100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Cordell discussed current activities involving the fire department including the City’s recently completed fire study, the annual smoke detector campaign and the upcoming county-wide campaign to be held in partnership with the American Red Cross.
Following up on a news story aired last week on WIZS 1450 AM/ 100.1 FM and posted online at WIZS.com, Cordell said years of talks with the Henderson City Council and City Manager Frank Frazier resulted in the budgeting of a fire study conducted and recently completed by outside company Management Solutions for Emergency Services.
According to Cordell, the study was completed prior to the Christmas holidays and results were presented at the Henderson City Council’s Public Safety Committee meeting held January 8.
The biggest takeaway from the study is the recommendation for the construction and operation of a third fire station in the western part of Henderson, with a suggested location of the Dabney Drive and 158 Bypass area.
Henderson is currently served by two fire stations located approximately one mile apart: Station #1 at 211 Dabney Drive and the historic Station #2 at 205 N. Garnett Street in downtown Henderson.
While just the first step in what would most likely be a lengthy process if pursued, Cordell said the study indicated what is needed now, prior to another station being built, is additional personnel.
“We currently have 30 firefighters assigned to shifts and four in administrative positions for a total of 34 certified firefighters. The staffing level has been the same since Station #1 was built on Dabney Drive in 1974. The study advised that we are in need of 12 additional personnel now to be fully staffed on fire engines and fully staffed on ladder truck response.”
Currently, the fire department responds to calls with two fire engines and either a ladder truck or rescue vehicle, depending on the situation, Cordell explained.
Smoke Detector Campaigns
Cordell reported that the City’s current annual smoke detector campaign, which begins anew each November, was 75% completed by the end of December.
“We finished the campaign for three-fourths of the city right before Christmas,” said Cordell. “Now we have the last 25% of the city to reach, so will start working on that again very soon.”
Started in 2009 after a Vance County family lost several of their children to a house fire, firefighters go door-to-door each year offering residents a free home inspection that includes checking for fire hazards, replacing old/broken smoke alarms and replacing batteries on working units.
To assist those in the county, the Henderson Fire Department, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will team up with NC Central University, Vance County’s fire departments and other community volunteers and organizations on Monday, January 20, 2020, for a “county-wide fire inspection canvassing event.”
Tune in live to WIZS Town Talk this Wednesday at 11 a.m. for more information on the county-wide event.
With questions regarding your smoke detector, fire safety or to schedule a time for a free home inspection, please call the Henderson Fire Department at (252) 430-1877.
To hear the interview with Cordell in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Granville Early College High School Accepting Applications for 2020-21
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools
Granville County Public Schools is happy to announce we are now accepting applications from all current 8th-grade students for Granville Early College High School for the 2020-2021 school year.
If you are interested in enrolling your 8th grader in Granville Early College, now is the time to complete your application! We will be accepting applications through February 18, 2020.
You can find the online application by visiting the Granville Early College HS website or by clicking here.
Warren Co. Receives $10K Grant to Remove Abandoned Manufactured Homes
/by WIZS Staff-Information and photo courtesy the Warren County North Carolina Facebook page
Warren County has received a $10,000 grant to assist in the deconstruction of abandoned manufactured homes as part of the enforcement of the County’s abandoned manufactured home ordinance.
Property owners can apply to the program and contractors will be solicited for the new grant cycle with an anticipated start date of March 1, 2020. Cost to eligible property owners is $305 for a single-wide unit ($35 demolition permit and $270 landfill tipping fees) or $575 for a double-wide unit ($35 demolition permit and $540 landfill tipping fees).
The selected contractor by the County will be reimbursed through the State-funded program administered by Warren County.
For more information or to apply to the County program, please contact Ken Krulik (Planning and Zoning Administrator) at 252-257-7027 or email KenKrulik@warrencountync.gov. Forms may also be picked up at the Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Department located at 542 West Ridgeway Street Warrenton, NC 27589.
Franklin County Library Schedules Closings to Improve Services
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Franklin County Government
The Franklin County Library, through its partnership with NC Cardinal, is improving your library services. During the month of February, Franklin County Library Branches will be closed as noted below to implement these improvements:
Franklinton – February 3-5, 2020
Bunn – February 6-10, 2020
Youngsville – February 11-14, 2020
Louisburg – February 17-21, 2020
All NC Cardinal Resource Sharing transits to and from the libraries will be paused between February 3- 14, 2020.
