100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Garry Daeke, outreach coordinator for Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start, Inc., appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Daeke was pleased to announce that the 11th Annual FGV Ducky Derby Race will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020, in downtown Henderson, albeit with several changes in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
At 11 a.m. that morning, Garnett Street will be filled with a river of rubber ducks as FGV Smart Start holds its largest fundraiser of the year. With $10,000 raised at last year’s race, Daeke said proceeds from the annual event provide services for local families with children age five and younger. (Click here for article and video from last year’s event.)
All sponsors will be recognized on Ducky Derby posters, radio advertisements, newspaper articles and the FGV Smart Start website and Facebook page.
This year, with the uncertainty surrounding event-planning, Daeke explained that no individual tickets for rubber ducks will be sold. Instead, Smart Start will be securing sponsors to support this event.
Sponsorship levels are:
Super Duck – $500
Feathered Friend – $250
Quacker Backer – $100
Approximately 2,000 ducks will “race” this year, and each will represent a child enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Founded by singer and entertainer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library partners with Smart Start programs to offer youth one free book a month – via mail – from birth through age five.
With 3,800 children currently registered for the Imagination Library through FGV Smart Start, Daeke said 2,000 names will be randomly selected for the available ducks. Children who are enrolled in the program in the next few weeks will also have a chance to be entered into the race.
Applications for the Imagination Library can be found at local pediatric offices, childcare centers, the Granville Vance Public Health Department, Maria Parham Health, libraries and the FGV Smart Start office.
The “lucky duck” [child] who wins the Ducky Derby will receive the grand prize of free Chick-fil-A for a year.
While individual ducks will not be available for purchase, Daeke said the public is still welcome to join the fun in-person. Social distancing and masks will be required for all participants.
“We wanted to have something for the public; so many things aren’t going to happen this fall. We decided we wanted something that we can still have and – possibly – people could come out and see,” stated Daeke.
For those not able to attend in-person, Daeke said the event will be featured live on the FGV Smart Start Facebook page. A drone fly-over is also being planned in conjunction with the City of Henderson to provide a bird’s-eye view of the activities.
While a deviation from past years, Daeke said the 2020 Ducky Derby “will be a little different but still a lot of fun.”
If interested in becoming a sponsor, to enroll your child in the Imagination Library or with questions, please call FGV Smart Start at (252) 433-9110.
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 08/17/20: Rubber Ducks to Float Down Garnett St. in 11th Annual Ducky Derby
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Garry Daeke, outreach coordinator for Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start, Inc., appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Daeke was pleased to announce that the 11th Annual FGV Ducky Derby Race will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020, in downtown Henderson, albeit with several changes in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
At 11 a.m. that morning, Garnett Street will be filled with a river of rubber ducks as FGV Smart Start holds its largest fundraiser of the year. With $10,000 raised at last year’s race, Daeke said proceeds from the annual event provide services for local families with children age five and younger. (Click here for article and video from last year’s event.)
8-17-20 Gary Daeke Talks About The Ducky Derby
All sponsors will be recognized on Ducky Derby posters, radio advertisements, newspaper articles and the FGV Smart Start website and Facebook page.
This year, with the uncertainty surrounding event-planning, Daeke explained that no individual tickets for rubber ducks will be sold. Instead, Smart Start will be securing sponsors to support this event.
Sponsorship levels are:
Super Duck – $500
Feathered Friend – $250
Quacker Backer – $100
Approximately 2,000 ducks will “race” this year, and each will represent a child enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Founded by singer and entertainer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library partners with Smart Start programs to offer youth one free book a month – via mail – from birth through age five.
With 3,800 children currently registered for the Imagination Library through FGV Smart Start, Daeke said 2,000 names will be randomly selected for the available ducks. Children who are enrolled in the program in the next few weeks will also have a chance to be entered into the race.
Applications for the Imagination Library can be found at local pediatric offices, childcare centers, the Granville Vance Public Health Department, Maria Parham Health, libraries and the FGV Smart Start office.
The “lucky duck” [child] who wins the Ducky Derby will receive the grand prize of free Chick-fil-A for a year.
While individual ducks will not be available for purchase, Daeke said the public is still welcome to join the fun in-person. Social distancing and masks will be required for all participants.
“We wanted to have something for the public; so many things aren’t going to happen this fall. We decided we wanted something that we can still have and – possibly – people could come out and see,” stated Daeke.
For those not able to attend in-person, Daeke said the event will be featured live on the FGV Smart Start Facebook page. A drone fly-over is also being planned in conjunction with the City of Henderson to provide a bird’s-eye view of the activities.
While a deviation from past years, Daeke said the 2020 Ducky Derby “will be a little different but still a lot of fun.”
If interested in becoming a sponsor, to enroll your child in the Imagination Library or with questions, please call FGV Smart Start at (252) 433-9110.
