— On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
Click Play!
Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Thanks to the wonders of technology, Vance County Board of Commissioners meetings are recorded for the public to play – and, in some cases, replay. WIZS replayed a portion of the July 10 regular monthly meeting during Tuesday’s TownTalk segment, during which the contentious topic of a fire study was discussed.
At its July meeting, the commissioners were expecting to hear from Interim County Manager Scott Elliott about the status of the much-discussed fire study, including staff recommendations that would move forward two of the six bids received from entities interested in completing the work.
Instead, Board Chair Yolanda Feimster invoked her privilege to send to the Public Safety Committee all six bidders for review, after which the committee would make recommendations to the full board at a future meeting.
“So we’re not discussing this tonight?” asked Commissioner Tommy Hester, upon hearing Feimster’s request, who in essence interrupted Elliott as he prepared to make his report to the board.
When Hester asked Feimster the reason for her decision, she replied that she didn’t have to give one. Hester argued that the whole board approved that a study be done, and Commissioner Leo Kelly, Jr. echoed Hester’s sentiments that it should be the board’s decision to make and not the Public Safety Committee.
Hester then made a motion that the whole board consider the fire study, which Commissioner Archie Taylor seconded.
That motion later was withdrawn, however, following discussion by various commissioners – sometimes talking over one another – about how the process should be carried out.
A subsequent motion was made by Hester, seconded by Taylor, to postpone any decision until the August meeting.
Commissioners Hester, Archie Taylor and Leo Kelly, Jr. voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Dan Brummitt, Sean Alston and Carolyn Faines voted against the motion, giving Feimster, as chair, the tie-breaking vote. The motion failed on her nay vote and the issue of the fire study will be sent to the Public Safety Committee for review.
County staff reviewed the six proposals and recommended two for consideration by the board – the whole board.
But now, the Public Safety Committee will review – again – all six proposals and is expected to make its own recommendation to the commissioners in August.
CLICK PLAY!
The Brick is sponsoring the Henderson Open Championships later this summer, and winners qualify to participate in the World Championships, scheduled for mid-November in Virginia Beach.
The Brick is a weight-lifting ministry affiliated with – and located beside – Freedom Life Church of God on Martin Creek Road. Part of the group’s ministry, according to Harry Orr, is to put on fundraisers like the Henderson Open Championships, which takes place on Sept. 8 and 9.
“We’ve got a good weightlifting team out there,” Orr said of the Brick on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
Orr said his group is hosting the meet for 100% RAW Powerlifting Federation, and classes of events include bench press and curls. Register before Aug. 31 online at https://rawpowerlifting.com/.
Orr, who turns 70 next month, is a hall of famer in the weightlifting world. He said he enjoys seeing others get involved in the sport as well.
“I just love to see people get in it…and have fun with it,” he said. In a world where there are so many bad things people can get tangled up in, it’s good to see people get involved in something positive like powerlifting. “It’s something good for them to do,” he said.
Freedom Life’s pastor, Jeff Prewer, is among the ministry’s biggest supporters, Orr said, having them come before the congregation after big wins.
“We want to serve the Lord the best we can,” Orr said. “People have other methods of doing it – we do it through weightlifting.”
The Brick is located at 1001 Martin Creek Rd.
Weigh-ins are Friday, Sept. 8 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and again on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. Lifting begins at 9 a.m.
Weightlifters must present an acceptable form of photo ID – driver’s license, state ID, school ID and passport are acceptable. Work ID badges and recreational/social club ID cards are not acceptable. All participants must show proof of membership in the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation as well; annual memberships are $40.
Entry fees for the Henderson Open Championships are $65 for bench press, deadlift and strict curl; $75 for push/pull division and $35 for crossover. These fees should be paid, along with completed registration, no later than Saturday, Aug. 31.
Contact Paul Bossi, one of the meet directors, at 252.339.5025 or by email at rawlifting@aol.com to register. Visit https://rawpowerlifting.com/ to find registration documents and rules and regulations.
Contact Orr at 252.432.4196 to learn more about The Brick.
CLICK PLAY!
Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
Click Play!
(This script features a correction from its first version specically about the open house event. The Viper Nation Fall Open House will be held for all high school students on August 3rd at 5 p.m.)
That day that everyone knew was coming, but hoped it wouldn’t be here quite so fast, is suddenly knocking on the proverbial door – Open House and orientations for Vance County High School.
The orientation for students who will be in 12th grade is scheduled for Monday, July 31, beginning at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the orientation session will begin at 6 p.m.
Students in the 10th and 11th grades will have orientations on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Tenth graders will assemble at 5 p.m. and 11th graders will gather for a 6 p.m. orientation.
Last, but not least, 9th graders will attend their orientation on Thursday, Aug. 3 at 4 p.m.
The Viper Nation Fall Open House will be held for all high school students on August 3rd at 5 p.m.
Vance County High School Principal Dr. Nealie Whitt III said the upcoming orientations will provide families and students valuable information about the 2023-24 school year.
“In an effort to ensure families and students have the necessary information for the upcoming year, we are hosting individual grade-level orientations and Open House,” Whitt stated. “During orientation, families will have the opportunity to meet our administrators and office staff, update contact/pick up information, and sign up to volunteer and join our booster club.”
Visit https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/ to learn more about VCS.
CLICK PLAY!
Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
Click Play!
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington will not seek another term in the upcoming municipal elections.
On Friday, Ellington called his decision “bittersweet” but said after two terms as mayor, he looks to a new chapter in life.
“Holding on for too long leads to entrenched leaders, which diminishes new ideas and creative thinking,” Ellington said.
He said he vividly remembers his first days in office, and said he was “driven with passion and vision” for the city.
In his eight years as mayor, Ellington cited successes such as the $79.6 million expansion of the regional water system and the $600,000 renovation and expansion of the downtown fire station.
“We celebrate our successes but the let-downs can truly wear on you. I have seen and lived both sides of politics and it can be hurtful and hard not to take it personally,” he noted.
Being mayor of a city during the COVID-19 pandemic proved especially challenging, and Ellington said it’s a point of pride that he, with the assistance of City Manager Terrell Blackmon, “courageously and emotionally led us as a city and community through hard decisions of the COVID pandemic that touched us all.”
Ellington said it’s important to realize that problems must be faced if improvements are to be made.
“Looking back, I have devoted the past eight years and two terms to ensure a brighter future while establishing a broad range of relationships on the state and federal level across both sides of the aisle. Being the official ambassador and lobbyist for the City of Henderson I can proudly say I have ties and political courtesy with both governors past and present, as well as officials in Washington, DC who will answer the phone if I call. That goes a long way for us here at home. Coming from the business sector and often at times frustrated but knowing that government moves a lot slower, we have shared success with many goals and projects that gives us a promise for the days to come,” Ellington stated.
In addition to the projects noted above, Ellington shared some more projects that have taken shape during his time as mayor, including:
