Plans to bring rail service back to Henderson continue to chug along, and one city council member said he’s been pleasantly surprised at how the S-Line project is coming together.
Garry Daeke spoke with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk about the recent announcement of a $3.4 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to complete a transit-oriented development study.
“It’s incredible that we’ve been able to get these grants so quickly,” Daeke said. The wheels of government and bureaucracy often move slowly, especially when working with multiple agencies across the local, state and federal levels, Daeke noted. But everything is running along smoothly, including a recent site visit that Daeke said proved quite positive.
“I’m real enthused about the work of DOT – how much time and energy they’ve put into this – they really want to see this fly,” Daeke said. In fact, state DOT officials held a press conference Tuesday morning in Sanford to announce the awarding of the RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Sanford is one of the stops along the proposed S-Line, which includes stops in Apex, Raleigh, Wake Forest, Henderson and Norlina to connect the Raleigh to Richmond corridor.
The City Council is “100 percent excited” about the project, which would include a train station and other possible retail and commercial projects nearby, with the prospect of providing a huge boost to the area’s economy.
The rail would serve passenger and freight traffic, both of which Henderson has experienced in the past.
For Daeke, it’s all about working together. “Collaboration is how things happen,” he said. During the recent site visit, city staff and local officials joined NC DOT staff and railroad representatives to survey existing infrastructure and to envision how the area could be transformed.
The city put up $190,000 for its part of the project, and although Daeke said it’s a lot of money, he said he believes the project will pay big dividends for the city and beyond.
The group took a look at the old First National Bank Building on Garnett Street as a possible station, and Daeke said the reviews were positive. The group took a walking tour and looked at the former bank building as they covered basically the whole block, discussing everything from loading docks and accessibility to parking lots and bike paths.
“This will be the jewel on the new line between Petersburg and Sanford,” Daeke recalled one visitor as saying.
Between the urban redevelopment plans underway and what’s going on downtown with the Downtown Development Commission, Daeke said the state and rail officials who visited were impressed with prospects for the rail hub.
“They said it would be a fantastic site for a train station,” he said, affirming what city leaders had wondered about. “It became very clear that it could work.”
What comes next?
A feasibility study, including a site assessment and preliminary engineering plans, for starters.
But the project includes much more than just situating a train station in town.
The whole notion of a “transportation hub” involves looking at how people are going to get to the station and could include projects from creating bike lanes to widening existing roads. Then there’s the very real possibility of having to build a couple of overpasses for the trains to keep road traffic moving. Where will folks park if they want to catch the train in Henderson and leave their car for a few days?
Daeke said it will be key to take a look at where people gain access to the train and make sure that the area is safe and easily accessible for the community.
“It’s definitely a bigger plan than just building a train station,” he said.
The S-Line is a developing rail corridor that will better connect rural and urban communities, improve and expand freight and passenger services, and significantly reduce rail travel times between Raleigh and Washington D.C. To learn more, visit this NCDOT webpage.
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VCS Announces Principals, Teachers Of The Year During Awards Ceremony
/by WIZS StaffVance County Schools honored its 2022 Educators of Excellence at an awards ceremony on Tuesday.
Edward Ortega, principal of STEM Early High School was named Principal of the Year; Launtia Dallas of Clarke Elementary was named Beginning Teacher of the Year; Anita Griffith of Zeb Vance Elementary was named Teacher of the Year and Donald Johnson of Aycock Elementary was named Assistant Principal of the Year.
The awards were presented at the district’s annual Excellence in Education banquet at the Henderson County Club. The banquet honored teachers, staff and administrators from across the district, representing their respective schools.
Griffith, music teacher at Zeb Vance Elementary, has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Piano Performance and Choral Conducting. She has taught at the elementary, secondary and university level.
“This is an amazing acknowledgement”, Griffith said. “I am humbled to be named VCS District Teacher of the Year. Our children are so important and I will try to always do my best for them.”
Donald Johnson III (VCS Assistant Principal of the Year), Edward Ortega (VCS Principal of the Year), Anita Griffith (VCS Teacher of the Year), and Launtia Dallas (VCS Beginning Teacher of the Year)
She is a phenomenal educator and in everything she does”, said Andrew Markcoch, the Director of Fine Arts and Innovation. First and foremost, she has built relationships with the students, and has built a culture in her room at Zeb Vance that is palatable.” Anybody that walks into her room will see that instantly. [She is] a wonderful representation of the kinds of things that we do in this district in the arts.”
