Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

VGCC’s Kenneth Wilson Receives Glen Raven Award

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

-Information courtesy Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College’s Kenneth Wilson (Project Manager –  TechHire Grant) won the Glen Raven award on Thursday, December 12, 2019. He was presented with the award by VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, Ph.D.

VGCC and Glen Raven are longtime partners. The college serves the company by providing training programs for employees on subjects including management, leadership, safety and technical skills such as industrial maintenance.

A strong corporate supporter of VGCC’s Endowment Fund, Glen Raven has endowed scholarships for students as well as awards that recognize faculty and staff excellence.

Vance-Granville Community College’s Kenneth Wilson (Project Manager –  TechHire Grant) won the Glen Raven award on Thursday, December 12, 2019. He was presented with the award by VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, Ph.D. (VGCC photo)

Take the ‘Polar Plunge’ For Vance Co. Special Olympics

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

-Information and flyer courtesy Crystal Allen, Henderson-Vance Recreation Program Supervisor

The Vance County Special Olympics 2020 Polar Plunge will be held at the Satterwhite Point Glasshouse on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. that morning; jump begins at 10:30 a.m.

The inclement weather date will be Saturday, February 8, 2020.

The Polar Plunge is an event for courageous participants willing to jump into Kerr Lake in the middle of the winter, all to support and raise funds for the Special Olympics of Vance County.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with others.

All donations earned from the Polar Plunge will go to support local athletes. Individuals are required to collect a minimum of $30 to participate.

Prizes will be given for best costume (individual and team); most money raised (individual and team); and largest team.

Every participant will receive a t-shirt.

Registration forms, along with donations, are due by Friday, January 3, 2020, to Crystal Allen at the Aycock Rec. Center.

For more information on the Polar Plunge, including the registration form, please contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 or email callen@ci.henderson.nc.us.

Grace Ministries

Town Talk 12/12/19: Grace Ministries Accepting Toy Donations; Distribution Dec. 21

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Jamie Elliott, founder of Grace Ministries in Henderson, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

With the recent completion of a successful Thanksgiving event, where the ministry was able to feed approximately 5,000 people in the community, the organization now turns its attention to Christmas.

On Saturday, December 21 at 10 a.m., Grace Ministries will hold its Third Annual Toy Drive for Children at 961 Burr Street in Henderson.

According to Elliott, families in attendance will be shown a video with the story of Jesus’ birth and then will have a time of prayer. Afterward, toys will be distributed to children. Elliott said children must be in attendance to receive the toys.

Elliott thanked local businesses, such as Roses and Dollar General, for assisting with toy donations and welcomed any interested organizations or churches to volunteer or donate as well.

In addition to allowing the ministry to use the parking lot for toy collection, Elliott said the Roses location on Dabney Drive and Norlina Road, as well as local Dollar General locations, have set up boxes inside the store for customer donations.

To further support the cause, the Dollar General in Kittrell – off of US-1 – will be holding a bake sale this Saturday, December 14 with proceeds going directly to the toy donation.

Monetary donations and/or toy donations are needed for both boys and girls from toddler age up to 13 years old. Donations can be brought to a participating store or may be brought in-person to Grace Ministries (961 Burr St.) Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. or Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Elliott, who openly admits his past addiction to drugs and alcohol, said that giving back to the community in this way is a healing process and allows him “to share the hope of God’s promise, his son Jesus Christ” with the community.

In addition to community events, the ministry has ongoing, twice-weekly addiction recovery meetings.

Those struggling with addiction, or those who wish to help loved ones struggling, are encouraged to attend Grace Ministries’ 12-Step meetings on Tuesday and Friday evenings at 7 p.m.

All are welcome to attend this addiction recovery process based on biblical passages. Elliott assured listeners that no one who seeks help is judged, and all discussions are kept confidential.

For more information on Grace Ministries, visit the website at www.graceofhenderson.org. With questions or to volunteer to assist with the toy drive, please call Elliott at (252) 204-3617 or Bobby West at (252) 432-7124.

