TownTalk: Local Author Michael Elliott To Hold Book Signing

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Oxford native Mike Elliott has fond childhood memories of the Richard Thornton Library – it’s a place he frequented after school and he said it’s where he got to discover all kinds of wonderful music. Oh, yeah, books, too. But also albums. Stacks and stacks of record albums, he said.

Elliott returns to Thornton Library this Saturday, Oct. 8 to talk about his new book called “Have A Little Faith: The John Hiatt Story,” a biography of legendary singer-songwriter John Hiatt.

Elliott, a former staff member here at WIZS, told Bill Harris Tuesday that the library was a place “near and dear to my heart…where I got to discover all kinds of wonderful music.”

And from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, he’ll be reading from his own book, entertaining questions about it and signing books that will be available for sale. Now out in paperback, the hard cover was released in September 2021.

Hiatt may not be a household name to some, but his songs surely are recognizable. Artists from Bonnie Raitt to B.B. King have sung the lyrics he’s penned since he came onto the music scene in the early 1970’s. “He has written so many songs that people will know,” Elliott said. “So many people have done John Hiatt music.”

Interestingly enough, it was a “horrible” song that first caught Elliott’s attention. Although he didn’t like the lyrics he was listening to on one of those college stations in the mid-‘80’s, he was drawn to the voice singing it. Elliott said he remembered thinking “This song’s terrible, but I love that singer” with the bluesy voice.

Fast forward to another Hiatt song called “Slow Turning,” and it hit Elliott that both songs were performed by the same guy. On a subsequent visit to Henderson’s Nits, Nats, Etc. was where Elliott said he found “Bring The Family,” which he called “an amazing album…that made me a fan for life” of Hiatt’s music.

“He’s a brilliant lyricist,” Elliott continued, with an ability to take the mundane and create sweet perspectives on everyday life. Hiatt’s lyrics are quirky, but not maudlin, he said.

Hiatt turned 70 in August, Elliott said, and he had a chance to sit and chat in person after a recent performance at Carolina Theater in Durham. The initial interviews for the book had to be done over the phone because of COVID, but Elliott said he caught a show in Ft. Lauderdale and then “was thrilled to finally be able to meet in person.”

What’s next for Elliott?

In addition to the regular contributions to numerous online and print publications, Elliott said he’s narrowing down topics for his next book.

“I’ve got some irons in the fire,” he said, adding that the next book will more than likely be a biography, again with a music theme.

Learn more at https://michael-elliott.com/

 

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Hispanic Heritage Festival Moved To Sunday, Oct. 9

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The second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival will be held on Sunday, Oct. 9 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the area near the police department and library on Breckenridge Street. The event was moved from Saturday to Sunday because of a conflict with a previously scheduled event at McGregor Hall.

Melissa Elliott, Henderson City Council member and president of Gang Free, Inc. said the stage is set to provide the community with the sights, sounds and flavors of different Hispanic/Latino cultures – just a week later than planned.

The local Arts Council is sponsoring some of the entertainment scheduled, Elliott told John C. Rose Wednesday. There will be dancers performing traditional dances from Colombia and Mexico, she said, and numerous area restaurants will be providing food.

The event is free to the public. “We’re going to go out and have some fun,” she said, adding that it’s important to continue the momentum from last year’s festival and “celebrate everyone that lives, works and plays in our community.”

The popular electric bull will be back for anyone adventurous enough to climb aboard and then try to hang on, and there will be face-painting and other tamer activities to participate in, she added.

Mayor Eddie Ellington is scheduled to issue a city proclamation observing Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival falls right in the middle of this national observance, which satisfies Elliott’s quest for diversity and educating and empowering everyone in the community.

TownTalk: ‘Hungry Heroes’ Event Coming To Henderson Nov. 5

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When it comes to barbecue and the obligatory banana pudding that accompanies it, Amanda Riggan knows not to underestimate folks in Vance County and the surrounding area. And when that barbecue and puddin’ is prepared to raise money to support a worthy cause, Riggan knows she can count on locals to be supportive.

Riggan is the founder of Hungry Heroes, and she and her team of volunteers will be at the Vance County Rescue Squad on Saturday, Nov. 5 with their grills fired up and serving spoons dishing up sides – including her mom’s cold banana puddin’ – to feed all first responders, military personnel and veterans.

