Vance-Granville Community College recently celebrated the graduation of the second class in the short history of its Truck Driver Training, or CDL, program.
The program includes a combination of classroom instruction, range driving and road driving. With the end of training, students have successfully completed their DOT exams, making them eligible for their “Class A” Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL-A) and fully employable as truck drivers.
Students in the second graduating class of the VGCC CDL program pose on the college campus.
Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension for VGCC, said that college officials were “thrilled” to see the 15-member second class of students complete the program. “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have to keep our enrollment numbers at a minimum, but even with pandemic delays, we still had 15 successful students,” Burwell said. “We continue to appreciate all of the efforts of our lead partner school, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, which provides the DOT examiner-certified instructors for the program. To date, we have a 100% pass rate with our Truck Driver Training Program.”
One of the recent graduates, Antwoine Huntley of Durham, reflected that “the truck driver training program at Vance-Granville Community College was just simply excellent. I learned so much, and the instructors were wonderful and knowledgeable about everything we needed to know to help us be successful and get our CDL-A licenses.”
“I would recommend this program for recent high school graduates just starting out or those seeking a career change,” added graduate Leslie Starner of Franklinton. “It is an accredited school with knowledgeable, personable, seasoned educators who themselves have been long-distance truck drivers. There is such a range of resources from the instructors that can help prepare people for success, from start to finish. In addition, the tuition costs are much more reasonable than other private trucking schools in the area and across the region.”
VGCC is scheduled to offer another such nine-week class in early 2021, starting with a mandatory orientation session on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 10 a.m.
The program, certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI), is considered essential to meeting the needs of many companies who need drivers to move goods across the country. Local employers have shown strong support for VGCC’s program and have spoken to students about job opportunities.
To enroll in the program, students must be at least 18 years old, have a valid North Carolina driver’s license, and be able to read and speak English well enough to take instructions from highway signs, to converse with officials, and to complete the required reports.
For more information on the Truck Driver Training Program, please visit www.vgcc.edu/cdl/ or contact Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at 252-738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu.
Noon News 12-3-20 Court resumes; Covid; Gang Free; Mobile Homes; Salvation Army; Exams; Food Truck
/by Bill HarrisStories include:
– Vance Co. Court resumes
– Latest Covid19 figures
– Gang Free Health for the Holidays event
– Abandoned Mobile Home Program
– Salvation Army
– Vance Co. Schools exams
– Food Truck Festival.
For full details and audio click play
Valenzuela Selected as Franklin Co. Emergency Services Director
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Franklin County Government
Franklin County Manager Kim Denton has named Hendrix Valenzuela as Emergency Services Director. Valenzuela will assume the position on December 14, 2020. Valenzuela comes to Franklin County from Cumberland County where he served as the County’s Emergency Management Program Coordinator.
Valenzuela’s public safety career began with the Fire Service where he served as a volunteer Fireman within his community as well as a Firefighter/EMT for the City of Burlington, NC and Town of Carrboro, NC. Valenzuela’s next role was serving as a Multi-Hazard Field Planner with North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) Eastern Branch Office.
Valenzuela served as a key staff member during disaster activations for Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. He received special recognition from the North Carolina General Assembly in January 2019 as a result of his personal rescue of a missing child in Craven County.
Valenzuela graduated from High Point University in High Point, North Carolina with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and he received a Master’s Degree in Disaster & Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama.
“The Franklin County Emergency Services Department provides essential services, and Mr. Valenzuela’s experience and enthusiasm will continue our commitment to delivering high-quality services and ensuring emergency preparations for our citizens,” Denton said.
For additional information, please contact Kim Denton, Franklin County Manager, at (919) 496-5994.
Counties Complete Recount in Supreme Court Race; Newby Leads by 401 Votes
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
All 100 North Carolina counties have completed the statewide recount in the North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice contest.
After the machine recount, Republican Paul Newby leads Democrat Cheri Beasley by 401 votes out of nearly 5.4 million cast in that race.
“The recount showed minor differences from canvassed vote totals, but did not change the outcome of the contest,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “We appreciate the hard work of the county boards of elections throughout the recount process.”
