100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Archie Taylor, Jr., the incumbent for the District 2 seat of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Taylor, a Democrat, is running against challenger Michael Fisher for the seat. Filing after the primary election, Fisher, a Democrat, said in an earlier interview with WIZS that he was required to run as an unaffiliated candidate and petition for voter signatures in order to add his name to the November 2020 General Election.
A retired military officer and businessman, Taylor was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2012. He served as Chairman of the Board in 2015 and 2019 and currently serves on the Vance County Public Safety Committee.
Taylor also serves on the Board of Directors for the Vance County Department of Social Services, Maria Parham Health, McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, Vance County Public Schools Foundation and Occoneechee Council: Boy Scouts of America.
Below is a portion of Taylor’s responses to questions asked during the Town Talk interview:
Archie Taylor, Jr., the incumbent for the District 2 seat of the Vance County Board of Commissioners. (Photo courtesy County of Vance)
Q: What does a vote for Archie Taylor mean for the future of the Vance County Fire Department, fire districts and Vance County Rescue Squad?
A: I am a strong proponent of the Vance County Fire Department; they have served the county well for over 60 years.
Now we have this element inside of the Rescue Squad – along with some others in our community- who would disband the Vance County Fire Department. Instead of eight volunteer fire departments, there would be nine because they would get rid of the Vance County Fire Department, distribute its employees and have the Rescue Squad take over firefighting in the county. I think that is absolutely a huge mistake for our county.
Mine has been the primary voice, largest voice, loudest voice of making sure we keep our Vance County Fire Department as is and build a model around something else. That’s one of the biggest differences between me and my opponent.
A vote for me is a vote to keep the Vance County Fire Department intact.
Q: How does your platform address areas of growth and concern in the community?
A: When citizens in District 2 call on me for assistance, I jump right on it and do my best to help them, whether its finding grant money to have water lines installed or cleanup of dilapidated houses in the area.
I was able to get Carver School a multi-purpose room when it was the only school in the county that didn’t have one. I was also able to help Middleburg Steakhouse reopen and am proud of the Board’s involvement in the opening of the new Vance County Animal Shelter.
Right now, I’m working on helping bring broadband internet access to our county. We [the Board of Commissioners] looked at several options and explored the most cost-effective means. We found Open Broadband to be the best solution for us. It not only provides the installation of internet throughout our county but is also good for our citizens in terms of what they’ll have to pay.
Q: What is your stance as far as using taxpayer money to fund areas such as the Vance County Rescue Squad and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center?
A: I question why Vance County pays over $100,000 for rescue work. As pointed out in The Daily Dispatch recently, Granville County has $20,000; Franklin has $40,000; Warren has zero dollars allocated to rescue, and yet Vance County has over $102,000. So, I’ve questioned that for six months or so, and I guess we will come to some resolution on that.
McGregor Hall is a very important part of our county’s economic development; it brings our community over $2 million in revenue every year based on a study done by NC State University. We are very fortunate to have a facility of its type.
McGregor Hall is one of the only performing arts centers of its kind in the state that gets no public money at this time. I think it’s important that we figure out some way to help McGregor Hall because it provides a big economic impact to our community, and we want big economic impacts.
To hear the interview in its entirety, including additional questions and responses, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
(This is not a paid political advertisement. Political candidates are offered equal air time/coverage on WIZS.)
F-G-V-W Opportunity Holding COVID-19 Awareness T-Shirt Design Contest
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department
Franklin-Granville-Vance-Warren Opportunity presents a COVID-19 Awareness T-Shirt Design Contest for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Students must live in Franklin, Granville, Vance or Warren County to be eligible.
Participants are asked to design a t-shirt with a message that will encourage more individuals (youth in particular) to wear masks, wash their hands, stay six feet apart and get tested if exposed.
Prize categories include elementary school (K – 5th grade), middle school (6th – 8th grade) and high school (9th – 12th grade).
Prizes:
Grand Prize: PS4 Gaming System
First Place: $100
Second Place: $50
Third Place: $25
Each first-place winner’s school will also receive $200.
Rules:
Submission Deadline:
All submissions must be postmarked by Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Mail completed entry form and artwork to:
Franklin-Granville-Vance-Warren Opportunity
COVID-19 Awareness Art Contest C/O Felecia Coleman
PO Box 1453
Henderson, NC 27536
Properties Committee to Discuss Courthouse Roof, D.A. Office Renovation Bids
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the County of Vance
The Vance County Properties Committee (Brummitt, Taylor, Wilder) is scheduled to meet on Monday, October 5, 2020, at 5 p.m.
The meeting will be held in the Administrative Conference Room of the Vance County Administration Building located at 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.
The purpose of the meeting is to review the courthouse roof bids and D.A. Office renovation bids.
VGCC Names Dr. Antonio Jordan Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College has recently experienced growth in credit students taking more classes, as well as upward trends in student headcount. The college has been intentional about focusing on student access and success overall and has a strategic goal of continuing to enhance the “front-door experience” for students, which includes admissions and enrollment services.
