Back-To-School Review Of Safety Tips For Students, Motorists

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– information courtesy of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

As schools get back in session over the next couple of weeks, Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame reminds the public of some basic safety tips that will help keep schoolchildren safe as they make their way to and from school, whether walking, riding a bike, or by car or school bus.

“I hope that our students have enjoyed their summer vacation, but it is now time to hit the books once again for the school year,” Brame said in a written statement. One way to get the new school year off right is by sharing with young people potential dangers and how to avoid unsafe situations.

Brame also suggests parents check the location sharing settings on their children’s electronic devices before sending them off to school to make sure that their location is not being shared with any unwanted applications. “This is also a great time to remind students of the dangers of sharing personal information on social media. It is important to teach young people that sharing certain information, especially their location, may put them and their classmates at risk,” Brame said.

Other safety tips that parents can share with their children include:

  • Do not talk to strangers! A stranger is anyone that you or your parents do not know well. If a stranger has approached you, tell a trusted adult about what happened.
  • When walking to and from school, always stay with a friend. Two minds are better than one, especially if there is an emergency.
  • If you think you are in danger, yell for help and run to the nearest business, school, crossing guard, or law enforcement officer.
  • Try establishing a family “code word.” If a stranger claims to know your family but does not know the code word, do not go with them.
  • Strangers may use a variety of tricky tactics to get you to come with them, such as:
    • Asking to show you something,
    • Asking for you to help them find a missing pet or person, or
    • Telling you that a family member is hurt and offering to take you to them.
  • If you do not know the person, absolutely do not go with them!
  • Never take things like candy or medicine from a stranger. It could contain a dangerous substance that can harm you.
  • Don’t wear headphones or earbuds while walking so you can hear your surroundings and know if someone is approaching you.

Those big yellow buses will be making their way across the county soon, and motorists should be mindful of the multiple stops that buses make as they pick children up in the morning and drop them off again in the afternoon.

Traffic laws concerning school buses haven’t changed, but it’s always a good idea to refresh your memory to avoid crashes, injury and the citations that come with infractions.

The N.C. Sheriff’s Association reminds drivers to:

  • learn and obey the laws about school buses
  • never pass a stopped school bus – from either direction – when the red light is flashing or the arm is extended
  • children can be unpredictable! always look twice before proceeding
  • be alert to the possibility of children walking in the roadway
  • obey speed limits in school zones

Children who may walk to school should always walk FACING traffic; those who get to and from school on a bicycle, however, should travel with the flow of traffic – wearing a helmet and with no passengers!

Chamber Recruiting Business Members To Join The “Cheer Line” At Aug. 20 VCS Convocation Kick-Off

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Educators from across Vance County Schools will gather at McGregor Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 20 for the district’s Convocation Kick-Off. The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is encouraging all its members to come out to cheer on the district’s teachers as they get ready for the 2024-25 school year.

“Plan to come out, bring some associates/employees with you, line up at McGregor, hold up your company sign, bring your business mascot, and show some loud hometown spirit for our teachers as they arrive on buses from their individual schools,” said Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson.

Individuals from the community and from area businesses should arrive by 8 a.m., Wilkerson said, to line up in the “cheer” line. Teachers will arrive by bus between 8:15 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. The event will begin at 9 a.m.

“The buses will drop off teachers and we would like to have a line of people to celebrate and cheer them on as they enter McGregor,” Wilkerson said. “For our educators to see a line of folks cheering them and celebrating their arrival would definitely be a lot of fun!”

If a business has a mascot, they could certainly dress up – We’re talking to YOU, Pete the Cat, Chick-fil-A cow, Sparky the Fire Dog, Mikey the Shark and any others who we always love to see, she said.

Visitor Spending In Warren Totals $73M In 2023 – Up 10.8 % From 2022

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-information courtesy of Warren County Government

 

Visitor spending in Warren County reached an impressive $73 million in 2023, marking a notable 10.8% increase from the previous year. This exceptional growth rate not only highlights the county’s rising popularity but also positions Warren County as a leader in the state for visitor spending growth.

These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2023,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics.

North Carolina as a whole saw total visitor spending of $35.6 billion, underscoring the significant role that Warren County plays within the state’s tourism industry. Warren County’s impressive double-digit increase in visitor spending outpaced the state’s growth percentage, highlighting the county’s successful tourism strategies and its burgeoning status as a sought-after destination.

