City Council Reviews Proposed Minimum Housing Code; Could Approve At Aug. 8 Meeting

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The stage is set for the Henderson City Council to possibly approve a revised minimum housing code at their August meeting. Updates to the code were reviewed during a called meeting of the City Council at noon on Wednesday, and Mayor Eddie Ellington told WIZS Thursday the changes in code are needed and called current enforcement “mediocre at best.”

Ellington said the city needs more code officers to address the challenges of enforcement. “This has been an ongoing 20-year troublesome problem that is holding our city back and we’ve paid the price for it, especially with our older neighborhoods,” Ellington said to WIZS News Thursday.

But there were some concerns about some of the details contained in the document, such as requiring property owners to designate an authorized agent and provide that information to the city. City Attorney D. Rix Edwards is consulting the N.C. League of Municipalities/School of Government to determine what city leaders can and cannot ask of rental property owners. State law prohibits municipalities from having any type of registration of rental property owners, and City Manager Terrell Blackmon said Thursday that he hopes to get clarification about the language contained in the revised code.

Blackmon told WIZS that the intent simply is to have a person to contact in case of an emergency regarding a rental property.

“At this time, we are considering just making it voluntary for all landlords as we await legal interpretation,” Blackmon said. “This is a work in progress, but there will be changes to the current code,” he added.

Council member Garry Daeke said he thought most of the ordinance is good, but he said there are a few things to check on to ensure due process.

He said he felt it premature to call for additional code enforcement staff at this time. “That question is legitimate, at another time, and for our manager and staff to propose to Council once the process is finished and they submit a plan of action,” Daeke said.

Although Daeke had to leave the meeting before it concluded, he said Thursday that he also has concerns about the point of contact. “We need it, but the lien issue isn’t the answer,” he said.

Despite what he described as a “chaotic” meeting, Daeke said he felt he and his fellow Council members made a good start to address the code challenges.

Council member Sara Coffey echoed Daeke’s sentiments. “I’m real happy that we are moving forward with issues that we have been burdened with for quite some time now,” Coffey said in a written statement to WIZS.

“We still have a few tweaks and are going to have all that done by our August meeting,” she continued. “It be great to work together to help our citizens and our city to be more productive for the betterment of all.”

Another concern related to an increase in penalties assessed as a result of inspections resulting in code violations.

Blackmon observed that the City Council has decided “not to sit on their hands and do nothing. The penalties already exist and the increases are not out of bounds with the General Statutes.”

Ellington said the city’s future depends on clear action from Council and others.

“The business constituents have spoken, as noted by their submitted letter to the City and also being in attendance (at) every meeting since,” he stated. “We as leaders are faced with as I’ve said, ‘hard truths’ and difficult decisions. But the future direction of our City depends upon it. This is expected from us as a municipality.”

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Home And Garden Show

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

  • When your  garden receives heavy rainfall open rows to let excess water drain out.
  • Be cautious using herbicides with long-term control.
  • Keep hydrated when working in the garden. Drink water and take rest breaks!
  • Begin making plans for fall landscape projects, especially tree and shrub plantings.
  • Continue your fruit spray program. Be mindful of the harvest interval before you spray especially if you think you will harvest fruit soon.
  • Keep an eye out for yellow jacket nests, especially when mowing.
  • Use trash bags  to help keep deer out of your garden, electric fence is best.

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 07-26-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for July 26, 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.

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Business Name – PNC Bank

Job Opening –  Full-Time Bank Teller needed at the PNC Bank – Main Retail Branch on Chestnut Street in Henderson. Applicant will provide exceptional customer service, accurately perform high volume customer banking transactions, educate customers on new technology and develop banking product referral opportunities through strong customer relationship skills. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education and experience (including military service) may be considered.

How To Apply – Apply online at https://careers.pnc.com/global/en/job/R108573/Teller

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Business Name – The Hair Loft

Job Opening –   Currently searching for a Salon Assistant and for an experienced licensed Stylist.  Great opportunity for a current cosmetology student or recent cosmetology grad to get hands-on experience as a Salon Assistant.  An experienced, licensed Stylist who may be looking for a career change, a more convenient location, or who wants to grow her skills would be an excellent candidate.  The Hair Loft is located at 116 East Dabney Drive in Henderson.

How To Apply – Apply online at http://www.thehairlofthenderson.com.

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Business Name – Huff Consulting. LLC

Job Opening –   This employment consulting company is searching to fill a vacancy for their client – Assistant Plant Manager in Henderson.  Applicants will need 3+ years of manufacturing supervision experience.  Previous machine operator experience is a plus.  Must work well with a team-oriented environment. Ability to establish quality control programs.  This is a salaried, full-time position.  $60,000-$65,000, depending on experience and qualifications.  Monday-Friday. Day Shift.

