Tag Archive for: #towntalk

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Town Talk 07/27/20: VCRFM’s New Tuesday Twilight Market an ‘Experiment’

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Tracy Madigan, market manager for the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (VCRFM), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Madigan announced that the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (VCRFM) will hold its second “Twilight Market” this Tuesday, July 28, 2020, from 3:30 until 7:30 p.m. This will be in lieu of an open market on Wednesday, July 29.

VCRFM’s normal summer hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

According to Madigan, the first Twilight Market, held on June 30, was well-received by the community.

“This was an experiment,” Madigan explained. “We had good attendance at the first Twilight Market. We know it’s difficult for a lot of people to get to the market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The vendors and I decided we would try an afternoon/evening market. Hopefully, people who are getting off work can swing by, or if you finish your chores in the morning, you can come by on Tuesday afternoon.”

All vendors and customers are required to wear face coverings/masks, per Governor Cooper’s recent executive order.

The market will feature fresh and local summer produce including squash, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, cantaloupes, corn, peaches, blueberries, blackberries, watermelons, potatoes, okra, beets, cabbages, strawberries, radishes, greens and more. Vendors with pasture-raised beef, pork and free-range hen eggs will also be on-site.

Other available items include a variety of canned vegetables, pickles, chow-chow, sauces and local honey. For something sweet, try the pies, cakes, cheesecakes and cookies.

Pre-orders and curbside pickup will remain available throughout the season.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. in Henderson, NC. To stay up-to-date on events and offerings, visit the market’s Facebook page (click here).

(This is not a paid advertisement)

To hear the interview with Madigan in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Vance County Schools Logo

Town Talk 07/23/20: Dr. Anthony Jackson Discusses VCS’ ‘Plan C’ Decision

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent for Vance County Schools, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Jackson discussed the Vance County Board of Education’s decision at a special called meeting held July 17, 2020, to begin the 2020-2021 academic year under the state’s Plan C fully remote learning option for the first nine weeks. Current plans include implementing Plan B at the start of the second nine weeks.

The school year begins on Friday, July 31 for Vance County High School and Vance County Early College High School students, and on August 17 for all other Vance County schools, including the new Vance Virtual Village Academy (V3).

While Governor Roy Cooper announced on July 14 that NC schools could choose Plan B – a moderate social distancing measure that allows for a combination of in-person and remote learning – individual school districts are permitted to choose the more restrictive Plan C – fully remote learning.

Jackson said continued evaluation of data received from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Granville Vance Public Health factored heavily into the school board’s decision.

“Our Board of Education chose to go with the more restrictive plan based on our local data. The data says our cases continue to increase and that we are struggling with community spread, and so it would be best to minimize congregate experiences. In the best interest of keeping everyone safe and being as cautious as possible, they chose Plan C.”

Acknowledging the “tremendous amount” of factors that went into the decision, Jackson said the most important was the effectiveness of remote learning. “Most importantly, what went into the decision was the question of ‘can we educate kids effectively in a remote setting?’ The staff that we have, our principals and our teachers, felt this option would be supportive of all the kids and will keep them safe.”

According to Jackson, VCS students will be provided with the necessary technology and internet access needed for remote learning. The school district and/or individual schools will be in touch with parents with more details.

Jackson said he wants to assure parents that VCS understands this is a learning curve for all but believes online learning is now better developed than it was when school buildings closed in the spring.

“The remote learning you will experience for at least the first nine weeks of the new school year will not be the same remote learning that you experienced March through June,” Jackson explained. “It will be more robust, and there will be more expectations around attendance.”

In looking ahead, Jackson said he expects the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to affect the landscape of education.

“More than likely, we’re not going to be going back to school the way it used to be, even when we come back. I think social distancing is going to be a part of how we reengage at our schools. Learning is going to look different, feel different, and the relationships with schools are going to be different.”

With all of the changes ahead, Jackson said the patience and understanding of the community will go a long way. “I’m asking our community for what I like to call ‘preemptive grace.’ We want you to understand that we are doing the absolute best we can under these circumstances with the tools we have at our disposal.”

For more information and updates, visit the school district’s website (click here) or Facebook page (click here).

To hear the interview with Jackson in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Town Talk 07/22/20: H-V Rec. Department Discusses What’s Open, What’s Closed

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Tara Goolsby, program superintendent for the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Goolsby discussed what is still open to the public and what is temporarily closed as it relates to the H-V Rec. Department and the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

Closed H-V Rec. Department facilities include:

• Aycock Recreation Center
• Aycock Aquatic Center
• Old Aycock Gym – indoor facility
• Fox Pond Park
• All satellite sites
• First Presbyterian Church
• Vance County Senior Center
• All playground equipment and structures

All outdoor parks (with the exception of Fox Pond Park), trails and tracks are open. While Fox Pond Park is currently closed, the walking trails are open and can be accessed from the trails at the back of the Aycock Recreation Center located at 307 Carey Chapel Road in Henderson.

Goolsby explained facilities were closed to follow CDC guidelines and NC Phase 2 directives of limiting social gatherings.

For free, outdoor exercise, Goolsby encouraged residents to enjoy a walk on the paved walking track that curves around four ballfields at the Aycock Rec. Center. Walking the paved track two times equals one mile.

Goolsby also said the parking lot at the Aycock Rec. Center is open 24 hours, seven days a week, and has been a popular place to walk during the shutdown. Walking the parking lot five times equals one mile.

In addition to offering outdoor exercise, the H-V Rec. Department staff has been busy planning virtual sessions for both youth and adults.

Virtual activities include:

• Weekly social media trivia contests focusing on the history of Henderson and Vance County
• Moving Mondays – dance/exercise class on Mondays at 10 a.m.
• Fall Prevention & Exercise Class – Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.
• Body Blast Exercise Class – Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
• Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program – Wednesdays and Fridays at 3:30 p.m.
• Virtual Bingo – Thursdays at 12:45 p.m.
• Do It Yourself Crafty Kids – drive-through style craft kit pick up available for $5 each
• Paint With DP – Facebook Live sessions with a prize offered for the best painting
• Recreation Rocks Scavenger Hunt – find and take pictures of hidden rocks around Henderson
• Skills & Drills – athletic training for youth

Please visit H-V Rec. & Parks’ various social media pages for more details on these events. New activities are added regularly, so check back frequently, and stay tuned to WIZS on 1450 AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com for updates.

To hear the interview with Goolsby in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Free Meals for Kids

Town Talk 07/21/20: GRRO Offering Free, Healthy Meals to Local Youth

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Lucette Mercer, deputy director of the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

The GRRO, started by Henderson residents Henry Crews and Ardis Crews, is a part of the NC Rural Center’s Rural Food Business Assistance Project. This program offers technical training to agribusinesses and builds networks to support local farmers, value-added processors and foodservice businesses.

Partnering with city and federal agencies, the GRRO connects unemployed individuals to construction jobs that restore dilapidated homes and turn vacant lots into micro-farms that feed the community.

Mercer discussed Wellness on Wheels, the most recent initiative of the GRRO, in partnership with Vance County organizations to offer free, healthy meals for local children every Tuesday – Friday through at least August 31, 2020.

“We provide hot, healthy meals to kids 18 and younger in the community, free of charge, no questions asked and no issues,” explained Mercer. “You simply show up at the times and locations promoted and tell us how many kids you’re picking up meals for. We’re trying to find meals that are healthy, that kids want to eat and that parents feel really good about giving their kids.”

Grab-and-Go meals will be available Tuesday-Friday at the following locations and times:

  • Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity ~ 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ~ Location: 180 S. Beckford Drive, Henderson
  • Oasis of Hope Ministries ~ 12 – 1 p.m. ~ Location: 2495 US Hwy 1/158, Henderson
  • Cotton Memorial Presbyterian Church ~ 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ~ Location: 511 N. Chestnut St., Henderson
  • Knoll Terrace Mobile Home Park ~ 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. ~ 1261 Americal Rd., Henderson

Mercer said what started as 150 available meals has turned into 500 distributed daily as of this afternoon. That number will soar to 2,000 meals at this Friday’s event as organizers distribute enough meals to feed participating youth for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“As more and more people are made aware of this resource in the community and, importantly, realize that it is a healthy food resource, more people are coming to us to fill that gap of getting good meals for their kids,” said Mercer.

For more information on the GRRO, and to stay up-to-date on its programs and events, please visit its Facebook page (click here).

To hear the interview with Mercer in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Masonic Home for Children

Town Talk 07/20/20: Masonic Home Ready to Help Families Through Challenging Times

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Kevin Otis, administrator for the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

While MHCO has weathered many events in its 147-year history, COVID-19 has brought a unique set of challenges. “This pandemic has exacerbated a lot of issues that the community faces, including domestic issues, poverty and homelessness,” said Otis. “Many are struggling with what they are going to do with their child during the school year. We want to let folks know that we might be an option for their families.”

Otis said MHCO elementary and middle school students will be educated via virtual instruction through Granville County Public Schools (GCPS) when the 2020-2021 academic year begins August 17. MHCO high school students will attend school in-person for two days, remotely for three.

GCPS announced last week that its Board-approved version of Plan B will consist of two separate groups of students alternating between two consecutive days of face-to-face school each week, with Wednesday being a remote learning day for all students.

With the distinction of being the first children’s home in North Carolina, MHCO continues its tradition of helping young people ages birth to 22 with its Group Cottage Foster Care and Independent Living programs.

As part of its Group Cottage Foster Care program, children reside in cottages with live-in house parent child care workers. Supports are provided to help children with academics, obtain transportation, participate in extracurricular activities, manage trauma and obtain employment.

The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides apartments for young adults, as well as coaching and assistance to obtain employment. Independent living skills are taught relating to a variety of topics including cooking and cleaning, driver’s education, budget management and tax preparation. ILP residents continue education at Vance-Granville Community College, trade schools and four-year universities.

According to Otis, families maintain guardianship, stay involved and have a say in their child’s MHCO experience. “We don’t replace anyone’s family. We co-parent with them to try to address any issues the family or child may be facing.”

Otis said long term goals for MHCO residents include returning home and independence. Scholarships are available to help cover the cost of care.

To learn more about referring a child in need, please call (919) 693-5111 or visit MHCO’s website at www.mhc-oxford.org.

To hear the interview with Otis in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Maria Parham Health

Town Talk 07/16/20: MPH CEO Discusses COVID-19 Testing, Opening of New Cath Lab

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health (MPH), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

COVID-19 Testing:

According to Beard, to date, MPH has tested 2,100 patients for COVID-19 with a positive return rate of 8.71 percent, or approximately 183 cases. Beard said the majority of those tested are from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, with a few from southern Virginia.

These totals do not include the 155 participants of the free COVID-19 testing event sponsored by Granville Vance Public Health at Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson on June 24, or patients tested at providers such as Vance Family Medicine or Duke Primary Care.

While Beard said tremendous efforts are being focused on broader community testing, and some providers are offering tests to asymptomatic patients, MPH is currently offering results via rapid testing to symptomatic patients or those who are identified as high exposure risks.

 

MPH’s New Catheterization Lab

Beard was pleased to announce that MPH’s new $3.2 million catheterization (cath) lab will open its doors to patients in early August. Construction began on the lab, located off of the emergency room and adjacent to the helipad, this past fall.

“It’s going to be beautiful,” said Beard. “It’s as nice a cath lab as any in the region. We are very excited about what we can do from a preventative and emergent standpoint with cardiovascular care.”

The lab will expand on Maria Parham Cardiology’s current services including heart catheterization studies, non-surgical stent procedures, stress tests, echocardiograms, heart monitoring and pacemaker implantation.

Beard said the continued expansion of health services offered in the local, rural community is the commitment of Maria Parham and Duke LifePoint Healthcare.

“We have interventional cardiologists from Duke,” explained Beard. “These are the same doctors you would see if you drove to Durham for care. Our mentality is you shouldn’t have to fight the traffic when you’re fighting for your life.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety precautions, Beard said a virtual tour of the cath lab will be posted online in the next week or so, followed by a live ribbon-cutting event posted on MPH’s Facebook page in early August.

Please visit MPH’s website www.mariaparham.com and Facebook page (click here) for more information. WIZS will also bring you more updates as they are received.

To hear the interview with Beard in its entirety, including additional MPH, COVID-19 and community health updates, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Time to Unwind Concert

Town Talk 07/15/20: It’s Almost ‘Time to Unwind’ Virtually With Greg Milton & Friends

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Greg Milton, of the musical group Greg Milton and Friends, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Milton announced that McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will present “Time to Unwind,” a musical concert featuring Greg Milton & Friends virtually via Facebook on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 7:30 p.m.

