Teamwork is what got a group from Vance-Granville Community College onto the track at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway — not only the teamwork demonstrated by students and faculty from curriculum programs at the college, but also by a team of sponsors from the community who supported them.
For the first time, VGCC sent a team to compete in an event as part of the GreenpowerUSA racing series supported by Siemens and the Sports Car Club of America. GreenpowerUSA is a national organization that promotes education in sustainable engineering and technology by offering challenges for schools based around designing and building a single-seat, electric-powered racecar. The series is open to middle schools, high schools, colleges and corporate teams. After the University of Alabama dropped out of this year’s GreenpowerUSA program, VGCC was the sole remaining college at the Greenpower Grand Prix at Indianapolis on May 1.
The Indy race followed a 10-week period of intense work by VGCC students to design, procure parts, manufacture parts and construct the car. It’s obviously not a cinch to construct a car, for it is a really arduous and tedious process. And the limelight that comes after a really good model is made is completely well-deserving. For example, the Cybertruck Takes A Joy Ride Through Pop Culture right after it was unveiled and has already become popular with all celebrities. But anyway, after Mechatronics Engineering Technology students designed the basic layout, Welding Technology student Joshua Pfohl of Wilton, with assistance from classmate Jared Q. Siemers of Wake Forest, fabricated the frame of the car. From there, the Welding team worked with the Mechatronics students, including Jerry Pierce, Jr. of Stem, Thomas Boyd of Henderson, Kyle Painter of Berea and Charles Nordcliff of Creedmoor, to complete construction and start testing. The drivers for the team were recruited from among the VGCC student body. Driving the car and setting the driving strategy in the final race of the weekend were Jessica Baker of Wake Forest (a pre-Nursing/general education student), Alexa Clayton of Rougemont (Cosmetology) and Olivia Williamson of Oxford (Radiography). None of the students had raced before.
Faculty members leading the effort included Applied Technologies Department Chair Keith Shearon, Welding Program Head Rusty Pace and Engineering Technologies Program Head Wesley Williams.
A number of local business sponsors joined to support the effort, including PowerSecure of Wake Forest, Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC of Henderson, Vance County Tourism/East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame, VanNess Chevrolet of Creedmoor, Duke Energy, Toyota of Henderson and Superior Tooling of Wake Forest. In addition, Action Graphics & Signs of Bullock affixed graphics representing the sponsors onto the sides of the car and provided some parts and expertise. The college’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant funded many of the components and raw materials for the collaborative project.
The Greenpower Grand Prix at IMS featured 27 teams from the United States and Britain coming together to race. The Indy event included two 90-minute races over the 2.6-mile MotoGP layout, during which pit stops were conducted for two driver changes. VGCC’s car placed 21st in the first race and came in 13th in the second. At the finish of the second race, the VGCC car was the fastest on the track. “For that car to have never run a race before, show up and run two races without failing during either, and to finish 13th in the second race, is a phenomenal feat,” Shearon said. He added that the drivers achieved faster speeds than he had expected. Being at the enormous speedway, student Jerry Pierce added, was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
GreenpowerUSA racecars are built to a specification that includes a single-sourced 24V DC electric motor and two specific 12V DC batteries that are meant to provide similar performance capability between teams, according to Shearon. Teams focus on the engineering problems of reducing friction, total driver/vehicle weight, increasing reliability, and improving aerodynamics. The largest technical challenges are chassis and bodywork design.
“The GreenpowerUSA program is a very good STEM catalyst,” Shearon said. “These projects promote science, technology, engineering and math to students through a hands-on experience as team members. GreenpowerUSA builds teamwork, releases creative energy and inspires confidence through personal achievement.” He added that the effort was “groundbreaking for VGCC, in the sense that we’re going way outside of our community and getting some recognition for our engineering and welding programs.” Shearon expressed his appreciation to the Welding and Mechatronics programs for collaborating so well, and to the local community sponsors for supporting the team.
