Henderson Collegiate: “Let It Shine” Talent Showcase 2024

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For this news segment on WIZS Radio, Henderson on this Friday, May 3, 2024, I wanted to offer you a special first person account of an event I attended last night at Henderson Collegiate. Students arranged and organized and performed the “Let It Shine Talent Show.” The “Let It Shine Talent Show” on Thursday evening at Henderson Collegiate started with a red carpet event at 5:25 and was followed up with a live show from 6 until around 8:30.

Jayden Watkins, a familiar name now in the community as a teenaged minister and preacher, is a student at Henderson Collegiate and the visionary of the show. One of the main purposes of the event was to commemorate deceased alumni with a “Deceased Alumni Tribute.”

Performers, along with the school’s principal, Mr. Taro Shigenobu, spoke about and also used the performing arts to remember: Kasi Thompson, Pride of 2019; Jacob Harris, Pride of 2019; Elijah Brown, Pride of 2019; Jaiah Kearney, Pride of 2021; Caleb Perry, Pride of 2021; Zakera Kearney, Pride of 2024; and Jerry Tavera, who would have graduated with the Pride of 2025.

Family members were in attendance at the performance.

After I had left the school our Jayden Watkins, who is on staff here at WIZS, texted me and said, “Thank you for coming and showing love to all the young people. They truly enjoyed you.” I responded to Jayden and said, “What I saw was amazing. No matter what, everybody in that room had everybody else. There was great talent and love and no judgment. I decided to stay a while and then I couldn’t leave.” And, of course, I said, “You’re welcome.  It was my pleasure. Thank you (and thank you to your school) for showing me something.

Watkins himself was able as a preacher to do something that most preachers can’t do. He offered a three-point sermon in just three minutes as he reflected about what is on the inside of a person. “Let it shine,” he said. “Look in the mirror … Know who you are.” Watkins said, “Shine to divine … Shine while it’s time.”

As Principal Shigenobu closed out the special evening, he noted that Henderson Collegiate is not just about grades and numbers and pointed to the multitalented individuals in attendance as well as those who had supported the performers on the stage.

From my perspective in local media and someone who was able to attend the performance: Great job young women and men. Great job, school. Great job young leaders. Your community is proud of you. And hopefully by having events like this, your community will continue to learn more about your special school and the wonderful people in attendance.

And as far as the program order was concerned, the ECHO Drumline – Pride of Sound performed as did Dakyra “D.K.” Johnson.  Johnson sang as did Keionne Sanford, D’Angelo, Indya Hamrick, Faith Wimbush, Kameron Bullock.  Chelicia Walters offered a testimonial “God is Love.”  Ms. Chloe Jones performed.  Aresia Barrett sang as did Alijah Wright, and Brandon Dukes, Imya “Tae Tae” Bullock and Mekhi Fowlkes offered a musical instrumental. The “Sweethearts” danced.  Dakota Miller sang. Mr. Dedrick Dunton, who they call “Dr. Dunton,” offered a testimonial and sang.  Amirah “MIMI” Weaver sang as did Ju’Tieya Watkins.

Everyone in attendance seemed to have a special time.

My thanks for the invitation and for the opportunity to be on the red carpet and to experience a wonderful evening. This is WIZS Radio Henderson, John Charles Rose reporting.

 

The Local Skinny! Pop the Hood: Spring Cleaning Your Car

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

Getting a little spring cleaning done may be on people’s minds, now that the pollen has done its thing and the weather’s warming up.

But spring cleaning shouldn’t be limited to homes and businesses – what about your vehicles?

We make lists to take care of seasonal household chores like washing the windows and cleaning out the gutters, but cars and trucks would benefit from having seasonal checklists, too.

The professionals at Advance Auto Parts can help you choose the right products to keep your vehicle looking great and running great this spring and all year long.

Some maintenance and spring cleaning tasks are recommended based on time, others on the number of miles you’ve driven, and some are simply preventative measures to keep your vehicle in good repair.

The “check” lights on dashboards of many newer models remind us when it’s time to change the oil or check tire pressure – they may be annoying to see, but they shouldn’t be ignored.

There’s not a “check” light for things like belts, battery terminals and spark plugs, so a quick look under the hood can help you spot little problems before they become big problems that could leave you stranded along the roadside.

Spark plugs may need to be replaced every few years, especially if you put 30,000 or more miles a year on your vehicle. Timing belts should last for 50,000 miles or so, but all hoses and belts should be checked periodically for wear.

If you use a mechanic for tire rotations and oil changes, they should be checking things like tire pressure and uneven wear, as well as air filters and cabin filters.

DIY’ers need to keep those things in mind as well – a cabin air filter helps keep dirt and irritants out of the interior of your vehicle.

Speaking of interiors, when’s the last time you cleaned the inside of the windshield? That filmy buildup can be easily removed. While you’re at it, go ahead and give the seats and floorboards a deep clean.

If vehicles are, indeed, a reflection of the owners who drive them, then some of us may need to tackle a spring cleaning project or two before we head down the road.

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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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

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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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