Tag Archive for: #VanceCounty

Vance County High School

Vipers Football Preview: Vance County @ Roanoke Rapids

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VIPERS  FOOTBALL  PREVIEW

Vance County at Roanoke Rapids

Monday, September 24, 2018

6:45 PM – Pregame

7:00 PM – Game Time

Vance County High School faces the Yellow Jackets of Roanoke Rapids tonight (Monday 9/24/18). They will be traveling to the far eastern edge of the Northern Carolina Conference.  After four difficult weeks playing against teams who literally ran all over them, the Vipers had an unscheduled break last week when Hurricane Flo blew every team in Eastern North Carolina off their playing fields; but whether this will help or hurt VC remains to be seen.

The weather did not allow any extra practice, but rest could be helpful at this point, with one-third of the Vipers’ inaugural season in the books, and Vance up against another hard-running offense this week.

Roanoke Rapids has been on a roll the past 4 years, thanks to Head Coach Eric McDaniels, who took over in 2014 and immediately turned the program around, leading them to a conference championship and 3 state playoff games that first season, and rolling up a 4-year record of 37-14.  BUT, this season looks like the Jackets’ toughest one under Coach McDaniel.  Undefeated in their first 7 games last year, RR is already 2-2 this year, their worst start since 2013.

Vance County Tourism

Vance County Tourism Director Nancy Wilson Retiring End of March

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire

After 20 years of service, Nancy Wilson, the long-serving director of the Vance County Department of Tourism, is looking forward to retiring at the end of the month.

“I’ve been working all of my life,” said Wilson. I’m ready to retire.”

Wilson’s career in tourism began in 1998 when she was hired as a contractor by the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission (EDC). According to Wilson, the first assignment given to her was to increase the number of fishing tournaments held at Kerr Lake. “At that time, we were not competitive with South Hill or Clarksville, VA,” Wilson said. “I had to beg the tournament directors to give us a chance; please just let us host a tournament and see how it goes.”

Wilson’s efforts paid off by way of an increase in fishing tournaments, including high dollar $100k tournaments such as the Fishing League Worldwide (FLW). “When it showed up on the front page of USA TODAY that Vance County hosted a tournament, it was great publicity for us and was worth all of the time and effort,” said Wilson.

In addition to fishing tournaments, Wilson has also been instrumental in increasing tourism at Kerr Lake thanks to the addition of a Fourth of July fireworks display. “We never had a firework display around the lake area and I thought we needed to entertain our visitors while they were there,” said Wilson. “That’s one of the biggest holidays for the parks.”

Wilson knows from experience how special the fireworks are for many visitors. “People start calling the tourism office as soon as the fireworks are over wanting to know the date for next year’s show so they can book their campsite.”

A success since its inception 20 years ago, the patriotic fireworks are held on the Saturday closest to the 4th of July to better accommodate visitors’ schedules.

Wilson is also proud of creating the Parade of Lights on Water, a floating parade featuring Kerr Lake’s best-decorated boats. A staple for several years, a decline in participation led to the cancellation of the event.

Another one of Wilson’s successful endeavors is the annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine and East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame event held each fall. What started as a small gathering of friends grew into the economic boom that it is for Vance County today.

“It started as a group of people meeting at my house. Then we had to move it to the community building at Satterwhite Point because it kept growing and people were coming from everywhere,” Wilson said. “I thought about it for a long time and thought I could make a tourism event out of it.”

Wilson presented her idea of combining a car show and a drag car hall of fame to the Henderson-Vance EDC Board and they implemented the first event in 2001.

The exact economic impact of events such as fishing tournaments, Fourth of July events and Show, Shine, Shag & Dine is hard to calculate, but the increased spending on gas, hotel rooms, restaurants and entertainment are a huge boost to the local economy.

According to Wilson, visitors come from all over the country to attend these events, thanks in part to a strong, nationwide advertising campaign that includes multiple publications. “We advertise in recreation magazines, recreation guides, motorsports magazines, car show magazines, at welcome centers, in airports, online, on the radio and in print,” said Wilson.

When asked what advice she has for the next tourism director, Wilson said they’ll have their own ideas that will bring value to the area.  She said, “I’m sure they’ll put their own twist on it and do what they think is best. If I can help in any way, I’ll be glad to.”

Wilson plans to remain active in the Roanoke River Basin Association, an organization that she feels is vital to the lake area. “I will continue to serve on the association and try to keep the County informed on issues,” Wilson said. “It is so important. That water is like liquid gold.”

As for life after retirement, Wilson says it will be a continuation of traveling all over the country, playing with cars and attending car shows.

“I don’t have a bucket list,” Wilson said. “People say when they retire they will do this or that, well, I’ve already done all of that.”

