Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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Program For Low-Income Residents Offers Help With Winter Heat Bills

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The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program provides a one-time annual vendor payment to help eligible families pay their heating expense.  If you received a LIEAP payment in 2023-2024, someone in the household was disabled and receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services OR households containing a person aged 60, an automatic payment will be generated to that same account this fiscal year. It is not necessary to re-apply. The state mailed notices in October 2024 to each family from the 2023-2024 pre-populated application information, according to Cassandra Hart with the Vance County Department of Social Services.

The notice contains instructions about how to report changes to the department. The recipient can contact or return the notice with changes to their local DSS office within 10 business days. If the recipient does not contact or report any changes to DSS, the information from the 2023-2024 LIEAP application will be used to approve the household for 2024-2025 benefits. The recipient will be informed that an automated LIEAP payment was approved.

Households not included in the target population will be able to apply following regular LIEAP application policy. Regular application policy is as follows:

  • Application period begins Dec. 1 for households with a disabled person who is receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services OR households containing a person aged 60 and above are potentially eligible during the month of December or until funds are exhausted.
  • Applications for general public will be taken from Jan. 1 through Mar. 31 or until funds are exhausted.

This program is being administered by:

Vance County Department of Social Services

500 N. Beckford Dr. Ste. C

Henderson, NC 27536

office 252.492.5001 ext. 3900

fax 252.438.5997

email Vance.County.DSS@vance.nc.gov

Applications may be submitted by mail, email, fax, dropped off, in person, or online (epass.nc.gov/),

When applying, the following information may be needed to determine eligibility:

  • Information about your household’s income. If anyone works, provide wage stubs for the month prior to the month of application
  • Recent statement for savings or checking accounts
  • Name, date of birth, and social security card or numbers for each household member
  • Account number for the heating source. Households that heat with wood/kerosene, will not have a bill to submit

Heating bill-If the bill is not in applicant’s or other household member’s name, the applicant must provide a written statement from the person whose name the bill is in (must be 18 or older), stating that applicant is responsible for payment of the heating expense.

(Originally published on WIZS.com on November 18, 2024.)

Longtime VGCC President, Dr. Ben F. Currin, Dies

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Dr. Benjamin Fleming Currin, long-time president of Vance-Granville Community College,  died on Nov. 23, 2024. Under his leadership, VGCC grew from a single campus to four campuses, doubled its enrollment and saw its Endowment Fund swell to $5 million. He was 88.

Ben was born on November 13, 1936 in Granville County to Sophia Hunt Currin and Elam Ray Currin. He attended the public schools of then Oxford City Schools. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1955 and earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. He is survived by his wife, Betsy, a son, George and a granddaughter, Catherine.

According to his obituary, “Ben was a man of the people and had the rare ability to relate to and care about people from all walks of life. He and Betsy devoted their lives to education—he was a teacher, school principal, school superintendent, and community college president.”

Current VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais sent a message to staff and board members on Sunday afternoon to share the news of Currin’s passing. “It is with sadness that I communicate with you this weekend,” the statement read. “I know that some of you worked with him or went to college when he was president,” Desmarais stated. He held a variety of positions in public schools systems across the state, beginning in 1959 in Durham as a teacher and coach. He rose through the ranks and became the youngest principal in the state just a couple of years later when he was named principal at Eureka Elementary in Wayne County. By 1970, he was named superintendent of Rocky Mount City Schools and led the school system for more than a decade.

Currin was named VGCC president in 1981 and retired in 1998. During that time, VGCC experienced exponential growth.

In 2016, Ben received the I.E. Ready Award, the highest honor given by the North Carolina Community College System, which recognizes individuals who have made significant, statewide contributions to the establishment, development or enhancement of the community college system. Currin also was a Mason and a Shriner.

A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, North Carolina, 530 Hillsboro St., at a date and time to be announced.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home is handling arrangements. View the full obituary at dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/benjamin-currin-12104838. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Ben F. Currin scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College, or to Transitions LifeCare.

In an article about the I.E. Ready award written in 2016, WIZS News spoke with L. Opie Frazier Jr. about Currin’s accomplishments. Frazier was chair of the VGCC board of trustees for many of the years during Currin’s tenure as president, and Frazier called Currin “a godsend” as part of the written nomination for the award. “His greatest asset was his emphasis on students. The second was his enthusiasm. His successes are many – for example, the satellite campuses started under his leadership and the scholarship program that grew dramatically – because he wanted the best for students, and his enthusiasm helped him win friends at various levels to help him grow the college and serve more students,” Frazier wrote.

