100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Husband and wife team Tommy and Jo Ellen Nowell, along with son Matt, all heavily involved with the Henderson Rec Players and McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
The Nowells spoke about the Henderson Rec Players’ recent decision to cancel its 2020 summer season – the first break since its conception in 1972 – while also remembering the good times of the past and looking ahead to the future.
Jo Ellen, director of the Henderson Rec Players for 19 years, explained that canceling this year’s season was actually a perfect storm that included issues with obtaining performance rights and paying required royalties, along with complications from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Several of the rental houses in New York were going through a merger when we attempted to get rights to the productions in the winter. We were told they were tied up with the merger and requests were on the backburner,” said Jo Ellen. “When the virus struck, rental houses were busy with cancelations and transfers and requests continued to be on the backburner.”
Between issues with obtaining rights and restrictions on physically congregating for auditions, rehearsals and performances thanks to COVID-19, Jo Ellen lamented, “put all these things together and that’s why we had to make the decision to postpone.”
Since planning began for the 2020 season in the winter of 2019, and requests for production rights had already been made, Jo Ellen is hopeful that the Henderson Rec Players are now ahead of the game for the 2021 summer season.
Discussing the history of the Rec Players, Tommy, the former technical director and still an integral part of each production, said he has been involved with the group for 48 years. In talking “Henderson Rec Players All-Stars,” Tommy said he had to start with Chuck Grubbs, then the head of the Vance County Recreation and Parks Department, and Dwight Pearce, a now-retired local English and drama teacher and former mayor of Norlina.
“Chuck had the concept that recreation is more than a bat and a ball; recreation includes theatre and the arts,” said Tommy. “He and Dwight put their heads together and came up with the concept of the Rec Players.”
For all but the last few years, Rec Players’ performances were held in the E.M. Rollins Elementary School auditorium. That changed when McGregor Hall opened its doors with a state-of-the-art, 1,000-seat theatre in 2016.
The Henderson Rec Players, previously under the jurisdiction of the City and County via the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department, was incorporated as part of McGregor Hall last year. Matt Nowell, technical director for McGregor Hall, explained that it was “always part of the plan” for the Rec Players to eventually fall under the umbrella of the performing arts center.
Jo Ellen said this change has allowed for more space and an even greater inclusivity for all those interested in theatre. “We are inclusive is so many ways and are one of the few programs open to all ages. It’s great for children to see other children, teenagers and adults all working together and learning from each other. We work with all cultures and all abilities. We do not turn anybody away, ever.”
The Nowells are proud of the fact that many involved in the Rec Players have made theatre or the arts their profession. “So many of the people who have worked with the Henderson Rec Players in the past have gone on from this area to have professional careers. One of the best examples is Bobby Funk who is now a drama professor at East Tennessee State University. Another alumnus is the technical director of the Miami City Ballet,” Jo Ellen said.
With a lengthy hiatus looming, Tommy said he hopes people will reflect on what local theatre has meant to the community.
“I’m hoping people will take this time to realize what they are missing by not having us. There’s an old adage: ‘How can I miss you if you won’t go away?’ Perhaps people will realize that this is a pretty unique thing we have going on here, and the support of the community is absolutely essential.”
The Nowells are humbled by the response they have received from the community since their cancellation announcement and have been touched by those who have reached out in support and gratitude for their time with the group.
“The Henderson Rec Players is a family,” Tommy said. “In a 40 to 50 year period of time, people come in and people go out, but you’re always part of the family.”
Matt echoed that sentiment, “Our mission has always been to entertain the community, but it has also been to provide a place for people who may not feel that they have a place anywhere else.”
To hear the interview with the Nowells in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
GCPS Surpasses Quarter Million Meals Served to Children During Pandemic
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
Monday, March 16, 2020 marked the first day Governor Cooper ordered all public schools to be closed in our state due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the nearly 70 days since that time, Granville County Public Schools has delivered innovative and flexible services to meet the needs of our community.