When the recount was requested, the margin between the candidates stood at 406 votes, favoring Newby. Several counties subsequently recanvassed, at which point the margin was 416 votes, favoring Newby.
After the recount, the margin is now 401 votes, favoring Newby.
Minor differences are expected with any recount, as different machines may read stray marks differently.
Pursuant to state law, within 24 hours, Beasley, as the second-place candidate, may demand a hand-to-eye recount in a random sample of 3% of voting sites in each county. The State Board will hold a drawing to determine the random samples.
If the results of a hand-to-eye recount differ from the previous results within those precincts to the extent that extrapolating the amount of the change to the entire state (based on the proportion of ballots recounted to the total votes cast for that office) would result in the reversing of the results, then a statewide hand-to-eye recount of all ballots would be conducted.
Meanwhile, both Supreme Court candidates have filed a total of more than 100 election protests that are either scheduled for consideration by the county boards of elections or have already been heard at the county level and appealed to the State Board. The State Board plans to hear the appeals once the county boards have completed the proceedings.
Here are the protests: https://dl.ncsbe.gov/?prefix=Requests/2020/2020 General Protest Filings/
Here are the appeals: https://dl.ncsbe.gov/?prefix=Requests/2020/2020 General Protest Filings/
For 2020 election results, go here: NCSBE Contest Results.
For recount results, go here: 2020 Statewide Recount Results.
Ballot Count Changes by County
Values in each column represent [County’s Recount # minus County’s Final Canvass #].
Note: Some counties recanvassed after November 13.
Aycock Rec. Center Offers Limited-Time Free Indoor Track Usage
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Henderson Vance Recreation and Parks Department
For a limited time, walkers will be welcome free of charge at the indoor Aycock Rec Center track. The Aycock Rec Center is located at 307 Carey Chapel Rd in Henderson.
This offer is good Monday – Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. in 30-minute increments. Limit of five people per block of time.
Walkers must wear a mask and sign in at the front desk.
‘Fall Clean Out’ Results in More Than 26 Tons of Materials Collected
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Government
Granville County’s annual “Fall Clean Out,” held on Nov. 21, 2020, resulted in the collection of more than 26 tons of materials for recycling and proper disposal. According to Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator Teresa Baker, this year’s drive-through event was the most successful yet, with some vendors at full capacity before the end of the collection day.
The following totals have been reported:
In addition, the Granville County Humane Society collected crates, carriers, blankets, flea shampoo, dog/cat food, pet toys and cash donations.
The “Fall Clean Out” is one of two annual collection events held at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center. The spring event is typically held in May.
For more information about recycling and hazardous waste collection in Granville County, please contact Baker at (919) 725-1417 or at bakertd@gcs.k12.nc.us.
VGCC Graduates Second Class from Truck Driver Training Program, Prepares for a Third
/by John C. RoseVance-Granville Community College recently celebrated the graduation of the second class in the short history of its Truck Driver Training, or CDL, program.
The program includes a combination of classroom instruction, range driving and road driving. With the end of training, students have successfully completed their DOT exams, making them eligible for their “Class A” Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL-A) and fully employable as truck drivers.
Students in the second graduating class of the VGCC CDL program pose on the college campus.
Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension for VGCC, said that college officials were “thrilled” to see the 15-member second class of students complete the program. “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have to keep our enrollment numbers at a minimum, but even with pandemic delays, we still had 15 successful students,” Burwell said. “We continue to appreciate all of the efforts of our lead partner school, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, which provides the DOT examiner-certified instructors for the program. To date, we have a 100% pass rate with our Truck Driver Training Program.”
One of the recent graduates, Antwoine Huntley of Durham, reflected that “the truck driver training program at Vance-Granville Community College was just simply excellent. I learned so much, and the instructors were wonderful and knowledgeable about everything we needed to know to help us be successful and get our CDL-A licenses.”
“I would recommend this program for recent high school graduates just starting out or those seeking a career change,” added graduate Leslie Starner of Franklinton. “It is an accredited school with knowledgeable, personable, seasoned educators who themselves have been long-distance truck drivers. There is such a range of resources from the instructors that can help prepare people for success, from start to finish. In addition, the tuition costs are much more reasonable than other private trucking schools in the area and across the region.”