To lead efforts that will build upon this work, VGCC recently named Dr. Antonio J. Jordan as its new Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services.
In his new role, Jordan will lead a talented department that develops and maintains a student-centered process of admission, from engaging and recruiting prospective students to welcoming them to VGCC through New Student Orientation. He and his team are committed to enhancing virtual and in-person recruitment activities for traditional and non-traditional students.
VGCC recently named Dr. Antonio J. Jordan as its new Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services. (Photo courtesy VGCC)
Jordan comes to VGCC from Davidson County Community College, where he has served as director of enrollment and student services. He also previously served as vice president for student services at James Sprunt Community College and worked at the N.C. Community College System Office, first as director of pre-college programs and later as director of academic/curriculum programs. Jordan has also served as a counselor and taught in other higher education settings.
“We are truly excited to have Dr. Jordan join the Vanguard family,” said VGCC Dean of Student Access & Support Kali Brown. “He brings a wealth of knowledge in admissions, enrollment management, and student services to his new role. I am confident the Office of Admissions, under Dr. Jordan’s leadership, will continue to connect and support students as they navigate the enrollment process at VGCC.”
“Dr. Jordan brings extensive experience in higher education and North Carolina community colleges to our college. He has a proven track record of being committed to providing college access to students and helping them succeed,” said Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of learning, student engagement and success. “We look forward to his leadership in serving future Vanguards, whether they are students who are approaching high school graduation or members of the adult learner population.”
Jordan holds a doctoral (Ed. D.) degree in Educational Leadership from Wingate University, an Educational Specialist credential from Wingate University, a master’s in Counseling/Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a bachelor’s in Psychology from Pfeiffer University.
The Admissions and Enrollment Services team is currently enrolling students for fall eight-week classes that begin Oct. 14, winter term courses that will begin Dec. 1, and spring classes that begin in January. These are outstanding opportunities for prospective students to take courses that will lead to a meaningful credential.
Apply for admission online at www.vgcc.edu or call (252) 738-3234 for additional information.
Town Talk 09/29/20: Archie Taylor, Jr., Vance Board of Commissioners (District 2) Incumbent
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Archie Taylor, Jr., the incumbent for the District 2 seat of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Taylor, a Democrat, is running against challenger Michael Fisher for the seat. Filing after the primary election, Fisher, a Democrat, said in an earlier interview with WIZS that he was required to run as an unaffiliated candidate and petition for voter signatures in order to add his name to the November 2020 General Election.
Taylor
A retired military officer and businessman, Taylor was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2012. He served as Chairman of the Board in 2015 and 2019 and currently serves on the Vance County Public Safety Committee.
Taylor also serves on the Board of Directors for the Vance County Department of Social Services, Maria Parham Health, McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, Vance County Public Schools Foundation and Occoneechee Council: Boy Scouts of America.
Below is a portion of Taylor’s responses to questions asked during the Town Talk interview:
Archie Taylor, Jr., the incumbent for the District 2 seat of the Vance County Board of Commissioners. (Photo courtesy County of Vance)
Q: What does a vote for Archie Taylor mean for the future of the Vance County Fire Department, fire districts and Vance County Rescue Squad?
A: I am a strong proponent of the Vance County Fire Department; they have served the county well for over 60 years.
Now we have this element inside of the Rescue Squad – along with some others in our community- who would disband the Vance County Fire Department. Instead of eight volunteer fire departments, there would be nine because they would get rid of the Vance County Fire Department, distribute its employees and have the Rescue Squad take over firefighting in the county. I think that is absolutely a huge mistake for our county.
Mine has been the primary voice, largest voice, loudest voice of making sure we keep our Vance County Fire Department as is and build a model around something else. That’s one of the biggest differences between me and my opponent.
A vote for me is a vote to keep the Vance County Fire Department intact.
Q: How does your platform address areas of growth and concern in the community?
A: When citizens in District 2 call on me for assistance, I jump right on it and do my best to help them, whether its finding grant money to have water lines installed or cleanup of dilapidated houses in the area.
I was able to get Carver School a multi-purpose room when it was the only school in the county that didn’t have one. I was also able to help Middleburg Steakhouse reopen and am proud of the Board’s involvement in the opening of the new Vance County Animal Shelter.
Right now, I’m working on helping bring broadband internet access to our county. We [the Board of Commissioners] looked at several options and explored the most cost-effective means. We found Open Broadband to be the best solution for us. It not only provides the installation of internet throughout our county but is also good for our citizens in terms of what they’ll have to pay.
Q: What is your stance as far as using taxpayer money to fund areas such as the Vance County Rescue Squad and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center?
A: I question why Vance County pays over $100,000 for rescue work. As pointed out in The Daily Dispatch recently, Granville County has $20,000; Franklin has $40,000; Warren has zero dollars allocated to rescue, and yet Vance County has over $102,000. So, I’ve questioned that for six months or so, and I guess we will come to some resolution on that.