The result of these updates will be modern library circulation standards and a more seamless integration of local and NC Cardinal Data. Self-check will be available in all Franklin County branches after these upgrades. Throughout the process, book drops will be checked regularly so that materials can be returned on schedule.
Check the Franklin County Library website for updates at www.franklincountync.us/services/library and please call the library if you have additional questions.
For additional information, please contact Holt Kornegay, Library Director, at (919) 496-2111.
This closing schedule will not hinder, impede or preclude early voting conducted by the Franklin County Board of Elections in the Branch Libraries.
Home and Garden 01/14/20
/by Charlene100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie 01/15/20
/by Charlene100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
News 01/15/20
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Ragland Resigns; Vance Co. High School Searches For New Football Coach
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Vance County High School Athletic Department
Vance County High School is searching for a new football coach for next fall following Darry Ragland’s resignation on Monday, January 13. He has resigned as the Head Varsity Football Coach but will continue teaching at Vance County High School.
Ragland became the first head football coach in Vance County High School’s brief history after the consolidation of Northern Vance and Southern Vance High Schools in 2018. He posted a record of 13-10 with one playoff appearance in two seasons with the Vipers. This past season, Vance County was 9-3 and 5-2 in Big 8 3A Conference play.
For 20 years, Ragland has been involved with Vance County Schools’ football programs. Prior to his position as head football coach at Vance County High School, Ragland was the head football coach of Southern Vance High School for one season, where he posted a record of 6-5. He has also been an assistant football coach at Henderson Middle School, Northern Vance High School, and Southern Vance High School.
Ragland served as offensive coordinator for the Raiders in 2006 when Southern Vance lost in the NCHSAA 2AA State Championship game to Shelby, 27-24
“I want to thank Coach Ragland for everything he has done for our school and community,” said Athletic Director Joe Sharrow. “He is a well-respected and important member of our Vance County family who has positively impacted the lives of a countless number of our student-athletes. We will miss his dedication to Vance County football and wish him the best of luck.”
Vance County High School will begin looking for a new head football coach immediately. Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to Athletic Director Joe Sharrow (jsharrow@vcs.k12.nc.us) and Principal Rey Horner (rhorner@vcs.k12.nc.us).
Oxford PD Making Arrests, Obtaining Warrants, Searching For Suspects
/by John C. Rose100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
The Oxford Police Department worked two incidents where three people were shot on January 11 and January 12. In addition, arrests have been made in a homicide case from December 31, 2019, and in the aftermath of an altercation on December 9, 2019, where a suspect fired multiple shots at a motor vehicle. Both of the December incidents involve 16-year-old suspects.
According to information obtained from the Oxford Police Department:
January 12, 2020, the OPD responded to Granville Medical Center for two persons who had been shot. Officers talked with both victims – Jerome Bumpass, 20 years old, and Lakeem Lyons, 27 years old and determined that the incident took place on Hicks Mill Rd. Both victims were transported out to other medical facilities for treatment. Neither had life-threatening injuries. No suspects have been identified in this case.
January 11, 2020, the OPD responded to Speedway on MLK Blvd. in reference to a shooting victim. The victim, Matthew Jones, 33 years old, reported that he had been shot in the leg by Leo McCoy, 31 years of age. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Warrants have been obtained for McCoy, however, he had not been located as of this publication. Oxford Police Chief Alvin Coley told WIZS News the warrants for McCoy were for “assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.”
The homicide victim from December 31, 2019, was identified as Ms. Sharday Thorpe, age 34, of 306 Lanier St. An arrest warrant was obtained for 1st Degree Murder and the suspect was taken into custody. However, the suspect is 16 years old and the name cannot be released. This is an active investigation and a motive cannot be released.
December 9, 2019, at or near the intersection of Leak and Wilmington Avenues, an altercation occurred where a suspect fired multiple shots at a motor vehicle. The suspect in this case is 16 years old and has been taken into custody. No additional information can be released.
Chief Coley said he believes the crimes are unrelated. He said, “However, I can’t say for sure if all of our recent crimes were all random. However, it does appear that in some cases individuals were purposely shot or shot at for unknown reasons.”
Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent said, “As you might imagine, the City and Police Department are working hard to address the recent incidents, and we feel secure that they will prevail in their efforts to restore the peace.”
