George Rush

Town Talk 12/8/20: Remembering George B. Rush, Jr.

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

In a special edition of WIZS Town Talk on Tuesday at 11 a.m., WIZS staff – past and present – and others fondly remembered George Blackmore Rush, Jr., former WIZS general manager. Rush passed away at his home on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at the age of 87.

Born in Aliquippa, PA on July 31, 1933, he was the son of the late Dr. George Blackmore Rush, Sr. and Cassie Federer Rush. George attended Grove City College, earned his MBA from the University of South Carolina and was a Veteran of the United States Army.

His professional experience included management of credit and collection personnel and sales, consulting, general management and newscasting. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church in Henderson where he formerly served as a deacon and elder.

(Click play below for audio)

Rush retired from WIZS in 2018, in his mid-eighties, after more than 15 years with the station.

“George was there for us many different times and led us through quite a number of trials and tribulations. He was also there enjoying the good times,” said WIZS General Manager John Charles Rose. “In particular, for me, was the time my own father passed away. George was right there to step in, not only as a friend but as a fatherly-figure and someone who could help the radio station continue to sustain what we had and continue to grow at a very difficult time.”

Rose continued, “He was a great businessman; he really knew how to run and operate a business.”

In a special edition of WIZ Town Talk on Tuesday at 11 a.m., WIZS staff – past and present – and others fondly remembered George Blackmore Rush, Jr., former WIZS general manager. Rush passed away at his home on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at the age of 87. (Photo courtesy J.M. White Funeral Home)

Trey Snide, WIZS account manager, said Rush was a “wealth of information” and was always willing to lend a helping hand. “Every time I had a question or a problem, he was able to help solve it. I’ve been here at WIZS going on four years now, and what I remember the most is the knowledge George had of the local Vance County community. I’m grateful he was part of my beginning steps at the station.”

WIZS Program Manager Bill Harris said Rush was “a joy to work with.”

“I don’t think I ever saw George mad,” said Harris. “He always had a kind word to say about people and was extremely nice and considerate. He was always the perfect gentleman.”

Harris said he was impressed by how quickly and thoroughly Rush, a PA native, adapted to the local area. “He had so much knowledge and very much acclimated himself to this area.”

This sentiment was echoed by Tom Hannon, Rush’s former WIZS Town Talk co-host and supervisor while employed at Roses Stores: “George adapted himself to Vance County. He brought a knowledge of national and local implications of such things as gross national product, interest rates and the stock market and explained how these could affect the everyday person in Vance County.”

Matthew Handley, who worked for WIZS while on break from college during the summers, said Rush stands out in his mind as being one of the people to help launch his career. “George was in the room when I had my first interview at WIZS,” Handley explained. “I look back on that interview as being the start of my career in this industry, and that’s one of the things I’m going to remember him for. He took a chance on me that allowed me to get to the point where I am now with a full-time career in Michigan.”

Sherman Wilson, George’s former co-host on Friday’s Town Talk Trivia, said, “It was a pure joy to work with him on that show. I think he enjoyed it as much as I did. Sometimes on Town Talk we acted silly and had a lot of fun, but make no mistake about it, George was a really smart guy. No matter who came on the show, no matter what the subject, he could interview them. He did it with ease and made the people he was interviewing feel comfortable.”

Brandon Boyd, Town Talk guest host, said, “We mourn the loss, and we celebrate the life of George Rush. George loved Henderson; he loved Vance County and its people; he loved our stories. George Rush was a name we all knew and a voice we recognized, and George loved WIZS Radio.”

Rush is survived by his wife, Jane Negus Rush of the home; his daughter, Catherine Rush-Braswell and husband, Joseph of Durham; his son, George Warren Rush and wife, Linda of Henderson; a granddaughter, Kelly Twisdale; a grandson, Benjamin Rush; and a sister, Susan Bean and husband, David of Mason, OH. (Obituary information courtesy J.M White Funeral Home.)

A private memorial service will be held today at First Presbyterian Church by Rev. Matthew Copple. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 726, Henderson, NC 27536.

Rescue Ranch

Town Talk 12/7/20: Rescue Ranch, Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society to Partner

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

Krissie Newman, co-founder of the Rescue Ranch in Statesville, NC, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

The 87-acre ranch promotes humane education by focusing on animal rescue through hands-on learning and care.

Newman discussed her passion for animals, the operation of the ranch during the COVID-19 pandemic and working with other animal protection services such as the local Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society (RCAPS).

To hear the interview in its entirety, click play.

Locally, RCAPS is dedicated to helping homeless animals find rescue placement and works closely with area shelters.

Heading into the new year, Rescue Ranch will partner with RCAPS for its new foster and adoption program. “We will be taking in volunteers willing to foster with us and working with Ruin Creek on adoptions,” said Newman. “This is something that has been in our footprint at the ranch for a long time; now is the time to bring the dogs and the cats into the program.”

In addition to the rescue foster and adoption program, Rescue Ranch’s future plans include nature hiking and walking education trails, a 24-hour emergency veterinarian clinic with an extern program and a therapeutic riding program.

Tours of the ranch are available by appointment by calling (704) 768-0909. To learn more about Rescue Ranch,  please visit www.rescueranch.com. For updates on RCAPS, please visit the group’s Facebook page.

Vance County Logo

Town Talk 12/03/20: How to Apply for Winter Heating Assistance in Vance Co.

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

Jamila Green, supervisor for Work First and Emergency Services with the Vance County Department of Social Services (DSS), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Green addressed the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ (NCDHHS) announcement that it will issue automated payments to thousands of eligible households, including local residents, to assist with winter heating expenses via the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).

To be eligible for the LIEAP program, a household must:

  • Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
  • Have income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit
  • Have resources, such as saving and checking accounts and cash on hand, at or below $2,250
  • Be responsible for their heating cost

The automated payments began December 1, 2020, and will be issued through March 31, 2021. Payments are designed to help eligible seniors and people with disabilities access winter heating in a safe manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a recent press release issued by the NCDHHS, eligible households may qualify to receive an automated payment for the 2020-2021 LIEAP season if a member of the household 1) is age 60 or older or a person with a disability receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services, 2) currently receives Food and Nutrition Services and 3) received LIEAP during the 2019-2020 season. These households were notified of eligibility in November and do not need to apply for this benefit.

Any household with a person age 60 or older or with a disability receiving DAAS services who did not receive notice of an automated payment is encouraged to submit a paper application for LIEAP assistance.

In Vance County, LIEAP applications may be mailed or dropped off at the local DSS office – 350 Ruin Creek Road, Henderson, NC 27536 – or applicants may contact Vance County DSS by phone at (252) 492-5001.

Please visit Vance County DSS online at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/social-services/ for additional information.

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

Health for the Holidays

Town Talk 12/03/20: ‘Health for the Holidays’ COVID Testing, Suicide Prevention Event

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

Charlene Thompson, community health worker with Gang Free, Inc., appeared on the second segment of WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Thompson discussed Gang Free’s “Health for the Holidays” community event to include free COVID-19 testing, crisis intervention and suicide prevention on Saturday, December 5, 2020, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

In addition, Thompson said gift bags with masks and hand sanitizer, art supplies and food boxes will be distributed to participants.

Testing and services will be held at the City of Henderson Operations Center located at 900 S. Beckford Drive in Henderson.

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

TownTalk, Tradio, WIZS Local News for Dec 2, 2020

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A different sort of day for WIZS TownTalk and Local News today with some last minute changes and a sportscast that preempts the 5 o’clock local news.

To adjust quickly, the news of the day was broadcast during TownTalk, followed by Tradio and then our shorter WIZS Noon News segment.

Hear it all from our Facebook Live video, just as the programs aired on WIZS 1450 AM and 100.1 FM.

Town Talk Logo

Town Talk 12/01/20: COVID-19 Rages On

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

Discussion on local COVID-19 spread and response.

To hear today’s Town Talk audio, click play…

Salvation Army Kettle Bell

Town Talk 11/30/20: Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, Christmas Bell Ringers Underway

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Captains Derrick and Odessa Smith, husband and wife team with The Salvation Army of Henderson, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m. to discuss the ministry’s holiday events.

Angel Tree & Forgotten Angels

The Salvation Army of Henderson encourages the community to help a child in need this Christmas season by taking a name, either physically or virtually, from the “Angel Tree.” This annual program brightens the holidays by providing new clothing and toys to local children.

