Anyone who dropped in during Tuesday’s NCDOT meeting at E.M. Rollins School got a chance to view project maps and speak with transportation officials about just what the $57 million Dabney Drive upgrade is going to look like.
From initial conceptual drawings, what it’s going to look like is very different.
The proposed upgrades include a peanut-shaped roundabout at Dorsey Avenue and upgrading existing Dabney Drive for eastbound traffic and Corbitt Road and a former rail corridor for westbound traffic. But it also makes accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists who use the roadway.
Dabney Drive is a major transportation artery for the city that gives motorists access to residential, commercial, industrial, churches and institutional facilities located within the project area. There aren’t many times during the day that traffic isn’t congested, and NCDOT has been working on getting plans together for the upgrade since 2019.
Right now, projected costs to complete the Dabney Drive upgrade include $7.3 million for relocating utilities, $25 million for right-of-way acquisition, $24.4 million to complete an environmental document. Construction is set to begin in Fall 2027.
and utility companies to make sure the work “will minimize impacts to the greatest extent possible,” documents state.
No doubt NCDOT will have to acquire property, and once the design phase is complete, affected property owners will be contacted.. For more information about the right-of-way process, visit https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/Documents/right-of-way-residential-english.pdf#search=right%20of%20way.
In addition to fielding questions from the public, NCDOT representatives received comments, which will be reviewed and discussed as plans continue.
The project – U-5890 – has its own webpage https://publicinput.com/dabney-drive-henderson
NCDOT also invites public comment by email or phone. To send an email, visit dabney-drive-henderson@publicinput.com.
Phone 984.205.6615 and enter Code 4600 to leave a voice message.
Public comments can also be mailed to:
Zahid Baloch
NCDOT Division Project Team
1573 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1573
Comments should be submitted by Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
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First Baptist Church To Provide Shuttle From ACTS To RAM Clinic Saturday
/by WIZS StaffVolunteers from First Baptist Church will be at ACTS, 201 S. William St., Saturday to provide shuttle service for anyone who may need transportation to the Duke RAM pop-up clinic.
Church Deacon Bert Long said the plan is to run two vehicles to the clinic between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Day 1 of the two-day clinic. The clinic doors open at 6 a.m. on Saturday and a cadre of physicians, dentists and other health care professionals will provide free care until 4 p.m. The clinic opens at 6 a.m. again on Sunday and will run through 12 noon or 1 p.m., depending on the number of clients.
This is the third year that the free medical, dental and vision clinic has set up shop in the parking lot of Vance Charter School on Ross Mill Road.
“We don’t know how much demand there will be…we’ll play it by ear,” he said of the shuttle service.
“If folks don’t have transportation, (and) they have a way to get to ACTS, they’ll have a ride to and from the clinic.
Long said providing transportation adds a new facet to the clinic, and he said that Duke University senior Saajan Patel, one of the clinic’s organizers, is excited at the prospect.
TownTalk: Local News Items Of Interest
/by John C. RoseCLICK PLAY!
Police Charge Pedestrian For Hitting Cars With Broom
/by WIZS StaffTuesday evening around 7 p.m., Henderson police responded to a call on Oxford Road after several drivers had reported seeing a pedestrian in the roadway trying to strike cars with a broom.
At least one car sustained enough damage to file a property damage claim and one driver reported having to swerve to avoid hitting the person.
Police arrested Sierra Everett, 21, of 2223 Oxford Rd., charging her with assault on a government official, malicious conduct and injury to personal property.
One driver reported that the same individual had been sitting in the road earlier in the day at a different location nearby.
Everett appeared before a magistrate and was given a $5,000 secured bond and was taken to the Vance County jail.
Early Voting Underway Through Mar. 2 For March 5 Primary Election
/by WIZS StaffOne-stop early voting is now underwat and will continue through Saturday, Mar. 2.
Vance County Board of Elections Director Jennifer Cocklin reminds voters they have two locations where they can cast their votes in advance of the Mar. 5 primary:
Weekday hours are from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; the polls will be open Saturday, Mar. 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Voters will be asked to show a photo ID.
Visit https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/board-of-elections/ to learn more.
SportsTalk: Oxford Prep Softball Looking For Back To Back Championships
/by Bill HarrisIt’s never easy to repeat as a champion, but Oxford Prep Softball Coach Tommy Anstead feels as though his team has a pretty good chance to win a conference championship in 2024. “We have 12 or 13 girls returning including all of our starters except one,” Anstead said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.
The team is counting on another strong performance from pitcher Addison Faucette. Last season, as a freshman, Faucette was 16-3 on the year with an earned run average of 1.79. Oxford Prep can hit the ball too. “We had seven players with a batting average of over .300 and of the seven, four were over .400,” Anstead said.
