work will fall to the clerk’s office at first, he said. “If we all give it time and we’re all patient, we’ll be fine.”

Gupton said he’s going to take part in a meeting later this week to discuss equipment at the detention center that could be used to provide detainees a virtual first appearance, which could ease sheriff’s officers of the burden to transporting detainees to and from court.

**Previous update below as well as additional audio.

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**UPDATE 4-29-24 Noon

Vance County is among 10 counties switching over to eCourts today, putting an end to paper files and transitioning to a cloud-hosted digital case management system.

The Enterprise Justice system, also called Odyssey, replaces paper processes with online access uploads and transactions. Features include online citation and ticket payments, as well as a free search portal to display court records and case events.

As Enterprise Justice expands statewide, millions more North Carolinians gain mobile access to their courthouse, saving time and providing transparency, according to information from the N.C. Office of the Administrative Courts.

Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties are in Track 4 of the statewide rollout. There are two more groups of counties to go live in 2024, and the process should be completed by the end of 2025.

But in an April 15 work session of county commissioners, Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said he and other sheriffs across the state are less enthusiastic about the rollout.

“It’s going to slow down our court system,” Brame told commissioners. “Nobody likes it.” Brame said a typical court day in Vance County may have 300 names on the docket. Odyssey would reduce that number to 50, Brame said.

“Enterprise Justice has accepted over 600,000 electronic filings and supports tens of thousands of daily searches for digital court records in North Carolina’s largest population centers and five counties, jurisdictions serving nearly three million people,” said NCAOC Director Ryan Boyce.

Preparations and walkthroughs for each track of the eCourts transition begin months in advance to train court officials and the public on new technologies and processes, install improved network infrastructure in courthouses, customize programming integrations, and migrate case event data and court records from mainframe indexes and paper to a dynamic cloud-hosted platform.

In addition to electronic filing and records searches, the eCourts suite of applications also includes the already statewide eWarrants and Enforcement Mobile platforms, which integrate law enforcement processes with the court system, and Guide & File, a tool that helps self-represented users create and electronically file common legal actions through automated interviews. Statewide, more than 36,000 registered eWarrants users have issued 1.2 million criminal processes since the eCourts application for law enforcement replaced older systems in July 2022.

A large network of IT and software systems teams from NCAOC supports the eCourts transition through training, on-site assistance, remote monitoring and help desk response. Several eCourts platforms already operate statewide, including eWarrants, Enforcement Mobile, and a dual-form of Guide & File.

The NCAOC estimates that more than 2.3 million sheets of paper have been saved during the first two phases of eCourts by transitioning five counties to electronic filing and records access over a ten-month period. Historically, roughly 30 million pieces of paper were added to court files each year in North Carolina. The historic transition from paper court records to digital files is also shifting data storage from old mainframe technology to cloud hosting and storage, allowing NCAOC to retire outdated onsite application hosting and storage infrastructure while improving cybersecurity and online accessibility long-term.

Dr. Cindy Bennett Named 2024 George Watkins Citizen of the Year

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The 2024 George Watkins Citizen of the Year award honors Dr. Cindy Bennett, superintendent of Vance County Schools. The awards dinner will be held Thursday, May 16 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Henderson Country Club.

The goal of the awards dinner is to bring more than 100 top leaders in business and the community to celebrate the honoree, and to raise $75,000 to support Scouting programs in the Occoneechee Council, which includes Vance and Granville counties.

Tickets are $50 each, but sponsorships also are available, according to information from Event Chair Ronald Bennett, vice president of Supply Chain at Variety Wholesalers, Inc. and the number of tickets to the dinner depends on the sponsorship level.

Through Scouting, local youth develop character, citizenship, leadership, patriotism, self-reliance and personal fitness. Proceeds from the fundraiser help remove financial barriers for youth to participate in Scouting and provide additional outreach programs to serve at-risk youth in our most under-served communities throughout the Occoneechee Council.

The award is presented annually to extraordinary community leaders in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the quality of life in the Eno River District and who best exemplify the Scout Oath Law.

