Vance-Granville Community College has a bevy of activities scheduled for its celebration of Black History in the month of February. A team from VGCC has created the monthlong event – from book discussions to highlighting Black trailblazers – in a webpage VGCC calls “Against All Odds – Honoring Black Trailblazers.” Visit www.vgcc.edu/blackhistorymonth/ to learn more about how to participate in these events.
Dawn Michelle Tucker, dean of Continuing Education & College + Career Readiness at VGCC, was on Town Talk Monday to kick off the monthlong celebration. Tucker spoke to host John C. Rose about famous Blacks in history, as well as the struggles that still challenge African Americans today.
Tucker, along with co-chair Angela Thomas, dean of Health Sciences and other VGCC faculty and staff, put together a “celebration of all the accomplishments and the different opportunities that we’ve been able to take full advantage of,” she said. Webinars, lunch and learn sessions, in addition to the two book discussions are all activities that the community can take part in.
The first of two book discussions will take place on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. The book that will be discussed is titled “Who Owns the Icehouse? Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur,” based on a true story written by the nephew of a man who owned an icehouse in 1950’s in the Mississippi Delta.
In conjunction with this event, VGCC President Dr. Rachel Demarais will sign the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge to kick off the book discussion. This pledge has been, or will be, signed by community college presidents across the nation to show support for expanding entrepreneurship in the communities they serve and creating a positive culture on their campuses to foster entrepreneurism. VGCC has training and counseling services available for new business owners through its Small Business Center, Tucker said.
Promoting entrepreneurship, especially among African Americans, Tucker said, is one component of that pledge. “It’s our commitment to making sure that our community has the support system in place for new entrepreneurship opportunities,” she said. VGCC strives to provide a consistent message of support for those individuals who want to venture out on their own to create a new business. “The consistency will have an impact on what we’re doing,” she added. All this is to provide for the community the necessary resources to advance entrepreneurship.
Click Play to Listen to TownTalk with VGCC’s Dawn Michelle Tucker…
“We have to continue to push out the idea of entrepreneurship. If as a college we are pushing the idea and being consistent about our messaging about entrepreneurship, then we are hopeful that the consistency of what we’re doing will have an impact on our communities, Tucker said. College officials want to continue to pour in the idea of entrepreneurship, and the book “Who Owns the Icehouse?” provides insight into the mindset of not just being an entrepreneur, she said, but being a successful entrepreneur.
Challenges surrounding racism and inequality are barriers that Black people still face today, Tucker said. “It’s the challenge of being seen as a person of color first and not being seen by your character, your integrity and what you actually bring to the table outside of the color of your skin,” she said, adding that Blacks often are “not able to fully reach (their) potential because we are held up by skin color.” How Blacks move forward, in the face of these challenges, is part of the ongoing conversations that must take place, Tucker said.
The community college continues to look for new programs and opportunities, Tucker said, adding that newly minted entrepreneurs most likely will need a skilled work force to be successful in their endeavors. Vance-Granville Community College has long provided programs that allows workers to re-tool or learn new skills to make them more marketable employees.
As dean of Continuing Education and Career Readiness, Tucker takes seriously her responsibility to share her experience with young people entering the workforce. “That’s how I get to live in the younger person’s world, by sharing information and building relationships with them so that they have the benefit of older, more experienced people to share ideas and to gain momentum for moving forward,” she said.
Henderson-Vance Rec and Parks Water Aerobics Schedule Change
/by John C. RoseTara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks program superintendent, informs WIZS News of a water aerobic program schedule change.
The program is intended for swimmers and non-swimmers, and will be held at 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. and from 10:40 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Water aerobics continues at Aycock Recreation Center through the month of March.
In an email, Goolsby said, “Water Aerobics is a program that uses the buoyant qualities of water to enhance physical fitness through exercises. It is a medium-impact water class designed to provide cardiovascular conditioning, improved muscle tone, and improved balance. It is a total body workout without the stress of land-based exercise.”
Classes are $1.00 for members and $2.00 for nonmembers and will be limited to 10 participants.
Gooslby indicated, “You can register at Aycock Recreation Center or online at https://hvrpd.recdesk.com/. Masks must be worn at all times in the facility but not while in the pool. For information, please contact Lauren Newlin at lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us and (252)438-3160.”
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 02-02-21 – Thinning Pine Stands
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
WIZS Local News 2-2-21 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick to Listen to Local News Audio.
