Biotechnology continues to be a growing field in North Carolina, and Vance-Granville Community College recently announced that it will get $1.75 million to help expand its own biotechnology workforce training program.
VGCC is included in a statewide consortium of colleges, universities and other strategic partners like the N.C. Biotechnology Center and the N.C. Community College System’s BioNetwork, which collectively received a grant award totaling nearly $25 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge.
The “NC BioBetter”project will provide grant funding to VGCC and nine other community colleges across the state, according to a press release from VGCC’s Dr. Jerry Edmonds III, VGCC vice president for Workforce & Community Engagement.
Stewart Lyon heads the school’s Bioprocess/Biotechnology program and said the funding will be used to buy new equipment for the current lab, which is located at the Franklin Campus,“so that students can get the up-to-date training they need,” Lyon said.
He said the program will create a second lab on campus so students can participate in day and evening courses.
“Vance-Granville Community College is delighted to be part of a coalition designed to increase access to good paying jobs in the Life Sciences sector,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the president of VGCC. “Working together with partners from government agencies, private industry, K-12 schools, other community colleges and universities, VGCC is excited to bring this spectacular vision to life in our region.”
But the grant also will provide funds to add positions for three years. “Specifically, we are looking to hire one additional full-time biotechnology instructor as well as a full-time ‘pathway navigator,’ who will be an intensive advisor for the program,” Lyon said. “The navigator will reach out to the community, help new students through the onboarding admissions process, provide academic advising and mentorship throughout the students’ time in the program, and finally help complete their journey with resume prep and job search assistance as they prepare to graduate.”
Lyon noted that this project is designed to increase the number of North Carolinians who are trained and ready to fill positions in the biopharmaceutical industry workforce, with a specific intent to expand opportunity to under-represented populations in that field, including women and people of color. “This is a significant focus, but everyone enrolled in the program will equally benefit from the resources of the grant, including the faculty and staff it provides,” he said.
VGCC enjoys strong partnerships, particularly in the Franklin County area, which are helping to promote biotech and life sciences.
The grant funding is expected to have a ripple effect into the larger community, from creating a partnership with Louisburg High School for a STEM focused pathway for students interested in programs like Medical Office Administrative Assistant, Bioprocess Technology, and Information Technology/Cyber Security Support.
The STEM magnet program will become available to high school students throughout Franklin County. “We’re very excited for this opportunity and believe this is a way to make Bioprocess Technology available to more students,” said Danyelle Parker, executive director of secondary education and CTE for Franklin County Schools.
“We hope to grow the program and incorporate work-based learning, such as field trips and job shadowing with area Bio/Life Sciences companies. With growing demands in this field, we believe Bioprocess Technology is an excellent career opportunity for our students, and we are thrilled to be partnering with VGCC for this endeavor.”
In the Bioprocess Technology credit (curriculum) program, VGCC offers a certificate, which can be completed in six months; a diploma program, which takes about one year, and the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree. All these options are eligible for federal financial aid to qualified students. In addition, there is a BioWork Process Technician continuing education course offered periodically, in a format that takes less than one semester to complete. Prospective students can register now for “Bioprocess Practices” (BPM-110), which starts Jan. 6, 2023, in a hybrid format, combining some online coursework with in-person instruction at the Franklin Campus.
Anyone interested in becoming a biotechnology student is invited to contact Stewart Lyon at lyons@vgcc.edu or Veta Pierce-Cappetta at piercev@vgcc.edu.
TownTalk: Edmonds Discusses Fire Prevention Week
/by Laura GabelAs part of the observance of the 100th annual Fire Prevention Week, Henderson Fire Department Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds stressed the importance of families having an escape plan that everyone in the household is aware of, in the event that of fire.
The theme for this year’s FPW is “Fire Won’t Wait – Plan Your Escape,” and Edmonds told John C. Rose on Thursday’s TownTalk that, on average, occupants have about two minutes to get out of a burning house.
