TownTalk: Ghost Hunting With Michael La Chiana

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About this time each year, TVs in living rooms everywhere are filled with scary movies and TV shows about spooky things to entertain viewers. But there’s a big difference in the shows that are designed for entertainment and the shows that Michael La Chiana is producing.

La Chiana, a paranormal investigator and researcher, is dedicated documenting the “real” stuff.

His first show, “The Heritage Hunters: Journey Through the Past” was released last year and he told WIZS’s Bill Harris on Wednesday’s TownTalk that it’s already gotten 900,000 views.

His second show is due out next month, he said. The show can be found on Prime Video he said.

There’s nothing wrong with those scary movies and shows about ghosts, but La Chiana said he reminds folks that there IS a difference: “what you see on TV – unless it’s a true documentary,  is not real.”

When he investigates paranormal phenomena, he said he looks at every angle to prove – or disprove – what’s going on.

“I love to debunk everything that I can so I can find real evidence that’s there,” he said. That unexplained creak or pop could be a loose floorboard or clanging water pipe inside a wall.

He is pretty much a one-man production company – he investigates, films, writes, edits, produces – so his second episode has taken a couple of years to complete.

“I’m very thorough and I dig deep,” he said.

The second episode delves into the history of Tom Dooley, who was a real person hanged for a murder in North Carolina back in the 1860’s.

Yes, that Tom Dooley, that the Kingston Trio sang about in their hit song of the same name. La Chiana found Laura Reed, a Nashville recording artist who covered a rock version of the song, and she said he could include it in his show.

“To have original music is great,” he added.

The upcoming episode investigates the jail where Dooley was held for a long time, and La Chiana said he’s “captured so many things over the years.” He uses sophisticated recording equipment during his research and investigation, and said he especially enjoys hearing what he can capture on the audio recordings.

“What we’ve captured is insane,” he said of the upcoming episode featuring the legend of Tom Dooley. “We’ve asked several times ‘Who killed Laura Foster?'” La Chiana said. “We got a male voice telling us the name,” he added.

There’s VP – voice phenomena – that you can hear with your ear – and then there’s EVP – electronic voice phenomena – those sounds that are best heard on audio recordings.

La Chiana said he prefers to investigate alone or with as few people as possible, to be able to stay focused on the presence or disturbances in a particular place.

Future episodes of the show will feature real places, La Chiana said. “Places you can actually go…and check out yourself,” he said.

When he went to investigation the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights in the western part of the state, he said he was intrigued.

Could those lights be a natural phenomenon – an energy that comes up out of the ground?

“It’s very fascinating,” La Chiana said, adding that such phenomena are “not so ghosty and more of a mystery – I like those types of things, too.”

 

 

 

 

The Local Skinny! Sip And Stroll With The Souls

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Looking for a way to get into the “spirit” of All Hallows Eve?

Drop by Louisburg’s historic Oakwood Cemetery Sunday afternoon for “Sip and Stroll with the Souls.”

Dorothy Cooper, one of the organizers of the event, said it should be a fun way to learn more about some of the famous – and not-so-famous – people who are buried there.

It kicks off at 2:30 p.m. and there will be numerous docents on hand to talk about particular people, from Gov. Thomas Walter Bickett to Richard Fenner Yarborough, whose son donated the land that became cemetery property.

“We thought it would be a nice idea to get people into the cemeteries,” Cooper told Bill Harris and Mark Pace on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Both Harris and Pace will be participating as docents – Pace will discuss the elder Yarborough and Harris will talk about his Foster family ancestors that are buried in the cemetery. It’s not a ghost tour, or a spiritual tour, Cooper explained, but it’s just a happy coincidence that the tour falls the day before Halloween.

Tickets are $10, and there will be complimentary beverages and baked goodies for those who attend. Proceeds will be used to help with restoration and preservation of the headstones, some of which date back to the Revolutionary War era.

Over time, things do happen in cemeteries – stones fall or are turned over, Cooper said.

Getting people to come to the cemetery and learning about the lives of those whose graves are now marked with beautiful stones is a way to reconnect – and rekindle interest – in the cemetery.

The Oakwood Cemetery is located on N.C. Hwy 39 just outside Louisburg.

