The Cannon Foundation Board of Directors recently approved a $150,000 grant to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund to renovate a 3,200-square-foot space on the college’s Main Campus for an Emergency Simulation Lab.
The new lab will enable law enforcement and emergency services departments in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties to train and certify their current and future public safety workers using a realistic scenario-based curriculum in a controlled environment.
The grant will be used, along with funds from the Connect NC bond (approved by North Carolina voters earlier this year), to complete the final phase of Building 10, which opened in August on the main campus in Vance County. The building houses classrooms, labs and faculty for VGCC’s law enforcement, fire/rescue and emergency medical services education and training programs.
“We are very pleased to receive this grant, because it will allow Vance-Granville to further enhance our vital partnerships with the local agencies that protect and serve our communities,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “We’re excited about the possibilities that this new lab will provide for us to serve students and our public safety partners.”
The Cannon Foundation, based in Concord, N.C., is part of the philanthropic legacy of Charles A. Cannon, an industrialist and humanitarian who was president and chairman of Cannon Mills Company for more than half a century.
“Our region is fortunate that VGCC has hands-on, real-life emergency simulation equipment to train students and professionals in public safety careers,” said Kaine Riggan, VGCC’s grants and government relations coordinator. “The simulation lab will give us a new facility in which to provide training for first responders throughout our four counties to be prepared for emergency scenarios, which saves lives.”
VGCC’s PRISim ShootBack system, for instance, fires plastic ammunition up to 110 miles per hour, teaching life-saving defense techniques and methods for using less-than-lethal force, when appropriate.
The college is currently seeking a $15,000 sponsor for a new EMS simulation mannequin that can, among other things, simulate stroke symptoms, ensuring that students are more prepared to recognize and call the stroke code into the ER, where saving even a minute can save a life.
VGCC is now starting the design phase of the renovation project, which will complete the overhaul of the 16,000-square-foot building, a former commercial structure that was purchased by the college in 2010.
Town Talk 10/14/16
/by CharleneVance-Granville awarded $150k for public safety training
/by WIZS StaffThe Cannon Foundation Board of Directors recently approved a $150,000 grant to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund to renovate a 3,200-square-foot space on the college’s Main Campus for an Emergency Simulation Lab.
The new lab will enable law enforcement and emergency services departments in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties to train and certify their current and future public safety workers using a realistic scenario-based curriculum in a controlled environment.
The grant will be used, along with funds from the Connect NC bond (approved by North Carolina voters earlier this year), to complete the final phase of Building 10, which opened in August on the main campus in Vance County. The building houses classrooms, labs and faculty for VGCC’s law enforcement, fire/rescue and emergency medical services education and training programs.
“We are very pleased to receive this grant, because it will allow Vance-Granville to further enhance our vital partnerships with the local agencies that protect and serve our communities,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “We’re excited about the possibilities that this new lab will provide for us to serve students and our public safety partners.”
The Cannon Foundation, based in Concord, N.C., is part of the philanthropic legacy of Charles A. Cannon, an industrialist and humanitarian who was president and chairman of Cannon Mills Company for more than half a century.
“Our region is fortunate that VGCC has hands-on, real-life emergency simulation equipment to train students and professionals in public safety careers,” said Kaine Riggan, VGCC’s grants and government relations coordinator. “The simulation lab will give us a new facility in which to provide training for first responders throughout our four counties to be prepared for emergency scenarios, which saves lives.”
VGCC’s PRISim ShootBack system, for instance, fires plastic ammunition up to 110 miles per hour, teaching life-saving defense techniques and methods for using less-than-lethal force, when appropriate.
The college is currently seeking a $15,000 sponsor for a new EMS simulation mannequin that can, among other things, simulate stroke symptoms, ensuring that students are more prepared to recognize and call the stroke code into the ER, where saving even a minute can save a life.
VGCC is now starting the design phase of the renovation project, which will complete the overhaul of the 16,000-square-foot building, a former commercial structure that was purchased by the college in 2010.
News 10/14/16
/by LarryHurricane Matthew inflicts significant damage on N.C. agriculture
/by WIZS StaffThe flood water hasn’t receded yet, but initial reports show that North Carolina’s agricultural industries took a beating from Hurricane Matthew. State ag officials do not have damage estimates, but the 48 counties affected by the storm are some of North Carolina’s largest ag counties.
“The eastern counties represent 71 percent of the state’s total farm cash receipts,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “While lots of crops were harvested before the storm, many crops, such as soybeans, sweet potatoes, peanuts and cotton, were just in the early stages of harvest.”
The 48 counties accounted for more than $9.6 billion of the $13.5 billion in farm cash receipts in 2014.
In addition to crops, Eastern North Carolina also has a large poultry and swine population. Initial reports show that 1.9 million birds, mostly broiler chickens, have died as a result of the storm. However, considering the extent of the flooding, State Veterinarian Doug Meckes expects that number to rise. North Carolina growers raise more than 800 million birds each year.
Veterinary officials and the department’s Environmental Programs Division staff are working with growers on proper disposal of the birds. Troxler requested and was granted a $6 million grant from FEMA to purchase carbon material to compost the carcasses and mitigate the potential public health risk. Composting is the preferred method of disposal as it reduces leeching of farm waste, reduces pest and disease issues and prevents odor issues. The finished compost can then be used for agricultural purposes. Farms have begun requesting carbon materials and deliveries began today.
The hog industry did a good job preparing for this event and taking proactive measures to reduce populations or move hogs to higher ground. As of press time, there are limited reports of swine deaths and no known hog lagoon breaches. NCDA&CS is not the regulatory agency that oversees hog lagoons.
“The industry learned a lot since Hurricane Floyd in 1999,” said Troxler. Many hog farms in the 100-year flood plain were closed through a swine buyout program overseen by our Soil and Water Conservation Division.”
