The WIZS family is mourning the loss of one of its own, Ron Noel, who died Wednesday. Noel co-hosted the Tuesday and Thursday sports show with Trey Snide. Thursday’s show was dedicated to Noel, in appreciation for his enthusiasm for local sports, especially in Vance and Granville counties.
Joe Sharrow, Vance County High School athletic director, shared the mic with Snide on today’s program, and the two shared memories about their colleague and friend.
“He was a great man,” Sharrow said. “He was the type of person who wouldn’t want things to stop because of him,” he added.
WIZS colleague Bill Harris called in to the show to remember Noel. “When I would fill in for you on Sports Talk,” Harris told Snide, “I would rely on (Ron’s) wealth of knowledge of local sports to get me through the program.” He could talk about coaches and players on various teams and various sports, Harris said. “I would let Ron go on because he just knew so much.”
Noel loved baseball, but he was interested in, and knowledgeable of, other sports as well.
“He was always prepared,” Snide said. When he’d come into the studio at 12:30 for the 1 p.m. show and the sports news was a little slow, Snide said Noel would simply say “let’s do local.” “That’s what we’re all about,” Snide said, appreciative of the fact that his co-host was always game for talking about what’s going on in the community.
“We love you, we appreciate everything you’ve done for us,” Snide said in remembering his friend and colleague. “We loved your excitement,” he added, saying that Noel listened to the show every single day.
Sharrow said Noel “always had a positive twist on things…he had a long-term vision – you lost this one, but you’re going to be all right down the road,” he said Noel would say after a tough loss.
Whether he was walking into a gymnasium in Vance County or Granville County, or a favorite spot to meet buddies and swap stories – the Oxford Bojangle’s – it seemed that Noel greeted friends wherever he went.
“He was ‘the guy,’Sharrow said. “He knew everything that was going on anywhere – in Vance, Granville – it could be anywhere in the state,” he said. He lived in Granville County, but he worked at J.C. Penney in Henderson for many years, so his love for both counties was evident.
John Charles Rose phoned in to express condolences to Ron’s wife, son and extended family on behalf of the radio station. “We thank Ron for the contributions he’s made over the years and for his family sharing him with us,” Rose said via telephone. He said Ron “always came in with a topic to talk about,” and really enjoyed talking about local sports.
Sharrow said the local sports community has lost several important figures recently – Joe Stepusin, Clay Faulkner, and Wilton Baskett.
Baskett was known for being a flashy dresser, and sporting school colors courtside, Sharrow recounted. The yellow coat at Northern Vance, then the green coat at Vance County High School games – Baskett wore them proudly. “He really believed in dressing professionally,” Sharrow said, adding that Baskett told him that he’d never coached a game without a tie on
“Ron was his tailor,” Sharrow said. “Ron is the one who picked those clothes out!”
Snide recalled Noel’s thoughtfulness to others, but especially to him before airtime. He would call up before coming to the radio station and ask if we wanted something for lunch – chicken or hotdogs, usually. “That just goes to show what kind of person Ron was,” he said.
Later today, Noel’s son, Ray, will probably be on the sidelines at Granville Central High School in Stem as the Panthers host East Wake Academy in the second round of the baseball playoffs.
Sharrow said he talked with his friend and GCHS athletic director Wednesday night and the younger Noel said he was going to be there. “He said, ‘this is what my dad would want me to do,’” Sharrow said.
Sharrow and others in the local sports community will be there tonight to support their friend and colleague. “And,” Sharrow said, “I’m absolutely pulling for the Panthers tonight.”
Taylor Named 2020 Citizen Of The Year At 83rd Annual Chamber Meeting
/by Laura GabelCol. Archie B. Taylor, Jr. was named Vance County’s 2020 Citizen of the Year during the 83rd annual meeting of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, held virtually on Thursday, June 17.
Taylor is retired from the military and, upon returning to Vance County, immersed himself in community activities, from working with the Vance County Public School Foundation to the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, and many other things besides.
In accepting the award, Taylor thanked the Chamber for the honor. He said he grew up in Vance County, working in tobacco fields and picking cucumbers. When it was time for him to retire, said “the only place I wanted to come back to was Vance County.”
Taylor accepted the award from the 2019 recipients, Tommy and Carolyn Farmer. This year’s winner “has been involved in volunteerism on just about every level of local community service since his retirement: a supporter of area youth programs, an advocate for improved education, a civic leader, a promoter of the arts, a financial backer for non-profit causes, and a champion for quality medical care in our community.”
The Farmers said Taylor’s “community spirit is admirable” as they shared some of his accomplishments and his involvement with local groups. He is a member of Rotary and is a Paul Harris Fellow; he has given many hours of his time serving the Boy Scouts in a hands-on fashion to raise funds or to help start new troops in the Occoneechee Counci. He has received the George Watkins-Awahili District Citizen of the Year, one of the highest honors in scouting.
