City of Henderson Logo

The Local Skinny! City Council Making City Employment More Attractive

 

 

Good news for current and future employees of the city of Henderson: The Henderson City Council adopted a city-wide minimum hourly rate of $15 per hour for all employees at its Nov. 14 meeting,

City Manager Terrell Blackmon made the request, which is in line with the most recent strategic plan strategies to attract and retain city workers.

According to information from the meeting agenda, 19 out of the city’s 200 employees currently earn less than $15 an hour, but the council’s adoption of the $15/hour rate changes that. It will cost an extra $1,173.47 per pay period – $30,510.18 a year – to make this change.

In his recommendation to the council, Blackmon stated that it was necessary “due to increasing wages and the competitive hiring environment in Vance County and the surrounding area.”

New employees will receive an hourly rate of not less than $15 per hour, and existing employees’ pay will be adjusted to reflect the pay raise. Employees hired before July 1, 2022 will have their salaries adjusted upon completion of their probationary period, he explained.

In other action from the council, city employees will get a bump in their pay if they are called back in to work. This changes will cost the city about $48,300 annually.

This “call-back” pay is for employees who are scheduled to be on call throughout the year. Blackmon proposed, and the council adopted, that the number of hours change to ten hours, up from two hours’ guaranteed pay for being called back to work outside of normal working hours.

Employees would receive 10 hours for being on-call plus time worked as already outlined in the existing policy. The city currently has three employees, usually one primary (Crew Leader) and two secondaries, on-call at all times. Each employee will be on-call five or six times a year.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

Farm-City Week 2022

There’s no debate that agriculture plays an important role in our lives – whether we are the farmers responsible for growing the crops, livestock and commodities that make their way into the food chain or whether we are the consumers of those products.

Producers and consumers gathered at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market Tuesday for a luncheon as part of the annual observance of Farm-City Week, sponsored by NC Farm Bureau and the local N.C. Cooperative Extension.

“We had a great day,” said Paul McKenzie, horticulture agent in Vance and Warren counties. McKenzie recapped Tuesday’s events on WIZS Wednesday during the weekly cooperative extension segment of The Local Skinny!

One local producer was honored for his 25 years as a vendor with the farmers market.

Calvin Adcock has followed the farmers market to its various locations over the years – from humble beginnings on William Street to the YMCA and city operations center to the current location.

Adcock has been bringing fresh produce from his raised garden beds and home canned products to the farmers market, and “quickly developed a reputation for selling quality products,” McKenzie said.

“He is one of the hardest working vendors,” said Wayne Rowland, who also noted that Adcock was honored as Vance County’s Small Farmer of the Year in 2016.

“If you have been to the farmers market, you will see him most every day that the market is open,” Rowland continued. In addition to his devotion to the farmers market, Adcock also has helped the cooperative extension and other producers through his participation on the Small Farms Advisory Council and the Farmers Market Advisory Council.

“He is a wonderful person to work with,” Rowland said.

McKenzie said in written remarks that Adcock “has shown fierce loyalty and dedication to the market, showing up consistently with a warm smile and a good selection of products.”

The guest speaker for the luncheon was Jake Parker, legislative counsel and NC Farm Bureau’s legislative director. Parker discussed the work that Farm Bureau does on behalf of farmers, as well as some of the big issues facing agriculture.

The Farm Bureau provides insurance for farmers, but it does so much more as an advocacy and a community organization, McKenzie said.

“The Vance County Farm Bureau has done an unparalleled job in supporting the community,” he said, from providing equipment to Vance Charter School’s ag program to scholarships at Vance-Granville Community College and more.

As rural areas face increased development, farmers also can face complaints from new neighbors who feel their lives are being disrupted by the dust, sounds and smells that sometimes are created on farms as farmers plant, cultivate and harvest crops.

Parker, in his work with Farm Bureau, strives to protect farmers against nuisance lawsuits to create reasonable policies “to help farmers continue to make a living and continue to produce the food supply that we need,” McKenzie said.

Finding and maintaining positive relationships between farmers and nearby neighbors is critical, he added.

Click Play!

The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 11-15-22

The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for November 15, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email Michele@hendersonvance.org to be included.