Coley said, “As always, each act of crime is a public safety concern, and we will continue to work towards the apprehension of the perpetrator(s).”
Town Talk 01/14/20: City’s Fire Study Finds ‘More Personnel Needed Now’
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Cordell discussed current activities involving the fire department including the City’s recently completed fire study, the annual smoke detector campaign and the upcoming county-wide campaign to be held in partnership with the American Red Cross.
Following up on a news story aired last week on WIZS 1450 AM/ 100.1 FM and posted online at WIZS.com, Cordell said years of talks with the Henderson City Council and City Manager Frank Frazier resulted in the budgeting of a fire study conducted and recently completed by outside company Management Solutions for Emergency Services.
According to Cordell, the study was completed prior to the Christmas holidays and results were presented at the Henderson City Council’s Public Safety Committee meeting held January 8.
The biggest takeaway from the study is the recommendation for the construction and operation of a third fire station in the western part of Henderson, with a suggested location of the Dabney Drive and 158 Bypass area.
Henderson is currently served by two fire stations located approximately one mile apart: Station #1 at 211 Dabney Drive and the historic Station #2 at 205 N. Garnett Street in downtown Henderson.
While just the first step in what would most likely be a lengthy process if pursued, Cordell said the study indicated what is needed now, prior to another station being built, is additional personnel.
“We currently have 30 firefighters assigned to shifts and four in administrative positions for a total of 34 certified firefighters. The staffing level has been the same since Station #1 was built on Dabney Drive in 1974. The study advised that we are in need of 12 additional personnel now to be fully staffed on fire engines and fully staffed on ladder truck response.”
Currently, the fire department responds to calls with two fire engines and either a ladder truck or rescue vehicle, depending on the situation, Cordell explained.
Smoke Detector Campaigns
Cordell reported that the City’s current annual smoke detector campaign, which begins anew each November, was 75% completed by the end of December.
“We finished the campaign for three-fourths of the city right before Christmas,” said Cordell. “Now we have the last 25% of the city to reach, so will start working on that again very soon.”
Started in 2009 after a Vance County family lost several of their children to a house fire, firefighters go door-to-door each year offering residents a free home inspection that includes checking for fire hazards, replacing old/broken smoke alarms and replacing batteries on working units.
To assist those in the county, the Henderson Fire Department, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will team up with NC Central University, Vance County’s fire departments and other community volunteers and organizations on Monday, January 20, 2020, for a “county-wide fire inspection canvassing event.”
Tune in live to WIZS Town Talk this Wednesday at 11 a.m. for more information on the county-wide event.
With questions regarding your smoke detector, fire safety or to schedule a time for a free home inspection, please call the Henderson Fire Department at (252) 430-1877.
To hear the interview with Cordell in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Reavis Takes Reins at Granville County Emergency Services
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Granville County Government
Granville County Government announces that Jason Reavis has been hired as Director of Granville County Emergency Services.
Reavis has more than 20 years’ experience in the emergency services field, with his most recent position being Assistant Director of Emergency Operations in Vance County. In that role, he helped supervise all functions associated with Emergency Management and 911, including emergency planning, response, recovery and mitigation.
Granville County Government announces that Jason Reavis has been hired as Director of Granville County Emergency Services. His first day of work was Dec. 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
Along with planning and executing numerous exercises in preparation for natural and manmade disasters, Reavis has helped build and strengthen relationships with area governments, departments and agencies to manage effective planning and implementation of emergency response strategies.
The new Emergency Services Director, who is stepping in after the Dec. 31 retirement of former Emergency Services Director Doug Logan, is a certified N.C. Executive Emergency Manager, an International Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and an International Emergency Fire Dispatcher, among many other distinctions.
Various supervisory and instructional roles in his extensive career have helped prepare him to fill the position of Emergency Services Director, as well as experience as a paramedic and volunteer firefighter.
At the Fall Conference of the North Carolina Emergency Management Association, Reavis was recognized with the 2019 Vance E. Kee Award, which is presented annually to the local emergency management staff person who has demonstrated outstanding achievement through promoting emergency management among other county and state agencies and elected officials.
A graduate of Vance-Granville Community College, Reavis holds an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration. He is married and has five children.
His first day of work was Dec. 1, 2019.