100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start will hold its annual Ducky Derby Festival and rubber duck race, a fundraiser for the local Smart Start program, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, in downtown Henderson. The festival begins at 12 p.m. on Breckenridge Street between Perry Memorial Library and the Henderson Police Department.
According to Garry Daeke, development coordinator for F-G-V, this year’s activities include a bounce house and slide, face painting, corn hole, ring toss, balloon animals and performances by the Baby Shark and Paw Patrol characters.
Vendors will be on hand serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, sausage dogs, fish sandwiches, corn on the cob, funnel cakes, ice cream and snow cones.
Entertainment will include a DJ, singing performances from several daycare programs, music from Henderson Collegiate, Mary Potter Elementary School band and choir and the drumline from Granville Central High School.
The YMCA will lead line dancing and Zumba in the street and children will have the opportunity to man a real firehose with the assistance of the Henderson Fire Department.
Each child that attends the event will receive a free book, courtesy of Smart Start. Parents will also have the opportunity to enroll any child age birth to 5 in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that sends a book each month to children at their home.
“Our goal is to enroll 1,000 more children from this area into the program,” said Daeke. “We recently reached over 3,000 children enrolled and we are trying to get to 4,000 before the year is over. That would put us at 45-50% of the young children in the Franklin, Granville and Vance County areas that will be getting books in the mail.”
Safe Kids will also be present and will set up childcare safety seat inspections.
At 2 p.m., the entertainment switches to Garnett Street, where the rubber duck race will take place. Up to 2,000 rubber ducks will be poured into the Garnett Street “river” by a Greystone Concrete cement mixer.
The first duck to cross the finish line at Orange Street wins $1,000, second place $500 and third place finish is $250. Even the last duck to cross the finish line wins $100. There will be an additional drawing with one lucky winner receiving free “Chick-fil-A for a year,” a set of 52 meal tickets. Winners of the prizes do not have to be present to win.
In Henderson, tickets are on sale at EZ Car Care, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and State Employees Credit Union. All Smart Start staff and board members also have tickets, please call (252) 433-9110.
Tickets will also be on sale the day of the race. Ducks are $5 each, a “Quack Pack” of 6 tickets is $25 and a “Flock” of 25 tickets is available for $100.
Sponsors include:
Super Duck: Duke Energy, Union Bank, Granville Medical Center, Boyd & Royster Funeral Services
Top Duck: Charles Boyd Chevrolet and Cardinal Innovations
Feathered Friends: Henderson Family Dentistry, United Healthcare, Wester Realty, Greystone Concrete, City of Henderson, Chick-fil-A and Rose Oil Co.
To hear Daeke’s 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.
Two Arrested in Brewer Cycle Identity Theft Case
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office
On August 30, 2019, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover operation with the assistance of Brewer Cycles in an effort to apprehend suspects committing identity theft. The suspects used a stolen identity in an effort to purchase an ATV valued at over $15,000.
With help from the Henderson Police Department and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, both suspects were arrested.
Steven Bronson and Gregory Davis, both of Fayetteville, NC, were arrested and charged with identity theft, obtaining property by false pretense and unlawful access to a computer network to commit fraud.
Bronson was held on a $50,000 bond and Davis on a $100,000 bond.
The Vance County Sheriff’s Office is committed to working cooperatively with citizens, local businesses and other law enforcement agencies to enhance the safety of our county.
Sheriff Curtis R. Brame
Town Talk 09/03/19: 10th Annual Ducky Derby to Feature Festival-Like Atmosphere
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start will hold its annual Ducky Derby Festival and rubber duck race, a fundraiser for the local Smart Start program, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, in downtown Henderson. The festival begins at 12 p.m. on Breckenridge Street between Perry Memorial Library and the Henderson Police Department.
According to Garry Daeke, development coordinator for F-G-V, this year’s activities include a bounce house and slide, face painting, corn hole, ring toss, balloon animals and performances by the Baby Shark and Paw Patrol characters.
Vendors will be on hand serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, sausage dogs, fish sandwiches, corn on the cob, funnel cakes, ice cream and snow cones.
Entertainment will include a DJ, singing performances from several daycare programs, music from Henderson Collegiate, Mary Potter Elementary School band and choir and the drumline from Granville Central High School.
The YMCA will lead line dancing and Zumba in the street and children will have the opportunity to man a real firehose with the assistance of the Henderson Fire Department.
Each child that attends the event will receive a free book, courtesy of Smart Start. Parents will also have the opportunity to enroll any child age birth to 5 in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that sends a book each month to children at their home.
“Our goal is to enroll 1,000 more children from this area into the program,” said Daeke. “We recently reached over 3,000 children enrolled and we are trying to get to 4,000 before the year is over. That would put us at 45-50% of the young children in the Franklin, Granville and Vance County areas that will be getting books in the mail.”