How To Apply – Apply online at https://huffgrp.com.  Click Job Seeker Tab and scroll down to click on Assistant Plant Manager-Henderson.

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Business Name – Variety Wholesalers, Inc/Roses Stores

Job Opening –  Immediate opening for a full-time Merchandise Planner. The Planner is responsible for meeting and improving financial objectives.  The Planner will be responsible for creating top-down and bottom-up financial plans and in season forecasting for multiple departments.  The ideal candidate will identify business risks and opportunities to maximize sales, profitability and inventory turn objectives. BA/BS degree required plus 2-4 year experience in a similar position.  Must be proficient in Microsoft Excel.

How To Apply – Apply online at https://www.rosesdiscountstores.com and click on Careers.  Or apply online at www.indeed.com.

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Business Name – Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunities, Inc

Job Opening –  Currently accepting applications for Energy Auditors/QCI Inspectors.  Energy Auditors are responsible for conducting comprehensive and precise residential home energy assessments for Weatherization and HARRP Programs in accordance with program standards and uploading all information into the required computer programs.

How To Apply – Apply in person at the FVW Opportunities office, located at  180 South Beckford Drive or email your resume to tjefferson@fvwopp.com or apply online at www.fvwopp.com/job-openings.

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Business Name – Vance County High School

Job Opening –  Hiring now for instructors for Culinary Arts, Agriculture, Special Education Teachers, and Computer Technician and others.  Offering a $5,000 signing bonus.

How To Apply – Apply online at https://northcarolina.teach.org/organizations/vance-county-schools.  Or Contact Principal Rey Horner at 252-430-6000.

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Business Name – Vance County Schools

Job Opening –   Looking to make a difference in the lives of students every day?  Vance County Public School System has immediate openings for 7 full-time and 4 part-time Cafeteria Assistants.  Experience in commercial or institutional food service, school setting preferred; High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training; OR a combination of education and experience; Cashier skills required; ServSafe® Certificate or NC Safe Plates Certificate preferred.

How To Apply – Apply for the Child Nutrition positions (as well as others) online at https://vcsnc.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx.

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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.

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The Local Skinny! Duck Derby Is Just Around The Corner

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The 13th annual Ducky Derby is set for Garnett Street in mid-September and Garry Daeke said that after a couple of years of making adjustments because of COVID, the Derby is returning with a full complement of associated festivities.

“This year, we are back to doing  a full street fair and festival,” Daeke told John C. Rose during Monday’s The Local Skinny! segment. There will be food trucks, music and more along Garnett Street beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. The race commences at 2 p.m.

The Derby is an annual fundraiser for Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, and as FGV Partnership Development Coordinator, Daeke said it’s become a fun time for families and others in the community as well.

FGV staff and board members have tickets for sale – $5 a duck, or purchase a Quack Pack to get 5 ducks for $20. Spend $100 for a “flock” of 25 tickets, Daeke said.

Daeke offered appreciation for the fire department, for their help in turning Garnett Street into a “river” on which the rubber ducks float to the finish line, and to Greystone Concrete Products for their assistance in “releasing” the ducks – from the back of one of their cement mixer trucks.

First prize is $1,000, second prize is 52 weeks of Chick Fil-A, third prize is a $250 gas card and the prize for the last duck to cross the finish line is $100.

In addition to purchase of rubber duck contestants, FGV is accepting sponsors for the event. Sponsorship levels are:

$500 – Super Duck

$250 – Feathered Friend

$100 – Quacker Backer

Buy your ducks today! — https://my.cheddarup.com/c/fgv-smart-start-2022-duckyderby or scan QR code below

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The Local Skinny! Around Old Granville: Place Names In Warren And Franklin Counties

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In a continuing discussion of local communities with odd names or curious origins, Bill Harris and Mark Pace Thursday again shone the spotlight on Franklin and Warren counties in the Around Old Granville segment of The Local Skinny!

Harris had been studying a 1911 map that Rand McNally had published and tested Pace’s knowledge about communities, some of which would no longer make the cut to be included in current maps of the area.

There’s Union Hill, for one, which was in the vicinity of Rocky Ford down in Franklin County. It had a post office from around 1834-38, Pace said.

Then there’s Brookston, named for the Brooks family, which originally was in Warren County but got redrawn at some point into what is now Vance County.

Jack, in Warren County near Littleton, was named for Jack Johnson, postmaster for the short-lived post office there. It’s just one of numerous areas that sported the first names of prominent or affluent people of the day, Pace said.

He mentioned others, including Margaret, Catesville and Drewry.

Have you ever heard of Lumdsen, an area between the Tar River bridge and Kittrell in Vance County? Pace said his research has turned up no family with that surname in Census records, but he said the name could have come from someone who worked for the railroad that came through the area.

