TownTalk: Javion Magee Press Conference
A review of the press conference held Wednesday about the death of Javion Magee.
A review of the press conference held Wednesday about the death of Javion Magee.
Charles Turrentine Jr. got word about 24 hours ago that the Chestnut Street Park renovation project is among five finalists from across the country vying for $100,000 from Bobcat Company.
The project to make improvements to the basketball courts that operate under the city’s recreation and parks department is going to be a “game-changer,” Turrentine said. And getting a $100,000 infusion of cash would be a big deal indeed.
“We need everyone to share and support and vote for the Chestnut Street Park revitalization,” Turrentine said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
The project that gets the most votes wins, and Turrentine wants to spread the word so this local project comes out on top. Voters have to provide just a couple of bits of information to register and can cast one vote daily until the contest closes on Oct. 3.
Click on https://www.bobcat.com/na/en/campaigns/park-rec-makeover-2024 to cast your daily vote.
When the project was first talked about earlier this year, Turrentine said, the costs were somewhere around $100,000 to resurface the courts, add breakaway goals and lighting. That number swelled to more like $1 million to include a playground, shelter, water and bathroom facilities and a shed roof.
Turrentine reeled off some of the rough estimates: $20,000 to resurface the courts, $30,000 for new fencing, breakaway goals at $4,000 each and lights for extra security another $60,000. And that’s just for starters.
He said Kendrick Vann and the Henderson Rec and Parks Department is a partner, and the city of Henderson has committed to put in water that will allow for restrooms.
When it’s completed, it’ll change the whole landscape, Turrentine said. “We can see what redevelopment looks like.”
Turrentine and other park supporters want the city park to be a place for the whole community to enjoy; he wants the park to be known as a nice, modernized park where everyone has fun.
But it’s going to take everyone working – and voting – collectively, he said, to make the dream a reality.
“We can change the narrative of Henderson…we can get on that one path to change the narrative.”
When the construction gets underway in January 2025 – the fencing comes down, the asphalt removed and the rebuilding begins, “everybody in the city of Henderson will be well-pleased.”
If all goes to plan, the courts will be ready for action by May 2025.
And it hopefully won’t be much longer to wait to enjoy the additional amenities that will be part of the new and improved Chestnut Street Park.
Vote at https://www.bobcat.com/na/en/campaigns/park-rec-makeover-2024
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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE
SOUTHERN DURHAM 26
VANCE COUNTY 14
RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK
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SportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Northern Lakes Conference play starts on Friday as the Vance County Vipers take on the Spartans of Southern Durham. Scout Hughes and George Hoyle had Coach Aaron Elliott join SportsTalk on WIZS to talk all about it.
Vance County defeated Northern Durham last Friday night by a score of 28-0. The game was suspended early in the second quarter. Coach Elliott spoke on how his team improved in last week’s game against the Knights, “We talked all week about being more physical, you know being more aggressive on both sides of the football. Our kids really came out and kind of exposed that and showed it a little bit and we talked about finishing drives on offense which we were able to do. So you know everything looked good.”
Moving onto Southern Durham on Friday, Head Coach Aaron Elliott gives us an insight into what he saw on film from the Spartans. “We watch them on film and kinda try to dissect them the best we could. They’re a good football team. All three years that I’ve been here, playing this game for the most part this has probably been the conference championship game. So our kids know that. Our kids always lock in and they’re more focused this week than they’ve been in any other week because they know what we got to do. They know what it’s going to take. We expect them to come in and we’re playing at their place and they definitely don’t want to lose to us at home. We told our kids all week if we eliminate the explosive plays, they scored on an 84-yard touchdown pass that Wake Forest kind of missed coverage on their part.”
The Vipers are on the road once again for the fourth time in five games this season. This aspect of the 2024 campaign doesn’t seem to phase Vance County. “I think we’re still used to it. Obviously, we were super excited to play at home last week. Before that game even started we had a lot of energy just by being at home. So hopefully, you know, we can get a good crowd at Southern Durham that will help tremendously.”
Coach also mentions that his team is free of injuries which is always a good thing. “Everybody is healthy. We talked about having Camarion Ragland out against Orange and then we let him sit last week just for cautionary reasons. Just to give him another week on his knee and he’s back, fully healthy this week. He had a great week of practice and just having him back is a plus. We are doing pretty good with the injury bug.”
