-Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel
Residents of Franklin County and other surrounding communities will soon have a new resource to help them succeed in an increasingly digital world.
DigitalBridge, a digital workforce development initiative of Wake Forest-based Wireless Research Center, has partnered with Vance-Granville Community College to launch a new training hub at the college’s Louisburg campus. Together, the institutions will bridge the digital divide for underserved local communities through accessible technology and training.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Vance-Granville Community College to support our communities,” said Erica Hixon, DigitalBridge executive director. “We are proud to join the community of resources to assist students and employers.”
DigitalBridge’s model is designed to deliver fast-track certifications and connect people directly to job opportunities. The initiative offers more than 130 courses and certifications for digital-skills training and certifications, provided at no cost to residents. Participants receive digital training, coaching, and job pairing matched to individual goals; in-person or remote learning at their own pace; and assistance from a career coach to guide their efforts.
Partnering with DigitalBridge is a natural extension of the college’s commitment to support residents of its four-county service area. While a degree or similar credential can open doors of career opportunity for many people, others might be better served through different forms of education, such as those provided by DigitalBridge.
“VGCC actively seeks out new ways and new partners to reduce the opportunity gap in our communities,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC president. “Digital literacy and technology skills are still areas where we see those opportunity gaps. We are excited to partner with DigitalBridge to support opportunity to better jobs in our service area.”
Starting mid-July, DigitalBridge representatives will be available at the Franklin Campus open computer lab each week Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The new partnership will officially launch Thursday, July 13 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at VGCC’s Franklin Campus, located at 8100 NC 56 Highway in Louisburg. In addition to representatives from the college and DigitalBridge, local leaders and government officials are invited to attend.
WRC is an independent nonprofit founded in 2010 to serve as a catalyst for collaborative innovation and technology-led economic development to improve communities. Today, WRC’s core initiatives are designed to improve wireless technologies, accelerate technology startups, support entrepreneurs and spur economic development through education programs and digital job skills training. For more information, visit www.wrc-us.org and www.mydigitalbridge.org.
For more information about VGCC and its programs, visit www.vgcc.edu.
Estate Sale in Henderson Fri-Sun, July 14-16
/by John C. RoseSPONSORED: A three-day estate sale takes place this week at the home of Bill Mast, who died in May 2022.
Mast founded Mast Drug Company in Henderson in 1962 and developed it into a successful chain of retail drug stores.
He was born in the mountains of North Carolina, but found his way to Henderson not too long after graduating from UNC’s Pharmacy School in 1957.
An auction company is handling the sale, which begins on Friday and continues through Sunday at 550 Deepwood Dr.
In addition to artwork and china, there are many collectibles as well as office equipment, home décor and more.
The sale is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 14, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 16, according to information from Howie and Huggins Estate and Moving Sales (Pinehurst, NC), the auction company handling the sale.
Visit https://www.howieandhuggins.com to see photos.
— written by Laura Gabel; John Rose contributed to this story
— THIS ORIGINATED AS PART OF AN ADVERTISEMENT ON WIZS RADIO
TownTalk: Brodie Works To Engage Local Democrats
/by Laura GabelThe Vance County Democratic Party is sponsoring an informational event next week designed to increase awareness throughout the community about a variety of issues including voter registration, as well as the state’s new voter ID law.
Joseph Brodie is first vice chair of the group and he said although the event, scheduled for Saturday, July 22, is sponsored by the local Democratic Party, it’s open to anyone who wants to learn more.
Maybe you just need to update an address or contact information – that can all be handled on July 22. The meeting will be held in the second-floor county commissioners’ meeting room, 122 Young St. Doors open at 9:30 and the meeting will begin at 10 a.m., Brodie said on Thursday’s TownTalk.
The Oct. 10 municipal elections are non-partisan, but Brodie said state and national elections are just around the corner.
“We’re trying to round up the troops to get ready for the next municipal election and the next Presidential election in 2024,” Brodie said.
He didn’t go too far down the path of endorsing candidates for president at this time, but Brodie did indicate that the local Democratic Party would be behind whoever the candidate is for the 2024 Presidential race.
The local party has a core group of officers who each bring their own issues and passions for consideration, Brodie said.
Angela Thornton is the local group’s chair. “She is really working hard for the voters out there and the Democratic Party as a whole,” Brodie said.
Others on the executive committee include local businessman Dennis Tharrington, second vice chair; Hilda Delbridge, third vice chair; Kathy Allen, secretary; Rev. Dr. Willie T. Ramey III, treasurer; Wanda Moncreith, assistant secretary.
The event is sponsored by the local Democratic Party – uppercase D – but Brodie said tackling challenges we face in our local community and across the nation is too big a task for just a few.
“It’s going to take a whole team of people to tackle some of these problems,” he said. “Some are just too big for one person or party…it’s going to take all of us working together.”
Brodie said the Democratic Party in Vance County is “at the point now where we can really serve the voters in Vance County. We have our foothold down and now it’s time to branch out” to support Democrats in the community.
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“Pop The Hood” Change Your Oil, Keep Your Engine Hummin’
/by WIZS Staff— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.
Today’s cars and trucks let their owners know when it’s time to change the oil, but drivers who are used to keeping up with it themselves may still have the “every 3,000 miles” ingrained into their thoughts.
However you keep up with it, changing the oil is probably the single most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your vehicle’s engine.
And for those do-it-yourselfers, the knowledgeable staff at Advance Auto Parts can help steer you to the proper oil and oil filter for your vehicle.
Most motorists know that oil changes have to happen at least periodically, even if they don’t know precisely when or how often.
The folks at Advance Auto can help you with questions about brands, types, weights of oil.
If you decide to change the oil yourself, always remember Safety First!
Following are a few reminders when changing the oil in your car or truck:
Advance Auto Parts stores have oil disposal receptacles. Please dispose of used oil and filters properly.
The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS. Safety First! Always seek proper help. This is presented for its informational value and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 07-13-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Summer, Pt. 1
/by Bill HarrisListen 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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TownTalk: Williams Looks To Grow NAACP
/by Laura GabelJameel Williams has been an influence in the lives of young people as an educator in Vance County Schools for more than three decades. Now, as president of the local chapter of the NAACP, Williams has the opportunity to provide a different type of education.
“Together, we can move forward,” Williams said – more than once – during an interview on Wednesday’s TownTalk.
Just recently, the local chapter has added more than 30 new members to its list, and Williams said that’s a good start, but he’s not satisfied. “We need your membership,” he said, adding that adults can join for $30 a year and youth memberships are available for just $10 a year.
In fact, Williams joined the local chapter when he was in high school. The late Dr. Andrea Harris and Margaret Ellis, longtime school board member were the reason he got involved.
“We worked hard,” he recalled, knocking on doors back in the ‘70’s, ‘80’s and ‘90’s on behalf of the local chapter.
In 1984, he received a scholarship for $400 from the local chapter to attend St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh. He credits those two women with motivating him to be his best.
There are chapter-sponsored Fun Days to go along with the more productive work of the chapter, including voter registration drives and fish fry fundraisers. And plans are underway for a banquet, a once annual function that hasn’t been held in a few years. The date and location have been set – February 2024 at Vance Granville Community College – and now the banquet committee can hash out the details.
The other elected officers of the chapter include:
First Vice President – LaMont Noel
Second Vice President – Gregory Perry
Secretary – Lorelei Winckler
Assistant Secretary – Teresa Perry
Treasurer – Tony Peace
Assistant Treasurer – Michael T. Henderson
To learn more about the Vance County Chapter of the NAACP, contact Williams at Jam8251965@gmail.com or follow them on social media to stay updated on upcoming programs and events.
TownTalk: VV Show’s Varonica Mitchell Works With Game Changers For Community Event
/by WIZS StaffVaronica Mitchell, that local 12-year-old social media sensation with her own online show is paying a visit to Henderson Sunday, July 16 to take part in an event sponsored by Game Changers and iDance Praise Academy.
There will be games for the kids, as well as food, clothing and school supplies that will be distributed – all free of charge, said Mitchell, who was a guest on Wednesday’s TownTalk.
She’ll have a “meet and greet” with her fans, with photo ops, selfies and autographs with the star of “The VV Show” throughout the event, which stretches from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the iDance Praise Academy, located at 902 Dorsey Ave., Henderson.
It’s just a way for her to give back to all her supporters, she said, which now number more than 1 million on various social media platforms. “They’ve helped me out…they uplift me,” she said. “I thought it was a good idea to give back to the community.”
She’s accomplished a lot in just a short time, and has been featured in movies, commercial ads and magazines, not to mention headlining events all over and being honored with awards on major platforms for her acting, her community service and her comedy/social media show, according to information from “The VV Show” marketing manager M. Davis.
Come be a part of the fun and speak with the young lady who’s capturing hearts with her insight and comedy all over social media.
Visit The VV Show – YouTube to see what VV’s up to.
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Home And Garden Show
/by Bill HarrisOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 07-12-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
VGCC Franklin Campus Site Of Training Hub Designed To Bridge ‘Digital Divide’
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel
Residents of Franklin County and other surrounding communities will soon have a new resource to help them succeed in an increasingly digital world.
DigitalBridge, a digital workforce development initiative of Wake Forest-based Wireless Research Center, has partnered with Vance-Granville Community College to launch a new training hub at the college’s Louisburg campus. Together, the institutions will bridge the digital divide for underserved local communities through accessible technology and training.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Vance-Granville Community College to support our communities,” said Erica Hixon, DigitalBridge executive director. “We are proud to join the community of resources to assist students and employers.”
DigitalBridge’s model is designed to deliver fast-track certifications and connect people directly to job opportunities. The initiative offers more than 130 courses and certifications for digital-skills training and certifications, provided at no cost to residents. Participants receive digital training, coaching, and job pairing matched to individual goals; in-person or remote learning at their own pace; and assistance from a career coach to guide their efforts.
Partnering with DigitalBridge is a natural extension of the college’s commitment to support residents of its four-county service area. While a degree or similar credential can open doors of career opportunity for many people, others might be better served through different forms of education, such as those provided by DigitalBridge.
“VGCC actively seeks out new ways and new partners to reduce the opportunity gap in our communities,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC president. “Digital literacy and technology skills are still areas where we see those opportunity gaps. We are excited to partner with DigitalBridge to support opportunity to better jobs in our service area.”
Starting mid-July, DigitalBridge representatives will be available at the Franklin Campus open computer lab each week Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The new partnership will officially launch Thursday, July 13 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at VGCC’s Franklin Campus, located at 8100 NC 56 Highway in Louisburg. In addition to representatives from the college and DigitalBridge, local leaders and government officials are invited to attend.
WRC is an independent nonprofit founded in 2010 to serve as a catalyst for collaborative innovation and technology-led economic development to improve communities. Today, WRC’s core initiatives are designed to improve wireless technologies, accelerate technology startups, support entrepreneurs and spur economic development through education programs and digital job skills training. For more information, visit www.wrc-us.org and www.mydigitalbridge.org.
For more information about VGCC and its programs, visit www.vgcc.edu.