Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Concerned Bikers Association (CBA) in Support of Bills to Improve Safety

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Members of the Concerned Bikers Association (CBA) were on Thursday’s edition of WIZS Town Talk program to discuss their support of four proposed NC House bills that would grant more freedom and ensure better safety precautions for motorcyclists.

According to Charlie Boone, legislative director for the state CBA, the group’s primary mission is “to get legislation introduced that is favorable to motorcyclists and to try to put a stop to legislation that is not favorable.”

Boone said the CBA is in support of current House Bill 144 or the “Hands-Free NC” Act that would place restrictions on making cell phone calls while operating a motor vehicle. Exceptions would include the use of a speakerphone, Bluetooth or similar hands-free technology; texting while driving in NC is already illegal.

Members of the Concerned Bikers Association (CBA) were on Thursday’s edition of WIZS Town Talk program to discuss their support of four proposed NC House bills that would grant more freedom and ensure better safety precautions for motorcyclists. Pictured left to right: Charlie Boone, legislative director for the CBA, WIZS’ Brandi Leigh Beck, David Whitfield, vice president of the Granville Co. Chapter of the CBA, and Johnny Brogden, president of the Granville Co. Chapter of the CBA. (WIZS photo)

The CBA also stands behind House Bill 104 that addresses grass clippings from mown lawns being blown into roadways.

Admitting that many people aren’t aware of the dangers this presents to motorcyclists and bicyclists, Boone said clippings, especially wet clippings, can become very slick and cause accidents.

“This started out as a very simple bill, then became very complicated, and now we’ve gotten it back to a simple bill again, said Boone. “It seems people are more concerned about who is liable and what it’s going to cost them than they are with lives that are going to be saved by passing this very simple bill.”

Another long-discussed law change that the CBA supports is House Bill 257 or the “Motorcycle/Face Mask bill.” Under current law, it is illegal for anyone in NC to cover their face or hide their identity while out in public.

The CBA would like to see an exception to this law that allows motorcyclists to wear a mask in cold weather to protect their face from the elements. “This bill has gone through the House and is waiting for the Senate to take action later this year,” explained Boone.

Perhaps the most controversial of the bills the CBA supports, the “Freedom of Choice” Bill would allow motorcyclists the choice to wear a helmet or go without while riding. To be eligible for this choice, riders would be required to have a motorcycle endorsement on their license for at least a year or successfully complete the required safety course.

According to Boone this topic has always been controversial and has been a discussion among motorcycle groups and the State Legislature for years.

“People are under the mistaken idea that their health and vehicle insurance will rise in cost if we pass the Freedom of Choice Bill. Statistics do not bear that out,” said Boone.

Boone said the group is hopeful that the bill will be heard next week in the House’s Transportation Committee hearing.

In addition to offering NC motorcyclists the freedom to ride helmetless, Boone believes the passing of this bill could bring in tourism dollars from out-of-state riders who want the same freedom.

To hear the Town Talk interview with the CBA in its entirety, click here.

Vance Co. Cancer Survivors are Invited to Relay for Life Survivors’ Dinner

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-Information courtesy Hope Breedlove, Relay For Life Survivor Committee Co-Chair

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Vance County will take place Saturday, June 22, 2019, in Downtown Henderson from 4:30 – 9 p.m.

Relay For Life is a community event to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has taken too much.

The Survivor Lap will take place at 6:30 p.m. and all cancer survivors are invited to participate. As a cancer survivor, you’ll be a guest of honor and cheered on by your community. Caregivers are also a major part of Relay For Life events and are honored for their support. Please plan to attend this special event!

We would also like to invite you to the 2019 Survivor Dinner being held on Friday, May 3 at 6 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church.

You are welcome to bring one guest to this dinner. You must RSVP by April 29! To RSVP you may:

Call: (919) 334-5221 (you may leave the details in a message) OR email: Sue.Cain@cancer.org

You will need to provide:

  1. Your name and phone number
  2. Will you bring a guest?
  3. Your shirt size

Your prompt RSVP will ensure we have enough food and survivor t-shirts for everyone attending.

Survivors, caregivers and walkers are welcome to register for Relay For Life online at www.RelayForLife.org/VanceNC or by calling 1-800-227-2345 (choose option #2 from the menu).

At the survivor dinner, we will have paper registration forms in case anyone is unable to register online or via the 800 number. The dinner RSVP and event registration are separate because all event participants for the Relay For Life walk are required to agree to a legal waiver.

Remember, to attend the Relay For Life of Vance County Survivor Dinner you must RSVP by April 29. Please call (252) 436-1605 or (252) 425-8362 if you have any questions.

NC Coop Extension

Citizens Needed for ‘Community Voices’ Program

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-Press Release, Vance County Cooperative Extension   

Communities everywhere need more people to step forward and lead their neighborhoods to solutions for issues and problems they are facing. The City of Henderson and surrounding areas in Vance County need concerned citizens who are willing to lend themselves to community-­wide dialogue and problem-solving. “Community Voices” can show you the way.

“Community Voices” provides free leadership development for public decision making. It helps ordinary people build leadership skills, teaches problem-­solving skills which help to get things accomplished. It develops decision making which brings people together and strengthens the skills and talents of individuals with untapped leadership potential. It gives community members an actionable, self-­directed training program.

On Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at 6 p.m., a public kick-off session will be held at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market located at 210 Southpark Dr. in Henderson (off Beckford Dr.). Please join us to find out how “Community Voices” can help your community pinpoint issues and problems and move forward.

Concerned citizens, existing community leaders, and representatives from all community-based organizations are encouraged to attend. The goal of this kick-off is to introduce the “Community Voices” program and give residents the chance to define the issues they face, collectively as a community, and to find ways to solve them.

The program is sponsored by Vance County Cooperative Extension and the Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University. Please register by calling Turner Pride, County Extension Director, at (252) 438-8188 or email turner_pride@ncsu.edu and invite friends as well.

ReBuild Communities NC to Offer Free Renewable Energy Training

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-Information and flyer courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

ReBuild Communities NC will offer a free renewable energy training April 22 – 26, 2019, at the Rebuild Communities location – 117 Church St. in Henderson.

This 40-hour course takes place over five days with 8 hours of instruction per day (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.).

Successful completion of this course qualifies participants to sit for the NABCEP PV Associate Exam. Graduates are eligible for job placement assistance provided by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center.

Seating is limited to the first 25 responders.

For more information, call (252) 598-0016 or visit www.rebuildcommunitiesnc.org

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Carolina Fellows Family Dentistry Staff Talk Oral Cancer Awareness Month

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Sandra Micou, office manager, and Brooke Arrington, dental hygienist, with Carolina Fellows Family Dentistry, were on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss April’s designation as Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

Part of the Granville Vance Public Health Department, Carolina Fellows Family Dentistry is a non-profit dentistry clinic serving Granville and Vance County residents of all ages, both the insured – through Medicaid or private insurance – and the uninsured. The recently opened dental office is located at 115 Hilltop Village in Oxford.

In addition to keeping their patients’ teeth healthy, Micou and Arrington said their office also strives to help patients prevent oral cancer of the mouth and throat.

“Oral cancer is usually caught by your dentist who will do a cancer screening during your normal cleanings,” said Micou. “This is one reason it’s so important to be seen every six months.”

According to Micou, over 50,000 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and throat are diagnosed each year with an estimated 10,000 deaths occurring annually. In the U.S., it is believed that the 5-year survival rate is approximately 65% and depends on how early the cancer is found.

“Unfortunately, people don’t always go to see their dentist regularly; by the time it’s detected, it’s often pretty advanced and has spread to other parts of the body,” Micou said.

Arrington provided listeners with a list of oral cancer signs to be aware of, including:

  • Lesions in the throat or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal
  • Persistent red or white patch, lump, or thickening in the throat or mouth
  • Ear pain
  • Neck masses or wart-like masses
  • Hoarseness lasting for a long time
  • Numbness in the oral/facial region
  • Coughing up blood
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the tongue or jaw (often late-stage symptoms)

Oral cancer rates for women have also greatly increased over the past decade, according to Micou. “Previously, oral cancer affected men 6-to-1 over women; now we are seeing 2-to-1 ratios.”

Micou said one explanation for this increase could be the prevalence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), especially among those who were born before the HPV vaccine was readily made available.

According to the CDC website, HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can lead to several classifications of cancer, including oral. It is considered the most common STI, and it is estimated a large majority of the population has been exposed to the virus.

HPV vaccines are recommended for boys and girls ages 11-12, with catch-up vaccines encouraged through age 26.

Micou also reported that oral cancer occurs twice as often in the African-American population that in the white population, with 5-year survival rates being lower at only 33%.

One of the biggest risk factors for oral cancer – tobacco use – is especially high with the use of smokeless products that alter the oral tissue such as chewing tobacco or snuff, said Arrington.

Other risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, HPV infections and diets low in fruits and vegetables.

Arrington said using tobacco products while drinking excessive amounts of alcohol increases your chance of developing oral cancer 30-fold.

To help prevent oral cancer, avoid risk factors such as smoking, using smokeless tobacco products and drinking alcohol, receive the HPV vaccine, eat a healthy diet, complete a monthly oral self-assessment and get regular oral exams from your dentist.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Sandra Micou and Brooke Arrington in its entirety, click here.

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Commissioners’ Meeting: Rezoning, RVs & Former Middle School Buildings

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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen provided WIZS News with a summary of the Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting held on Monday, April 1, 2019. McMillen’s reported highlights from the meeting include:

“We didn’t have any public comments but did have one individual who came back from last month to voice their opinion against the discussed rezoning. Their basis was not wanting commercial activity in a traditionally residential area. The commissioners tabled this matter one additional time and requested that the applicant provide a valid survey of the area to be rezoned with the idea of keeping half of the property on the Edwards Road side as Residential and rezoning the half facing US 1 bypass as General Commercial. It appears the board is open to the rezoning once this is provided, but they have made no decisions. I would anticipate a decision on this at the May 6 board meeting if a survey is provided.”

The board set two public hearings for the May 6 meeting for potential amendments to the zoning ordinance to allow accessory structures in front yards and also one concerning RV/Camper Regulations.

“I believe the bigger one may be the RV/Camper Regulations and I could anticipate some board discussion on this next month. For the most part, the question concerns regulations vs. property owner rights. The proposed amendment would eliminate the temporary use of RV/Campers outside of RV Parks. The state already prohibits permanent living in RVs/Campers. This will most likely have an effect on someone who owns a vacant lot and brings their camper/RV for a weekend or during the summer.”

In regards to moving the Vance County Department of Social Services to the former Eaton Johnson Middle School building:

“We are continuing our negotiations with the school system and I believe this will move forward very soon. Our board did proceed last night to authorize me to negotiate a contract with Oakley, Collier Architects to get the ball rolling on this project.

Regarding Henderson Middle School, the board declined the school systems offer to provide the building to the county at a fair market or negotiated price. For the most part, our board felt it would be difficult financially to take on both Eaton Johnson and Henderson Middle School at the same time. Our commissioners did offer to assist the school system with any costs to ensure the building is added to the historical register to ensure the architectural character is maintained.”

‘Charlotte’s Web’ Tickets Still Available for Weekend Performances

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Tickets are still available for this weekend’s heartwarming performance of the literary classic “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center!

Two performances will be available for schools at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019.*

*Approximate length: 2 hrs, 15 mins

FAMILIES – make it a family night/afternoon at the theater by attending the shows on Saturday, April 6 at 8 p.m. or Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are still available!

Tickets 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)

VGCC’s 35th Golf Tournament, Presented by CertainTeed, Set for May 7

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, and part of that celebration involves marking another milestone: the college’s 35th Annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament, scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Henderson Country Club.

For the first time, CertainTeed of Oxford will serve as the event’s presenting sponsor. All proceeds support the mission of the college and fund student scholarships.

“Since its inception in 1985, the VGCC golf tournament has grown into a wonderful tradition and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the college, thanks to the generosity of numerous golfers and sponsors,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “We appreciate the strong commitment demonstrated by CertainTeed in partnering with us as the tournament’s presenting sponsor, which will enhance our ability to serve and support our students.”

Eddie Ferguson, director of VGCC’s Endowment Fund, added, “With our community’s continuing support, we expect that once this year’s tournament is complete, we will have raised more than $1 million over the course of the history of this event.”

CertainTeed is a longtime supporter of the golf tournament and has endowed the CertainTeed Academic Achievement Scholarship at VGCC. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, today, CertainTeed is North America’s leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, insulation, gypsum and ceilings. A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed and its affiliates have more than 6,300 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

Other businesses and individuals supporting the tournament include: Glen Raven of Norlina, the breakfast sponsor; First Citizens Wealth Management of Raleigh, the lunch sponsor; Duke Energy, the dinner sponsor; Robling Medical of Youngsville, the flag sponsor; MR Williams of Henderson, the scoreboard sponsor; Novozymes North America of Franklinton, the golf jacket sponsor; Wester Insurance Agency of Henderson, the driving range sponsor; Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the soft drink sponsor; Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC, the car sponsor; John Nelms, Jr., of Raleigh, the trophy sponsor; and Private Wealth Management of NC of Henderson, the putting green sponsor.

Businesses and individuals can still take advantage of sponsorship opportunities at various levels. Businesses may also donate products or premium items featuring the company’s logo to be placed in golfers’ gift bags or to be given as door prizes.

This year’s morning and afternoon rounds will begin with shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and at 1 p.m. The afternoon round is sold out, but there are openings in the morning round.

The format is four-person “Captain’s Choice Super Ball.” Golfers can form their own teams of four, or sign up and be put on a team. Teams will be handicapped based on handicaps supplied by each player. Trophies will be awarded for first net, second net and first gross. Other awards will be given for “closest to the pin” and “longest drive.”

A hole-in-one on Hole 9 will be rewarded with a car, courtesy of Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC. A player who hits a hole-in-one (with a $10 donation) on Hole 16 will win $5,000, while another $5,000 will be awarded to the VGCC Endowment Fund.

