The Local Skinny! March 23; H-V First Responders Doing Benefit

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Past and present individuals who serve various local fire, law enforcement, EMS and volunteer agencies, who form what’s commonly called Henderson Vance First Responders, are planning a 3,000 plate BBQ chicken sale for the local families of Ret. Capt. Mike Davis (HPD) and Master Trooper Brent Montgomery (SHP).

Both served in their respective areas of law enforcement, and both died as a result of covid complications. For a $10 donation, community members at large can enjoy the food, which will be available April 30th from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event will take place at 210 Industry Drive in Henderson. That’s the physical location the Tri-County Shrine Club uses, nearby to Mako, Servpro and Fred’s Towing.

The fundraising project is the brainchild of a number of current and past first responders according to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. He and Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame are helping too along with the Tri-County Shrine Club, formerly known as the Henderson Shrine Club.

Sheriff Brame told WIZS News last week, “All the proceeds will go to the families of Captain Mike Davis and Trooper Brent Montgomery. Follow social media where you can make a donation. Henderson Police Department and Vance County Sheriff’s Office have tickets on hand, so please stop by and make your donation.”

Subsequently, Brame has posted on his Facebook page, “The following persons and businesses have tickets; Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department, Eastside Barber Shoppe, Ray Fields, James Lilley, Sheriff Brame, Chief Barrow, Billy Currin. If you would like to join us in helping get these tickets out please call 432-4307, and I will get you a stack of tickets. God Bless and thank all of you.”

The Local Skinny! Podcast

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

The Local Skinny! March 22; Covid Update

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Thank you for listening to WIZS — Your Community Voice.

“The Local Skinny!” also features Tradio — click here — and the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report — click here.

The latest local data update on Covid-19, as of March 21, indicates right at 13 percent of the population of Vance County and Granville County are fully vaccinated.

In email correspondence that Lisa Harrison, health director at Granville Vance Public Health, sends out at least once per week, she wrote “Vance County — Total Doses Administered: 15,299; First Doses Administered: 9,614; Second Doses Administered: 5,685.  Granville County — Total Doses Administered: 21,036; First Doses Administered: 12,929; Second Doses Administered: 8,107.

“Vance County — Percentage of population at least partially vaccinated: 21.6%. Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 12.8%.

“Granville County — Percentage of population at least partially vaccinated: 21.4%. Percentage of population fully vaccinated: 13.4%.”

Additional links you are encouraged to use are “the NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard. Relevant graphs from these dashboards are available on our website at https://gvph.org/covid-19_dashboard/,” Harrison wrote.

For a seventh time overall and for the fifth straight NCAA tournament, seven ACC teams made the field (two remain at of 3-22-21 at 2 p.m.), and Harrison says the NCAA has a good model of safety for players, staff and fans  — https://www.ncaa.org/themes-topics/health-and-safety.

Harrison says the NCAA model is good, and it’s clear.  And Harrison and others around the country say we are at a turning point in the fight against the virus, a fork in the road if you will.

To continue the original basketball/model theme of Harrison’s email to WIZS News, the other type of models, like the ones you would use for forecasting the weather for example, these models being run on covid make one thing clear.  “Get your vaccine when it’s your turn and keep practicing the 3 Ws if we want to get out of this as fast as we can! We need to keep making an effort to flatten any future curves that could happen if we let our guard down too quickly or if we allow these variants to take off unchecked. We’re in this until we’re over the hump – and we don’t want any more upward trends,” Harrison wrote.

She wrote, “GVPH had the opportunity to participate in a pilot project recently to understand better how researchers at UNC, NC State University, and Georgia Tech (all good basketball schools I might add) are able to use systems engineering and simulations to model future scenarios related to the pandemic and our response. Very cool! Even more cool is they want to help us in public health with decision-making and communicating where it’s helpful.”

Presently in North Carolina, the daily percent positive is 4.9 percent.

“The Local Skinny!” March 18; Eddie Ferguson VGCC Foundation and more

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It may seem like a small detail, but Vance-Granville Community College officials have decided to change its fundraising arm from an endowment to a foundation.

Eddie Ferguson, executive director of the VGCC Foundation, said that changing one little word could make a big difference in fundraising opportunities.

Ferguson spoke with John C. Rose Thursday on The Local Skinny and said the move to become a foundation opens up additional opportunities for funding. The community college awards more than $250,000 each year to more than 350 students on the four campuses, he said.

“We’re very excited about becoming a foundation,” Ferguson said, as a way “to broaden our appeal to many more businesses and particularly other foundations that may want to support community colleges.”

Ferguson cited a recent example: VGCC secured a grant from the Cannon Foundation to repurpose some space at Main Campus and also to purchase equipment and truck driving simulators at the Warren Campus. Some foundations, he said, do not give to endowments, but by becoming a foundation, VGCC could receive additional grants like this one.

“The name change allows us to offer not only the ability to raise money for scholarships but also to help the college raise additional funds for the different types of initiatives and program that we need to create and enjoy,” he said.

Another advantage of a foundation is to raise funds for the college itself, the same way a capital campaign works, he said. “We have many programs that we’d like to expand upon and start and repurpose,” Ferguson said.

There are several ways to give to VGCC, including individuals writing checks and donating appreciated stock to churches and businesses establishing scholarships in memory or in honor of others. VGCC is still a 501c3 entity, which means that contributions may be tax deductible. Over the last 30 years or so, he said, the community has created hundreds of scholarships for VGCC students. That support has not wavered during the pandemic, he added.

“It’s an indication of support the community has provided to Vance-Granville,” he said. “They see the value of Vance-Granville in the community,” and Ferguson said the foundation name will enhance the giving opportunities for individuals, churches and other community businesses.

He estimated that between 15 percent and 20 percent of students receive scholarships. “In a rural community like ours, money is important, so we try to help students as best we can,” tuition, books and other fees can be costly, so “the more we can reduce the cost of education, the more a student can take advantage of education and improve their lot in life with economic mobility.”

To learn more, email Ferguson at fergusone@vgcc.edu or phone him at 252.738.3264.

Visit www.vgcc.edu and click on “Giving” to make a contribution online.

(THE LOCAL SKINNY! ON WIZS AT 11:30 A.M. MON-THURS ALSO TYPICALLY FEATURES CALLS FROM LISTENERS, ITEMS FOR SALE AND THE VANCE COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION REPORT.  CLICK HERE FOR THOSE “TRADIO-LIKE” ITEMS AND CLICK HERE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION REPORTS.)

buy, sell, trade items.NC Coop Extension

“The Local Skinny!” March 17 Home and Garden Show

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Each Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on WIZS 1450 AM / 100.1 FM Your Community Voice, “The Local Skinny!” will feature the Home and Garden Show.

Vance County Cooperative Extension agents Paul McKenzie and Wayne Rowland announce the show each week live and take phone calls at 492-5594 with home, lawn and garden questions.

During the week, you can also call them directly in their office downtown at 438-8188.

Home and Garden Show Podcast of March 17, 2021.

For God, For Peace, For Brent, For Family, For Friends, For Community

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If you will, please allow us to remember Brent Montgomery with the words in this attached broadcast.

The Local Skinny! March 15; Items for sale; Cooperative Extension; Fire Reorganization Add On

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In “The Local Skinny!” audio podcast listed below, please find calls and emails with items for sale plus Wayne Rowland’s Vance Co. Cooperative Extension Report for Monday, March 15.

“The Local Skinny!” news topic planned for the day today was actually presented as the second segment of TownTalk today and pertained to Vance County Fire Reorganization.  The script used was from the today’s (Monday, March 15) Vance County public safety committee meeting agenda packet.

One goal of the Vance County Commissioners, as set in an earlier retreat, is to bring closure to the fire reorganization discussion. The committee members are Commissioner Brummitt, Commissioner Faines, and Commissioner Wilder.

And, TownTalk on Tuesday, March 16 (tomorrow) will feature Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen with information from the meeting.

To catch up to the present, you can read the script below.  The audio link here (or click the TownTalk logo to the right) has the script  and some analysis as well.

Re-evaluation of Fire Reorganization

Committee Summary from August 2020 – Last Discussion on Fire Reorganization

In February 2019 the board voted to continue the Goldenbelt fire district in its current structure. During the retreat in January 2020, a commissioner brought up the fire reorganization plan and the board asked the committee to review the plan. At its June 30, and July 21, 2020 meetings, the committee reviewed and discussed organizational charts and an updated financial analysis associated with the reorganization plan. At its July 21, 2020 meeting the committee reviewed the updated financial analysis as prepared by county finance staff. The analysis indicates the plan would create an initial savings of $281,791 on the general fund while creating a $206,136 deficit on the fire tax fund which would require a 1.2 cent fire tax increase. The finance director discussed concerns with transferring monies from the general fund to the fire fund to cover the deficit and mentioned state law within the budget and fiscal control act that prevents paying for a service fund deficit with general fund monies. Committee members mentioned management, HR, and potential legal concerns with the plan having county fire employees report to county policies while also being subject to non-county operational policies with the employees physically being located in a volunteer station and operating volunteer department equipment. The committee then reviewed input from the Fire Association indicating that the fire association members had too many questions and concerns with the proposal to support its passage. As requested by the board, the committee has reviewed the plan and based upon input gathered and concerns raised, the committee recommended (2-1 vote) not proceeding with further conversations on the reorganization plan. For Your Information.