Shearon said that the college plans to expand the program next year with more cars and hopes to encourage other local schools and colleges to compete. For more information on the TAACCCT grant program and participating in the next GreenpowerUSA project as a student, contact Zane Styers at styersz@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3342 or Keith Shearon at shearonj@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3256.
–VGCC–
Update: Water Situation in Henderson
/by WIZS StaffPRESS RELEASE
FROM CITY MANAGER FRANK FRAZIER
CITY OF HENDERSON, NC
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2017
THE KERR LAKE REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM IS NOW PUMPING FINISHED WATER AT ITS NORMAL RATE. MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION HAS BEEN LIFTED; HOWEVER THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
BASED ON THE CONTINUAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PUMP RUN FAILURE IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE SCADA (SUPERVISORY CONTROL AND DATA ACQUISITION) SYSTEM.
Henderson Mayor Proclaims Wound Care Awareness Week
/by WIZS StaffHenderson Mayor, Eddie Ellington signed an official proclamation declaring June 5th through June 9th Wound Care Awareness Week in Henderson, North Carolina. Maria Parham Advanced Wound Center, a member of the Healogics network, is helping raise awareness of chronic wounds. The fourth annual Wound Care Awareness Week is being held from June 5 to June 9. One of nearly 800 Healogics-managed Centers; Maria Parham Advanced Wound Center offers advanced therapies to patients suffering from chronic wounds. Program Directors across the nation will dedicate the entire week to educating physicians, patients and the general public about the chronic wound epidemic and the advanced wound care solutions.
It is estimated that chronic wounds affect 6.7 million people in the U.S. and the incidence is rising, fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity and the late effects of radiation therapy. If left untreated, chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life and possibly amputation of the affected limb.
“We see patients living with non-healing wounds for a prolonged amount of time due to the lack of awareness of advanced wound care options,” said D. Scott Covington, MD, FACS, Chief Medical Director for Healogics. “We work to educate community physicians about which of their patients can benefit from advanced wound care, and then provide coordinated care to heal that patient’s wounds.”
People with wounds that have not improved with traditional methods of treatment may benefit from a visit to Maria Parham Advanced Wound Center. Visit www.woundcareawarenessweek.com to learn more about Wound Care Awareness Week and to hear from patients about how wound healing changed their life. To schedule an appointment, please call (252) 436-1700 or visit https://www.mariaparham.com/.
News 06/06/17
/by LarryBoil Water Advisory in Effect in Franklin County
/by WIZS StaffFranklin County, June 6, 2017: Franklin County Public Utilities has issued a boil water advisory until further notice. Franklin County’s main water supplier, the City of Henderson, has experienced pump failures which has led to low water pressure in their system.
Customers and the general public will be notified when the boil water advisory has been lifted.
Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses.
Franklin County Citizens are advised to boil all water used for human consumption
Boil Water Advisory
/by John C. RoseRobot call advises water users to boil water.
The robot call to customers on Monday night said, “Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant is back producing water at this time. Normal system water pressure is expected sometime tomorrow (Tuesday). There may be fire hydrants flowing water to help in this process. Do not call 911 to report this. The City of Henderson is issuing a boil water advisory for human consumption until further notice.”
The robot call was received by WIZS News at 9:30 p.m. Monday.
WRAL.com has published “Henderson, Oxford residents under boil water advisory after pump malfunction.” Click the WRAL link for more.
Vance Charter School Reinstates Principal by 9-4 Vote
/by John C. RoseMonday night in closed session, the Vance Charter School board voted 9-4 to reinstate its principal, Sean Connolly.
The closed session lasted 30 minutes, followed by the announcement that Connolly was reinstated as principal with stipulations until July 17th.
Connolly was suspended in late April, and the news story from that date is linked here.
The stipulations were not named. The chairman of the board of directors at Vance Charter School, Billy Davidson, told WIZS News, “And the reason being, I think that’s a private kind of thing. It’s what we think he needs to (do), what changes need to be made and what he needs to accomplish.”