WIZS Your Community Voice — 100.1 FM / 1450 AM
PRESENTED IN PART BY OUR SPONSOR DRAKE DENTISTRY
TownTalk 2-2-21 Litter
/by Bill HarrisHost John C. Rose and callers discussed the ongoing litter problem in Vance County. The Vance County Commissioners’ Planning and Environmental Committee met about Roadside Litter on January 25th with Dept. of Transportation Maintenance Engineer Frank Carpenter, Sheriff Curtis Brame and Vance County Appearance Commission Chair Terri Hedrick to discuss the issue of roadside litter. In 2020, almost $397,000 was spent on roadside and debris clean up in Vance County. Carpenter also explained that the roadside cleanup budget has also been reduced and is over budget for the current fiscal year which impacts the frequency of future litter cleanups. The committee stated this was unacceptable and considered the idea of lobbying the state for additional funding. Several other ideas were also discussed during the meeting including shutting down a gravel portion of Ross Mill Road where illegal dumping has become a problem, and targeted enforcement by the Sheriff’s Office among other ideas.
For complete details and full audio click play.
If You Have A Covid Vaccine Scheduled Tuesday, Call Now If You Haven’t Already
/by John C. RoseThe Warren County Health Department took to its Facebook page Sunday to issue what it tabbed an urgent Covid-19 vaccination update.
The bottom line is if you have a covid vaccine scheduled Tuesday at the Warren County Health Department, then you need to be calling immediately to reschedule. This is especially true if you have not already been given a new appointment.
The organization’s Facebook post said:
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 02-01-21 – Shiitake Mushrooms
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
Henderson’s Sewer Collection System Bypasses About 38,760 Gallons Untreated Water
/by John C. RoseFor those who don’t know the sound of a broken record, a scratch or imperfection causes the same portion of sound to repeat over and over.
In this case, it’s the City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System that is broken, and the repeated information is the locations listed where the bypasses are occurring.
A press release from the City indicates, “The overflows occurred at Sandy Creek Pump Station, and several manholes including Neathery Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/S. Elizabeth Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/Willow Lane, intersection of Pinkston Street/Farrar Ave, and Bridgers Street.”
The 38,000 some-odd gallons of untreated water escaped on January 31 due to inflow and infiltration from rainfall.
Approximately 38,160 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek. The press release shows approximately 600 gallons of untreated water was contained on the ground.
State statutes require a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.
Questions concerning the matter should be phoned in to 252.226.4492 or 252.430.9387 or 252.431.6117.
In 2020, one of the wettest on record for this area, the City issued not fewer than 10 press releases about sewer bypasses, many in the same locations.
For nearby RDU airport in 2020, the National Weather Service indicates rainfall amounts about 10 inches above normal. The Greensboro area was about 18 inches above normal. In Fayetteville, the 2020 total was about 15 inches above normal. The rain, precipitation and general soggy weather has persisted into 2021.
A December 24, 2020 press release read, “The overflows occurred at Sandy Creek Pump Station, and several manholes including Neathery Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/S. Elizabeth Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/Willow Lane, intersection of Pinkston Street/Farrar Ave, S. Pinkston street (Green Acres). Approximately 114,420 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek. Approximately 760 gallons of untreated water was contained on the ground.”
At that time, Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon wrote in an email to WIZS about the City’s plans to address “both our aging and in some cases non-existent infrastructure.”
Also, he wrote, “The City of Henderson recently adopted a storm water ordinance which is a requirement by the State of NC if we intend to keep issuing building permits and encouraging development in our community. There are basic requirements that we have up to five years to comply with as a part of our storm water management program. Further, the City Council did agree to apply for a $2.5 million loan to assist with addressing some of our storm water issues. We will know in early spring whether or not we were successful with this effort. This process will be a marathon and not a sprint, but we have started making strides to address these issues.”
Henderson City Council Strategic Planning Retreat Rescheduled
/by John C. RoseThe Henderson City Council’s Strategic Planning Retreat, which was postponed a few days because of the weather, has now been rescheduled for Wednesday.
On February 3, 2021 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at City Hall, the annual meeting will take place. A quorum of council members is likely, but no decisive actions will take place during the meeting.
A public notice from City Clerk Esther McCrackin says the public can observe via Zoom and provides the following information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82582328369?pwd=NVdDZjZqaVNoWmVKWWFzeTNjb2hIdz09
Meeting ID: 825 8232 8369
Passcode: 091682
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,82582328369#,,,,*091682# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,82582328369#,,,,*091682# US (New York)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keuOAsOSML
Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Community Response Grants
/by WIZS StaffTriangle North Healthcare Foundation’s annual grant program opens today, Feb. 1, 2021. The Community Response Grants provide up to $20,000 to nonprofits, governmental and educational organizations for programming that responds to the effect COVID-19 has on families and communities, according to Val Short, the foundation’s executive director.
