If the WIZS radio tower or the old Dispatch printing presses could talk, oh, the stories they could tell!
The tower up on the hill outside the studio on Radio Lane has provided transmissions for decades – 70 years, come May 1 when the station came on the air.
And those presses, which produced so many editions of the Henderson Daily Dispatch over the years, have long ceased their operations. The newspaper remains, although “Henderson” and “Daily” have been dropped from the mast head in favor of “Serving Henderson, Vance County and surrounding areas since 1914.”
News gathering has evolved since the tower was installed and that press spat out newspapers, and the longevity of local media in the Henderson area is due, in large part, to these two media outlet mainstays.
John Charles Rose sat down with Dispatch Editor Gary Band to chat about the old days, but also about the importance of healthy community journalism.
Chronicling the history of local media will be featured in this year’s edition of Envision Vance, a publication of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, Band said.
He doesn’t want to “scoop” himself, but Band did say he’d spoken with longtime reporter David Irvine. About what, we’ll learn when Envision Vance is published. Print date is May 31, Band said.
Change is inevitable, and local media is no different. The Dispatch, once a family-owned business, was bought by Paxton Media in 1994, Band said. He came on board in June 2023, and the only office he’s known is the current one on Garnett Street. He actually never visited the former office at the corner of Chestnut and Pettigrew streets, where reporters cranked out stories on manual typewriters, then electric ones, until computers came along. He never stared into “Big” Bill’s office, where stacks of newspapers and other paper filled every nook and cranny and where the paper’s editorials were crafted.
Communities rely on local media outlets to get news that’s important to them – the larger stations and newspapers carry the “big” stories, but it’s the local journalists who inform the community about what’s happening at the City Council meetings or what the commissioners talked about in their work session.
Band said it’s the job of local media “to hold up a mirror to the community.” There’s so much going on here, he added, and there’s no way for a small staff of writers to be everywhere all the time to report all the news.
“I always think I can do more and better,” Band said. And although he’s relatively new to the area, he’s worked for close to 30 years in journalism, so he’s picked up a thing or two along the way.
“You have to be out there…present. You have to love it,” Band said. He plans to continue to help Paxton put out a quality publication and to continue being a critical part of this community.
Reporting the news is critical to inform citizens, Band said. Informing them leads to citizens being more engaged in the life of the community, “more inclined to take part.”
The media, whether it’s print or radio, has an obligation to be a solid, trustworthy and reputable source for news, Rose said. Journalists separate the fact – verifiable, accurate information – from hearsay.
“This is a vibrant community with a long, proud history,” Band said. “We’re going places…things are starting to happen.”
And when they do, you can count on coverage in the pages of The Dispatch and on the airwaves from WIZS.
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Commissioners Discuss Support Of New City Communications Tower During Work Session
/by WIZS StaffDuring a work session Monday, Vance County commissioners heard from city officials about progress being made on construction of a communications tower at the North Henderson ball fields that will be funded, in part, by $2.175 million in federal funds secured by U.S. Congressman Don Davis.
City Manager Hassan T. Kingsberry and Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill spoke to commissioners to ask whether the county is still willing to help with funding, if the need arises.
The city and county have an agreement to split 50/50 funding emergency communications that cover both the county and the city.
Spruill said it’s possible that the project can be completed without contributions from either the city or the county, but the final, all-in cost is unknown at this time.
What is known is that the city of Henderson is the weakest area in all of Vance County on the VIPER system because it is located on the fringe of four towers used by the county, said Brian Short, the county’s former Emergency Management coordinator.
The North Henderson ball field location is “the sweet spot” for the entire county, and putting the tower there – with equipment to support VHF paging and more – would fix two problems at once, Short said.
The North Henderson location has been through a vetting process and will have the ability to provide in-building coverage for the city in most of the downtown buildings, as well as a large area within the county.
But the federal funds will pay for the tower only; Short predicted it could cost an additional $1 million to outfit the facility with the equipment and everything else that goes along with the tower.
Once built, the state has said it would take ownership and would assume maintenance, including maintaining the VIPER system.
City leaders are in discussion now with Duke Power to “co-locate” on the tower. Spruill said the utility company is in the due diligence process right now but added that “they’d likely contribute any remaining funds toward construction.”
WIZS News has reached out to Duke spokesman Beth Townsend and we’ll update the story when more details are available.
Maria Parham Health’s Cancer Survivor Dinner May 16
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer Donna Young
Maria Parham Health is hosting its annual Cancer Survivor Dinner on Friday, May 16 and invites survivors and their guests to come be a part of the event to celebrate their strength and resilience in their journeys to overcome cancer.
The dinner begins at 6 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, 905 Americal Rd., Henderson, according to information from MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young.
With a joyful nautical theme, “Set Sail for Celebration,” the evening promises to be filled with gratitude, connection and celebration. Survivors and their guests are invited to come together in recognition of each unique story, share in meaningful moments, and enjoy a dinner event created in their honor.