According to Odessa, 300 children from the surrounding area will participate in the program this year.

As part of its “Forgotten Angels Drive,” The Salvation Army also encourages the community to consider supporting children ages 10 to 12 who are often left on the tree in favor of younger kids.

How it Works:

  • Virtually – click here or visit The Salvation Army of Henderson’s Facebook page for information on adopting an angel online.
  • In-person – choose a tag off the Angel Trees located at participating Walmart stores (coming soon) or at The Salvation Army of Henderson. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing when coming in-person.
  • Provide age-appropriate, new toys and clothes for the child(ren).
  • Place the angel tag number and name of the child on all bag(s) of donated items.
  • Deliver unwrapped gifts to The Salvation Army at 2292 Ross Mill Road in Henderson, NC Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by December 11, 2020.
  • You may also go to www.walmart.com/registry/registryforgood and enter your location as 27536 to select “Angel Tree of Henderson” (or click here). Items may be purchased online and shipped directly to The Salvation Army of Henderson.

Contact Captain Odessa Smith at (252) 432-7766 or email odessa.smith@uss.salvationarmy.org with any questions.

Kettle Bell Ringers

The Salvation Army is currently accepting volunteer bell ringers that can serve now through December 24, 2020, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Youth are welcome; adult supervision may be required based on age. Individual ringers will be placed at locations for two to four-hour shifts. When volunteers are not available, The Salvation Army must hire ringers, which reduces the funds available for services.

There are over 20 bell-ringing locations across Vance, Granville, Franklin, Northampton, Halifax and Warren counties. Groups willing to cover a location for an entire day can choose any approved location.

In addition to the traditional method of placing change in the red kettle, donors may also place money in the “virtual kettle” by using their Smartphone to access Google Pay or Apple Pay at the stand. The Salvation Army’s Facebook page also has a scan code that can be used with a Smartphone to donate money to the virtual kettle.

All Red Kettle Campaign proceeds support The Salvation Army of Henderson’s Christmas and year-round programs.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.registertoring.com or contact Captain Derrick Smith at (252) 432-7474 or via email at derrick.smith@uss.salvationarmy.org.

“The reality is there is a 40 percent increase in need this year, whether from COVID or other circumstances,” explained Derrick. “We are truly blessed and honored to be able to help those that come through our door. We couldn’t do it without volunteers or folks that donate to The Salvation Army.”

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

Charles Boyd

Town Talk 11/24/20: Charles Boyd Talks Car Business, Growing Up in Vance County

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

Guest host Brandon Boyd interviewed someone near and dear to his own heart for Tuesday’s segment of Town Talk, his father Charles Henry Boyd. Many in the community may know Charles as the owner of Charles Boyd Chevrolet Buick GMC in Henderson.

Born in Henderson in 1949, Charles, with the exception of his years in college, has called Vance County home all of his life. “Henderson has always been home,” he said. “It’s been a great life. Vance County has been so very good to us; a great place to live and to work.”

A child in the 50s and a teenager in the 60s, Charles said he has many memories of good times spent with his three brothers, family and friends. “I have memories of going downtown, going to the Embassy and going to the Stevenson Theatre. You could take about 15 cents to spend your evening and have a great time.”

Interested in cars since he was old enough to remember, Charles said he spent his younger years going with his father and brothers to tobacco warehouses to prospect vehicles, and later working after school “polishing cars, cleaning hubcaps and washing engines” at the used car lot.

Brandon Boyd (left) and Charles Boyd (right) pictured with one of their classic cars.

“Me and my three brothers, Maurice, Glenn and Jerry, have always had a passion for cars,” said Charles. “My father started off in farming and then went into the used car business.”

That passion continues today with Charles and his brothers collecting classic cars. “We collect cars, which is a great pastime, and we share the thrills in finding these cars and reselling them,” Charles stated. “We try to find cars that have been stored, that don’t have many miles; we like originality. It’s an enjoyment when you find something and think there’s not another one like it in the world. It’s not what you end up with; it’s the chase of finding something.”

Charles continued, “The car business has been a great part of my life. It’s been good to me and my family. Vance County has supported us in so many ways. We try to give everybody a fair and honest deal. My dad was known for being honest and looking out for customers, and that’s what we try to do.”

