100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools
Twenty-seven teachers from across North Carolina have been selected as finalists for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Beginning Teacher of the Year Award for their dedication, innovation and ability to inspire students to achieve.
Bethany Young of Granville County Schools is a finalist.
One of these talented educators will be named the 2019 NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year. The award will be presented for the first time on December 5, 2019, at the NCCAT Cullowhee Campus.
“We appreciate the enthusiastic response from all over the state for the Beginning Teacher of the Year Award,” said NCCAT Executive Director M. Brock Womble. “These finalists provide a snapshot of the lasting impact great teachers have on our students from the first to the last day they step into a North Carolina public school. We are excited about this opportunity to honor teachers for the important work they do in our state.”
The 2019 NCCAT North Carolina Beginning Teachers of the Year are:
– Sara Bowen Andrews, Rockingham County Schools
– Tina Brown, Beaufort County Schools
– Melissa Canter, Alexander Schools
– Tria Cope, Randolph County
– Rebecca Dearien, Craven County
– Kennedy Dockery, Mount Airy City Schools
– Victoria Freeman, Gaston County Schools
– Megan Houchins, Iredell Statesville Schools
– Cristina Lane, Wake County Public Schools
– Lara Johnson, Bladen County Schools
– Sarah Lawrence, Bear Grass Charter School
– Sydney Paladino, Envision Science Academy Charter
– Kesli Pinkston, Haywood County Consolidated Schools
– Robin Kent Pittman, Careret County
– Damarius Prieto, Cumberland County
– Allie Reitzell, Newton Conover Schools
– Elizabeth Riddick, Perquimans County
– Justine Riddick, The Point College Prep
– Alaysha Rogers, Halifax County Schools
– Leanne Rose, Mooresville Graded School District
– Allison Snyder, Buncombe County
– Rachel Somerville, Henderson County Public Schools
– Erin Stewart, Lenoir County
– Alison Stuart, Catawba County Schools
– Reba Warren, Pitt County
– Ziena Walker, Innovative School District
– Bethany Young, Granville County Schools
The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year process was developed to honor beginning teachers who are the future of education in North Carolina. Information about the program is online at www.nccatbtoy.com.
The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year prizes include:
– $5,000 cash prize
– Participation in a GoGlobal NC trip to Australia in 2020
– Instructional supply funds for the teacher’s school
– $2,000 cash prize to the runner-up
Travel expenses for regional winners to participate in NCCAT professional development and leadership development.
Sports Mayhem Interview with Star Guard Taylor Bell and AD and Head Coach – Crossroads Christian Colts
/by Charlene100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Vance Co. Commissioner Tommy Hester Announces Plan to Run for NC Senate
/by Kelly BondurantTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr., lifelong Henderson native, long-serving Vance County Commissioner and local businessman, has announced that he will file for the NC Senate District Three seat in the 2020 election. The filing period begins Monday, December 2, 2019.
NC’s third district is currently represented by Democratic Senator Erica Smith-Ingram and includes Vance, Warren, Northampton, Bertie, Martin and Beaufort counties.
With Smith-Ingram expected to file for federal office as opposed to filing for reelection to the state senate, Hester said the time is right to seek an office that “can help bring jobs and education – the two most important factors in economic growth – to rural NC counties.”
Tommy Hester announces to the local media on Wednesday that he will file for the NC Senate District Three seat in the 2020 election. The filing period begins Monday, December 2, 2019. (WIZS photo)
All six of the counties comprising district three are considered Tier 1, a distinction that makes them among the most economically distressed in the state. Rankings are based on an assessment of a county’s unemployment rate, median household income, population growth and assessed property value per capita, according to the NC Department of Commerce.
As a resident and county commissioner in a Tier 1 county, Hester said he is prepared to bring jobs and education to the district and believes his experience on the North Carolina Golden Leaf Board of Directors and Chairman of the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority, in part, make him an ideal candidate.
“Being involved in Golden Leaf and being in Raleigh with the Rural Infrastructure Authority for six years has given me the background on what needs to be done to help rural counties,” stated Hester.
In addition to his many service roles in Vance County, Hester has connections to other rural NC counties including the three years he was stationed in Warren County as part of his 15 years of National Guard service and connections made through wife Jenny, a Northampton County native.
Locally, Hester has served the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Committee as its elected Board Chair. He was also named Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year in 2017 and has been recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian award.
A Vance County Commissioner for 14 years, Hester said he will only resign the local office if he wins the senate seat. If elected, Hester would also be required to resign from the Golden Leaf Foundation and the Rural Infrastructure Authority.
Hester pointed to recent examples of growth in Vance County, many of which he was either directly or indirectly involved with, as proof that the tide can turn in counties categorized as “economically distressed.” Examples included:
While he is proud of the strides made in Vance County in recent years, Hester said he also wants to help expand that growth to other rural counties via the third district senate seat.