Anstead expects tough competition this season citing Roxboro and Vance Charter as teams that could cause problems for Oxford Prep this season. Anstead also says the team has a tougher schedule this season. Oxford Prep opens the season on March 1st against county rival J.F. Webb.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 02-15-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
WIZS Continuing Coverage For Local Elections
/by Laura GabelWith early voting now underway for the upcoming March primary elections, WIZS continues to provide comprehensive coverage to give listeners information about candidates in local contests.
On Monday, Feb. 19, hear from the two candidates vying for the District 2 seat on the Vance County Board of Commissioners. Democratic incumbent Archie B.Taylor, Jr. faces opposition from Democratic challenger Valencia Perry. Their interviews were recorded and will be aired – unedited – in their entirety.
The other contested race is for the District 5 seat on the Board of Education – incumbent Democrat Linda Cobb faces challenger William Earl Purvis, also a Democrat. Find interviews with Cobb and Purvis on wizs.com, as well as a write-up on the WIZS webpage. The interviews were aired on TownTalk Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Stay tuned to wizs.com for complete election coverage.
Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Biting, Pt. 3
/by Bill HarrisListen 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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$57M Dabney Drive Upgrade Chugging Along
/by WIZS StaffAnyone who dropped in during Tuesday’s NCDOT meeting at E.M. Rollins School got a chance to view project maps and speak with transportation officials about just what the $57 million Dabney Drive upgrade is going to look like.
From initial conceptual drawings, what it’s going to look like is very different.
The proposed upgrades include a peanut-shaped roundabout at Dorsey Avenue and upgrading existing Dabney Drive for eastbound traffic and Corbitt Road and a former rail corridor for westbound traffic. But it also makes accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists who use the roadway.
Dabney Drive is a major transportation artery for the city that gives motorists access to residential, commercial, industrial, churches and institutional facilities located within the project area. There aren’t many times during the day that traffic isn’t congested, and NCDOT has been working on getting plans together for the upgrade since 2019.
Right now, projected costs to complete the Dabney Drive upgrade include $7.3 million for relocating utilities, $25 million for right-of-way acquisition, $24.4 million to complete an environmental document. Construction is set to begin in Fall 2027.
and utility companies to make sure the work “will minimize impacts to the greatest extent possible,” documents state.
No doubt NCDOT will have to acquire property, and once the design phase is complete, affected property owners will be contacted.. For more information about the right-of-way process, visit https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/Documents/right-of-way-residential-english.pdf#search=right%20of%20way.
In addition to fielding questions from the public, NCDOT representatives received comments, which will be reviewed and discussed as plans continue.
The project – U-5890 – has its own webpage https://publicinput.com/dabney-drive-henderson
NCDOT also invites public comment by email or phone. To send an email, visit dabney-drive-henderson@publicinput.com.
Phone 984.205.6615 and enter Code 4600 to leave a voice message.
Public comments can also be mailed to:
Zahid Baloch
NCDOT Division Project Team
1573 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1573
Comments should be submitted by Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
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Bigelow Out As County’s Chief Finance Officer
/by WIZS StaffVance County Deputy County Manager/Chief Finance Officer Katherine Bigelow was relieved of her duties last week, according to County Manager Renee Perry, for fraud and falsification of records for personal profit.
“Katherine was terminated as of Feb. 9 – last Friday,” Perry told WIZS News.
Perry said Bigelow, who had said she was a licensed certified public accountant, used a license number that does not belong to her. “Katherine is not licensed as a CPA,” Perry said.
“The county has to go through an audit every year,” Perry explained, adding that “if a person identifies as a CPA, then auditors request copies of your certification.”
She said Bigelow, who has been the finance director since 2019, submitted “a certification for a CPA licensure that did not belong to her…she misrepresented herself with someone else’s licensure as a CPA.”
Just last month, Perry announced that county commissioners had agreed to a $25,000 bump in pay for Bigelow, bringing her salary to $136,503. That’s when her title was updated to Deputy County Manager/Chief Finance Officer.
Perry said the job posting was put on the county’s website after Bigelow was terminated.
“I wasn’t playing,” Perry said. “I couldn’t wait.”
Chuck Murray, who served as interim finance director before Bigelow came on board, will again serve as interim, beginning Monday, Perry said. He will help out two or three days a week.
A CPA licensure is not a requirement for the position of county finance director.
Perry cited the section in the county personnel policy that refers to “detrimental personal conduct for fraud and falsification of records for personal profit, to gain special privileges or to obtain employment” as the basis for the termination.