McGregor Hall is a very important part of our county’s economic development; it brings our community over $2 million in revenue every year based on a study done by NC State University. We are very fortunate to have a facility of its type.
McGregor Hall is one of the only performing arts centers of its kind in the state that gets no public money at this time. I think it’s important that we figure out some way to help McGregor Hall because it provides a big economic impact to our community, and we want big economic impacts.
To hear the interview in its entirety, including additional questions and responses, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
(This is not a paid political advertisement. Political candidates are offered equal air time/coverage on WIZS.)
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 09-29-20 – Disaster Prep Kits
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
Local Noon News 09/29/20
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Henderson Police Department Investigates Shooting of a Female on Chavasse Avenue
Vance County Regional Farmers Market Holding a Twilight Market This Afternoon
COVID Testing Event at Gang Free, Inc. in Henderson on Monday, October 5, 2020
Update on Local COVID Cases
Vance County Public Safety Committee to Meet This Afternoon
Click Play to Listen to Full Details…
Famers Market, COVID19 Testing Event, Public Safety Meeting
GVPH COVID-19 Update: Vance Reaches 1,000+ Total Known Case Mark
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health
The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of September 28, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.
The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.
Granville County
1,751 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 1,751, 1,092 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 1,092, 971 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,751, 523 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County and 494 of those 523 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,751, 136 are associated with outbreaks at long-term care facilities including 30 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center and 95 at Universal Health Care.
The outbreak at Granville House is no longer active.
Of the 136 cases in long-term care facilities in Granville County, 114 have been released from isolation.
10 individuals in Granville County are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 50 deaths in Granville County: five in the community, one associated with Central Regional Hospital, one associated with Murdoch Development Center, 21 associated with Universal Health Care, and 22 associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.
Vance County
1,010 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 1,010, 885 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 885, 725 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,010, 125 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 49 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.
The outbreaks at Alliance Rehabilitative Care, Senior Citizens Home and Pelican Health nursing home are no longer active.
Of the 125 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 96 have been released from isolation.
12 individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 44 deaths in Vance County: 14 associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 12 associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two associated with Senior Citizens Home, and 16 in the community.
WIZS Note: There are 160 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 121 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). One additional COVID-19 related Granville County death and no additional Vance County deaths have been reported in the last seven days,.
Additional Information
The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.
Please visit GVPH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard (click here) for tables and graphs that are updated daily.
NCDHHS Updates Nursing Home Order to Allow Indoor Visitation
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, NCDHHS
As North Carolina’s key metrics continue to remain stable and strong infection prevention and control requirements remain in place, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued a Secretarial Order yesterday updating visitation guidelines for nursing homes to allow indoor visitation.
“We have focused on protecting the health of nursing home residents since the start of this crisis. Our progress in testing, infection control and slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities allows us to move forward with safe indoor visitation in accordance with federal guidance,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.
Indoor visitation will only be permitted in nursing homes with no COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days and in counties with a percent positive testing rate of less than 10%, reflecting guidance from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Local community transmission levels are the key factor for nursing home outbreaks, emphasizing the importance of community-wide adoption of proven prevention practices (the 3 Ws). Facilities allowing in-person visitation will be required to follow strict infection prevention guidelines.
Throughout NCDHHS’s pandemic response, its five-point strategy for long-term care facilities has focused on prevention, staffing, testing, outbreak management and oversight. The department’s innovative universal testing strategy within skilled nursing facilities has been cited by the Rockefeller Foundation as a national model.
Public Safety Committee to Discuss Community Relations, Policing This Evening
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the City of Oxford
The Public Safety Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet today, September 29, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held online via Zoom.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss community relations and policing by the Oxford Police Department.
All those interested are invited to attend.
Join Zoom Meeting (click here)
Meeting ID: 833 5825 1666
Passcode: 892587
Dial by your location: 929 205 6099
Williams Suspected in Shooting of Female While on Release for Homicide
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release and photos, Henderson Police Department
On Friday, September 25, 2020, officers of the Henderson Police Department responded to the 200 block of Chavasse Avenue after receiving a call of a person being shot. When they arrived, they located Tracey L. Person (51) suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper torso.
Person was transported to an area medical facility for treatment of her injuries.
She and a male friend had been walking in the area when a dark-colored vehicle pulled alongside them and an occupant fired a weapon. As a result of HPD’s investigation, it is believed the male walking with Person was the intended target of the assault.
Through the assistance of the public, the shooter has been identified as John Williams, age 37, of Vance County.
Williams is described as a black male, approximately six-feet tall and 220 lbs. Williams is currently on pre-trial release for a homicide that occurred in Vance County.
HPD is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of John Williams to contact the department immediately at (252) 438-4141 or through Facebook or Instagram.
A cash reward of up to $2,000 is offered through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers – (252) 492-1925 or P3 app.