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

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Seeking Info. on I-85 Shooting

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

-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office 

On Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 11:20 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to Maria Parham Health located at 566 Ruin Creek Road in Henderson, NC in reference to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury with Intent to Kill.

The three (3) victims in this matter stated they were traveling north on Interstate 85 heading back to Henderson, North Carolina when an unknown vehicle pulled up beside them and started shooting into their vehicle.

Upon arriving at Maria Parham Health, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Deputies located two known black males at the hospital. The other known black male involved in this incident was treated at Maria Parham Health and transported to Duke Medical Center.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding this incident. Please contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252-738 2200. This investigation is continuing.

Sheriff Curtis Brame

New Phone Scam Prompts Sheriff Brame to Issue Further Warnings

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

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame is again reminding citizens to be aware of fraud, particularly gift card fraud.

Not only that, but someone, according to the Sheriff, is impersonating Brame and other deputies with a phone scam.

There has even been at least one confirmed instance of a person selling gift cards at local establishments stating he is associated with Sheriff Curtis Brame and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

Brame has said to WIZS that this is simply false. He said, “It is a scam.”

Brame also told WIZS News that buyers should use caution when purchasing “Green Dot” cards. Brame said these cards are often used in gift card scams because they are not traceable.

For the scammer, it’s the perfect cover. For the unsuspecting buyer, problems are likely to follow. Brame confirmed that in addition to being taken advantage of, the unsuspecting person becomes part of a money laundering crime.

Buyer beware! The Vance County Sheriff’s Office is in no way associated with these activities and reminds you point blank that they are scams.

Vance Co. Board of Commissioners Select New Chair, Vice Chair

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

News Brief:

Gordon Wilder was voted in as the Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners at the Board’s December 9, 2019, meeting. Dan Brummitt was voted in as Vice Chairman of the Board.

WIZS congratulates these two gentlemen on their new roles!

Gordon Wilder was voted in as the Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners at the Board’s December 9, 2019, meeting. (Co. of Vance photo)

Dan Brummitt was voted in as Vice Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners at the Board’s December 9, 2019, meeting. (Co. of Vance photo)

H-V Chamber Logo

H-V Chamber Accepting Applications for 2020 Leadership Vance Program

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

-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

It’s time to apply for Leadership Vance! If you haven’t been through the Chamber’s Leadership Vance program, you don’t want to miss the 2020 session.

Leadership Vance is a proven, structured program, designed to create a corps of informed and dedicated emerging leaders in our community. Upon graduation, program participants will be qualified to meet the present and future challenges facing Henderson and Vance County.

Leadership Vance will inform, challenge and educate participants on the opportunities and needs of the community. Participants will strengthen their leadership skills while learning about the social, economic, and political dynamics that shape our community.

Leadership Vance will encourage the development of interpersonal relationships among the participants and establish an ongoing resource network.

The intensive training and exposure to all aspects of the community will provide participants with the historical background and the skills necessary for volunteer, civic and community positions. It will also benefit participants in their business and career goals.

Individuals who live or work in Vance County are invited to apply. A select number of participants will be chosen by the Leadership Vance Selection Committee and will represent all backgrounds, occupations and geographic areas of Vance County.

To receive maximum benefit from Leadership Vance, it is essential that participants and their employers be willing to commit the time necessary for successful completion of the program. A participant is expected to attend all sessions, barring extreme emergencies. A maximum of two excused absences is permitted in order to graduate from the Leadership Vance program. All participants are expected to plan and participate as a team in a community service project.

The program cost is $350 for Chamber members and $425 for non-Chamber members. The tuition fee includes all course materials, meals, retreat expenses, travel, graduation banquet and diploma.

All participants should submit a completed application to the Chamber office no later than Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

For more information, contact Sandra Wilkerson at (252) 438-8414 or by email at sandra@hendersonvance.org.