 

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Home And Garden Show

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

  • Compost Your leaves Please Do Not Burn Them
  • Build a frame for a raised bed that you can use next spring
  • Do not let weeds seed out in your garden.
  • Don’t leave gas in mowers or other equipment over the winter.
  • Improve your garden soil by adding compost, or shredded leaves to increase organic matter 3 to 4 inches is sufficient.
  • If planting a hedge or screen planting, select a durable species that doesn’t get too big.
  • Now is the time to collect soil samples. Avoid the rush! 2 week analysis
  • Plant a tree! Serviceberry, crepe myrtle, kousa dogwood, etc.
  • Check stored fruits and vegetables for decay.

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 10-25-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for October 25, 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:  Sadie’s Coffee Corner

Job Title:  Hiring for all positions.  Applicants to work Monday-Friday Shift from 6 am – 10 am, 4 pm – 8 pm.  Saturday shifts open for 7:30 am – 2 pm, or afternoon 2 pm – 7 pm.  Part-time positions are 20 hours per week.  Looking for applicants with a flexible schedule.

How To Apply: Apply online at www.sadiescoffeecorner.com and fill out application and submit.  You can also come by the store on the corner of Orange and Garnett Street and pick up an application.

 

Company Name:  Mako Medical Labs

Job Title:  Patient Services Rep/ Phlebotomist- Part Time.  Phlebotomy Certification.  Ability to provide quality, error free work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work independently with minimal on-site supervision. Excellent phlebotomy skills to include pediatric and geriatric. Flexible and available based on staffing needs, which includes weekends, holidays, on-call and overtime. Must demonstrate superior customer focus; ability to communicate openly and transparently with peers, supervisors and patients; ability to accelerate and embrace change throughout MAKO; and knowledge of the MAKO Way.

How To Apply: Apply online at https://makomedical.com/careers/.

Company Name:  Brewer Cycles

Job Title:  Parts Associate.  Full-time. Brewer Cycles is a multi-line dealership that has been in business for 41 years. The position includes but not limited to: Greeting customers in a professional and friendly manner. Working directly with walk-in and telephone customers to help them with their parts needs. Accept cash and credit card payments for purchases and keeping cash register accurate. Make sure merchandise displays are stocked and clean. Recommending related parts. Outstanding customer service skills. Knowledge of power sports vehicles and parts… motorcycles, ATV/UTV, dirt bikes, watercraft, go-karts, pressure washers, and generators. Ability to work Tuesday – Saturday.  Tuesday – Friday hours are 8.30 am – 5.30 pm and on Sat. 8.30 am – 3.00 pm.

How To Apply: Apply in person at Brewer Cycles located on 420 Warrenton Road in Henderson or apply online at www.indeed.com.

 

Company Name:  Belk Department Store

Job Title:  Multiple Open Positions at the Henderson NC store.  Sales Team Manager. Looking for the right full-time applicant that will drive results.  Requires a 4-year college degree and retail and leadership experience.  Help drive great service and sales. Provide training and coaching to sales associates, ensure associates exhibit the key service behaviors needed in delivering relentless customer care and motivate and coach sales associates to meet or exceed credit goals. Sales Associate.  Part-time. Experience in retail preferred.  Excellent communication skills required with the ability to use and learn industry technology preferred. Beauty Advisor.  Full-time. Drive sales through customer clienteling to meet and exceed sales goals.  Maintain unpacking and display of products, provide excellent customer service, and expert in product knowledge.

How To Apply: Stop by the Belk Store, 350 North Cooper Drive in Henderson to pick up an application.  Or apply online at https://www.belkcareers.com/.

 

Company Name:  Quality Equipment Company

Job Title:  I/S Field Pro.  Full-time. Provides agronomic solutions and support for the sale and use of John Deere Agriculture Management Solutions (AMS) equipment. Works with all dealership departments to sell and support precision farming products to producers in their trade area. 1+ years of experience in an agricultural-related role with activities such as sales, service, training, or other related work. Prior experience with JD technology and support is preferred or similar customer support role. Certified Crop Advisor accreditation or ability to achieve within 18 months of hire date. Extremely organized, sensitive to deadlines and goals within dealership. Must be driven to achieve results, highly attentive to detail and accuracy. Solid communication skills. Can deal with and effectively resolve challenging customer issues.

