— information courtesy of Donna Young, Maria Parham Health Marketing & Communications coordinator
The nurses at Maria Parham Health enjoyed a little pampering during the recent National Nurses Week, celebrated May 6-9, to honor their extraordinary dedication, compassion and resilience of its nursing team. Throughout the week, events were held to show appreciation for the difficult and essential work nurses perform every day, according to Donna Young, MPH Marketing & Communications coordinator.
The celebration kicked off on Tuesday, May 6, with a festive ice cream sundae bar available to both day and night shift nurses. MPH team members also enjoyed a delicious variety of lunch options from local food trucks including Soulbachi, Bologna Boyz Food Wagon, and Smoking Aces.
On Wednesday, May 7, the hospital hosted its much-loved Annual Nurses’ Breakfast, providing a hearty meal to energize our healthcare heroes for the demanding day ahead.
Thursday, May 8, featured a particularly meaningful tradition: The Blessing of the Hands. Led by Pastor Frank Sossamon, this sacred ceremony acknowledges the physical and spiritual work of nurses, asking for strength, compassion and protection as they provide care and healing to others. The Blessing of the Hands is a long-standing ritual in healthcare settings, symbolizing the deep connection between the caregiver and the patient, and affirming the sacredness of the healing profession.
The week concluded on Friday, May 9, with a caffeine boost: nurses were treated to coffee from Love is Coffee.
Throughout the week, nurses were also entered into drawings for nearly 100 valuable prizes, generously donated by community sponsors. Maria Parham Health extends heartfelt thanks to the following businesses and individuals who made these giveaways possible:
Henderson Sponsors
Nella Roo’s • Charles Boyd • Chick-fil-A • Auto Brite • George’s • The Attic • Hair Loft • Jersey Mike’s • Postal Plus/NC Flavors • Wester Insurance • NG Nails • Ichibar • Vanco Outdoor Equipment • Sossamon Funeral Home
Oxford Sponsors
Art and Craft Space • Southern Style Mercantile • Tobacco Wood • Oasis • Bliss Nutrition
Wake Forest Sponsor
Salon Serenity
Special thanks also go to Jane Haithcock, Connie Roberson, Kay Hall, and our MPH doctors for their generous contributions and support throughout the week.
Maria Parham Health is deeply grateful to its nurses—not just during Nurses Week, but every day—for their tireless service and commitment to patient care.
“Our nurses are truly the backbone of this hospital,” said Maria Parham Health CEO Bert Beard. “Their compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our patients and community are nothing short of inspiring. This week was just one way for us to say ‘thank you’ for all that they do.”
Maria Parham Health proudly celebrates the vital role nurses play in delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare across our region.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 05-20-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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SportsTalk: Kerr-Vance headed to the State Championship and Minor League Update
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue talk about Kerr-Vance’s win over Ridgecroft to advance to the State Championship Series. The guys also give an update on Minor League Baseball around the state. That and much more on SportsTalk!
High School Baseball Scores:
Friday MiLB Scores:
Saturday MiLB Scores:
Sunday MiLB Scores:
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The Local Skinny! N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn Says $10M For Water Plant Expansion Is Spent
/by Laura GabelN.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn said House Bill 74, signed into law last week by Gov. Josh Stein, is not anticipated to have any impact on the $10 million that had been reappropriated away from the City of Oxford as part of the Kerr Lake Regional Water expansion.
“That money has been distributed and contractors have been paid,” Cohn told WIZS News Monday morning. “That money no longer exists.”
Cohn learned in early March that the bill contained language that would “claw back” money that had been appropriated to the City of Oxford in 2023 to expand the water plant. The project is underway, and once complete, will increase capacity to up to 20 million gallons a day.
“The facts are that the city of Oxford, through the water authority, applied for reimbursement to DEQ. DEQ evaluated that reimbursement request, just like they would any other reimbursement request, and they issued the final payment,” Cohn explained. “So that money has been distributed and the contractors working at Kerr Lake Regional Water plant have been paid – at least they’ve been paid using the funds allocated by the General Assembly.”