Taylor also is a member of the board of trustees for Maria Parham Health; and his support of Henderson Collegiate and the Vance County Public School Foundation all contribute to Taylor’s selection as the Citizen of the Year.
He stepped in as chairman of the foundation board and has continued in that leadership role for more than 15 years.
“He has been instrumental in making sure the Foundation’s primary fundraiser, Arts Alive, a student art, music, and drama spotlight production, became a reality and continued each year,” they added. “Under his leadership and with his active involvement, the Vance County Public School Foundation has supported and awarded student achievement, scholastic growth in the schools, teacher recruitment and retention efforts, and advanced innovative programs such as STEM. His education endeavors also involve being active in the support and promotion of the Henderson Collegiate School.”
Taylor was nominated by numerous members of the community, and those nominators described him as a “small town diplomat,” a “roll-up-your-sleeves worker,” and someone who always wants what is “best for the community,” and a “model citizen who puts in the time and effort and energy to make our city and county a better place.”
Noel Loved Baseball, Talking Local Sports On WIZS
/by Laura GabelThe WIZS family is mourning the loss of one of its own, Ron Noel, who died Wednesday. Noel co-hosted the Tuesday and Thursday sports show with Trey Snide. Thursday’s show was dedicated to Noel, in appreciation for his enthusiasm for local sports, especially in Vance and Granville counties.
Joe Sharrow, Vance County High School athletic director, shared the mic with Snide on today’s program, and the two shared memories about their colleague and friend.
“He was a great man,” Sharrow said. “He was the type of person who wouldn’t want things to stop because of him,” he added.
WIZS colleague Bill Harris called in to the show to remember Noel. “When I would fill in for you on Sports Talk,” Harris told Snide, “I would rely on (Ron’s) wealth of knowledge of local sports to get me through the program.” He could talk about coaches and players on various teams and various sports, Harris said. “I would let Ron go on because he just knew so much.”
Noel loved baseball, but he was interested in, and knowledgeable of, other sports as well.
“He was always prepared,” Snide said. When he’d come into the studio at 12:30 for the 1 p.m. show and the sports news was a little slow, Snide said Noel would simply say “let’s do local.” “That’s what we’re all about,” Snide said, appreciative of the fact that his co-host was always game for talking about what’s going on in the community.
“We love you, we appreciate everything you’ve done for us,” Snide said in remembering his friend and colleague. “We loved your excitement,” he added, saying that Noel listened to the show every single day.
Sharrow said Noel “always had a positive twist on things…he had a long-term vision – you lost this one, but you’re going to be all right down the road,” he said Noel would say after a tough loss.
Whether he was walking into a gymnasium in Vance County or Granville County, or a favorite spot to meet buddies and swap stories – the Oxford Bojangle’s – it seemed that Noel greeted friends wherever he went.
“He was ‘the guy,’Sharrow said. “He knew everything that was going on anywhere – in Vance, Granville – it could be anywhere in the state,” he said. He lived in Granville County, but he worked at J.C. Penney in Henderson for many years, so his love for both counties was evident.
John Charles Rose phoned in to express condolences to Ron’s wife, son and extended family on behalf of the radio station. “We thank Ron for the contributions he’s made over the years and for his family sharing him with us,” Rose said via telephone. He said Ron “always came in with a topic to talk about,” and really enjoyed talking about local sports.
Sharrow said the local sports community has lost several important figures recently – Joe Stepusin, Clay Faulkner, and Wilton Baskett.
Baskett was known for being a flashy dresser, and sporting school colors courtside, Sharrow recounted. The yellow coat at Northern Vance, then the green coat at Vance County High School games – Baskett wore them proudly. “He really believed in dressing professionally,” Sharrow said, adding that Baskett told him that he’d never coached a game without a tie on
“Ron was his tailor,” Sharrow said. “Ron is the one who picked those clothes out!”
Snide recalled Noel’s thoughtfulness to others, but especially to him before airtime. He would call up before coming to the radio station and ask if we wanted something for lunch – chicken or hotdogs, usually. “That just goes to show what kind of person Ron was,” he said.
Later today, Noel’s son, Ray, will probably be on the sidelines at Granville Central High School in Stem as the Panthers host East Wake Academy in the second round of the baseball playoffs.
Sharrow said he talked with his friend and GCHS athletic director Wednesday night and the younger Noel said he was going to be there. “He said, ‘this is what my dad would want me to do,’” Sharrow said.
Sharrow and others in the local sports community will be there tonight to support their friend and colleague. “And,” Sharrow said, “I’m absolutely pulling for the Panthers tonight.”
