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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
On Friday, September 25, 2020, Jack Hoke, the executive director of the NC School Superintendents Association, presented Dr. Michael Myrick with the Dr. Sam Houston, Jr. Leadership Award.
This prestigious annual award is presented to graduates of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development’s Aspiring Superintendent Program, a program that is designed to empower transformational education leaders for North Carolina’s public schools.
On Friday, September 25, 2020, Jack Hoke (right), the executive director of the NC School Superintendents Association, presented Dr. Michael Myrick (left) with the Dr. Sam Houston, Jr. Leadership Award. (Photo courtesy GCPS)
The award is named in honor of Dr. Samuel Houston who is president and chief executive officer of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center. Dr. Houston served as superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District for ten years where he opened the first year-round school in North Carolina.
Dr. Houston has been a champion for strategic planning, student performance and accountability, meeting the needs of the 21st-century workforce, skills for the STEM world and building education partnerships. Dr. Houston also served as the first executive director of the University of North Carolina Center for Leadership Development.
Dr. Myrick has served the students of Granville County Public Schools as the assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and Student Services for the past seven years. He has also held numerous leadership positions at the district level and is a former high school and elementary school principal.
He began his career in education teaching high school English classes in Halifax County. He earned his BA from Elizabeth State University, and his Masters and Doctoral Degrees from Virginia State University. He is also the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Oxford. He is married to his wife of 20 years, Florence, and has two children, Andrew and Jadyn, who both attend Granville County Public Schools.
Upon receiving this honor, he commented, “I was excited to be selected to participate in the Aspiring Superintendents Program, which is one of the premier professional development opportunities for senior-level administrators. Participation in the program was an honor, but I was humbled to be one of only four recipients selected to receive the 2020 Dr. Sam Houston Leadership Award. The distinction is one that I will cherish for years to come.”
Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean also shared her remarks, saying, “Dr. Michael Myrick is deserving of this esteemed award. Our district is extremely proud of him.”
Dr. Michael A. Myrick Receives State Leadership Award
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
On Friday, September 25, 2020, Jack Hoke, the executive director of the NC School Superintendents Association, presented Dr. Michael Myrick with the Dr. Sam Houston, Jr. Leadership Award.
This prestigious annual award is presented to graduates of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development’s Aspiring Superintendent Program, a program that is designed to empower transformational education leaders for North Carolina’s public schools.
On Friday, September 25, 2020, Jack Hoke (right), the executive director of the NC School Superintendents Association, presented Dr. Michael Myrick (left) with the Dr. Sam Houston, Jr. Leadership Award. (Photo courtesy GCPS)
The award is named in honor of Dr. Samuel Houston who is president and chief executive officer of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center. Dr. Houston served as superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District for ten years where he opened the first year-round school in North Carolina.
Dr. Houston has been a champion for strategic planning, student performance and accountability, meeting the needs of the 21st-century workforce, skills for the STEM world and building education partnerships. Dr. Houston also served as the first executive director of the University of North Carolina Center for Leadership Development.
Dr. Myrick has served the students of Granville County Public Schools as the assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and Student Services for the past seven years. He has also held numerous leadership positions at the district level and is a former high school and elementary school principal.
He began his career in education teaching high school English classes in Halifax County. He earned his BA from Elizabeth State University, and his Masters and Doctoral Degrees from Virginia State University. He is also the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Oxford. He is married to his wife of 20 years, Florence, and has two children, Andrew and Jadyn, who both attend Granville County Public Schools.
Upon receiving this honor, he commented, “I was excited to be selected to participate in the Aspiring Superintendents Program, which is one of the premier professional development opportunities for senior-level administrators. Participation in the program was an honor, but I was humbled to be one of only four recipients selected to receive the 2020 Dr. Sam Houston Leadership Award. The distinction is one that I will cherish for years to come.”
Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean also shared her remarks, saying, “Dr. Michael Myrick is deserving of this esteemed award. Our district is extremely proud of him.”
Vance Co. Sheriff Curtis Brame Reflects on Former Sheriff Thomas Breedlove
/by Kelly BondurantTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Many in the community were saddened to hear the news that Robert Thomas Breedlove, sheriff of Vance County from 1990-2006, passed away on Sunday at the age of 86.
In a conversation with WIZS News, current Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said he was saddened to hear of the passing of a man that he knew prior to their law enforcement days.
“I received a call from his son Tommy and daughter Lynne over the weekend,” said Brame. “I was shocked; I was hurt. He is going to be truly missed in this county.”
From the WIZS’ Archive – L to R: Sheriff Thomas Breedlove, Tom Hannon of WIZS, Police Chief Glen Allen, John C. Rose in the early 2000s after a TownTalk episode.
Breedlove and Brame entered Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) together in 1983 and worked hand-in-hand until Breedlove’s retirement in 2006.
“He was an excellent sheriff, a people’s sheriff. He was all about rapport and bridge-building. People in this county loved him. He was just a great commander-in-chief, and as I understand it, a military man and good baseball player down in Middleburg in his younger years.”