You can’t spend money twice, and Cohn said he is unsure what will happen next, but he added “the law is on our side.” The money was originally allocated in 2023 by the N.C. General Assembly for the regional water expansion project.
“That project is underway and they followed all the proper protocols and procedures for executing the work and getting reimbursement as required,” he said.
Cohn said when he learned that there was an attempt to reallocate the funding, he said he recommended that they needed to request reimbursement and follow the process given.
“At no point did I ask DEQ or anyone to circumvent or expedite anything,” Cohn explained, adding that he “simply asked the regional water authority and the city of oxford to go ahead and put in for reimbursement before this became law.”
In House Bill 74, South Granville Water and Sewer Authority was appropriated $3 million for an expansion project of its own, and Cohn said he fully supports those efforts. The other $7 million was to have been used in Franklin County and a couple of other counties, for similar projects.
“We have the opportunity to do something right now with this budget,” he said, referring to the fact that legislators are in the middle of creating the state’s budget. But he said he didn’t want to be in a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
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TownTalk: Ride to Save Lives Event
/by WIZS StaffA Ride to Save Lives fundraiser will be held Saturday, May 31 in Henderson at Shooter’s Tavern on Norlina Road. Proceeds will go to support local participation in the Lost Voices of Fentanyl’s national event that will be held in October on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Local organizer Patricia Drewes said the motorcycle ride will begin at 11 a.m., but the day doesn’t end there. Guest speakers will take the stage about 1 p.m., Drewes said on Monday’s TownTalk and she wants families to come out and bring their children because they need to know how dangerous illicit drugs like fentanyl can be.
Drewes is vice president of the national group Lost Voices of Fentanyl, which she said is the largest fentanyl advocacy group in the U.S. with 36,000 members. The group’s president, April Babcock, is scheduled to speak during the local event, too.
Also on display will be 50 victims impact banners and four teen banners to highlight the tragic loss of young lives to fentanyl.
Beginning about 4 p.m., several bands will perform, including local groups Legendary Lane and Heartbreak Station. Virginia-based Redbank also will perform.
The cover charge for the concert is $15; the cost to ride is $20.
Drewes said she’s organized rallies before, but this is the biggest to date. She thanked Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow for his help with planning the route and for volunteering to lead the ride.
“I’m on a mission to save lives,” Drewes said. Her only child, Heaven, died from fentanyl poisoning.
“I want people to come out and bring their children,” she said, stressing the importance of helping young people realize and understand the dangers of illicit drugs.
“This could happen to them,” she said. “It’s just really important that kids see it. They need to understand that ‘yes, it can happen to you.’”
She prefers the word poisoning to overdose because an overdose implies that the person simply took more than the recommended dosage.
“It’s not an overdose,” she said. “There’s no recommended dosage for any illicit drug.”
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NCDOT: $2.3M Contract Awarded To Improve 18 Miles Of Granville County Roadways
/by WIZS Staff— from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation
The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $2.3 million contract to Sunrock Industries, LLC to enhance more than 18 miles of roadway across Granville County.
The project will focus on improvements to seven sections of secondary roads, including:
The scope of the work includes milling, resurfacing, shoulder reconstruction, and curb replacement. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring, with completion anticipated by late fall 2026.
Franklin County Names New Solid Waste Director
/by WIZS StaffFranklin County has selected Spencer Pernell as its new Solid Waste director, replacing Lee Bodenhamer, who is retiring. Pernell is scheduled to begin his new role on Wednesday, May 21.
“I’m excited to join Franklin County and continue the progress that Lee has been working on,” Pernell said.
Pernell comes to Franklin County from Green For Life Environmental, where he has served in multiple capacities since 2013, including Facility Manager, Operation Supervisor and Lead Driver. He also worked for Harris Incorporated in a number of positions and also for the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. He also owned Pernell Tree Service for more than a decade.