Dallas, who teaches second grade at Clarke Elementary, said she is “excited, elated, honored and extremely grateful to Vance County Schools for this prestigious award.
I show up every day to educate my scholars as if they had my last name,” Dallas said in a press statement issued by VCS Director of Communications Aarika Sandlin. “My desire is to serve them to
the best of my ability so that they can serve our community. I am humbled by this recognition and I’m ready to allow this fresh fire to perpetuate as I believe that our scholars deserve teachers who believe that they can learn and will not be satisfied until they do.”
Johnson took top honors as assistant principal of the year. Currently at Aycock Elementary, he began his educational journey in Granville County as a teacher and assistant principal before joining Vance County Schools in 2021.
“I am truly humbled, honored, and blessed to serve the community that I am from. As a product of Vance County, I am fortunate to be able to serve alongside an amazing group of educators, children, and families that make up our community. As I reflect on the privilege of being named the Vance County Schools’ Assistant Principal of the Year, the word that immediately comes to mind is ‘thankful.’ I am thankful to serve on a dynamic team that is committed to serving children each day to ensure that all children are given the best opportunities to learn and grow. I am thankful to continue to serve the community that made me who I am today. I am so proud of each educator in our district that invests in our students and community – they are the true heroes.”
Edward Ortega, principal of STEM Early High, said he was honored and humbled to be named VCS principal of the year. “This is a recognition of the dedication and hard work poured in over the years to make sure our students receive the quality education they deserve. I did not reach this point on my own. Since I came from Colombia in 2004, I have been blessed with mentorship and friendship of amazing educators and leaders. I am truly thankful to each one of them for the guidance, support and affection expressed along the way. I am also fortunate to work for a school district and community committed to fostering academic excellence in the county’s children and youth. I will continue to be fully committed to my passion for teaching and learning in all its forms in a school district that has become an incredibly special place for me and my family. Again, thank you Vance County Schools for this recognition. It feels amazing to be the 2022 VCS Principal of the Year.”
Ortega began his career with Vance County Schools as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. He graduated from the Universidad del Atlántico in Colombia as a Modern Languages Teacher.
“It’s an honor to celebrate all of the educators in our district, especially those recognized by their peers as Teacher of the Year and Beginning Teacher of the Year”, said Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett. “It is also exciting to be part of recognizing members of our school leadership. Vance County Schools is very fortunate to have a group of dedicated and passionate teachers and leaders who recognize that the most important part of our job is serving our children.”
Griffith and Ortega will represent Vance County in the regional competition.
FRANKLIN COUNTY TRIAL WEEK RESULTS IN GUILTY PLEA IN DEATH BY DISTRIBUTION CASE
/by WIZS StaffLouisburg, NC – Defendant Aaron Lloyd pleaded guilty to death by distribution this week in Franklin County Superior Court before Judge Brian C. Wilks and received an active sentence of 70 to 96 months in the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections (DAC). This is believed to be the first death by distribution case resulting in a guilty plea in Franklin County since the law went into effect on December 1, 2019.
“Death by distribution cases are complex, and require detailed investigation and examination of the facts as applied to the law,” said District Attorney Mike Waters. “I’m proud of the partnership between the Franklin County Sheriffs Office and the Assistant District Attorneys in Franklin County in dealing with the opioid epidemic and taking cases like these seriously.”
The investigation by the Franklin County Sheriffs Office was led by Detective T.H. Turner. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jamie Lamancusa.
(Above are the first three paragraphs of a press release from the office of DA Mike Waters.)
The Local Skinny! Home & Garden Show
/by John C. RoseOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN
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TownTalk: African American Cultural Museum Looking to Move Within Henderson
/by Laura GabelWhen families outgrow their homes, oftentimes they look for something in the same area with more bedrooms or bathrooms to make everyone more comfortable. That’s kind of what Edith Thompson is hoping to do with the African American Cultural Museum – their Oxford Road location actually used to be a home, but the museum quickly has outgrown its space.
The museum needs more space – inside and out, Thompson told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town.
“We’re excited about the future of the museum,” she said, noting that several groups have visited and held programs there recently. But parking is an issue, she said. And so is the underground oil tank, a relic of an obsolete heating system.
So for now, the museum is on pause for groups to come and visit. And Thompson and others are hopeful to find a spot in downtown Henderson to meet their needs.