Vance County, NC

Water Planning Committee Seeks Self-Sufficiency in Customer-Friendly Incentives

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At Monday night’s Vance County Board of Commissioners meeting, the Water Planning Committee discussed its plan for self-sufficiency for the county water system by presenting two possible incentives focused on the goal of attracting a new customer base.

The first incentive called for “forgiving” the outstanding balance of availability customers once they have been connected to the water system for a period of time. Availability customers are the portion of active customers who signed up for the water system, but never made an actual connection.

According to County Manager Jordan McMillen, there are currently a total of 434 availability customers who are responsible for a $30 monthly fee as a result of their commitment to the system and having water available to their property.

The second incentive presented to the Board would allow existing/active customers to receive a credit on their bill for referring a friend or neighbor who becomes an active water customer. This referral incentive would only apply to existing/active customers.

Both incentives aim at increasing the water system’s customer base. The county water system currently serves 1,282 active customers in the Sandy Creek, Dabney and Williamsboro townships, with 848 metered customers hooked into the system.

According to McMillen, the total number of current metered customers comprises slightly more than half of the overall number needed to reach self-sufficiency. “To achieve self-sufficiency, we need approximately 1,500 to 1,600 active metered customers. Our multi-year financial plan for the system includes converting more availability customers to active customers as well as adding new customers to the system to alleviate a situation where the county is providing approximately $400,000 a year from the general fund to offset and subsidize the water system,” stated McMillen.

McMillen noted that it is typical for a new water system to be subsidized for a period of time while the customer base builds. He believes incentives and current customer satisfaction will go a long way into building the necessary customer base. “The incentives discussed are being proposed as a way to add customers. Once they join the system, they are happy with what they are receiving, they like the fact that water is available when the power is out, and they have peace of mind not having to worry with wells drying up, well pumps or related issues,” McMillen remarked.

After hearing the incentive proposals, the Board instructed staff to develop the necessary language and specifics to move forward with the customer referral incentive for consideration at the water committee’s February meeting. The committee then plans to bring the more developed customer referral program language back to the board of commissioners for consideration at their March meeting. The Board was not in favor of the outstanding balance forgiveness proposal at this time.

In addition to the discussion of the two incentives, the committee also heard from three availability customers and one active customer who favored eliminating the $30 fee and replacing it with an annual tax or another type of assessment.

McMillen acknowledged that the challenge with eliminating the availability fee is making up the difference elsewhere. “The challenge with eliminating any fee is that it widens the gap in funding that is necessary to reach self-sufficiency and essentially requires a different revenue option or fee to fill its place,” explained McMillen.

While the committee works diligently to reach its goal, McMillen reported that the system is keeping its current customer base happy. “The water committee is continually looking for ways to decrease expenditures, add customers, and increase revenues to bring the system to self-sufficiency.  As the committee continues to do this, we are cognizant that the water system is serving citizens and satisfying a need for quality drinking water and fire protection throughout the county,” McMillen stated.

Need for Increased Workforce Among Hot Topics at The Vance County State of Healthcare Forum

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer for Hire

Community leaders and state health officials met Tuesday, January 23 in the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College for an early morning breakfast and to share updates on the state of healthcare in Vance County. One common theme amongst the speakers was the urgent need of an educated workforce to meet the demands of healthcare in both the local area and in the state of North Carolina.

The forum, titled The Vance County State of Healthcare, was hosted by Maria Parham Health and included opening/closing remarks and guest introductions from Robert F. Noel, Jr., MD., a general surgeon in his eighteenth year of practice at Maria Parham.

Bert Beard, the chief executive officer of Maria Parham Health, was introduced by Noel as the first speaker. “Healthcare is something that effects everyone and has been in a constant state of change, which can cause confusion and concern for the people we serve. Our goal for the State of Healthcare program is to bring important information about the healthcare industry and those industries that work with and impact healthcare to our community. We value our partnerships in our community and in our industry and appreciate help in getting important information to our communities,” said Beard.

Beard spoke about population health, the shift in healthcare trends from a hospital-centered focus to a community-centered focus. He explained that hospitals could no longer focus solely on what was happening inside the hospital building, but must expand the focus to the health of the entire community.

Beard also shared updates on Maria Parham’s acquisition of the former Franklin Medical Center, which will be known as Maria Parham Franklin. The emergency department will be one of the first areas to reopen with a slated date of summer 2018. Imaging services including CT, MRI, ultrasound, x-ray and mammography are also scheduled to reopen along with the outpatient lab and a 13-bed geriatric behavioral unit. A new 20-bed unit is scheduled to open in 2019.

Stephanie McGarrah, vice president for public policy for the North Carolina Hospital Association, provided an overview of the healthcare industry in NC, the economic impact on NC health systems and NC workforce challenges.

McGarrah explained that while NC’s population continues to increase rapidly-the state was the ninth most populous in 2014-it ranks an abysmal thirty-second in the nation in terms of overall health. According to McGarrah, sources show that Vance County is considered amongst the most vulnerable of populations in the state with higher levels of poverty and higher levels of citizens without a high school diploma.

North Carolina hospitals and health systems have the unique challenge of serving all people, including the most vulnerable. “The health care industry is trying to determine how to address all health factors, including social determinants of health,” said McGarrah.

Another major issue facing the healthcare industry is that the demand for healthcare workers is outpacing the supply. McGarrah stated there are several contributing factors to this problem including the maldistribution of healthcare workers across the state, high level of worker burnout and new occupations being created by the emerging population healthcare model.

Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Stelfanie Williams and Dr. Levy Brown, the vice president of academic affairs at VGCC, addressed the college’s role in helping educate the next generation of healthcare workers. According to Brown, VGCC currently offers 15 programs in curriculum and continuing education related to various aspects of the healthcare industry with the majority of graduates finding employment at Maria Parham Health or other local healthcare systems.

Williams acknowledged the unique challenge VGCC faces in keeping up with rapid changes in the healthcare industry, but cited Maria Parham Health and Vance Co. newcomer Mako Medical Laboratories as valuable partners in training an educated workforce.

Mark Benton, the deputy secretary for health services for the Department of Health and Human Services addressed the issue of Medicaid and the impact of North Carolina not expanding the joint federal-state insurance plan.

According to Benton, the state has since sought a revised waiver to the federal oversight agency to transform the Medicaid program. The goal is to have the first phase implemented by July 2019.

Benton also addressed social determinants of health and the devastation of the opioid crisis and stated that the DHHS “envisions a North Carolina that optimizes health and well-being for all people by effectively stewarding resources that bridge our communities and our healthcare system.”

The buffet style breakfast was provided by Triangle North Healthcare Foundation. Beard emphasized the importance that Triangle North Healthcare played in making The Vance County State of Healthcare possible and thanked Executive Director Val Short for being instrumental in the planning of the forum.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Opioid Abuse In Our Area

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If you live in Vance County or the surrounding area, then you know that opioid abuse, addiction and overdose is a real issue.

Tuesday at Vance Granville Community College, leaders and interested parties gathered to discuss awareness and prevention.  It was put on by Granville Vance Public Health and other agencies.

There are stats everywhere which show the sharp increase in overdose deaths nationally too, especially when you look at heroin and the misuse of prescription drugs.  You won’t search long before you see headlines that drug overdoses kill more people annually that car crashes or gun violence.

At the forum Tuesday, Dr. Anderson Brown with Cardinal Innovations spoke and said it all starts with prevention. It’s at different, earlier ages and with different outcomes that we see young adults becoming addicted now.

Dr. Shauna Guthrie, the Granville Vance Public Health Medical Director, said the right amount of prescription is where we need to start. Just a few pills can cause a young to middle age adult to be addicted.

Over prescribed drugs, in terms of the number of pills given for example just in an initial prescription, are a problem.  Problems arise when the intended recipient of the drug uses too much and also when the pills are not completely used and then fall into the wrong hands.

Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt, the Northern Piedmont Community Care Medical Director, said there are patients out there that need prescriptions but to a certain point. Cutting back on the amount of prescriptions is something that is needed.

A big issue is how early children are affected, including the fact that some children are born with a drug addiction because of the habits of the mother.  In other cases, it was stated that children as young as 10 years old now experiment with drugs.

What are we doing locally?  Educating youngsters at an early age, making sure treatment is available for those in need and making the public aware of treatment options.

There is improved access with 24 hour hotlines like 1-800-939-5911, which is Cardinal Innovations 24-hour crisis line.

There are more drop boxes for unused medications.  Most any local pharmacy has one or will take the unused meds during normal business hours.  October 28th is National Drug take back day.  https://takebackday.dea.gov/

Resources are being provided, and there are free training options.  Nidhi Sachdeva, with the N.C. Division of Public Health, works closely with the local community.

 

Daymark Recovery – 5 Counties but focus on Warren, Granville and Vance.

https://www.daymarkrecovery.org/locations/vance-center

 

Vance Recovery – all age groups

https://www.facebook.com/Vance-Recovery-951367328271418/

 

Back on Track – Group Therapy, Transportation, Medicaid.

https://www.substancerehabcenter.com/outpatient-substance-abuse-treatment/north-carolina-nc/?city=Henderson

 

Mens Halfway House – Staffed 24/7

https://www.substancerehabcenter.com/halfway-house/North-Carolina-NC/?city=Henderson

Vance County Schools switching to Summer Schedule

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

June 20, 2017

Beginning July 1, Vance County Schools will operate on a summer schedule. Schools and school system offices will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. All schools and school system offices will be closed each Friday. This summer schedule will be followed through August 11.

Press Release: ‘Beatlemania’ Comes To McGregor Hall

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HENDERSON, N.C. (April 17, 2017)— The fanfare of The Beatles—often called “Beatlemania”—is coming to downtown Henderson, N.C., on Thursday, April 20th when Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience performs live at McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center at 8 p.m.

Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience has been dubbed “the nation’s most innovative and unique show utilizing the works of The Beatles,” by music industry insiders. The band includes brothers Billy, Ryan and Matthew McGuigan, who have united their musical talents, charms and passion for performing to create a show that does away the worn out tribute format. No bad wigs and fake accents. Instead, they perform as themselves and leave the song choices completely in the hands of the audience. This is done through request cards that audience members fill out prior to the show as well as through the Yesterday and Today app available on iTunes.

Once the requests are collected, minutes before the show begins, a set list is created based upon the songs chosen by that particular audience. As an added treat, the reasons that the audience members chose those songs make up the narrative of the evening.

What the McGuigan boys have overwhelmingly found, since debuting the show in 2007, is that not only do people have a story to tell, but they are absolutely ready and willing to tell that story when being able to tie it to their favorite Beatles song. On some level, it goes beyond sheer entertainment, and perhaps becomes a hint of music therapy.

Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, N.C. For more information, contact McGregor Hall’s Executive Director Tommy Deadwyler at (252) 598-0662 or email him at tommydeadwyler@mcgregorhall.org. For interviews with the McGuigans or more information, contact Kate Whitecotton, production manager at KateWhitecotton@Gmail.com or (402) 682-2868.

 

Good News: VGCC awarded grant for revamped Male Mentoring initiative

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Vance-Granville Community College recently received a $17,234 grant from the North Carolina Community College System to fund the Male Mentoring Success Initiative at the college for the 2016-2017 academic year.

All first-year male students at the college will now be involved in the expanded program, according to Anthony Pope, a VGCC academic & career coach who coordinates the initiative.

Representatives of VGCC and other colleges that received the grants attended a system-wide kick-off event on Aug. 30 at Wake Technical Community College. Then, in early September, VGCC held a series of study skills workshops at all four college campuses, entitled “How to Maximize Your Study Time,” as the Male Mentoring Success Initiative’s first events of the new academic year. The VGCC Academic Skills Center collaborated with the MMSI on those workshops. Pope added that collaboration with departments throughout the college is key to the success of the initiative.

Various VGCC faculty and staff members serve as “coaches” in the program. New for this year, Pope is recruiting student “mentees” who have already completed one year at VGCC to serve as “peer mentors” to students at one of the college’s four partnering Early College high schools.

For several years, under different names, the MMSI has worked to help male students stay in school and on track to graduate or transfer to a four-year university. Pope said that events planned for this year include tours of North Carolina universities, guest speakers and educational workshops. He also hopes to take a group of students to an NBA game and send a delegation from VGCC to the National Mentoring Summit, Feb. 1-3, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

For more information on the mentoring initiative, contact Anthony Pope at popea@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3395.

 

Amnesty for Child Support Awareness Month

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WIZS News has received the following information from a Vance County Child Support Enforcement Supervisor.  In addition to the text below in bold, the supervisor said in an email, “Vance County Child Support is celebrating Child Support Awareness Month by offering Amnesty for the month of August.  We really believe that this will help some parents get back on track of making consistent child support payments.”  Please review the details below.

 

VANCE COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT  IS CELEBRATING CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH BY OFFERING AMNESTY!!

August 1st – August 31st

9:00am – 4:00pm

Do you have a Vance Co. Child Support Order for Arrest?

Avoid Arrest and Get A Fresh Start!!

Visit the Vance Co. Child Support Office

350 Ruin Creek Road

Henderson, NC  27536

(252) 431-1200

Pay $400 (per case) in the form of a money order made payable to:

Vance County Clerk of Court

Employment leads will be offered!

Your child is counting on you!

Support is Key to a child’s future!!

**You will NOT be Arrested!**

STEM now accepting applications

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Vance County Schools is now accepting applications for STEM Early High School for grades 7 and 8 for the 2016-2017 school year.

STEM is an innovative early high school that focuses on science, mathematics, engineering and technology. All students are provided with a laptop computer and work collaboratively in an environment that encourages high levels of problem solving through the use of engineering principles and creativity.

Limited space is available for students.

Applications will be accepted through July 27 at the school on the campus of Northern Vance High School or at the Vance County Schools Administrative Services Center at 1724 Graham Avenue in Henderson.

Applications are available on line at www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

Decisions regarding acceptance will be made prior to August 5, 2016.