In cases where there were no stations for the trains to stop, “people would literally tie a white handkerchief to a tree” to indicate that the conductor needed to stop and pick up passengers. The area known as Lumsden could have been named to honor a rail official, he added.

Shocco Springs in Warren County had a post office from the early 1830’s to 1866. This area became known as Lickskillet, an amusing name for an area that, before the Civil War, counted among its residents some of the most prominent and affluent families around.

Communities sometimes got named by wealthy landowners that lived nearby, like Odell in Warren County – named by the Alston family as an homage to the family castle in England.

But oftentimes, it was a post office in a particular area that helped communities get their names.

One spot in Warren County was Mountain View, Pace said. Situated between Macon and Vaughan, the Riggan family provided a half dozen or so of Mountain View’s postmasters between 1879 and 1929.

At one time, there were 32 post offices sprinkled throughout Warren County. This would have been before the introduction of rural free delivery, when people had to go to a central spot to pick up their mail. Often, that local spot was inside a country store, he added.

Franklinton has one the oldest, continually used post offices in the area, Pace noted.

 

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Home And Garden Show

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

  • Keep your garden journal up to date
  • If you plan to renovate your lawn, start making preparations for this now! Ex Soil test, seed.
  • Keep hydrated when working in the garden. Drink water and take rest breaks!
  • Check your garden twice a week for insects and disease. If you need ID of garden problems Call Cooperative Extension 252-438-8188
  • Continue your fruit spray program. Be mindful of the harvest interval before you spray iespecially if you think you will harvest fruit soon.
  • If you are canning or freezing your vegetables Cooperative Extension has recommendations to help you preserve your fruits and vegetables
  • Use trash bags to help keep deer out of your garden, electric fence is best.

 

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 07-18-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance forJuly 19, 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.

Jobs Openings for Tuesday, July 19, 2022

 Business Name –  Henderson Collegiate School

Job Opening – Job openings for multiple positions at a high performing K-12 Public Charter School in Henderson, NC.  These include: Elementary Lead Teacher, Elementary Teacher Assistant, High School (HS) ACT Prep Teacher, HS English Teacher, HS Spanish Teacher, College Counselor, Middle School (MS) Art Teacher, MS Science Math Teacher, MS Science Teacher, MS Social Studies Teacher, MS Technology Teacher, ESL Teacher, and Special Education  Teacher,

How To Apply – Apply online at HendersonCollegiate.org or Contact Kate Liddle, Director of Talent Acquisition at kliddle@hendersoncollegiate.org.  Henderson Collegiate is located at 1071 Old Epsom Road in Henderson, NC>

 

Business Name –  Henderson Family YMCA

Job Opening – Position open for Director of Human Resources.  Reports to the CEO, oversees daily operations of HR/Payroll.  Strategically plans and processes new employees from applicant, to orientation that meet organization standards, towards organization goals.  Communicates with insurance carriers on risk management, reporting, and policies, to insure safety and compliance of the YMCA.  Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource or equivalent, with HR experience.  Good communication skills, proficient in computer skills, and good interpersonal and critical thinking skills.

How To Apply – Apply online at www.hendersonymca.org, Click on Get Involved – Employment Opportunities.

 

Business Name –  Vance County Government

Job Opening – Multiple positions open.  These include:  Deputy Register of Deeds, full-time; Perry Memorial Library Assistant, part-time; Fire Department Engineer, full-time; Dept of Social Services Social Worker I and II, full-time; Custodian for Veterans and Cooperative Extension Offices, full-time; Detention Officers; full-time.

How To Apply – Apply online at www.vancecounty.org.  Click on Departments tab at top of page, click on human resources and then Job Postings.

 

Business Name –  Walmart Distribution Center #6091 in Henderson, NC

Job Opening – Freight Handler/Order Filler,  Full-time.  Salary – $17.55-$23.55 an hour.  Fulfill store orders through pulling merchandise through layer using electronic voice control equipment, stacking onto pallets, placing labels in appropriate area on freight, and transporting  using power equipment.  Inspect merchandise for damage and mis-placement. Moves, lifts, carries products up to 60 lbs., and work in varying temperature conditions.

How To Apply – Apply online at www.walmart.com/us/jobs/freighthandler or apply on Indeed.com website.

 

Business Name –  Versatrim

Job Opening – 1. Customer Service Representative – provides information in response to inquiries about products and services, handle and resolve complaints.  Need enthusiastic individual who can listen to customer issues and then offer unique and innovative solution to each problem.  Must be 18 yrs old older.  HS diploma/GED required. Must be available to work M-F, 9am – 6pm.  Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills. 2. Sales Support Specialist – responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to the sales team and customers during the sales process.  They assist customers in resolving sales-related issues in a timely manner, generally providing real-time support. Requires proficiency in MS Office, Good time-management skills, ability to work and think independently, must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

How To Apply – Apply online at www.versatrim.com, click on Careers tab at the top of the homepage.