How To Apply:  Inquire about position at Henderson store location at 70 John Deere Road or apply online 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.

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The Local Skinny! Granville Co. Beekeepers Are Abuzz With Events

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Christina Henthorn stays as busy as the proverbial bee, and this weekend she and fellow bee enthusiasts are putting on a couple of events that will serve several purposes, not the least of which is to provide the community with some great entertainment.

Bring the family to a free event on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Highrock Farm, located just outside Oxford on Enon Road, for the inaugural “Bees and Boos.” This event features outdoor games and trick-or-treating for the children and more than 30 vendors and other activities sure to please. There will be a table set up where tickets may be purchased, which creates a carnival-like atmosphere, she said.

There will be freshly pressed cider and a do-it-yourself candy apple station, thanks to a generous donation of apples from Moore’s Produce in Stovall, Henthorn said.

The first part of the Saturday doubleheader is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., she told John C. Rose on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The Lord Granville Association will bring its locally famous hit-or-miss ice cream maker and the Model A Car Club will wheel in some of its vehicles for folks to admire.

The second part of this double feature begins at 6 p.m. with a costume party and concert by Nashville recording artist Zach Top. This kicks off what Henthorn hopes will become an annual “Hum of the Hive” concert series.

Not interested in wearing a costume? No problem, Henthorn noted. “Costume or not, everyone is welcome,” she said. Honey Girl Meadery will bring their mead, which is like honey wine, and a local brewery will bring a beer made with Granville County honey.

“This is not a 21 and over show,” Henthorn said of the evening event, but ID will be checked at the door.

“All proceeds go to N.C. State’s endowment for honeybee research,” she said, adding that the university conducts world-renown research on the little pollinators. Beekeeper associations across the state are helping to raise funds to establish an endowment to ensure that NCSU continues its apiary work.

Can’t make it to the event but want to contribute? Again, not a problem.

“We want to involve everyone around the state,” Henthorn said. “If you can’t make it, you can buy a ticket for a veteran.” Any tickets purchased for veterans will be taken to a military history event being held at the Henderson-Oxford airport Saturday, where they will be donated.

The Granville County Beekeepers, known for its summertime Bee Jubilee, is branching out to create a fall event that focuses on the importance of bees in everyday life. The honeybee was named North Carolina’s official State Insect in 1973 because of its critical role in pollination of the variety of crops produced in the state.

“Raising awareness is just as important” as fundraising, Henthorn said. But she says this weekend’s emphasis is on the “fun” part of fundraising.

Visit Granville County Beekeepers Facebook or the Visit Granville County tourism page to find out all the details.

And visit https://www.ncbeekeepers.org/ to learn more about the endowment.

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The Local Skinny! Maria Parham To Host Breast Cancer Screening

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As part of its observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Maria Parham Health is offering free clinical exams to promote education, prevention and early detection.

MPH Cancer Center Director Kim Smith said staff will be available to walk participants through the process, literally greeting you as you walk into the hospital and then making sure the process goes smoothly. The screening event will take place Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be snacks and other goodies, as well as giveaways and door prizes, too, and Smith encourages women to bring their families, neighbors or anyone who may benefit.

“Knowledge is definitely power,” echoes hospital social worker Hope Breedlove. Whether the news is all good, or whether there needs to be some follow-up diagnostic care, “knowing what we need to do to be healthier gives us a sense of power in our lives,” Breedlove said.

Both women spoke with John C. Rose on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Anyone who attends the event will be seen, a doctor will discuss the results with the client and then staff will review any next steps that need to be taken. Follow-up care will be scheduled if necessary.

In addition to the exams, the event is designed to educate people about how to be healthy, Smith said. “We know that early detection is what saves lives,” she said, while stressing the importance of getting screenings done in a timely fashion.

Smith said staff will walk participants through the entire process, “and provide support every step of the way.”

This event, as with previous events, requires no advance registration and follows COVID-19 recommendations, including wearing masks to maintain a safe environment for all.

 

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Home And Garden Show

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

  • Start preparing your leaf collection equipment.PPE, rakes, leaf blower.
  • You have missed the preferred planting window for tall fescue. Consider carefully before investing heavily in seed, etc.
  • Now is a good time to control fire ants. Use granule fire ant bait on days ants are actively foraging
  • Plant a cover crop on vacant areas of your garden.
  • Prepare to compost those leaves. Do Not Burn Leaves!
  • Don’t be too quick to tidy up your garden.

