Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., Feb. 3

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, February 3, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson. The Invocation will be given by Rev. Joseph Ratliff of Shiloh Baptist Church.

Agenda items include:

1. Public Comments

2. Appointment – 6 p.m. – Derek Smith, NCDOT – Update on Litter Abatement Programs

3. Appointment – 6:15 p.m. – Stuart Hill, Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. – FY 2018-2019 Audit Report

4. Water District Board

a. Committee Report
b. Monthly Operations Report

5. Committee Reports and Recommendations

a. Properties Committee
– Boiler Replacement – Eaton Johnson Gym
– Dennis Building – Light Post Repair
– Eaton Johnson – Updated Architectural Fees
– Eaton Johnson Project Update

b. Intergovernmental Committee
– City/County Joint Programs and Partnerships
– McGregor Hall Funding Request
– Downtown Wi-Fi

6. Finance Director’s Report

a. Surplus Property
b. Purchase of New Ambulance
c. Campbell Oil Lease/Contract

7. County Attorney’s Report

a. REO Properties – New Offers – 318 Rowland Street – Parcel 0073 04002

8. County Manager’s Report

a. Resolution – Black History Month
b. Semi-Annual Jail Inspection Report

9. Consent Agenda Items

a. Budget Amendments and Transfers
b. Tax Refunds and Releases
c. Ambulance Charge-Offs
d. Monthly Reports
e. Minutes

10. Miscellaneous

a. Appointments
b. March Meeting Date

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

Town Talk 01/30/20: First Aid & CPR Save Lives When Minutes Matter

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Jim Gunderson, First Aid and CPR trainer with Durham-based Divers Alert Network (DAN), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

While Gunderson reported that a perhaps surprising 20 percent of Americans have received First Aid and CPR training, he stressed the importance of the remainder of the general public having at least a basic knowledge of how to properly assist someone experiencing an emergency.

“The average response time for EMS to arrive in an urban setting is seven minutes,” explained Gunderson. “It’s 14 minutes, on average, in a rural setting. In a cardiac event, like a heart attack, for every minute you don’t have basic aid, there is a nine percent decrease in neurological recovery.”

These sobering statistics show that “every minute counts; the faster you can get care started, even before EMS arrives, the better chance that person has of surviving.”

Unfortunately, even a well-trained, experienced person administering CPR will have a low chance of successfully reviving the victim, according to Gunderson. “When you perform CPR without an AED or an automated external defibrillator, it’s about a seven percent chance of them surviving. With an AED, the survival rate goes up to as high as 25 percent.”

AEDs are now a staple in many offices and public buildings and can be used on those experiencing a cardiac emergency. The device delivers an electric shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective beating rhythm.

Even though the chances of survival are low, Gunderson said having more of the public trained on First Aid and CPR is worth the effort, especially considering it could be your spouse, child or other loved one who benefits from your training.

According to Gunderson, 70 percent of cardiac events happen in the home, with 10,000 events happening annually in the workplace. Gunderson said Good Samaritan laws help protect those that render aid to the best of their ability from possible litigation.

“Whether it’s saving a life or just making them more comfortable, it’s very rewarding to know that you’ve helped a person,” he said.

First Aid and CPR classes are frequently offered by DAN, the American Red Cross, county health departments, community colleges and first responder units. Gunderson suggested taking a look at your neighborhood events or calling your local organizations to enquire about class offerings and cost. Costs typically range from $5 to $40 depending on the qualifications sought.

“At the bare minimum, I recommend people get trained in full CPR, which is chest compressions and ventilation,” Gunderson said. “They should also be taught to use an AED and how to deal with airway obstructions that cause choking. For basic First Aid skills, they should know how to stop bleeding, how to treat shock and how to splint a suspected break.”

Classes should be taught by qualified instructors and need to be American Heart Association (AHA) and International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) compliant.

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

American Flag

Vance County BOE Releases Notice of Primary Election

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-Information courtesy the Vance County Board of Elections

NOTICE OF PRIMARY ELECTION – VANCE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

A primary election will be held on March 3, 2020, in Vance County to vote on the candidates for the offices of:

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Presidential Preference, US Senate, US House of Representatives District 4, NC Governor, NC Lieutenant Governor, NC Auditor, NC Commissioner of Agriculture, NC Superintendent of Public Instruction, NC Treasurer, NC District Court Judge District 9 (if you live in that district), School Board District 3 and District 5 (if you live in those districts)

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Presidential Preference, US Senate, US House of Representatives District 1 and District 4, NC Governor, NC Lieutenant Governor, NC Attorney General, NC Auditor, NC Commissioner of Insurance, NC Commissioner of Labor, NC Secretary of State, NC Superintendent of Public Instruction

LIBERTARIAN PRIMARY

Presidential Preference

CONSTITUTION PRIMARY

Presidential Preference

GREEN PRIMARY

Presidential Preference

Polls will open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. One-Stop early voting will be held at the Vance County Board of Elections Office and Henderson Operational Center.

One-stop early voting will start on Thursday, February 13, 2020, and end on Saturday, February 29, 2020. On Thursday, February 13, 2020, and Friday, February 14, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at both locations; Monday, February 17, 2020 – Friday, February 21, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at both locations; Monday, February 24, 2020 – Friday, February 28, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at both locations; Saturday, February 29, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Absentee ballots are allowed.  Requests for an absentee ballot must be made on a State Board of Elections Absentee Request Form, available at the County Board of Elections office and at both one-stop early voting sites, and received in the Vance County Board of Elections office or either one-stop early voting site by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the Vance County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

All residents of Vance County who are registered to vote with the Vance County Board of Elections may vote in this election. Voters who are previously registered need not re-register for this election. Those voters who are registered as unaffiliated may vote in the DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLICAN, OR LIBERTARIAN PRIMARY ELECTION. They CANNOT vote in the CONSTITUTION PRIMARY OR GREEN PRIMARY.

Unaffiliated voters will be given a choice of ballot at the polling places.

Those residents of Vance County who are not registered to vote must register on or before Friday, February 7, 2020, in order to be eligible to vote on Election Day. Those voters who are not registered by Friday, February 7, 2020, may register and vote during one-stop early voting only and will be required to provide documentation of their identity and residence.

Voters who wish to change their party affiliation or who have changed their name or address must notify the Board of Elections in writing by Friday, February 7, 2020. Voters who fail to notify the Board of Elections of a change to their name or address must update their information when presenting to vote and may be required to vote a provisional ballot.

Voters who require assistance with casting their ballot are entitled to assistance by an appropriate person of their choice or an election official. Registration facilities and polling places are accessible to the elderly and handicapped. Curbside voting is available for voters who are not physically able to enter the polling place.

Persons with questions about registration, location of polling places, absentee ballots, early voting at One-Stop locations or other election matters may call the Vance County Board of Elections Office at (252) 492-3730 Monday thru Friday.

VGCC Set Stage for Graduate to Succeed in Nursing Career

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Brittni Griffin had a career goal in mind from a young age. “In the fifth grade, I decided what my purpose in life was,” Griffin said. “I was determined to become a registered nurse.”

Brittni Griffin graduated in May of 2015 with her Associate Degree in Nursing from Vance-Granville Community College. Today, she is employed as a clinical team lead for a unit at Duke University Hospital. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

She eventually learned that her local community college could help make that dream a reality. In her senior year of high school, Griffin was accepted to Vance-Granville Community College and soon began taking the prerequisite courses that she would need before entering the selective Associate Degree Nursing program.

“In the spring of 2012, I had completed all the required courses that were needed for the ADN program, and I applied for entry into the program,” she recalled. “I was one person away from being able to enter the program, which meant I had to wait until the following year to try again.” Despite her disappointment, Griffin persisted and was accepted into the college’s ADN program the following year.

“I graduated in May of 2015 with my Associate Degree in Nursing,” she said. Griffin also served as president of her graduating class. Now, she could finally achieve her longtime goal of becoming a registered nurse. Griffin had accepted a job offer in nursing from Duke University Hospital even before she graduated.

“I started my career at Duke in August 2015,” she said. “In January of 2016, I jumped into taking one course at a time to start my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.” The additional degree would allow Griffin to advance in her career and actually brought her back to VGCC to take courses that would transfer to the four-year university level. She was accepted into the University of North Carolina at Charlotte BSN program in 2017 and graduated in May of 2018.

“In October 2018, I accepted a job offer as the clinical team lead of another unit at Duke University Hospital,” Griffin said. “As the clinical team lead, I act as the assistant nurse manager. I complete payroll, conduct counseling with employees, develop educational material for staff, and much more. Thanks to Vance-Granville Community College’s outstanding Nursing program, I was set up for success upon graduation. I am proud to tell people that I graduated from VGCC’s ADN program and refer people to apply often.”

VCS Superintendent Jackson, Wife Establish Education Scholarship

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

The Vance County Public School Foundation announced a new scholarship was established in honor of Mrs. Marvel F. Jackson and Mary H. Allen, the parents of Dr. Anthony Jackson and wife, Dr. Tawannah Allen Jackson, for their life-long passion for education.

VCPSF Treasurer Danny Wright (left) and VCPSF President Col. Archie Taylor, Jr (right) are pictured with Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson (center), as he presents the check to the Vance County Public School Foundation. (VCS photo)

The Allen Jackson Scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving junior in college pursuing a degree in education. The candidate should be a Vance County Schools graduate with the intention of returning to teach in our district upon completion of their degree.

Vance County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Jackson and wife, Dr. Tawannah Allen Jackson, are funding the scholarship through the Vance County Public School Foundation. Both have a passion for education themselves, giving their time and talents to enriching those in the profession and building others considering the field of education.

They have gifted $2,000 to begin the Allen Jackson Scholarship, with a commitment of $10,000 over the next 5 years. The foundation has established a committee to develop a process for awarding the scholarship beginning in 2021.

NCCU-VGCC Agreement Supports Growing Life Sciences Industry

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Vance-Granville Community College leaders signed an agreement on January 28, 2020, opening the doors for more students to earn the Bachelor of Science in pharmaceutical sciences.

The memorandum of understanding is part of North Carolina’s Pathways to Success program and sets up a streamlined process for graduates of Vance-Granville’s two-year bioprocess technology associate of applied sciences degree to transfer those credit hours to NCCU’s baccalaureate program, entering as juniors.

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye and Vance-Granville Community College president Dr. Rachel Desmarais signed an agreement on January 28, 2020, opening the doors for more students to earn the Bachelor of Science in pharmaceutical sciences. (VGCC photo)

“Training scientists for the pharmaceutical industry is vitally important for the region’s economy and a strong priority at the university’s Biomanufacturing Research and Technology Enterprise (BRITE),” said NCCU Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye.

“By partnering with Vance-Granville Community College, we have increased the pipeline of top students entering NCCU who will complete their Bachelor of Science degree in pharmaceutical sciences. We hope that many stay on, as well, to earn a master’s or a doctorate in integrated biosciences.”

As part of the two-campus agreement, Vance-Granville students can get ahead by taking NCCU coursework prior to officially entering the university. Options include a summer lab-skills workshop, externships at BRITE, and Stackable Credentials to Strengthen the Pathway to Biopharma, an online certificate program offering instruction in regulatory sciences, project management and other knowledge specific to the biopharma industry.

Akinleye and Desmarais shake hands after signing an agreement furthering the partnership between NCCU and VGCC. (VGCC photo)

“We are delighted to enhance our current partnerships with NCCU by providing a new pathway for VGCC bioprocessing graduates to obtain a four-year degree in pharmaceutical science,” said Vance-Granville President Rachel Desmarais. “NCCU is a valuable partner in creating pathways to success for our students.”

The Stackable Credentials program, which has a number of components, receives funding from NIIMBL, the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, which contributed more than $400,000 in 2018 to boost the university’s ability to train researchers, technicians and others for the life sciences field.

Biotechnology and life-sciences are among North Carolina’s fastest-growing industry segments, employing more than 75,000 workers with average annual salaries of $90,000, twice the state average. Since 2008, life-sciences employment has increased by more than 19% statewide and is expected to continue to grow as more biological products are used in drug research, development and production processes. A 2018 survey by Deloitte projects that as many as 60% of jobs in pharmaceutical manufacturing will be lacking qualified candidates to fill them by 2025.

“There are a number of career opportunities that our VGCC bioprocessing graduates will be exposed to while completing the degree in pharmaceutical science at NCCU,” said Levy Brown, vice president of Learning, Student Engagement and Success at Vance-Granville.

BRITE Director Hernan Navarro said the institute’s workforce-development approach to education is part of its mission.

“Today’s agreement gives BRITE the opportunity to expand its student base and gives Vance-Granville Community College students a way to advance their careers, so it’s great for both,” he added.

Faculty and staff thanked for their work on the project were Vance-Granville’s Bioprocesses Program Director Stewart Lyon and Dean of Arts and Sciences Cecilia Wheeler, along with NCCU Pharmaceutical Science professors Kevin Williams and Andy Li, and BRITE academic recruiter Natacha Janvier-Derilus.

Crossroads Christian School

Town Talk 01/28/20: Trey Snide Named CCS Colts’ Head Baseball Coach

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

WIZS’ own Trey Snide, the recently named varsity head baseball coach for the Crossroads Christian School Colts, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Snide said it was a conversation with the Colts’ athletic director Scottie Richardson on WIZS’ Sports Mayhem program that started the ball rolling. “They were looking for a baseball coach; it was vacant. About two weeks after that show, Scottie reached out to me and said he’d love to talk to me about the possibility of being the coach. We met at a restaurant here in town and he pitched the entire Crossroads culture to me.”

