Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

VGCC to offer Private Pilot Ground School

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Vance-Granville Community College will soon offer a course that prepares area residents to take flight with a private pilot’s license.

The Private Pilot Ground School is scheduled to be held on VGCC’s South Campus, located between Creedmoor and Butner, on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m., May 18 through July 27. In this course, students gain the knowledge they will need to take the FAA private pilot written exam, under FAA-certified flight instructors from Blue Line Aviation. Students who complete the course will also receive a discount on an introductory flight lesson with Blue Line.

The instructor, Blue Line Aviation president Charles “Trey” Walters of Wake Forest, has deep connections to VGCC, even though this is his first time teaching the course in partnership with the college. His grandmother, Reba Walters, was a VGCC Nursing instructor. His father, Ray Walters (who is also a longtime pilot), taught business classes at VGCC after retiring from SAS in Cary.

Trey Walters took VGCC criminal justice courses through a dual-enrollment program while in high school. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He also served in the Civil Air Patrol, and was awarded the Billy Mitchell Award for becoming a cadet officer. During his career in the Air Force Reserve, Walters was a member of the Security Forces, which included duties in the military police with some air base defense functions. He served a six month deployment to Iraq.

Walters continued taking online courses at VGCC while serving in the Air Force, even while in Iraq. When his tour of duty ended, he went back to classes at the Main Campus, became a Raleigh police officer and then completed his VGCC Criminal Justice degree after taking additional online courses.

Simultaneously, Walters continued to work on pilot training. He started flight training when he was 13. His first solo flight was on his 16th birthday, and he obtained his private pilot license when he was 17. He flew recreationally until 2011, when he decided to get more advanced certifications. Walters earned his Commercial Pilot license, Flight Instructor license, Instrument Instructor license, Commercial Multi-Engine license, and multi-engine instructor licenses in 2012.

In August of 2012, he founded Blue Line Aviation with his wife, Kelsey. The business grew rapidly, leading Walters to resign from the Raleigh Police Department to work there full-time in early 2013. Walters also rejoined the Civil Air Patrol in 2014. Currently, he serves as a Captain in the Raleigh Unit. He volunteers as a search and rescue mission pilot, instructor pilot and check pilot. “I believe that using our resources to give back and make a positive difference in the world is one of our most important duties as Americans,” Walters said. He is excited about the new venture with VGCC.

“There is a huge demand for pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, and training for drone operators. Through our partnership, we can build the programs and infrastructure to fill those jobs by veterans and members of the local community,” he said.

The cost of the Private Pilot Ground School, including all materials, is $280.

“We are excited about having a private pilot ground school here at VGCC, which is advantageously located near several airports,” said VGCC Personal Enrichment Coordinator Gail Clark. “Our partnership with Blue Line Aviation gives us the opportunity to offer this program and help students move to the next level with a team.”

The deadline to register for this class is May 17. Prospective students can register online at www.vgcc.edu/ped or in person at Main Campus (in Henderson), Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Gail Clark at (252) 738-3385 or ped@vgcc.edu.

Monday Morning Pick-Me-Up with Java Dave’s

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Java Dave’s Coffee and Internet Cafe and WIZS have teamed up for another new contest. Every Monday morning, Java Dave’s and WIZS will be traveling to a local business to reward employees for working hard (and showing up on time). Java Dave’s Coffee and Internet Cafe will supply free coffee and some type of treat, and WIZS will bring t-shirts.

The second Java Dave’s Monday Morning Pick-Me-Up winner was Vance-Granville Community College‘s South Campus. Students and staff were treated to free coffee and Java Dave’s signature chocolate chip cookies.

Who knows where Java Dave and WIZS will be next week.

To nominate your business just submit and email to kevin@wizs.com, and who knows, Java Dave and WIZS might get your Monday off to a good start!

News 04/26/16

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News 04/25/16

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News 04/22/16

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Nationwide of Warren Co vs Screen Master

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For just shy of 30 years, WIZS Radio has presented Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department Baseball and Softball.  Through the years these broadcasts have been presented with various different special features in addition to the play by play call of the game.

To compliment the games being heard on the radio at 1450 AM and online at wizs.com/listennow, this year’s games will also be more available than ever with an archive on our sports page at wizs.com/sports.

Here is a link to our first broadcast of the 2016 regular season between Nationwide Insurance of Warren County and Screen Master.

