Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

The Local Skinny! Vacant County Director Roles Now Filled

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Back in February, Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry was just a few months into her new job. On top of gearing up to prepare the county’s annual budget and getting up to speed on some of the unique challenges and opportunities across the county she was now responsible for, Perry also faced having to fill a good handful of county positions, including five directors of departments.

Perry turned a negative into a positive at the time, and said back in February that she chose to see the vacancies as a chance for her to build her own leadership team.

When Vance County announced Tuesday that it had selected a new Social Services Director, that “team” is officially complete.

Sandy Weaver began her new role as DSS director effective Oct. 1, as did Jeremy T. Jones as assistanc county manager.

And Perry won’t celebrate her first anniversary as county manager until Nov. 1.

One by one, the vacancies have been filled:

·       Budget and Finance director – Stephanie Williams;

·       Animal Services manager – William Coker;

·       Planning director – Sherry Moss;

·       Elections director- Haley Rawles;

·       Economic Development director – Ferdinand A. Rouse;

·       DSS director – Sandy Weaver

·       Chief Code Enforcement Officer – Bob Rosch

The code enforcement office is located in the same office as planning, but it will function as a separate department with Rosch as the department head, county staff noted.

Local Efforts Support Hurricane Relief

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People from all over the country are responding to pleas for help from western North Carolina as relief efforts continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Crews continue to work to restore power, clear roads of mud, fallen trees and debris and take care of so many whose homes have been rendered uninhabitable.

Residents of Henderson and Vance County are stepping up to the plate to fill trucks and trailers with cleaning supplies, drinking water, food and more, which is being delivered to hard-hit areas to our west.

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce has passed along information from state officials that bears repeating as relief efforts continue.

NCDOT has declared all roads in western North Carolina “closed to non-emergency vehicles,” so it’s important to coordinate plans with state agencies like Emergency Management and Business Emergency Operations Center.

“Do not self-deploy resources or supply logistics unless you are attached to an existing NCVOAD organization. Until further notice, roads in Western NC (generally anywhere west of Hickory, NC) are closed to all traffic other than emergency services and pre-approved shipments coordinated through the BEOC,” according to information sent from the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce.

Get updates at  https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management.

In the meantime, here’s a list of donation drop-off centers in Henderson and Vance County that the Chamber provided, along with times that donations will be accepted:

  • Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 414 Raleigh Rd. – weekdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • City of Henderson – City Hall, 134 Rose Ave. weekdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Henderson Police Department, corner of Breckenridge and Chestnut streets
  • Henderson Fruit & Produce, 1215 Old Norlina Rd. – during business hours
  • Mast Family Drug Center, 418 Dabney Dr. – during business hours
  • Zeb Vance Elementary, 4800 Raleigh Rd., Kittrell, Oct. 1-4
  • Vance Charter School, 2090 Ross Mill Rd., Oct. 1-4
  • Aycock Elementary, 305 Carey Chapel Rd., Oct. 1-4
  • Fred’s Towing & Transport, 340 Industry Dr., Oct. 1-4
  • Chick-fil-A – go to Chick-fil-A app and donate. Chick-fil-A is partnering with the American Red Cross. Every dollar that’s donated will be matched up to $500,000.

Here’s a list of needed items at this time:

  • non-perishable food
  • bottled water
  • toiletries
  • pillows and blankets
  • paper products/plastic forks and spoons
  • hand sanitizer/personal hygiene products
  • wet wipes/baby wipes
  • diapers – kids and adults
  • Clorox wipes/cleaning supplies
  • large trash bags/zip lock bags
  • work gloves
  • flashlights and batteries
  • first aid supplies
  • travel size shampoo, body wash and deodorant
  • manual can openers
  • baby formula
  • bug spray
  • cat and dog food
  • laundry detergent

Vance County Names New DSS Director

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Vance County has named a new director of Social Services.

Sandy Weaver assumed the role effective today, Oct. 1.

According to County Manager C. Renee Perry, Weaver has worked in the department as the Interim Social Work Program Administrator since July 30, 2024.

In the coming months, Perry said Weaver will be working with previous interim director Wayne Black to completely transition to her new role.

“We are thrilled to have Sandy join our team,” said Perry. “Her extensive background in social services as well as management will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our county’s services and ensure the well-being of our citizens.”

She previously served as deputy director for the Johnston County Department of Social Services for four years and as the assistant director for the Cumberland County Department of Social Services for approximately three years. Before that, she was a Social Work Program Administrator and Social Work Supervisor in Scotland County for three years.

She began her Social Services career in Columbus County in 2011 and held the positions of Lead Adult Protective Services worker, Adult Home Specialist and Social Work Supervisor/Child Protective Services Facilitator. She previously served as a Hospital Social Worker and a School Social Worker.

Weaver holds both a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Master of Social Work degree from the UNC-Pembroke.

Donate Items To Hurricane Relief At Vipers’ Football Game Oct. 5

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UPDATE: Unfortunately, the game has been cancelled. AD Philip Weil, of Vance County High School, said the “game is canceled this Saturday due to the continuous impact and devastation to the East Rutherford community.”  He said, “If people have already bought supplies, we will collect and make sure the Red Cross receives them,” if the supplies are brought to campus during the week. No one will be on site Saturday.

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Vance County High School will host a Disaster Relief Rally during its varsity football game on Saturday, Oct. 5 to help the victims of flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.

The Vipers host East Rutherford High School at 2 p.m. Items may be brought between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Following is a list of items being requested:

  • bottled water
  • blanket
  • towels
  • jackets
  • canned foods, non-perishable food items
  • bug repellent
  • diapers
  • flashlights
  • personal hygiene products

Learn more at 252.430.6000 or visit https://vchs.vcs.k12.nc.us/.

Local Chamber Seeks Sponsors For ‘Shop With A Cop And Friends’

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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Shop With a Cop and Friends” is getting underway and it’s time for area businesses to help make the event another success by signing up to be an event sponsor.

The goal is to provide local law enforcement at least $7,000 to go on their annual Christmas shopping spree with disadvantaged youth in the community.

The Chamber is partnering once again with the Henderson Police Department and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office for 2024.

Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson said a celebratory social is being planned to officially kick off the Shop With a Cop program and she hopes all sponsors will be present. Details will be forthcoming.

WW Properties is this year’s Presenting Sponsor, at the $3,000 level, which includes:

  • Company name on ticket board, company name on tickets, Company recognized on social media live kickoff event and raffle drawing event, recognition in Chamber publications, recognition on news media outlets and social media and 10 tickets to Celebratory Social.

Other sponsorship opportunities are:

Gold Sponsor – $1,000

  • Company name on ticket board, Company recognition on social media live kickoff event and raffle drawing event, recognition in Chamber publications, and 5 tickets to Celebratory Social.

Silver Sponsor – $750

  • Company name on ticket board, Company recognition on social media live kickoff event and raffle drawing event and 3 tickets to Celebratory Social.

Bronze Sponsor- $500

  • Company name on ticket board and ticket and 2 tickets to Celebratory Social.

To learn more, contact the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce at 252.438.8414.

Vance Commissioner Carolyn Faines Named Vice-Chair Of Kerr-Tar COG Board

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– Information courtesy of Kerr-Tar COG Administrative and Program Assistant Christa Hight

Vance County Commissioner Carolyn Faines was named vice-chair of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Government’s board of directors at the group’s annual awards banquet Thursday evening.

About 160 attended the event from across the five-county area that comprises the KTCOG. Betty Wright of the town of Louisburg was named board chair and Warren County’s John Alston will serve as treasurer, according to information from KTCOG Administrative and Program Assistant Christa Hight.

The following awards were presented:

  • Kerr-Tar Outstanding Board Member – John Alston, Warren County
  • Outstanding Municipal Elected Official – Butner Mayor Linda Jordon
  • Outstanding County Elected Official – Granville Commissioner Russ May
  • Outstanding Manager – Franklinton Town Manager Zachary Steffey
  • Outstanding Clerk to the Board, Lynda Clayton, City of Roxboro

Derrick Sims, current chair of board of directors presided over the meeting, which was held at Festival House at the Homestead Steakhouse in Timberlake.

 

Community Info Series: Fair Housing Oct. 8

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Fair housing is the topic of the upcoming Community Info Series hosted by Baskerville Funeral Home.

Join Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Fair Housing Project for the free workshop, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Presenters include attorneys Kelly Clarke and A.D. Skaff, both of whom work with Legal Aid’s Fair Housing Project. They will share information on a variety of topics, including who is protected by the federal Fair Housing Act, who must comply and how to lodge a complaint and how to get help with housing issues.

The workshop will be held in the chapel of Baskerville Funeral Home, located at 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.

To learn more, call 252.430.6824.

Watkins Volunteer Fire Department Fundraiser Oct. 4

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The Watkins Volunteer Fire Department is cooking up plans for its fall fundraiser. Come out to the fire department, 1590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., on Friday, Oct. 4 to enjoy barbecued chicken, pork barbecue and more.

The fundraiser will begin at 11 a.m. and customers are welcome to eat in or take out.

Plates of barbecued chicken OR pork barbecue, complete with boiled potatoes, sauce, slaw, bread and dessert are $12 each; choose a combo plate with chicken AND pork for $15. One-pound containers of pork barbecue are available for $10 each.

Grace Ministries Hosts “Too Beautiful For Earth” Program Oct. 5

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Grace Ministries will host the third annual “Too Beautiful For Earth” event on Saturday, Oct. 5 at its 215 Crozier St. location.

The event will be held from 12 noon to 3 p.m. and is held to honor babies who have lost their lives due to medical complications including miscarriage, preterm birth, stillborn, birth defects, SIDS or any type of pregnancy loss.

Come out to support this effort and the families affected by this type of loss. There will be speakers, crafts, a raffle and more.

Dr. Roddy Drake Recipient Of Order Of The Long Leaf Pine

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With family, friends and colleagues looking on, W. Rodwell Drake, M.D. – Roddy – became the most recent recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Rep. Frank Sossamon presented Drake with the framed award Thursday morning on behalf of N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper.

“It’s important to recognize people who have served us and served us well,” Sossamon said in remarks before presenting the award. “Dr. Drake is one of those who’s made an impact,” he said.

Recipients of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine are selected for long-standing service to their community and to the state. Sossamon said he’d heard Drake characterized as “’the epitome of what a family physician should be’ – what a compliment,” he said.

Drake grew up in Warren County and long-time resident of Henderson, practiced medicine at Henderson Family Medicine from 1975 to 1991, when he became director of the Granville-Vance Health District.

After the ceremony, he told WIZS News that he appreciated hearing all the kind comments that came from long-time friends and from family members.

“It’s nice to be recognized,” Drake said, but “the real satisfaction is in knowing that you’ve done a good job and that you’ve been supported by a good team of workers and support from friends and others in the community that makes it all possible.”

He retired from his role as GVPH director in 2012, but Drake currently serves as interim medical director in Nash County.

“I’ll always be involved,” he said. “It’s in my blood…that’s just the way it is. Medicine has been an important part of my life.”

Friend and local attorney Jerry Stainback read a resolution that he crafted to honor the occasion, signed by several dozen friends and colleagues, to recognize Drake for “his lifelong work and standard of work, and that his friends, colleagues and coworkers desire to honor him for his outstanding achievements as a friend to all whom he meets” and for “unfailing and faithful service to his community and State.”

In his role as district health director, Drake said he always tried to make sure he made the community a priority. But over the years, he had the chance to participate in a number of statewide committees and played a large role in creating guidelines and decision-making.

Gov. James B. Hunt appointed him to the N.C. Advisory Council on Cancer Coordination Control, and he served two four-year terms working with Dr. Joseph Pagano of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer He also was a steering committee member at the N.C. Institute of Medicine to develop a 10-year plan to improve health outcomes.

Lisa Harrison, who succeeded Drake as GVPH director, also served on that steering committee. In the nomination letter, Harrison wrote, “We all applaud Dr. Drake.  We appreciate his dedication to the health of others and to the health of these rural communities. His leadership still makes such a positive difference.”

Harrison brought greetings Thursday morning from the health department – and a card signed by many staff members – and said she is grateful for “all of the wonderful things that Dr. Drake has done to keep communities healthy.”

In his remarks to those gathered, Drake said a community is strengthened by all its connections. “It takes a strong community to make good things happen,” he said. “I am so connected with all of you, not only in work, but in board work and tremendous long-lasting friendships.”

As the ceremony was winding down, Drake stood at the podium a second time to exercise his new authority as a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine – the privilege to recite the state’s toast whenever and wherever he so chooses.

Here’s to the land of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,
Here’s to “Down Home,” the Old North State!

(WIZS News would like to credit and thank Jean Thompson, Dr. Drake’s sister, with providing additional help to WIZS for this story and for the pictures you see.)