The city’s Land Planning Committee is set to recommend to the full City Council that the former First National Bank building on Garnett Street be used as the S-Line train station.
Council Member Garry Daeke is a member of the land planning committee, and he attended a meeting of the committee held Thursday, Dec. 19. Daeke told WIZS that a couple of options were discussed, and ultimately, the committee decided to get behind the former bank building over the Garnett Street Station.
But that decision comes with a hefty price tag – Daeke said development of the bank building location and mobility hub concept would cost five to seven times the cost of the Garnett Street Station option. The price is between $15 million and $25 million for developing the bank building idea and $3 million to $4 million for the Garnett Street Station option.
“The bank building is such a central part of downtown,” Daeke said. “We’d like to put it to good use.”
Estimated costs of getting the bank building itself ready for its new use are about $10 million, Daeke said, compared with $7.2 million for the Garnett Street Station. The city owns the bank building, but not the Garnett Street Station, so there would be extra costs involved to purchase that property.
Daeke said N.C. Dept. of Transportation officials would like to have the city’s answer by January so plans can continue for the S-Line development. There’s still a lot of legwork to do to secure various federal grants and other funding options, he said, but NCDOT officials have said that if all goes well, the project could take between five and eight years to complete. “If funding takes a while, it could be 10 to 15 years,” Daeke said.
“I’m really looking forward to this occurring,” he said, adding that figuring out the grants and other financing is a necessary part of the process to create a mobility hub for the whole community to use and enjoy.
The bank building has lain vacant for a number of years, but it hasn’t been a bank for decades.
“There’s just so much structural work to do,” he said, including the possibility of creating a second-floor walkway from the William Street side of the building.
According to Daeke, assistant city manager Paylor Spruill has noted that the building is “overbuilt” to support the weight involved, but there remain questions about upgrades to the substructure.
Then there’s the question of the access road located between the rear of the buildings parallel to William Street, which is presently used by existing businesses for loading and unloading.
There would still be a need to have some type of access road back there, he said.
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The Local Skinny! City Council To Hear Train Station Recommendations
/by WIZS StaffThe city’s Land Planning Committee is set to recommend to the full City Council that the former First National Bank building on Garnett Street be used as the S-Line train station.
Council Member Garry Daeke is a member of the land planning committee, and he attended a meeting of the committee held Thursday, Dec. 19. Daeke told WIZS that a couple of options were discussed, and ultimately, the committee decided to get behind the former bank building over the Garnett Street Station.
But that decision comes with a hefty price tag – Daeke said development of the bank building location and mobility hub concept would cost five to seven times the cost of the Garnett Street Station option. The price is between $15 million and $25 million for developing the bank building idea and $3 million to $4 million for the Garnett Street Station option.
“The bank building is such a central part of downtown,” Daeke said. “We’d like to put it to good use.”
Estimated costs of getting the bank building itself ready for its new use are about $10 million, Daeke said, compared with $7.2 million for the Garnett Street Station. The city owns the bank building, but not the Garnett Street Station, so there would be extra costs involved to purchase that property.
Daeke said N.C. Dept. of Transportation officials would like to have the city’s answer by January so plans can continue for the S-Line development. There’s still a lot of legwork to do to secure various federal grants and other funding options, he said, but NCDOT officials have said that if all goes well, the project could take between five and eight years to complete. “If funding takes a while, it could be 10 to 15 years,” Daeke said.
“I’m really looking forward to this occurring,” he said, adding that figuring out the grants and other financing is a necessary part of the process to create a mobility hub for the whole community to use and enjoy.
The bank building has lain vacant for a number of years, but it hasn’t been a bank for decades.
“There’s just so much structural work to do,” he said, including the possibility of creating a second-floor walkway from the William Street side of the building.
According to Daeke, assistant city manager Paylor Spruill has noted that the building is “overbuilt” to support the weight involved, but there remain questions about upgrades to the substructure.
Then there’s the question of the access road located between the rear of the buildings parallel to William Street, which is presently used by existing businesses for loading and unloading.
There would still be a need to have some type of access road back there, he said.