VGCC is scheduled to offer another such nine-week class in early 2021, starting with a mandatory orientation session on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 10 a.m.
The program, certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI), is considered essential to meeting the needs of many companies who need drivers to move goods across the country. Local employers have shown strong support for VGCC’s program and have spoken to students about job opportunities.
To enroll in the program, students must be at least 18 years old, have a valid North Carolina driver’s license, and be able to read and speak English well enough to take instructions from highway signs, to converse with officials, and to complete the required reports.
For more information on the Truck Driver Training Program, please visit www.vgcc.edu/cdl/ or contact Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at 252-738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu.
TownTalk, Tradio, WIZS Local News for Dec 2, 2020
/by John C. RoseA different sort of day for WIZS TownTalk and Local News today with some last minute changes and a sportscast that preempts the 5 o’clock local news.
To adjust quickly, the news of the day was broadcast during TownTalk, followed by Tradio and then our shorter WIZS Noon News segment.
Hear it all from our Facebook Live video, just as the programs aired on WIZS 1450 AM and 100.1 FM.
Vance County Court Sessions Resume Monday, Dec. 7
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Court sessions at the Vance County Courthouse will resume on Monday, December 7, 2020, after several canceled days due to a cluster of positive COVID-19 cases.
According to the Hon. Henry L. Gupton, the Courthouse will continue to follow all the guidelines that are in place, such as regular cleaning throughout the day, to ensure the safety of staff and the public.
Holiday Events This Week: Oxford Reverse Parade, Butner Christmas Drive-Thru
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce
A reminder of upcoming Granville County holiday events:
BUTNER
Butner Christmas in the Park – Drive-Thru
Load up the kiddies with their letters to Santa and participate in a guided drive-thru at Butner’s Gazebo Park for a celebration of Christmas music and beautiful lights. Visit Santa safely from your car and drop off those letters! Please stay in your car at all times. Sponsored by the Butner Community Association.
The annual Butner Christmas Parade is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CREEDMOOR
The City of Creedmoor has canceled all events for the remainder of 2020.
OXFORD
Virtual Lighting of the Greens
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2020
Time: 6 p.m.
This year, the Lighting of the Greens will take place virtually, with a video release. Tune in on the Oxford NC, Historic Downtown Facebook page (click here) to watch downtown come to life with festive lights and Christmas music!
2020 Reverse Christmas Parade
Date: Friday, December 4, 2020
Time: 6 p.m.
Parade entries are STATIONARY. All spectators must keep moving! No stopping for pictures or videos! MOTOR TRAFFIC will line up on Belle Street, and WALKING TRAFFIC will start on Lanier Street. Follow signs for walkers.
The City of Oxford’s Tis the Season for Giving! Holiday Toy Drive runs thru December 18.
For more information on these events, call Mary Yount at (919) 603-1164 or Christine Luscavich at (919) 603-1101
The MASK-arade (Virtual) Gala
For more information and to register online, visit ghsFoundation.org/Gala2020
Proceeds to benefit the Granville Health System Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
STEM
Stem is hosting a town-wide Christmas decoration contest with prizes.
STOVALL
The Town of Stovall has no Christmas activities or events planned.
Area Congregations In Ministry (ACIM) is in need of any non-perishable goods, especially canned goods. For more information, visit www.acimgranville.org or call (919) 690-0961.
Abandoned Mobile Home Program to Enhance Beauty, Safety of Vance Co.
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Vance County Government
Vance County is looking for applicants to participate in this year’s state grant-funded abandoned mobile home program. The program identifies abandoned mobile homes across the county that pose aesthetic, health and safety hazards. This is a voluntary program on behalf of the homeowner and is meant to enhance the beauty, safety and appearance of Vance County.
Homeowners are only required to pay $250 for singlewides and/or $500 for doublewides for the removal and proper disposal of the abandoned mobile home.
Vance County is finishing up this grant round with only a few applications to be accepted. However, due to the popularity of this program and the potential for future funding, applicants are encouraged to apply.
For those interested in applying, please contact Jason Falls at (252) 738-2090.