“There’s no one running right now or announced to run except for me. I’m running for it because I care about NC and I care about rural counties. If we help one rural county, we are helping all surrounding counties.”
The general election for the North Carolina State Senate will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for March 3, 2020.
If elected, Hester would assume office the first day of the new General Assembly in January 2021. Members of the state senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits.
Town Talk 11/13/19: Contributions Needed for Shop With A Cop Envelope Raffle
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Shop With A Cop Envelope Raffle
Sponsored by the Henderson Police Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office and Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you for your assistance with this fundraiser to benefit “Shop With A Cop.” When all the envelopes $1 – $180 are sold, collected, and returned back to the Chamber office, our local law enforcement will receive $5,000 to take Vance County disadvantaged youth Christmas shopping at Walmart.
Our Chamber will also be benefiting from the proceeds and using our funds to initiate new programs and enhance value to our Chamber member businesses.
Law enforcement will select 60 of the envelopes and the Chamber will have the remaining 120. Envelopes are numbered $1 – $180 and include a raffle ticket. When you approach someone you know, friend, co-worker, or neighbor, you are going to get a check (made payable to the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce) for the amount on the front of the envelope. They may also contribute cash.
The contributor will fill out the raffle ticket. They keep the stub and you return the completed raffle ticket portion with their name and phone number in the envelope to the Chamber office. Remind your contributors that their name will be entered into a raffle drawing for cash prizes.
The contributors giving $1 – $40 will be entered to win $200. When they give $41 – $80, they will be entered to win $500. Those contributing $81 – $120 will be entered to win $1,000. And our grand prize of $2,000 will be for those contributing $121 – $180.
To hear the Shop With A Cop interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
Granville’s Emergency Services Director Honored at State Conference
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Granville County Government
Emergency Services Director Doug Logan has been awarded the Colonel Phillip Nichlos Waters Award by the North Carolina Emergency Management Association (NCEMA). The recognition was made at the Fall NCEMA Conference and is awarded annually to the Emergency Management Coordinator/Director who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the local emergency management program while contributing to the overall good and advancement of the Emergency Management System in the state.
Granville County’s Emergency Services Director Doug Logan is pictured (center) with County Manager Michael Felts, Emergency Management Coordinator Robin Edwards, Safety Officer Reba Duke, Fire Marshal Donnie Boyd, and County Commissioners Sue Hinman, Tim Karan and Zelodis Jay. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)
In his presentation remarks, NCEMA Awards Committee Chairman Jordan Rink called Logan “well-deserving” of this recognition as he has more than 30 years’ experience in emergency services. During his career, Logan has led the NCEMA as president, as well as chairing several Association committees, serving as Domestic Preparedness Region-4 (DPR-4) Chairperson and as the Emergency Management representative to the region’s Healthcare Preparedness Coalition. He was also instrumental, Rink added, in the development of the first Statewide Interoperable Communications Plan, helping the region gain valuable communications resources such as the VIPER radio infrastructure.
Locally, Director Logan has grown Granville County’s Emergency Management program from a single individual to a team of five, leading the county through Hurricanes Fran and Isabel as well as the winter storm of 2000 and recent tornado activity. During his tenure, Granville County has achieved Storm Ready status, a level of preparedness that helps save lives and property before, during and after a storm event.
During his career, Logan has been deployed to New Orleans to respond to the devastation which resulted from Hurricane Katrina, to Lake Lure for the “Party Rock Fire,” and to Jones County to assist with response and recovery after Hurricane Florence, as well as other deployments. He has served as Granville County’s Emergency Management Director for the past 25 years, with his retirement – announced earlier this year – effective Dec. 31, 2019.
Granville County’s newly-hired Emergency Services Director will report to work on Dec. 1. Jason Reavis will continue the work Logan has put into motion, leading the local Emergency Services team, which includes Emergency Management, Fire Marshal and EMS System Administration.
Also an award-winner, Reavis was recognized with the Vance E. Kee Award at the same NCEMA conference. This annual recognition is presented to the local Emergency Management staff person who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in their program through promoting it among other County and State agencies and elected officials. Reavis currently serves as Assistant Director for the Emergency Operations team in Vance County.
The North Carolina Emergency Management Association is the professional organization for Emergency Managers in North Carolina. Each year, the Association hosts a spring and a fall conference, where participants can gather together and learn more about what is happening in the field of emergency management while building relationships with their peers.
Four awards were presented at the 2019 Fall Conference, with Granville County’s current and incoming directors receiving two of the annual recognitions.
The 2019 NCEMA Fall Conference was held Nov. 3 through Nov. 6 in Wilmington, NC.