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover 06-17-21 – Be Consistent
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
WIZS Local News Audio 06-17-21 Noon
/by Bill HarrisThank you for listening to WIZS Radio, Your Community Voice!
City Adopts Budget; Conducts Public Hearing
/by John C. RoseWhen the Henderson City Council met Monday night, the fiscal year 22 budget was adopted as presented by the city manager.
Mayor Eddie Ellington told WIZS News, “No tax increase and no fee increases, keeping in mind the struggles of the citizens dealing with the effects of Covid-19 last year.”
The total city budget is $41,142,405. Almost half, or $20,225,360, comes from the general fund. The regional water fund and water fund combined equal some $12.7 million while the sewer fund is almost $5.2 million and just over $2.4 million is coming from capital reserve funds.
Also at the meeting, the council carried out a public hearing about the Lynne Avenue near Dabney Drive area. Ellington said input and concerns were voiced by three folks who “spoke in favor of the proposed cul-de-sac” which would stop ingress and egress between Dabney and Lynne. None spoke against the proposal.
Ellington said, “We did not take action (Monday) night; however, we will likely call it to a vote at the next meeting.” He said, “This action would ease traffic problems for the neighborhood as well as congestion on Dabney Dr.”
Property will need to change hands to make it a reality, and the estimated cost for the building of the cul-de-sac is $46,200.
A small shopping center at the corner of Dabney Drive and Lynne Avenue, which sits on a half acre site and is locally owned, would continue to have direct access to Dabney Drive under the proposed plan.
A meeting agenda attachment, a memo dated January 6, 2021 from Code Compliance Director Corey Williams to City Manager Terrell Blackmon provides additional information.
“The property located at 1337 and 1343 Dabney Drive at the corner of Lynne Avenue is zone Office Institutional
(OIA). There have been attempts to rezone the parcels to commercial zone due to the high traffic counts on Dabney
Drive. However, the City Council has denied the request due to potential commercial traffic entering on to Lynne
Avenue.
“The Development Service Staff along with the Engineering Dept. presented a plan to install a cul-de-sac at Lynne
Avenue. This would prevent traffic from entering and exiting Lynne from Dabney. This suggestion went before the
Land Planning Committee on August 20, 2020, which members of the committee agreed that the cul-de-sac was a
good ideal but wanted to ensure residents had input through a “open house” review.
“Since that time, Development Services Staff have communicated with the potential developer, Hill DeBose, and he
agrees with the concept of the cul-de-sac. Mr. DeBose suggested that the owners would consider donating the
additional land for the cul-de-sac project. Mr. DeBuse is willing to present his concept of development to the city.
“Prior to any presentation the city must be caution in contract zoning which is illegal. The cul-de-sac project needs to
be separate from any potential rezoning case. The cul-de-sac project should be considered first and if a rezoning
petition is refilled then the Planning Board and City Council must carefully consider all the potential uses of the new
zoning district. The developer is eager to move forward”
OPD Chief Coley Announces Retirement; City To Begin Search For Successor
/by Laura GabelOxford Police Chief Alvin Coley announced that he will retire on Aug. 1, 2021, after almost eight years in the office, city officials announced Tuesday.
Coley was hired as police chief in September 2013, but his work in the military and law enforcement spans three decades. He took over as police chief upon retirement from the N.C. Highway Patrol, where he had worked for 26 years as major director of troop operations West, according to a press statement issued by the City of Oxford.
Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent told WIZS News Wednesday that Coley has been an asset to the city in numerous ways in his time as chief. “Not only have we seen a significant decrease in property crime during his tenure,” Sergent said, “but his warm and personable manner are appreciated by those who know him.”
“Our board and staff are grateful for his dedicated service to our residents and stakeholders, and wish him and his family only good things as they embark on this next journey in their lives,” Sergent added.
Coley has a distinguished list of accomplishments and accolades, including being a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award that can be obtained by a civilian in North Carolina. He has served on the boards of several groups, including Boys & Girls Club, has co-chaired the JCPC and the Citizens in Action Committee, and he has been on the quality planning board with the Masonic Home for Children.
During his time as chief, he instituted the Coffee with a Cop program and strengthened community-police relationships.
“Chief Coley’s retirement is bittersweet for the City of Oxford, said City Manager M. Alan Thornton. “While we congratulate him on his retirement and wish him well during the next phase of his life, his departure creates a significant void here at the City of Oxford that will be a challenge to fill,” Thornton said in the press statement.
The City of Oxford is currently in the process of evaluating and determining the most appropriate and effective course to take on the installment of a potential interim chief of police while an extensive search is conducted to select the next chief for the City of Oxford.
The Local Skinny! Home and Garden Show
/by John C. RoseThank you for listening to WIZS Radio. Your Community Voice!!