After starting out at Boyd Auto Sales on Garnett Street and selling his first used car at 11, Charles rented an available used car lot on Raleigh Road upon graduating Atlantic Christian College. According to Charles, rent was $75 a month, and the lot had no bathroom or running water.

“Today, we have a facility that’s state-of-the-art; we’ve come a long way,” Charles said. “It’s not what we’ve done, but what Vance County has done for us.”

Charles Boyd Chevrolet Buick GMC is located at 250 Ruin Creek Road in Henderson, NC.

To hear the interview with Charles and Brandon in its entirety, including more on growing up in Henderson and the car business, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Town Talk 11/25/20: Harrison Discusses COVID at Courthouse, Senior Citizens Home

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

Lisa Harrison, director of Granville-Vance Public Health (GVPH), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

According to Harrison, GVPH and its support teams have been working with the local public school systems, private schools and charter schools to ensure safety and to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible.

“We have some dedicated nurses who have been working really hard since March with our school systems who are trying to figure out how to manage in this new world order of COVID-19,” said Harrison. “We are trying to provide enough data, updates and information for our school systems to make good decisions and to manage any outbreaks or clusters.”

At this time of Thanksgiving, Harrison said she is thankful for the positive working relationships that she and GVPH have with community partners. Addressing one such partner, the Vance County Court System, Harrison said their partnership led to the quick handling of the Vance County Courthouse’s recently reported cluster of positive COVID cases.

“We have taken a tour of the courthouse a number of times over the past eight months just to make sure we’re informing all on the procedures that are new and different, to make sure that people are screened and to make sure that we are preventing the spread of COVID as much as possible,” explained Harrison. “Unfortunately, it [COVID spread] still happens.”

Due to a reported COVID cluster, Vance County court sessions were canceled beginning November 19 and will remain canceled through December 3, 2020, as of the time of this posting. The courthouse will remain open for necessary business during this time.

Clarifying the term COVID ‘cluster’ versus an ‘outbreak,’ Harrison said clusters are defined as five or more cases in one location that are tied together. Clusters are also commonly referred to in locations that are not healthcare-related, such as schools and courthouses.

Outbreaks, on the other hand, are defined as two or more cases in healthcare settings and long-term care facilities where the spread can be more rapid and detrimental if not quickly controlled.

Data reported ahead of Thanksgiving Day indicated 1,604 total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Vance County, with 446 known active cases.

Of those 1,604 cases, 1,434 are associated with community spread, 58 are associated with Pelican Health of Henderson, 49 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, 62 are associated with Senior Citizens Nursing Home (42 of which are new and still active) and one is associated with Alliance Rehabilitative Care.

These numbers include 54 individuals who have died from COVID-related complications in Vance County.

COVID testing is ongoing through Maria Parham Health, GVPH and private institutions. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest local information.

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

Beach Music Blast

Town Talk 11/23/20: Christie Officially Inducted Into Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Pat Christie, 2020 inductee into the Carolina Beach Music Awards Hall of Fame, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

WIZS Beach Blast host Trey Snide interviewed Christie, who happens to be his father-in-law.

From Durham, NC, Christie started playing the guitar when he was nine-years-old and has been involved with several bands throughout his music career, including The Spring Fever Band, The Fabulous Hot Dog Daddy O’s and The Castaways. The Castaways were inducted as a group into the Beach Music Hall of Fame in 2014.

With COVID canceling plans for an in-person induction ceremony in Myrtle Beach this year, Christie said he and his family listened to the radio-broadcasted induction via the On the Beach With Charlie Brown program last weekend.

Christie, who prepared an acceptance speech for the occasion, was inducted by good friend and well-known beach music vocalist Terri Gore. While he did know that Gore would be inducting him on the radio, Christie’s family surprised him by inviting Gore, “the original ‘Carolina Girl,’” and her husband to attend the watch party.

“I turned around, and there was one of my best friends in the whole wide world, Terri Gore. It was awesome; it just blew me away. Then to hear Terri say the very kind things she said on the radio about my accomplishments, our friendship through the years and beach music was touching. To hear her say the words that she was officially inducting me into the Hall of Fame was one of the greatest moments of my life.”

Be sure to listen to the Beach Music Blast live on WIZS 1450 AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com (click Listen Live) from 12 until 1 p.m. every Monday – Friday.

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