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 10-18-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for October 18, 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.

Lowe’s
Position: Fulfillment Team Lead
Full-Time. The Fulfillment Lead spends most of his/her time checking, managing, and fulfilling orders. These orders consist of online, pick up later, delivery, install and pro. As Fulfillment Lead, he/she provides supervision, coaching, and support to the Fulfillment Associates. This associate also assists by making recommendations to solve issues and by prioritizing work to meet customer needs. Generally scheduled 39 to 40 or up to 25 hours per week, respectively; more hours may be required based on the needs of the store. Requires morning, afternoon and evening availability any day of the week. Ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction), 6 months of experience using a computer, smart phones, tablets, including inputting, accessing, modifying, or outputting information. Customer Service experience is a plus.
How To Apply: Apply online at https://www.lowes.com/store/NC-Henderson/0738. Scroll to bottom of home page and click on careers. Or apply at www.indeed.com

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Executive Personnel Group (Hiring for local business/industry)
Customer Service Representative – Hiring now for multiple positions. Full-Time, $12.50 per hour. Must be 18 years of age or older. High school diploma/GED required (Associate degree in a business related field preferred). Ability to remain professional and courteous with customers at all times. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Job responsibilities include answering incoming customer calls regarding product, service questions and general client concerns. Responsible for maintaining a high level of professionalism with clients and working to establish a positive rapport with every caller. Update customer information accurately in the customer service database during and after each call.
How To Apply – In person at Executive Personnel Group office on Dabney Drive, or online at https://www.executivepersonnelgroup.com/ and click on “job seekers” tab at top. Can also apply online at www.indeed.com.

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Kittrell Job Corps Center (Adams and Associates)
Guidance Counselor. Full-time. Salary from $45,850 a year. Day hours, 8 hours Monday – Friday. Responsible to provide students with comprehensive and individualized case management ensuring student progress, retention and completion of the Job Corps program. Establishes supportive/mentoring relationships with students throughout their enrollment and provides personal, educational and career counseling.
How To Apply – Apply online at https://kittrell.jobcorps.gov/ For questions, or email your resume to the Human Resource Center at williams.angelap@jobcorps.org.

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Classic Toyota of Henderson
Sales Associate. Full-time. Assist customers in selecting a vehicle by asking questions and listening carefully to their responses. Explain product performance, application, and benefits to prospects. Describe all optional equipment available for customer purchase. Build strong rapport with customers. Perform high-quality, professional, and knowledgeable presentation and demonstration of new/used vehicles. Learn to overcome objections, close sales, and perform all other steps of the sales process in accordance with company standards. Previous dealership experience is a huge plus.
How To Apply – Apply on company website at https://www.classictoyotahenderson.com and click on About Us/Employment tab at top of page.

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Vance County Public School System
School Nutrition Cafeteria Assistant. Full Time (6 hours per day) / Non-Exempt. Qualifications: 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. Prepare and serve food, use cash register to process financial transactions, and cleaning duties. Must be service-oriented,bcooperative with pleasant attitude toward students, parents, staff and administration. Rotate frequently to all Vance County cafeterias, according to the specified assignment as determined by the needs of the school district.
How To Apply – Apply online at https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/ and click on Programs and Services tab at top. Questions, call Human Resource Department at 252-492-2127 .

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Carolina Sunrock – Kittrell, NC Location
Equipment Operator. Full-time position, Monday – Friday, 7 am – 6 pm with some weekend work as required. Equipment Operator is capable of operating various pieces of equipment. The Equipment Operator helps do multiple tasks to keep the operations in motions. Operates mobile machinery and equipment used to drill, blast, crush, screen and load hard rock, sand, gravel, and other raw materials as needed. Responsible for the movement of materials, to perform preventative maintenance & minor repairs on equipment, and working with others on daily goals of production.
High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) preferred. Three (3) to Five (5) years prior related experience required.
How To Apply – Apply online at https://www.thesunrockgroup.com/locations/kittrell/. For questions, please call 1-855-OUR ROCK.