Later in the year, H-V All-Star games will be broadcast LIVE on 1450 AM, on WIZS.com and archived on our sports page.

Recycling Day, Sat. April 23

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The Vance County Appearance Commission is sponsoring another Henderson-Vance Spring Litter Sweep Week, April 18-23, and a Henderson-Vance Recycling Day on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot of the City Operations Center on Beckford Drive in Henderson.
The Spring Litter Sweep Week is part of the North Carolina Spring Litter Sweep scheduled over the last two weeks of April.
Our Spring Litter Sweep Week efforts will target areas throughout Vance County that need cleaning up. We encourage volunteers from the community, churches, businesses, schools, civic groups, community watch groups, Adopt-A-Highway groups and more to join in these efforts. Volunteers may clean up areas they have identified or can be sent to designated areas in the city and county.
Volunteers may pick up supplies of bags, gloves and safety vests (if cleaning up along streets and roadsides) during the Spring Litter Sweep Week from Terri Hedrick at the Vance County Schools’ administrative offices at 1724 Graham Avenue in Henderson or the City Operations Center at 900 South Beckford Drive in Henderson.
Citizens are encouraged to bring recyclable items to the Recycling Day event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, in the front parking lot of the City Operations Center on Beckford Drive in Henderson. Representatives from a variety of vendors will be on hand to take recyclable items free of charge. The Recycling Day event is sponsored jointly with the City of Henderson and Vance County.
Items accepted during the Recycling Day event include:
  • Documents for Shredding: accepting important, personal documents for shredding. These documents can include any confidential papers such as financial statements and tax documents.
  • Old Televisions and Computer Hardware: accepting televisions of any type, computer monitors, computer CPUs (towers) and any computer mouse
  • Household Recyclables: accepting letterhead/forms, photo copy paper, colored paper, drawing paper,
  • note pad paper, newspaper, envelopes, brochures, file folders, index cards, invoices, juice boxes, milk cartons, milk jugs, plastic beverage bottles, detergent bottles, cartons and trays from microwaveable meals, aluminum cans, meal cans including those for soups and vegetable, phone books, paperback books, glass bottles and jars, cardboard
  • Metal, Aluminum, Junk Car Parts: accepting anything made of metal, aluminum, junk car parts, machinery, lawn and garden equipment, farm equipment, brass, copper, appliances
  • Reusable Clothing and Toys: accepting adult and children’s clothing, adult and children’s shoes, gently used toys
  • Reusable Building Materials: accepting items that can be used in home repair construction projects and may include building materials, as well as useable appliances, cabinets, sinks, toilets, windows
Safe Kids of Vance County will be conducting automobile child safety seat checks and distributing child safety information to parents during the Recycling Day event.

All volunteers for the Spring Litter Sweep Week and Recycling Day are invited to a free lunch at the City Operations Center beginning at 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. The lunch is being sponsored by the Wisdom for Life Foundation of Jason Brown and the Fruit of the Spirit community group.

Litter Sweep Week volunteers who attend the free luncheon will qualify to win cash prizes. Volunteers should take photos of the number of trash bags they fill, the number of people in their group and the most unique item they find during their cleanup. They should present the photos to officials at the luncheon to be included in consideration for the cash awards.

To register to volunteer for the Spring Litter Sweep Week and be assigned a clean-up area or to get more information on these events, interested persons may contact Terri Hedrick by phone at 252-915-9420 or by email at thedrick@vcs.k12.nc.us.
(Press Release supplied to WIZS News by Terri Hedrick)

Carolyn Paylor, FGV Smart Start Executive Director, Passed Away

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The executive director of Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, Inc., Carolyn Paylor, passed away on Saturday, April 16th.

Garry Daeke, development coordinator, told WIZS that his Facebook post on Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start Inc.’s page were feelings expressed directly from the staff.

He wrote, “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that our Executive Director Carolyn Malone Paylor passed on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Carolyn was such a kindhearted and caring person. She was truly loved by her family, community, and staff and will be sorely missed. No words will ever be able to express how much we will all miss her. Having her here supporting the staff and the community meant a great deal to us and not having her around will be an arduous task to handle.

“As Carolyn would have wanted, Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, Inc. will continue working for our families and community. Please know that we are still as dedicated as ever in meeting the needs of our community and doing what must be done to keep this agency as great as Carolyn has built it to be. In the days to come, please keep her family and staff in your thoughts and prayers. It was a privilege and honor to work with such a woman. We will all dearly miss her presence.”