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Local News Audio 8-17-20 Noon
/by John C. RoseCokesbury Fire Department Announces Cancellation of Sept. Fireworks
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
From the Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department:
It is with great sadness that we must announce that the Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department will be canceling our fireworks that were scheduled for September 5, 2020.
With our State being mired in Phase 2 of the reopening, we cannot in good conscience risk a single person getting sick because we held our fireworks. Once again, we apologize for not being able to show our community how much we appreciate them.
As far as we know, we will still be conducting a stew sale on October 24. We will be figuring out the logistics of that at our September Board meeting and providing additional information at that time.
Vance County Tourism Announces the Cancellation of Fireworks, Annual Car Show
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Vance County Tourism Development Authority
The much anticipated annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine, and East Coast Dragtimes Hall of Fame & Reunion scheduled for October 16 and 17, 2020, in Henderson will not take place this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Vance County Tourism Development Authority had remained extremely positive that the show would go on until the recent extension of Governor Roy Cooper’s Safer at Home Phase 2 mandate regarding large gatherings that is in effect until September 11, 2020.
After continued monitoring of NC COVID cases, apprehensions concerning COVID-19, observing other large scale crowd closures, day-use areas and public facilities at State Parks remaining closed, and the unknown state and/or local mandates that may still be in place at that time, the Vance County Tourism Development Authority Board of Directors made the extremely difficult decision to cancel the 19th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine, and East Coast Dragtimes Hall of Fame & Reunion scheduled for October 16 and 17, 2020.
At this time, there will be no rescheduling of the event for 2020, but we are looking forward to seeing everyone on October 15 and 16, 2021 for what we hope will be the biggest Show, Shine, Shag & Dine, and East Coast Dragtimes Hall of Fame & Reunion ever.
The extended Safer at Home Phase 2 mandate has also made it necessary for Vance County Tourism to cancel the fireworks that had been moved from July 4, 2020, to Sunday, September 6 (Labor Day weekend).
Hopefully, COVID numbers will continue to go down and we can get events and activities scheduled again. We look forward to seeing everyone next year!
Pam Hester, Executive Director
Vance County Tourism Development Authority
Warren County Breaks Ground on Sewer Extension Project at Wise I-85 Interchange
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Warren County Government
Warren County broke ground last week on the Wise I-85 interchange sewer extension project. The project was initially approved by the Warren County Board of Commissioners in May of 2018 upon the award of a $200,000 GoldenLEAF grant. The total project budget is $428,331.
Warren County Board of Commissioners voted in 2019 to fully fund the project with additional financial support. The county looks to spur development at the state’s first interchange on I-85 with this infrastructure investment.
“This project speaks to the growth of Warren County, and it speaks to how the Commissioners view economic development,” said Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Tare “T” Davis. “This infrastructure utility puts us in a place to be an asset to the region for future development.”
The contractor for the expansion is H.G. Reynolds. Construction is scheduled to be completed within 120 days. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Friday, August 14 at 10:30 a.m.
For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at (252) 257-3115.
Photo (L to R): Fred Stowe (Engineer and Project Manager, Rivers & Associates), Ray Spain (EDC Board Chair), Victor Hunt (Vice-Chair, Warren County Board of Commissioners), Bertadean Baker (County Commissioner), Tare Davis (Chair, Warren County Board of Commissioners), Representative Terry Garrison, Jennifer Pierce (County Commissioner), Walter Powell (County Commissioner), Vincent Jones (County Manager). (Photo courtesy Warren Co. Govt.)
Franklin County: Notice of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Franklin County Government
Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater
General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.
Franklin County Public Utilities experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater from the Youngsville Regional pump station in Youngsville, NC. The spill was a result of heavy rain on Saturday, August 15, 2020. The spill occurred at 4:32 p.m. and discharged until 9:34 p.m. The discharge of wastewater was estimated to be 20,040 gallons, and approximately 10,000 gallons entered into an unnamed tributary of Richland Creek which is a tributary of the Neuse River Basin.
Franklin County Public Utilities staff was dispatched to the site and started clean up after the overflow stopped.
The department also experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater from the South Nassau Street pump station in Youngsville. The spill was a result of heavy rain on Saturday, August 15, 2020. The spill occurred at 4:50 p.m. and discharged until 6:07 p.m. The discharge of wastewater was estimated to be 2,000 gallons, and approximately 800 gallons entered into an unnamed tributary of Richland Creek which is a tributary of the Neuse River Basin.
Franklin County Public Utilities staff was dispatched to the site and started clean up after the overflow stopped.
The division of Water Quality was notified of this event on August 16, 2020, and is reviewing the matter. For additional information concerning this event, please contact Franklin County Public Utilities Department at (919) 556-6177. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Franklin County’s website at www.franklincountync.us.