Sponsorship levels are:

· Golden Eagle – $10,000

· Silver eagle $7,500

· Benefactor Sponsor $5,000

· Eagle Sponsor $2,500

· President’s Circle $1,200

· 2 Scout Sponsor – $600

· 1 Scout Sponsor – $300

To obtain a copy of the sponsor application – click here – or contact Adam VanStedum at the BSA Occoneechee Council office in Raleigh at 919.500.6445 or adam.vanstedum@scouting.org.

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Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Cleanup perennial flower beds. Cut back plants, pull weeds and refresh mulch
  • Finish up your pruning chores. Fruit trees,blueberries,grape vines, broadleaf evergreens and ornamental trees.
  • Increase pollination of your garden by purchasing Honey bees or contacting a beekeeper to place a hive on your property
  • Keep your garden notebook up to date
  • Check vegetable seedlings that you are growing indoors daily, light,soil moisture
  • Plan your spring garden on paper before planting your garden
  • Check all Garden equipment have it ready when needed

Click Play!

 

Henderson CommUnity Cleanup Day Friday

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Friday’s Clean Up CommUnity Day will bring together groups and individuals from across the city who are going to roll up their sleeves and fill up bags with trash that’s cluttering up  Henderson’s roadsides.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon said that having days like these serve to not only make the community cleaner and more attractive for residents, but it also helps to put the city’s best foot forward.

“We spread out throughout Henderson and we pick up litter,” Blackmon said. It’s a coordinated effort with NCDOT’s Clean Sweep initiative, and Blackmon said city crews would be on hand to pick up the filled bags as quickly as possible.

Participants can give a quick call to city crews when they’ve filled bags and Blackmon said they’ll go pick them up, same day. “We like getting bags up as quickly as we can to show the impact as quickly as we can.”

Things get underway at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 25. Contact Cindy Norwood at 252.430.5702 to sign up and to get information about getting bags and gloves to use for the clean-up event.

With each bag that gets filled, whether at the interchange at I-85 and U.S. 1, along downtown sidewalks or on Andrews Avenue, Blackmon said there’s a focus on making the city more attractive.

In fact, the clean-up event “goes a long way in what we’re trying to do,” Blackmon said, to meet the number 1 priority of the City Council’s strategic plan, which is to improve the appearance and perception of the community. “Efforts like this go a long way to help us meet that goal,” he said.

Henderson’s Ward 4 at-large Council Member Tami Walker is planning to have a team of 15-20 participants in her district out taking part in the event, Blackmon said.

Of course, keeping trash off the streets and placing it in proper receptacles is the ideal goal, and Blackmon said collaboration with local schools is one way to help educate the younger generation.

“If we start early enough, (students) can help reinforce what they’re learning about” and reduce litter.

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood Engine Additives

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For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Yeah, yeah. We know…you meant to put that stuff in the gas tank to keep moisture from forming when you put the mowers, boats, jet skis and weed trimmers away for the season.

Now “the season” is here again, and what product or products will serve you and your equipment the best? The grass won’t stop growing just because the mower’s on the fritz, and you’re ready to trailer your watercraft back up to the lake for some weekend fun.

Choosing the right product from shelves and shelves full of cans, bottles and containers can be a daunting task. But if you stop by any Advance Auto Parts location – including the ones in Henderson on Raleigh Road and just off Dabney Drive, you’re sure to get expert help to figure out the right product for you.

There’s no “magic bullet” or one-size-fits-all approach, but with a bit of information about the issue, the Advance staff can help troubleshoot the problem and get you and your gear humming again in no time.

You’ll walk out with the right product for your needs, and the peace of mind that comes from consulting with folks who know what they’re talking about.

It’s important to pair the right product to your vehicle – and to address the particular problem it may have. Between the name-brand products on the shelves and the knowledgeable staff behind the counter, you can be reassured that you’re getting the best bang for your buck at Advance.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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The Local Skinny! Sossamon Keynote Speaker At VGCC Graduation

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N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon will deliver the keynote address at the 55th annual commencement ceremony at Vance-Granville Community College on May 10.

Sossamon, in his first term as a legislator in the N.C. House of Representatives, represents District 32, covering Vance and most of Granville County. He is a member of several House committees, including Education K-12, Appropriations, Appropriations Education, Transportation, and Commerce, as well as an interim member of the House Select Committee on Substance Abuse and the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee.