City of Henderson Releases Sanitation Schedule for Thanksgiving Holiday
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC
The City of Henderson has released the sanitation schedule for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The schedule will be as follows for recycling and yard debris:
Monday, November 25 – Monday and Tuesday customers will be collected
Tuesday, November 26 – Wednesday and Thursday customers will be collected
Wednesday, November 27 – Friday customers will be collected
Please note that Waste Industries garbage collection will follow a different schedule for Thanksgiving. Their schedule is as follows:
Monday, November 25 – No Change
Tuesday, November 26 – No Change
Wednesday, November 27 – No Change
Friday, November 29 – Waste Industries to collect Thursday customers
Saturday, November 30 – Waste Industries to collect Friday customers
If you have any questions, please call the Assistant Public Works Director, Lee Owens at (252) 431-0419
VGCC Drama to Present ‘Appalachian Geisha’ Dec 6-8
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
VGCC Drama is excited to present Appalachian Geisha December 6 through December 8, 2019, at VGCC’s Main Campus.
This presentation represents a first of its kind collaboration across the North Carolina Community College System. Three Colleges: Vance-Granville Community College, Catawba Valley Community College, and Wake Technical Community College are joining forces to stage this regional premiere. The play—written by Kim Stinson, Director of AFA Theatre and a Professor at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory—will be staged five times over three days.
Front row: (left to right) Rose O’Malley, Blake Lee, Mary Parish, and Rebekah Varker; Middle Row (left to right): Kathleen Zoldos, Brian Johnson, Ashley Asycue, and Lane Wade; Back Row: (left to right): Daniel Thorpe, Savannah Morgan, Ronnie Brodie, Amanda Cease, and Matthew Varker (VGCC photo)
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on December 6 and 7, with matinees at 2 p.m. on December 7 and 8. There is a special campus matinee on December 6 at 3 p.m. All performances will be in the small auditorium, in Building 2, on the Henderson campus.
Betsy Henderson, director of the show and department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities at VGCC, also serves as Vice-President on the NCCCS AFA Association Board of Directors with Stinson and Lauren La May of Wake Tech. Together, they have worked alongside university partners to draft Comprehensive Articulation Agreements for the AFA Theatre degree for both the UNC system and Independent colleges. This working relationship is where an idea to collaborate across colleges was born.
Stinson, a BFA graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts, also holds an MA in Theatre from Miami University and an MFA in Playwriting from Spalding University. Kim is also a member of the Dramatist Guild, and an award-winning, published playwright.
Geisha was born out of Stinson’s own personal experiences, “Many years ago, I worked with a woman who never wanted to leave home. She didn’t enjoy traveling and had absolutely no desire to go anywhere. That way of thinking seemed so strange to me. I wanted to explore the way that someone else’s mind worked. At the same time, my love for other cultures always drew me to Asia and Asian theatre styles.” Stinson added, “Appalachian Geisha started as my creative thesis for my MFA in Playwriting degree and has grown and changed in subsequent versions. It is a work in which I explore combining western and eastern cultures, along with writing a main character who is so incredibly different from me, in an attempt to understand my former co-worker.”
Lauren La May, a BA graduate in Theatre Design and Production from UNC Asheville, also holds an MA in Theatre from the University of Toronto, and a PhD in Theatre from the University of Georgia. Currently, she is a Theatre Instructor within the Communications and Theatre Department at Wake Tech Community College.
La May began working as a dramaturge while at the University of Georgia. After receiving her doctorate, she gained a position with Virginia Stage Company in their educational division to create curriculum and study guides for shows. Le May says, “Through Dramaturgy, I get to continue in my love of history and research while working with playwrights, directors, actors and designers. I love the chance to work with a production team again and am excited for this collaboration with my colleagues from other community colleges.”
Henderson was interested in giving VGCC drama students the opportunity to work so closely with a playwright and dramaturge, and to have these theatre professionals be a part of the rehearsal process. “Not many young actors get to have such an experience,” says Henderson. Both Stinson and La May will also be attending performances of Geisha, where they will take part in a talk-back discussion enabling audiences to ask questions of the cast, crew, playwright, and dramaturge. Talkback discussions will occur immediately following the Friday and Saturday evening performances and there is no extra charge for the audience to attend.
The cast and crew are comprised of both VGCC and Early College students (Vance and Warren Counties). Actors include Savannah Morgan, Brian Johnson, Mary Parish, Rose O’Malley, Daniel Thorpe, Kathleen Zoldos, Blake Lee, and Ashley Ayscue. Brother and sister Matthew and Rebekah Varker serve as Stage Managers.
The production crew includes Lane Wade, Josh Nehy, Ronnie Brodie, Tre’quan Johnson, and Amanda Cease.