 

Business Name –  Vance-Granville Community College

Job Opening Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement and Success, full-time.  Salary $34,276 – $51,415. Requires Associate Degree in business or related field with experience in community college a plus.  Provides administrative duties including scheduling meetings, make travel arrangements, enter and retrieve data using Datatel, file and retrieve electronic and hard copy documents, handle mail, coordinate meetings, skilled in office machines and proficient in computer skills.

How To Apply – Mail or deliver resume to the Human Resource Office at VGCC main campus on Ruin Creek Road, Henderson NC or apply online at www.vgcc.edu or on 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.

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The Local Skinny! Upcoming Blood Drives

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There are several blood drives scheduled for the area, and the American Red Cross could use your help. June’s donations were down by 12 percent, and donations are desperately needed to prevent a blood shortage this summer, according to information from Cally Edwards, regional communications director for the American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina.

Following is a list of upcoming blood drives in the four-county area:

Vance

Thursday, July 21

  • 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.,Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd., Henderson
  • 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Rd., Henderson

Granville

Friday, July 22

  • 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Creedmoor United Methodist Church, 214 Park Ave., Creedmoor

Warren

Friday, July 22

  • 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Norlina Fire Department, 102 Center St., Norlina

Franklin

Saturday, July 23

  • 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Maple Springs Baptist Church, 1938 NC Hwy 56 E, Louisburg

There are several ways to register to give blood, Edwards said in a press release. Donors can download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit http://RedCrossBlood.org  or call 1.800.REDCROSS (800.733.2767).

Save time at the appointment by completing the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online. Before you arrive. Visit

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/manage-my-donations/rapidpass.html

or use the blood donor app to complete the pre-donation checklist.

Individuals who donate blood during the month of July are entered into a chance to win a Shark Week merchandise package, thanks to a partnership with Discovery. The package includes a beach bike, smokeless portable fire pit, paddle board, kayak and a $500 gift card to put toward additional accessories.

All donors who come in between July 21-24 get a Shark Week t-shirt while supplies last, she said.

 

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VCS Cheerleaders Almost Halfway To Goal Of Marching In Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The Vance Charter Cheerleading team is almost halfway to its goal of raising the roughly $70,000 needed to be able to make the trip to New York City to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

Head Coach Stacey Long said Thursday that the group has raised about $30,000, which is a great start. There’s a Sept. 1 deadline, though, so any and all donations to the fundraiser effort are welcomed at this time.

The group got the invitation in early May, and Long said to her knowledge, they’re the only cheerleading group in the area ever selected to march in the parade, known for its giant balloons, festive floats and marching bands. The girls will march along the 2.5 mile parade route, then stop and perform at Herald Square in front of Macy’s flagship store.

Over the past few weeks, the cheerleaders have fanned out across Henderson and Oxford, visiting businesses and delivering informational flyers in hopes of drumming up additional donations.

Long said the trip will cost about $3,000 per student, and the fundraiser will cover their costs, but not those of the 11 chaperones that will accompany them.

“We go up five nights before the performance,” Long said, adding that there’s a rigorous schedule that includes sightseeing and maybe even a Thanksgiving meal, all part of the “experience.”

“The girls are pretty excited,” she said. “They are sacrificing not having the holiday with their immediate family,” but an invitation to appear in the parade may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Long said she and assistant coach Shelley Whitehead have worked diligently alongside the cheerleaders to bring the fundraiser to the community’s attention.

If you can help, phone Long at 919.691.3279 or send a message via the Vance Charter Cheer Leading Facebook page.

There are various donation levels, beginning with $2,500 Platinum, $1,500 Gold, $1,000 Silver and $500 Bronze, but donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted.

The best way to make a financial donation is to send a check to the school:

Vance Charter School

Attn: Coach Stacey Long

2090 Ross Mill Rd.

Henderson, NC 27537

Home And Garden Show

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

  • Make your fall garden plan on paper, start purchasing seed, fertilizer etc.
  • Prune water sprouts and trunk sprouts off of fruit trees and ornamental trees. This is more efficient than waiting until Feb.
  • With summer storms your garden can flood open ends of rows to let water drain out.
  • Blossom end rot is not confined to tomatoes. It can occur on squash and melons as well!
  • Continue your fruit spray program. Be mindful of the harvest interval before you spray i especially if you think you will harvest fruit soon.
  • Preserve herbs for future use by hanging in a cool, dark, low humidity location.
  • Use trash bags to help keep deer out of your garden, electric fence is best.
  • Weed weekly! Stay on top of weeds by planning about 5 minutes per bed per week.
  • If you have excess vegetables, give some to a neighbor or friend who can’t grow a garden.
  • Protect your eyes with impact resistant lenses.
  • Never refuel a hot mower and wait at least 15 minutes before refueling.

 

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