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Wallace Vaughan Receives Order Of The Long Leaf Pine
/by WIZS StaffWallace T. Vaughan recently was presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for 45 years of exemplary service to Granville Vance Public Health.
GVPH Health Director Lisa Macon Harrison made the presentation on Nov. 26. “We are so proud of Wallace’s 45 years of service to public health as an Environmental Health Specialist. When he began his career with the Granville-Vance District Health Department on July 16, 1979, no one could have foreseen that his career with our agency would span over 40 years, with growth and development along the way. Thankfully, even as a retired member of our team, he returns to assist part-time with the important work of Environmental Health at GVPH.”
Vaughan began his career with the Granville-Vance District Health Department as a Sanitarian I, focusing exclusively on wastewater disposal. His position changed to Sanitarian II and then Environmental Health Specialist as duties and responsibilities increased through the years. When the environmental health supervisor retired in 2002, Vaughan took over, and was responsible for overseeing all environmental health duties and the professional development of eight employees in both counties. In 2007, his position was reclassified to Environmental Health Supervisor III to accurately reflect the complex duties of managing a district program.
Vaughan was presented the award at a luncheon in Oxford, NC – his lifelong home. In attendance were his wife, Brenda Vaughan, three children and four grandchildren. Also on hand for the presentation were several GVPH staff who have worked with him over his noteworthy career.
Vaughan is a lifetime member of Tungsten Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, and he also trains Tennessee Walker horses.
Cooperative Extension With Wayne Rowland: Meat Goat Breeds
/by WIZS StaffCooperative Extension
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 12-20-24 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Keep Safety In Mind When Decorating This Holiday Season
/by WIZS StaffSome folks have had their homes – inside and out – decorated for weeks, and others have taken a slower approach to decking the halls to create a festive Christmas look.
No matter how far along you are in your holiday decorating, however, the American Red Cross has some timely reminders about safety this time of year.
“Many people are getting ready for holiday celebrations and time with loved ones and we want everyone to be safe while doing so,” said Sharonne Hayes, communications manager with Red Cross North Carolina Region. “This time of year is a peak time for home fires involving things like candles and holiday decorations. You can help help keep things safe and fun for your family by practicing some extra safety — using battery-operated candles, checking your cords, and even practicing a two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.”
Here are a few tips to keep in mind as Christmas and New Year’s approach:
Visit redcross.org/fire to learn more.
Brame, Drewry FD Team Up To Help Family In Need At Christmas
/by WIZS StaffVance County Sheriff Curtis Brame extends a big thank you to everyone who attended the Drewry Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Christmas gathering.
Brame was among those who enjoyed the fellowship and a meal. Before the event concluded, “I received a telephone call from our neighboring county seeking assistance with a family in distress,” Brame told WIZS News.
He got permission to share the information with those gathered.
“I relayed the message that I received from Officer Kenny Bullock, which he was attempting to assist a family of four with shelter for the night,” Brame explained.
And just like that, volunteer firefighters, guests and their families collected $370 to assist that family in need. It was enough to pay for two nights at a local hotel, as well as meals for the family of four and gas for their vehicle.
Warren County Gets $950,000 In CDBG Funding To Help Rehab, Repair Homes
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of Warren County Community and Economic Development
Warren County has received a $950,000 award from the N.C. Dept. of Commerce Rural Economic Development Division for the Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization program. Funding does not require a local match.
“We are excited to bring CDBG funds back into the county organization, and I am proud of the work Rose Ponton, our Community Development manager, has been doing to grow our focus in this area,” said Charla Duncan, director of Warren County Community and Economic Development.
“Applying for CDBG housing repair funds has been a goal of this department as a part of our transition from economic development to community and economic development, and this is a big step in realizing that goal,” said Duncan.
These funds benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Activities include housing rehabilitation and emergency repairs with the possibility of relocation and reconstruction in severe circumstances. These funds are managed as a 0 percent interest, forgivable loan with a term of up to eight years.
Warren County worked with a Wilmington firm that specializes in CDBG programming; recipients of CDBG funds were identified as a part of the county’s application.
Applicants must own and live in their home and be able to document that they are not delinquent on any property taxes to date, with a clear title to the property. This program is designed to address housing needs that include severe structural deficiencies or severe water and/or sewer needs.
Henderson Police Department CALEA Assessment
/by WIZS StaffThe Henderson Police Department’s site-based assessment has concluded and Chief Marcus Barrow said if all goes well, the department will receive its formal accreditation in spring 2025.
Barrow said an assessor from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies arrived last Sunday, Dec. 8 and completed the assessment tasks before leaving on Dec. 12.
“He gave accolades to our Command Staff during our exit interview,” Barrow told WIZS News, “and we will hopefully hear back from the commission next month.”
The Henderson Police Department has held accredited status with CALEA since 2002.
The assessment looked at the department’s adherence to national standards and best practices related to life, health and safety procedures, according to information from Capt. Chris Ball of the Henderson Police Department.
There are 462 specific professional standards the department must comply with to achieve and maintain accreditation status. Reaccreditation is a thorough and demanding process, and successful completion demonstrates that policies, practices and procedures align with the highest levels of law enforcement professionalism.
Accreditation follows a four-year cycle, during which police departments like the HPD must maintain electronic records to prove compliance. The records are reviewed remotely each year, culminating in a site-based assessment in the fourth year.
As part of the process, the public is invited to submit feedback via the CALEA portal at http://cimrs2.calea.org/481.
The purpose of this public portal is to receive comments regarding an agency’s compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services and overall candidacy for accredited status. These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide the participating agency with information to support continuous improvement, as well as fostering the pursuit of professional excellence.
It is important to know that CALEA is not an investigatory body, and subsequently, the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes. Additionally, there will be no response other than acknowledgement to submissions; however, the information will be considered in context to its relevancy to compliance with standards and the tenets of CALEA® Accreditation.
Standard titles may be viewed on the CALEA website: https://www.calea.org/node/11406. The Henderson Police Department participates in the advanced level of accreditation. Questions related to the accreditation process may be directed to the Accreditation Manager at bstrother@hendersonpd.nc.gov.
First “Catfish Drop” Planned For Dec. 31 at Satterwhite Point
/by WIZS StaffVance County Tourism has planned a special New Year’s Eve celebration at Kerr Lake’s Satterwhite Point Park and is inviting everyone to come out to “test the waters” for the inaugural Catfish Drop.
The event will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
There will even be fireworks – a few hours earlier than midnight as a crane courtesy of Fred’s Towing & Transport gently lowers into the lake a original metal sculture by local artist Christy Stainback.
Food trucks will be on site, as well as lots of children’s activities including bouncy houses and face painting.
The event is free and open to the public. Come on out and see for yourselves the first-ever Catfish Drop to usher in the New Year, Kerr Lake style!
Veteran Law Enforcement Officer Mike Grissom Awarded Order Of The Long Leaf Pine
/by WIZS StaffVeteran law enforcement officer Michael D. Grissom received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Wednesday during a ceremony at the Vance County Courthouse.
N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon presented the award to Grissom with family and friends looking on in recognition of his nearly 30-year career in law enforcement that Sossamon stated is “marked by extraordinary dedication, leadership, and a profound commitment to public safety and community well-being.”
In 1973, Grissom was a patrolman with the Henderson Police Department. He quickly distinguished himself through his strong connection to the community, his unwavering ethical standards and sense of duty. He rose through the ranks, first as detective and then as detective sergeant.
Grissom was promoted to lieutenant in 1988 and he served in that role until 1991. As a lieutenant, he played a pivotal role in enhancing the department’s strategic planning, resource management and interdepartmental collaboration.
Then, he became an agent with the City-County Bureau of Identification in Raleigh, bringing with him a wealth of experience and commitment to excellence. By 1994, he was promoted to field supervisor, a position he held until his retirement in June 2002.
Throughout his career, Grissom has embodied the principles of justice, fairness and service, and has left an indelible impact on the organizations he served and the communities he protected. His unwavering dedication to the safety and well-being of others has made him a model of public service and a deserving recipient of this distinguished honor.
“Mike Grissom represents the best of North Carolina,” Sossamon stated. “His lifelong commitment to protecting and serving his community has inspired many and ensured a lasting legacy of integrity and leadership.”