In remarks at the 2009 ceremony at which Currin received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Dr. J. Reid Parrott Jr., retired president of Nash Community College, cited the positive impact Currin had on VGCC. “I want to tell you, I’ve been doing this community college stuff a long time, and there is no president of all 58 of our schools that has transformed an institution as quickly and as magnificently as Ben Currin did at Vance-Granville,” Parrott said.

YMCA

Remember Henderson Family YMCA On ‘Giving Tuesday’ Dec.3

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The days following Thanksgiving are a retailer’s dream – slash – nightmare – Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday.

But then comes Giving Tuesday, where the emphasis is not on retail so much as on ways to support local organizations. It’s a global day of giving that has come into its own as a way to provide support to causes that matter to you, the giver.

This year, the leadership at the Henderson Family YMCA invite its neighbors and community partners to donate on Giving Tuesday – Dec. 3, 2024 – to support the Y’s mission to provide programs and services that help individuals and families across Vance County and the surrounding area.

Director of Marketing and Operations Christina Miceli said, “Many people feel compelled to support an organization that provides vital services to all, especially in their local communities. The YMCA’s ability to create a sense of belonging and a healthy connected community – through afterschool care, summer camps, swimming lessons, fitness classes, or senior wellness – appeals to donors who want to make a tangible difference.”

A $100 donation, for example, equates to three swim lessons for a young person. A donation of $230 provides a family one month of after-school care for a child. And a $582 gift provides one adult a year-long membership with full access to all facility amenities, including the fitness center and the pool.

So whether it’s swim lessons, a workout in the weight room or water aerobics for senior adults, Miceli said the Y provides a wide assortment of programs and activities.

“When people see how their contributions can directly enhance lives and strengthen the community, the YMCA stands out as a truly worthy cause,” Miceli said.
“The YMCA means something different to everyone; it is truly what you make of it.”

For many, the Y is a place where young people learn how to swim, but also a place where they gain confidence, Miceli said. “For others, it’s a place where children can experience summer camp and embrace the gift of adventure. The Y is also a welcoming space for widows and widowers, providing the gift of connection and community during challenging times,” she said.

Teens can play basketball after school, strengthening their passion for sports and the value of teamwork.

“For our members, it’s a space to exercise and receive the gift of activity and health. And for those looking to make a difference, it’s a place to volunteer and participate, giving the gift of purpose and fulfillment,” Miceli added.

Through a variety of programs and partnerships, the local YMCA strives to create an inclusive environment that supports the health and well-being of all community members, Miceli said. That makes the Y a welcoming place for everyone.

With a focus on affordability, inclusivity and community outreach, the Y can be a place for the whole community to use and enjoy.

  • Financial Assistance: The Y offers financial assistance and discounted rates for youth programs, ensuring that low-income individuals and families can participate in memberships without financial barriers. This commitment allows more people to access the amenities and benefits of the Y.
  • Diverse Programming: The Y offers swim lessons for all ages and skill levels, ensuring everyone can learn to swim safely. But there’s also a wide range of  fitness classes for people of all abilities, from beginners to advanced. The Y tailors programming for older adults, too, which includes social activities and educational workshops to promote healthy aging.
  • Community Collaboration: The Y collaborates with schools, nonprofits and community groups to expand its outreach. Free programs like the Diabetes Prevention Program, for example, helps participants lower their risk of type 2 diabetes, and the Y’s Safety Around Water initiative targets second graders in Vance County how to be safe around water.

Visit https://www.hendersonymca.org/ and click on the link to donate.

 

NC State Board of Elections

Sossamon Files Protests To Results Of Nov. 5 Election As Recount Continues

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N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon has filed protests with the Vance and Granville elections boards, citing that, at least in Vance County, votes were counted when, for a variety of reasons, they shouldn’t have been.

In an emergency meeting of the N.C. State Board of Elections, Sossamon was among four candidates from across the state whose protests were considered for review.

The three irregularities Sossamon is citing about the election results include:

  • counting ballots of voters who died before the Nov. 5 election;
  • incomplete voter registration information;
  • overseas voters whose ballots should not have been counted because they have not lived in the state

 

According to Paul Cox, general counsel of the state board of elections, Sossamon filed protests with Vance County and with Granville County. WIZS News has received a copy of the 4-page letter and three different letters of protest to Vance County on Wednesday afternoon from Phil Strach, Sossamon’s attorney with the law firm Nelson Mullins of Raleigh.

Among the documents accompanying the protest about incomplete information is a 7-page spreadsheet containing the names of inf more than 250 individuals in Vance County who needed to provide additional information to confirm voter registration – information like a driver’s license and the last 4 digits of a social security number.

WIZS News has asked the Granville County Board of Elections Director Tonya Burnette for information about the protests received in her office; we will update this news story when that information is available.

The state board adopted a draft proposal that basically states a county’s board of elections will be the first line of defense for the protests that are “fact-dependent,” leaving the state board to consider other types of protests to maintain uniformity and consistency across the state’s 100 counties.

“Right now, we’re just asking the counties to make a factual determination…to do a data analysis,” Hirsch told the board.

Protestors have by close of business Wednesday, Nov. 27 to file legal briefs; respondents – the other candidate in the four contests – must submit their briefs by close of business on Friday, Dec. 6.

The protest filings add yet another wrinkle to an already complicated and drawn-out process, now more than two weeks after the Nov. 5 general election. Sossamon currently trails challenger Bryan Cohn by 233 votes, but the protests bring into question the vote totals.

With the state canvass set for Tuesday, the board agreed Wednesday that the certification of statewide election results would take place – except for those with a pending recount, including the District 32 House seat that Sossamon currently holds.

As part of the county canvass process, the state generated lists sent out to county boards of elections as part of the review process to remove any ballots with irregularities – ballots cast by felons; ballots cast by voters who died before the Nov. 5 election date; and voters who had their registration denied or removed.

The state board will consider the other three categories of protests  – registered voters who are challenging eligibility, overseas or military ballots cast by a U.S. citizen and military/overseas citizen voters using absentee process to cast ballots without providing a photo ID –

in an effort to keep uniform and consistent the interpretation of election law across the state.

North Henderson Baptist

North Henderson Baptist Church In 20th Year Of Support For Operation Christmas Child

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North Henderson Baptist Church is celebrating 20 years of being a local drop-off site for the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox ministry.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, which send the showbox-sized packages to children across the globe each Christmas.

Church members began collecting the packed boxes on Monday when the Naitonal Collection Week began, and they’ll continue through Monday, Nov. 25.

North Henderson Baptist Church is located at 1121 N. Garnett St.

  • Wednesday, Nov. 20 – 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 21 – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 22 – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 23 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 24 – 12 noon to 5 p.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 25 – 10 a.m. to 12 noon

There are more than 4,700 drop-off locations open around the country.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for more than three decades. In 2024, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 12 million children. The project of Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

Participants can use the online lookup tool to find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. It is searchable by city or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop off.

 

For more information, call 704.583.1463, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

 

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Salvation Army

TownTalk: Annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Season Kicks Off

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As if on cue, November 15 provided a crisp backdrop to the morning’s Red Kettle Season Kickoff, and dozens from the community showed up outside Belk to take the opportunity to drop in the first donations of the Christmas season.

The Vance County High School chorus provided several seasonal and inspirational selections for the Salvation Army kickoff event to add an air of excitement and joy to the chilly morning’s festivities.

Whether you’re someone who hauls out the holly and puts up the tree before Thanksgiving or you’re one of those die-hards who prefers to wait until December to think about Christmas plans, you’re likely to run across a few Red Kettles and bell ringers during the next 40 days.

Alongside the iconic Salvation Army symbol of giving, the bell ringers invite shoppers to donate during the holiday season to help provide food and gifts to seniors and children across Vance County and the surrounding counties it serves.

Kettle donations “help us provide clothing and toys for children at Christmas time,” said Maj. Beth Mallard. But more than 200 senior adults also have signed up to receive food baskets, Mallard said Friday, and the funds are used to feed more than 500 people each month, all year long.

“When you walk by, make sure you drop something in the bucket,” she said.

The kettles ignite a spirit of generosity in our community, said Margier White, chair of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce board. “Each bell that rings this season (is) not just signalling a donation,” White said, “it’s a connection that we make with people who are in need.