The approaching end of the school year is one reason Connolly was reinstated before the charges against him were resolved by the court system. Those court proceedings are presently continued until June 12th. “That’s the reason we had to do something because we needed him desperately to be back to help Dr. Read close out this year and make plans for next year. We only had one administrator, and when you’ve got the number of students we have with one administrator, it is difficult. We were starting to get into some serious trouble,” Davidson said.
As to the reinstatement lasting until July 17th, pending any court decision, Davidson said, “That’s a regular July meeting, and that’s one of the reasons we picked that date. And, we’ll discuss the stipulations and the progress and go from there.”
Monday’s 9-4 vote was done by closed vote, but Davidson said all the votes were read out loud so everybody would know what the vote was. No one knows who voted how, but everyone knows what the number was.
Vance County Schools Bus Driver Places 7th at NC School Bus Roadeo
/by WIZS StaffVance County Schools
For Immediate Release
June 5, 2017
Keith Purnell, a school bus driver for Northern Vance High School and E.M. Rollins Elementary School, placed seventh in the state in the annual N.C. School Bus Roadeo held in Raleigh on May 25.
He was among 29 of the state’s best school bus drivers who navigated a yellow school bus through an obstacle course that tested their skills in mastering a diminishing clearance, backing, making a tight turn and parallel parking.
The competing drivers had to place among the best in their school district’s roadeo and in regional competition to reach the state finals.
The N.C. School Bus Roadeo was held on the N.C. State Fairgrounds.
Breaking News: City of Henderson Issues Mandatory Water Conservation
/by WIZS StaffPRESS RELEASE
FROM CITY MANAGER FRANK FRAZIER
CITY OF HENDERSON, NC
MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017
THE KERR LAKE REGIONAL WATER PLANT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES WITH ITS PUMPS. THIS ISSUE IS BEING ADDRESSED, BUT AT THIS TIME IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW LONG IT WILL BE BEFORE IT IS BACK TO FULL CAPACITY. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM EXCESSIVE USE OF WATER DURING THIS TIME.
Granville County Animal Management to Hold Free Rabies Clinic for Cats and Dogs
/by WIZS StaffOxford, June 5, 2017- Granville County Animal Management will hold a free Rabies clinic at the Granville County Animal Shelter from 9 am-12 pm on Saturday, June 24, 2017. The clinic is made possible by a generous Granville County resident who wishes to remain anonymous.
“Making sure your dog and cat are current on Rabies vaccination ensures you and your animals do not get infected with the Rabies virus,” commented Animal Management Director, Matt Katz.
Rabies is a viral disease that may affect the spinal cord and brain of all mammals, including cats, dogs, and humans, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the acute form of the disease typically lasts for two to ten days before it becomes clinical. Once clinical signs of the disease appears, Rabies is nearly always fatal. Vaccinations are absolutely key to prevention of the spread of the Rabies disease.
The Granville County Humane Society will also be present at the free clinic, providing a microchipping service for dogs and cats at $20 per chip. Animal Advocates also will be present providing dog tags for a donation.
Please keep dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier when coming to the Rabies clinic.
The Granville County Animal Shelter is located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford.
For more information, please contact Granville County Animal Management at 919.693.6749 or by emailing shelter@granvillecounty.org.
###
About Granville County Government: Granville County Government enhances the quality of life for the citizens of the County by providing an array of services through a responsive, effective, and efficient local government. Learn more at www.granvillecounty.org. Follow Granville County Government on Facebook @GranvilleCountyGov.
VGCC team competes in electric car race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
/by WIZS StaffTeamwork is what got a group from Vance-Granville Community College onto the track at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway — not only the teamwork demonstrated by students and faculty from curriculum programs at the college, but also by a team of sponsors from the community who supported them.
