There is still an opportunity to see a local Christmas parade this holiday season! Stem’s annual Christmas parade starts promptly at 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2018.
Line up will begin at 11 a.m. on School Street.
This year, the parade route will begin on School Street, cross over Old 75 and proceed down W. Talley Ho Road becoming E. Talley Ho Road and ending at Hopkins Street.
Come out and enjoy the festivities!
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Town-of-Stem-logo.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-12 16:54:032018-12-12 16:54:03There’s Still Time to See a Christmas Parade! Stem’s Annual Event to be Held Dec. 15
-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy
The sun is shining (finally!) in NC, and that means this should be a great day for MELTING SNOW and ICE! We are wrapping up the few remaining outages in our region. At this time, we are down to fewer than 30 outages affecting 250 customers across my 10-county district.
Estimated restoration times for the remaining customers have been posted to our website.
We deeply appreciate the patience our customers have shown, and we’re doing all we can to restore every customer as fast as possible. Unless conditions change dramatically, this will be my final update regarding Winter Storm Diego.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0019_Duke_Energy_logo.svg_.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-11 16:55:532018-12-11 16:55:53Duke Energy Down to Fewer Than 30 Outages in Aftermath of Winter Storm Diego
You may report weather delays and cancellations by email to news@wizs.com or by text at 432-0774. Delays and cancellations will be posted on WIZS’ Facebook page.
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington and Archie Taylor, chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners proclaimed a State of Emergency for the City of Henderson and County of Vance beginning Friday, December 7, 2018, at 5 p.m. The State of Emergency will be in effect for a period of four days unless rescinded by authorities.
General Emergency Protective Measures are in place. No public restrictions are in place at this time.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0063_H-V-Emergency-Operations.jpg.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-07 16:58:352018-12-09 09:08:37State of Emergency Declared for Vance County; Area Braces for Inclement Weather
The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today, Chief United States District Judge Terrence J. Boyle sentenced KYLE VICTOR FISHER, 29, of Henderson to 42 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. FISHER pled guilty to the Indictment, charging one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, on August 22, 2018.
On November 30, 2017, law enforcement received a report that FISHER had violated a protective order by going to the Henderson, North Carolina, apartment of his former girlfriend. The woman reported that FISHER pointed a silver revolver at her while verbally threatening to shoot her.
Later the same day, officers of the Oxford Police Department were able to locate and arrest FISHER at a hotel in Oxford where his current girlfriend was employed. FISHER had been driving his girlfriend’s car, and she gave officers permission to search the vehicle. In it, officers found a small amount of marijuana and a .38 caliber revolver matching that described in the earlier assault. The firearm was loaded and had an obliterated serial number.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017, the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the Oxford Police Department and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jacob Pugh prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage located at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/U.S.-Department-of-Justice.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-07 16:57:022018-12-07 16:57:02Fisher Sentenced on Firearms Charge
With fourteen cases of rabies reported in both wild and domestic animals since February of 2018, Granville County Animal Control and Granville-Vance Public Health continue to enforce the state’s rabies law, which requires all owners of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets to have pets vaccinated by four months of age, and to maintain the animal’s current rabies vaccination status throughout its lifetime.
According to County Ordinance, an animal control officer has the power to arrest and the responsibility to enforce all state laws and all county ordinances pertaining to the ownership, control, care and custody of dogs and other animals, cooperating with the health director and other law enforcement officers within the county and adjoining areas.
Violation of the N.C. Rabies Law is a misdemeanor and anyone not in compliance may be charged. In Granville County, 17 pet owners have been issued civil citations this year and there have been nine warnings given. Court records also indicate that three cases have appeared in Granville County Court for pet owners who were in violation of this law.
Under G.S. 14-4, any person found guilty of a misdemeanor may be subject to a fine of up to $500.
“The state’s rabies law is in place to protect the health and well-being of residents and pets,” Animal Control Director Matt Katz explains. “If you or your pet contract the rabies virus, symptoms may not be obvious until it’s too late.”
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reports that in North Carolina, raccoon rabies is present in the raccoon population in virtually every county. While most of the Granville County confirmations have involved raccoons, it is strongly recommended that residents keep away from any wild animal.
“As diligent as our Animal Control officers are, we are not able to monitor wildlife,” Katz notes. “If you see a wild animal acting strangely – such as being out in daylight hours when it is usually nocturnal – don’t come in contact with it. Protect yourself and your family and keep your distance.”
Per Granville County ordinance, any animal bite to a human must be reported immediately to the 911 center, who notifies Animal Control for an investigation. The local health department is also contacted and closely monitors rabies cases.