That’s 120 seconds, folks. It’s not long.
“Have a drawn-out plan – write it out,” Edmonds said, “so that everybody in the house knows which ways are the best ways to get out of each room.”
Fire officials have traditionally responded to residents’ requests to replace their home’s smoke detectors, but the COVID-19 pandemic hindered their ability somewhat, Edmonds said. “We’re still doing our home inspection program,” he said, and now they are installing devices with a 20-year life span – no batteries to replace. When they reach the end of their life span, residents simply toss and replace.
Edmonds said it’s important to keep doors unblocked from the inside. “People think ‘I don’t need this door because I’ve got this other door,’” he said. But there should be multiple ways to escape in case of a fire.
“Always make sure that every exit in your home is accessible to get to,” he added.
Fire trucks respond to calls that often don’t involve a burning structure, whether it’s a car accident or a health emergency.
“When a citizen calls, we’re going to be there,” Edmonds said. “No matter what they call for, we’re going to be there.”
City of Henderson Fire Department wants to share these key home fire escape planning tips:
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Henderson, contact the City of Henderson Fire Department at 252-430-1877 or thomasedmonds@henderson.nc.gov.
For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit fpw.org and sparky.org.
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The Local Skinny! Advance Auto Partners With Henderson Police
/by WIZS StaffIt may have happened to you before: You’re driving down the street, trying to get from here to there, when you see the blue light in your rear-view mirror, accompanied by the woop-woop of the police car, telling you to pull over.
Such encounters with the police for minor infractions like broken taillights or burned-out headlights could end with the driver being issued a $25 gift card instead of a citation.
That’s exactly what could happen, thanks to a new safety initiative announced Thursday at the local Advance Auto Parts on Raleigh Road.
Advance District Manager Jay Matthews wanted to do something special for Henderson, which has two stores – one at 390 Raleigh Road and one at 400 Prosperity Drive.
Drivers who get pulled over for faulty equipment – think broken or non-functioning lights, for example – will get a $25 Advance Auto Parts gift card to help pay for repairs from Henderson police officers, as a way to encourage them to make those minor repairs.
The program is the only one of its kind in the area, and it’s designed “to increase roadway safety for local motorists,” according to a press statement issued Thursday morning.
Advance’s store team presented Police Chief Marcus Barrow and Henderson police officers with an Advance gift card donation of $1,500 to begin the initiative. “Our local team is thrilled to partner with Henderson Police to promote safer vehicle operations,” Matthews, a Henderson resident, said. “It’s important that motorists on our streets keep vehicle safety top of mind, especially as we’re heading into holiday travel season. We look forward to working with Chief Barrow and everyone on his team on this program while serving our community.”
Barrow said he appreciates community partnerships like this one with Advance.
“Partnerships with a committed community stakeholder like Advance Auto Parts are vital to our success as an agency,” Barrow said. “This partnership will allow us to lessen a financial burden on our citizens and increase vehicular safety, and we thank Jay and everyone at Advance for their support.”
Motorists receiving a gift card may use the card at Advance’s two Henderson locations, throughout North Carolina or online at advanceautoparts.com.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 10-13-22 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie: Supporting Farmers
/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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$1.75M Grant To Expand VGCC Biotech Program At Franklin Campus
/by WIZS StaffBiotechnology continues to be a growing field in North Carolina, and Vance-Granville Community College recently announced that it will get $1.75 million to help expand its own biotechnology workforce training program.
VGCC is included in a statewide consortium of colleges, universities and other strategic partners like the N.C. Biotechnology Center and the N.C. Community College System’s BioNetwork, which collectively received a grant award totaling nearly $25 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge.
The “NC BioBetter”project will provide grant funding to VGCC and nine other community colleges across the state, according to a press release from VGCC’s Dr. Jerry Edmonds III, VGCC vice president for Workforce & Community Engagement.