Vance County beat Southern Durham last year 14-12 in Henderson. Southern Durham may have something to prove since the Spartans lost last year. Coach Elliott is fully aware of the situation. “We have a target on our back now. We went 10-0 in the regular season last year. Southern Durham wants us to have a loss this year.”
In order for Vance County to beat Southern Durham, it’s simple to Coach, play Viper Football, “We just got to make less mistakes than Southern Durham does. We got to play our football game offensively and defensively and let him make mistakes and we will come out with the win.”
Coach’s message to fans for Friday night, “Just show up and support us!”
We will Coach! Go Vipers!
Vance County travels to Southern Durham for Week 5 of the 2024 season on Friday, September 20th and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting at 6:50 p.m. and kickoff thereafter at 7:00 p.m.
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Listen 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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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Extension:
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536.
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The community is invited to the Henderson-Vance County Night Out Against Crime that will be held Tuesday, Oct. 1 beginning at 5 p.m. along Breckenridge Street near the police station.
Local law enforcement agencies and other first responders will join a host of community partners and resource groups that serves as a way to build rapport with civilians and strengthen working relationships among those who protect and serve.
Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said the event “is a great opportunity to get to know them and them to know us.” Too often, Brame said, children interact with law enforcement officers in domestic or otherwise violent situations.
The Night Out Against Crime gives adults and children alike the opportunity to chat and share a positive experience.
Henderson Police Capt. Joey Ferguson said the opening ceremony begins at 5 p.m., and then folks will be free to visit the various booths and tents – and enjoy a free meal of a hotdog, chips and drink. Child attendees will get a swag bag full of goodies as well.
“Last year was really good and we hope this year’s even better,” Ferguson said on Wednesday’s TownTalk.
Brame said he looks forward to the networking opportunity the Night Out Against Crime creates. He makes it a point to visit schools each week “to meet kids where they’re at,” and the annual Night Out event provides another chance for children to see uniformed officers up close and personal.
Ferguson said, “We really enjoy having the opportunity to engage community members – and especially kids,” and Night Out helps shine a positive light.
“They’re not seeing us when they’re at their worst,” he said, “when they’re going through a traumatic situation.”
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Members of the 2024 Leadership Vance class gathered Tuesday night to celebrate their graduation from the program, reminisce a bit about their time together as they learned about their community and pledged to keep Vance County moving in a positive direction.
Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson and Chamber Board Chair Margier White got the ceremony underway following dinner at Kerr Lake Country Club.
Sixteen individuals received their graduation certificates – some have spent their whole lives in Vance County and others have relocated for work or other reasons.
Alicia Campbell is a Vance County native, and she told the group that she had learned a lot about the county she was born in. Campbell said she believes the class members have formed friendships that will last far beyond their time together touring businesses and learning what Vance County has to offer.
Fellow classmate Richard Davis took a moment to recall the extensive schedule the class followed, which included visiting 66 different venues. At those businesses, offices and governmental agencies, Davis noted that 178 took time out of their day to have Leadership Vance visit. “They were excited to speak to us,” he said.
Each Leadership Vance class completes a community service project, and the 2024 class decided to go one better and complete two projects.
Gary Band, editor at The Daily Dispatch, reported that the community garden is installed and will be ready to receive vegetable plants at the appropriate time, which ultimately will be harvested and shared with the men at the new City of Hope men’s shelter.
Laura Pendergrass, with Century 21 Realty, chaired the second project which involved collecting children’s books to be used in two Little Libraries – one at Fox Pond Park and a second at Chestnut Street Park.
Both projects are symbolic of the ongoing commitment by class members, which will help build relationships, strengthen the community and make Vance County the best it can be.
“It’s going to happen,” said Davis. “We just have to wait for it – and keep working.”
Following is the list of 2024 Leadership Vance graduates:
Susan Abbott, individual Chamber member
Gary Band, The Daily Dispatch
Alicia Campbell, Vance County
Richard Davis, A.R. Perry Glass
Susann Elliott, M.R. Williams
David Figueroa, Benchmark Community Bank
Krystal Foxx, Vance-Granville Community College
Xavier Hargrove, Hargrove Appraisals
Kimberly Lewis, Henderson Police Department
Cindy Norwood, City of Henderson
Bobby Orr, Charles Boyd Chevy
Laura Pendergrass, Century 21
Lance Stallings, Vance Charter School
Luke Stark, Wm. L. Stark, CPA
Elizabeth Townsend, Duke Energy
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On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM