1983 Vance Basketball Team

Town Talk 11/11/20: Wilson Hoyle III Remembers Joe Stepusin, Wayne Adcock

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Wilson Hoyle III, Henderson native, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

As managing director and head of CAPTRUST’s Advisor Group, Hoyle oversees the firm’s business development and practice management initiatives.

Hoyle, not to be confused with his father Dr. Wilson Hoyle, Jr., dentist in Henderson, reflected on growing up in Vance County, the recent passing of community leaders Coach Joe Stepusin and Mr. Wayne Adcock and the lasting impact that educators have on a person’s life.

A retired teacher and coach with the Vance County School System, Stepusin passed away at the age of 86 on September 28, 2020.

Former superintendent, principal and educator with the Vance County School System, Adcock passed away November 1, 2020, at the age of 73.

Both men played a role in Hoyle’s upbringing. “When I got the news on both of them… A lot of things pop in your head, and you tend to reflect on your own life,” said Hoyle. “I just felt grateful to have people like those two men that have made my life richer.”

1983 Vance Senior High School Basketball Team. Coach Joe Stepusin standing – far right, back row. Wilson Hoyle III (number 15) on lower right. (Photo courtesy Ricky Stilley)

Hoyle said Stepusin – his high school basketball coach – was respected without having to raise his voice. “I was so proud to be a part of that team; he was my coach. The thing I remember most was just his kindness; he was so kind-hearted. I don’t recall him ever yelling at us at practice when we probably should have been yelled at a few times!”

Going on to play football at Wake Forest University, Hoyle said Stepusin would attend one or two games a year. “I would see him outside of the locker room, and he always told me he was proud; it makes you feel good.”

Remembering Adcock, Hoyle shared a story of how he would jump the fence of the former Henderson High/Middle School’s Veterans Field to practice and “act like I didn’t see Mr. Adcock seeing me.”

When Hoyle approached Adcock about his supposed trespassing, he said the then middle school principal expressed support for his practice and joked they would need to get a key made for Hoyle so he “wouldn’t get hurt jumping the stupid fence.”

“It really motivated me to know that people in my hometown were proud of me, supported me and encouraged me,” said Hoyle. “We all can’t do enough of that day in and day out.”

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Oxford Prep School

Town Talk 11/11/20: Donated Items Needed for Oxford Prep’s Senior Project

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

McKayla Boyd and Bryce Garrett, seniors at Oxford Preparatory School, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Boyd, of Oxford, and Garrett, of Bullock, discussed their senior project: collecting items for local families affected by abuse and domestic violence.

Partnering with Families Living Violence Free (FLVF) in Oxford, items collected will be distributed to families in need this holiday season.

Requested items include:

  • Toys for children ages 1-6 (new or used)
  • Adult and child hygiene products
  • Non-perishable food items (ramen, soups, breakfast items, snacks, canned food, etc.)
  • Throw blankets
  • Clothing items – size 2T to Adult (new only, please)

Donors are asked to sign up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AACA72BA2FDC34-griffin

Donations may be dropped off at the front lobby of the school located at 6041 Landis Road in Oxford. Items will be sanitized before taken to FLVF for distribution.

Stating that Oxford Prep is big on students giving back to the community via service hours, Boyd said the senior class is happy to partner with FLVF for this drive. “I spent a lot of time looking for an organization that would let us do something to give back to our community,” said Boyd. “When I found FLVF, they were very excited to work with us.”

Garrett said his class is looking forward to providing supplies to those in need, and he hopes to see the drive become an annual event. “Our goal for our school is to keep this a tradition,” he said.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Henderson Tobacco Warehouse

Town Talk 11/10/20: Henderson Tobacco Warehouse Revitalization Project

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Alexandra Green, vice president and director of operations of the Baltimore-based Acquest Group, and Jason Spriggs, Henderson City Councilmember (4th Ward At-Large), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Green discussed Acquest’s revitalization plans for the 87,5000 square foot historic tobacco warehouse on Zene Street located within walking distance of downtown Henderson, NC.

Phase One of the project includes the completion of a healthy food market. Deemed a low income and low food access community by the USDA, Green said Henderson qualifies as a “food desert” with many residents relying on SNAP benefits to feed their families.

According to the project’s website (www.hendersontobaccowarehouse.org), in addition to providing the community with fresh, locally-sourced food products, the market will also require a full staff to run day-to-day operations, retail sales and building management.

The Acquest Group estimates that Phase One will employ 40 full-time employees and be open to serve customers at least 80 hours per week, averaging more than $64,000 in weekly SNAP sales and $169,400 in total sales every week.

Rendering of the revitalized Henderson Tobacco Warehouse by Ben Althoff, B.A. Art Services –https://www.baartservices.com

“This is an exciting opportunity for the east side of Henderson to have access to fresh foods and other opportunities that we’ve been requesting for years,” said Spriggs. “I always tell people that I’m all in, and we are going to see it through.”

Describing Acquest as a family-based development firm in operation for 40 years, Green said community projects such as these are the “lifeblood” of the group.

“We love doing land development; we love building subdivisions and commercial spaces, but what we are passionate about doing is building communities, especially communities of color and low-income areas,” said Green.

Green said the group’s partnerships with the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, Henderson City Council, local USDA office and NC Cooperative Extension office, along with the excitement and support of the community, are making this project a reality.

While she admits the timeline is “ambitious,” Green believes construction on the warehouse can begin in early 2021.

To ensure success, Green said the project begins with food security, job availability and economic opportunities with plans to expand to include affordable housing and investment in youth.

“We know this project can’t be successful without a plan to bring up the entire neighborhood,” stated Green. “We don’t see a point in bringing in amenities and services without making an effort to drastically improve the living situation of our neighbors in this community.”

Green continued, “We are dedicated to improving lives, not only through food access but also with affordable and safe housing, improved neighborhood walkability, educational opportunities and with our business incubator and marketplace. We are eager to empower locals to start their own businesses and build generational and community wealth.”

To learn more about the warehouse revitalization project, please visit www.hendersontobaccowarehouse.org.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

WIZS Election Coverage

Town Talk 11/9/20: Boyd Continues Discussion on Presidential Election

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Brandon Boyd, Vance County resident, businessman and guest co-host, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Continuing his discussion from Friday’s special edition of Town Talk, Boyd updated listeners on weekend developments in the presidential election.

Click play to hear the discussion…

WIZS Election Coverage

Town Talk 11/6/20: Developments in the Presidential Election

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Brandon Boyd, Vance County resident, businessman and guest co-host, appeared on a special edition of WIZS Town Talk Friday at 11 a.m.

Boyd and WIZS Radio’s John Charles Rose continued their coverage of the presidential election and discussed the most recent developments. Callers also expressed their opinions and shared their insights.

Click play to hear the discussion…

WIZS Election Coverage

Town Talk 11/5/20: Remaining Pathways to Presidential Victory

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Brandon Boyd, Vance County resident, businessman and guest co-host, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Boyd and WIZS’ John Charles Rose discussed the latest election developments as well as Trump’s and Biden’s remaining pathways to a presidential victory. Callers also expressed their opinions and shared their insights.

Click play to hear the interview in its entirety…

I Voted Sticker

Town Talk 11/4/20: Democrats Sweep Local Elections

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

In a special post-election segment of WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m., local results dominated the discussion.

Even in the midst of a pandemic, enough Vance County voters cast ballots to top the 2016 election totals. According to the NC State Board of Elections, 71 percent (21,062 out of 29,702) of registered Vance County voters voted in the 2020 election versus 66 percent in 2016.

Locally, Democratic candidates emerged victorious. In the Vance County Board of Commissioners District 2 race, incumbent Archie B. Taylor, Jr. (DEM) defeated challenger Michael B. Fisher (UN). Taylor received 1,672 votes, or 60 percent, to Fisher’s 1,123 votes, or 40 percent.

With this win, Taylor maintains the position he has held with the Board since 2012.

In the District 3 NC Senate race, Vance County resident Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr. (REP) lost to Bertie County resident Ernestine Bazemore (DEM). Bazemore received 45,246, or 52 percent, of the votes to Hester’s 41,775, or 48 percent.

The District 3 seat represents Beaufort, Bertie, Martin, Northampton, Vance and Warren counties and consists of 85 precincts.

For the NC House of Representatives District 32 seat, Vance County resident and incumbent Terry E. Garrison (DEM) defeated David Woodson (REP) with 61 percent of the vote. Garrison received 23,967 votes to Woodson’s 15,221.

In the Vance Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor contest, B.K. Stainback defeated Charles E. Powell by a vote of 10,303 to 6,983.