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement and the positive impact it has on our community,” said Jennifer Pierce, chair of the Warren County Board of Commissioners. “The increase in visitor spending not only boosts our local economy but also creates jobs and enhances the quality of life for our residents.”

The economic impact of this surge is far-reaching. Visitor spending has created 251 jobs within the community, generating $11.4 million in labor income. Additionally, the local tax base benefited substantially, receiving $3.6 million, which translates into a savings of $293.22 per resident.

According to the impact report, the breakdown of visitor expenditures for 2023 in Warren County includes:

– Lodging: $18.54 million

– Food and Beverage: $21.28 million

– Recreation: $10 million

– Retail: $5.96 million

– Transportation: $16.83 million

 

“We look forward to growing our tourism economy and marketing efforts in Warren County, including launching our Tourism Development Authority and getting our occupancy tax off the ground,” stated Charla Duncan, director of Warren County Community and Economic Development. “Our small business community, including short-term lodging hosts, should be commending for their contribution to these numbers. Their investment is paving the way for future commitment to our county.”

 

To learn more, visit https://www.warrencountync.org/ or  contact Charla Duncan, Warren County Community and Economic Development at 252.257.3115.

TownTalk Around Old Granville: Forgotten Historical Figures, Pt. 2

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Remember Soupy Sales? What about Charlie Briggs?

Both were television stars, before streaming became a preferred way of watching shows certainly before binge watching was a “thing.”

But both men share something else in common: They are both from the area known as “Old Granville County” and were the topic of Thursday’s TownTalk segment of the same name.

Sales, a comedian and variety show performer, hailed from Franklinton and Briggs was from right here in Henderson. His may not be a household name, but viewers of the old TV shows like Bonanza, Maverick and The Sons of Will Sonnet will no doubt recognize his face, said Mark Pace, local historian and North Carolina Room Specialist at the Thornton Library in Oxford.

The local area has produced its share of entertainers over the years – Gerald Alston of the Manhattans, country music songwriter Danny Flowers and Ben E. King, just to name a few.

But there are plenty of noteworthy individuals who achieved stardom of a sort in other endeavors as well, leaving their marks in the area of religion, the military and other segments of society.

Take Henry Haywood Bell, for example. Bell was from Franklin County, and was an admiral in the Union Navy during the Civil War. He was from the South, but when it came time to choose sides, he said he had made an oath to serve the United States, so his allegiance was with the North.

Then there’s Charity Adams Early, who was born in Kittrell. Early was the first African American female Army officer, who rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. Early died in 2002.

Kirkland H. Donald, from Norlina, still serves as a consultant to the U.S. Navy, Pace said. Donald, a Navy admiral, became commander of all the nuclear submarines in the Navy.

Col. Redding F. Perry from Henderson was career military, and served as chief of staff for Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army, Pace said. Perry, who was the uncle of longtime local attorney Bennett Perry, also established the National Guard in the state.

The Wyche family produced numerous members who made significant contributions as well.

Brigadier General Ira Wyche commanded the 79th infantry division during the Normandy invasion of World War II

Mary Lewis Wyche is credited with bringing the first nursing school to the state.  Known as the “Florence Nightingale” of North Carolina, Wyche also was the first trained nurse in North Carolina. She has a historical marker at Highway 39 and Glebe Road in Vance County, near the home where she grew up.

Alice Morgan Person, from Kittrell, contributed to people’s health in a slightly different way, Pace said.

“She was famous for her ‘remedy,’” he said. He’s not sure of all its ingredients, but he knows of one: “I know it contained alcohol.”

 

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Car Washing

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— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Cleaning the exterior of your car or truck may sound pretty basic – sort of like writing instructions for how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich – but when you break it down step by step, you may realize that doing things in a certain order produces better results.

The shelves at Advance Auto Parts are filled with cleaning products from detergent to bug and grime remover, wheel brushes to soft chamois cloths. If you’re unsure about just which products to choose, consult the professional staff at Advance Auto to get steered in the right direction.

  • Wash your car in a shady area and when the engine is cool.
  • Use cool water and a detergent specially formulated for use on vehicles.
  • Wheel brushes gently loosen grime and other crud that gets stuck on rims and tires; rinse often to prevent particles from scratching the surface.
  • Start at the top and work your way down, spraying down the entire vehicle wet before you start cleaning with soap. Work in sections to avoid soap drying on the vehicle.
  • Wax provides an extra layer of protection for the paint job. Apply wax to a clean, dry surface with a soft, clean rag. Work in circles and let the wax dry before using another clean, dry cloth to finish the process.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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SportsTalk: Mangum Lights It Up For The Bulls

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Jake Mangum, Outfielder for the Durham Bulls, discusses his success this season.