We are proud to announce that this past week, the district surpassed the quarter-million meal count, and has now served 292,814 total meals to the children in Granville County during the pandemic. These high-quality, nutritional meals include many of the same items served in our regular school-based menus, including things like fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, cheese sticks, breakfast bars, sandwiches, pizza, nachos, and of course, our beloved tater tots! Plenty of fruit juice and fresh milk help round out each meal served, with the occasional cookie as a treat for our children.
Patricia Crute, Child Nutrition Director, Granville County Public Schools (Photo courtesy GCPS)
The district’s meal service has shifted to meet demand and to minimize the risk to staff and volunteers, and in recent weeks has ramped up production to provide more than 40,000 meals a week.
Currently, the district provides drive-up service at 26 sites, and door-to-door delivery to the homes of disabled and medically fragile children. It is important to note that service is provided to ALL children aged 2-18 who request meals, regardless of which school they might attend. Students enrolled in charters, private schools or who are homeschooled are welcomed with open arms to any meal service site. Our goal is for no child in our community to be hungry while school is not physically in session.
Leading this effort across the county is Child Nutrition Director, Patricia Crute. A native of Granville County and veteran GCPS employee of 29 years, Ms. Crute offered her thoughts on the program thus far, stating, “Child nutrition has always been my passion. Being able to provide meals to our children during this time is what I feel I am supposed to do. I love knowing that my staff and I, with the help of all of the volunteers and the staff from our Transportation and Maintenance departments, are making a difference in the lives of our children.”
Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean offered her perspective on the effort, sharing, “I could not be prouder of our team. While we couldn’t control the challenges brought on by this pandemic, we can control how we respond and continue to meet our children’s needs. I am truly grateful to the hard-working and dedicated staff in our Child Nutrition, Transportation, and Maintenance Departments, as well as our Teacher Assistants, Custodians and all of the other employees who have helped make this meal service possible. I also want to send a special ‘Thank You’ out to the countless volunteers who have also been on the front lines with us in helping make sure our children do not go hungry. We truly are blessed in this community for how we all join together in taking care of our children and making their welfare the top priority.”
The current meal service will continue through the end of the regular school year. The last day for drive-thru and delivery will be provided on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
A modified summer feeding program is currently being planned to help meet the nutritional needs of children while school is not in session. Details about that program will be provided to families soon.
Local COVID-19 Report; NC Moves to Phase 2 of Lifting Restrictions
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health and Brian Short, director of H-V Emergency Management
As of May 21, 2020, there are 222 known COVID -19 cases in Granville County, 194 cases in Vance County, and 20,860 confirmed cases in North Carolina.
There are three outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district – one at Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC, one at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC, and one at Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC.
Of the total positive cases in each county, 99 in Granville County are associated with the prisons, 45 in Vance County are associated with Pelican Health nursing home, and 18 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.
Of the 123 community-based cases in Granville County, 54 have been released from isolation and five are hospitalized.
Of the 99 cases in the prison system, 67 have been released from isolation.
Of the 194 cases in Vance County, 75 have been released from isolation and 11 are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 26 deaths in the health district – 19 in Vance County and seven with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.
GVPH updates its website daily with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.
In state news, Governor Cooper and DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen issued Executive Order 141 announcing that North Carolina will move into “Safer At Home” Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions today, Friday, May 22, 2020, at 5 p.m.
Phase 2 lifts the Stay At Home order moving into a Safer At Home recommendation, especially for people at high risk for serious illness. Teleworking is also urged when possible.
Mass gathering limits in Phase 2 will be no more than 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors in most circumstances. These limits apply to the following: event venues; conference centers; stadiums and sports arenas; amphitheaters; and groups at parks or beaches.
Some businesses will remain closed in Phase 2 including bars, night clubs, gyms and indoor fitness facilities and indoor entertainment venues such as movie theaters and bowling alleys.
Certain businesses will be open at limited capacity with other requirements and recommendations, including restaurants at 50% dine-in capacity with distancing and cleaning requirements; personal care businesses, including salons and barbers, at 50% capacity with distancing and cleaning requirements; pools at 50% capacity with distancing and cleaning requirements.
Childcare facilities, day camps and overnight camps will be open with enhanced cleaning and screening requirements.
Retail businesses allowed to open in Phase 1 at 50% capacity will continue at that level.
Public health recommendations are provided for worship services to practice enhanced social distancing and other cleaning and hygiene practices.
The Safer At Home Phase 2 runs through at least Friday, June 26, 2020.
Town Talk 05/21/20: Salvation Army Increases Food Distribution; Summer Camp a Go
/by Kelly BondurantTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Lt. Derrick Smith and Kim Davis, with the Henderson Salvation Army, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.
Food Distribution
To ensure that the nutritional needs of the community are met during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Salvation Army is now distributing emergency food boxes every 30 days instead of the typical every 60-90 days.
Food Bank-provided fresh produce boxes with a variety of fruits and vegetables are also available at the Salvation Army’s new location at 2292 Ross Mill Road in Henderson.
Food boxes are available for pickup Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Picture ID is encouraged but not required for food distribution.
Those in need of transportation can call the Salvation Army at (252) 438-7107 and a ride will be arranged courtesy of KARTS.
Summer Camp 2020
According to Davis, director of the Red Shield Club and Community Center, the Henderson Salvation Army’s summer camp is a go this year for all youth ages 6 to 17.
The Red Shield Boys & Girls Club camp will be held June 15 through August 14, 2020, from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Participants may attend all nine weeks or may pick and choose weeks. Cost is $55 per week, and snacks and lunch are provided each day.
Activities include spiritual programs, daily devotionals, curriculum programs, lessons on healthy habits, music, drama, painting, sports, gaming, computer lab and much more.
To keep campers and workers safe during the pandemic, Davis said the camp will follow strict safety guidelines and will be thoroughly disinfected daily. “Our number one priority is the safety of all – children and staff. We will be following National Health and Safety standards, along with the CDC’s cleaning and disinfecting guidelines, and will be cleaning every day, all day.”
Registration forms are now available at the front desk of the Salvation Army located at 2292 Ross Mill Road. A $25 registration fee applies; however, the fee is waived for any additional siblings.
Davis said several guardians have completed the camp registration in their car and returned the form to the front desk, decreasing their chances of possible virus exposure and saving them an extra trip.
Other News
Registration for the Salvation Army’s 2020-2021 after-school program begins July 1. Forms may be picked up at the front desk. With local schools potentially starting the new school year on different dates, Davis said the organization is prepared to offer both summer camp and after school care for the weeks that coincide.
On the job front, the Salvation Army has several paid positions available, including Education Coordinator, Program Aide – Sports and Fitness, as well as several summer camp positions. Apply online at www.indeed.com.
To hear the interview with Smith and Davis in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Coach’s Corner 05/21/20: Henderson Collegiate Fundraising for Championship Rings
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
George Marshall, head men’s basketball coach and athletic director for Henderson Collegiate, appeared on the WIZS Coach’s Corner Thursday.
In honor of Henderson Collegiate’s recent designation as the 1-A Men’s Basketball State Co-Champions, Marshall announced the school is holding a popcorn fundraiser to purchase championship rings.
The online fundraiser that features unique popcorn flavors can be viewed by visiting www.doublegood.com and searching “HC Championship Rings” (click here for direct link). The fundraiser ends this Saturday at 10 a.m.
“This is the first state championship in our school’s history, so it’s an enormous accomplishment,” said Marshall. “What we are trying to prioritize is having something that not only honors the players but also something that can honor the managers, the coaching staff and founding administrators.”
According to Marshall, one side of the ring will honor #33 Elijah Brown, a Henderson Collegiate student and basketball player who died tragically in a car accident in May 2018.
“One of the things I’ve been most proud of isn’t the number of dollars that we’ve raised, it’s the fact that I’m getting texts from teachers saying things like ‘your players have demonstrated such great gratitude,’” Marshall said. “These are values that are going to help kids for the rest of their lives.”
