Vance County Animal Services is pleased to announce that they are a recipient of a $10,000 Spay/Neuter Grant from Community Partnership for Pets; received from Geo D. Patterson (GDP).
This grant was applied for and will be used for spay/neuter for pets of citizens in the community that do not qualify for the state-funded spay/neuter program.
These funds will help citizens in our community get their personal pets spayed/neutered to reduce the number of unwanted animals being born in the community. This will also reduce the number of animal intakes at the Vance County Animal Shelter.
– Frankie Nobles, Chief of Vance County Animal Services
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsresize_0000s_0074_Vance-County-Animal-Shelter-WIZS.jpg.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-11-08 17:00:072018-11-08 17:00:07Vance Co. Animal Services Recipient of $10k Spay/Neuter Grant
Vance-Granville Community College’s partner in apprenticeship programs, Youngsville-based Frigi-Temp, has donated a large rooftop air conditioning unit to benefit students enrolled in the college’s Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology curriculum program.
“This industrial size unit will provide our students with hands-on skills training that will prepare them at a new level as they work to become HVAC technicians,” said Michael Whittemore, VGCC’s program head for the applied technology program.
A commercial HVAC and refrigeration service provider and licensed mechanical contractor serving central North Carolina since 2001, Frigi-Temp (www.frigitemp.com) joined forces with VGCC a year ago on the VGCC “Vanguard Apprenticeship Collaborative,” designed to cultivate highly skilled workers for large and small companies in a number of industries.
Vance-Granville staff and faculty gather with Frigi-Temp representatives to celebrate the donation of a 12.5-ton rooftop commercial air conditioning unit to the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (ACHR) program at the college. From left are Ken Wilson, TechHire grant project manager; Eddie Ferguson, director of the Endowment Fund; Michael Whittemore, ACHR program head; Angela Gardner-Ragland, dean of Business & Applied Technologies; Dawn Michelle Tucker, dean of Continuing Education & Basic Skills; Kyle Burwell, director of Occupational Extension; Cory Thornton, chief operating officer for Frig-Temp; Tim Gray, president and owner, Frigi-Temp; and Kyle Hooss, organizational development manager for the Youngsville company. (Photo Credit: VGCC)
Cory Thornton, chief operating officer of Frigi-Temp, has demonstrated his company’s interest in Vance-Granville’s curriculum program as well as the apprenticeships for the benefits he sees it provides his business.
The system is a three-phase 12.5-ton Lennox commercial gas package unit with two stages for heating and two stages for cooling. When installed, the equipment would be valued at more than $20,000. The equipment includes an economizer, enthalpy control and a biometric relief damper, Thornton said.
“We wanted this unit to be a very good representation of what one can expect when they walk on a commercial rooftop,” said Thornton.
“Vance-Granville is our local vocational resource,” he added, noting that he has five team members who have attended VGCC in their educational pursuits. “Frigi-Temp, as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration program and as the college’s only commercial apprenticeship partner, would not dream of donating the equipment to any other program.
“This donation will hopefully be the first of many as Frigi-Temp strives to do our part in updating the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) labs at VGCC,” said Thornton.
The equipment, which is the only commercial piece of equipment in VGCC’s lab, will give students an opportunity to experience three-phase compressors and motors, multiple stages of heating and cooling, and belt-driven blower assemblies, Thornton added. “They will have a chance to learn about the difference in maintaining a micro-channel coil and cycling condenser fan motors, among other exciting features,” he said.
Thornton said his company desires to make sure all students, especially their apprentices, have an opportunity to have a diverse list of equipment in the lab. “The more comfortable all the students can become with various types of equipment, how it functions, and how it is maintained the better position they will be in to start their careers with confidence,” Thornton said.
Over the next few years, there is estimated to be a shortage of more than 100,000 HVAC skilled labor workers, he said. “The August jobs report indicated a 3.9% unemployment rate across occupations,” he noted. “The drill down on that report indicated a 2.5% unemployment rate for skilled labor positions. The unemployment rate for skilled commercial HVAC/R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) technicians is something less than 2.5%. Every company out there is going to be competing for the same workers.
“Frigi-Temp also wants to be sure we are making investments in the generation of technicians which will be stepping up to fill the void. Frigi-Temp is making these investments now because we want to be sure that we always have a stream of new talent joining our team ensuring our customers’ needs are always met.”
It’s a matter of economics, the Frigi-Temp leader said: “The demand for HVAC/R equipment is increasing at the same time that the supply of those capable of meeting the demand is decreasing. Basic economics dictate that the price for HVAC/R services must go up. This also means that the wages of those capable of delivering those services will go up.
“This is the best time I have ever seen to get into the industry. There is a massive amount of opportunity for someone to join the trade, become a true professional, and be very successful,” he said.
Dr. Gordon Burns, Vance-Granville interim president, praised Frigi-Temp for its support of the college’s students. “This industry represents the partnerships critically needed with area industry and businesses to help our students gain valuable knowledge and the skills training to be job ready. As Frigi-Temp demonstrates so well, their donation of this equipment and their support of our apprenticeship program will not only help them find the technicians they need but also will guarantee to our students that they can meet the demands of industry. It’s truly a win-win for all.”
Students interested in enrolling in the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology program can contact program head Michael Whittemore at whittemorem@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3214. Employers interested in partnering with VGCC on apprenticeships are encouraged to contact Ken Wilson, project manager for VGCC’s TechHire grant program, at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3259 for more information.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/VGCC-and-Frigi-Temp.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-11-08 16:59:362018-11-08 16:59:36Youngsville Company Frigi-Temp Donates Equipment To VGCC
When Dave Burns retired, he wanted to stay busy. Volunteering at Rebuilding Hope was a good fit.
For the past three years, he’s volunteered to man the application and phone desk, run supplies to job sites during Servants on Site week, help build wheelchair ramps and guide youngsters during Kids’ Construction Camp.
Dave got involved with the ministry through fellow church members who volunteer at RHI.
“I also wanted to give back to the community and help others,” says Dave, a Huntington, West Virginia, native and avid Marshall University football fan. “The real joy is being able to help someone who has a need. That’s a real blessing.”
Dave Burns was named Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Volunteer of the Month for November 2018. (Photo Credit: RHI)
Dave, a Vance County resident, says that the most rewarding part of his work at RHI is “sharing Jesus with those who come in to fill out an application.”
He recalls a special experience when a widow came in to inquire about an application, and she was distraught over her husband’s passing. Sharing the love of Jesus with her, Dave encouraged her to reconnect with a church family. Dave says he explained to her how his church helped him when his wife, Donna, passed away in September 2017.
“And that’s why God had me there,” he says.
Dave retired in 2015 from Ardagh Glass Containers after 46 years where he was a journeyman mold maker. His employment took him to three locations – West Virginia, Illinois and finally to Henderson.
A member of Central Baptist Church, he serves in outreach in the community and with the church’s Joy Club ministry at Dabney Elementary School. He’s a deacon and has served on various committees.
Dave and Donna were married 51 years. They have a son and three grandchildren.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Rebuilding-Hope-Dave-Burns-1.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-11-08 16:59:092018-11-08 16:59:09Rebuilding Hope Names Dave Burns as November’s Volunteer of the Month
With approximately 53 percent of the votes cast in a higher than usual voter turnout, Curtis Brame was elected the next sheriff of Vance County Tuesday evening.
Brame, a Democratic candidate who ran against Melissa Elliott and Billy Gooch in the May primary, faced Republican Charles Pulley and unaffiliated candidate Allen Simmons in the general election. Final poll results indicated Brame received 7,517 votes, Pulley received 3,810 votes and Allen Simmons received 2,905 votes.
Each candidate was interviewed live on WIZS following the announcement that Brame won the election. Excerpts from those interviews are transcribed below:
CB: “I’m great and I’m so excited! I feel good! What a night!”
“I’m with my family at my celebration gathering at Tiffany’s on Garnett St. and will report to the [Institute of Government] Chapel Hill this Sunday.”
What are you going to do first once you’re sworn in?
CB: “I’ll be a new administrator, so my focus will be on both the Sheriff’s Department and the jail.”
What is the first thing you said to your family tonight?
CB: “Yes! To God be the glory, yes!”
Did it feel like a long campaign or did it move along swiftly?
CB: “Being a Democratic candidate, it was a long campaign. I started this process back in October 2017 in preparation for the primary in May. After the primary, I took a couple of weeks off and then was right back preparing for the general election. It was a busy and continuous campaign.”
What made you decide to run for Sheriff?
CB: “Throughout my career, I came to the decision that I’d one day like to be sheriff of Vance County. I always said I would never run for sheriff as long as I was working, and if I ran it would be from a retired position.”
“In October of 2017, Sheriff Peter White told me that he was ‘going home’ and that he and his wife would support me if I ran for sheriff. In giving it to God and talking with my wife and family, that’s when I made the decision to run.”
What is your message for people who voted for the other candidates?
CB: “Whatever differences we have as candidates, we need to put those aside and move forward together as a team. Whether you voted for me or not, I will serve each and every citizen of Vance County equally.”
Sheriff White was the first African-American elected sheriff of Vance County. You are now the second. Does that distinction matter to you?
CB: “Yes, it matters to me. I always took a lot of pride in being a deputy sheriff. The history of the department was previously Caucasian and male. I’m the second African-American elected sheriff and I do take pride in that.”
Are you concerned about those who criticize you for running from a retired position?
CB: “Throughout the history of the department, the only person who was allowed to stay in their position [if they ran] was the incumbent. To run, I either had to resign or be fired. So, I retired with the intentions of running.”
AS: “Right now, I want to take some time off, spend time with my family and see what direction God is having me go in. I don’t want to make any rushed decisions on which direction I’m going to take right now.”
Is there a possibility of you working for the Vance County Sheriff’s Department or Henderson Police Department?
AS: “Whatever I can do for Vance County. This is my home and I want what’s best for my home. I want to see my home move in a direction that’s positive for this community.”
What did you enjoy most about the campaign?
AS: “The most amazing thing I received out of this is the ability to grow even more. It has taught me to persevere through the obstacles life throws at you. Having my family, wife and kids with me gave me strength.”
—————————————————————————————————————————————————— Interview with CHARLES PULLEY
What is up next for Charles Pulley?
CP: “I first want to congratulate Curtis [Brame] for winning the election. It was a clean campaign. We need to support Curtis 100% in this county; there are a lot of things that need to be done.”
“I also appreciate the people who came out and voted for me.”
Will we see Charles Pulley again in future political races?
CP: “You never know what the future holds – I’ll just leave it at that.”
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-Vance-Sheriff-Candidates.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2018-11-07 16:55:462018-11-07 16:55:46Q&A With New Vance Co. Sheriff Curtis Brame, Candidates Simmons & Allen
Grace Ministries of Henderson will hold their 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Meal and a Prayer event on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Rebuilding Hope, 414 Raleigh Rd. in Henderson.
They are asking for the public’s help in meeting their goal of serving at least 200 turkeys with sides and 3,000 total meals. Donation requests include turkeys, stuffing, gallon size cans of corn, string beans and sweet potatoes. The items may be dropped off at the GRACE Thrift Shop, 1501 Raleigh Rd. in Henderson. Monetary donations will also be accepted.
Volunteers are also needed, including cooks, servers, community delivery drivers and prayer warriors.
With questions, please call Bobby West at (252) 432-7124.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wizs_0000_Faith.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-11-07 16:55:192018-11-07 16:55:19Donations & Volunteer Services Needed for ‘Thanksgiving Meal & a Prayer’ Event
Vance-Granville Community College and The College at Southeastern have entered a partnership to provide a “ready-made pathway” for students to be dually enrolled on their way to a Bachelor of Science degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In VGCC’s Civic Center, colorfully decorated with banners displaying the various applied technology, business and health sciences academic programs offered by Vance-Granville, a ceremony was held on Monday, Oct. 22, for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two colleges.
“Partnership is very important as you think about higher education today,” said Dr. Levy Brown, Vance-Granville’s vice president of academic affairs. “We hear about pathways. We hear about multiple entry points for students. We hear about collaboration. Today we are very excited to join Southeastern in this opportunity to provide more training opportunities for their students.”
Dr. James Dew of The College at Southeastern, left, and Dr. Levy Brown of Vance-Granville Community College sign a memorandum of understanding officially launching a partnership that provides a “ready-made pathway” for students to be dually enrolled at the two colleges on their way to a Bachelor of Science degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. (Photo: VGCC)
The partnership opens a new door for students at The College at Southeastern (C@SE) in Wake Forest to earn additional credentials in the career and technical education areas, nearly 40 curriculum programs, at Vance-Granville, Dr. Brown noted, citing the significance of the regional collaboration.
With plans for the partnership in the works for several years, Dr. James Dew, Vice President of Undergraduate Studies and Distance Learning and the Dean of The College at Southeastern, said he was pleased to see two institutions working together rather than being competitive in their recruiting efforts. Students have had to choose between schools when pursuing their college educations, he said, “either here or there but not both.”
“We can do far more together than we can do apart from each other,” he said. “I think the days are gone, or should be gone, when we compete against each other in unnecessary ways.”
“As we sat down to think about the possibilities,” Dr. Dew added, “what we began to realize is that there are actually ways that we can serve each other. You have students in your vocational programs who ultimately desire to do something for the Lord. And we have students who very much want to do something for the Lord but are going to need along the way various kinds of vocational training to get there.”
At C@SE, he said, they refer to the situation as the “Tentmaker’s Paradigm.” Citing Acts 18:1-4, he described how the Apostle Paul had a vocation of making tents. “He would go from place to place, and as he went he would build tents and that would give him a platform to preach the Gospel to the nations,” Dr. Dew said.
“That ultimately is our vision,” he added. “We are training a generation of people at Southeastern to go into the darkest places in the entire world, places where there is no hope, places where the darkness is thick and depression is strong. And there in those places shine their light of Jesus Christ to those places and to those nations. But to get there … they are going to need the kinds of programs that we see represented here in this room.”
He said C@SE wants their students to have these kinds of programs that VGCC offers, but “I also understand that they need the kinds of theological and ministerial training that we can offer them at Southeastern as well.”
C@SE began in 1994 as an undergraduate school of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake Forest. Students who are pursuing their Bachelor of Science degree from SEBTS have had the option to transfer in an associate’s degree from another college, dually enroll in a vocational program at another college or complete a business minor at C@SE.
The partnership will provide a clear pathway, the college officials noted.
Among the highlights of the partnership:
C@SE students may enroll in as many as 12 credit hours per semester at VGCC and have those hours count towards their status at C@SE.
Southeastern students who complete an associate’s degree, diploma or certificate of study in a VGCC-approved vocational and/or applied technical program will receive full credit for courses taken in which a grade of “C” or better was earned.
C@SE will also accept credits from high school and early college high school students enrolled in an approved Career and College Promise (CCP) track through VGCC.
VGCC will allow students to dual enroll in a Bachelor of Science degree program at C@SE.
The partnership also allows for a seamless integration of recruitment initiatives between both colleges.
Dr. Dew recognized Cory Thornton of the Youngsville-based Frigi-Temp commercial heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration service provider for being a part of a three-way meeting with VGCC and C@SE last year that eventually led to the partnership. Thornton is the chief operating officer of the licensed mechanical contracting company which is now a partner in VGCC’s Vanguard Apprenticeship Collaboration.
Dr. Dew added, “We began to think together about what your curriculum looks like, what ours looks like and the various ways that we can partner broadly by taking the diplomas, the certificates and the associate’s degrees offered here in vocational trainings at Vance-Granville and let the students either come to Southeastern after they finish here by way of transfer or to work on those degree programs concurrently.”
“It is a unique day in the life of Southeastern when I can begin saying to our students, ‘Hey, you should also go to this school,’” he said. “Praise God for good things that He has brought. I’m excited for this day.”
VGCC’s Interim President Dr. Gordon Burns applauded the “efforts, insights and wisdom” of Dr. Brown and Dr. Dew “and all of those colleagues who supported them in our two institutions.”
“Thank you for making this day possible,” he added. “I think it’s especially important that we allow the doors to be open for further higher education. By accepting our credits at your college, you open the door to new opportunities to advance study, and for that, we are most grateful,” Dr. Burns said.
Also instrumental in the creation of the partnership is VGCC’s project manager for the TechHire grant, Ken Wilson, who also spoke to the staff and faculty from both institutions who gathered for the signing. “We look forward to wonderful times ahead for this great partnership,” Wilson said.
Questions about the partnership can be directed to Ken Wilson at VGCC by phone at (252) 738-3259 or by e-mail at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or Dr. Brent Aucoin at The College at Southeastern by phone at (919) 761-2286 or by e-mail at baucoin@sebts.edu.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/VGCC-and-Southeastern-2018.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-11-07 16:54:482018-11-07 16:54:48VGCC, Southeastern Open New Pathway For Students
The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, along with the Henderson Police Department (HPD) and the Vance County Sheriff ’s Department, are partnering again to host the third annual reverse raffle. Presenting Sponsor is Maria Parham Health.
This annual event benefits a program serving local underprivileged children called “Shop With a Cop” along with the Chamber of Commerce and its efforts to help local business. The event is scheduled for Saturday, November 10 and will be held at Henderson Country Club beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and include dinner for two, a chance at the $5,000 grand prize and a dance at the completion of the raffle. Throughout the evening, guests will be given opportunities to bid on various silent auction items as well as two reserved tickets which will be auctioned toward the end of the ticket drawing. Three reserved tickets will also be raffled during the course of the evening.
The “Shop With a Cop” activity will take place in December at which time members of the HPD and Sheriff ’s Department will take local underprivileged children shopping with local retailers for Christmas. A certain dollar amount of the proceeds raised will be set aside for each participating child. There has been a great turnout for the past two years and we are expecting no less this year. “This fundraiser allows us to do a lot of good for the local community with the proceeds and the HPD and Sheriff ’s office are always anxious to do what we can to help local children”, said Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
There are still opportunities for local businesses to donate silent auction items. If you or your business would like to purchase tickets, donate items or get more information, contact the HPD, Vance County Sheriff ’s Department or the Chamber office at 252-438-8414.
-Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch
West End Community Watch will meet on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall of West End Baptist Church on Dabney Drive. We welcome your attendance regardless of where you live.
The speaker will be Val Short, Executive Director of Maria Parham Health, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation. Law enforcement will be present to hear concerns and to report recent police activity.
West End Community Watch will NOT meet in the month of December. In January, the speaker will be a representative from Mako Labs.
Do plan to join us on November 20!
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/West-End-Baptist-Church.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-11-07 16:53:512018-11-07 16:53:51West End Community Watch to Meet Tues., Nov. 20, No Dec. Meeting
Dennis Jarvis, II, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss, among other topics, updates to the development of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park.
Earlier this year, Vance County received a $2.45 million grant from the Rural ReadySites program for development of phase III of the industrial park located at the intersection of Bear Pond Road and US-1 Bypass in Henderson.
The grant money will cover development costs to include construction of a new roadway and extension of water and sewer infrastructure through the site. The land will be zoned for light industrial and general commercial use.
The Henderson-Vance Industrial Park began in 1988 with the purchase of 150 acres for development. According to Vance County officials, the site has been filled since that time with nine businesses contributing approximately 600 jobs, $5.5 million in tax revenue to the county annually and a total value of over $62 million.
“Commissioner Hester and the Vance County Commission, both, as a team, understand that having available product – pad-ready, building-ready product – makes you more competitive regionally, nationally and globally,” said Jarvis.
The park’s development has been a priority for Vance County Commissioners and Jarvis is pleased to see it come to fruition in a short period of time.
“At Monday’s Commissioners’ meeting, we received an update that the engineering firm had been awarded and they are now going through a design phase,” said Jarvis. “Potential contracts for water, sewer and road development should be met by the mid-point of next year. We’re about nine months away from being complete.”
Along with the perks of access to rail and natural gas and the close proximity to US-1 and I-85, the park is expected to draw industries that seek to be near Raleigh without the Wake County price tag.
“If you want an RTP address, you pay RTP prices,” Jarvis said. “If you want to be in the Raleigh market, there are opportunities in the region – especially in our Kerr-Tar region with Franklin, Granville, Warren and Vance – to cut that operating cost by almost half.”
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Vance-County-Logo.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2018-11-06 16:56:092018-11-06 16:56:09Economic Dev. Director Jarvis Talks Phase III of H-V Industrial Park
The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce will host a “15 Under 40” reception at the Henderson County Club on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, from 6 – 8 p.m. This reception honors Vance County’s recently nominated emerging leaders age 40 or younger.
Recipients include Nathan Baskerville, Bert Beard, Joel Beckham, Kristen Boyd, Amanda Walker Ellis, Trevei Foreman, Cara Boyd Gill, Turner Pride, Carice Sanchez, Eric Sanchez, Tremanisha Taylor, Josh Towne, Kendrick Vann, Jessica West and Daniel White.
Tickets are $15 per person and include hors-d’oeuvres and beverages. There will be a cash bar.
Please reserve your tickets by calling the Chamber at (252) 438-8414 or emailing sandra@hendersonvance.org. Tickets should be picked up at the Chamber office by Tuesday, November 20.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0042_chamberofcommerce.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-11-06 16:55:372018-11-06 16:55:37H-V Chamber to Host ’15 Under 40′ Reception for Emerging Leaders