Organizations that serve counties in the Triangle North Region comprised of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties are eligible to submit applications, Short said in information provided to WIZS. Individuals are not eligible to submit an application.
Find the link to the grant application at www.tnhfoundation.org. New applicants must register for an account. Any organization interested in submitting a grant application should schedule a meeting with Triangle North Healthcare to discuss the project. Virtual meetings via Zoom will begin next week, Short said. Call TNH at 252.430.8532 to learn more about the grant process. Completed applications are due no later than July 31, 2021.
Triangle North Healthcare Foundation began funding projects in 2013. To date, more than $2 million has been awarded to fund more than 80 health projects serving the four-county region. The grants support programs in the focus areas of child well-being, chronic disease, mental health and substance use disorders, nutrition and physical fitness, and reproductive health.
Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is a regional healthcare grantmaking organization, established in November 2011 after the merge of Maria Parham Medical Center with the for-profit Duke LifePoint. The foundation has been funded by an endowment that was created from the assets of the former nonprofit hospital.
TownTalk 2-1-21: Vance Granville’s Month-long Celebration of Black History
/by WIZS StaffVance-Granville Community College has a bevy of activities scheduled for its celebration of Black History in the month of February. A team from VGCC has created the monthlong event – from book discussions to highlighting Black trailblazers – in a webpage VGCC calls “Against All Odds – Honoring Black Trailblazers.” Visit www.vgcc.edu/blackhistorymonth/ to learn more about how to participate in these events.
Dawn Michelle Tucker, dean of Continuing Education & College + Career Readiness at VGCC, was on Town Talk Monday to kick off the monthlong celebration. Tucker spoke to host John C. Rose about famous Blacks in history, as well as the struggles that still challenge African Americans today.
Tucker, along with co-chair Angela Thomas, dean of Health Sciences and other VGCC faculty and staff, put together a “celebration of all the accomplishments and the different opportunities that we’ve been able to take full advantage of,” she said. Webinars, lunch and learn sessions, in addition to the two book discussions are all activities that the community can take part in.
The first of two book discussions will take place on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. The book that will be discussed is titled “Who Owns the Icehouse? Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur,” based on a true story written by the nephew of a man who owned an icehouse in 1950’s in the Mississippi Delta.
In conjunction with this event, VGCC President Dr. Rachel Demarais will sign the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge to kick off the book discussion. This pledge has been, or will be, signed by community college presidents across the nation to show support for expanding entrepreneurship in the communities they serve and creating a positive culture on their campuses to foster entrepreneurism. VGCC has training and counseling services available for new business owners through its Small Business Center, Tucker said.
Promoting entrepreneurship, especially among African Americans, Tucker said, is one component of that pledge. “It’s our commitment to making sure that our community has the support system in place for new entrepreneurship opportunities,” she said. VGCC strives to provide a consistent message of support for those individuals who want to venture out on their own to create a new business. “The consistency will have an impact on what we’re doing,” she added. All this is to provide for the community the necessary resources to advance entrepreneurship.
Click Play to Listen to TownTalk with VGCC’s Dawn Michelle Tucker…
“We have to continue to push out the idea of entrepreneurship. If as a college we are pushing the idea and being consistent about our messaging about entrepreneurship, then we are hopeful that the consistency of what we’re doing will have an impact on our communities, Tucker said. College officials want to continue to pour in the idea of entrepreneurship, and the book “Who Owns the Icehouse?” provides insight into the mindset of not just being an entrepreneur, she said, but being a successful entrepreneur.
Challenges surrounding racism and inequality are barriers that Black people still face today, Tucker said. “It’s the challenge of being seen as a person of color first and not being seen by your character, your integrity and what you actually bring to the table outside of the color of your skin,” she said, adding that Blacks often are “not able to fully reach (their) potential because we are held up by skin color.” How Blacks move forward, in the face of these challenges, is part of the ongoing conversations that must take place, Tucker said.
The community college continues to look for new programs and opportunities, Tucker said, adding that newly minted entrepreneurs most likely will need a skilled work force to be successful in their endeavors. Vance-Granville Community College has long provided programs that allows workers to re-tool or learn new skills to make them more marketable employees.
As dean of Continuing Education and Career Readiness, Tucker takes seriously her responsibility to share her experience with young people entering the workforce. “That’s how I get to live in the younger person’s world, by sharing information and building relationships with them so that they have the benefit of older, more experienced people to share ideas and to gain momentum for moving forward,” she said.