She told John C. Rose Monday that she and her team have fed a couple of thousand people at a single event, and she is planning to serve between 500 and 800 next month between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the rescue squad facility on Maynard Road.

“Hopefully we sell out,” Riggan said. “I just can’t wait to see everyone…I’m so excited for the community and for (my) family members to be involved and to serve.” Riggan’s parents are both from Henderson.

Veterans, military personnel and first responders eat for free, she said, but the public is invited to come and join in the fun. “For a $10 donation, plates are available to the public,” she said.

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There will be other activities for families to enjoy, including a bouncy house for the kids and plenty of items that will be raffled.

Riggan said planning is underway and she’s looking forward to being back in Henderson, but what she’s really excited about is paying tribute to the area’s first responders and to honor them for the work they do.

“It’s really cool to see the heroes behind the badge, it’s humbling to know they sacrifice their safety for us every day.”

Hungry Heroes got its start in 2018 when Riggan was trying to figure out a way to help her community deal with a tragic incident that left one law enforcement officer dead and three others wounded.

She said she got her answer after prayerfully considering her response: “Feed them,” she said.

So she did.

With a healthy boost by social media outlets, she and her pulled pork barbecue plates began showing up at events in Texas, Utah and Florida, among other places across the nation.

“Some events aren’t fun and aren’t planned,” Riggan said. One example: She and her father hopped a plane last year to feed first responders on the scene at the condominium collapse in Surfside, FL.

Riggan most recently was in Henderson to stock the refrigerators at local law enforcement agency break rooms and she has begun a “Campus Heroes” program that brings weekly hot lunches to school resource officers who don’t leave their posts while students are in school.

“We stop by and give them a hot meal as a thank you,” she said.

Visit https://www.hungryheroesbbq.com/ to learn more.

Oct. 14 Homecoming Challenge To Raise Money For VCPS Foundation

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Whether your mascot was a Bulldog, a Viking or a Raider, if you graduated from a high school in Vance County, you’ll all be supporting the Vipers during the Alumni Homecoming Challenge.

But rest assured, there will be opportunities for a little rivalry among alumni during the annual Homecoming game, which kicks off Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. in Viper Stadium, 925 Garrett Rd.

The Vipers take on Granville Central High School, and Vance County Schools’ Director of Communication & Marketing Aarika Sandlin said there will be a special way for alumni to support the school district.

Graduates of Henderson High School, Vance Senior High, Northern Vance, Southern Vance, Vance County Early College, Advance Academy, Henderson Institute, Vance Virtual Village Academy or Vance County High can drop their loose change – or better yet, folding money – into their alma mater’s jar.

A locker plate will be installed at the Center for Innovation to recognize the alumni of each school for each $100 it raises.

The Vance County Public School Foundation is sponsoring the fundraiser.

 

Warrenton Sports Bar Loses ABC Permits Following ALE Investigation

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A Warren County establishment has had its ABC permits rejected as a result of a range of incidents occurring there, from disorderly conduct and property damage to assaults and shootings.

Roxies Sports Bar and Lounge, located at 109 South Hall St. in Warrenton had received a temporary ABC permit in 2020, but that permit was revoked following a recent ALE investigation.

According to a press statement from the NC Department of Public Safety, the sports bar “has been a drain on emergency personnel,” who most recently responded to the bar on Sept. 25. At that time, “a physical altercations between patrons occurred inside the business and was pushed out into the parking lot by security personnel. Shortly after, gunshots were heard near the entrance, and two patrons sustained gunshot injuries.,” the press statement reported.

Any time there are a high number of 9-1-1 calls and violence associated with an ABC-permitted business, ALE special agents conduct an investigation, document any criminal or regulatory violations, and submit a report to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The ABC Commission then reviews the investigative report and determines if the ABC permits are to be suspended, revoked, cancelled or issued a fine.

 

Offense and More Offense

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— text and picture by Patrick Magoon freelance writer for WIZS

Duke’s potent offense, once again, got off to a hot start, scoring multiple touchdowns in the first half. An impressive display of offensive efficiency and strong tackling on defense helped Duke end a 13-game Atlantic Coasting Conference losing streak. Duke earned its first win against the visiting Virginia Cavaliers since 2014. The Cavaliers have yet to win a road game this season.

Duke, averaging 35 points per game, now sits at the top of the division and continues to propel itself further ahead of the competition. They are showing no signs of slowing down.