Mrs. Paylor is survived by her husband, Ricky Paylor.  He indicated to WIZS News that the healing process had begun.

Heath Haithcock, a former co-worker of Carolyn’s at FGV, said on his personal Facebook page, “…I learned (Monday) that my former boss at FGV Smart Start died unexpectedly this past Saturday. Carolyn Malone Paylor was a good, Godly woman who worked hard on behalf of pre-k children everywhere. I am blessed to have known and worked with her. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and the extended FGVSS family. I am proud to know you all.”

Daeke said he worked directly with Paylor for 18 years.  He said, “We were just so overcome with grief.  It was so sudden.  I truly lost a very good friend and an incredible supervisor and leader in the community.  She really loved Smart Start and what we were doing.  We will figure out how to continue, but it won’t be quite the same.”

Carolyn Malone Paylor’s Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Davis-Royster Funeral Services, 926 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, NC 27536.  There is an online tribute wall.

The funeral service will be Friday, April 22, 2016 at 12:00 Noon at Concord Missionary Baptist Church, 810 Walter Grissom Road, Kittrell, NC 27544.

Flowers should be sent directly to the funeral home. Cards and other items in memoriam may be sent to the home of her parents or the office:

Mr. & Mrs. Aaron & Mary Malone, 7 Malone Way, Kittrell, NC 27544.

FGV Smart Start, 125 Charles Rollins Rd, PO Box 142, Henderson, NC 27536.

(Quotes used from Facebook were used with permission.)

Arrest Made After Series of Residential B&Es

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Press Release – Thursday, April 21, 2016

On Monday, April 18, 2016, members of the Henderson Police Department Criminal Investigation Division arrested Jose Antonio Verdin, 24, 828 State Street, Henderson for numerous charges.HPD Jose Verdin 042116

Verdin has been charged with larceny from buildings, obtaining property by false pretense, breaking and (entering) motor vehicle – four counts, larceny from the person – three counts, misdemeanor larceny, breaking and entering a residence – three counts, and larceny after breaking and entering – two counts.

Verdin was placed in the Vance County Jail after failing to post a secure bond in the amount of 210,000.00.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled in Vance County District Court on May 10, 2016.

Authority: Chief Marcus Barrow

Councilwoman Elliott to Speak At Vance Granville

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Henderson City Council member to speak at VGCC Basic Skills Commencement

Vance-Granville Community College will hold commencement exercises dedicated exclusively to new graduates of Adult Basic Skills programs on Thursday, May 5. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Those being honored at the ceremony will include students who have completed either the Adult High School Diploma program or the High School Equivalency program in the past year.

Melissa Elliott, a member of the Henderson City Council and a graduate of VGCC, will serve as the guest speaker. While working for the N.C. Department of Correction, Elliott first enrolled at VGCC to complete her high school equivalency diploma. She continued her education by enrolling in the Criminal Justice program in order to take her public service career to the next level. She graduated in 2009 with her associate degree and went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Saint Augustine’s University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Hidden Manna Bible College. She recently graduated with a master’s in public administration from Strayer University. Elliott is a former member of the advisory committee for VGCC’s Basic Law Enforcement Training and Criminal Justice programs.

Elliott has served in many positions in the criminal justice field, including Correctional Officer, Correctional Case Manager, Gang Intel Unit, 911 Dispatcher and, most recently, the Gang Officer for the Vance County Sheriff’s Office. She was honored for “outstanding community service” by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for her work educating the community about gang culture in 2010. The Warren County Gang Assessment Steering Committee also honored Elliott with an Outstanding Community Service Award as a Gang Specialist for participating in the county’s Gang Assessment. Elliott is the founder of a non-profit organization, “Gang Free, Inc.” She was elected to a four-year term on the Henderson City Council in 2015.VGCC Melissa Pearce 042116

Speaking on behalf of the graduating students during the ceremony will be Melissa Pearce (pictured) of Franklinton. She completed the High School Equivalency program in March 2016, after taking classes at VGCC’s Franklin County Campus. Pearce has enrolled in the Early Childhood Education curriculum program at VGCC, starting in the upcoming summer term. Her goal is to complete that program and ultimately to be a day care center director. A Fayetteville native, Pearce is the married mother of three boys.

–VGCC–

(Andrew Beal, Public Information Officer at VGCC, wrote and supplied this press release.)