VGCC Ranked Sixth-Best Community College in the Nation
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College was recently recognized as one of the top ten community colleges and trade schools in the nation for 2020. VGCC came in at number six on the rankings published by “Best Colleges” (www.bestcolleges.com), a leading provider of independent college rankings and higher education research. The college was also the third-highest-ranked school from North Carolina.
“We are pleased to see this national recognition for Vance-Granville, which we attribute to the dedication and innovation demonstrated by our faculty and staff every day,” Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of the college, said. “VGCC is committed to providing high-quality education and training that is affordable and accessible for the people of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.”
Best Colleges noted that the college has extended its reach by providing career-oriented programs that can be completed entirely online. These programs include Supply Chain Management, Medical Office Administration, IT/Business Support, Early Childhood Education, Criminal Justice, Accounting, and Business Administration. Students can also complete the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science programs online, which prepares them for transferring to a university to complete a bachelor’s degree. The college has transfer agreements with numerous four-year universities.
“VGCC boasts strong graduation rates and small class sizes,” the website also noted. “The school’s 13-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio allows students to receive plenty of individualized attention.”
Established in 1969, VGCC offers more than 40 credit programs, in which students work toward certificates, diplomas and degrees. Area residents and businesses can also take advantage of a variety of continuing education/job training opportunities, as well as the High School Equivalency and Adult High School Diploma programs.
Enrollment is currently ongoing for eight-week curriculum credit classes that begin on October 14, and for the spring semester that starts in January 2021. For more information about VGCC, visit www.vgcc.edu.
School Re-Opening on Granville Board of Education’s Afternoon Retreat Agenda
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a Board Retreat on Monday, August 17, 2020, at 2 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US-15, Oxford, NC.
The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss board operations and long-term planning and to discuss topics related to the re-opening of schools.
The Board will also meet in Closed Session in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11(a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 for Personnel, and Attorney/Client Privilege.
Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting will be required to wear face coverings and cooperate with health screening and social distancing procedures.
Coach’s Corner 08/14/20: Chad Wilson Named Head VCHS Boys Basketball Coach
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Vance County High School
The Vance County Board of Education has approved Chad Wilson as the next head boys basketball coach at Vance County High School. He teaches physical education at the school.
Coach Wilson is a Vance County native who graduated from Northern Vance High School before continuing his basketball career at Louisburg College and Livingstone College. Following his collegiate playing career, Wilson became an assistant coach for Vance-Granville Community College for three seasons before returning to his high school alma mater to serve as varsity assistant and head JV coach under long-time coach Wilton Baskett, whom he played for.
Wilson has compiled a record of 79-17 in five seasons as head JV basketball coach at Northern Vance and Vance County, including a 37-1 stretch from 2017-2019. Notably, he also has a record of 13-0 as interim head varsity basketball coach at Vance County, filling in for Wilton Baskett for a portion of the 2018-2019 season that saw the Vipers win the Northern Carolina Conference championship and make a run to the 4th round of the NCHSAA tournament. Wilson was also an assistant when Northern Vance won the 2017-2018 Northern Carolina Conference championship.
“Coach Wilson has proven that he is an effective coach who can bring out the best in his players,” Athletic Director Joe Sharrow said of Wilson. “He has a passion for teaching and coaching, has demonstrated the ability to establish positive relationships, and is a tremendous role model for our students. Coach Wilson is a valued member of the Viper family and has earned this opportunity to lead our boys basketball program.”
Wilson will replace his former high school coach and coaching mentor, Wilton Baskett, who retired in March after a 37-year coaching career that saw him surpass the 400-win mark this past season.
“It is a great honor to become the next head basketball coach at Vance County High School,” Wilson said in a statement. “I am from Vance County and grew up dreaming about the opportunity to work with and coach the kids from my hometown. I have been a part of the culture that we have established here and look forward to continuing the growth of our program and giving back to the kids who now play on the same courts and in the same gyms where I fell in love with the game of basketball.”
The Vipers are hopeful to begin the 2020-2021 season on December 4, as outlined by the amended calendar released by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
VGCC to Offer Sustainable Agri-Tech Program This Fall
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College continues to “cultivate” new programs for the fall semester. The Sustainable Agri-Tech program will grow one’s knowledge in the agricultural field and prepare students for occupations in a wide variety of jobs in agriculture (both production and value-added) with a range of skills and knowledge.
The program addresses agricultural concepts, skills, and techniques that are required by the agriculture industry. Upon completion, students will have explored sustainable and organic methods, plant, soil and animal science, field management, equipment maintenance and basic computer skills and marketing techniques.
The class begins on September 14, 2020, at 6 p.m. Kelly Dixon will be leading this hybrid class at VGCC’s Franklin Campus. The 96-hour program is made up of only 30 hours in the classroom and 66 hours online. The cost is $188.25.
Tuition assistance is available to those who meet eligibility guidelines. Space is limited.
For more information please visit: https://www.vgcc.edu/agritech/