During his 35-year career as pastor of South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, Sossamon also became active in other areas of the community, according to a press statement from VGCC. He started the Chaplain Program at Maria Parham Health and served on the Ethics Council at the hospital; he also served as chaplain for the Vance County Sheriff Department for 24 years. He has been on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council for Vance County for 35 years. Rep. Sossamon has been an active member of local Crime Stoppers groups for over three decades, serving as president of both the Henderson/Vance and Granville County chapters. He has initiated numerous local community task forces in an effort to better the community.

During his freshman term, Sossamon has spearheaded efforts for a $11.5 million allocation to VGCC to construct a new center for advanced manufacturing. More recently, he played a key role in launching VGCC’s Funeral Service Education partnership with Fayetteville Tech, advocating for the program to support locally owned businesses.

The VGCC commencement will be held on the main campus in Henderson and the event is free and open to the public.

Vance-Granville Community College’s 2024 commencement will honor several hundred students who completed graduation requirements over the last year. The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10, on the grounds of the College’s Main Campus in Henderson. All members of the community are invited to attend.

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Home And Garden Show 04-17-24

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Carpenter bees
  • Farmer’s Market Opens Saturday
  • Soil Samples are now free of charge
  • Use row markers to ID plants
  • Use good quality potting mix for container plants
  • Keep garden notebook up to date
  • Start fruit tree spraying program
  • Honey bee swarm removal
  • Check for fire ants 

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Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Centering Pregnancy Program at Granville Vance Public Health

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If you are pregnant or know someone who is, the local health department offers a program for expectant mothers to get support from health professionals as well as from others who will be giving birth soon.

“Centering pregnancy” has been around since the 1990’s, and it’s a way for those in the low- to moderate-risk pregnancy categories to learn ways to reduce risk factors like high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, among other things.

Granville Vance Public Health Director Lisa Harrison says the centering pregnancy model is “exciting work,” where women come together and learn in a group setting. Women who participate in the program get one-on-one time with health care professionals, but they also join in small-group sessions where they can ask questions and learn from each other.

“It empowers women to be actively involved in their own health care decision-making,”Harrison said in an earlier interview with WIZS.

The Centering pregnancy program does not take the place of prenatal care that women receive elsewhere, and Harrison said it’s designed to complement the care that women receive from their own providers.

Given the health disparities that exist, especially among underserved populations, Harrison said this program offered by the health department is just one intervention to address maternal and infant mortality.

“It’s a way to set mom and baby up for the best outcomes,” she said.

In addition to the small group sessions during pregnancy, GVPH nurses also make home visits once mom and her newborn are home from the hospital. This service offers support to make sure mom and baby have the resources they need, and can connect them to additional resources to help them survive and thrive.

To learn more, visit https://www.gvph.org/clinic/maternal-health-clinic/.

Check for additional details about Centering Pregnancy and a full list of programs at www.gvph.org.

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Events At Perry Memorial Library 04-16-24

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The U.S. celebrates National Tea Day on April 21, and Perry Memorial Library is hosting a special tea party and book sale to commemorate the beverage that people enjoy all over the globe.  Whether you’re a faithful patron or a newbie to the library, Melody Peters and the staff invite you to join in the fun.

The tea party will be from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, and participants can sample teas from around the world, Peters said – “something other than iced tea,” she said.

Kids will have a chance to decorate some special cups and plates for the occasion – they also can create some cool party hats.

“We hope there will be a lot of activity,” said Peters, who is the library’s Youth Services director.

Whether you like green tea, a chai or a traditional Earl Grey, come have a cuppa at the library and shop for some books at the Friends of Library sale – books and tea make a great combination.

The April Kids Connect STEM program will celebrate Earth Day just one day late on Tuesday, Apr. 23 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. After a short hike around the library to pick up whatever litter may be lying around the landscape, the group will create bird feeders with cardboard tubes, twine, sunflower butter and bird seed, Peters said.

“We’ll be outdoors in nature and explore outside” the library environs, including a stroll through the Story Walk installation while they’re at it.

This program is geared for elementary school students, siblings of all ages are most welcome to participate, Peters said. No registration is required – just show up.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn more about all the programs and services the library offers.

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