“We need more space…we need to expand to incorporate an exhibit on the Henderson community,” Thompson said. A virtual tour will be posted on the museum’s website, www.rebuildcommunitiesnc.org, in the next 30 days or so, she said. A virtual tour will have to suffice, she said, until the museum’s docents once again can entertain face-to-face tours.
Leadership vance, biz exchange for minority businesses.
“We put a lot of money into renovating this space,” Thompson said, so she and other museum supporters are disappointed to have to be looking for another space so soon.
“We do what we must,” she said optimistically. “It’s a good sign that Henderson loves us and is really embracing us.” She said educating young people is a prime mission of the museum, but museum organizers also had a vision that the museum would attract more visitors to the Henderson area.
She said the plan is to be back open in time to celebrate Black History Month 2023. “Excuse us while we take a brief hiatus,” Thompson said. “We will be back.”
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 08-17-22 Noon
/by John C. RoseClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Granville DSS Opens Satellite Office In Creedmoor
/by WIZS StaffPeople who live in the southern part of Granville County can cut their drive time to the county’s Department of Social Services – a satellite office officially opened Monday in the Butner-Creedmoor area.
County officials had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official first day of business for the second DSS location, 2531 East Lyon Station Rd., according to information from Terry Hobgood, public information officer for Granville County.
Residents will be able to receive the complete suite of services currently offered at the Oxford office at 410 W. Spring St. and the Child Support Office, located at 122 Williamsboro St.
Residents who live or work in southern Granville County will now have convenient access to these vital county services, Hobgood stated.
“The opening of a Social Services office in southern Granville County aligns with Granville County’s strategic plan, which emphasizes the need to expand county services to reach residents currently underserved due to the challenges related to transportation, high gas prices, and geographic distance from Oxford,” said Granville DSS Director Adonica Hampton. “We are excited to be able to provide this imperative resource for residents of the greater Butner, Creedmoor and Stem communities, plus any other county residents who may find it more convenient to visit this new office.”
“I could not be happier see this new Butner-Creedmoor office opened to the public,” said Social Services Board Chair, and District 3 County Commissioner Sue Hinman. “We have heard from our residents for so many years that they need more convenient access to county services. Just like we have brought other county services, like libraries and senior centers to Berea, Butner, Creedmoor, Oak Hill, Stovall and Wilton, we are now able to meet our residents where they are, in one of the fastest growing parts of our county. Any time we can make our residents’ lives easier and provide better customer service, we want to be there.”
For more information about the Department of Social Services, please visit the Granville County Website: https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/social-services/.
Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden
/by John C. RoseListen 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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Another Grant Means Another Step Toward ‘All Aboard’ for S-Line Rail
/by Laura GabelPlans to bring rail service back to Henderson continue to chug along, and one city council member said he’s been pleasantly surprised at how the S-Line project is coming together.
Garry Daeke spoke with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk about the recent announcement of a $3.4 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to complete a transit-oriented development study.
“It’s incredible that we’ve been able to get these grants so quickly,” Daeke said. The wheels of government and bureaucracy often move slowly, especially when working with multiple agencies across the local, state and federal levels, Daeke noted. But everything is running along smoothly, including a recent site visit that Daeke said proved quite positive.
“I’m real enthused about the work of DOT – how much time and energy they’ve put into this – they really want to see this fly,” Daeke said. In fact, state DOT officials held a press conference Tuesday morning in Sanford to announce the awarding of the RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Sanford is one of the stops along the proposed S-Line, which includes stops in Apex, Raleigh, Wake Forest, Henderson and Norlina to connect the Raleigh to Richmond corridor.
The City Council is “100 percent excited” about the project, which would include a train station and other possible retail and commercial projects nearby, with the prospect of providing a huge boost to the area’s economy.
The rail would serve passenger and freight traffic, both of which Henderson has experienced in the past.
For Daeke, it’s all about working together. “Collaboration is how things happen,” he said. During the recent site visit, city staff and local officials joined NC DOT staff and railroad representatives to survey existing infrastructure and to envision how the area could be transformed.
The city put up $190,000 for its part of the project, and although Daeke said it’s a lot of money, he said he believes the project will pay big dividends for the city and beyond.
The group took a look at the old First National Bank Building on Garnett Street as a possible station, and Daeke said the reviews were positive. The group took a walking tour and looked at the former bank building as they covered basically the whole block, discussing everything from loading docks and accessibility to parking lots and bike paths.