“The animal control team in Granville County is quite up-to-date on laws, rules, and protocols,” said Lisa Harrison, director for Granville Vance Public Health. “We work together hand-in-hand to ensure the safety of those in our communities.”
If a domestic dog, cat or ferret bites a human and the owner does not have proof that rabies vaccines are current, the animal must be confined for observation for not less than ten days, with the local health director designating the location. If rabies does not develop within the ten-day period, the animal may be released, with the owner responsible for the cost of the confinement. If not currently vaccinated, the animal must be immunized against rabies at the end of the confinement period.
Wild animals are not subject to the ten-day confinement regulation.
If any animal – wild or domestic – is suspected of being rabid, it can be quarantined for up to six months or may be euthanized, at the discretion of the local health director. If euthanized, testing of the animal is conducted by the N.C. State Public Health Lab, and – if confirmed positive for rabies – residents of the area are notified for public health reasons. Once a rabies case has been confirmed, the director of public health has the authority to order an area-wide quarantine, where local law enforcement can impound any animal found running at large in the county.
Since the confirmed rabies cases in Granville County are widespread and not specific to one particular area, no quarantines have been issued, Harrison says, but a feral cat colony that has been exposed is being closely monitored.
“All of this can be avoided if residents follow the law and have their animals vaccinated,” Katz says. “One shot is not enough. Be sure your pet is protected by receiving all of its booster shots. If unsure of when a booster is needed, contact your local veterinarian.”
State law requires that local health directors organize or assist other county departments in organizing at least one countywide rabies clinic per year. In response to the recent number of rabies incidents, Granville County Animal Control has hosted several clinics to provide vaccinations and to educate residents about the importance of rabies vaccines.
The Granville County Animal Shelter, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, also offers one-year rabies vaccines for dogs and cats Monday through Friday from noon until 4:30 p.m. at a cost of only $6. For more information, call 919-693-6749.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0062_granvillecountyseal.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-07 16:56:352018-12-07 16:56:35Fourteen Cases of Rabies Reported in Granville This Year
Families Living Violence Free in Oxford, giving voice and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse through a myriad of programs and services, has a pressing need for donations this holiday season, Executive Director Wally Hurst disclosed today.
“At this time of year, there are always a high number of families and individuals in turmoil. This is especially true of victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. What for most of us is a joyful and loving time, the holiday season can be, for these victims, a time of isolation and terror instead. At these times, Families Living Violence Free wants to be ready to assist our clients in as many ways as possible,” Hurst said.
Items in short supply currently at FLVF include gift cards for gas and grocery stores, ready-eat foods, blankets and coats, laundry products, baby clothing and educational toys for babies, and gift certificates for local restaurants and services. Victims escaping violent behavior may present themselves at the very moment that they are escaping this volatile environment, and they may need immediate assistance with basic necessities, such a food, clothing, shelter and transportation, Hurst emphasized.
The services of FLVF are free to all and confidential. We seek to empower and support these victims on all levels.
Items may be donated in person at the FLVF office at 126 Oxford Outer Loop Road, 2d Floor, in Oxford, or mailed to FLVF, P.O. Box 1362, Oxford, NC 27565. Please call our office at 919-693-3579 if you need donations picked up, and we will do our best to accommodate all donors.
Thank you to the Granville County community in advance for your continued generosity!
(This is not a paid advertisement)
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Dr. Rachel M. Desmarais has been chosen as the next president of Vance-Granville Community College. With the final approval of the appointment by the State Board of Community Colleges on Dec. 18, she becomes the seventh president in the 49-year history of the college.
The VGCC Board of Trustees selected Dr. Desmarais on Wednesday, Dec. 5, following presentations by three finalists in a series of public forums from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4.
“The Board of Trustees has concluded Dr. Desmarais possesses the key attributes of an outstanding president that were identified in our search process,” said Danny W. Wright, chair of the board. “We are confident that Dr. Desmarais will provide: the visionary leadership to help our college expand and to promote economic development in our four counties, a powerful commitment to student recruitment and retention, the dedication to improving the lives of the people in our service area, the attention to facility planning and sustainability, and the articulation of our mission and vision to the college’s employees and the communities we serve.”
Dr. Rachel M. Desmarais, chosen as seventh president of Vance-Granville Community College.
The selection comes after a nationwide search that produced 89 applicants. She will begin work early in 2019.
The executive vice president and chief operating officer of Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem since 2015, Dr. Desmarais has been with Forsyth Tech in a variety of roles since becoming a department chair in 2002. Once a student at Forsyth Tech, taking Information Technology and Programming courses in 1994-1995, Dr. Desmarais became an adjunct instructor at the community college from 1996 to 1999 while also working in the private sector. She became the vice president of information services at Forsyth Tech in 2008 and moved to vice president of planning and information services in 2010 before assuming her current position.