“We are so grateful for the opportunity to gather and celebrate our local cancer survivors,” said Kimberly Smith, Director of the Maria Parham Health Cancer Center. “Every survivor’s journey is a testament to strength and perseverance. This event is our way of saying ‘we see you, we honor you, and we’re celebrating with you’. It’s an evening full of hope, joy and community.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring one guest to share in this special occasion. Please register by Thursday, May 8 by calling 252.436.6485 to reserve your place.
SportsTalk: Ballparks and Ball Teams
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and George Hoyle talk about ballparks and fields around Vance County and the chance that they can be a part of a restoration project. That and much more on SportsTalk!
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Home and Garden Show
/by WIZS StaffOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536
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TownTalk: Child Abuse Prevention Month with S.A.M. Child Advocacy
/by WIZS StaffIf you’ve driven down Garnett Street lately, you may have noticed a tree in the yard of 704 S. Garnett St. decorated with blue ribbons.
Those ribbons, tied to branches and limbs of that tree, have created a ‘Tree of Hope’ this year to observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, said Cara Gill, executive director of Strength and Mending Child Advocacy Center.
There also are pinwheels planted in the ground and a big inflatable blue ribbon adorning the S.a.M Child Advocacy Center, along with the ‘Tree of Hope,’ a new addition this year, Gill said.
It’s a small way to show support for and honor families and children who have been victims of child abuse.
For Gill and her team at the nonprofit, this is a year-round effort – not just one month out of the year. “We try to go above and beyond any way we can this month,” she said.
Overall statistics surrounding child abuse and neglect are grim, Gill noted. For every report of child abuse, she said, there are two that are unreported.
Vance County is not immune, and, in fact, as a Tier 1 county, there simply aren’t many resources for families and children.
Abuse is a multi-faceted issue that doesn’t always look the same or follow a familiar pattern. From family dynamics to generational abuse or neglect, Gill said part of S.a.M.’s approach is to provide wraparound services to support individuals and families in crisis.
Part of S.a.M.’s role is to connect families with resources to get the help they need.
Another part is the monthly meeting of a multi-disciplinary team that gathers and discusses each family that is seeking help to make sure the particular needs are being met.
“We can’t be a stand-alone center,” Gill said. “The whole point is that every family is getting exactly what they need…for the best outcome.”
One question on the S.a.M. intake form asks whether anyone else in the family has been a victim of abuse or neglect. Seventy-five percent of the time, the answer is yes. Generational abuse or neglect adds another layer to the degree of trauma felt by families.
Since it started in 2016, Gill said S.a.M. has played a role in helping families and individuals get the healing they need and that they deserve.
“We have had kids that are now in college,” she said. “They are doing wonderful things.”
Ninety percent of the victims of abuse or neglect know the alleged abuser, Gill said. It’s so important for parents or guardians to have conversations with their children to help them understand what appropriate contact is and what is inappropriate.
“Have these conversations with your kids,” Gill said, even if it feels awkward.
“You are your child’s first line of defense,” she said. “We’re always here to help out in any way.”
Parents may get an eye roll from their children, but it’s important to know who their child’s friends are. Getting involved in their lives, showing interest in their activities opens up doors to more important conversations in the future, she added.
Visit https://www.samchildadvocacycenter.com/ to find resources. Call 252.572.4112 to learn more or email Gill at cara@samcac.com.
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 04-23-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Maria Parham Health Releases 2024 Community Benefit Report
/by WIZS Staff— Donna Young, Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer
Maria Parham Health has published its community benefit report for the 2024 calendar year. This annual report outlines the various ways the hospital is working to support the health and economic vitality of the Henderson/Vance County region as part of its mission of making communities healthier®.
“For more than 100 years, Maria Parham Health has been proud to call Henderson and Vance County our home, and as a leader in our community, we are committed to providing high-quality care close to home, investing in our region’s overall well-being and making a positive impact on those we serve,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “This year’s report underscores our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality care possible – both inside and outside our hospital walls.”
Maria Parham Health’s 2024 community benefit report highlights its continued efforts to meet the growing healthcare needs of its community through welcoming new providers, adding and expanding service lines and continually investing in its facilities and healthcare technology. For example, in 2024, Maria Parham Health added 67 providers in internal and emergency medicine, anesthesiology, wound care, OB/GYN, radiology, rehabilitation, gastroenterology, oncology and telemedicine; and made nearly $4.3 million in capital improvements, including a new robotic surgical system, pharmacy renovations and “safe spaces” in the emergency room.
Additionally, Maria Parham Health made a donation of more than $48.9 million in health services to those in need, demonstrating its continuous commitment to ensuring everyone has access to care, regardless of their ability to pay.
Maria Parham Health is also devoted to creating environments where providers want to practice and employees want to work. In 2024, the hospital distributed more than $67.5 million in salaries, wages and benefits for its approximately 740 employees, while contributing more than $135,000 in professional development and tuition assistance so all its employees can have the opportunity to learn, grow and improve the care they provide their patients.
Last year, the organization paid $18,036,950 in local and state taxes, while also continuing its support of local activities and organizations committed to serving the region, including ACTS of Vance County, Crime Stoppers, Shop with a Cop & Friends, McGregor Hall and others.