Noon News 05/21/20
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
WIZS, Henderson – Your Community Voice
Henderson Rec Players and McGregor Hall
Meeting of the Advisory Board of the Vance County Regional Farmers Market
Latest COVID 19 statistics
Butner Inmate Sentenced for Possession of Narcotics at Federal Prison
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
A federal inmate incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner was sentenced to 12 months in prison and an additional two-year term of supervised release for possession of the opiate buprenorphine, a Schedule III narcotic commonly referred to by the brand name Suboxone.
The 12-month term of imprisonment is in addition to, and consecutive to, his current term of imprisonment, and the two-year term of supervised release is in addition to and consecutive to his 3-year term of supervised release on his current sentence.
According to court documents, while Aaron Trujillo, 57, was serving a federal sentence for multiple bank robbery convictions, he was found in possession of multiple sublingual film strips containing buprenorphine. The Bureau of Prisons’ investigation also revealed a large cache of stamps and a debt ledger suggesting that he was involved in the sale and distribution of buprenorphine for several months.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Agents investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Bredenberg prosecuted the case.
Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Warns Public of Increase in Scam Calls
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the Vance County Sheriff’s Office
The Vance County Sheriff’s Office would like to make the public aware of some recent trends that the agency has noticed.
From May 4, 2020, to the present, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office has received approximately nine incident reports that relate to Identity Fraud/Theft, Credit Card Fraud, Obtaining Property by False Pretense and Forgery. It appears that most of the investigations have some international ties to different countries.
The public should be mindful that if you receive a request from an unknown person or persons asking you to buy gas cards or supply them with your Social Security Card, banking information or purchasing animals through Paypal, you could be getting scammed.
We want to encourage the members of our community to be mindful of their financial transactions and ask that you do not provide personal information over the phone.
If you have any questions, please contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at (252) 738–2200.
Town Talk 05/20/20: Henderson Rec Players ‘Family’ Will Pull Through Difficult Year
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Husband and wife team Tommy and Jo Ellen Nowell, along with son Matt, all heavily involved with the Henderson Rec Players and McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
The Nowells spoke about the Henderson Rec Players’ recent decision to cancel its 2020 summer season – the first break since its conception in 1972 – while also remembering the good times of the past and looking ahead to the future.
Jo Ellen, director of the Henderson Rec Players for 19 years, explained that canceling this year’s season was actually a perfect storm that included issues with obtaining performance rights and paying required royalties, along with complications from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Several of the rental houses in New York were going through a merger when we attempted to get rights to the productions in the winter. We were told they were tied up with the merger and requests were on the backburner,” said Jo Ellen. “When the virus struck, rental houses were busy with cancelations and transfers and requests continued to be on the backburner.”
Between issues with obtaining rights and restrictions on physically congregating for auditions, rehearsals and performances thanks to COVID-19, Jo Ellen lamented, “put all these things together and that’s why we had to make the decision to postpone.”
Since planning began for the 2020 season in the winter of 2019, and requests for production rights had already been made, Jo Ellen is hopeful that the Henderson Rec Players are now ahead of the game for the 2021 summer season.
Discussing the history of the Rec Players, Tommy, the former technical director and still an integral part of each production, said he has been involved with the group for 48 years. In talking “Henderson Rec Players All-Stars,” Tommy said he had to start with Chuck Grubbs, then the head of the Vance County Recreation and Parks Department, and Dwight Pearce, a now-retired local English and drama teacher and former mayor of Norlina.
“Chuck had the concept that recreation is more than a bat and a ball; recreation includes theatre and the arts,” said Tommy. “He and Dwight put their heads together and came up with the concept of the Rec Players.”
For all but the last few years, Rec Players’ performances were held in the E.M. Rollins Elementary School auditorium. That changed when McGregor Hall opened its doors with a state-of-the-art, 1,000-seat theatre in 2016.
The Henderson Rec Players, previously under the jurisdiction of the City and County via the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department, was incorporated as part of McGregor Hall last year. Matt Nowell, technical director for McGregor Hall, explained that it was “always part of the plan” for the Rec Players to eventually fall under the umbrella of the performing arts center.
