Granville County Litter Prevention Program Kickoff Set For Oct. 4 At Butner Gazebo Park

— Courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Granville County is proud to announce the Granville County Litter Program Kickoff hosted by the Town of Butner on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. at Gazebo Park, 416 Central Ave., Butner.

Litter has plagued our state, county, and municipalities for too long. Addressing litter in our community improves far more than our roadways – it strengthens education, community safety, pride, and a host of social and behavioral outcomes. Growing partnerships with county government, our municipal governments, schools, churches, civic organizations, and citizens are advancing that vision through a coordinated countywide effort.

What sets this program apart is true coordination:

  • Granville County Government will align resources
  • Granville County Public Schools will help educate and engage students and families
  • Our municipalities will synchronize local cleanups and enforcement
  • Private citizens, faith communities, civic groups, and the business community will power the on-the ground action

At the kickoff, we’ll share how these partners are working together – not in silos – to prevent litter, expand cleanups, improve reporting and enforcement, and build a culture of stewardship. You’ll hear from our partners and learn practical ways to get involved with your family immediately.

This is our chance to show – with our presence – that all of Granville County means business. Bring your family, invite your neighbors, and join us at Gazebo Park in Butner on Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. Together, we’ll launch a sustained, countywide partnership for a litter-free Granville County.

SportsTalk: Louisburg College Football Back in the Top 5

Louisburg College Football Head Coach joins SportsTalk to recap the win against Hudson Valley CC that puts the Hurricanes back in the Top 5. Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis also recap the weekend that was with Minor League Baseball around the state and go over the MLB playoff picture as the season is in its final stretch.

NJCAA DIII Football Rankings:

  1. College of DuPage
  2. North Dakota State College of Science
  3. Minnesota West Community & Technical College
  4. Louisburg College
  5. Hudson Valley Community College

Friday MiLB Scores:

  • Durham Bulls 5 Norfolk 3
  • Omaha 10 Charlotte 1

Saturday MiLB Scores:

  • Double Header
    • Durham Bulls 6 Norfolk 2
    • Norfolk 3 Durham Bulls 1
  • Omaha 8 Charlotte 3

Sunday MiLB Scores:

  • Norfolk 7 Durham Bulls 5
  • Charlotte 8 Omaha 0

Tuesday Games Today:

  • Durham Bulls vs. Charlotte Knights – 6:35pm

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TownTalk: Shop With A Cop & Friends Kicks Off

Shop With A Cop And Friends is officially underway! The annual group effort of the Henderson Police Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Social Services and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce raises money to help brighten the Christmas holiday season for needy children in the community.

The kickoff took place last Friday morning at the Breckenridge Street Circle in front of the police station.

Last year, the Chamber was able to give $16,000 to foot the shopping bill, which included more than 50 children who had a blast shopping at the local Walmart with various representatives from law enforcement agencies and first responders.

“It’s an excellent community outreach program,” said Chamber Board Chair Scott Burwell. Looking at pictures of the children having fun during the holiday outing tells the whole story, Burwell said. “I hope it continues to grow.”

This year’s presenting sponsor is Walmart Distribution, said Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson. Additional sponsors help to make the program a success.

Wilkerson said it’s not just the joy of seeing the children having fun, but she also loves to see the community come together to support those children. “It’s a great thrill, seeing that happen,” she said.

Here’s how it works: There are a total of 180 numbered tickets – divided evenly among the police department, sheriff’s office and Chamber office – that will be sold. The number of the ticket is the price you pay, so whoever purchases the #1 ticket pays $1, all the way up to $180.

Everyone who buys a ticket in the 100-180 range will be included in the Nov. 19 celebratory reception, when the final tally will be revealed. Additional tickets to the 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. reception are available for $20. There will be appetizers, tea and lemonade available, as well as a cash bar.

Contributors giving $1 – $40 will be entered to win $200. When you purchase a ticket for $41 – $80, you will be entered to win $500.  Tickets of $81 – $120 will be entered to win $1,000.  The grand prize of $2,000 will be for those tickets in the amount of $121 – $180.

Following is a complete list of sponsors for the event:

Gold Sponsors:  Fred’s Towing and Transport, Inc., Clearview Church, Cypress Creek Renewables, Vance Recovery, Crossroads Christian School, Vulcan Materials, and South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church

Silver Sponsor:  Benchmark Community Bank

Bronze Sponsors: S.a.M Child Advocacy Center, Rosemyr Corporation/AA Self Storage

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TownTalk: Recognizing Peripheral Artery Disease

Maria Parham Health is hosting a Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Sept. 25 to share information about the causes, symptoms and treatment of peripheral artery disease, a fairly common condition that is caused when narrowed arteries reduces blood flow to the arms and, more often, the legs.

Dr. Dennis Narcisse, a cardiologist and interventional cardiologist will lead the program, which will begin at 12 noon. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Find the registration link at https://www.mariaparham.com/events/2025-09-25/peripheral-artery-disease-lunch—learn and simply at mariaparham.com.

Vance County and surrounding areas have been shown to have among the highest rates of PAD in the state, Narcisse said, according to research conducted by Duke University.

Some of the symptoms of PAD are discoloration of the toe or foot, indicating poor circulation. Severe cramping or burning in your legs when walking that eases when you stop – called claudication – is another symptom.

Narcisse said this is an oft-overlooked symptom of PAD, because people associate the pain or discomfort with being out of shape and tend not to mention it to their regular physician.

Not surprisingly, a healthy diet, quitting smoking and regular exercise all help the fight against PAD.

“Exercise is one of the most important aspects of this,” he said. “It just means moving.”

Narcisse sees patients at Maria Parham Health in Henderson, as well as at Duke University Hospital and a Duke clinic in Morrisville. Even in the decade since he’s been practicing medicine, he said there have been many advances in treating PAD.

“I like to help people in two types of ways,” Narcisse said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. In addition to performing procedures to open up blocked arteries around the heart or also in the leg, Narcisse said he also wants to help his patients either prevent PAD or avoid a recurrence.

He said patients who have poor circulation in their legs may experience symptoms like cramping – especially in the calf – and pain when they walk. Left undiagnosed or untreated, PAD can create additional problems that keep people from normal physical activity and exercise to poor wound healing.

In a worst-case scenario, patients suffering with severe PAD could face amputation. But earlier diagnosis could result in undergoing a minimally invasive technique that involves inserting a tube into an artery, going to the problem area and opening up the restricted vessel with balloons and stents.

The Lunch and Learn is an ideal opportunity for individuals with risk factors including being overweight, diabetic or a smoker to hear about steps they can take to reduce their chances of PAD.

Or, individuals who want to know more about treatments and how they can best communicate with their own physicians are welcome to attend.

Primary care providers and other health professionals can learn more about how cardiologists manage patients with PAD.

Learn more at www.mariaparham.com

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(Maria Parham is an advertising client of WIZS and WIZS.com.  This is not a paid ad.)
Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Activities For All In The Fall At Perry Memorial Library

If you’ve got a pair of pants that are too long and you’re 13 years old – or older – there’s a class at Perry Memorial Library on Sunday that could fit you just right.

Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters is having a “Fix It” Lab that will help participants learn how to hem a pair of pants.

The class takes place at 2:30 p.m. at the library. “It’s a simple skill,” Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny!

Peters revealed that she has a background in costume and theater, where she learned some of her sewing skills.

Offering the “Fix It” Lab is also a way to bring people of all ages together to enjoy time together.

“We used to have more community settings,” Peters said. Church events and extended family get-togethers provided young people access to older folks that may not be in their immediate family circle.

This library offering is another way to address patrons’ requests to have more intergenerational programs.

“We’re going to get some going and see what happens,” she said.

Here are some other events coming up at the library:

  • Michael McCray of “Occasions by M” has cooked up a series of free cooking classes for young people 13 years and older beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Space is capped at 16, so if you’re interested, sign up soon. The class will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. McCray is going to fire up the library’s Charlie Cart, which Peters said has everything on it you need to learn how to cook – without being in a regulation-size kitchen.
  • Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to hop on the anti-litter bandwagon as part of a county-wide effort to clean up trash. “We are on board, we’ve signed our pledge,” Peters said. The “Essay and Art Clean Community Contest” winners will be announced at National Night Out Celebration in downtown Henderson, set for Thursday, Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline to submit entries is Sept. 30. Three students from elementary, middle and high school levels will win gift cards for their winning entries.

Contact Peters at mpeters@perrylibrary.org for more details.

Learn more about all the happenings at Perry Memorial Library at https://www.perrylibrary.org/

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Dangers to Avoid within Compost

Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Today’s segment focuses on compost, but serves as a counterpart for Wayne’s recent recording. Specifically, I speak about some dangers to avoid.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vance County Football Week 4 Recap

Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap Vance County’s Week 4 game vs. Rocky Mount, as well as some of the other high school games in our area. The guys also talk about the college and NFL games that happened over the weekend.

High School Scores from Week 4:

  • Rocky Mount 41 Vance County 14
  • Louisburg 28 Franklinton 8
  • Wake Forest 42 Wakefield 7
  • Burlington Williams 24 Heritage 0
  • Sanderson 42 Knightdale 39
  • East Wake 28 Bunn 26
  • J.F. Webb 28 Eden Morehead 0
  • Warren County 13 South Granville 6
  • Wake Prep 49 ALA-Johnston 14
  • Amherst County (VA) 19 Mecklenburg County (VA) 0

College Scores around the area in Week 3:

  • NC State 34 Wake Forest 24
  • North Carolina 41 Richmond 6
  • Tulane 34 Duke 27
  • Virginia 55 William & Mary 16
  • Old Dominion 45 Virginia Tech 26 
  • ECU 38 Coastal Carolina 0
  • Charlotte 42 Monmouth 35
  • Southern Miss 38 App State 22
  • North Carolina Central 49 Fayetteville State 19
  • Louisburg College 38 Hudson Valley CC 10

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TownTalk: WIZS 2025 Election Coverage

Editor’s note: WIZS News asked the 13 candidates – four incumbents and nine challengers – in the upcoming Henderson City Council election to respond to a series of questions that will be aired on WIZS and published on wizs.com in advance of the beginning of early voting for the Oct. 7 election.

Early voting begins on Thursday, Sept. 18 and ends on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Of those 13 candidates, WIZS received seven responses before the stated deadline of Friday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.

The following candidates responded:

Ward 1 at-large:

  • Kenia Gómez-Jimenez
  • Clementine “Tina” Hunter

Ward 2 at-large:

  • Lamont Noel (incumbent)
  • George Mayo

Ward 3:

  • Garry Daeke (incumbent)
  • Jason Spriggs

Ward 4:

  • Catherine “Kitty” Gill

The WIZS team has compiled the responses from the candidates and they will appear in their entirety, unedited on the radio and on the website.

Visit https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/board-of-elections/ to view a complete listing of candidates for the four seats in the upcoming nonpartisan municipal election.

 

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