SportsTalk: Granville Central Closing From An Athletics Perspective

/by

SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th

John Hammett, athletic director at Oxford Prep and former Granville Central Head Football Coach, joins SportsTalk with Scout Hughes and George Hoyle to discuss why Granville Central High School is closing, the logistics of the closure, and how this affects Granville County from and athletic standpoint.

Click Play!

VGCC Logo

Richmond Fed Reserve Bank President Scheduled As Keynote Speaker At VGCC Graduation

/by

–– information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Tom Barkin, president of the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at Vance-Granville Community College May 16 commencement ceremony.

The commencement begins at 6 p.m. on the grounds of the Main Campus in Henderson. The community is invited to attend, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel. Several hundred students are expected to be graduated, having completed requirements over the past year.

Since 2018, Barkin has been the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond which serves the District of Columbia and five states, including North Carolina.

Barkin serves on the Fed’s chief monetary policy body, the Federal Open Market Committee and is also responsible for the Richmond Fed’s bank supervision and the Federal Reserve’s technology organization. He is “on the ground” continually in the Fed’s Fifth District, which covers South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. His engagement in the region has brought real attention to areas facing economic challenges.

Prior to joining the Richmond Fed, Barkin was a senior partner and CFO at McKinsey & Company, a worldwide management consulting firm, where he also oversaw McKinsey’s offices in the southern United States. He earned his bachelor’s, MBA, and law degrees from Harvard University.

Visit www.vgcc.edu to learn more.

The Local Skinny! Working Conditions for City Employees

/by

City of Henderson employees will receive a survey in a few weeks to give feedback about working conditions.

As City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry explained to Council members at the April 14 meeting, the survey will be anonymous – employees will not be asked to give their names. Kingsberry told Council members that some employees and some directors had shared some concerns with him, so he suggested a survey would be in order.

Kingsberry told WIZS News Wednesday that a working conditions survey is standard practice in other places where he has worked. “I want to make sure staff is comfortable and thriving as we work together for the betterment of the City.”

He said the specific statements or questions that will make up the survey are still being worked on, but he expects that department heads will receive their surveys next week and the rest of the staff will be receive theirs around the mid-May mark.

As for what actions may result, Kingsberry said, “We will see how staff responds and address the issues that need to be addressed to ensure a healthy climate and work culture.”

CLICK PLAY!

TownTalk: Around Old Granville – Warren County Historical Markers

/by

The historical marker that bears his name doesn’t have room for it, but James Turner is the North Carolinian who came the closest to being President of the United States.

He only made it as far as Speaker of the House, said Mark Pace, local historian and North Carolina Room specialist at Thornton Library in Oxford. But Speaker of the U.S. House is second in line – behind the vice president – to assume the role of President if circumstances call for it.

As governor, U.S. Senator and state legislator, Turner has his own historical marker, one of 20 that can be seen along major roads throughout Warren County.

Pace and WIZS’s Bill Harris continued their discussion of historical markers in the four-county area in their tri-weekly history segment called Around Old Granville; Thursday’s segment focused on Warren County, which Pace described as one of the most important and influential areas in the state between the Revolution and the Civil War.

The first marker that went up in Warren County remembers Annie Carter Lee – the daughter of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. She and other family members had left their Virginia home because of the war and were staying at Jones Springs, a health resort. She died after contracting typhoid fever in 1862 and was buried in the Jones cemetery in Warrenton. Her remains were moved in the mid-1990’s and placed in the Lee family cemetery.

Her marker was placed in 1936, just one year after the state created the program.

Jacob Holt didn’t get a marker until 1976, Pace said.

“He was one of two really big architects in the boom era” between 1845 and 1861, Pace said.

He designed and built homes – many of which still stand. His interest lay in Greek Revival and Italianate styles, but his own home in Warrenton, Pace said is quite modest and doesn’t resemble the other examples of his work.

Find a complete list of historical markers located across the state at https://www.dncr.nc.gov/

CLICK PLAY!

Reservation Fees Going Up At State Parks May 1

/by

If you’ve put off making that campsite reservation at one of the parks in the state parks system, you’ve got until Wednesday, April 30 at 11:59 p.m. to do so before prices go up.

Effective May 1, 2025, reservation fees at campgrounds and vehicle entrance fees at reservoirs will increase across the state parks system, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation announced. This marks the first major fee change for state park facilities since 2019. While some fees are increasing, most state parks are and will continue to be free to access for day-use year-round.

Fee changes will only impact entrance fees at the reservoir state recreation areas during peak season, most camping rates, and some boat slip rentals at Carolina Beach State Park. There are no changes to picnic shelter reservation fees, equipment rentals, and swim passes.

Beginning May 1, tent campsites will range from $20 to $30, and RV campsites with full hookups (electric, water and sewer) will cost $45. Campsite reservations made by 11:59 p.m. on April 30 will not be affected by the price increases.

The per-vehicle entrance fee, charged on weekends in April, May and September, and daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake state recreation areas will cost $10. Senior citizens (62 years old or older), veterans, and active-duty military will continue to receive a discounted rate of $5 per vehicle. The 2026 State Parks Annual Pass — which covers entrance fees, equipment rentals and more — will also increase in price. The Annual Pass for Reservoirs will cost $70, the Annual Pass $100, and the Annual Pass with Four-Wheel-Drive Beach Access will be $200.

In addition to the May 1 changes, transient and monthly boat slip rentals at the Carolina Beach State Park marina will increase beginning July 1.

The increases reflect market adjustments and the higher costs to maintain these facilities.

For a full list of fee changes, please visit ncparks.gov/fees.

Commissioners Discuss Support Of New City Communications Tower During Work Session

/by

During 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

— 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

SportsTalk 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!

Click Play!

Home and Garden Show

/by

On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Integrated Pest Management For The Home Garden Workshop will be on May 5th, 2025 at 6:30pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Plant transplants on cloudy windless days.
  • Top dress your raised beds with compost or aged manure plus some slow release fertilizer and incorporate that mixture before planting.
  • Remember your personal protective equipment such as a wide-brim hat, a long sleeve shirt, gloves, etc.
  • Lawnmower safety read the owner’s manual, protective eyewear, hearing protection, NO EXTRA Riders.
  • If you limed in the fall, you might want to take another soil test to see if the PH has changed.
  • Identify insects before you spray. It could be beneficial! Bring us the insects and we can identify them for you.
  • Purchase a good rain gauge.
  • Purchase healthy transplants.
  • If you are purchasing transplants directly from the greenhouse, keep plants outside for a few days before planting.
  • Check areas for mice. Greenhouse, storage, and shed.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.      

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

Click Play!