Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Vance Co. High School & Middle School Principals Reflect on Upcoming School Year

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Vance County High School Principal Rey Horner and Vance County Middle School Principal Heddie Somerville were the guests of honor on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

Horner and Somerville, who are both set to welcome students on Monday, August 27 for the start of the 2018-19 traditional calendar year, engaged in a general discussion on the recent high school and middle school consolidation process and their hopes for the future.

Vance County High School

Occupying the former Southern Vance High School building on Garrett Road in Henderson, the new Vance County High School is set to welcome approximately 1,350 former Southern Vance Raiders and Northern Vance Vikings.

“There were some concerns about bringing the schools together because we have been rivals for so long,” said Horner. “I think what helped the process is that we still have members of the community that can remember when we only had one high school.”

Horner himself was a graduate of the last class of Vance Senior High School before it split into Southern Vance and Northern Vance and said he looks forward to the combined high school being the center of the community again.

He also referred back to his own experience with transitioning from middle to high school to explain that he expects any concerns regarding former rivals merging to be largely unfounded.

“I can remember when I was at Henderson Junior High and about to go to Vance Senior High. Our biggest rival was Eaton Johnson and everyone was worried about how we’d mix, but once we got to high school, we became one family.”

Horner said he looks forward to witnessing the Vipers become one team but admits the entire process will not happen overnight. “I’m seeing this consolidation as a three-year process; you won’t see all of the changes immediately. It’s going to be a couple of years before we’re where we want to be.”

During that time, Horner said the high school will be focusing on building up their performing arts offerings – including band and theater.

Building the athletic program has already been a full speed ahead process and Horner reported that the number of athletes who tried out for fall sports has grown exponentially.

While Horner is excited for the athletic program and the hard work of the coaches, he asks that the community set realistic expectations for the first year of the program. “We have extraordinary talent in Vance County and I’m glad we can showcase it. Everyone is assuming because we merged the two schools it is a no-brainer that we will sweep the conference, but there is a little adjustment period.”

Vance County Middle School

Located in the former Northern Vance High School building on Warrenton Road in Henderson, Vance County Middle School will welcome approximately 840 sixth through eighth-grade students this school year.

“We have a strategic plan to enforce a model of creating a culture of unity with the mindset of excellence,” said Somerville. “Sixth graders coming into middle school are combining with students from 10 elementary schools.”

In addition to getting to know new classmates, Vance County Middle School students will also have to acclimate to wearing required school uniforms.

For girls, the uniforms will include white or navy blue collared shirts and blouses and navy blue or khaki uniform pants, skirts or jumpers. Boys’ uniforms include white or navy blue collared or dress shirts, as well as navy blue or khaki uniform pants.

Though there has been some pushback from the community, Somerville, the former principal of Pinkston Street Elementary School, said she has seen firsthand how positive uniforms can be for learning and student behavior. “When we implemented uniforms at Pinkston Street, I saw the difference in the mindset of the children. It levels the playing field and it allows them to come in with the mindset of academics.”

Somerville expressed her appreciation and admiration for how well staff members have worked together to prepare the building for opening day. “There is still some construction work to be done and we are moving quickly to be ready on time. Teachers are coming in to assist with moving furniture and setting up classrooms.”

This camaraderie adds to the “one family” feel that the school hopes to nurture and has Somerville looking forward to being “the new cats in town.”

* Vance County High School will hold an Open House on Thursday, August 23, 2018, from 3 – 7 p.m. at the school – 925 Garrett Rd, Henderson. In addition to students and parents, the entire community is invited to attend. Food trucks will be available on site.

Wilson Re-Elected President of Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

Randolph Wilson of Kittrell was re-elected president of Rebuilding Hope, Inc. (RHI).

Also re-elected were Bill Overby of Warrenton, secretary; and Walt Slaton of Oxford, treasurer. Overby also was elected to a second three-year term on the board of directors.

Vann Wester of Louisburg was elected vice president and to a first three-year term on the board.

Robert Burnett of Manson was elected to a first three-year term on the board, and Steve Timberlake of Oxford was elected to serve out the unexpired term of a board member who recently moved from the area.

The officers and directors took office August 14, 2018.

RHI, headquartered in Henderson, is a faith-based ministry that uses home repairs to meet physical needs and shares the love of Christ.

Randolph Wilson of Kittrell was recently re-elected president of Rebuilding Hope, Inc.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Henderson-Vance Rec. & Parks to Offer Hip-Hop Water Aerobic Wednesdays

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

Get a fast-paced cardio workout with low impact on your joints and muscles at the Aycock Recreation Center’s hip-hop water aerobics. Water aerobics is perfect for people of all ages who are able to touch in the 4-foot shallow end of the pool.

Dates: 

September 5, 12, 19 & 26

October 3, 10, 17 & 24

November 7 & 14

Time:

7 – 7:45 p.m.

Fee:

$2 non-member/$1 member

Instructor:

Brandi Parker

Contact:

Lauren Newlin, Aquatics Program Supervisor

lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us ~ (252) 438-3160

https://ci.henderson.nc.us/departments/recreation-and-parks/

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

Vance Co. Animal Shelter to Participate in ‘Clear the Shelters’ Free Adoption Event

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-Information courtesy a press release from Capitol Broadcasting Company/WRAL-TV

WRAL-TV and MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM, in partnership with the Humane Society of the U.S., have teamed up with twelve local animal shelters to host Clear the Shelters, the fourth annual nationwide pet adoption drive.

This year, for the first time, the Vance County Animal Shelter will participate in this free adoption event on Saturday, August 18, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dogs, cats and even one rabbit will be available for adoption.

Each participating shelter will waive adoption fees as part of the nationwide NBCUniversal Clear the Shelters initiative for the day. A short application process will be required.

According to Vance County Animal Shelter Chief Frankie Nobles, all cats and dogs available for adoption will already be spayed or neutered, microchipped, dewormed and vaccinated.

Staff will be on-hand all day to help potential adopters select the right pet for their family and answer any questions.

“We are very excited to be able to participate this year,” said Nobles. “There are going to be a lot of animals adopted this weekend.”

In 2017, over 80,000 pets were adopted from 900 shelters across the country during the Clear the Shelters campaign. Locally, WRAL helped find homes for 1,195 pets.

In addition to the Vance County Animal Shelter, eleven other local animal shelters will participate in the Clear the Shelters event including: Animal Protection Society of Durham, Franklin County Animal Shelter, Harnett County Animal Shelter, Johnston County Animal Services, Orange County Animal Services, Paws4ever, Wake County Animal Center, SPCA of Wake County, Safe Haven for Cats, Wayne County Education and Animal Adoption Center and Cumberland County Animal Control.

Visit www.wral.com/lifestyles/pets/ to access more information about Clear the Shelters. A real-time pet “Adoption Tracker” will record the total number of pets that are adopted across all participating markets.

Also, tune in to WRAL-TV on Friday, August 24, 2018, at 7 p.m. for a 30-minute Clear the Shelters special featuring highlights from the national event, plus local pet adoption stories.

Henderson-Vance P.U.L.L. Weekend to Feature Food, Games and Free Kids’ 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 third annual Henderson – Vance P.U.L.L. (Peace – Unity – Love – Live) Weekend Friday, August 24 – Sunday, August 26, 2018.

The weekend begins with a Fire Star professional wrestling match at Aycock Recreational Complex and concludes with free haircuts for school-age kids at participating businesses.

Please see flyer for additional events, dates and information.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Properties Committee to Review Offers on Two Foreclosed Properties

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

Please be informed that the county’s Properties Committee (Brummitt, Taylor, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at 4 p.m. in the administrative conference room.

The purpose of this meeting is to review two offers on foreclosed properties.

All commissioners are invited to attend.

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Commissioner Brummitt Says Fire Plan to Create, Not Cut, Paid Positions

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Vance County Commissioner Dan Brummitt, a 12-year representative of District 4, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss plans to improve response time to fires and emergencies in the county.

Working with a fire plan crafted by the Vance County Board of Commissioners approximately seven years ago, Brummitt said several “tweaks” have been made over the years to better serve residents.

“We’ve put paid firefighters in during the day in Bearpond, Hicksboro and Townsville [fire departments] and are looking at putting paid staff in all of the volunteer fire departments on a part-time basis,” said Brummitt.

According to Brummitt, the County’s new CAD software will allow for faster and more accurate tracking of calls and response time. “With the new system, we can identify specifically what kind of calls we receive and where they are occurring so we can more accurately predict behaviors and put people in the right place to ensure quicker response times.”

The Board’s Public Safety Committee hopes to have an approved proposal to take before the full Vance County Board of Commissioners this fall. “We hope to have more accurate numbers after three months or so of data collection with the CAD system before we present the plan.”

While Brummitt was thankful to the various fire departments and the Volunteer Association for their feedback and support of the plan to monitor calls and redistribute firefighters where needed, he admitted unemployment rumors have created concern. “There has been apprehension that people were going to lose their jobs. We’ve been very deliberate from the beginning of the process to ensure that no person is going to lose their job.”

“You may not wake up in the same fire department that you’re in now, but your job is not going away,” said Brummitt. On the contrary, Brummitt said payroll could increase if current unpaid volunteer work becomes paid part-time employment.

Brummitt reiterated that nothing is set in stone and that commissioners are still developing the plan and receiving input from the community. He also stated that any previous plans presented or reported are simply concept plans and not a final, approved version.

“We are still developing the plan, still receiving input from professionals, volunteers and the community; all input will go into developing the plan. It is a totally open process.”

Brummitt believes all of the input and restructuring of the current fire plan will pay off if citizens in Vance County are better protected in emergency situations. “The end-all is that we want to get quicker with response time to people out in the county and we’re working on that now.”

Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Giving Away 4,000 Pencils

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-Information courtesy the Rebuilding Hope, Inc. August 2018 newsletter

Rebuilding Hope, Inc. (RHI) has 4,000 pencils to give away. If you need pencils for your classes or projects, please call (252) 438-5132.

The pencils, which are not sharpened, were donated to RHI. Printed on them are the names of various businesses and organizations that ordered too many.

Perry Memorial Library Announces Fall Schedule for Youth Programs

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-Information courtesy the Perry Memorial Library website

Perry Memorial Library, 205 Breckenridge St., Henderson, announces their fall lineup of youth programs. Fall programs run  September 17 – November 29, 2018, and include:

Totally Tweens – Ages 8 – 12, Mondays @ 5 p.m.

Story Explorers – Ages 5 – 11. Tuesdays @ 5 p.m.

Books & Babies – Ages Birth – 2, Thursdays @ 10:45 a.m.

Mother Goose Storytime – Ages 2 – 5, Thursdays @ 11 a.m.

LEGO Fun Club – Ages 5 – 13, Thursdays @ 4 p.m.

August is program planning month for the library; youth programs resume Monday, September 17.

West End Baptist

West End Community Watch to Hear from Maria Parham, Tues., Aug. 21

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Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch

The West End Community Watch will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. This group always meets in the Fellowship Hall of the West End Baptist Church, 619 Dabney Dr., Henderson. All are invited, regardless of where they live.

The speaker for the evening will be a representative of the management of Maria Parham Health. As usual, police will be present to give recent police activity reports and hear concerns from those present.

Please write it on your calendar and plan to attend. All are welcome.