 

When the lights come on, the stars shine brighter. On Wednesday night that’s what happened
when the Durham Bulls beat the Nashville Sounds in an epic Minor League matchup 10-9 in
extra innings. This, thanks to Jake Mangum who stole third base in the bottom of the 12th inning
and scored the game-winning run, thanks to a throwing error by Nashville pitcher Blake Holub.
Jake Mangum appeared on WIZS’s SportsTalk with Bill Harris, Scout Hughes, and George Hoyle
to discuss it all.

Jake Mangum comes from a sports family. Mangum’s grandfather was an All-American Football
Player at Southern Mississippi, Jake’s father was an All-American Football Player at Alabama,
who played for the Chicago Bears. His uncle played football for Ole Miss and the Carolina
Panthers, so it’s clear that Mangum’s family is in sports history. With everyone playing football
Jake says that, “At an early age I just fell in love with it (baseball)…at an early age, baseball just
seemed like the right fit for me.”

Mangum is currently batting with an average of .328 with three home runs and 37 RBI’s and he
gives credit for his success in the minor leagues to a lot of things, “I’m pretty much live pitch-by-
pitch, prayer-to-prayer. Every pitch I’m asking help from the Big Man Upstairs. Growing up, I did
a ton of work with my Dad. He really helped me prepare and work to be the best baseball
player I can be. I’ve had so many great teammates, so many great coaches. There’s a long list of
things that have helped me. It definitely wasn’t me alone, I can promise you that. It’s a very
challenging game, but I’ve had a lot of help along the way to help me navigate that the best I
can.” Jake plans to turn his success in the minor leagues into making his dreams become reality, “I
would love to get an opportunity in the big leagues. But other than that (for right now) I’m just
gonna control what I can control and try to be the best baseball player that I can be, one day at
a time.”

This is the first year that Mangum has been a Durham Bull. Even though he’s only been in the
Bull City for a short time, Mangum believes that the Research Triangle is a viable location for a
Major League Baseball Franchise, “Seeing how our crowds are in Durham…there is a lot of
baseball support in the state of North Carolina. I see absolutely no reason as to why that they
couldn’t support a major league baseball team.” He also states that there is a void of Major
League Baseball with the southeastern part of the United States, “I think the southeast of
America has a big gap of no Major League Baseball team…it’s all Atlanta Braves fans.”

Best of luck to you Jake and you’ll have a group from Henderson and Vance County rooting for
you.

After Jake Mangum left the show, the guys transitioned into the Vance County Football
Scrimmage that took place on Wednesday at Vance County High School. Where the Vipers took
on Southern Nash and Hillside Durham. Bill, Scout and George all agreed that playing schools
such as Southern Nash and Hillside Durham even in a scrimmage will make Vance County Football better in the long run. The Vipers scrimmage once again on Saturday August 17th from
Wake Forest High School at 6:00pm against Jordan High School from Durham.

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Granville School Board Names Gwen Roulhac Principal At Early College

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The Granville County Board of Education named Dr. Gwen Roulhac as the principal of Granville Early College High School. Roulhac has more than 20 years of experience in education and has previously served schools in Orange and Durham counties as a principal, assistant principal, testing coordinator, school counselor and teacher, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin.

In a written statement, Roulhac said she was “ecstatic and humbled” to be the school’s new principal.  “I cannot wait to join the Spartan family and, together, engage in the important work that will sustain and enhance the legacy of academic and cultural excellence for which Granville Early College High School is celebrated.”

Roulhac has four degrees, all from UNC-CH – a bachelor of Arts in English, master’s in Teaching, a master’s in Guidance and Counseling and a doctorate in Educational Leadership.

She succeeds Jackie Harris, who retired at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Earlier in the summer, the board named Kellye Walton as the district’s recruitment and retention coordinator. Walton is a former North Carolina Teaching Fellow and member of the first cohort of CCP3 Principal Fellows at N.C. Central University. She earned national board certification during her 16 years in education, 10 of which have been in Granville County. In addition to being a classroom teacher, Walton has been a reading specialist, instructional coach and assistant principal. Walton holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master’s in School Administration from N.C. Central.