Jo Ellen said this change has allowed for more space and an even greater inclusivity for all those interested in theatre. “We are inclusive is so many ways and are one of the few programs open to all ages. It’s great for children to see other children, teenagers and adults all working together and learning from each other. We work with all cultures and all abilities. We do not turn anybody away, ever.”
The Nowells are proud of the fact that many involved in the Rec Players have made theatre or the arts their profession. “So many of the people who have worked with the Henderson Rec Players in the past have gone on from this area to have professional careers. One of the best examples is Bobby Funk who is now a drama professor at East Tennessee State University. Another alumnus is the technical director of the Miami City Ballet,” Jo Ellen said.
With a lengthy hiatus looming, Tommy said he hopes people will reflect on what local theatre has meant to the community.
“I’m hoping people will take this time to realize what they are missing by not having us. There’s an old adage: ‘How can I miss you if you won’t go away?’ Perhaps people will realize that this is a pretty unique thing we have going on here, and the support of the community is absolutely essential.”
The Nowells are humbled by the response they have received from the community since their cancellation announcement and have been touched by those who have reached out in support and gratitude for their time with the group.
“The Henderson Rec Players is a family,” Tommy said. “In a 40 to 50 year period of time, people come in and people go out, but you’re always part of the family.”
Matt echoed that sentiment, “Our mission has always been to entertain the community, but it has also been to provide a place for people who may not feel that they have a place anywhere else.”
To hear the interview with the Nowells in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Noon News 05/20/20
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
WIZS, Henderson – Your Community Voice
Noon Local News items for May 20, 2020
NC MedAssist to Hold Free Granville Drive-Thru Pharmacy Event
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, NC MedAssist
NC MedAssist is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in Granville County, NC on Friday, June 19, 2020. The event, which is in collaboration with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, is open to any individual or family needing over-the-counter medications.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Granville County Expo & Convention Center located at 4185 US-15 South, Oxford, NC. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medication. No identification is required.
Unlike previous Mobile Free Pharmacy events, this one will be held as a drive-thru service only. Participants are highly encouraged to order their over-the-counter medicine online at https://bit.ly/Granville (click here).
“We have completely revamped our Giveaway Day in order to keep our participants, volunteers, and staff as safe as possible,” said Misty Moore, Senior Development Director at NC MedAssist. “We came together with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation and identified such a need in the community. With so many restrictions in place, we had to take a look at how we can still provide this service while keeping everyone safe and healthy.”
The Mobile Free Pharmacy events have served upwards of 800 people, at times. In order to comply with local recommended guidelines, all participants will remain in their vehicles while volunteers retrieve their medicine. For those individuals unable to register online, volunteers will be available to complete registration forms for each person, limiting touchpoints.
“Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is pleased to partner with NC MedAssist on the Mobile Free Pharmacy event,” said Foundation Director Val Short. “The event is expected to have a huge impact on the community, especially during such difficult times. Triangle North Healthcare Foundation values the work of NC MedAssist in our communities on behalf of those who are vulnerable and don’t have access to healthcare. We hope to educate participants on the healthcare resources available in Granville and surrounding counties.”
At the event, information will also be available about enrolling in the NC MedAssist Free Pharmacy Program, which mails free prescription medications directly to a patient’s home. NC MedAssist’s overall goal is to help ease the burden for those in need; it is aiding people who are making the choice between buying food and purchasing life-saving medication. Over the last fiscal year, NC MedAssist distributed over $63 million in free prescription and over-the-counter medication statewide. Of course, this would not be possible without the numerous, dedicated volunteers.
NC MedAssist is a statewide non-profit pharmacy, founded in 1997. The organization provides free prescription medication to low-income, uninsured North Carolinians. NC MedAssist offers three programs that address the needs of children and adults: the Free Pharmacy Program, the Mobile Free Pharmacy Program, and the Transitional Job Program.
Learn more about NC MedAssist right now at www.medassist.org. You can also visit their Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact them to find out how you can help.