While baseball and softball have been part of the Colts’ athletic offerings for years, Snide said the school is looking to build a larger culture of excellence in these programs. “I love what they have going on at Crossroads. I love the culture they are focused on building.”

The opportunity to grow the baseball program appeals to Snide who said he was excited to “take my ideas of how I believe a baseball team should be and how they should act and build it from the ground up.”

Snide’s past coaching experience includes serving as the football coach at Dillard Drive Middle School in Raleigh, the basketball coach for the former Johnston Christian Academy in Smithfield and heavy involvement in the various sports programs at his alma mater, Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC, a private college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

With baseball season around the corner, meetings with interested players and training sessions began four months ago, including practices over Christmas break. “I told the guys that we are here to build something special. Myself and assistant coaches Wes Collier and Robin Capps are dedicated to making it work,” said Snide.

The Colts’ first official day of spring sports begins February 10. The first game will be played at home on March 3 at 4 p.m. against Crescent Christian Academy. The team schedule is available at www.ccscolts.org.

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

Vance County Schools Partners with Perry Memorial Library

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools and Perry Memorial Library are partnering to support students’ ongoing education. We share the belief that a love of books and learning is a strong foundation for student success and we are working together to provide every Vance County Schools student access to books and resources found at their public library.

Beginning March 1, 2020, all Vance County Schools students will be able to use their Student ID number to access and borrow public library books and resources. We are calling this initiative StudentAccess. There is additional information available on our website at www.vcs.k12.nc.us, as well as the opt-out form if you wish for your child to not participate.

Next No Charge Food Distribution Scheduled for Thurs., Feb. 13

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-Information courtesy Betty Boyd, First Baptist Church

The Second Thursday No Charge Food Distribution will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2020, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, off Beckford Drive in Henderson.

Participants remain in their vehicles and volunteers place a box of fresh fruits and vegetables inside the car at no cost to the recipient. No identification is required, and no information is collected.

An area partnership of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, NC Cooperative Extension Office, Vance County Social Services and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC, the monthly distribution supplements the food resources of the Vance County community.

Town Talk 01/27/20: District 3 School Board Incumbent Dorothy Gooche On-Air

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Dorothy Gooche, the incumbent candidate for Vance County Schools Board of Education, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Serving on the school board since 2010, Gooche faces challenger Sean A. Alston, Sr. for the District 3 seat in the March 3, 2020 primary. Gooche also currently serves on the Board’s Curriculum Committee, Building & Grounds Committee and Community & Business Relations Committee.

Graduating from the Henderson Institute in 1965 and working at Vance-Granville Community College for 32 years before retiring in 2006, Gooche said her ten-year service to the school board has allowed her to continue her passion – helping young people.

“My greatest interest is the students and their academic achievements,” said Gooche. “I believe the children come first, and I strive to make sure that the decisions that are made for the students by the Board are in the best interest of the child.”

Gooche said the positive atmosphere created by VCS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson, his administrative staff and school board members has led to a cohesive team. “I like working with the team that we have; we work well together and have gotten a lot accomplished.”

In fact, Gooche explained that the Board is working together right now to consider the cost and feasibility of moving the current STEM Middle School program. Board members were recently given a tour of the former Henderson Middle School (HMS) facility and later discussed the possibility of relocating the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program from its current location inside Vance County High School to the former HMS building.

“It is anticipated that both the high school’s enrollment and STEM’s enrollment will grow,” said Gooche. “This move could give the STEM program more space to set up its own labs and have its own cafeteria.”

At its recent meeting, with a unanimous vote of 7-0, the Board approved a motion to proceed with a cost study of moving the STEM program to the former HMS building.

The winner of the March election will undoubtedly be involved in further discussions about the relocation of the STEM program as well as the future of the former HMS building.

The only other school board position that faces opposition is the District 5 seat, where incumbent Linda Cobb faces challenger Clementine Hunter. Hunter previously resigned from the District 5 position and Cobb was appointed to the Board.

For the 2020 election, Cobb is running as incumbent and Hunter filed to re-enter the race as the challenger. WIZS has invited Cobb and Hunter to participate in similar Town Talk interviews.

To hear the interview with Gooche in its entirety, including discussion on recent events involving the school system, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

(This is not a paid political advertisement. Challenger Sean A. Alston, Sr. participated in an interview of equal time with WIZS on January 9, 2020.)