She earned her doctorate of philosophy in instructional design and technology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., in 2015 after getting her masters of science in information technology management from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro in 2003. She earned a bachelor of music degree in voice performance from Mars Hill College in 1992.
She was also among fewer than 40 aspiring and emerging community college presidents nationwide who were chosen for the Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence in 2017-2018.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve and lead Vance-Granville Community College as its seventh president,” said Dr. Desmarais after being given the news on Wednesday night. “VGCC is a special place with students, faculty, staff, and board members who care for and take great pride in the college and community. I look forward to building on the strong value and culture already present in the college to cultivate a new shared vision for VGCC and its communities. Together, we will truly be Vanguards!”
Born in Sumter, S.C., while her father was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, she moved to Alabama when her family returned home after the Vietnam War.
“I got to watch my dad march across the stage at Auburn University as an electrical engineer,” Dr. Demarais said. “My mother was a preschool teacher. I got exposure to education at a young age, and I saw the value of it.”
Her family found a new home in Orangeburg, S.C., for her father’s first job after college and then eventually Rock Hill, S.C., where she attended middle school and completed her secondary education.
Since her move to Mars Hill, N.C., at the age of 18 to attend college, she has remained in North Carolina, noting that her career has taken her from music education to an administrative assistant in manufacturing to information technology and ultimately to community college administration.
She still has a desire to teach and said she now blends that desire with her love of information and technology to help students find success in the classroom.
“I have a real passion for using data from our students to help them learn how to learn,” she said. “Students have jobs. They have their lives to lead while going to college. They have much to juggle. We have a responsibility to make sure that the education we offer them is as efficient and effective in its delivery as it can be.
“I’m really a strong believer in institutional effectiveness,” she added. “The data can be used as a tool to help our students succeed. We need always to use it as a positive tool. An educated society is a happier, more fulfilled society.”
Her work in the private sector includes a period from 1999 to 2002 when she worked with the Womble Carlyle Sandridge Rice law firm and later a subsidiary, FirmLogic, in Winston-Salem as a systems support manager and, later, project manager. She was assistant to the director of manufacturing and a systems analyst for Highland Industries in Kernersville in 1997-1999.
She also has been actively involved in community projects in the Winston-Salem area, including the United Way; Boy Scouts of America; Forsyth Futures, a non-profit community data research organization; WinstonNet Inc., a non-profit community technology initiative; the Center for Design Innovation; and the Board of Cooperative Ministries for the Southern Province of the Moravian Church.
Dr. Desmarais has an adult son, Ian, who is currently a biotechnology major at Forsyth Tech. Her younger son, Conall, who will be completing the eighth grade, is interested in attending an early college high school. Her husband, she said, plans to retain his job in the Winston-Salem area as he is able to do the majority of his work off-site.
The search process for the new president began in September when the Trustees selected the firm of Executive Leadership Associates (ELA) LLP of Emerald Isle to help the board create a profile of the ideal presidential candidate needed for VGCC, to guide the search process and to recruit and screen applicants. Applications and nominations were accepted beginning Oct. 8 with a deadline of Nov. 9.
Serving on the VGCC Trustees’ presidential search committee were Trustees Deborah Brown, chair; Herb Gregory, vice chair; N. Annette P. Myers, Abdul Sm Rasheed, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Sara C. Wester.
With the guidance of ELA, a consortium of former North Carolina community college presidents, the list of candidates was narrowed to five by the board’s search committee. On Nov. 19, at the regular bimonthly meeting of the board, the Trustees trimmed the list to three finalists who were invited to the college to meet with staff and faculty, county officials, chamber members and the public to participate in individual forums. Attendees were given the opportunity to provide input on each finalist via a form distributed at the forums or verbally to representatives of ELA in attendance.
The board met on Dec. 4 following the last of the interviews with candidates. A final decision on the selection was made at a continuation of that meeting, on Dec. 5, following the results of a vetting process conducted by the State Board of Community Colleges.
“After this carefully executed selection process, we believe Dr. Desmarais has the background and the experience to move us and our communities forward,” Trustee Wright said. “We do appreciate our two other finalists who showed such a strong interest in helping our college advance, and we owe much to the members of the public sector who also attended the forums and assisted us in this search process as well.”
The two other finalists were Dr. Quentin Johnson of Mooresville, vice president of Student Support Services at Guilford Technical Community College in Greensboro, and Dr. Melanie Thornton of Albany, Ga., vice president of academic affairs at Columbus Technical College in Columbus, Ga.
The new president succeeds Dr. Stelfanie Williams who left in August to become the vice president for Durham affairs at Duke University. Dr. Gordon Burns, retired president of Wilkes Community College, is serving as interim president for VGCC until Dr. Desmarais takes office.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Dr.-Rachel-Desmarais.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-06 16:56:422018-12-06 16:56:42Dr. Rachel Desmarais Chosen as Next President of VGCC
Chris and Amanda Welsh, with the Henderson-Oxford Airport, were on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss their recent hiring as the local airport’s newest fixed-base operators (FBOs).
Hired in October to manage day-to-day operations such as fueling, hangaring and maintenance, the Welsh family brings a lifelong love for aviation and their years of experience working at the Triangle North Airport in Franklin County with them on this new venture.
“I’ve been involved with airplanes basically my entire life,” said Chris. “My father got his pilot’s license when he was in college, so I’ve been exposed to them, literally, since birth.”
With aviation in his blood, Welsh began working with a mechanic at the Louisburg airport after his own graduation from college and has spent the past six years there honing his skills.
Upon learning that the Henderson-Oxford Airport was in need of a new FBO, Welsh said he and his family put together a presentation for the airport’s Board Authority and the rest is history.
From people forming big lines to board flights to people walking freely who charted private jets using the Jettly website, he has seen it all and met those people. He has asked the airport authority to put forth a proposal to make the terminal bigger with longer runways so that there can be a separate allocated runway strip for both private and commercial planes.
The Welshes’ main goal for the airport, located on the aptly named Airport Rd. in Oxford, is to increase the general aviation traffic and to make businesses and corporations more aware of its existence and amenities.
“General aviation has ebbed and flowed [recently], said Amanda. “We are just at an ebb. Right now, we have a great condition runway at a good length [5,500 ft]. We just had our apron redone and are having work done on our lights to get them up to LED spec.”
“The facilities of the airport have outpaced operations,” she further explained.
The Welshes anticipate that continuous growth in Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park will help push business their way. “I think Raleigh’s going to come north and that the people of Henderson and Oxford are going to see growth from those who want to get just outside of North Raleigh,” Amanda said.
Proximity to the interstate is another plus for aviation traffic, according to Chris. “This airport has good access, via I-85, to the Durham area. As RDU grows and becomes less friendly to very small aircraft – piston/propeller-type, you’re seeing the movement of these traffic operations go to the Sanford or Louisburg airports. We’re hoping to draw some of that traffic to the Henderson-Oxford Airport.”
The airport is also increasing awareness by participating in events such as the annual military history show. Celebrating its third year this past October, the event coordinated by Harry Coombs features various military displays from the Revolutionary War, World War II, Vietnam and more. The Welshes hope to make the event even bigger next fall with the addition of rides and games for the whole family.
The airport also offers flying lessons for all interested potential pilots. Instructor Paul Hesse with Empire Aviation runs the flight school and can be contacted by clicking here.
To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Henderson-Oxford-Airport.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2018-12-06 16:54:592019-10-18 03:25:23New Operators Hope to See Increased Traffic at Henderson-Oxford Airport
-Information and weather chart courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations and Ready NC
Below is a briefing slide from the National Weather Service regarding a significant storm system that will affect our area over the weekend. The storm is still a few days away, making a definitive forecast difficult, but all indications are that we could receive significant snowfall before the system moves out on Monday.
A mixture of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow are possible depending on the timing and where exactly the low pressure tracks along our coast. Again, while nothing is certain, confidence is high that we could see a significant winter event with this storm.
We will continue to forward along additional information as it is received. Please visit www.weather.gov/raleigh anytime for updated information.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/national-weather-service-logo.jpg266504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-06 16:54:252018-12-06 16:54:25Forecasters Predict ‘Significant Snowfall’ for Area; When & How Much Still Uncertain
The City of Oxford held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 5.8-mile water line replacement on Friday, November 30, 2018, at 210 Coleman Street.
City of Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent, City Manager Alan Thornton, City Engineer Amy Ratliff and Division of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure Director Kim Colson spoke about the $5.8 million project which was funded by the Division of Water Infrastructure and approved by the State Water Infrastructure Authority.
The undersized water lines, some more than 100 years old, will be replaced by this project which began in 2016. The new lines will correct water quality, low system pressure, and will help in reducing outages and water loss.
The City of Oxford held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 5.8-mile water line replacement on Friday, November 30, 2018, at 210 Coleman Street. (Photo Credit: City of Oxford)
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Oxford-Water-Line-Groundbreaking-2018.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-06 16:53:442018-12-06 16:53:44City of Oxford Breaks Ground on Water Line Replacement