Board Actions related to Fire Reorganization

  • February 4, 2019 – Added part-time positions to the Volunteer Fire Departments and
    voted to continue Golden Belt in its current structure
  • August 3, 2020 – To not follow the committee’s recommendation to cease discussions on
    fire reorganization; and to continue further conversations as to the reorganization plan.
  • March 1, 2021 – Board adopted goals for FY22 which included to bring closure to the
    fire reorganization discussion.

The Local Skinny! March 10; Home And Garden Show

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Each Wednesday “The Local Skinny!” is the Home and Garden Show, which features co-hosts Wayne Rowland and Paul McKenzie of the Vance County Cooperative Extension service.

Vance County COOP agents and staff can be reached throughout the week locally at 438-8188.

As you will hear in today’s podcast below, listener calls at 492-5594 with questions or comments pertaining to your home and garden are more than welcome.

Listen each Wednesday throughout the year at 11:30 a.m.

 

Support has been overwhelming for Brent Montgomery fund raiser

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Brent Montgomery is in a fight with Covid 19. The Henderson resident and North Carolina State Trooper has been hospitalized with the virus since Feb. 1st. 1st Sgt. Jeff Rowan, who works with Montgomery at the Highway Patrol, spoke with Trey Snide about Brent and a chicken plate fund raiser that will take place Thursday starting at 11:30 a.m.

“He is a pivotal part of our team,” Rowan said of Montgomery. Montgomery is a field training officer, taser instructor and heads up the school safety program with the highway patrol. Rowan also said that Montgomery has “done a lot for the community both on and off duty.” “As you can tell by the outreach from the community, he is well known and well liked here.” Rowan said the support of the community has been overwhelming.

With the help of local businesses who have covered the costs of Thursday’s fund raiser, 100% of the proceeds will go to the Montgomery family. According to Rowan, tomorrow’s goal is to sell 2000 plates at $10 each. The location of the fund raiser is the old Charles Boyd Cadillac building located at 284 158 Bypass here in Henderson.

“All we can ask from anybody is to keep praying,” Rowan said.

 

The Local Skinny! March 9; Severe Weather Preparedness Week

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According to Brian Short, director of Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations, now is the time to be prepared for Spring storms. This is the season that the threat of severe thunderstorms with the potential for lightning, tornadoes and flash flooding can occur. These conditions can develop rapidly with little advance warning. Short says that a great way to be prepared for severe weather is to update family emergency plans and supply kits before the severe weather season gets underway.

This week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina and serves as a reminder to all, the importance of planning for unexpected thunderstorms and tornadoes that could impact our area.

A tornado drill will be conducted on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and all government agencies, businesses and schools are encouraged to participate. During the exercise, participants are encouraged to practice severe weather safety plans and seek shelter on the lowest floor of your building, keeping away from windows while continuing to practice social distancing and wearing masks.

Preparation for severe weather is critical. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the National Weather Service have combined forces to encourage residents to plan and prepare. Emergency officials recommend the following safety tips:

Develop a family emergency plan so each member knows what to do, where to go and who to call during an emergency.

Know where the nearest safe room is, such as a basement or interior room away from windows.

Know the terms: WATCH means severe weather is possible. WARNING means severe weather is occurring; take shelter immediately.

Assemble an emergency supply kit for use at home or in your vehicle. Make sure to include a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and bottled water.

If driving, leave your vehicle immediately to seek shelter in a safe structure. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle and do not stop under an overpass or bridge.

If there is no shelter available, take cover in a low-lying flat area.

If a severe weather warning is issued it’s also important to knew where to go. If you are at home it is suggested that you should go to a basement, under stairs or in a bathroom or closet.

If you are at work, the basement, if available, should be your first choice if not, then stairwells, bathrooms or closets are also options.

For school buildings it is suggested to seek shelter in inside hallways, small closets and bathrooms. Mobile classrooms, gymnasiums and auditoriums are not good places to shelter due to expansive roofs.

If you get caught outside in a storm you should try to find a sturdy building and if that is not an option, a ditch or other low-lying area can be used but remember to cover your head and watch for flying debris.

If you are in a car, pull over and seek shelter in a building, don’t try to outrun a tornado.

For more information visit www.readync.org.