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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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Election Coverage: Brame Targets Drug Activity, Addressing Staff Shortage If Elected To Second Term As Sheriff

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-The following is part of WIZS’s continuing coverage of the Nov. 8 election.

Curtis Brame said he looks forward to a second term as sheriff and working collectively with the community to keep Vance County residents safe. During his first term, Brame has had to contend with issues like staffing shortages and increased service calls, deficiencies in the county jail and the burgeoning drug activity. Toss in a two years’ long COVID-19 pandemic, and Brame said it’s been challenging.

But, with his more than 38 years of law enforcement experience, Brame said he knows the “ins and outs, the do’s and don’ts” of the sheriff’s office. “Experience makes the difference.”

Illegal Drug Activity

He said his office gets calls daily about the drug problem, and he said that his personnel cannot do it alone. “We have to educate and train people to say ‘no,’” Brame said in an interview with WIZS’s John C. Rose recorded and aired unedited on Monday.

The traffickers and sellers need to be in jail, he said, but parents have to get more involved in educating their children. “It all comes back to education and training,” he said.

When his office receives a citizen complaint about drug activity, Brame said it’s not as simple as kicking in a door and making an arrest.

“It’s a process,” he explained. Once officers follow up on the complaint and investigate, it’s time to take information to the district attorney and other agencies like the DEA.

Following proper procedure in building a case against a suspected dealer means a better chance of getting a conviction.

Administration

 “The sheriff’s office has a multitude of jobs and responsibilities,” Brame said, from transporting mental patients to processing concealed carry applications and gun permits to making arrests and serving civil summonses. “People don’t realize those responsibilities,” he noted, adding that being a sheriff’s deputy is more than “knocking in doors and serving warrants.”

The caseload is overwhelming for a fully staffed sheriff’s office, but can be almost crippling to an agency that has more than 30 opening between the sheriff’s office and the detention facility.

But Brame said Vance County is not alone – law enforcement agencies across the state and beyond face staffing shortages.

Brame said he appreciates the support from county commissioners and from the county manager to offer incentives for new hires – and for moving forward with a feasibility study to examine just what needs to happen at the jail – repair or replace the 30-year-old facility.

Brame said he stands by his decision to place on paid suspension the three men from his office who face indictments. As stated in previous interviews, Brame said a gag order imposed on him prevents his comment on the case, but said “they want their day in court, I want their day in court.”

Full Audio Interview

The Local Skinny! Advance Auto Partners With Henderson Police

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It may have happened to you before: You’re driving down the street, trying to get from here to there, when you see the blue light in your rear-view mirror, accompanied by the woop-woop of the police car, telling you to pull over.

Such encounters with the police for minor infractions like broken taillights or burned-out headlights could end with the driver being issued a $25 gift card instead of a citation.

That’s exactly what could happen, thanks to a new safety initiative announced Thursday at the local Advance Auto Parts on Raleigh Road.

Advance District Manager Jay Matthews wanted to do something special for Henderson, which has two stores – one at 390 Raleigh Road and one at 400 Prosperity Drive.

Drivers who get pulled over for faulty equipment – think broken or non-functioning lights, for example – will get a $25 Advance Auto Parts gift card to help pay for repairs from Henderson police officers, as a way to encourage them to make those minor repairs.

The program is the only one of its kind in the area, and it’s designed “to increase roadway safety for local motorists,” according to a press statement issued Thursday morning.

Advance’s store team presented Police Chief Marcus Barrow and Henderson police officers with an Advance gift card donation of $1,500 to begin the initiative. “Our local team is thrilled to partner with Henderson Police to promote safer vehicle operations,” Matthews, a Henderson resident, said. “It’s important that motorists on our streets keep vehicle safety top of mind, especially as we’re heading into holiday travel season. We look forward to working with Chief Barrow and everyone on his team on this program while serving our community.”

Barrow said he appreciates community partnerships like this one with Advance.

“Partnerships with a committed community stakeholder like Advance Auto Parts are vital to our success as an agency,” Barrow said. “This partnership will allow us to lessen a financial burden on our citizens and increase vehicular safety, and we thank Jay and everyone at Advance for their support.”

Motorists receiving a gift card may use the card at Advance’s two Henderson locations, throughout North Carolina or online at advanceautoparts.com.

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