Town Talk 12/11/19

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

New VGCC Scholarship Honors Maria Parham Guild Gift Gallery Volunteer

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Volunteers from the Guild Gift Gallery at Maria Parham Health recently presented $25,000 to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund to create a new scholarship. This scholarship — the 14th established by the Guild Gift Gallery in recent years — honors the memory of one of the volunteers, the late Vernell Champion of Henderson.

Champion passed away in November of 2018 at age 76.

In front, from left: Guild Gift Gallery volunteers Claire Catherwood, Tricia Kleczek, Gean Bobbitt, Charlotte Ayscue and Beverly Parrish. In back, from left: VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson with volunteers Fern Ellington, Stephanie Stringer, Pat Ayscue, Shaaron Reynolds, Betty Abbott, Jean Hutchins and Ralph Hutchins. Not pictured: volunteers Shannon Clark, Carol Pegram, Margie Moss, Gail Malone, Jean Norwood, Debra Smiley, Cathy Nowell, Judy Campbell, Sylvia Anderson, Linda Washburn and Anne Bunch. (VGCC photo)

“Vernell was one special lady,” her fellow gift shop volunteer Cathy Robertson remembered. “Vernell was a valuable asset to the Guild Gift Gallery for more than eight years. She was a loyal volunteer, always ready to lend a helping hand anytime, and she was a special friend to all who knew her. She was an active member of Victory Baptist Church and also of South Henderson Pentecostal Church.”

The new gift continues a tradition of the organization’s generous support for education. The volunteer-operated Guild Gift Gallery offers convenience items and gifts as a service to both patients and visitors at the hospital. Profits from sales are used to provide scholarships to people preparing to enter the health care professions.

The new VGCC scholarship will assist deserving students in programs such as Nursing, Radiography, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technology.

“Vance-Granville continues to be grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Guild Gift Gallery,” said Eddie Ferguson, VGCC’s endowment fund director. “We’re honored that we get the opportunity to celebrate the life of Mrs. Champion in this way, by helping students achieve their educational goals for years to come.”

Because the “Vernell Champion/Guild Gift Gallery at Maria Parham Presidential Scholar Award” scholarship is endowed, it will be awarded in perpetuity.

“Mrs. Champion’s legacy of volunteer service will be an inspirational example to students who receive a scholarship in her name, as they prepare to serve in the health care field,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the president of VGCC. “Thanks to volunteers like Mrs. Champion, the Guild Gift Gallery makes a significant difference in our community by supporting students in their pursuit of rewarding careers.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,700 scholarships to students since 1982.

Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education.

For more information, please call (252) 738-3409.

H-V Rec. & Parks Names New Program Superintendent, Facilities Supervisor

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-Information and photos courtesy the Henderson Vance Facebook page

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department has named Tara Goolsby as the new Recreation & Parks Program Superintendent, and Tyler Terry as the new Recreation & Parks Facilities Supervisor.

Tara Goolsby – Recreation & Parks Program Superintendent

Goolsby graduated from Warren County High School in 1998. She continued her studies at Winston-Salem State University where she graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Therapeutic Recreation.

In 2011, Goolsby obtained a position with the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Youth Services Unit, returning to the department in 2017 as the Recreation & Parks Facilities Supervisor.

She is married to Lt. JL Goolsby of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and they have two daughters, Mia and Jennifer.

Goolsby enjoys working with the Henderson-Vance community and is excited about her new position.

Tyler Terry – Recreation & Parks Facilities Supervisor

Terry graduated in 1997 from Kerr Vance Academy. She continued her education at Vance-Granville Community College where she received her degree in Criminal Justice and College Transfer. She then transferred to North Carolina State University and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology in 2002 and has spent the last 15 years at Vance County Social Services as a Social Worker.

She is married to Sterling Terry Sr. and they have 2 children, Jayden and Giuliana. Their son has played sports for the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department.

Henderson-Vance Community, please congratulate Tara on her new position and welcome Tyler to our department!