Garry Daeke isn’t up for re-election this year. But the Ward 3 representative on the Henderson City Council said the upcoming municipal election is shaping up to put some new people in leadership roles. And there will be plenty of issues for him and his fellow council members to consider, from housing to downtown revitalization, just for starters.
“Every (election) cycle, we get some new folks in,” Daeke said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “I appreciate all the new folks and their ideas and the camaraderie,” he added.
As he sees it, council members would be well served to focus on helping to create a path for the city that considers for its residents safety, affordability and living happily together.
Sometimes, he admitted, that takes a little effort.
One project that seems to be gaining momentum is the mixed-use development that is planned for Dabney Road, just behind Aldi and Lowe’s Home Improvement. Originally referred to as Berry Village, recent documents have called it Dabney Village.
Whatever the name, the 123-acre project has cleared all the hurdles necessary to get going in earnest, Daeke said.
“All the city permits are done and it’s ready to begin,” he said. Next up is water and sewer, as well as working with DOT for road configuration and entrances to the community, which will include apartments, townhomes and single-family homes as well as retail and other amenities.
It offers a housing opportunity and a community opportunity that people haven’t had in Henderson, Daeke said.
This is something creative, new and exciting for Henderson, he said. It’ll take some city money up front to get things right, he added, but there should be a good return on that investment, but good planning is key. “This is a very well-planned development,” he said. Developers hope to begin in the spring.
This also is the general area where the city was looking at constructing a new fire station.
“Our fire department is excellent, our (insurance) rating is excellent, our response times are excellent and we want to keep it that way.”
Between new construction and revitalization, there are plenty of reasons to get behind development in the city.
Sometimes, the wheels of progress turn slowly, especially when it comes to waking up a downtown area. But Daeke is watching and waiting – and hopeful.
“We’re going see it go crazy when we get this S Line lined up,” he said, referring to the proposed passenger and commuter rail service that includes a stop in Henderson. When that happens, “you’re going to see downtown as a destination to live, work and play again.”
It takes time to bring projects to full term, and it takes collaboration. But Daeke said it’s worth it.
“Working as a team, with others, to accomplish things for your community – it’s a wonderful thing to do.”
Click Play!
Franklin Commissioners Approve 5 Percent Pay Bump for Emergency Medical Services Staff
/by WIZS Staff-information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James Hicks
Salaries for Franklin County’s Emergency Medical Services staff got a 5 percent bump from county commissioners recently, all part of an effort to boost retention and recruitment.
The board Commissioners approved recommendations from County Manager Kim Denton to increase the pay.
“Franklin County EMS continues to experience challenges that are felt nationwide by EMS systems and healthcare organizations,” Denton said. “EMS works hard every day to answer calls and provide the highest quality care for Franklin County.”
Salary increases are aimed to retain qualified staff and increase recruitment efforts. In addition to increased salaries, Franklin County offers sign-on bonuses for all employees including $1,500 for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), $2,000 for Advanced EMT and $3,000 for Paramedics.
Franklin County also added another 12-hour peak demand shift in the FY24 budget. This second peak demand shift provides additional EMS coverage for hours that experience higher emergency call volumes. Additionally, Franklin County has committed to purchase at least one new ambulance each year because of the supply chain challenges across the nation.
Franklin County is conducting a job fair on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Franklin Plaza, 279 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg. Interested applicants can talk with department representatives about available positions during the job fair.
Enjoy Fresh Produce And More From Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market Vendors
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County Regional Farmers Market will be open one more Wednesday this season before it drops back to Saturday-only hours.
Wednesday, Aug. 30 marks the unofficial end to summertime at the Farmers Market, but Market Manager Pat Ayscue says vendors still have lots of produce as summer transitions to fall.
The vine-ripe tomatoes just keep getting better, Ayscue said. Fruits such as watermelons, cantaloupe, peaches and apples are displayed alongside veggies including peas, butterbeans, okra, sweet corn, squash, zucchini and onions
Ayscue encourages patrons to chat with vendors and farmers about the grass-fed beef and pork – and don’t forget the tasty farm-fresh eggs!
There’s local honey, delicious fresh baked goods as well as fresh-cut flowers and handcrafted items for sale.
