The Henderson City Council approved on Monday the creation of two new staff positions – a public information officer who will report to the city manager and a part-time administrative support position to assist the mayor’s office with scheduling and other tasks.
The council voted unanimously for the public information officer position, but the vote was 6-2 in favor of the part-time position. Council members Lamont Noel and Sam Seifert cast the no votes.
“It’s one of the areas that we’re lacking in,” said City Manager Terrell Blackmon during his presentation about the public information officer to the council during the Oct. 14 monthly meeting.
The salary range for the PIO would be between about $66,000 and $99,000, according to information in the meeting’s agenda packet. Among other things, Blackmon said the PIO would be the person to handle marketing, social media and “proactive media outreach.”
Although the salary is not in the current budget, Blackmon said it shouldn’t be a problem to fund the position. “I think we’re in a position now that we can fund this position,” he said.
A list of general job duties was included in the agenda packet, including serving as the city’s source of information about various programs, policies and activities and “developing a voice for the City and community that builds trust by prioritizing transparency and accuracy.”
Following a request by Council Member Garry Daeke, Blackmon said he would provide a full job description to the full council for review before hiring.
Seifert asked whether the current budget contains money for the PIO position.
“We have reserves that we can fund that position,” Blackmon said.
As for the administrative support position, Noel asked whether those job responsibilities already fall to the mayor, manager, mayor pro tem or the clerk. Blackmon said there are duties that are above and beyond what the city clerk is able to do.
The part-time position would be for between 20 and 24 hours a week, with a pay range of between $18 and $20/hr. for a total annual salary to be about $12,000, Blackmon said.
Among the part-time assistant’s duties will be planning meetings and events, and representing the mayor at some of those events, responding to correspondence and keeping track of the mayor’s calendar, filing system and assisting the mayor at community events, presentations and appearances.
The Local Skinny! Fall Festival At Perry Memorial Library
/by WIZS StaffPerry Memorial Library is getting ready for its fall festival, and Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said there will be something for everyone to enjoy, including carnival games and more.
The festival will be Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the weather forecast is calling for perfect autumn weather, with sunny skies and temps in the 60s.
But, Peters said, you always have to have a Plan B. This event will be rain or shine, she said. And in the off chance that the weather doesn’t cooperate to have the fall festival outside, they’ll simply move the activities inside.
Kids, make sure you tell your parents to stick around after the festival, because that’s when the Trunk or Treat takes place.
Peters said last year’s Trunk or Treat was a big success. “This year, we want to do it bigger and better,” she said.
Community partners and library staff are teaming up for another fun Trunk or Treat and will have their vehicle trunks all decorated and ready with treats to distribute to the youngsters who stop by on their way from the fall festival.
Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn about all the programs and services offered. The library is located at 205 Breckenridge St.
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TownTalk: Salvation Army Basketball Tournament Fundraiser
/by WIZS StaffThe Salvation Army is looking for another basketball team to come out and support its inaugural effort to raise money for playground improvements.
Three teams are signed up, but the Salvation Army’s Boys & Girls Club Area Director Hope Allen said she’d like one more to sign up, which would allow for a double-elimination format for the event, which takes place Saturday, Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Salvation Army’s gym, 2092 Ross Mill Rd.
“The more teams we have, the better the outcome,” she said.
There’s a $150 entry fee per team, Allen said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. The deadline to register is this Friday, Oct. 18.
Many in the community have driven past the facility, or stopped in for a program, church service or summer camp, but Allen said the basketball games “invite people to the Salvation Army in a different way.”
Tickets are $3 for spectators, and there will be plenty of music and concessions to enjoy during the event.
Team members should be 18 years or older, Allen said. And individuals can just give her a call at 252. 438.7107 and she’ll help connect them with a team they can join.
The proceeds will go to make improvements to the playground, which is used by Club kids and others in the community.
Right now, there are close to 70 children who participate in programming at the Salvation Army. “I try my best to lead and support a good team of professionals here to teach and reach every child served,” Allen said.
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Cooperative Extension With Michael Ellington: Micronutrients
/by WIZS StaffCooperative Extension
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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Henderson City Council Approves Adding Two Staff Positions
/by WIZS StaffThe Henderson City Council approved on Monday the creation of two new staff positions – a public information officer who will report to the city manager and a part-time administrative support position to assist the mayor’s office with scheduling and other tasks.
The council voted unanimously for the public information officer position, but the vote was 6-2 in favor of the part-time position. Council members Lamont Noel and Sam Seifert cast the no votes.
“It’s one of the areas that we’re lacking in,” said City Manager Terrell Blackmon during his presentation about the public information officer to the council during the Oct. 14 monthly meeting.
The salary range for the PIO would be between about $66,000 and $99,000, according to information in the meeting’s agenda packet. Among other things, Blackmon said the PIO would be the person to handle marketing, social media and “proactive media outreach.”
Although the salary is not in the current budget, Blackmon said it shouldn’t be a problem to fund the position. “I think we’re in a position now that we can fund this position,” he said.
A list of general job duties was included in the agenda packet, including serving as the city’s source of information about various programs, policies and activities and “developing a voice for the City and community that builds trust by prioritizing transparency and accuracy.”
Following a request by Council Member Garry Daeke, Blackmon said he would provide a full job description to the full council for review before hiring.
Seifert asked whether the current budget contains money for the PIO position.
“We have reserves that we can fund that position,” Blackmon said.
As for the administrative support position, Noel asked whether those job responsibilities already fall to the mayor, manager, mayor pro tem or the clerk. Blackmon said there are duties that are above and beyond what the city clerk is able to do.
The part-time position would be for between 20 and 24 hours a week, with a pay range of between $18 and $20/hr. for a total annual salary to be about $12,000, Blackmon said.
Among the part-time assistant’s duties will be planning meetings and events, and representing the mayor at some of those events, responding to correspondence and keeping track of the mayor’s calendar, filing system and assisting the mayor at community events, presentations and appearances.
Granville DSS Director Receives Alumni Honor From University Of North Florida
/by WIZS StaffGranville County Department of Social Services Director LaToya Toussaint was recently honored by the University of North Florida Black Alumni Association for achievement as a non-profit professional. Toussaint received the award, along with other alumni, at a ceremony in Jacksonville, FL.
Toussaint began her current role in Granville County in 2023 and has more than 18 years of experience in Human Services in North Carolina and Florida, both in the public and private sectors. Before coming to lead the Granville County DSS, Toussaint was the senior deputy director of Health and Human Services in Wake County.
Before moving to North Carolina, Toussaint had various leadership roles in Florida’s public and private sectors, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. She was Broward County’s human services administrator and a case manager with the Florida Department of Children and Families, in addition to other positions within child welfare, early childhood education and mental and behavioral health programs.
She also served on local and statewide committees and work groups which continue to influence decision-making across Florida today.
In addition to this latest recognition from the UNF Black Alumni Association, Toussaint has been a National Peer Reviewer with the Council on Accreditation since 2018. She was recognized by Nonprofits First of Palm Beach County as a Rising Leader in 2016 and honored on Legacy Magazines’ “40 Under 40” list of recognized professionals from across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties in 2017.
The University of North Florida Black Alumni Association focuses on financial contributions, direct personal involvement, and engaging the current minority population at UNF. The organization advocates for the needs of minority alumni and current students to university administration and the broader UNF alumni organization.
Toussaint holds a bachelor’s degree in health science and a dual master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management from UNF.
Warren Holds Public Hearing On Grant Funding Wednesday, Oct. 16
/by WIZS StaffThe second of two public hearings for the county’s application for Community Development Block Grant – Neighborhood Revitalization funding will be held Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the Armory Civic Center in Warrenton.
The public hearing begins at 6 p.m.
Warren County Community & Economic Development received more than 40 applications from homeowners between July 22 and Aug. 20. The applications were pre-scored and those with the highest scores were contacted for a site assessment to determine overall expected repair costs.
If the county is awarded CDBG-NR funding through the N.C. Rural Economic Development Division, all project activities will serve households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the Warren County median income for appropriate household size. Funding provided through the CDBG-NR program does not require a local match. The grant application will be made to the state this month.
“From the number of applications we received, it is very apparent that housing repair is a need for county residents,” said Community Development Division Manager Rose Ponton. “Submitting this application will be one step on the path to addressing housing challenges in Warren County.”
This information is available in Spanish and any other language upon request. Please contact Rose Ponton, Community Development Division Manager, at 252-257-3115 or at 602 W. Ridgeway St., Warrenton, for accommodation of this request.
State Of Transportation Topic Of Oct. 30 ‘Lunch And Learn’
/by WIZS StaffThe “State of Transportation” Lunch and Learn session sponsored by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 12 noon at the Henderson Country Club.
NCDOT Division 5 Engineer Brandon Jones is scheduled to be the featured speaker. Jones, a 28-year employee of NCDOT, oversees operations for the seven counties in Division 5 which includes project development, project delivery, maintenance of roads and bridges and traffic operations. Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin counties are included in Division 5, along with Person, Durham and Wake counties.
The cost per person is $30 or $240 for a table of eight and lunch is included. Please register by Oct. 25.
To register, contact the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 or email Chamber Director of Admin & Marketing Tanya Weary at tanya@hendersonvance.org.
SportsTalk: Vance County vs. South Granville Football Game Recap
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap the football game between Vance County and South Granville, in which the Vipers came out on top 12-7. The guys also discuss other high school games around the area, right here on SportsTalk.
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 10-14-24 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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The Local Skinny! Brick Power Team Weightlifting Event Coming Up
/by WIZS StaffThe Brick Power Team is hosting a “Beast On The Bench” power lifting meet next month, and it’s power lifting with a purpose – raising money to help two local women who have helped so many in the community.
Harry Orr, executive director of the Brick Power Team, said every penny raised at the Oct. 26 meet will be given to Sara Coffey and Marsha Ranes, both of whom are facing health challenges.
The meet will be held at the Brick, located beside Freedom Life Church of God, 1001 Martin Creek Rd., Henderson.
“They’re real dear to me and to a whole lot (of others) in the community,” Orr said recently.
Both Coffey and Ranes have helped him with everything he’s ever done, Orr said, so it’s only fitting that he and his organization offer help in return.
“One hundred percent of what we take in, we will split up” to donate to the two women as they battle health challenges. “We don’t keep any of it,” he said, but added that he has begun to give the church 10 percent because of its faithfulness to the ministry that does so much good in the community. “The church is always behind us,” Orr said.
In fact, Coffey herself was among the 2022 class inducted into the North Carolina State Strength Sports Hall of Fame for the support she’s provided over the years to the sport.
At one time, he said, power lifting was a big sport, and there’s a renewed interest lately among participants and those who just enjoy watching.
“It’s kind of building back up,” Orr said of local enthusiasm for the sport. “We’re getting more and more lifters each time we put (an event) on,” he said. “We’ve got them coming back in – it’s building up real good.”
Entry fees are $50 for adults and $40 for teens. Spectators pay $5, and children 12 and under get in free.
Contact Orr at 252.432.4196 or by email at horr2553@yahoo.com to get registered and to learn details about the different classes and age brackets for the meet.
Weigh-ins will be held Friday, Oct. 25 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Rules will be reviewed at 9:15 a.m. and the meet will begin at 10 a.m.
Trophies will be awarded for first and second place.
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