Company – Maria Parham Health

Job TitleFront Desk Receptionist.  Operates multiple-call switchboard console and routes calls to the appropriate person or location. Greets vendors, customers, job applicants, and other visitors, and assures that they are escorted to the proper office. Prepares statistical reports and performs clerical functions such as preparing and sending outgoing mail, distributing incoming mail, maintaining filing systems, typing documents, photocopying, scanning and faxing. The Receptionist performs and provides clerical support services

Women’s Health Administrative Assistant.
Full-time. Performs receptionist, registration, and clerical duties associated with direct and scheduled patient admissions. High school diploma or equivalent, Associate’s degree in Secretarial Science Preferred. Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

How To Apply – Apply online at https://www.mariaparham.com/careers.

Company – Lowe’s Home Improvement

Job Title – Assistant Store Manager.  Full-time. $52,000-$78,000 annual salary.  Physical ability to perform tasks that may require prolonged standing, sitting, and other activities necessary to perform job.  2 years of experience leading associates in a retail environment. 3 years of experience working in a fast-paced, cross-functional work environment. 1 year of experience performing manager-on-duty responsibilities, including management of daily store operations and processes within and beyond assigned areas of responsibility. Experience using Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to obtain sales related licensure or registration as may be required by law. Bachelor’s degree in related field. 5 years of experience leading service associates in a retail or consumer service industry. Experience working in the home improvement retail sector. Broad knowledge of interior/exterior product categories (e.g., flooring, cabinets, millwork, building materials, appliances, home décor, lighting, plumbing). Experience working with store computer systems (including but not limited to: Project Tool, Genesis, M2O, Thin Client, etc

How To Apply – Apply online at https://talent.lowes.com/us/en or apply at Lowe’s Improvement Center at the 166 Dabney Road in Henderson location.

 

Company – Henderson Fruit & Produce

Job Title – Delivery Drivers needed.  Good starting pay, paid holidays and vacations, 401k offered.  Applicants must have a valid drivers license.

How To Apply – Apply in person at Henderson Fruit & Produce building, located at 1215 Old Norlina Road, Henderson.

 

Company – Vance-Granville Community College

Job Title – Financial Aid Office Assistant.  Part-time.  Qualifications: Completion of one semester of college or related work experience. Strong customer service skills. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.  Strong oral and written communication skills.

How To Apply – Apply online at https://www.vgcc.edu/careers/ or apply in person at VGCC main campus on Ruin Creek Road, Henderson.

 

Company – Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department

Job Title – Certified Lifeguards needed.  Applicants should be energetic, engaging, and observant.  Must be at least 15 years old.  If you are not certified, a free lifesaving class will be available.

How To Apply – Go by the Aycock Recreation Center, located at 307 Carey Chapel Road in Henderson, or apply online at www.henderson.nc.gov.  Applicants must pass pre-employment drug screen and a background check.  For information about the job or to inquire about the lifesaving certification class, contact DeAnne Brown, Assistant Director at 252-438-3948.

 

Company – Eckerd Connects – Short Term Juvenile Justice Residential Program, Manson NC

Job TitleCook – Prepare all food items as required by menus and recipes supplied, observing all standards of quality assurance, sanitation, and safety.  Assist in the cleanup and storage of food and food related items in the kitchen.  High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.  ServSafe certification strongly preferred.  6 months experience in volume cookery with experience in food preparation techniques.

Classroom Teacher – Provide challenging, rigourous, and relevant educational experiences for each student, affording them the opportunity to achieve their full academic, intellectual, physical, social, and emotional potential. Requires a Bachelors degree from an accredited College or University.  Must meet state teacher certification eligibility requirements.  2 years successful teaching experience preferred.  Eckerd Connects is a girls residential program for 13-17 year olds.  This is a 20 bed program for girls who are referred by the NC Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

How To Apply – Apply online at http://www.eckerd.org.  For more information, contact Lorena Marquez at (252) 366-9380.

 

Company – Select Products Holdings LLC

Job TitleQuality Control Technician – $13-$15 an hour.  Responsibilities include: Maintaining company inspection reports. Inspecting raw materials and finished goods according to quality and safety standards. Ensuring goods and products comply with company and customer standards. Ensuring test equipment is calibrated and working correctlyReporting quality anomalies to the Shift Supervisor and Quality Manager. Documenting non-conformances and assisting investigations. Collating test data and drafting quality reports.

Quality Lead – Responsibilities include Reviewing quality control documentation such as checklists, logs, and reports for effectiveness, accuracy, and relevance. Conducting daily inspections and quality control checks. Assessing test results and approving recommended changes. Collaborating with management to develop, prepare, and implement safety policies and procedures. Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local safety laws, regulations, codes, and rules. Reporting status of quality control and operations to leadership and, when required, regulatory agencies.

Applicants for both positions will need excellent verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, excellent problem-solving and analytical skills/critical thinking, and ability to approach a problem creatively with ability to use logic and reasoning.  Minimum of a HS Diploma or GED with basic computer (MS Office) and math skills to calibrate and measure specifications required.

How To Apply – Apply online at https://www.selectproducts-usa.com/  or email resume to  zollie.perry@selectph.com

 

Company – Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

Job Title – Regional Program Coordinator.  Coordinator will perform education, outreach and administrative management of grant-funded programs throughout the Kerr-Tar Region (Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren counties).  Coordinator will also provide staff support to the Kerr-Tar Rural Planning Organization. Successful applicant will develop marketing and outreach programs, coordinate with community organizations and local officials, and provide education opportunities to residents of the region (including school aged children).  The Coordinator will also provide technical planning and other support to the Kerr Tar Rural Planning Organization, including assisting with preparation of maps and presentation materials for meetings, research and field data collection and reports.  There will be considerable public contact.  Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Planning, Government Administration or related field or a combination of education and experience required.  Possession of a valid driver’s license required.

How To Apply – Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to info@kerrtarcog.org.

 

Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS.  Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast.  This is not a paid ad.

Click Play!

 

Vance County Logo

The Local Skinny! County Commissioners Meeting Review

Vance County Commissioners have approved bumping up the pay for some county employees whose jobs require permanent night shifts, which could put more than $3,800 in the paychecks of 911 dispatchers and detention officers.

County Manager Jordan McMillen said the commissioners approved the $20 extra per night shift worked at the Nov. 7 meeting. The pay increase will begin with the Nov. 13 pay period, McMillen said.

This could mean an additional $30,700 paid to 911 employees and another $50,400 for detention staff, if night shifts are fully staffed.

McMillen said that “shift differential pay” is common in private industry and is endorsed by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.

In other matters before the commissioners:

  • The search continues for a company to provide health care services to inmates at the Vance County Detention Center. McMillen said several providers are expected to submit proposals in the next week or so, which means a selection could be made by late November. McMillen said he is hopeful for a January 1 startup date, but some of the service providers have indicated they need 60 days once the contract is awarded to begin providing services. In the interim, StarMed continues to provide services at the jail.
  • Residents who use the Kittrell Solid Waste Convenience Site will be pleased to know that commissioners approved spending more than $44,000 to pave the entire 18,000 square foot location – no more dust, grime and gravel! Reynolds
    Hauling will complete the project, which will be paid with funds from the capital fund totalling $44,395. Originally, only a portion of the site was going to be paved – at a cost of just more than $17,000, McMillen said. But it was decided to pave the whole site in “an effort to improve the citizen experience” at county-owned sites. The county spends money each year to add gravel at the sites, but decided that pavement was a better long-term investment which would save on future maintenance costs.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

The Local Skinny! Granville County is Ready for the Holidays!

Granville County is chock full of events happening in November, and Angela Allen shared some of what’s going on with John C. Rose on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

  • Cedar Creek Gallery just outside Creedmoor is having its annual holiday open house this weekend. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13.
  • The Hub on Main’s Craft and Brew festival in downtown Oxford Saturday. A portion of Main Street will be closed off to allow for live music, alongside dozens of beer, craft and food vendors from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets for the beer tasting tickets are available via The Hub on Main Facebook page.
  • Thorndale Oaks is having its traditional Thanksgiving lunch buffet on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 11:30 am to 2 p.m. Call 919.603.3701 to reserve a table for this sumptuous event.
  • Turkey Trot to benefit Area Congregations in Ministry. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. outside the Oxford United Methodist Church and the walk/run begins at 9 a.m.
  • C.J. Harris is presenting Something to Do. Get together with family and friends. Nov. 25 Friday 7 p.m. to midnight. DJ Mike will be there playing your favorite Motown and soul tunes. Tickets $15 each or reserve a table for $20.
  • Grey Blackwell and friends are transitioning the Granville Haunt Farm “from scary to merry” with the opening of Granville Christmas Farm, a festival of lights celebration that will kick off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving and will continue through Christmas. Visit https://www.granvillechristmasfarm.com/ to learn more.