The market will be open until sometime in December, Ayscue said. Saturday hours remain 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Stop by and put a smile on a farmer’s face where the produce is so fresh it looks like it’s still growing,” Ayscue says.
And, as always, thanks for supporting your local farmers market.
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Drive, just off Beckford Drive, Henderson.
Home and Garden Show
/by WIZS StaffThe Home and Garden Show for Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
Click play below for the audio, brought to you by Satterwhite Point Marina.
The Home and Garden Show airs each week on WIZS on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.
TownTalk: VGCC Community Engagement Sessions Begin Sept. 7
/by WIZS StaffA slight turn of phrase can provide a whole different perspective on things, and Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais is looking forward to hearing from the wider community as plans for the future develop.
Take the phrase “community college” for example. Change that to “community’s college,” and you gain some insight into plans for an upcoming series of community engagement nights the college is planning.
“We really want to listen to our community,” Desmarais said on Wednesday’s TownTalk. As a way of implementing its new theme, “Your Community, Your College,” Demarais said the meetings are a way to be intentional about creating a plan that will be the best fit for the communities that VGCC serves.
There’s always room for improvement, she said, and getting feedback from these meetings is a good start.
“We don’t want to stop doing something that is helpful,” she said, adding that “feedback is part of the learning process.”
As students in a classroom need feedback on their activities and work, so does an institution like VGCC, she said.
“If you don’t know what you’re doing right or wrong, you’re not learning anything,” she said.
Individuals interested in participating in the meetings are encouraged to RSVP. A link to the sessions is expected to be available on the www.vgcc.edu website Thursday.
Each session will begin at 6 p.m. and will last until about 7:30 p.m. Small groups – each with a VGCC rep and a person taking notes – will discuss various issues related to their community’s needs.
With the understanding that different people and different communities need different things, Desmarais said she wants VGCC to “be a convener and a catalyst” that brings different organizations together to work for common good.
“Little nudges that we each do can have a wonderful ripple effect in the end,” she said.
And that’s the point of the meetings – to point the community’s college in the direction that the community needs and wants in order to grow.
Below is a list of sites and dates for the community meetings:
Arrest Made In Early-Morning Robbery At Sheetz
/by WIZS Staff-information courtesy of Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow
A Vance County man was arrested early Wednesday by officers of the Henderson Police Department following the report of a robbery at the Sheetz on Ruin Creek Road.
Police officers responded to the call about 1:15 a.m., according to information from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
Barrow stated that a middle-aged black male entered the business and demanded the clerk to give him the money from the register or he would shoot. No weapon was seen, but the suspect indicated he had a firearm. The clerk gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash, and he then fled from the store taking a few other items.
Once on scene, the officers were able to gather vital information on the suspect and the vehicle used during the event through video, witnesses and other sources. Officers began searching the area and at 3:30 a.m., an officer observed the vehicle near Dabney Drive and Parham Street.
Taken into custody during a traffic stop at Parham and High streets was Howard Perry, Jr., 55, of Lone Wolf Drive. Perry was charged with robbery and possession of stolen goods. He was placed under a $150,000 bond and transported to the Vance County Detention Center.
Dr. Marion Lark Funeral Viewing Options
/by John C. RoseThe First Baptist Church of Henderson, NC issued a viewing link and options for Dr. Marion Lark’s funeral service.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 08-23-23 Noon
/by John C. RoseClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Henderson Mayoral Race Remains A 4-Way Race Following Hearing
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County Board of Elections ruled Tuesday afternoon that Henderson mayoral candidate Greg Etheridge may remain on the October ballot. Etheridge’s residency was called into question, but the board ruled in his favor during a hearing that began at 4 p.m.
Both Etheridge and challenger Sara Coffey, also a candidate for mayor, were present for the hearing, which lasted more than an hour. Coffey said she plans to appeal to the state board of elections; state law requires that appeals be made within 10 days of the local decision. The state board will decide whether to hear the appeal or uphold the local decision.
Etheridge and three sitting City Council members are competing for the office of mayor. Mayor Eddie Ellington announced earlier that he would not seek re-election. Melissa Elliott and Jason Spriggs are the other mayoral candidates rounding out the field.