“Spencer brings a lot of experience in solid waste management, and we look forward to him coming on board,” Interim County Manager Ryan Preble said.
Bodenhamer joined Franklin County in 2019 as Solid Waste director. He is set to retire on May 30, 2025.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 05-19-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Click Play!
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Vermicomposting
/by WIZS StaffOn the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Wayne Rowland:
Vermicomposting can improve your garden by using vermicompost to improve your garden soil.
Listen 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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11 Miles Of Vance County Roads Included In NCDOT $1.2M Improvement Project
/by WIZS Staff— Information courtesy of the N.C. Department of Transportation
The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded an almost $1.2 million contract to Sunrock Industries, LLC to improve more than 11 miles of roadway in Vance County.
NCDOT spokesperson Kim Deaner released the information on Thursday, May. 15.
The contractor will improve 11 sections of secondary roads including Glebe Road from Glover Road to N.C. 39, Nutbush Road from N.C. 39 to Satterwhite Point Road, and Haywood Wright Road from Ross Mill Road to N.C. 39.
The project will involve milling, resurfacing, shoulder reconstruction, and curb replacement. Work is scheduled to begin this spring and is expected to be complete by late fall 2026.
Maria Parham Health Celebrates National Nurses Week With Food, Fun, Gifts Galore!
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of Donna Young, Maria Parham Health Marketing & Communications coordinator
The nurses at Maria Parham Health enjoyed a little pampering during the recent National Nurses Week, celebrated May 6-9, to honor their extraordinary dedication, compassion and resilience of its nursing team. Throughout the week, events were held to show appreciation for the difficult and essential work nurses perform every day, according to Donna Young, MPH Marketing & Communications coordinator.
The celebration kicked off on Tuesday, May 6, with a festive ice cream sundae bar available to both day and night shift nurses. MPH team members also enjoyed a delicious variety of lunch options from local food trucks including Soulbachi, Bologna Boyz Food Wagon, and Smoking Aces.
On Wednesday, May 7, the hospital hosted its much-loved Annual Nurses’ Breakfast, providing a hearty meal to energize our healthcare heroes for the demanding day ahead.
Thursday, May 8, featured a particularly meaningful tradition: The Blessing of the Hands. Led by Pastor Frank Sossamon, this sacred ceremony acknowledges the physical and spiritual work of nurses, asking for strength, compassion and protection as they provide care and healing to others. The Blessing of the Hands is a long-standing ritual in healthcare settings, symbolizing the deep connection between the caregiver and the patient, and affirming the sacredness of the healing profession.
The week concluded on Friday, May 9, with a caffeine boost: nurses were treated to coffee from Love is Coffee.
Throughout the week, nurses were also entered into drawings for nearly 100 valuable prizes, generously donated by community sponsors. Maria Parham Health extends heartfelt thanks to the following businesses and individuals who made these giveaways possible:
Henderson Sponsors
Nella Roo’s • Charles Boyd • Chick-fil-A • Auto Brite • George’s • The Attic • Hair Loft • Jersey Mike’s • Postal Plus/NC Flavors • Wester Insurance • NG Nails • Ichibar • Vanco Outdoor Equipment • Sossamon Funeral Home
Oxford Sponsors
Art and Craft Space • Southern Style Mercantile • Tobacco Wood • Oasis • Bliss Nutrition
Wake Forest Sponsor
Salon Serenity
Special thanks also go to Jane Haithcock, Connie Roberson, Kay Hall, and our MPH doctors for their generous contributions and support throughout the week.
Maria Parham Health is deeply grateful to its nurses—not just during Nurses Week, but every day—for their tireless service and commitment to patient care.
“Our nurses are truly the backbone of this hospital,” said Maria Parham Health CEO Bert Beard. “Their compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our patients and community are nothing short of inspiring. This week was just one way for us to say ‘thank you’ for all that they do.”
Maria Parham Health proudly celebrates the vital role nurses play in delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare across our region.