The Henderson City Council’s Land Planning Committee will meet on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss policies and receive updates, along with other issues associated with City owned properties.
The public is welcome.
Esther J. McCrackin
City Clerk – City of Henderson, NC
134 Rose Avenue
P.O. Box 1434
Henderson, NC 27536
On February 16, 2017 Henderson Wellness Center celebrated its 15th year in business with a Business After Hours event followed up by a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, February 21 assisted by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, which was held at the center’s office location on Dabney Drive. Family, friends, staff, business owners, and associates joined together to commemorate the growing practices’ success in treating and restoring a wide range of health and spinal conditions.
Dr. Brandon Taylor opened the practice originally as “Taylor Chiropractic” in February of ’02, later incorporating medical and massage services through KaKeasha Richardson, P.A.C. and Holly Nix, L.M.B.T. The addition of providers proved not only to be auxiliary but key, which he emphasized in a brief speech. “I want people to know that as a team we understand every patient’s complaint is specific to them, and those individual needs are better managed by independent or unified provider care. There are not any pre-requisites needed to see just one of us. Our goals would not be achievable without the helpful support of this community.”
Guests spent time catching up with friends, making new business contacts, enjoying some awesome food and beverage, and winning some great prizes.
For more information, please contact the Henderson Wellness Center at 252-430-8000 or check them out on the web at www.hendersonwellnesscenter.com.
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2017 Leadership Vance Program with an orientation breakfast at Vance-Granville Community College on February 7. The group also held its team building and challenge course retreat on February 23 at the Fred G. Bond Metro Park.
The Leadership Vance program is designed to inform, challenge and educate participants on the opportunities and needs of the community and to strengthen their leadership skills while teaching about the social, economic, and political dynamics that shape our community. The intensive training and exposure to all aspects of the community will provide participants with the historical background and the skills necessary for civic and community positions. The program is ultimately designed to create a group of informed and dedicated leaders who will contribute to the community.
Participants are exposed to various aspects of Henderson and Vance County, specifically in regard to city and county government, health and community resources, economic development, agriculture and natural resources, history and media and criminal justice and law.
Participants in this year’s class include: Lisa Bender, Capital Campaign Coordinator-Vance Charter School; Desiree Brooks, Advertising Director-The Daily Dispatch; Norwin Fischer, Systems Operations Manager-Walmart DC 6091; Krystal Harris, Director-Vance County Dept. of Social Services; Jennifer Jones, Sales Manager-US Cellular; Sara Lloyd, Director of Customized Training-Vance-Granville Community College; Marty McGraw, Asset Protection Manager-Walmart DC 6091; Sheri Moss, Social Worker II – Work First-Vance County Dept. of Social Services; Jason Spriggs, Water Treatment Operator-Kerr Lake Regional Water System; Paylor Spruill, Assistant to the City Manager-City of Henderson; Joy Suther, Assistant Principal – Dabney Elementary School; Tremanisha Taylor, Youth/Adult Sports Coordinator-Henderson Family YMCA; Ursula Kennedy, Director of Nursing Operations-Maria Parham Health; Tonya Verzaal-Harris, QA Area Manager-Walmart DC 6091; Jessica West, Community Services Sergeant-City of Henderson Police Department; Sallie White, Market Leader-BB&T; Chambers Williams III, Managing Editor-The Daily Dispatch.
Vance-Granville Community College has named student Paul Caroline of Louisburg as its recipient of the North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award for 2017. One student from each of the 58 colleges in the state system is honored with the award each year.
Caroline will be officially recognized at Commencement in May, when he is scheduled to graduate from the college with both an Associate in Arts degree and an Associate in Science degree. That same month, Caroline will graduate from Franklin County Early College High School. This is the second year in a row that the VGCC Academic Excellence Award has gone to a student at FCECHS.
The college partners with four Early College high school programs, one in each county of the VGCC service area. As Caroline has done, students typically finish the program in five years, simultaneously earning high school diplomas and college degrees, or up to two years of college-transferable credits.
In an essay that he wrote for the award nomination, Caroline put his academic experience into its historical context. “For my family, education has always been a privilege,” he wrote. “In the early twentieth century, laws prohibited my great-grandmother and many other African American students from advancing to the twelfth grade and earning a high school diploma. Since then, each new generation has attested to a strong commitment to the pursuit of educational opportunity.”
Caroline added that “education opens doors to a better life, and one of the greatest thresholds I have crossed on my journey thus far is the iconic archway of Vance-Granville Community College.”
He described the support he has received from faculty members at both the high school and the college as “transformative.” Caroline said that he found that learning “not only yields the power to better oneself, but the world as a whole.” He took the “Vanguard spirit” and VGCC’s commitment to students to heart, he said, by helping others as a Peer Tutor through the college’s Academic Skills Center, starting at the age of 17.
After he graduates, Caroline is set to study Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, the prestigious Ivy League institution, with a full QuestBridge scholarship, which he described as “a first” for his community. “In my personal journey, Vance-Granville Community College has been a stepping-stone to making an Ivy League education possible,” Caroline said.
His twin brother, Peter, is also a Franklin County Early College High School student. Peter is likewise set to graduate with both an Associate in Arts degree and an Associate in Science degree from VGCC and will continue his education at Stanford University with a full QuestBridge scholarship.