Learn more about these events and more at www.visitgranvillenc.com

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

Home And Garden Show

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

  • Collecting leaves use PPE ear,eye, hand protection
  • Include some NC products on your Thanksgiving table.
  • Have frost protection measures ready for any outside plants you want to protect.
  • Cover your raised vegetable garden beds with an inch or two of compost. This will reduce weed growth over the winter and it can be incorporated prior to spring planting.
  • Skunks are foraging for grubs in lawns, making a lot of holes in lawns. With colder weather the grubs will go deeper in the soil and skunks will leave your lawn alone for other sources of food.
  • Build a compost bin. Pallets, cinder block, wire fencing, etc.
  • Now is the time to collect soil samples. 3 week analysis Dec 1 fee goes to $4 per sample
  • Visit a public garden to get ideas for plants that look good in fall and winter.
  • Kudzu bugs and Asian Lady bugs are on the move to your house.
  • Buy fertilizer for the late November application to tall fescue.

Click Play!

 

 

The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 11-08-22

The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for November 8, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email Michele@hendersonvance.org to be included.

 

Company Name – Nu Vizions

Job Title – Hiring for Team Members who have experience in the Mental Health/Substance Abuse field.

How To Apply – Send your resume to rvaughan@nuvizionsllc.com.

 

Company Name – Vance Construction Company

Job Title – Multiple job positions open, general labor, skilled carpenters, persons with Class A CDL certifications, and supervisor superintendents.

How To Apply – Apply at Vance Construction office, located at 4197 Raleigh Road in Henderson.

 

Company Name – Next Level Kennels

Job Title – Open position for a Kennel Tech.  Looking for a long term, dependable, responsible worker. Work shifts consist  of a variety of days, evenings, weekdays and weekends.  Kennel Techs are responsible for day-to-day care of training, boarders, and personal animals.  This includes but not limited to feeding, watering, cleaning, walking, bathing, and monitoring the well-being of dogs and cats.  Applicants must have the ability and willingness to learn and a desire to provide gentle, compassionate care for boarded pets.

How To Apply – Apply in-person at Next Level, located at 1776 Walter Bowen Road, Henderson.  Or send email to scott@nextlevelkennels.com.

 

Company Name – Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson

Job Title – Drivers needed for non-profit organization.  Must be 18+ years old with a valid driver’s license.  Ability and willingness to make trips driving long periods of time out of state.

How To Apply – Send your resume to Michelle Wood at mhwood72@gmail.com.

 

Company Name – Classic Toyota of Henderson

Job Title – Sales Representative.  Are you a car enthusiast and have experience working in a fast pace environment?  Are you passionate about delivering a unique customer experience that creates a memorable and outstanding impression? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we want to talk to you. If you are looking for a change and want to be part of a winning team, apply today! Previous dealership experience is a huge plus, enthusiastic with high energy throughout the sales workday, outgoing with a friendly personality, especially while handling objections & negotiating pricing.  Must have a clean & valid driver’s license.  Must be willing to submit to a background check to employment.

How To Apply – Apply in person at Classic Toyota of Henderson dealership, located at 205 Toyota Lane, off Ruin Creek Road, in Henderson.

 

Company Name – MR Williams

Job Title – Inventory Coordinator.  Full-time. Prefer experience with inventory control and work authorization.  Position duties include: sales support, receiving all inventory & invoices, verfiy UPC is not assigned & assign UPC to all items, creating & printing UPC labels, manage all physical inventory in all warehouses, batch check-ins, full case returns, store credit, WDN & WBN reconciliation, inventory breakdowns, inventory adjustments, daily updates gross profit on the web portal, daily update schedules on the web portal, sort and file sales rep invoices. Pay: $13.24 – $24.24 per hour.

How To Apply – Apply online at https://www.mrwilliams.com/careers/ or at www.indeed.com

 

Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS.  Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast.  This is not a paid ad.