“Excited to get ACC win No. 1,” said head coach Mike Elko. “But I just told (the players) the expectations around here are changing.”

Riley Leonard completed 18 of 24 pass attempts and ran the ball nine times for 59 yards, scoring twice with his legs. Duke’s top rushers, led by junior running back Jaylen Coleman, averaged 5.2 yards per carry and ran for a combined 248 yards. In comparison, Virginia’s ground attack accumulated 93 yards on 48 attempts, averaging 3.7 yards per carry.

Even in inclement weather, Duke’s offense didn’t miss a beat. The group maintained a strong grip on the football to avoid unnecessary turnovers. Duke’s offense also dominated in time of possession, holding onto the ball for just over 36 minutes.

Duke’s dominant defense forced two turnovers, including a fumble and interception. The defense, led by senior linebacker Shaka Heyward, collectively amassed 70 tackles (six for a loss) and one sack. Virginia’s defense, on the other hand, compiled 98 tackles (seven for a loss) and one sack.

What’s next?

Duke (4-1) will travel to Atlanta for a matchup against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-3). The Yellow Jackets are averaging 16.2 points per game. Both teams won on Saturday, October 1, scoring at least 26 points and allowing 21 or fewer points.

Windy, Rainy Hurricane Ian Largely Spared Vance County Area

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Residents in Vance County and the surrounding area may be picking up scattered branches and limbs from Friday’s storm, but overall damage was limited to downed trees and minimal property damage. Crews spent Friday evening and Saturday restoring power to customers who lost electricity in the pouring rain and driving wind. On Saturday, 7,028 customers were without power in Vance County.

But all in all, Hurricane Ian could have left a much worse path of destruction as it blew through this part of the state.

Emergency Management Services Director Brian Short said there were more than 30 reports of trees down in the area, as well as numerous alarms, fire alarms, traffic accidents and electrical-related calls, Short said, but no major injuries or deaths were reported as a result of the storm.

“All of our public safety agencies worked well together throughout the storm as they always do. Our 911 telecommunicators worked very hard answering your calls for help and coordinating our field response personnel,” Short said. “Fire and rescue crews worked tirelessly responding to trees down, keeping roadways clear and responding to fire-related alarms and other calls. Our EMS crews responded to numerous accidents and medical related incidents and our law enforcement officers patrolled areas without power, and responded to numerous alarms and traffic accidents,” Short reported.

Thankfully, the area saw mostly just rain and wind, which gusted up to the 35-37 mph range and the rainfall measured at the emergency operations center was 1.81 inches.

A wind gust of 39 mph was recorded at the emergency operations center in downtown Henderson, Short said in a written statement. And three inches of rain was the highest amount recorded in the county.

At the height of the storm, more than half a million customers were without power in the Carolinas, and Duke Energy had 10,000 crew members out working to get the power back on. As of 11 a.m. today, there were just under 100 households in North Carolina still waiting to get power restored.

Ian had departed the area by Saturday, and the cleanup and recovery process could be undertaken in earnest, Short said in a report issued over the weekend.

“The most intense weather did not arrive until around 5 p.m. Gusty winds and heavy rains caused downed trees and power outages as well as localized flash flooding, as predicted,” Short said. The highest wind gust recorded at the County Emergency Operations Center was 39 mph. Our data matches that captured by the National Weather Service as well,” he noted.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Native Plants

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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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Over 1,000 Dosage Units of Heroin Nets Suspect a $355,000 Bond and a Trip to Jail

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— HPD Press Release Information — 

On September 30, 2022 officers of the Henderson Police Department served a narcotic search warrant at 1141 Booker St. Henderson, North Carolina in response to a drug complaint.

During the service of the warrant, approximately 1,088 dosage units of heroin, 537 grams of marijuana, drug manufacturing equipment, US currency, and two semi-automatic pistols were seized. One of the pistols was reported stolen from Wake County.

36-year-old Cornelius Vandergrift was arrested in relation to this investigation.

Vandergrift was charged with two counts of Trafficking Heroin, one count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Heroin, one count of Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, Deliver Marijuana, Felony Possession of Marijuana, one count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Simple Possession of Schedule II, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, one count of Maintaining a Dwelling Place for a Controlled Substance and two counts of Possession of Firearm by Felon.

Vandergrift received a $355,000.00 secured bond and was remanded to Vance County Detention by the magistrate.