Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Town Talk 12/16/19: Hibernia’s First Extended Camping Season Deemed a Success

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Frank Timberlake, Lead Public Affairs with the Kerr Lake Park Watch, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Following up on a press release sent to WIZS in October, Timberlake was “thrilled” to announce that the first-ever extension of Hibernia’s camping season into late fall/early winter was deemed a success.

While Timberlake said he’d “love to have some totally accurate numbers” to share with listeners, he could report that within days of the NC State Parks & Recreation’s initial announcement of the extension, over 100 reservations were made.

Prior to this year, winter camping for Kerr Lake’s seven state recreational areas was restricted to certain parts of Nutbush and Satterwhite Point. For the 2019 season, Hibernia’s Area 2 remained open through December 2.

Hibernia previously closed around October 25 each year and reopened between March 15-20.

For nine years, Timberlake said the Kerr Lake Park Watch has advocated extending the camping season as an increasing number of RVs are equipped for cold-weather camping.

“I would like to see that season extended even further, at least until December 20,” said Timberlake. “Think about the people who might come to Christmas festivals, the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center and Christmas parades if they could bring their RV and stay at Kerr Lake.”

Timberlake believes longer seasons equals more than just happier campers, as he estimates that those camping on Kerr Lake contribute approximately $100 a day to the local economy.

“After you get past October, you don’t see a whole lot of week-long campers. A Thursday, Friday and Saturday night stay, or even a Friday and Saturday night stay, add to the coffers of the state. More than that, it adds to the economic impact of Vance, Warren and maybe even Granville counties,” explained Timberlake.

The Kerr Lake Park Watch has long maintained that the salaries for rangers, maintenance and support staff for the recreation areas go year-round, so more of the parks should be open for longer seasons.

“It wouldn’t cost more because the staff is already full-time. Another cost would be the electricity used, but that is covered in the campsite fees,” Timberlake stated.

The seven state recreational areas include Kimball Point, County Line, Bullocksville, Satterwhite Point, Nutbush, Hibernia and Henderson Point. For more information on each area, including a link to make online reservations, please click here.

For more information on the Kerr Lake Park Watch, visit www.kerrlakeparkwatch.org.

To hear the interview with Timberlake in its entirety, including more on the history and accomplishments of the Kerr Lake Park Watch, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

VGCC Honors 2019 Retirees at Holiday Event

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-Information courtesy Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College honored five employees that retired in 2019 at a holiday event held on Thursday, December 12 in the VGCC Civic Center.

Retirees and their years of service to VGCC included Phyllis Bynum, 14 years of service; Faith Harris, 14 years of service; June Kersey, 8 years of service; Tina Moll, 14 years of service and Vickie W. Watkins, 14 years of service.

Fellow VGCC employees spoke on behalf of the retirees and thanked each for their hard work, commitment, and invaluable contributions.

Vance-Granville Community College honored five employees that retired in 2019 at a holiday event held on Thursday, December 12 in the VGCC Civic Center. (Front row, left to right): Phyllis Bynum, VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, Ph.D., Faith Harris. (Back row, left to right): Tina Moll and Vickie West Watkins. Not pictured, June Kersey. (VGCC photo)

NC Dept of Agriculture

NCDA&CS Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced recipients of over $1.3 million in funding from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding will be used for projects that enhance the quality of specialty crops grown in North Carolina.

North Carolina’s specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass and sod, and nursery and greenhouse crops. Grant proposals were submitted by nonprofit organizations, commodity groups, government agencies and universities.

Some of the funding went to support the N.C. Good Agricultural Practices Program and the N.C. Water Analysis Program. Carolina Farm Stewardship received funding for its project called “Increasing Competitiveness: Food Safety and Quality.”

In addition, N.C. State University received funding for the following 10 research projects:

  • Attract and Kill for Managing Brown Marmorated Stink Bug;
  • Breeding Flavorful Disease Resistant Strawberry Cultivars;
  • Comprehensive Christmas Tree Management Using Drones;
  • Elongate Hemlock Scale and Fraser Fir;
  • Heirloom–Type Tomato Hybrids for Niche-Markets;
  • Hemlock Restoration in Nurseries and Landscapes;
  • Horizontal Planting to Improve Sweet Potato Production;
  • Improving Field Production of Grafted Tomatoes;
  • Postharvest Disease Control for Export Sweet Potatoes;
  • Tulip and Dutch Iris Extended Storage

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is administered by the department and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2018 farm bill. More information about the program is available at www.NCSpecialtyCropGrant.org.

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Deputy Involved in VCMS Incident ‘No Longer Employed’ With Sheriff’s Office

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

As of December 16, 2019, the Deputy involved in the Vance County Middle School incident is no longer an employee with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

We appreciate all the concerns regarding this matter; however, we will ask that everyone remain patient while this investigation is ongoing.

This matter is under investigation with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and all questions or concerns should be directed to 1-800–334–3000.

Vance County Sheriff's Office

School Resource Officer Under Investigation for Assault on VCMS Student

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-Information courtesy the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and Vance County Schools

On December 12, 2019, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint by Vance County Schools regarding the Assault on a juvenile by a law enforcement officer. The Vance County Sheriff’s Office reviewed the videotape and referred the matter to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. 

The Deputy involved in the matter was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Vance County Schools released this statement regarding the incident:

We are aware of the incident that occurred at Vance County Middle School involving a school resource officer. We are deeply concerned about the actions that took place.

School and district officials are working closely and in full cooperation with the local authorities to address this matter consistent with school board policy and state laws. The safety of our students has been and continues to be of the utmost importance to our district.

Should you have further questions, please direct those to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

McGregor Hall to Transform Into Christmas Wonderland for Holiday Spectacular

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

Back by popular demand, the Christmas Wonderland Holiday Spectacular will bring cheer to McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Monday, December 16, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Wonderland is quite simply one of the most delightful and enchanting Christmas shows ever. Featuring glittering costumes, a dazzling cast and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the North, this performance is pure holiday magic!

Tickets for this event may be purchased by:

DROP-IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Vance Co. Schools Holds ‘Community to Schools’ Tour

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

-Information and photos courtesy Vance County Schools

On Friday, December 13, Vance County Schools held its “Community to Schools” tour. Members from the community had an opportunity to tour Dabney Elementary School, Vance County Middle School and AdVance Academy.

This was a great opportunity for the community to see the teachers in action and the normal operations of our schools. It was a successful event that we continue to hold each year.

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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-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.