Tag Archive for: #hendersonncnews

Duke Energy Cautions Customers to be Alert of Persistent Scam

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Don’t allow yourself to fall prey to a scam.  And don’t be more vulnerable now just because of snow.  Read the information below, which will help you avoid being taking advantage of.  This information is confirmed by Duke Energy District Manager Tanya Evans.

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Statement:

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce has been notified by some of our members of a scam involving persons falsely identifying themselves as Duke Energy representatives. A caller, claiming to be a Duke Energy service technician, tells the customer that a work order has been issued to immediately disconnect service. The caller states that a disruption of service can be avoided if an immediate payment is made. The scammer provides a telephone number for the customer to call to make the payment. The customer’s call is answered as Duke Energy by a very legitimately-sounding but fake IVR system. Duke Energy emphasizes that their customers are never contacted and asked to make a payment by telephone and provides the notice below to their customers. Please share this information with your friends, families, and business associates.

Duke Energy Statement:

Duke Energy customers in five states are continually being targeted by scam artists claiming to represent the company. Phone, doorstep and email scammers claiming to be a utility company are nothing new – it happens to all utility companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. However, complaints about this particular scam have really increased over the last several months.

Scammers are calling residents and impersonating utility company staff, claiming to be collecting on late bills. They may falsify their caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is coming from Duke Energy or provide a number to call which, when answered, appears to be a Duke Energy contact.

Because we do occasionally contact our customers by phone, it can be difficult to tell a scammer from a real Duke Energy employee. Here are some tips:

 

  • If a caller specifically asks you to pay by prepaid debit card, this is a red flag. Prepaid debit cards are like cash and the transactions cannot be reversed.
  • Remember, you do not have to sign anything or give personal information to anyone calling you on the phone, sending you an email or showing up at your door.
  • If you feel pressured for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and call us at the number on your utility bill. This will ensure you are speaking to a real Duke Energy representative.

 

The only way to protect yourself is to be vigilant, stay informed and guard your personal information.  If you feel something’s not quite right about the situation, contact the police immediately and report the call if you feel it was an impostor.

For more information about avoiding utility scams, visit our web site at https://www.duke-energy.com/customer-service/report-fraud-and-scams

*The preceding content was sent to WIZS News via email from the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

Vance County Schools cancels all after school activities

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All after school activities scheduled for today in Vance County Schools have been cancelled due to the forecast for inclement weather.

Thank you,

Terri Hedrick

Public Information Officer

Networking the Name of the Game at H/V Chamber’s next Luncheon

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce invite you, your guests and any other business leaders who are interested in helping their business grow to come out and join us for the Chamber’s Networking luncheon.  Meet other business professionals and exchange information and ideas.

This Quarterly Membership Networking luncheon is sponsored by Prim Development and Residential Rentals and will be featuring keynote speakers, County Commissioner Tommy Hester and City Councilman Mike Inscoe.  This will be a unique opportunity to hear from them as they share their thoughts on what is happening with the local economic climate along with their vision for the growth and future of Henderson and Vance County as they continue to build the area into a strong regional partner with a prosperous future.  This is an excellent opportunity for us to evaluate where we’ve been and get the community involved in where we’re going.

Bring plenty of business cards and get ready to make lots of new connections at our Chamber Networking Luncheon. Our quarterly Member Networking Luncheon is designed to facilitate conversations and connection among Chamber members. Attendees at the luncheon will be able to strengthen business relationships, hear topical speakers and enjoy a delicious meal. The luncheon is all about business and building relationships!

Annette Roberson said, “It’s also an excellent opportunity to showcase your business, promote your products, and find that next business partner or unexpected supplier for your business needs. Sponsor one of our luncheons! Exhibiting at this Member Networking Luncheon is just one way that you can connect with lots of members in one place.”

The luncheon will be held at the Henderson Country Club on Thursday, January 12th. The event will last from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. Tickets for Chamber members are $20 per person. Tickets are $25 per person for non-members.

For more information, please contact Annette Roberson at annette@hendersonvance.org or call 252-438-8414.

This content was sent via email to multiple representatives at WIZS News.

Oxford Preparatory School Readies for 2017/2018 Enrollment

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Applications for new 7th – 12th grade student enrollments for the 2017 – 2018 school year are available at oxfordprep.org and available in the school office. Oxford Preparatory School (OPS) is an independent and tuition-free public charter school that is designed to mold students into future leaders through completion of a rigorous curriculum while focusing on community service and developing an appreciation of the arts. OPS offers a college preparatory curriculum, a variety of competitive middle school and varsity athletic teams, and is now located in a permanent facility at 6041 Landis Rd. in Oxford.

The open enrollment period began on Monday, October 31, 2016. To be considered for a potential lottery, all applications must be turned in to the office or postmarked by Friday, February 3, 2017. If more applications are received than available seats in the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade a blind public lottery will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017. All students choosing to attend OPS will need to confirm enrollment by completing and sending in an enrollment packet by Friday, March 10, 2017. After February 3, applications will continue to be accepted, and processed in the order they are received.

Oxford Preparatory School invites families of prospective students to learn more about the unique offerings of the school. The final of three information sessions will be held on Thursday 1/19 at 6:00. Afterwards, tours will be conducted that will allow the opportunity to meet faculty. In addition, prospective students are invited to spend time visiting the school so they can experience our unique school program firsthand. Visiting students accompany OPS student guides through their classes during a four-hour visit. It’s a chance to meet the staff and the students and to get a snapshot view of our engaging college preparatory classes. The final of three shadow days will take place on Friday 1/20 from 11:10 – 3:10. Please call the Oxford Preparatory School office at (919)690-0360, or email our Office Manager, Kate Reetz at Reetzk@oxfordprep.org to make an appointment.

For additional comment, please contact
Andrew Swanner – Oxford Preparatory School – Executive Director – (swannerab@oxfordprep.org) (919)-690-0360

This is a press release from Oxford Preparatory School 

City of Henderson Holiday Closings

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City Hall will be closed Friday, December 23, Monday, December 26 and Tuesday, December 27, 2016 for the Christmas Holiday.  City Hall will also be closed on Monday, January 2, 2017 for New Year’s Day. Below is the Public Services Sanitation Division schedule for this holiday:

Sanitation-Brush and Recycling by the City
December 26, 2016 – Monday’s normal route will be collected on Tuesday, December 27, 2016.
January 2, 2017 – Monday’s normal route will be collected on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

Garbage Collection-Waste Industries
Since Christmas is on a Sunday, garbage collection will run its normal schedule.

Loose Leaf Collection
Loose leaves should be placed in rows or piles at the roadside.  DO NOT place leaves in the gutter, in the street or in an open ditch.  Loose leaves must be leaves only and should not contain any rocks, broken glass, large sticks or other debris as they may cause severe damage to the leaf collection equipment.

 

Governor Pat McCrory Honors Retiring VGCC Educator

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Longtime Vance-Granville Community College faculty member Jacquelin Heath was recently honored with the Cardinal Award from North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory as she prepared to retire. The award was presented to her by the president of VGCC, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, at a holiday social held Dec. 15, at which Heath and other recent retirees were recognized.

A resident of Henderson, Heath is retiring on Dec. 31 with a longer tenure than any retiree in the history of the college: 40 years and three months. She has served for most of those years as head of the School-Age Education program.

The Cardinal Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes individuals who have contributed at least 30 years of exemplary public service to the state of North Carolina.

“Many recognitions may come in life, but one from the state of North Carolina stands as one of the highlights,” Heath said. “The Cardinal Award was a wonderful surprise. During my employment, I didn’t think about who would get the credit. I just wanted to get the job done.”

She added that receiving this award in front of her colleagues made it even more meaningful. “I am grateful for many things in life, but most blessed by being a member of the Vance-Granville Community College family,” Heath said.

Heath joined the faculty at VGCC on Sept. 15, 1976, when the college’s Main Campus was brand-new, and the institution had only recently made the transition from a technical institute to a comprehensive community college. In her four decades at VGCC, she has served with all six of the college’s presidents.

“The Cardinal Award is a fitting tribute to Jackie’s devotion to VGCC and to education,” said Dr. Williams. “Not only has she directly educated, inspired and supported countless students who went on to successful careers in public schools and other organizations, but she has also been a champion of community involvement that connects VGCC to other educational institutions and local partners.”

Heath served as the advisor for the Student North Carolina Association of Educators at VGCC for 31 years, which she founded as the first community college chapter in the state; as a long-time member of the National Education Association; as a member of the board of directors for the Tar Heel branch of the American Association of University Women and of the national AAUW; and as a member of the Henderson-Vance County Human Relations Commission for nine years. She has presented at the annual conference of the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs; been a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Nu Chi Omega Chapter with 27 consecutive years of membership; served as co-chair of VGCC’s Faculty and Staff Drive for its Endowment Fund; served with Head Start, the United Way of Vance County and Spring Street Baptist Church; and volunteered with community partners like the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford to strengthen local efforts to educate children.

During the holiday social, VGCC Education Department Chair Tracey Bennett Carter also announced that the college’s Arts & Sciences division had made a contribution to the Vance County unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs in her honor.

Heath earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1974 from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and her Master of Science in Education with a Concentration in Early Childhood Education from N.C. A&T in 1975. She also completed additional graduate studies at North Carolina Central University in 1982.

Heath has been awarded the Director’s Award of Achievement by the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs, which recognized her for accomplishments including the implementation of “Upping Your Afterschool Game,” a training program. Her School-Age Education program was honored multiple times as a “Friend of Education” by Vance County Schools for its work placing students in local schools for internships. Under her leadership, Vance-Granville’s chapter of Student North Carolina Association of Educators was given the Membership Growth Award for its efforts to build the organization. Heath has been published twice in the National Education Association’s national magazine. She has also been named VGCC’s instructor of the year for the Division of Arts & Sciences.

Hendersonian Chris Burke Comes Home to McGregor Hall Jan 6th

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Soul/Pop artist Chris Burke returns to his hometown on January 6th to perform at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson, N.C., one year after the theater first opened its doors. After spending much of his youth in Henderson, Chris will share his nationally acclaimed “velvet vocals” with his beloved community.

Chris first gained stardom in 2003 when he appeared on NBC’s “Today Show.” In awe of his soulful vocal range, NBC producers hand selected him out of more than 6,500 vocalists to be a part of the show’s version of “American Idol” entitled “Today Show’s Superstars.” In front of millions of viewers and the celebrity panel of judges, Chris warmed his way into America’s homes and hearts. On the heels of the show’s success, his career then spring boarded forwarded where he appeared on countless TV and radio programs across the country.

From there, he moved to “Music City Nashville” and has released several recording projects, including four full-length albums of both original material and cover songs, and several singles. His latest album, “I Can’t Make You Love Me: The Mike Reid SongBook,” was released this year (2016) and pays homage to the famous Country music songwriter Mike Reid who has written hits for Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, Ronnie Milsap and more. Reid also provided Chris with several songs for the album that had never been recorded by another artist. With producer and bass player Bobby King, Chris has put together an incredible Soul band, the Chris Burke Band, that perform across the country and within Nashville’s hottest venues. His musical style combines contemporary Neo-Soul/Pop with the classic sounds of Motown and R&B.

Chris is looking forward to returning to Henderson, and refers to his time spent in Vance County as his “golden years.” He explained, “It was a magical time in my family’s life. It’s the last time that we all lived under one roof, my two brothers and my mom and dad. We were all there together and whenever I think about that time, it seems to glow and have a wonderful golden hue around the memories. The path I have taken and the successes I am having now very much originated in Henderson.”

Chris’ concert at McGregor Hall is a reunion of sorts, bringing family and friends together. The Burkes moved away from Henderson in 1989 following the passing of Chris’ father Don. Attending the concert will be Chris’ mother Hansell, his two older brothers Justin and Monte, and a host of family friends who are eager to reconnect with the Burkes.

As the Kerr-Vance Academy Headmaster for approximately 10 years before his passing, Don Burke was a key member of the community and actively worked to excel grade-level education in Vance County. Hansell Burke was also active in various community projects, including helping to open a home for battered women. “During those years, the Burkes were an integral part of our community,” recalls Irv Gupton of Henderson and long-time family friend of the Burkes. “Don was not just a dear friend, but his passion for the outdoors and life in general, helped lift me and my family to new heights. And the Burke’s contribution to Vance County lifted many others in our community as well.”

During his January 6th concert, Chris is not only planning an exciting performance, but will have the opportunity to honor his father, who is laid at rest in Vance County. Chris said he looks forward to giving back to the community that supported his family during his father’s untimely death. “At his funeral, it was standing room only. I believe that people were outside the church because there wasn’t enough room inside. His life and death had a huge impact on not only us, but the town as a whole. I will always remember the love and support we felt as a family from Henderson and everyone in it. So, the idea that I can come ‘home’ to Henderson and pay homage to my father and to the town that raised me is amazing and feels very full-circle.”

Gupton also added, “It has been my dream to reconnect with the Burke family since they left the area following Don’s death from colon cancer. So I am thrilled that his son Chris can perform at McGregor Hall and give many of us an opportunity to reconnect, honor Don and his contributions to education, and celebrate the success of Chris’ career as he entertains us.” And Chris is planning a concert that the Kerr Lake region won’t soon forget. “I’ll be performing with the best band I have ever worked with in my life. The musicians here in Nashville are no joke and, I’ll be bringing my full band and we’ll be performing songs from all my albums. It’s the first time that I’ve ever performed a retrospective-type show with songs from all four albums—two of original material and two of covers. It’ll be an exciting mixture of well-known songs and songs that reflect what I was feeling and going through at the time.”

If you like and appreciate soulful music, this concert is for you, according to Chris. “The music is soulful and makes you feel something deep down in every song. I truly hope to give the audience an experience like no other. I’ve learned so much in my 12 years here in Nashville about music and about who I am as an artist, and I hope to give a little insight into who I am and how I’ve grown since leaving Henderson. It’s going to be a smooth and soulful look into who I am as an artist and what it means for me to be back in my hometown after being away too long.”

The concert will be the first performance held at McGregor Hall for the 2017 season, according to Tommy Deadwyler, executive director of McGregor Hall. “Chris and his band’s exciting performance will not only help to kick off the New Year, but will start the theater’s second-year celebration after opening in early 2016. McGregor Hall has had a hugely successful lineup of events and performances this year (2016) and we’re looking forward to continuing that in 2017 with a showcase of talented performers and educators.

Next year at McGregor Hall is poised to shine an even bigger spotlight on Henderson as the place for arts, entertainment and education in our region.”

Tickets remain available to experience the soulful sounds of Chris Burke and his band at McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center on January 6th at 8 p.m. For more information on the concert, visit www.McGregorHall.org, (252) 598-0662 or visit the box office at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson.

Emeron Cash Honored by local Educators

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Members of the Vance County Board of Education were joined by people from throughout the school system and local community in honoring Emeron J. Cash Sr. on December 12 as he retired after 24 years of service on the board.

They attended a nice reception held in the Administrative Services Center prior to the board’s regular monthly meeting to pay tribute to the former teacher, coach and retiring board member. During the reception and at the beginning of the meeting, colleagues, educators and friends visited with Cash, his wife, Patricia, and their son, Chris. They all praised a man who has dedicated his life to helping youth across Vance County and beyond.

Gloria J. White, chairwoman of the board, presented Cash with a resolution by the board recognizing his many contributions. She also joined Superintendent Anthony Jackson with

giving him a handsome, framed collage featuring his many achievements over the years. He also received a wooden, rocking chair with the school system’s seal engraved on the headrest. Vance County Commissioner Dan Brummitt gave Cash a framed certificate of appreciation from his board.

White led comments shared with the audience at the meeting in praising Cash as a great colleague and someone who truly cares about children and education.

Cash thanked everyone for their support over the years and for the many gifts he was presented.

Chris Cash also spoke and thanked everyone for their great relationships and positive work with his father.

Oliver assists Vance County Schools Administrators through workshops

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Bruce Oliver, an education consultant with the Just ASK professional development organization, has just completed six sessions of intense educational workshops with local school administrators.

Oliver, shown in the accompanying photo during the final session,  came to Vance County for two days of workshops on six different occasions beginning on April 20 and ending on December 9. About half of the district’s school administrators each time attended one of the all-day sessions and the remaining administrators would attend the other day.

Oliver used his considerable knowledge and experience in education as a teacher, assistant principal and principal, prior to his retirement in Virginia to lead each of the sessions. He shared proven strategies with administrators on a variety of educational topics to assist them in being more effective as the instructional leaders in their schools.

Administrators also had access to a wide variety of educational publications and resource materials throughout all of the workshops. Resources were shared in both written form and through online publications.

One of many essential questions Oliver’s presentations focused on was, “What do schools and classrooms look like when they are organized around a commitment to the achievement of high standards by all students?”

Throughout the workshops, Oliver stressed strategies including: standards-based education; learning centered classrooms; project based learning; collegial collaboration; literacy leadership; and growth producing feedback for teachers.

Free small business tax workshop scheduled at VGCC Franklin Campus

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center will present a free workshop, called “Sales & Use Tax 101,” on Thursday, Jan. 19, from 2-4 p.m. in room F1208 at the college’s Franklin County Campus, located just outside Louisburg.

In this hands-on workshop, Rhonda High of the N.C. Department of Revenue will help small business owners understand the basics of sales and use taxes, including registering for a sales and use tax account and learning about the most common types of sales and use taxes collected. High will also discuss the proper procedures for filing a sales and use tax return.

At the end of the workshop, there will be a question and answer session with the presenter, as well as opportunities to network with other business owners.

For more information and to reserve a seat, contact the Small Business Center at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3240.  Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/small-business-center.