Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Salvation Army

Town Talk 08/19/19: Salvation Army Welcomes Derrick & Odessa Smith

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

Vance County’s Salvation Army recently welcomed new leaders Lts. Derrick and Odessa Smith, a husband-and-wife team last stationed in Alamance County.

The Smiths take over for the recently retired Captain Rick Langley and wife Angie who headed the local Salvation Army operation since 2012.

Odessa, who has been a part of the Salvation Army since she was four years old, said it was her experience and love for the ministry that attracted husband Derrick, originally of Duplin County, to serve.

“I’ll be honest, when she first invited me, I thought we were having church at a thrift store,” Derrick recalled with a laugh. “I remember vividly going to the Salvation Army for the first time and the people just came around and loved me like I had been there for 20 years!”

The Smiths have arrived at a transitional time for the local ministry, specifically with the opening of a new facility and ball fields encompassing a 40-acre lot on Ross Mill Road in Henderson. The new building will be located near Mako Medical Laboratories and Vance Charter School.

According to Odessa, the facility is expected to be completed in mid to late October with a ribbon-cutting and building dedication ceremony to follow in November.

The new facility will allow for more space for what the Smiths have identified through studies to be one of the greatest needs of the community – youth services.

“One of the biggest needs is youth development,” explained Odessa. “We would like to have after-school programs, mentoring programs and partnerships with local schools and other community organizations.”

In an interview with WIZS prior to his retirement in June, Rick Langley stated that the new facility will include a community center, gym, full-size commercial kitchen and two ball fields – baseball and soccer.

In addition to hosting Salvation Army-related games, the ballfields will double as the home field of the neighboring Vance Charter School Knights.

While construction is underway on the new building, the Salvation Army will continue to operate from its 355 Alexander Avenue location in Henderson.

The former Salvation Army Store, located at 222 W. Montgomery Street in downtown Henderson, is currently used for storage and provides the space needed to organize larger donations such as furniture, according to Derrick.

The new Salvation Army Store, located at 218 Raleigh Road in Henderson, recently held a one-day anniversary sale on August 10.

“We both want to thank the community for showing up,” Derrick said. “We had folks lining up at 8 a.m. waiting for the sale to begin at 9 a.m. It was a very successful day.”

According to Derrick, one of the highlights of the day was talking to people and making them aware of just how much their purchases were helping the community. “I don’t think many people know this, but 85 cents of every dollar spent goes back to help people in this community.”

“We’ve already seen that we have a very generous community here,” said Derrick. “It helps us to fulfill the Salvation Army’s mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.”

To hear the Smiths’ Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

 

Is Your Small Business Prepared for a Disaster? Find Out at ‘Lunch Break to Educate’

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

The American Red Cross, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and Vance-Granville Community College’s Small Business Center invite you to attend “Lunch Break to Educate: Disaster Preparedness and Your Small Business.”

Sponsored by Joel T. Cheatham Insurance, the lunch session will be held at Henderson Fire Department (211 Dabney Drive) from 12 – 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

According to the American Red Cross Ready Rating Program, as many as 40 percent of businesses fail following a disaster, and still, only 62 percent of small and medium-sized businesses have emergency plans in place.

This seminar will consist of a 15-20 minute Ready Rating presentation with question and answer segment. Ready Rating is a free, online American Red Cross program that allows businesses & organizations to either make an emergency preparedness plan or improve the one they already have.

All in one place, Ready Rating members have access to one-of-a-kind tools, resources and information for evaluating and improving their ability to withstand disaster, maintain operations, and protect lives and property.

Whether you are taking your first steps or have a fully-functioning emergency management program, the Ready Rating program can help you achieve a higher level of preparedness. Learn how at this event.

Speaker(s): Kelly Ferrell, Disaster Program Specialist and Jayla Burwell, Disaster Program Intern.

The first 15 to register will receive free lunch; $10 after first 15.

Online registration is required by visiting https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530390037.

VGCC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration to Include Food Truck Rodeo, Live Music

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

Vance-Granville Community College invites the public to join administrators, faculty, students and staff in a celebratory event, sponsored by Duke Energy, in honor of the college’s “50 Years of Excellence Since 1969.”

This “golden” anniversary celebration will include a food truck rodeo on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. at the gazebo of the Main Campus in Henderson (200 Community College Road).

The band “Liquid Pleasure” will also be entertaining the crowd with live music.

*Please note that alcoholic beverages and drugs are strictly prohibited at VGCC. 

Concord Baptist Church in Kittrell to Hold Women’s Conference

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

-Information courtesy Shirley Hinton, Concord Missionary Baptist Church 

Concord Baptist Church, 810 Walter Grissom Road in Kittrell, will hold a Women’s Conference on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at 10:15 a.m.

The theme will be “Women on a Mission for Christ – From Ashes to Beauty.” Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

Presenters at the conference are Nakia Martin Wright and Shante Speed with Vance/Granville Health Department, Topic: Healthy Decision Making; Madeline Masters with Legal Aid of NC, Topic: Advance Directives (power of attorney and healthcare power of attorney and living wills); Crystal Smith with NC Cooperative Extension, Topic: Positive Self Image.

Christian Paylor with Franklin/Granville/Vance Smart Start will bring the conference to an end with some inspiring and motivational words for everyone.

This workshop is opened to all females (youth and adults). You are also invited to return on Sunday, September 8 at 10:45 a.m. for our Women’s Day Program with guest speaker Rev. Florence Vass from Spring Street Baptist Church.

Animal Services to Waive Adoption Fees for National Clear the Shelter Event

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-Information courtesy Friends of Vance County Animal Shelter

The Vance County Animal Shelter is excited to announce that this year we will be participating in the National Clear the Shelter Event. This means for just one day, Saturday, August 17, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., our ADOPTION FEES WILL BE WAIVED!

All adoptions are first come first serve with an approved application, so go ahead and get your application in early.

All age appropriate dogs and puppies available for adoption on this day will be spayed/neutered, dewormed, and up-to-date on vaccines. They will also receive flea/tick treatment, a microchip and a heartworm test.

All age appropriate cats & kittens available for adoption on this day will be spayed/neutered, dewormed, and up-to-date on vaccines. They will also receive flea/tick treatment, a microchip and a FIV/FeLV test.

The Vance County Animal Shelter is located at 1243 Brodie Road in Henderson.

 

Annual ‘Cops on Top’ Event to Raise Money for Special Olympics of NC

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

-Information courtesy, Lt. Jessica West, Henderson Police Department

Chick-fil-A of Henderson, the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, WIZS 1450AM/100.1 FM and other community organizations will once again team up for the annual “Cops on Top” Fundraiser for the Special Olympics of NC.

The event will be held at Chick-fil-A of Henderson on Thursday, September 5, 2019, from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. The all-day event raised $2,291 for Special Olympics last year, surpassing the goal fundraiser organizers previously set of $2,000.

A bouncy house and face painting will be provided by BoHo the Clown with Character Antics.

Guest appearances by Sparky the Dog and Muddy the Mudcat are scheduled from 3:30 until 4:30 p.m.

All money raised will go directly to Special Olympics of NC.

VCS: Traditional Calendar Schools to Hold Open House Aug. 22

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

-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools will hold Open House sessions for schools on the traditional calendar on Thursday, August 22, 2019.

Vance County Middle School’s Open House will be held from 3 until 7 p.m.; all other traditional schools will be held from 2 until 7 p.m.

All students who attend Vance County Middle School, AdVance Academy, STEM Early High School and all Vance County elementary schools except E.M. Rollins will begin school on Monday, August 26, 2019.

All parents and students are invited to attend open house events.

Note:

E.M. Rollins Elementary School, Vance County Early College and Vance County High School began school on Monday, August 5, 2019.

Vance Co. Board of Education Approves Strategic Plan – FORWARD TOGETHER 2025

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

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

After a full calendar year of staff and stakeholder engagement, the Vance County Board of Education at its regular monthly meeting approved the district strategic plan, FORWARD TOGETHER 2025, which redefines the mission, vision and goals that will guide the work of the district through the year 2025.

The plan includes input from the Board of Education members, parents, students, staff, administrators and school supporters and represents a consensus of over 500 individual voices that engaged in this process.

The FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan asks stakeholders to “Reform,” “Re-imagine,” “Rethink” and “Renew” what they believe, think, and do every day in classrooms across the district. The FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan is a call to action for our community to critically evaluate daily instructional and operational practices and ensure that all are aligned to provide excellent instruction in the classroom and high student achievement as our outcome.

Included in the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 Strategic Plan is the approved Vision and Mission Statement. The new Vision Statement is, “To provide an adaptable educational setting where learning is a catalyst to the pursuit of dreams in an evolving society.”

The board also approved the new Mission Statement which reads, “Vance County Schools is committed to providing broad experiences and opportunities to students that enable them to compete globally.”

Over the next five years, district staff will work collaboratively with the board of education, schools and other key stakeholders to implement the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan district-wide. Annually, the board of education will formally evaluate the district’s progress towards meeting the five strategic priorities and their corresponding objectives, and this information will be shared publicly with the community.

Priorities identified in the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 include improving our progress in areas associated with school performance grades earned by each school, improving discipline and civility in our schools, increasing staff retention, implementation of innovative practices and engaging the community to reach parents and attract students.

The FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan will allow both our internal and external stakeholder a means by which to hold us accountable for making progress on each of our stated priorities over the next five years against baseline performance data.

The overarching theme of FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 is to ensure that every student has ample opportunity to reach his/her full potential while pursuing their personalized pathway to graduation and their high school diploma.

The redesign of the district’s instructional model in the FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 plan outlines a focus on providing authentic experiences, modern learning environments, a learner-centered culture and modern curriculum.

By integrating these key change levers into our delivery of instruction, Vance County Schools firmly believes that FORWARD TOGETHER 2025 will allow us to become that true catalyst for student success and future prosperity that every student needs and deserves.

VGCC Grad Pursues NCSU Degree Through New Partnership  

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Ethan Cole starts his first semester as a full-time student at North Carolina State University on August 21, making history as a pioneer in a partnership between NCSU and his former school, Vance-Granville Community College.

Cole, who hails from Kittrell, enrolled at VGCC after graduating from Franklin Academy High School in 2017. The next year, VGCC joined N.C. State’s Community College Collaboration, or “C3,” program, and Cole was among the first to sign up. Essentially, that meant he would apply for dual-enrollment and then be guaranteed admission to NCSU to earn a baccalaureate degree, once he had completed an associate degree at VGCC while maintaining good grades.

Ethan Cole (pictured here) starts his first semester as a full-time student at North Carolina State University on August 21, making history as a pioneer in a partnership between NCSU and his former school, Vance-Granville Community College. (VGCC photo)

For Cole, it was an ideal way to pursue a longtime dream. “I already knew I wanted to go to N.C. State when I first enrolled at Vance-Granville,” he said. “I’ve had that goal for many years. My dad went there, we’re Wolfpack fans in my family, and I knew it was a good school for things like business and engineering.”

The new C3 program presented Cole with a chance to get “a foot in the door to the university,” he said. “Not a whole lot of people knew about it at the time, but it seemed like a good avenue to go down, so I went for it.”

Cole completed what he recalled as a straightforward NCSU application process, was accepted, and met with Martha Harmening, the C3 director from the university, for advising. She came to the VGCC campus, so Cole did not even have to drive to Raleigh.

“She helped me to know the right classes for my major,” Cole said. “I told her that, initially, I had been thinking I would study business administration after transferring from VGCC to N.C. State, but then I started thinking about moving to engineering, particularly mechanical engineering. She explained the criteria and the classes I needed to be accepted specifically into the engineering program.”

By enrolling in C3, Cole was technically an NCSU student, even though he was taking VGCC classes. Getting into the competitive engineering program was never guaranteed, however.

After graduating from Vance-Granville with an Associate in Science earlier this year, Cole took a single chemistry class at another community college in order to become eligible for his chosen major. “I’ve now been accepted into the engineering program,” he said. “I am particularly interested in engineering on the automotive side, developing newer, more efficient vehicles.”

With his VGCC credits in hand, Cole is scheduled to graduate from the university in 2022, for a total of five years in higher education.

He feels that the community college has prepared him well for the next level. “One of the best things VGCC has is the atmosphere of being around other students who are focused and trying to do their best, and that keeps you focused, too,” Cole reflected. “Also, the teachers are down to earth and give extra time and attention to their students.”

Cole excelled as a student, earning Presidential Scholar Award-level endowed academic scholarships, making the Dean’s List and working as a peer tutor at the VGCC Academic Skills Center.

Now, he is looking forward to new experiences at N.C. State, continuing to learn and preparing to start a career.

“The C3 program helps students to transfer and to have a guaranteed spot at N.C. State,” Cole said. “I would recommend it to people who want to get a four-year degree, especially if they are still searching for what they want to major in because it gives you some security and another option.”

Students who may apply for C3 include graduating high school seniors as well as current community college students who have completed less than 30 credit hours of college work.

For more information, contact VGCC’s Admissions Office at (252) 738-3234 or click here for additional details on the C3 program.

Fourth Annual P.U.L.L. Event to Feature Games, Fun & Free Haircuts!

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks announces the fourth annual Henderson – Vance P.U.L.L. (Peace, Unity, Love, Live) event Wednesday, August 21 – Sunday, August 25, 2019.

The five-day event features free haircuts for school-age kids at participating businesses, a basketball tournament at the former Henderson Middle School gym, a softball game at Aycock Rec. Complex and a community festival and cookout at Chestnut Street Park.

Please see the flyer below for additional information, including locations, dates and times.

For more information, please contact Greg Kelly at 252.431.6099 or gkelly@ci.henderson@ci.henderson.nc.us.