“We feel fortunate to call Henderson and Vance County our home, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of all those who entrust us with their care. We are also thankful for the hard work and dedication of our providers, employees and volunteers who make it all possible, “said Beard. “As we look ahead to the future, we remain committed to honoring our legacy while further enhancing the many ways we serve our neighbors and communities.”
Maria Parham Health’s 2024 community benefit report is available here.
https://www.mariaparham.com/community-benefit-report
SportsTalk: NFL Draft Preview with Picks
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue talk about the NFL Draft coming up and some of the players that they think will get picked in the first round. Right here on SportsTalk!
Congratulations to Oxford Prep for winning the Vance Charter Easter Tournament at the GAP!
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TownTalk: Local Media Featured Topic In Chamber’s ‘Envision Vance’ Publication
/by WIZS StaffIf the WIZS radio tower or the old Dispatch printing presses could talk, oh, the stories they could tell!
The tower up on the hill outside the studio on Radio Lane has provided transmissions for decades – 70 years, come May 1 when the station came on the air.
And those presses, which produced so many editions of the Henderson Daily Dispatch over the years, have long ceased their operations. The newspaper remains, although “Henderson” and “Daily” have been dropped from the mast head in favor of “Serving Henderson, Vance County and surrounding areas since 1914.”
News gathering has evolved since the tower was installed and that press spat out newspapers, and the longevity of local media in the Henderson area is due, in large part, to these two media outlet mainstays.
John Charles Rose sat down with Dispatch Editor Gary Band to chat about the old days, but also about the importance of healthy community journalism.
Chronicling the history of local media will be featured in this year’s edition of Envision Vance, a publication of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, Band said.
He doesn’t want to “scoop” himself, but Band did say he’d spoken with longtime reporter David Irvine. About what, we’ll learn when Envision Vance is published. Print date is May 31, Band said.
Change is inevitable, and local media is no different. The Dispatch, once a family-owned business, was bought by Paxton Media in 1994, Band said. He came on board in June 2023, and the only office he’s known is the current one on Garnett Street. He actually never visited the former office at the corner of Chestnut and Pettigrew streets, where reporters cranked out stories on manual typewriters, then electric ones, until computers came along. He never stared into “Big” Bill’s office, where stacks of newspapers and other paper filled every nook and cranny and where the paper’s editorials were crafted.
Communities rely on local media outlets to get news that’s important to them – the larger stations and newspapers carry the “big” stories, but it’s the local journalists who inform the community about what’s happening at the City Council meetings or what the commissioners talked about in their work session.
Band said it’s the job of local media “to hold up a mirror to the community.” There’s so much going on here, he added, and there’s no way for a small staff of writers to be everywhere all the time to report all the news.
“I always think I can do more and better,” Band said. And although he’s relatively new to the area, he’s worked for close to 30 years in journalism, so he’s picked up a thing or two along the way.
“You have to be out there…present. You have to love it,” Band said. He plans to continue to help Paxton put out a quality publication and to continue being a critical part of this community.
Reporting the news is critical to inform citizens, Band said. Informing them leads to citizens being more engaged in the life of the community, “more inclined to take part.”
The media, whether it’s print or radio, has an obligation to be a solid, trustworthy and reputable source for news, Rose said. Journalists separate the fact – verifiable, accurate information – from hearsay.
“This is a vibrant community with a long, proud history,” Band said. “We’re going places…things are starting to happen.”
And when they do, you can count on coverage in the pages of The Dispatch and on the airwaves from WIZS.
CLICK PLAY!
The Local Skinny! Broadband Internet Initiative Brings More Access To Vance County Residents
/by WIZS StaffVance County is set to get about $3.4 million of a $41 million funding pie as state and local leaders work with utility companies further shrink the gap to internet access.
N.C. District 32 Rep. Bryan Cohn said this latest project will bring broadband internet access to an additional 1,327 homes and businesses in the general area of Kerr Lake north of I-85 and south of 85 toward Kittrell.
If homeowners were to foot the bill, it could cost as much as $2,500, Cohn said on Tuesday. Having this kind of grant funding makes it more affordable for everyone, including the utility companies responsible for providing the service.
Brightspeed is the service provider for this particular project, which has a completion date of Dec. 31, 2026. That gives construction crews about a year and a half to get the work done.
It’s one of several projects and programs designed to bring broadband internet service to rural areas.
“We’re trying to close the gap at every opportunity with every available program and resource that we have,” Cohn said.
As the project nears completion, Brightspeed will inform customers within the new service zone through mailers, flyers and even door-to-door canvassing to let them know about what they’ll offer and what the price will be.
Whether it’s enhanced coverage or new service, Cohn said having access to broadband internet service is becoming increasingly essential for households and businesses.
“We need to provide that opportunity to get that infrastructure to every home,” he said. “
You almost can’t do business today without access to the internet – and good, reliable internet…it’s a necessity, not a luxury.”
And while 99.75% of homes within Vance County have broadband availability, the percentage of those who have accessed it is lower – more like 82 percent, he said.
These programs will help lower costs for qualifying residents who may be on fixed incomes, Cohn said.
It’s not just a matter of closing that gap in getting utilities to homes, but it’s about
“helping people get connected to it and not have to break the bank doing it.”
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