Farmers needing assistance can call the Ag Emergency Hotline at 1-866-645-9403. The department is operating the hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Loose Leaf Collection to Begin October 24th for Henderson Residents
/by WIZS StaffLoose leaf collection will begin the week of October 24th, 2016, and will end Mid-January. This involves the use of a vacuum machine and trucks therefore it is essential that leaves be free of rocks, trash and limbs so that the equipment is not damaged. You may continue to bag the leaves or place in a container; however, it is not required until the loose leaf pickup season is over.
Make certain that no leaves are left on top of your water meter. Leaves will generally be picked up on a two or three week rotation; however, this is dependent on weather conditions and leaf accumulation. If you have any questions, contact the Public Services Department at 252-431-6115 or 252-431-6118. Also, please keep in mind after January 17, 2017, if leaves are not bagged there will be a $75.00 charge.
Town Talk 10/13/16
/by CharleneCooperative Extension with Jean Bell 10/13/16
/by CharleneCarolina Panthers Announce $250,000 in Grant Funding
/by WIZS StaffHigh Schools in North and South Carolina eligible to apply for funding to replace essentials including athletic equipment and other athletics infrastructure.
Carolina Panthers Charities is providing $250,000 in grant funding to assist high school athletic programs in North and South Carolina that have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Matthew and the storm’s aftermath. The grants are designed to assist high school athletic programs in the replacement or repair of equipment, supplies or athletic infrastructure lost or damaged due to the recent catastrophic hurricane damage that has impacted large portions of North and South Carolina.
High school athletic programs have the opportunity to apply for grant funding from Carolina Panthers Charities to assist in their storm recovery efforts. Grant applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a deadline for consideration of November 11, 2016. The team will work in conjunction with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association and South Carolina High School League and other partnership agencies to distribute the grant application to member schools. In addition, schools may also download the application on panthers.com/ community.
“The recent hurricane and subsequent flooding events has been devastating for many communities across the region with many high schools sustaining loss or damage to athletic equipment or facilities,” said Riley Fields, Carolina Panthers director of community relations. “The Carolina Panthers hope this grant funding will enable schools, and the communities they serve, to return to a sense of normalcy by helping meet the important basic needs of high school athletic programs.”
In October 2015, Carolina Panthers Charities provided $250,000 in grant funding which aided 19 high schools in South Carolina following catastrophic flooding that impacted the region.
Contact:
Riley Fields
Carolina Panthers Director of Community Relations
704 358-7469
Riley.fields@panthers.nfl.com
Peter Vacho
Carolina Panthers Military & Football Outreach Manager
704 358-7436
Peter.vacho@panthers.nfl.com
WIZS Radio is a Carolina Panthers Radio Network Affiliate.
Duke Energy helps Eaton-Johnson Students have fun
/by WIZS StaffThe National Theatre for Children, sponsored by Duke Energy, provided two actors to perform several sketches for students at Eaton-Johnson Middle School on October 6.
The sketches or skits were entitled “Save the World” and focused on energy conservation covering a wide range of topics including using low energy light bulbs, energy efficient shower nozzles, being conservative with water usage and turning off lights when you leave a room.
Students laughed at the antics of the two male actors as they quickly changed costumes and became different characters during the sketches. Several Eaton-Johnson students volunteered to help in the sketches. The actors mostly portrayed middle school aged students who were learning about how to conserve energy both at school and home.
Eaton-Johnson Middle School is part of the Duke Energy program to help save 10 million kilowatt-hours of energy this school year. Schools in five different states are involved in the conservation effort. Parents and students at Eaton-Johnson have already received information on how to request a free Energy Kit. For each 100 Energy Kits ordered at the school, Duke Energy will provide a $250 prize to the school. The school with the most kit requests by December 31 will win $2,500.
Items in each Energy Kit are LED light bulbs, an LED night light, an energy efficient shower head, faucet aerators, switch/outlet gasket insulators and more.
Parents, students and school staff members can visit myenergykit.org to track energy conservation at the school and the number of kits ordered.
Rehoboth United Methodist Church endows VGCC Scholarship
/by WIZS StaffA new scholarship has been endowed at Vance-Granville Community College by Rehoboth United Methodist Church, carrying on the legacy of a Granville County native and educator.
The church, located in Vance County between Henderson and Oxford and less than five miles from the college’s Main Campus, received a bequest from the estate of Marie Wilson Thomson. A onetime church member who passed away in 2014 at age 87, she is buried in Oxford and left portions of her estate to several area churches.
Thomson, a schoolteacher who began her career in education in Stovall before teaching for 30 years at an elementary school in San Diego, California, left instructions that the bequest be used to benefit high school seniors entering their first year of college. Church leaders decided that one way they would use the funds would be to create a scholarship at VGCC. The church’s contribution to the college represents approximately 10 percent — in religious terms, a tithe — of the sizable Thomson bequest, the remainder of which will be awarded as scholarships to youth in their congregation. The VGCC scholarship will be awarded in the church’s name as a Presidential Scholar Award, the college’s largest, most prestigious level of endowed scholarship.
“We wanted to help our whole community,” said Donald Clayton, the church’s lay leader, of the VGCC endowment. “A scholarship like this can provide hope for a student and maybe change their lives.”
In awarding the scholarship, preference will be given to residents of Granville or Vance counties who are enrolling as full-time students at the college immediately after graduating from high school and meet certain academic requirements.
“We are honored that the members and leaders of Rehoboth United Methodist Church have entrusted us with a gift that will support students for generations to come,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “It is a truly fitting tribute to the generosity and vision of Mrs. Thomson, who devoted her life to education.”
Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 8,500 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.