The winner of the 2024 Sam Watkins Visionary Award has a clear vision for what his community can be – for young people, for all people.
Charles Turrentine, Jr. told WIZS Wednesday that he thought he was attending Tuesday’s United Way banquet to see his wife recognized for being Warren County’s Teacher of the Year.
As Turrentine listened as the presenter described the recipient’s projects and accomplishments, he said they sounded familiar, but added he “didn’t have a clue” that he was the award winner. “To be honest, it’s still kind of a shock,” Turrentine said, just a day after getting the award.
Whether through his work with renovating the Chestnut Street Park and Crime Stoppers or being a trustee for Davis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Turrentine, 41, said his focus is on changing the narrative of Vance County.
And he’s hoping to add to his growing list of interests that of county commissioner. Turrentine lives in District 3 – the seat recently vacated by Sean Alston – and he wants to be appointed to fill Alston’s unexpired term and then run for the seat when it is next up for election.
“I’ve been putting the word out there,” Turrentine said. “I’m not doing it for me – I’m doing it for Henderson and Vance County…I’ve (got) pure intentions,” he said – no hidden agendas. “I just want to do what’s right for the people.”
He’s already hearing from people who have concerns about the property tax rates and having a revenue-neutral budget. He also puts public education and the future of the county jail on his priority list.
He said Sam Watkins and his brother George always had a vision of what Henderson could be – and it’s a vision he shares. “I’ve always wanted to put the youth in Henderson in that vision,” he said, “to let them know there’s a brighter day ahead.”
In his mind’s eye, he pictures George congratulating him on his work and for receiving the award that bears his brother’s name. “I can see George now, shaking my hand and saying ‘I’m proud of you. You’re doing good things. I think my brother would be proud of you, too.’”
Looking at his name on the same plaque that bears not only Watkins’s name, but other recipients, Turrentine said, simply, “I’m in some good company.”
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11th Annual “Granville Ambulance Chase” Mar. 15
/by WIZS Staff— courtesy of Lauren B. Roberson, Granville Health System Marketing & Foundation Director
The 11th Annual Granville Ambulance Chase and Food Truck Rodeo is headed to Oxford on Saturday, Mar. 15, 2025, in the heart of downtown Oxford. Sponsored by Granville Health System, this event combines fitness, family fun and community celebration and features races for all skill levels – not to mention live music and a diverse lineup of food trucks.
The races begin at 11 a.m. and include a 10k, 5k, 5k Fun Run, 1-Mile Family Walk, and a Kids Dash. A Food Truck Rodeo and live music will be at the finish line, ready for racers and onlookers to enjoy.
Race Schedule:
Registration Costs:
Group rates available for groups of 10 or more.
Registration fee includes a race T-shirt for the first 400 registered participants and awards for top finishers. Online registration can be found at www.ghsAmbulanceChase.org.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For details, contact Lauren Roberson, GHS Foundation Director, at 919.690.2148.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Granville Health System Foundation, supporting its mission to enhance healthcare services and resources in Granville County.
Wire And Cable Maker Expanding Operations In Franklin County
/by WIZS StaffAn electrical wire and cable company is expanding its operations by relocating to a building at the US 1 North Commerce Center in Franklin County.
Southwire, North America’s leading manufacturer of wire and cables used in transmission and distribution of electricity, is relocating to a new 170,000 square foot facility to enable the company to increase production and provide continued employment for more than 200 current team members as part of the company’s overall modernization strategy, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III.
“Southwire is committed to a multi-year modernization investment of more than $1.5 billon across our footprint,” said Norman Adkins, Southwire’s president and chief operating officer. “We are integrating newer and better equipment, systems and technology into our operations to increase efficiency, enhance competitiveness and ensure the operational capability and capacity to support our strategic growth. We are incredibly proud of the growth our business has shown in Youngsville. This new facility will not only accommodate our ever-expanding operations but will also allow us to innovate and enhance our production capabilities for the future.”
The Franklin County facility supports the company’s Engineered Solutions business through the production and assembly of both made-to-stock and custom-ordered products for some of the company’s largest customers.
“We are thrilled by Southwire’s decision to remain in Franklin County,” said Barbara Fiedor, Franklin County’s economic development director. “The company’s presence here is highly valued as both an employer and community partner. Southwire’s decision demonstrates the county’s dedication to working with Summit Real Estate Group to construct the US 1 North Commerce Center, which has provided the much-needed new industrial space, allowing companies like Southwire to stay in Franklin County and continue to make significant positive economic development impacts.”
Southwire is another business to join US 1 North Commerce Center’s portfolio of businesses which saw the addition of PlanITROI last year.
“Southwire’s decision to remain in Franklin County validates the thriving business environment we have created here,” said Ryan Preble, Franklin County’s interim county manager. “Their investment not only retains existing jobs but also strengthens our community. Having a major employer renew their commitment provides increased economic benefits.”
The grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the facility is anticipated to take place in April 2025. For more news or information on Southwire, visit www.southwire.com.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 01-24-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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The Local Skinny! Father Daughter Dance Feb. 1 At Henderson Family YMCA
/by WIZS StaffFathers and daughters can enjoy a special evening together at the upcoming Father Daughter Dance at the Henderson Family YMCA.
Sponsored by Chick-fil-A, the dance will take place at the Y, 380 Ruin Creek Rd. on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for each dad-daughter pair, but additional daughters can join in the fun for an extra $5. The dance is for girls 5-12 years old and their father or that special male role model in their lives.
Icon Entertainment is providing music for the event.
And don’t forget dinner beforehand! Stop by the Chick-fil-A off Dabney Drive at 200 Trade St. between 5:30 p.m. and 7 for a pre-dance meal. You’ll get one free child’s meal with purchase of an adult meal before heading over to the dance.
Registration is open now and ends Friday, Jan. 31.
Visit https://www.hendersonymca.org/ and scroll down to find the dance under Upcoming Events & Registration.
Contact Director of Membership Tesa Alexander at tesaa@henfamymca.org to learn more.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 01-23-25 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Building Traditions & Legacy
/by WIZS StaffCooperative Extension
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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Deadline Jan. 24 To Apply For District 3 Seat On Vance County Board Of Commissioners
/by WIZS StaffThe process to appoint a replacement for the District 3 seat on the Vance County Board of Commissioners continues, with the application now posted on the county’s webpage for interested individuals to complete and return.
Interested individuals have until Friday, Jan. 24 to submit their completed applications.
The application can be found here.
Submit completed applications to Kelly Grissom, clerk to the board, to the address listed on the application. Eligibility will be verified with the Vance County Board of Elections.
To be considered, applicants must be of legal voting age, reside in District 3 and be a member of the Democratic party.
The board has until Mar. 1 to appoint a replacement for former commissioner Sean Alston, who resigned effective Jan. 1 to accept a position as a magistrate in Warren County.
Visit www.vancecounty.org to learn more.
Home and Garden Show
/by WIZS StaffOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536
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SportsTalk: NCHSAA Releases 2nd Draft of Conference Realignment
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
On Tuesday, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) released their second draft for the reorganization on conference play, also known as conference realignment. The Association released their first draft of conference realignment back on December 18th. Although these drafts are not final, they give a good idea of what the final product will look like when it comes to who will play who in conference play. The third draft is expected to be released next month, while the final draft will be releases later in the spring. Also, Ohio State may have won College Football’s National Title, but is it outright or is it a Shared National Title? WIZS’s Scout Hughes and George Hoyle talked all about it on Wednesday’s edition of SportsTalk.
Below are the Conference Realignments for teams in Vance County and the surrounding counties:
6A/7A Conference B
1A/2A Conference C
5A Conference 2
3A/4A Conference A
1A Conference 2
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TownTalk: Charles Turrentine, Jr., 2024 Recipient of United Way’s Sam Watkins Visionary Award
/by Laura GabelThe winner of the 2024 Sam Watkins Visionary Award has a clear vision for what his community can be – for young people, for all people.
Charles Turrentine, Jr. told WIZS Wednesday that he thought he was attending Tuesday’s United Way banquet to see his wife recognized for being Warren County’s Teacher of the Year.
As Turrentine listened as the presenter described the recipient’s projects and accomplishments, he said they sounded familiar, but added he “didn’t have a clue” that he was the award winner. “To be honest, it’s still kind of a shock,” Turrentine said, just a day after getting the award.
Whether through his work with renovating the Chestnut Street Park and Crime Stoppers or being a trustee for Davis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Turrentine, 41, said his focus is on changing the narrative of Vance County.
And he’s hoping to add to his growing list of interests that of county commissioner. Turrentine lives in District 3 – the seat recently vacated by Sean Alston – and he wants to be appointed to fill Alston’s unexpired term and then run for the seat when it is next up for election.
“I’ve been putting the word out there,” Turrentine said. “I’m not doing it for me – I’m doing it for Henderson and Vance County…I’ve (got) pure intentions,” he said – no hidden agendas. “I just want to do what’s right for the people.”
He’s already hearing from people who have concerns about the property tax rates and having a revenue-neutral budget. He also puts public education and the future of the county jail on his priority list.
He said Sam Watkins and his brother George always had a vision of what Henderson could be – and it’s a vision he shares. “I’ve always wanted to put the youth in Henderson in that vision,” he said, “to let them know there’s a brighter day ahead.”
In his mind’s eye, he pictures George congratulating him on his work and for receiving the award that bears his brother’s name. “I can see George now, shaking my hand and saying ‘I’m proud of you. You’re doing good things. I think my brother would be proud of you, too.’”
Looking at his name on the same plaque that bears not only Watkins’s name, but other recipients, Turrentine said, simply, “I’m in some good company.”
CLICK PLAY!