The city’s nonpartisan municipal elections will be held on Oct. 10.
Early voting begins Sept. 21 and continues through Oct. 7, and Vance County Elections Director Melody Vaughan said the early voting site again will located at the Dr. Andrea L. Harris Operations Center on Beckford Drive.
The hours for early voting are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Saturday, Oct. 7 hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition to the mayor, candidates are vying for four seats on the Henderson City Council. Ward 2 incumbent Mike Rainey faces challengers Sam Seifert and Janice Ward, and four newcomers are in the race for the Ward 1 seat. Geraldine Champion, Symia Crews, Clementine Hunter and Corey Pearson are on the ballot for Ward 1, a seat currently held by Marion Brodie Williams, who did not seek re-election.
In two at-large races, Kory Franklin, Michael Venable and Michelle Wood are on the ballot for Ward 3 and George Daye, Lora Durham and Tami Walker are on the ballot for Ward 4.
The Local Skinny! Daeke On City Opportunities, New Faces On Council
/by Laura GabelGarry Daeke isn’t up for re-election this year. But the Ward 3 representative on the Henderson City Council said the upcoming municipal election is shaping up to put some new people in leadership roles. And there will be plenty of issues for him and his fellow council members to consider, from housing to downtown revitalization, just for starters.
“Every (election) cycle, we get some new folks in,” Daeke said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “I appreciate all the new folks and their ideas and the camaraderie,” he added.
As he sees it, council members would be well served to focus on helping to create a path for the city that considers for its residents safety, affordability and living happily together.
Sometimes, he admitted, that takes a little effort.
One project that seems to be gaining momentum is the mixed-use development that is planned for Dabney Road, just behind Aldi and Lowe’s Home Improvement. Originally referred to as Berry Village, recent documents have called it Dabney Village.
Whatever the name, the 123-acre project has cleared all the hurdles necessary to get going in earnest, Daeke said.
“All the city permits are done and it’s ready to begin,” he said. Next up is water and sewer, as well as working with DOT for road configuration and entrances to the community, which will include apartments, townhomes and single-family homes as well as retail and other amenities.
It offers a housing opportunity and a community opportunity that people haven’t had in Henderson, Daeke said.
This is something creative, new and exciting for Henderson, he said. It’ll take some city money up front to get things right, he added, but there should be a good return on that investment, but good planning is key. “This is a very well-planned development,” he said. Developers hope to begin in the spring.
This also is the general area where the city was looking at constructing a new fire station.
“Our fire department is excellent, our (insurance) rating is excellent, our response times are excellent and we want to keep it that way.”
Between new construction and revitalization, there are plenty of reasons to get behind development in the city.
Sometimes, the wheels of progress turn slowly, especially when it comes to waking up a downtown area. But Daeke is watching and waiting – and hopeful.
“We’re going see it go crazy when we get this S Line lined up,” he said, referring to the proposed passenger and commuter rail service that includes a stop in Henderson. When that happens, “you’re going to see downtown as a destination to live, work and play again.”
It takes time to bring projects to full term, and it takes collaboration. But Daeke said it’s worth it.
“Working as a team, with others, to accomplish things for your community – it’s a wonderful thing to do.”
Click Play!
N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon Plans Sept. 16 Meeting To Discuss Future Of Broadband Internet In Granville
/by WIZS StaffN.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon will be in Oxford on Saturday, Sept. 16 to have a dialogue about broadband internet access – how to improve it, why it’s important and its future role in daily life.
The town hall-style meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Expo Center, 4185 U.S. 15 South, Oxford.
“In today’s interconnected world, access to reliable and high-speed internet has become an essential utility, impacting education, healthcare, business and communication,” according to a press release from Sossamon’s office. “Unfortunately, many members of our community still face challenges in accessing quality broadband services, hindering their ability to fully participate in the digital age.”
Representatives of the N.C. Dept. of Information Technology will be present to share information during the meeting, whose purpose is to facilitate an open and informed discussion about the state of broadband internet access in Granville County and to explore potential solutions and opportunities for improvement.
The meeting will feature informative presentations and will allow those in attendance to voice concerns, ask questions and contribute their perspectives.