For the first time, VGCC sent a team to compete in an event as part of the GreenpowerUSA racing series supported by Siemens and the Sports Car Club of America. GreenpowerUSA is a national organization that promotes education in sustainable engineering and technology by offering challenges for schools based around designing and building a single-seat, electric-powered racecar. The series is open to middle schools, high schools, colleges and corporate teams. After the University of Alabama dropped out of this year’s GreenpowerUSA program, VGCC was the sole remaining college at the Greenpower Grand Prix at Indianapolis on May 1.
The Indy race followed a 10-week period of intense work by VGCC students to design, procure parts, manufacture parts and construct the car. It’s obviously not a cinch to construct a car, for it is a really arduous and tedious process. And the limelight that comes after a really good model is made is completely well-deserving. For example, the Cybertruck Takes A Joy Ride Through Pop Culture right after it was unveiled and has already become popular with all celebrities. But anyway, after Mechatronics Engineering Technology students designed the basic layout, Welding Technology student Joshua Pfohl of Wilton, with assistance from classmate Jared Q. Siemers of Wake Forest, fabricated the frame of the car. From there, the Welding team worked with the Mechatronics students, including Jerry Pierce, Jr. of Stem, Thomas Boyd of Henderson, Kyle Painter of Berea and Charles Nordcliff of Creedmoor, to complete construction and start testing. The drivers for the team were recruited from among the VGCC student body. Driving the car and setting the driving strategy in the final race of the weekend were Jessica Baker of Wake Forest (a pre-Nursing/general education student), Alexa Clayton of Rougemont (Cosmetology) and Olivia Williamson of Oxford (Radiography). None of the students had raced before.
Faculty members leading the effort included Applied Technologies Department Chair Keith Shearon, Welding Program Head Rusty Pace and Engineering Technologies Program Head Wesley Williams.
A number of local business sponsors joined to support the effort, including PowerSecure of Wake Forest, Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC of Henderson, Vance County Tourism/East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame, VanNess Chevrolet of Creedmoor, Duke Energy, Toyota of Henderson and Superior Tooling of Wake Forest. In addition, Action Graphics & Signs of Bullock affixed graphics representing the sponsors onto the sides of the car and provided some parts and expertise. The college’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant funded many of the components and raw materials for the collaborative project.
The Greenpower Grand Prix at IMS featured 27 teams from the United States and Britain coming together to race. The Indy event included two 90-minute races over the 2.6-mile MotoGP layout, during which pit stops were conducted for two driver changes. VGCC’s car placed 21st in the first race and came in 13th in the second. At the finish of the second race, the VGCC car was the fastest on the track. “For that car to have never run a race before, show up and run two races without failing during either, and to finish 13th in the second race, is a phenomenal feat,” Shearon said. He added that the drivers achieved faster speeds than he had expected. Being at the enormous speedway, student Jerry Pierce added, was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
GreenpowerUSA racecars are built to a specification that includes a single-sourced 24V DC electric motor and two specific 12V DC batteries that are meant to provide similar performance capability between teams, according to Shearon. Teams focus on the engineering problems of reducing friction, total driver/vehicle weight, increasing reliability, and improving aerodynamics. The largest technical challenges are chassis and bodywork design.
“The GreenpowerUSA program is a very good STEM catalyst,” Shearon said. “These projects promote science, technology, engineering and math to students through a hands-on experience as team members. GreenpowerUSA builds teamwork, releases creative energy and inspires confidence through personal achievement.” He added that the effort was “groundbreaking for VGCC, in the sense that we’re going way outside of our community and getting some recognition for our engineering and welding programs.” Shearon expressed his appreciation to the Welding and Mechatronics programs for collaborating so well, and to the local community sponsors for supporting the team.
Shearon said that the college plans to expand the program next year with more cars and hopes to encourage other local schools and colleges to compete. For more information on the TAACCCT grant program and participating in the next GreenpowerUSA project as a student, contact Zane Styers at styersz@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3342 or Keith Shearon at shearonj@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3256.
–VGCC–