“This will be the jewel on the new line between Petersburg and Sanford,” Daeke recalled one visitor as saying.
Between the urban redevelopment plans underway and what’s going on downtown with the Downtown Development Commission, Daeke said the state and rail officials who visited were impressed with prospects for the rail hub.
“They said it would be a fantastic site for a train station,” he said, affirming what city leaders had wondered about. “It became very clear that it could work.”
What comes next?
A feasibility study, including a site assessment and preliminary engineering plans, for starters.
But the project includes much more than just situating a train station in town.
The whole notion of a “transportation hub” involves looking at how people are going to get to the station and could include projects from creating bike lanes to widening existing roads. Then there’s the very real possibility of having to build a couple of overpasses for the trains to keep road traffic moving. Where will folks park if they want to catch the train in Henderson and leave their car for a few days?
Daeke said it will be key to take a look at where people gain access to the train and make sure that the area is safe and easily accessible for the community.
“It’s definitely a bigger plan than just building a train station,” he said.
The S-Line is a developing rail corridor that will better connect rural and urban communities, improve and expand freight and passenger services, and significantly reduce rail travel times between Raleigh and Washington D.C. To learn more, visit this NCDOT webpage.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 08-16-22 Noon
/by John C. RoseClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 08-16-22
/by John C. RoseThe H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for August 16, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email michele@hendersonvance.org to be included.
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Business Name – Holy Innocents Episcopal Church
Job Opening – Preschool Program at Holy Innocents is hiring. Looking for 2 individuals to lead the 2-year and 3-year classrooms. Monday-Friday from 8:15 am – 12:15 pm, beginning September 6th.
How To Apply – Contact Crystal for more information at 252-430-9604 or hinnocentspreschool@gmail.com
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Business Name – Carolina Sunrock – Kittrell, NC Plant
Job Opening – Opening for a Plant Utility Person. Responsible for general housekeeping and maintenance of the plant. Benefits include paid time off, plus 8 paid holidays. In this position routine duties are performed with minimal supervision. Standard practices or procedures allow the employee to proceed alone at routine work. Good judgment and common sense is required in all duties and any other tasks assigned. Normal work hours are 7:00 am until 6:00pm Monday through Friday with weekend hours as needed.
How To Apply – Apply at https://jobsearcher.com/c/carolina-sunrock or at www.indeed.com
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Business Name – Maria Parham Health
Job Opening – Hiring for a Women’s Health Administrative Assistant. Full-time. Performs receptionist, registration, and clerical duties associated with and scheduled patient admissions. High School diploma or equivalent required, Associate’s degree in Secretarial Science preferred. Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
How To Apply – Apply online at https://lifepoint.taleo.net/careersection. Or apply at www.indeed.com.
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Business Name – Schewels Furniture Company
Job Opening – Hiring for an Office Associate. Part-time or Full-time. Hiring immediately for individual with a pleasing personality, a team player who responds well to pressure. Has the ability to effectively deal with the public. Must be efficient working with numbers and the handling of monies. Needs the ability to accurately maintain a cash drawer with no significant problems. Must have demonstrated skills in typing, use of computer and various other office machines. Complete the terms on a charge sale, process cash sale transactions, and answer the telephone and use the intercom in a professional manner.
How To Apply – Apply at www.indeed.com.
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Business Name – Eckerd Connects
Job Opening – Youth Counselors are desperately needed! Eckerd Connects is a Manson, NC at-risk girl’s camp (ages 13-17). The girls are court ordered to be there and they need strong role models and positive guidance. Applicants need to have a high school diploma and at least 2-years experience working with youth, counseling, or non-profit, such as a daycare, coaching, or homeless shelters. Or a degree in any type of Human Service or Social Service field.
How To Apply – Contact Lorena Marquez, Recruiter for more information or send your resume to lmarquez@eckerd.org. 828-358-8895.
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Business Name – Truist Bank (former BB& T Bank) – Dabney Drive in Henderson
Job Opening – Senior Relationship Banker. Requires previous banking experience. Full-Time. Monday – Friday. Benefit Package. Applicants need excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including a desire to interact with clients and prospects. Demonstrated proficiency in basic computer applications, such as Microsoft Office.
How To Apply – https://careers.truist.com/job/16401950/sr-relationship-banker-henderson-main-henderson-nc. Questions, contact April Alston, Branch Manager.
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Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS. Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast. This is not a paid ad.
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