“Paul’s hard work and dedication to excellence have earned him a place among the top community college students in North Carolina,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC. “He is an outstanding representative of both Vance-Granville and Franklin County Early College High School, and we know he will continue to make us proud as a student at one of our country’s elite institutions of higher learning.”
–VGCC–
Vance-Granville Community College will soon host a pair of free programs for the public to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. These educational programs are being facilitated by the Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter.
Both events are set to be held on Tuesday, March 21, in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County (located at exit 209 on Interstate 85). First, “The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease” will be offered from 10-11 a.m. “Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors” follows from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The first workshop is designed for anyone who would like to know more about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, which are not a normal part of aging.
The second workshop focuses specifically on behavior, one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as their ability to use language deteriorates. Some behaviors can present challenges for caregivers to manage. Attendees will learn to “decode” behaviors, identify common behavior triggers and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.
VGCC Dean of Health Sciences Angela Thomas and Human Services Technology (HST) program head Tracy Wallace have collaborated with the Raleigh-based Alzheimer’s Association chapter to bring these programs to campus. The HST program, accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education, is based at VGCC’s South Campus between Creedmoor and Butner. The curriculum prepares students for entry-level positions in institutions and agencies which provide social, community, and educational services. In addition to a general HST track and a Substance Abuse track, VGCC offers a Gerontology track, which prepares students to specialize in direct service delivery work to older adults and their families.
To register for one or both of the free March 21 programs, visit bit.ly/2lyqCIp for the first and bit.ly/2lrBB9V for the second, or call 1-800-272-3900.
For more information, contact the Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter at 919-803-8285 or Tracy Wallace at (252) 738-3519.
–VGCC–
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Henderson Lions – The Henderson Lions will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Henderson Country Club. The speaker will be Lion Bill Graham from Leader Dog. To learn more or join the Lions and be part of an active community service organization, contact any Lions Club member or President Randy Oxendine at 252-438-8034.
Thanks,
Randy
Press Release
Henderson, NC– On November 6, 2016 officers with the Henderson Police Department were called to investigate a report of domestic violence alleged to have occurred at the home of Mayor Eddie Ellington. When the responding officer arrived on scene he called his supervisor. Officers on scene spoke with Cheri Wheeler Ellington. After observing no evidence of physical abuse, officers advised Mrs. Ellington about the procedure for securing warrants if she so desired.
On November 8, 2016, warrants were issued charging Edward H. Ellington with assault on a female and communicating threats.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ellington, after consultation with their respective civil attorneys, have requested that the charges against Edward. H. Ellington be dismissed.
Attempts to speak with Mrs. Ellington went unanswered. However, after consultation with Cheri Wheeler Ellington’s civil attorney, District Attorney Michael D. Waters’ office has decided to not prosecute Mr. Ellington.
The decision reflects the desires of the parties and the police reports which indicated a lack of physical abuse.
Michael Waters
A meeting will be held on Thursday, March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the Lower Café. This meeting is for current 8th graders and their parents at Vance Charter School. Mary Mangum will be discussing course registration for high school.
Please contact Mary Mangum with any questions concerning this meeting and the HS Registration process.
Mary Mangum
School Counselor
mangumm@vancecharter.org
HENDERSON, N.C. (February 24, 2017)—Since opening one year ago, the stage at McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center in Henderson, N.C., has opened its curtains to a broad array of acts from Grammy-winning recording artist to local community plays. But, on March 11th at 8:00 p.m., the theater will host Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!, a high-energy showcase that includes some of the countries fastest tap dancers.
Will the stage floor, which was built above a special rubber padding in order to support high-impacts, be able to handle this stomping? Folks of all ages are encouraged to find out for themselves as Rhythmic Circus puts the stage floor of McGregor Hall to the test.
Rhythmic Circus is made up of a seven-piece funk band, a beatboxer, and four incredibly talented tap dancers, according to McGregor Hall Executive Director Tommy Deadwyler. “Their show, Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!, is a joyous parade of genre-hopping music and hard-hitting percussive dance. With catchy original songs and bright, colorful costumes, Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! will have the whole family tapping their toes.” Deadwyler noted that the performance is especially entertaining for all ages and relevant for dance enthusiasts.
Those aspiring dancers throughout the region will have an opportunity to meet the performers of Rhythmic Circus in person, according to Deadwyler, who is offering special student discounts with “meet and greet” passes as well as group discounts to dance studios and other assemblies of 10 or more. “This is a special occasion for local dance enthusiasts in our area to network with professional, touring dancers and learn more about their talents and their craft.”
Rhythmic Circus will perform Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! at McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center on March 11th at 8 p.m. 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, including group rates and student discounts, contact McGregor Hall’s Executive Director Tommy Deadwyler at (252) 598-0662 or email him at tommydeadwyler@mcgregorhall.org.
According to a Vance County employee, the on-again-off-again smoke visible west of Henderson is a controlled burn. WIZS News was told that the controlled burn is taking place on Fairport Road. One hundred or more acres are believed to be part of the controlled burn by the North Carolina Forestry Service.
The smoke was visible at times from Ruin Creek Road and Dabney Drive early this afternoon. The story cover photo was taken at the intersection of Vance Academy Road and U.S. 158 Business. Thick puffy clouds make the actual smoke harder to see.