The cost for one golfer to enter the tournament is $150. That fee includes greens fees, cart, meals, gift bag and practice balls.

A light breakfast, lunch and dinner (immediately following the afternoon round) will be served in the HCC clubhouse. A silent auction and door prize drawings will be held in conjunction with dinner.

For more information, contact Kay Currin at currink@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3409.

NC State Highway Patrol Partners In ‘Drive To Save Lives’ Campaign

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-Press Release, NCSHP

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol will once again join 14 other states in an effort to reduce collisions along the I-95 corridor. Through support from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and states along the eastern portion of the U.S., the Drive to Save Lives Campaign is intended to increase the visibility of law enforcement officers over a period of three days.

Interstate 95 (I-95) is approximately 1,920 miles in length and is currently considered one of the deadliest highways in the country.  On average it supports 72,000 vehicles per day of daily traffic (with peak daily traffic over 300,000 vehicles) and it has over 10,000 vehicles for its average daily truck traffic (with peak daily truck traffic being over 31,000), per the I-95 Corridor Coalition.

This year’s initiative will coincide with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. According to the attorneys at Bayoucitylaw.com, “nine percent of 2016’s fatal crashes involved distraction.” In 2016 alone distracted driving led to 3,450 deaths and in 2015, 391,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving. Teens remain the largest age group involved in distracted driving-related fatal crashes. With distracted driving being proven to be a grossly underreported violation, these numbers are only the minimum. (NHTSA)

The campaign will begin on Friday, April 5 and conclude Sunday, April 7, 2019. Troopers from every state along I-95 will be out in full force, in hopes of reducing the number of fatal collisions to zero.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol will once again join 14 other states in an effort to reduce collisions along the I-95 corridor.  Through support from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and states along the eastern portion of the U.S., the Drive to Save Lives Campaign is intended to increase the visibility of law enforcement officers over a period of three days. (Photo courtesy NCSHP)

Desmarais Talks Economic Development, Ending the ‘Stigma’ of Community College

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Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of Vance-Granville Community College, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the college’s role in economic development and her vision for the future of the institution.

Beginning her tenure as VGCC’s seventh president in January, Desmarais brings with her over 20 years of experience in the community college system.

Once a community college student at Forsyth Tech herself, Desmarais said she never would have imagined that she would one day become the college’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

“I had a liberal arts degree already and needed real-world skills, and I got that at Forsyth Tech. I’m living proof of how you can transition from one to the other. Being able to use those skills to recruit students, recruit businesses, brainstorm with the best in town and make asks of large-name companies to try to recruit them to the area was a really valuable experience.”

It is this experience, in part, that Desmarais said she’ll draw on to help implement economic turnaround in the local four-county area.

Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of Vance-Granville Community College (Photo courtesy VGCC)

“Coming from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area, I have experience working with the transition from tobacco and old-style manufacturing into healthcare and biotech innovation,” Desmarais said.

For their part in this transition, VGCC will focus on building new relationships with businesses and organizations while strengthening relationships with current community partners. “We work with partners such as economic development and the Chamber to be the glue between people looking for jobs and people wanting to hire.

I’m going to leverage the gifts and talents that our people have here in the college to create more short-term workforce training to support our existing companies and to be a recruitment tool for economic development,” Desmarais stated.

To build the educated workforce best-suited for local employment needs, Desmarais said the college is reviewing its current offerings of programs and courses, including where courses are offered and program completion times.

“Our focus is on degree alignment, making sure we offer courses in the right format and in the right locations.”

According to Desmarais, other barriers to education – lack of transportation, extreme poverty and the general “stigma” of community college – also need to be addressed to ensure that everyone has an opportunity for educational advancement and/or career development.

“We have to end the stigma of community colleges. Community colleges are very valuable; if you want to go on to get a four-year degree, it’s cost effective. There is a lot of evidence that demonstrates that students from community colleges are just as successful as four-year college students, and in some cases, even better prepared.”

Desmarais said she also wants to work with four-year colleges on possible transfer credit agreements of Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees.

Similar to current agreements for Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree credits, this type of agreement would potentially allow students with AAS degrees to more smoothly transfer their credit hours earned at a community college to a four-year college.

As for the immediate future, VGCC has several exciting events planned for 2019 in celebration of their 50th anniversary, including the college’s dinner theatre performance of “Company” by Stephen Sondheim April 25 – 26, the annual VGCC golf tournament to be held at Henderson Country Club on May 7 and open house events at all four VGCC campuses.

While excited to be joining the college in its 50th year, Desmarais said she is even more thrilled to see her passion for education and for the community college environment reflected in the community.

“I love the passion that I see here at the college; the love that people have for the college and what it has done in the community.”

To hear the Town Talk interview with Dr. Rachel Desmarais in its entirety, click here.