Admission is $15 for the general public and $10 for students and VGCC employees. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by purchasing tickets online. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/appalachian-geisha-tickets-80859983387
For more information, contact Betsy Henderson at (252) 738-3371, or hendersonb@vgcc.edu.
Young Among Finalists for NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year Award
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools
Twenty-seven teachers from across North Carolina have been selected as finalists for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Beginning Teacher of the Year Award for their dedication, innovation and ability to inspire students to achieve.
Bethany Young of Granville County Schools is a finalist.
One of these talented educators will be named the 2019 NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year. The award will be presented for the first time on December 5, 2019, at the NCCAT Cullowhee Campus.
“We appreciate the enthusiastic response from all over the state for the Beginning Teacher of the Year Award,” said NCCAT Executive Director M. Brock Womble. “These finalists provide a snapshot of the lasting impact great teachers have on our students from the first to the last day they step into a North Carolina public school. We are excited about this opportunity to honor teachers for the important work they do in our state.”
The 2019 NCCAT North Carolina Beginning Teachers of the Year are:
– Sara Bowen Andrews, Rockingham County Schools
– Tina Brown, Beaufort County Schools
– Melissa Canter, Alexander Schools
– Tria Cope, Randolph County
– Rebecca Dearien, Craven County
– Kennedy Dockery, Mount Airy City Schools
– Victoria Freeman, Gaston County Schools
– Megan Houchins, Iredell Statesville Schools
– Cristina Lane, Wake County Public Schools
– Lara Johnson, Bladen County Schools
– Sarah Lawrence, Bear Grass Charter School
– Sydney Paladino, Envision Science Academy Charter
– Kesli Pinkston, Haywood County Consolidated Schools
– Robin Kent Pittman, Careret County
– Damarius Prieto, Cumberland County
– Allie Reitzell, Newton Conover Schools
– Elizabeth Riddick, Perquimans County
– Justine Riddick, The Point College Prep
– Alaysha Rogers, Halifax County Schools
– Leanne Rose, Mooresville Graded School District
– Allison Snyder, Buncombe County
– Rachel Somerville, Henderson County Public Schools
– Erin Stewart, Lenoir County
– Alison Stuart, Catawba County Schools
– Reba Warren, Pitt County
– Ziena Walker, Innovative School District
– Bethany Young, Granville County Schools
The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year process was developed to honor beginning teachers who are the future of education in North Carolina. Information about the program is online at www.nccatbtoy.com.
The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year prizes include:
– $5,000 cash prize
– Participation in a GoGlobal NC trip to Australia in 2020
– Instructional supply funds for the teacher’s school
– $2,000 cash prize to the runner-up
Travel expenses for regional winners to participate in NCCAT professional development and leadership development.
DEA’s Drug Take Back Day Yields Highest NC Total Ever Collected
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
North Carolinians participating in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) 18th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Initiative (NTBI) held on Saturday, October 26, turned in 38,541 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at sites set up throughout the state. This was the highest amount ever collected during the previous 17 Rx drug take back events.
Now in its 10th year, this event continues to remove large volumes of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they could be stolen and abused by family members and visitors, including children and teens.
Beginning with October’s campaign, DEA accepted vaping devices like the Pax 3 Vapes at 180Smoke.ca, and cartridges in addition to medications at all of its drop-off locations. With hundreds of confirmed lung injuries and dozens of deaths attributed to vaping use, DEA is working diligently in our communities and through our outreach efforts to spread the word about the dangers of vaping. Although no vaping devices/cartridges were reported to have been collected locally, these items may have been collected nationally (pending confirmation).
“Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented, “DEA’s eighteenth Prescription Drug Take-Back campaign was a success both locally and nationally. While North Carolinians turned in 38,541 pounds of unwanted or expired medications, nationally, nearly 883,000 pounds of expired and unwanted prescription medications were collected at nearly 6,174 sites made available across the United States. Also, in an effort to combat another emerging public health threat – particularly to our nation’s youth – we’re proud to have extended the same opportunity to those looking to dispose of harmful vaping products.” I would like to thank the multitude of partners (both law enforcement and nonlaw enforcement) who worked tirelessly to make this event another great success.”
The public has embraced Take Back Day events because they provide easy, no-cost opportunities to remove medicines languishing in the home that are highly susceptible to misuse, abuse, and theft. Public demand for safe and secure drug disposal has also resulted in a significant increase in year-round drug drop boxes at law enforcement facilities, pharmacies, and elsewhere, making drug disposal even more convenient.
Complete results for DEA’s fall Take Back Day are available at www.DEATakeBack.com.
DEA’s next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 25, 2020.
The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov. Also, follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv.
Artist Spotlight 11/13/19
/by Charlene100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie 11/13/19
/by Charlene100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm