100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Vance County’s Salvation Army recently welcomed new leaders Lts. Derrick and Odessa Smith, a husband-and-wife team last stationed in Alamance County.
The Smiths take over for the recently retired Captain Rick Langley and wife Angie who headed the local Salvation Army operation since 2012.
Odessa, who has been a part of the Salvation Army since she was four years old, said it was her experience and love for the ministry that attracted husband Derrick, originally of Duplin County, to serve.
“I’ll be honest, when she first invited me, I thought we were having church at a thrift store,” Derrick recalled with a laugh. “I remember vividly going to the Salvation Army for the first time and the people just came around and loved me like I had been there for 20 years!”
The Smiths have arrived at a transitional time for the local ministry, specifically with the opening of a new facility and ball fields encompassing a 40-acre lot on Ross Mill Road in Henderson. The new building will be located near Mako Medical Laboratories and Vance Charter School.
According to Odessa, the facility is expected to be completed in mid to late October with a ribbon-cutting and building dedication ceremony to follow in November.
The new facility will allow for more space for what the Smiths have identified through studies to be one of the greatest needs of the community – youth services.
“One of the biggest needs is youth development,” explained Odessa. “We would like to have after-school programs, mentoring programs and partnerships with local schools and other community organizations.”
In an interview with WIZS prior to his retirement in June, Rick Langley stated that the new facility will include a community center, gym, full-size commercial kitchen and two ball fields – baseball and soccer.
In addition to hosting Salvation Army-related games, the ballfields will double as the home field of the neighboring Vance Charter School Knights.
While construction is underway on the new building, the Salvation Army will continue to operate from its 355 Alexander Avenue location in Henderson.
The former Salvation Army Store, located at 222 W. Montgomery Street in downtown Henderson, is currently used for storage and provides the space needed to organize larger donations such as furniture, according to Derrick.
The new Salvation Army Store, located at 218 Raleigh Road in Henderson, recently held a one-day anniversary sale on August 10.
“We both want to thank the community for showing up,” Derrick said. “We had folks lining up at 8 a.m. waiting for the sale to begin at 9 a.m. It was a very successful day.”
According to Derrick, one of the highlights of the day was talking to people and making them aware of just how much their purchases were helping the community. “I don’t think many people know this, but 85 cents of every dollar spent goes back to help people in this community.”
“We’ve already seen that we have a very generous community here,” said Derrick. “It helps us to fulfill the Salvation Army’s mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.”
To hear the Smiths’ Town Talk 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.
Town Talk 08/19/19: Salvation Army Welcomes Derrick & Odessa Smith
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Vance County’s Salvation Army recently welcomed new leaders Lts. Derrick and Odessa Smith, a husband-and-wife team last stationed in Alamance County.
The Smiths take over for the recently retired Captain Rick Langley and wife Angie who headed the local Salvation Army operation since 2012.
Odessa, who has been a part of the Salvation Army since she was four years old, said it was her experience and love for the ministry that attracted husband Derrick, originally of Duplin County, to serve.
“I’ll be honest, when she first invited me, I thought we were having church at a thrift store,” Derrick recalled with a laugh. “I remember vividly going to the Salvation Army for the first time and the people just came around and loved me like I had been there for 20 years!”
The Smiths have arrived at a transitional time for the local ministry, specifically with the opening of a new facility and ball fields encompassing a 40-acre lot on Ross Mill Road in Henderson. The new building will be located near Mako Medical Laboratories and Vance Charter School.
According to Odessa, the facility is expected to be completed in mid to late October with a ribbon-cutting and building dedication ceremony to follow in November.
The new facility will allow for more space for what the Smiths have identified through studies to be one of the greatest needs of the community – youth services.
“One of the biggest needs is youth development,” explained Odessa. “We would like to have after-school programs, mentoring programs and partnerships with local schools and other community organizations.”
In an interview with WIZS prior to his retirement in June, Rick Langley stated that the new facility will include a community center, gym, full-size commercial kitchen and two ball fields – baseball and soccer.
In addition to hosting Salvation Army-related games, the ballfields will double as the home field of the neighboring Vance Charter School Knights.
While construction is underway on the new building, the Salvation Army will continue to operate from its 355 Alexander Avenue location in Henderson.
The former Salvation Army Store, located at 222 W. Montgomery Street in downtown Henderson, is currently used for storage and provides the space needed to organize larger donations such as furniture, according to Derrick.
The new Salvation Army Store, located at 218 Raleigh Road in Henderson, recently held a one-day anniversary sale on August 10.
“We both want to thank the community for showing up,” Derrick said. “We had folks lining up at 8 a.m. waiting for the sale to begin at 9 a.m. It was a very successful day.”
According to Derrick, one of the highlights of the day was talking to people and making them aware of just how much their purchases were helping the community. “I don’t think many people know this, but 85 cents of every dollar spent goes back to help people in this community.”
“We’ve already seen that we have a very generous community here,” said Derrick. “It helps us to fulfill the Salvation Army’s mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.”
To hear the Smiths’ Town Talk 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.
Is Your Small Business Prepared for a Disaster? Find Out at ‘Lunch Break to Educate’
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
The American Red Cross, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and Vance-Granville Community College’s Small Business Center invite you to attend “Lunch Break to Educate: Disaster Preparedness and Your Small Business.”
Sponsored by Joel T. Cheatham Insurance, the lunch session will be held at Henderson Fire Department (211 Dabney Drive) from 12 – 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
According to the American Red Cross Ready Rating Program, as many as 40 percent of businesses fail following a disaster, and still, only 62 percent of small and medium-sized businesses have emergency plans in place.
This seminar will consist of a 15-20 minute Ready Rating presentation with question and answer segment. Ready Rating is a free, online American Red Cross program that allows businesses & organizations to either make an emergency preparedness plan or improve the one they already have.
All in one place, Ready Rating members have access to one-of-a-kind tools, resources and information for evaluating and improving their ability to withstand disaster, maintain operations, and protect lives and property.
Whether you are taking your first steps or have a fully-functioning emergency management program, the Ready Rating program can help you achieve a higher level of preparedness. Learn how at this event.
Speaker(s): Kelly Ferrell, Disaster Program Specialist and Jayla Burwell, Disaster Program Intern.
The first 15 to register will receive free lunch; $10 after first 15.
Online registration is required by visiting https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530390037.
City Council to Consider Contracting With Firm in Manager Hiring Process
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Mayor Eddie Ellington has requested a Special Called meeting of the Henderson City Council on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at City Hall in the Multi-Purpose Room, 134 Rose Avenue in Henderson.
The purpose of the meeting is for consideration of contracting with a professional firm to assist with the hiring of the new City Manager.
Citizens are welcome to observe.
Ellington wrote in a message to WIZS News, “I have called a special City Council Meeting, Wednesday 21st at noon, to discuss further on moving forward with hiring a well known and respected search firm. The City Manager, City Attorney and I recommend that this is the best direction with the utmost need for confidentiality, professionalism, taking into consideration time constraints. The firm which has access to well established contacts, will do the vetting of the candidate pool, narrowing the top contenders of the most qualified, then the City Council along with myself will make the final decision.”
City Manager Frank Frazier wrote in a message to WIZS News, “After we looked at this closer, it was felt that we (the city) would be in a better position if we hired an outside firm to help with the recruitment process and more thoroughly evaluate the internal and external applications prior to moving toward the interview process. Overall it was felt that this would save some time but also be more able to keep the candidates confidentiality in place as well as the professionalism that was previously discussed with the League.”
Granville Co. Senior Services Now Affiliated With ‘Rock Steady Boxing’
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Granville County Government
For the more than 60,000 diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year, exercise can help reduce stiffness and improve mobility.
To help local residents reduce and even delay symptoms of Parkinson’s, Granville County Senior Services is now an official affiliate of the “Rock Steady Boxing” program, and will soon offer non-contact, boxing-inspired classes to help improve quality of life for those impacted by the disease. The service will consult boxing experts and consider their reviews at smartmma.com and get the prerequisites to get started at the earliest.
Justin Waller, Granville County Senior Services’ Fitness Program Coordinator, is shown with Clarence Lemons, Phyllis Paschall, Nancy Cordin and Phyllis Russell in an exercise workout at Granville Athletic Park earlier this year. (Granville Co. Govt. photo)
According to “Parkinson’s News Today,” a news and information website about the disease, vigorous exercise such as running, riding a bicycle – or even boxing – can ward off changes in the brain caused by aging or Parkinson’s, as well as increasing oxygen delivery. The key, according to a recent article, is to have a regular exercise routine in place.
“Parkinson’s-related exercise should include activities that increase flexibility such as stretching, aerobics and either resistance or strength training,” the article explains.
The “Rock Steady” method provides this fitness curriculum, offering a conditioning program to improve agility, speed, muscular endurance, hand-eye coordination and overall strength.
On August 23, Justin Waller, Senior Services’ Fitness Program Director and an exercise physiologist, will facilitate an information session on how exercise such as “Rock Steady Boxing” can help those living with Parkinson’s to “fight back” against the disease.
The session will be held at 2 p.m. at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. A summary of Parkinson’s disease-specific exercises, offered through the Senior Services’ “Fit Past Fifty” program, will also be reviewed.
For more details about this information session, contact either Justin Waller or Kathy May, Senior Services Director, at 919-693-1930.
Oxford’s Senior Center is located at 107 Lanier Street and is one of three Senior Centers in Granville County.
Carolina Panthers’ Backup Quarterbacks Fail to Impress in Preseason Matchup
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Article and photos by Patrick Magoon
Sluggish. Sloppy. Uncoordinated. Rushed. All four of those terms could be used to describe the performance from Carolina Panthers’ backup quarterbacks in Friday’s home preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
As Carolina’s coaching staff continues to evaluate its talent pool behind Newton, Grier and Allen have got to make better decisions on the field.
Several pass attempts from Grier and Allen were forced and often significantly overthrown, which Ron Rivera noticed and commented on after the game.
After Allen exited the game in the third quarter, Grier had an opportunity to gain significant traction in the fight for the backup quarterback role. He had a promising start, connecting with running back Jordan Scarlett for a 14-yard touchdown during his first series, but then lost control of the game almost immediately after that scoring play.
Griers’ three drives in the third quarter all concluded with punts.
Bills’ Kevin Johnson capitalized on a poorly underthrown ball from Grier, which was grabbed in the air and taken 70 yards down the field for a touchdown. “He made a bad read on the throw and threw it outside when he should have thrown it inside and, unfortunately, it got intercepted,” said Rivera.
Heinicke pieced together a solid 11-play, 75-yard series that ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Rashaad Ross.
The Panthers aren’t going to keep fourth quarterbacks, but Rivera will continue to carefully evaluate each quarterback’s performance when challenged by various game scenarios. While Grier’s methods of execution were underwhelming last night, he remains in the same boat as teammates Allen and Heinicke.
“We’ve still got two weeks left to go to make a decision on certain things and we’ll see what happens,” said Rivera.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 08/19/19
/by Charlene100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
News 08/19/19
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
VGCC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration to Include Food Truck Rodeo, Live Music
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Vance-Granville Community College invites the public to join administrators, faculty, students and staff in a celebratory event, sponsored by Duke Energy, in honor of the college’s “50 Years of Excellence Since 1969.”
This “golden” anniversary celebration will include a food truck rodeo on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. at the gazebo of the Main Campus in Henderson (200 Community College Road).
The band “Liquid Pleasure” will also be entertaining the crowd with live music.
*Please note that alcoholic beverages and drugs are strictly prohibited at VGCC.
Henderson/Vance Annual Night Out Against Crime Scheduled for Oct. 1
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy the Henderson Police Department
Henderson/Vance’s Annual Night Out Against Crime will be held Tuesday, October 1, 2019, from 5 until 8 p.m. in front of the Henderson Police Department on Breckenridge Street. The rain date will be Tuesday, October 8.
Bring your family out for presentations and displays by the Henderson Police Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers, Henderson Fire Department, Vance County Fire and EMS, NC State Highway Patrol, Vance County Schools and many other agencies and organizations working together with the community to prevent crime and promote safety.
Concord Baptist Church in Kittrell to Hold Women’s Conference
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Shirley Hinton, Concord Missionary Baptist Church
Concord Baptist Church, 810 Walter Grissom Road in Kittrell, will hold a Women’s Conference on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at 10:15 a.m.
The theme will be “Women on a Mission for Christ – From Ashes to Beauty.” Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
Presenters at the conference are Nakia Martin Wright and Shante Speed with Vance/Granville Health Department, Topic: Healthy Decision Making; Madeline Masters with Legal Aid of NC, Topic: Advance Directives (power of attorney and healthcare power of attorney and living wills); Crystal Smith with NC Cooperative Extension, Topic: Positive Self Image.
Christian Paylor with Franklin/Granville/Vance Smart Start will bring the conference to an end with some inspiring and motivational words for everyone.
This workshop is opened to all females (youth and adults). You are also invited to return on Sunday, September 8 at 10:45 a.m. for our Women’s Day Program with guest speaker Rev. Florence Vass from Spring Street Baptist Church.