Stewart Lyon heads the school’s Bioprocess/Biotechnology program and said the funding will be used to buy new equipment for the current lab, which is located at the Franklin Campus,“so that students can get the up-to-date training they need,” Lyon said.
He said the program will create a second lab on campus so students can participate in day and evening courses.
“Vance-Granville Community College is delighted to be part of a coalition designed to increase access to good paying jobs in the Life Sciences sector,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the president of VGCC. “Working together with partners from government agencies, private industry, K-12 schools, other community colleges and universities, VGCC is excited to bring this spectacular vision to life in our region.”
But the grant also will provide funds to add positions for three years. “Specifically, we are looking to hire one additional full-time biotechnology instructor as well as a full-time ‘pathway navigator,’ who will be an intensive advisor for the program,” Lyon said. “The navigator will reach out to the community, help new students through the onboarding admissions process, provide academic advising and mentorship throughout the students’ time in the program, and finally help complete their journey with resume prep and job search assistance as they prepare to graduate.”
Lyon noted that this project is designed to increase the number of North Carolinians who are trained and ready to fill positions in the biopharmaceutical industry workforce, with a specific intent to expand opportunity to under-represented populations in that field, including women and people of color. “This is a significant focus, but everyone enrolled in the program will equally benefit from the resources of the grant, including the faculty and staff it provides,” he said.
VGCC enjoys strong partnerships, particularly in the Franklin County area, which are helping to promote biotech and life sciences.
The grant funding is expected to have a ripple effect into the larger community, from creating a partnership with Louisburg High School for a STEM focused pathway for students interested in programs like Medical Office Administrative Assistant, Bioprocess Technology, and Information Technology/Cyber Security Support.
The STEM magnet program will become available to high school students throughout Franklin County. “We’re very excited for this opportunity and believe this is a way to make Bioprocess Technology available to more students,” said Danyelle Parker, executive director of secondary education and CTE for Franklin County Schools.
“We hope to grow the program and incorporate work-based learning, such as field trips and job shadowing with area Bio/Life Sciences companies. With growing demands in this field, we believe Bioprocess Technology is an excellent career opportunity for our students, and we are thrilled to be partnering with VGCC for this endeavor.”
In the Bioprocess Technology credit (curriculum) program, VGCC offers a certificate, which can be completed in six months; a diploma program, which takes about one year, and the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree. All these options are eligible for federal financial aid to qualified students. In addition, there is a BioWork Process Technician continuing education course offered periodically, in a format that takes less than one semester to complete. Prospective students can register now for “Bioprocess Practices” (BPM-110), which starts Jan. 6, 2023, in a hybrid format, combining some online coursework with in-person instruction at the Franklin Campus.
Anyone interested in becoming a biotechnology student is invited to contact Stewart Lyon at lyons@vgcc.edu or Veta Pierce-Cappetta at piercev@vgcc.edu.
TownTalk: Julee Flood, NC Appelate Court Judge Candidate
/by Laura Gabel-This article is part of WIZS’s continuing coverage of the Nov. 8 election.
Julee Tate Flood currently works as attorney at the N.C. Court of Appeals, but she’s drawing on her broad experience in the field of law and her institutional knowledge of the state’s appellate court system in her race for Seat 8 on the N.C. Court of Appeals.
Flood, the Republican nominee for the seat on the 15-judge court, spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s TownTalk. She currently works with Judge Jeffery Carpenter, one of the 15 judges that sit on the N.C. Court of Appeals.
“Diverse cases come before the court,” she said, adding that she and her team are challenged daily with pressing legal questions, but she is motivated to solve issues by applying the knowledge that she has gained during her career as an attorney.
Flood’s legal career spans more than two decades, and during that time, she said she’s worked with four Democratic judges and five Republican judges.
“My role has been to research, analyze the law deeply and write judicial opinions,” she said. It’s her “working history and demonstrated ability to apply the law and write for the judges,” no matter their political affiliation, that makes her the best candidate for the job.