Home and Garden Show for June 16, 2021.
Written and produced by Vance County Cooperative Extension.
Announcers Wayne Rowland and Paul McKenzie.
WIZS Local News Audio 6-16-21 Noon
/by John C. RoseThank you for listening to WIZS. Your Community Voice!!
TownTalk: Downtown Development Manager Shares Updates On Projects
/by Laura GabelPicture this: The S Line rail passengers, bound from Charlotte to Richmond, stop in the late afternoon at the Henderson Depot. As they emerge from the train, they’re making decisions – Where to dine? Want to take in tonight’s show at McGregor Hall? Which downtown hotel or bed and breakfast should I try tonight? The stopover in Henderson has become a welcome break in the trip, a respite filled with food, nightlife and tranquil lodging.
When you dream, dream big.
And when there’s an opportunity to get closer to making that dream a reality, make sure to check it out.
That just may be what Tracy Madigan has experienced in her first months as Henderson’s downtown development manager. The dreams are alive and the opportunities are presenting themselves.
Madigan spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk about her new role and what’s on the horizon to make downtown a more attractive destination for visitors – and prospective businesses.
As for the train stopping again in Henderson, she said there was to have been a meeting today with state officials to share just why Henderson needs to be a stop on the S Line.
“There are all kinds of ideas in the works,” Madigan said. But they are merely ideas, waiting for decisions to be made. Henderson and Franklinton are being studied for possible train stops. A stop in Henderson could open up lots of possibilities for downtown development, she added.
While the train stop may be more of a long-term project, Madigan mentioned several areas downtown that have already gotten a facelift – namely, lights at the reflection pools and fountains near the city fire station, the construction of an outdoor pavilion/amphitheater by McGregor Hall and the beautification of Orange Street Park.
With help from Sam Franklin and Franklin Brothers Nursery, the summer plantings are in at the park, and some garden benches are coming soon to that greenspace, nestled beside the Henry A. Dennis Building on Garnett Street.
“You should be seeing the lights in the fountains coming on in the next couple of weeks,” Madigan said. This is the first of several water installations that are planned around the city, she added.
The pavilion, an outdoor venue option for events, is under construction. Tommy Roberson, of Robco Manufacturing and Alumadock Marine Structures, is a pavilion benefactor, she said.
The vision of the downtown development commission is to assist with, help and encourage downtown development and economic vitality, she said. Often, city and county entities collaborate to further the mission.
Although she is a city employee and reports to City Manager Terrell Blackmon, Madigan said, she often collaborates with other agencies and government officials. Vance Economic Development Director Christian Lockamy and Chamber of Commerce President Michele Burgess are two individuals who continue to provide extensive support and help.
One long-range goal is to develop incentives in the form of grants to help businesses – existing and prospective – have an impact in the downtown area. There are smaller incentive grants that are available, but Madigan said she hopes to be able to offer larger grants in the future.
Click Play for Today’s Full TownTalk
BGC Leader Receives National Award For Honoring Diversity, Equality
/by Laura GabelDonyell “DJ” Jones, CEO of the local Boys & Girls Club, has received one of the organization’s highest awards for honoring the values of diversity and equality.
Although scheduled to accept the Herman S. Prescott award at the 2020 BGC National Conference, COVID-19 restrictions intervened.
Jones had been at his new job of CEO of the North Central North Carolina Boys & Girls Clubs for a few weeks before the pandemic struck, said Xavier Wortham, chair of the BGCNCNC corporate board. Wortham said Jones has done a great job of navigating the challenges of the pandemic and looks forward to the clubs’ continued success.
“This is a great time for him and even a better time for our club and our children,” Wortham told WIZS News Tuesday. “We’re really excited to have DJ as part of the North Central North Carolina Boys and Girls Club,” he said. “His level of experience and expertise can clearly be seen” by his receiving the Prescott award.
He was nominated for the award by Kimberly Boyd, CEO of the Coastal Plain BGC, Jones said in a statement to WIZS.
“What makes this award so humbling is that my peers and colleagues see something in me that I often overlook,” Jones said in the statement. “I work each day to empower club professionals to achieve their very best through opportunities that will pull out their greatness.”
The BGCNCNC includes clubs in Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and Halifax counties. Wortham said Jones has done a wonderful job of shifting focus during the pandemic to make sure staff was “motivated to keep everyone safe and trained and better prepared as we’re coming out of COVID (restrictions).”
The Herman S. Prescott award is presented each year to a member of The Professional Association of BGC “whose service emulates that of one of the Movement’s great visionaries, Herman S. Prescott,” according to information on the BGC website.
Criteria include being “an advocate for the rights and dignity of all and belief in the principles of diversity, equality and empowerment must be the hallmark of their work within the Boys & Girls Club’s Movement.”