Uncontested Vance County Seats:

Carolyn Faines (DEM) – Vance County Board of Commissioners District 1

Dorothy Williams Gooche (DEM) – Vance County Board of Commissioners District 3

Leo Kelly, Jr. (DEM) – Vance County Board of Commissioners District 5

Yolanda J. Feimster (DEM) – Vance County Board of Commissioners District 6

Edward Wilson (DEM) – Vance County Board of Education District 4

Linda Faye Cobb (DEM) – Vance County Board of Education District 5

Note: Election data is unofficial until all votes are canvassed by the respective Boards of Election. Percentages reported above were rounded to the nearest whole number.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Election Day

Town Talk 11/3/20: Stay Tuned to WIZS for Election Coverage!

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Listen Local tonight after 7:30 when the polls close – 1450 AM / 100.1 FM

Listen Live online at anytime, anywhere with a computer, smartphone, tablet and connected devices and speakers –

https://player.listenlive.co/53101

WIZS is also on Tunein – https://tunein.com/radio/WIZS-1450-s29736/

Tell “Alexa” to “Listen to WIZS.com on Tunein.”We are right here with you, your local radio station, your community voice, your home on the radio!!

Turn the TV sound off. You’ll see all you need on the screen of the TV. Listen to local radio for the call of the Vance County Commissioners Race, Gubernatorial Race in NC, U.S. Senate, President.

We’ll also have our mix of Country, Beach, Oldies plus the added Big Bang/Jazz standards you’ve come to expect on Election Night on WIZS!

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Brandon Boyd, Vance County resident, businessman and guest co-host, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m. for a special Election Day 2020 presentation.  Boyd will re-join for election night coverage this evening as well.

“America is going to speak to us tonight,” said Boyd. “She’s going to tell us the direction we are going to be heading for the next four years in terms of the President, the next six in terms of the Senate seats; lots of House seats also up for grabs tonight. It’s just going to be an exciting night for America.”

To hear the audio, click play…

American Flag

Town Talk 11/02/20: Cooper vs. Forest, Tillis vs. Cunningham

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Brandon Boyd, Vance County resident, businessman and guest co-host, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Boyd discussed the backgrounds and platforms of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (Democrat) and challenger Dan Forest (Republican) as well as US Senator for NC Thom Tillis (Republican) and challenger Cal Cunningham (Democrat).

To hear the audio click play…

Locally, eligible Vance County residents will decide if Democrat Archie Taylor, Jr., the incumbent for the District 2 representative of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, will keep the position he has held since 2012 or if challenger Michael Fisher (running as unaffiliated) will take the seat.

Voters will also decide if Tommy Hester (Republican) of Vance County or Ernestine Bazemore (Democrat) of Bertie County will serve in the District 3 NC Senate seat.

With the conclusion of early voting on October 31, North Carolinians have Tuesday, November 3 (Election Day) to vote in the 2020 General Election. Those voting tomorrow must report to their designated polling place; voting hours are from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Early morning and just before closing are typically the busiest times on Election Day. Those in line by 7:30 p.m. will be able to vote.

As a reminder, voters are not required to show ID for the 2020 election but will be asked to provide their name and address.

According to Vance County Board of Elections Director Faye Gill, 17,051 Vance County residents, or 58.6 percent, participated in early voting. Vance County currently has 29,075 registered voters.

In 2016, 66.3 percent of Vance County voters cast ballots in total (early voting and Election Day), according to the State Board of Elections.

To hear the interview with Boyd in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Vance County, NC

Town Talk 10/29/20: History of Williamsboro, NC

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Mark Pace, local historian and director of the NC Room at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

In the second installment of an ongoing Town Talk series focusing on the history of Henderson, Vance County and the immediate four-county vicinity, Pace and WIZS’ own Bill Harris discussed the origins and first families of Williamsboro, NC.

Established in the 1750s, the town was first known as “Lick,” then “Nutbush” and finally “Williamsboro.” One of its most well-known historical buildings is St. John’s Episcopal Church that remains today as the oldest standing wooden church building in North Carolina.

To give listeners an idea of the historical significance of Williamsboro, Pace explained that the State of NC conducted an architectural and historical survey of Vance County in 1977. Of the 97 structures identified as “significant” in Vance County, 25 were located in Williamsboro. Pace said, unfortunately, only 10-11 of those structures remain today.

“Many of these structures were significant plantation houses; they were structures that dated back to the 1700s,” said Pace. “They were also significant because of the important people that lived there and their association with state history.”

To hear the interview in its entirety, including discussion on Williamsboro’s consideration as the state capitol, additional historical properties and ghost stories, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.