The American Rescue Plan is infusing money – lots of money – into communities across the nation, one of the federal government’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the waves of economic havoc it has created over the past several years.
Marley Spencer, a regional project manager who works with Kerr-Tar COG, is someone who can help figure out how to best use the money allocated to various municipalities across the five-county region.
According to Spencer, Vance County is getting roughly $8.5 million in ARPA money; Granville County is set to receive $11.7 million and Franklin County is getting about $13.5 million of the $1.9 trillion – with a T – in ARPA funds.
She discussed with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s TownTalk some of the short-range and long-range planning that is involved in putting the money to use.
Spencer lends her expertise and training to help local governments to assess their needs, identify assets and infrastructure and then help them execute their plans for the ARPA funds, helping them “connect the dots and stretch those resources,” Spencer said.
The four main categories that municipalities can choose from are revenue replacement, negative COVID impact, premium pay for essential workers and infrastructure project – defined as water and sewer and broadband.
With those categories in mind, she said, municipalities have until December 2024 to designate where they want their share of ARPA funds to go; they have two years to spend the money – it all has to be spent by December 2026.
Simply put, ARPA funds can help municipalities “free up funds that they can use on other things to enhance the community,” Spencer explained.
Down the road, money from the ARPA-funded Rural Transformation Grant also will be available to “enhance communities, revitalize downtowns and strengthen neighborhoods.”
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SportsTalk: Richardson And Downey Talk Local Basketball
/by Bill HarrisScottie Richardson, head men’s basketball coach and athletic director at Crossroads Christian, and Taron Downey, head men’s basketball coach at Vance Charter School, have both seen injuries to players throughout their careers.
Both men briefly discussed their thoughts on the tragic injury to Damar Hamlin in Monday night’s NFL game. “I thought the NFL made the right decision,” Richardson said and added that Crossroads has an on site defibrillator in case there is ever a need for one. “It was a very unfortunate and tragic situation. It’s part of the game and coaches have to deal with it as best as we can,” Downey added.
Both coaches are coming off holiday breaks at their respective schools. According to Richardson, Crossroads men’s basketball is ranked at third in the state but will meet a big challenge Friday as they hit the road to take on the top-ranked team in state, United Faith of Charlotte. “We are not getting on the road for three hours to lose,” Richardson said. It’s the longest road trip of the year for Crossroads. The school won on Tuesday defeating Thales Academy, but Richardson said they were sluggish during the win after the holiday break.
“We are trying to get back in the swing of things,” Downey said of Vance Charter. They are coming off a win this week against Eno River but travel to face rival Oxford Prep Friday, who Downey says has quick guards and tenacious defense. Downey also said the game will have a great environment. Downey feels that’s important to home teams.
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City-County Deal Could Add 4th Officer To Animal Services Staff
/by WIZS StaffVance County Animal Services is one step closer to adding an animal services officer to its three-member team who would be responsible for responding to calls within the Henderson city limits.
Frankie Nobles met with Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen and members of the commissioners’ Human Relations Committee Wednesday afternoon to discuss details of the arrangement, which basically states that the city of Henderson will foot the bill – roughly $51,000 in salary and benefits – for the additional position.
The city has been asking for increased service from animal services, and Nobles has asked for more staff for the past couple of years, but the money just wasn’t to be found. The city-funded position would provide another officer in the county department.
Nobles said that between Jan. 1 and Nov. 29, there were 761 incidents reported to animal services in the city; in that same period, there were 778 incidents received from the county.
Having a fourth officer will help the small staff, Nobles said.
“It really does help,” he said, adding that having another person in the rotation gives everybody else a break and helps reduce burnout. He said the animal services officers routinely work their regular shifts then log an additional 15-30 hours on the weekends when they’re on call.
The committee approved the recommendation, and the matter will come before the board of commissioners at its meeting next week for final approval.
Perhaps Your Old Appliance is Someone’s New Appliance
/by John C. RoseRebuilding Hope accepts some used appliances that are in good working order. The appliances include washers and dryers, refrigerators and electric stoves.
Appliances that require repairs cannot be accepted. Rebuilding Hope does accept used furniture and cannot accept household goods or clothing.
Rebuilding Hope is located at 414 Raleigh Rd in Henderson and can be reached at 252-438-5132 or 252-425-5593 and via email at rwilson@rebuildinghopeinc.org.
Online at rebuildinghopeinc.org.
(Info from the latest RHI newsletter.)
Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Stress, 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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Sheriff Brame to Speak at Local Community Watch Meeting Jan. 17
/by John C. RoseWest End Community Watch will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, January 17, at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting will take place in the fellowship hall of West End Baptist Church on Dabney Drive.
The speaker will be Sheriff Curtis Brame of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.
Claire Catherwood, who submitted this information to WIZS said in her email, “Brame will introduce the group to new equipment now being used by the sheriffs’ office.”
Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of area of residence.
First Baptist Church Celebration Friday
/by John C. Rose— submitted by Dr. Ron Cava, pastor FBC
The First Baptist Church is hosting an Epiphany Celebration commemorating the journey of the Magi to find Jesus and our daily need to know and worship Christ. The church property at 202 W. Winder Street will be circled by luminaries and live carillon music will play from 5:30 p.m. t0 6:25 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023. Neighbors are welcomed to come listen, walk, sit, and pray. A casual fellowship will follow in the Fellowship Hall from 6:30-7:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church exists to equip and form followers of Jesus to join with God on mission in our world.
HPD Officer Shot Person Near 1425 E. Andrews Avenue Wednesday Night
/by John C. RoseHPD Press Release Information:
On Wednesday, January 4 at approximately 8:00 p.m., officers of the Henderson Police Department engaged a person with outstanding warrants at 1425 E. Andrews Avenue. The person encountered brandished a weapon in the officers’ direction and a single shot was fired by our officer, striking the person in the abdomen.
The person initially fled on foot, running across Andrews Avenue, but was quickly detained and provided medical assistance for their injury. The person was then transported by ambulance to an area medical center for further care.
As in all officer involved shootings, the district attorney and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (NCSBI) were immediately contacted and the NCSBI is currently on scene investigating the incident.
No other information is available at this time.
Marcus W. Barrow
Chief of Police
Henderson Police Department
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 01-04-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Home And Garden Show
/by Bill HarrisOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
• Along with New Year’s Resolutions set Gardening Goals for 2023
• Start making preps to plant cool season crops.
• Order vegetable seeds now and try varieties that have resistance to disease and grow well in zone 7B.
• Consider replacing some of your lawn and garden equipment with battery powered versions (e.g. trimmers, mowers, blowers, etc.). Quiet, easy to operate.
• Start planning your garden on paper. Draw your garden out. How many rows of each vegetable
• Begin scouting your lawn for cool season weeds.
• Have pictures of garden equipment with serial numbers for insurance purposes. Ex Fire or theft.
• Monitor your indoor plants for insect pests. Inspect closely, they can be easy to miss, but easily managed if found early.
• Construct a small greenhouse to be able to grow plants next year.
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TownTalk: Update On ARPA Funds
/by Bill HarrisThe American Rescue Plan is infusing money – lots of money – into communities across the nation, one of the federal government’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the waves of economic havoc it has created over the past several years.
Marley Spencer, a regional project manager who works with Kerr-Tar COG, is someone who can help figure out how to best use the money allocated to various municipalities across the five-county region.
According to Spencer, Vance County is getting roughly $8.5 million in ARPA money; Granville County is set to receive $11.7 million and Franklin County is getting about $13.5 million of the $1.9 trillion – with a T – in ARPA funds.
She discussed with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s TownTalk some of the short-range and long-range planning that is involved in putting the money to use.
Spencer lends her expertise and training to help local governments to assess their needs, identify assets and infrastructure and then help them execute their plans for the ARPA funds, helping them “connect the dots and stretch those resources,” Spencer said.
The four main categories that municipalities can choose from are revenue replacement, negative COVID impact, premium pay for essential workers and infrastructure project – defined as water and sewer and broadband.
With those categories in mind, she said, municipalities have until December 2024 to designate where they want their share of ARPA funds to go; they have two years to spend the money – it all has to be spent by December 2026.
Simply put, ARPA funds can help municipalities “free up funds that they can use on other things to enhance the community,” Spencer explained.
Down the road, money from the ARPA-funded Rural Transformation Grant also will be available to “enhance communities, revitalize downtowns and strengthen neighborhoods.”
CLICK PLAY!