Brame said he has fond memories of being invited to eat holiday dinners at Breedlove and wife Lib’s home as a young deputy. Elizabeth “Lib” Breedlove preceded her husband in death in 2016.
“We were always welcome in his home,” stated Brame. “That meant a lot to me being a young deputy – for the high sheriff to invite me into his home. I learned a lot from him. I take a lot of that, and I use it today. He will certainly be missed throughout the law enforcement community of Vance County.”
Robert Thomas Breedlove Sr., Former Vance County Sheriff, Dies at 86
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
R. Thomas Breedlove, Sr.
Robert Thomas Breedlove Sr., 86, of Henderson, NC died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at his home.
Born in Vance County, he was the son of the late Marvin Green Breedlove and Daisey Lowry Breedlove. He was the widower of Elizabeth Edwards Breedlove.
Mr. Breedlove was employed as a serviceman with the former Carolina Power & Light for sixteen years. He received his state electrical license in 1969. In 1977, he founded Breedlove Electric, Inc. In 1983, he became an Auxiliary Officer with the Vance County Sheriff’s Department until 1990.
Robert Thomas Breedlove Sr., 86, of Henderson, NC died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at his home. (Photo courtesy Sossamon Funeral Home)
He was elected Sheriff of Vance County in 1990. He took office as sheriff on August 31, 1989, then he was re-elected in 1994, 1998 and again in 2002.
Sheriff Breedlove was certified in Basic Law Enforcement Training, Police Science, Life Safety Issues for Jailers and School for Sheriff’s Deputies and Jailers.
He was awarded the Long Leaf Pine Award from then Gov. Mike Easley.
Sheriff Breedlove received several special recognition awards including “Best Elected Official” in Vance County thirteen years by the readers of the Daily Dispatch; Special Recognition Award given by The Henderson-Vance Human Relation Commission in May of 2000; the Hero’s Award & Key Plaque to Camp E-ten Etu and the Community Partners of Hope Award.
He was a member of Kiwanis International where he was past president, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and was a member of the American Legion where he was the Commander in 2004. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of the First Baptist Church in Henderson.
His committees and memberships included Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers, Youth Opportunity Service Advisory Council, Drug and Crime Elimination Advisory Council, Criminal Intelligence Council, Emergency Management (Planning), Helping Hands, Governor’s Crime Commission, Kerr-Buggs Island Safety Council, Public Service Council, Criminal Justice Partnership Advisory Board, Law Enforcement Executive Council, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Chamber of Commerce membership, Eckerd Wilderness Camp (Board Member), VWGV Criminal Justice Partnership Regional Advisory Board, 911 Advisory Board, Legislative Committee Member, (NC Sheriff’s Association) re-appointed in 2004-2005, Technical Review Committee (VC Planning Commission), Salvation Army Advisory Board, NC Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission (appointed August 2003 and re-appointed in October of 2004), NC Sheriff’s Eastern-at-Large Representative in 2003, Criminal Justice Lay Advisory Committee (3-year term), Kiwanis Board of Directors, NCSA President’s Appointment (East), Criminal Justice/BLET Advisory Board.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 8, 2020, at 2 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, conducted by the Rev. Frank Sossamon.
Surviving are one daughter, Lynne B. Pendergrass (David); one son, Robert Thomas “Tommy” Breedlove Jr. (Cynthia); one sister, Rachel Breedlove, one brother, Ralph Breedlove; one grandson, Robert Thomas “Tre” Breedlove (Lindsey); one great-grandson, Judson Breedlove; two step-
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Elizabeth Breedlove; one sister, Peggy Dickerson and three brothers, Marvin Breedlove Jr., Glenn Breedlove and Ernest Breedlove.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 12:30-2 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church. All other times, they will be at his home.
Honorary pallbearers will be all present and former law enforcement officers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers – 901 Dorsey Ave., Henderson, NC 27536.
The family wishes to give a “Special Thank You” to his caregivers Jean M. Collins, Matthew Todd and Anna Davis.
We ask everyone who attends the visitation and memorial service to practice social distancing and wear an appropriate face covering.
Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 10-05-20 – Fire Ants
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
‘Coach’ Joseph Stepusin, Jr. Remembered in Private Graveside Memorial Service
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
“Coach” Joseph Stepusin, Jr., 86, of Oxford Road, died Monday, September 28, 2020, at Maria Parham Health.
He was a retired educator, having taught and coached in the Vance County School System. As a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was president of the Council and a member of the Lutheran Laymen’s League.
A private graveside memorial service was held on October 3, 2020, by Pastor Corey Brooks at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Mozeik Stepusin of the home; a daughter, Susan Andrews and husband, Jay of Henderson; two sons, Joseph Stepusin, III of Oxford and Dale Stepusin of Henderson; four grandchildren, Alyssa Byrd, Shea Stepusin, Megan Andrews and Nicholas Andrews; two great-grandchildren, Charlie Byrd and Eleanor Byrd; a sister, Helen Stepusin of White Oak, PA; and a brother, Richard Stepusin of North Huntingdon, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 114 Poplar Mount Rd, Norlina, NC 27563.
Arrangements are by J.M. White Funeral Home.
Town Talk 10/05/20: Fred’s Towing & Transport ‘Ecstatic’ to Receive Small Business of the Year Award
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Karrie Fogg, co-owner of Fred’s Towing & Transport, Inc., appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m. Fogg discussed the recent news that Fred’s Towing & Transport was selected as Vance County’s 2019 Small Business of the Year.
Karrie and Fred Fogg were presented the award at a banquet held last week by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce at Henderson Country Club.
“It was an honor just to be nominated,” Fogg said. “To actually receive the award was an ecstatic moment for us.”
10-5-20 Small Business Of The Year, Fred’s TowingLocally owned and operated since 1989, Fred’s Towing offers a “state-of-the-art” fleet of 27 trucks and certified drivers, according to Fogg. In addition to local coverage in Vance, Granville, and Warren counties, the business services Mecklenburg and Lunenburg counties in Virginia.
While the business office has set hours, Fogg said assistance is available to the public 24/7, 365 days a year.
Services include light, medium and heavy-duty towing, road service, emergency recovery, 50-ton rotator, crane services, mobile truck repairs, trailer repairs, mobile computer diagnostics, mobile welding, national tire accounts and a full-service shop. A transportation division is also available for equipment hauling needs.
For additional information on Fred’s Towing and its services, please visit www.fredstowing.com.
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Local Noon News 10/5/20
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Passing of Former Vance County Sheriff Thomas Breedlove
Vance-Granville Community College – Domestic Violence Awareness Activities
Baptist Men of West End Baptist Church Holding 220 Seafood Fundraiser This Afternoon
Local COVID-19 Update
WIZS’ Domestic Violence Awareness Coverage on Town Talk
Click Play for Full Details and Local News Audio…
Sheriff Breedlove; Domestic Violence Awareness; Fred’s Towing; Fish
Fry; Covid19
Register Now: GVPH’s Free Diabetes Prevention Program Begins Oct. 6
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting approximately 5,000 Granville County residents and 3,000 Vance County residents.
In response to these statistics, Granville Vance Public Health will continue its free Diabetes Prevention Program with a pre-diabetes screener and Diabetes Prevention class beginning Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. The class is open to Granville and Vance County residents.
Classes will meet on Tuesdays from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. for one year. Participants must fall in the pre-diabetic category to qualify. Pre-diabetic status can be determined by a paper screener or by diagnosis/referral from a doctor.
The class will be held in the fellowship hall of Oxford United Methodist Church located at 105 W McClanahan St. in Oxford, NC. Participation will be limited to ten to ensure social distancing guidelines are met. Those who participate in-person will be spaced out and sit one to a table, tables will be wiped down prior to class, temperatures will be taken upon arrival and masks will be required.
For those uncomfortable with attending in person, a virtual option will be offered.
For more information on GVPH’s Diabetes Prevention Program or to register, please contact Diabetes Prevention Coordinator Ashton Johnson at (919) 690-2114 or ajohnson@gvdhd.org. Registration ends October 13, 2020.
State Board Reminds Voters Not to Photograph Their Ballots
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections
The State Board of Elections is reminding voters that North Carolina law prohibits taking photographs of or videotaping voted ballots. Please refer to N.C.G.S. § 163-166.3 for more information.
“Voters should not take a picture of their completed ballot, whether they vote in person or by mail,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “We respect voters showing their pride in casting a ballot but ask that they do so in another manner.”
The State Board has received multiple complaints of photographed absentee ballots and has been alerted to additional violations on social media in recent weeks. If a voter has taken a picture of their ballot and shared the photo online, the voter should delete the photograph.
When voting in person, voters may have phones or electronic devices with them as long as those devices are not used to photograph or videotape a ballot or communicate with anyone via voice, text, email or any other method.
Photographing a marked ballot is illegal in part because such photographs could be used as proof of a vote for a candidate in a vote-buying scheme. Electronic communication while voting is prohibited because of limits on voter assistance and to prevent disruptions in the voting enclosure.
Voters may bring voting guides, notes and other materials into the voting booth. They also may use electronic devices to access a slate card or candidate information, provided they don’t use the devices to communicate with anyone.
Henderson’s Boards & Commissions Committee to Meet Oct. 6
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the City of Henderson
The Henderson City Council’s Boards and Commissions Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at 2 p.m. in Council Chambers, 134 Rose Avenue in Henderson.
The purpose of the meeting is to consider applications for various citizen committees. This meeting will be a Zoom meeting and the Zoom invitation details are listed below and are also posted on the City’s web page.
The public is welcome to observe.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82993178495?pwd=RkorcjRLNDFlMXovVmN5d3Z3MFJrZz09
Meeting ID: 829 9317 8495
Passcode: 210634
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