This free evening of music will consist of spirituals, hymns, jazz standards, R&B classics, Gospel and much more.

Greg Milton and Friends includes Milton, Deron Keyes (organ), Julian Allred (drummer), Willie Lewis (saxophone) and Clifton Graves (bass).

In addition to Milton’s group, the concert will feature the musical talents of Blakely Bates, Dr. Aliza McLean, Karen Leigh Allen, Stella Jones, Alice Sallins and others.

“This is a great group of musicians, and we’re going to have a great time,” Milton said. “We want folks to kick their shoes off, recline their chairs back at home and just have a good time with us.”

Tune in through McGregor Hall’s Facebook page (click here for link) on Thursday to enjoy the show.

A link will also be provided on McGregor Hall’s Facebook page for those who wish to give a donation to help support the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To hear the interview with Milton in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Gang Free

Town Talk 07/14/20: Gang Free, Community Partners to Distribute 40,000 Free Masks!

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Melissa Elliott, Henderson City Council member and founder of Gang Free, Inc., appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

In the first segment of the interview, Elliott announced Gang Free’s partnership with the City of Henderson, County of Vance and other community partners in the four-county area of Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin to bring residents free face masks to protect against COVID-19.

Filling out a recent request with FEMA for masks to distribute to the community, Elliott said the agency more than delivered. “They backed up a transfer truck to my house with 40,000 masks,” said Elliott. “The masks have now been given to various locations for distribution. We want to get them in the hands of our citizens.”

Masks will be distributed Wednesday, July 15, 2020, from 10 until 11 a.m., or until masks are no longer available, at the following locations:

Vance County:

Henderson Police Department – 200 Breckenridge St., Henderson

City Operations Center – 900 S. Beckford Dr., Henderson

Henderson Fire Department – 211 Dabney Dr., Henderson

Williamsboro Grocery & Shell Station – 7690 N.C. Highway 39 North, Henderson

Kittrell Grocery – 1356 US-1, Kittrell

Granville Vance Public Health – 115 Charles Rollins Rd., Henderson

Franklin Vance Warren Opportunities – 180 S. Beckford Dr., Henderson

Kids World – 420 Red Oak Rd., Henderson

Raleigh Best Home Care – 123 Horner St., Henderson

Sandy Grove Baptist Church – 2266 Gillburg Rd., Henderson

Dickies Grove Baptist Church – 2906 Faulkner Town Rd., Henderson

Vance County Regional Farmers Market – 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson

Hendfact – 727 S. Garnett St., Henderson

Shiloh Baptist Church – 635 S. College St., Henderson

Ribeyes Steakhouse – 2002 Graham Ave., Henderson

Divine Habitation Ministries – 227 Orville Rd., Henderson

Big Ruin Creek Baptist Church – 16 Ruin Creek Rd., Henderson

Advantage Care In-Home Services – 103 Wortham Ct., Henderson

Davis Chapel Baptist Church – 742 N. Chestnut St., Henderson

Welcome Chapel Baptist Church – 237 Welcome Ave., Henderson

St. Delight Holy Church – 540 Bullocksville Park Rd., Manson

Granville County:

Granville House – 200 Coventry Rd., Oxford

Warren County:

Jordan Chapel Baptist Church – 1926 Alert Rd., Warrenton

Olive Grove Missionary Baptist Church – 915 Eaton Ferry Rd., Littleton

First Baptist Church of Soul City – 932 Manson-Axtell Rd., Norlina

Coley Springs Missionary Baptist Church – 224 Parktown Rd., Warrenton

Sarepta Missionary Baptist Church – 295 Gillis Alston Rd., Warrenton

Franklin County:

Relief Integrated Healthcare – 109 Jolly St., Louisburg

To hear the interview with Elliott in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Dabney Drive

Town Talk 07/14/20: Henderson City Council Denies Request for Dabney Dr. Rezoning

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Melissa Elliott, Henderson City Council member and founder of Gang Free, Inc., appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Elliott discussed the outcome of last night’s Henderson City Council meeting where council members voted to deny the second request in two months to rezone residential properties located at 1337 and 1343 Dabney Drive at the corner of Lynne Avenue.

According to the meeting’s agenda, Hill Dubose, a commercial/industrial developer from Greensboro, NC, requested to rezone the properties located at the corner of Lynne Avenue from an OIA (Office Institutional “A”) District to a B-2A (Highway Commercial “A”) District.

Elliott said four citizens spoke at the virtual public hearing, including two in favor of rezoning who had “a financial interest” in the matter and two 30-plus year residents of the Lynne Avenue neighborhood who spoke against.

At the May 13, 2020, Henderson City Council meeting, members denied a request to rezone the parcels from OIA to B-4 (Neighborhood Commercial) District citing issues with potential hazardous traffic in the area associated with a proposed fast-food restaurant.

While Elliott said specific plans for the area were not discussed at Monday’s meeting, the Council expressed concern regarding the traffic increase that any development would bring to the Lynne Avenue single-family residential neighborhood.

The Council also discussed concerns with vehicles safely entering and exiting the location onto Dabney Drive and/or Lynne Avenue.

“I want to express that we on the Council are for redevelopment, economic development and bringing job opportunities to our area,” said Elliott. “We would like to see the Department of Transportation (DOT), who is responsible for Dabney Drive, provide a report or some type of research on egress and ingress to see how people will be able to get in and out without affecting Lynne Avenue and its residents.”

To hear the interview with Elliott in its entirety, including additional talking points from Monday’s City Council meeting, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Town Talk 07/13/20: Harrison Encouraged by Positive Local COVID-19 Trends

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Lisa Harrison, director of Granville-Vance Public Health (GVPH), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

With 905 known Granville County COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths, and 561 known Vance County cases and 40 deaths reported as of Friday afternoon, Harrison said precautions still need to be taken to stop the spread of the virus.

“It is really critical to drive home the point that wearing a face covering and staying six-feet away from other people is the way we prevent this from spreading,” explained Harrison. “Everyone has the opportunity to help us with these numbers.”

In addressing national news reports of large increases in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past week, Harrison said the trend is similar to the days following Memorial Day weekend when a spike in positive test results was recorded.

“We do see spikes in the numbers when we have weekends like Memorial Day or July 4th where people want to spend time with their family and friends. Wearing a mask, staying six-feet apart and washing hands becomes more challenging,” said Harrison.

According to the CDC, the incubation period for COVID-19 is thought to extend to 14 days, with a median time of four to five days from exposure to onset of symptoms.

While Harrison acknowledged the numbers reported may not reveal the entire picture when considering those who do not seek testing or medical treatment, she is encouraged by the recent increase in testing in the local area.

“I feel good about the amount of testing being done in Vance and Granville County,” Harrison said. “I feel like we are testing symptomatic and asymptomatic. We’re testing contacts and anyone who comes to GVPH and needs a test.”

In addition to increased access to testing, Harrison is encouraged by other positive trends locally including the stabilization of COVID-19 cases in congregate living facilities.

In Granville County, there are currently outbreaks at four congregate living facilities including the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner; Murdoch Development Center in Butner; Central Regional Hospital in Butner; and Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Oxford.

In Vance County, there are currently outbreaks at two congregate living facilities including Kerr Lake Nursing Home and Senior Citizens Home in Henderson.

There was previously an outbreak at Pelican Health in Henderson that is no longer active.

“We’ve worked really closely with our long-term care facilities. They’ve done a really great job of doing regular testing, making sure they are isolating those who have symptoms and have tested positive and minding infection control so they can reduce spread as much as possible while also monitoring the health and wellbeing of residents and staff,” said Harrison. “It’s been a heavy load these last three months; I’m pleased the stabilization does seem to have started.”

As far as community-based cases, or those not connected with a congregate living facility, Harrison is pleased that the majority of Granville and Vance residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been released from isolation.

Qualifications for ‘release from isolation’ status is set by the CDC and is determined by a combination of symptom-based, time-based and test-based strategies (click here to learn more).

As of Friday afternoon, of the 480 total community-based cases in Granville County, 348 have been released from isolation and five are currently hospitalized.

In Vance County, 364 of the 439 community-based cases have been released from isolation. Five individuals in Vance County are currently hospitalized.

“More people have been released from isolation than current numbers of those positive with COVID-19,” Harrison stated. “The majority are in recovery mode and are past the approximate 14-28 day experience.”

Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information and to sign up for daily email updates.

To hear the interview with Harrison in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.