Safe Kids will also be present and will set up childcare safety seat inspections.
At 2 p.m., the entertainment switches to Garnett Street, where the rubber duck race will take place. Up to 2,000 rubber ducks will be poured into the Garnett Street “river” by a Greystone Concrete cement mixer.
The first duck to cross the finish line at Orange Street wins $1,000, second place $500 and third place finish is $250. Even the last duck to cross the finish line wins $100. There will be an additional drawing with one lucky winner receiving free “Chick-fil-A for a year,” a set of 52 meal tickets. Winners of the prizes do not have to be present to win.
In Henderson, tickets are on sale at EZ Car Care, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and State Employees Credit Union. All Smart Start staff and board members also have tickets, please call (252) 433-9110.
Tickets will also be on sale the day of the race. Ducks are $5 each, a “Quack Pack” of 6 tickets is $25 and a “Flock” of 25 tickets is available for $100.
Sponsors include:
Super Duck: Duke Energy, Union Bank, Granville Medical Center, Boyd & Royster Funeral Services
Top Duck: Charles Boyd Chevrolet and Cardinal Innovations
Feathered Friends: Henderson Family Dentistry, United Healthcare, Wester Realty, Greystone Concrete, City of Henderson, Chick-fil-A and Rose Oil Co.
To hear Daeke’s 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.
McGregor Hall Announces Audition Dates for ‘Black Nativity’
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center
Be a part of the retelling of Christ’s birth through gospel song and movement! “Black Nativity” incorporates the poetry of Langston Hughes with drama, dance, and both contemporary and traditional gospel song.
ALL actors of ALL appearances are welcome.
You may choose to audition on either Saturday, September 14 at 10 a.m. or Sunday, September 15 at 3 p.m. You may subsequently be asked to attend a callback audition on Tuesday, September 17 at 7 p.m.
Auditions will be held at McGregor Hall, 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. Please enter through the backstage door facing Winder Street at the top of the handicap ramp.
There will be a movement component for the auditions, so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing.
The production opens on Thursday, December 12 with two daytime school field trip performances. There will also be evening performances at 8 p.m. on December 13-14 and a 2 p.m. matinee performance on December 15.
Rehearsals will begin Monday, October 7. Onstage chorus members may be asked to purchase or rent costumes at their own expense.
For more information or to sign up for auditions visit www.mcgregorhall.org/auditions or email markhopper@mcgregorhall.org.
Break a leg!
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Granville Co. to Test CodeRED Community Notification System
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Granville County Government
Granville County’s free emergency notification system, CodeRED, will be tested between 6:30 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10. The purpose of the test is to validate telephone numbers in the Granville County database.
The CodeRED system allows Granville County’s emergency officials to effectively reach residents and personnel through telephone calls, text messages and e-mails. If a resident receives this call, no action is needed. Granville County is merely testing the system to ensure it is operational and to encourage additional residents to enroll to receive future notifications.
This process helps to continually improve the system already in place by increasing the efficiency and speed at which notifications will be delivered during an actual emergency. If citizens of the county are not registered and their phone number is not in the database, they will not receive this call or any other notifications during an emergency.
Robin Edwards, Granville County’s Emergency Services Coordinator, notes that the number of residents who actively add/update their contact information in the emergency database directly impacts the protection that can be provided to people and property.
“Residents, as well as businesses, are encouraged to visit our website and update their contact information,” Edwards said. “In particular, those who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address within the past year and those who use a cellular phone or VolP phone as their primary number.”
A reminder is also offered that if a citizen is already registered for a municipal CodeRED system in their city or town of residence, they are not automatically enrolled in the county-wide database. Granville County enrollment is an entirely separate process.
“If you want to be notified of emergencies across the entire county, then you are urged to register on our website – and to keep your contact information up to date to be better informed,” Edwards adds. “And if you know anyone who is not registered and lives in Granville County, please encourage them to do so.”
To register or for more information about CodeRED, visit the Granville County website, www.granvillecounty.org, and click on the CodeRED logo located on the Emergency Management page. This page can be accessed through the “Community” heading at the top of the home page.
Those without internet access should contact a friend or family member to assist in the online process of adding/updating contact information to the county’s emergency database.
Questions regarding this system test or about CodeRED should be directed to Granville County Emergency Services at 919-603-1310.
Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet This Evening
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County
The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.
Agenda items include:
Consent Agenda
1. Contingency Summary
2. Minutes
3. Tax Releases and Refunds
4. Resolution Designation of Applicant’s Agent (DAA) Hurricane Florence Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Recognitions and Presentations
5. Recognition of Service – Carolyn W. Trappiel
Public Comments
6. Public Comments
Public Hearings
7. Public Hearing for Economic Development – Project Cookie
Tax Matters
8. Oxford Preparatory School 2019 Property Tax Exemption
Solid Waste Matters
9. Solid Waste Residential, Collection Franchise and Convenience Site Management – Second Reading
Purchasing
10. Smoke Testing Amendment to Agreement
11. Inspections Department Pickup Truck
12. Detention Center Transit 250 Cargo Van and Van Insert
Appointments
13. Research Triangle Regional Partnership Board of Directors
14. Granville County Human Relations Commission
15. Granville County Economic Development Advisory Board
16. Granville County Digital Infrastructure Planning Committee
County Manager’s Report
17. Granville County Volunteer Services Enhancements
18. Granville County Employee NCDOT Fall Litter Sweep Event
County Attorney’s Report
19. County Attorney’s Report
Presentations by County Board Members
20. Presentations by County Board Members
Any Other Matters
21. Any Other Matters
To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here.
Aycock Rec. Center to Offer Thurs. Evening Beginning Yoga Classes
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
Beginning Yoga classes will be held in the Aycock Recreation Center’s Multipurpose Room on Thursday evenings from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Classes begin Thursday, September 5 and end Thursday, November 21, 2019. Class will not be held Thursday, October 17.
These sessions are based on basic Yoga techniques that inspire physical, mental and spiritual peace from within through balance, stretching and breathing.
Please bring your own Yoga mat.
The fee is $1 for members and $2 for non-members. Class instructor is Beryle Lewis.
For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at (252) 438-3160 or lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Aycock Rec. Center to Reopen Next Week, Dedication Ceremony to Follow
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
Aycock Recreation Center will reopen on Tuesday, September 3, with the gym scheduled to reopen on Saturday, September 7, 2019.
The Rec. Center has been closed, with the exception of the outdoor track, since July 26 for upgrades including replacement of the gym floor.
A dedication ceremony for the upgraded facility will be held on Thursday, September 12 at 12 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Aycock Rec. Center is located at 307 Carey Chapel Rd in Henderson.
Neal Goddard Named Rebuilding Hope’s Sept. Spotlight Volunteer
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.
Volunteer Neal Goddard came to Rebuilding Hope in a very practical way. “Rebuilding Hope built me a ramp when I had knee surgery in 2014,” Neal says. “I came by to see the facility. I heard a lot of great news about how Rebuilding Hope helped a lot of people.”
Neal Goddard named Rebuilding Hope’s September 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)
On another occasion, when he requested help to replace his roof, a volunteer asked if he would like to help the ministry. “I said yes and am so glad I did,” the Williamston, NC, native says.
Neal has volunteered a day a week for about a year taking applications. “Every time someone fills out an application for a ramp because of a medical reason and it’s built by volunteers, it does my heart good,” Neal says. “I would encourage others to volunteer to see how you love the work and the other volunteers who help you. God will bless you.”
A member of New Sandy Creek Baptist Church, he is a member of the calling committee and a member and past president of Baptist Men.
Neal and his late wife Lori have two children and three grandchildren, with one on the way. In his leisure time, Neal says he enjoys reading the word of God, watching sports, gardening and learning about and growing flowers.
VGCC Holds Convocation to Start New Academic Year
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College recently held its annual fall convocation to bring faculty and staff together for a kick-off to the new academic year.
Much of the event focused on a discussion of student success. Special guests for the convocation were representatives of “Achieving the Dream” (ATD), a national education reform organization designed to assist community colleges with improving student success. VGCC joined the ATD network of colleges in 2018.
ATD Leadership Coach Dr. Joanne Bashford and ATD Data Coach Dr. Linda Hagedorn presented information about the college’s progress in moving the needle on student success in the past six months.
VGCC Director of Planning & Research Julie Hicks and English faculty member Frankie Frink provided their colleagues with updates on key data points and forms of support to address the needs of students who are food insecure, respectively.
VGCC’s participation in Achieving the Dream and the leadership of Dr. Rachel Desmarais, who became college president earlier this year, have caused the college to place a greater emphasis on data related to teaching and learning, and equitable student outcomes for all.
Approximately 44 VGCC faculty and staff members serve on one of four ATD teams: the Core, Data, Communications, and Strategies teams. These teams will continue to work collaboratively throughout the fall semester to develop an Action Plan derived from the feedback and planning that took place during the fall convocation. This ATD Action Plan will be connected to the VGCC Strategic Plan.
“Convocation provided an opportunity for all new and returning faculty to learn more about the latest with ATD and provide feedback,” said Dr. Levy Brown, the college’s vice president of Learning, Student Engagement & Success. “We are committed to equitable student outcomes, which ultimately impact student success.”
The event also included the opportunity to recognize VGCC employees who have recently hit milestones by completing five, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years of service.
“As we mark the 50th anniversary of Vance-Granville Community College’s service to the community, we celebrate the dedicated people who have made the college a wonderful place to work and learn, while we also look ahead to the future through the Achieving the Dream program,” said Dr. Desmarais.