The N.C. Court of Appeals is “an error-correcting court for the trial courts,” Flood explained, adding that on average, the court’s five 3-judge panels preside over as many as 1,200 each year. Of that number, only a very small percentage goes to the N.C. Supreme Court – that means that the appeals court is the final stop for rulings to be upheld or overturned.
Flood said she “uniquely qualified” to serve on the court because of her direct experience at the appellate court level. As a judge, she would look to the text of the law as it applies to each individual case before her.
“The law says what it means and means what it says,” she noted, adding that as a judge, she will apply the law as it is. “There is stability in the law…(and) if I’ve followed the law, the fairness component is there,” Flood said.
She said that, as a judge, she will “treat each person with dignity and respect and will stand firm against judicial activism.
She has been a law professor and also serves as in-house counsel for a private sector business, and she earned a PhD specializing in the law and policy of higher education. It’s this broad-based set of experiences that adds to her skillset that she will bring to the table if elected.
The N.C. Court of Appeals hears all types of cases from the lower courts, including family court, criminal and civil cases and others, and Flood says those cases could be anything from issues with custody issues, neighbor-to-neighbor issues and “just about anything you can think of that happens at the trial court,” she said.
In her current role, Flood said she supervises and works with a team of attorneys – and interns preparing to enter the profession. “Every single day I consider it an honor and joy to be working with (those) whom I’m working with,” she said.
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Old-Fashioned Tent Revival Kicks Off At 6:30 PM Oct. 16 At G.R.A.C.E. Ministries
/by WIZS StaffThe public is invited to an old-fashioned outdoor tent revival that will take place beginning Sunday at G.R.A.C.E Ministries of Henderson.
There will be a special guest speaker each of the eight nights of the revival, which will be held nightly from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. through Oct. 23. According to information from Jamie Elliott, the revival will be for anyone who loves good praise and worship and great preaching, as well as those who are searching to rekindle their love of God.
Bring a lawn chair – seating is limited – or drive in, stay in the comfort of your own vehicles and tune in through an FM transmitter. G.R.A.C.E. Ministries is located at 961 Burr St.
For more information, contact any of the following:
Jamie Elliott 252.204.3617
Bobby West 252.432.7124
Danny Satterwhite – 252.425.3620
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 10-12-22 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.
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City Council Approves Reinstating Retirement Benefits To Employees Affected By State Policy Change
/by Laura GabelMore than a dozen current city employees – including the city police chief and fire chief, among others – have had their retirement benefits reinstated, thanks to an add-on agenda item at Monday’s Henderson City Council meeting.
Melissa Elliott, council member and chair of the Human Resources Committee, told WIZS News Tuesday that the council had voted to reinstate the benefits for a total of 20 current and former employees who would not have enough years in to qualify for full retirement benefits when the state changed the eligibility requirements.
“We got it back,” Elliott said in a phone interview.
Council member Garry Daeke said the cost will probably be along the lines of $192,000. “That’s money that won’t be available for other things,” Daeke said in a telephone interview Tuesday.”
When this particular group of employees was hired, there was one policy in effect, but that changed in the mid-2000’s.
All new hires understand that they must have 20 years of full-time employment to be eligible for state retirement benefits, including health benefits until they reach age 65 when Medicare kicks in.
Elliott said she is happy that this group of city employees, some of which now are retired, will have access to the benefits that were in place when they were hired.
She added that the nearby municipalities of Oxford, Wake Forest and Louisburg also have voted to reinstate the benefits.
Daeke said when the state changed the policy, local leaders were advised that there simply wasn’t enough money in the coffers to be able to afford it – “there was too much on the books to pay out,” Daeke said in a phone interview.
Although he wasn’t ready to call it a broken promise, Daeke acknowledged that it was a “serious change” for city employees to face when the state policy was amended back in 2009.
“The good news is, it’s been reinstated,” Daeke said.