Click Play!

 

The Local Skinny! “Little Mermaid” Performance Brings People Together

Ariel or Sebastian or Flounder or King Triton may not have said it in so many words, but Victoria Huggins did: The story of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is about pursuing your dreams, no matter what.

And in a way, that’s exactly what a stalwart group of local leaders did to make McGregor Hall a reality – they pursued their dream of having a top-notch venue right in the middle of Henderson.

Huggins donned a mermaid’s costume and a wavy, red wig to bring Ariel to life during eight different performances of “The Little Mermaid,” which ended with a Sunday matinee.

In a recent TownTalk interview, Huggins told John C. Rose that she loved performing at McGregor Hall – she also played Belle in the 2019 production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

And although she lives in Moore County, Huggins didn’t hesitate to audition for the role of Ariel – McGregor Hall just keeps calling her back, it seems.

From all reports, audiences thoroughly enjoyed the shows – there were two shows specifically for schoolchildren – that took place over the past two weekends.

As word gets out about the lovely facility and the local – and not-so-local – talent involved in creating live theatre, McGregor Hall is sure to stay on a positive trajectory.

That’s a good thing for McGregor Hall. And for Henderson.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

Community Partners of Hope

Men’s Shelter Open; Donations Needed

The local men’s shelter opened a month ago – one month earlier than last year. That puts Delthine Watson and others who work with Community Partners of Hope closer to their goal of being able to provide emergency housing year-round instead of just during the winter months.

In a recent update, Watson, who is CPOH’s community network specialist, reported that that the shelter has served 14 different men. “One of our guests has been recommended to move to Hope House and his application is being processed now,” Watson said.

But the shelter still needs support from the community, and Watson said there are plenty of ways to help – from signing up to provide a meal to dropping off cases of bottled water and other snacks and even volunteering to staff the shelter when it’s occupied.
“We’ve had amazing responses for meals, but we do need several meals this month,” Watson said. Use THIS LINK  to sign up to provide a meal. The greatest needs are this weekend – Nov. 12 and 13, Monday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 25.

Volunteers who can spend the night should sign up two weeks in advance, she noted. Volunteers are needed for Monday and Thursday nights; this allows paid staff to be scheduled if there’s not enough coverage.

Volunteering overnight provides an opportunity to see the shelter in action and helpsgreatly with expenses, Watson said. Consider volunteering individually or forming a two-person team, she said.

“We are taking extreme cautions to prevent the spread of COVID, but we understand that some are still hesitant to volunteer.   Masks are required at all times, hand-washing and sanitizer are emphasized, and of course we maintain safe distance as well,” Watson said.

Details for shelter volunteers are in the signup (CLICK HERE). Watson said she appreciates the coverage that two volunteers from First United Methodist provide for one Thursday night each month and challenges other church groups to consider doing the same for a different night.

Of course, monetary donations always are welcomed, but other things they need to create “go bags” for the clients included bottled water, tea, soft drinks and underwear in all sizes but most especially L, XL, 2X and 3X.

Watson said a complete list of needs is available at www.cp-hope.org.

Please do NOT take donations to the shelter. The shelter is closed during the day and staff is busy during the evening hours helping the men who are there for the night.

Instead, call 252.432.9494 to arrange delivery.

Watson currently is working on grant applications, coordinating with other agencies for partnerships and speaking with churches and civic groups. Call or email her to schedule a talk with a community group at 919.339.1462 or  specialist.cpoh@gmail.com.

Home and Garden Show

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

  • Keep leaves off grass seedlings
  • Plant pansies
  • Clean up your orchards ex. Fallen fruit A good cleanup will help prevent diseases for next year.
  • Avoid pruning
  • Improve your garden soil by adding compost, or shredded leaves to increase organic matter 3 to 4 inches is sufficient.
  • clean up orchards
  • Now is the time to collect soil samples. 3 week analysis Dec 1 fee goes to $4 per sample
  • Plant a tree! Serviceberry, crepe myrtle, kousa dogwood, etc.
  • Kudzu bugs and Asian Lady bugs are on the move to your house.
  • Assess indoor plants, repot as needed.
  • Build a compost bin if you don’t already have one.

Click Play!