Placing any donation – coins or bills – represents love, kindness and community support, she said.

The Salvation Army kettle is “more than just a container – it represents hope for families facing hardships.”

Call Mallard at 252.438.7107 if you’d like information about volunteering to be a bell ringer during the holiday season. You, your church or civic group can also sponsor a kettle, or participate in the Angel Tree project at https://www.tsamm.org/angeltree.

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Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Handcrafted Holiday Market Saturday, Nov. 16 At Vance Regional Farmers Market

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is hosting its annual Handcrafted Holiday Market tomorrow, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy!

The much-anticipated holiday event transforms the market with a variety of homemade gifts sprinkled amid the bounty from fall gardens.

In addition to handmade crafts, vendors have skin care products, jewelry, quilts and more – it’s a great time to find the perfect gift for everyone on your shopping list.

But Market Manager Pat Ayscue says you can also shop for locally sourced meats and produce, too – there’s beef, pork, chicken, lamb, local honey, cabbage, collards, turnip salad and the best jellies, pickles, tomatoes and fall apples around!

Live Christmas music giving the sound of the season and the air will be filled with chatter from seeing old friends and the joy of making new friends.

The farmers market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. in Henderson.

NC Coop Extension

Free Soil Samples End Nov. 26; Submit Samples Now To Avoid $4 Fee Per Sample

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The time for getting free soil samples from The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab is almost over – it’s about to hit its busy season, but growers and homeowners have until Tuesday, Nov. 26 to squeak in under the wire before the fee of $4 per sample begins.

“Accurate lime and fertilizer recommendations are critical to producing healthy plants and crops and to avoid unnecessary expenses and protect our natural resources,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Recommendations that come from soil testing lets you know exactly what you need to add for optimal production. When it comes to fertilization needs, don’t guess, test.”

Peak-season fees are implemented annually to encourage growers to submit samples early, which helps spread out the testing time frame and to invest in equipment and temporary staff to decrease turnaround times. This year, the peak laboratory season starts Nov. 27 and runs through March 31, 2025.

Samples must physically arrive on the Agronomic Services’ loading dock no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, to avoid that $4 per sample fee.

“This year the Agronomic Services Division is renewing its efforts to improve operational efficiency and optimize our customer service. To help in this mission, growers are asked to pay particular attention to the submission process,” said Dr. Don Edralin, soil testing section chief. “Small details matter when you consider that the Soil Testing Lab processes about 300,000 samples annually.”

Soil samples submitted without adequate grower, consultant, and/or sample information will not proceed through the lab but will be set aside.  This information is essential to associate samples with the correct existing client account or to establish a new unique client account. Samples will be held for at least five days, and an attempt will be made to obtain the missing information. Due to limited storage space, samples cannot be held indefinitely.

To avoid samples ending up in the “holding area,” simply follow the instructions listed below. In doing so, you will help the Soil Testing Lab be more efficient, and in turn, avoid unnecessary delays in sample processing.

  1. Only use soil sample boxes provided by NCDA&CS. Soil sample boxes and submission forms are provided at local county Cooperative Extension Centers and at the Agronomic Services Division, 4300 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. Fill the soil box to the red line found on the outside of the box. Required information on the box includes the client’s name, address and sample ID.
  2. With your samples, send a completed soil submission form. Needed information includes client’s name with their full address and a crop code which is critical for plant-specific recommendations. The list of codes is found on the second page of the sample submission form. Since soil test results are emailed to clients, it is extremely important that a valid email address is provided. Additionally, providing a current phone number is highly encouraged as it is helpful for faster contact if there is an issue with soil sample submission. For convenience, a fillable soil submission form for routine homeowner samples can be found at https://www.ncagr.gov/media/3727/open.
  3. Make sure that information listed on your soil submission form matches what is on your sample boxes.
  4. Save a copy/photo of your sample submission form for your records.
  5. Ensure that sample boxes are packed securely inside a sturdy shipper to avoid damage during transport. Do not use padded mailing envelopes. For faster delivery, private carriers such as UPS or FedEx deliver directly to the Agronomic building rather than an off-site mail center that USPS is required to use. Some Cooperative County Extension offices collect samples from homeowners for delivery to the division; clients are encouraged to make sure that delivery meets their intended expectations and needs.
  6. If you have access to a computer and printer, use the online data entry feature on PALS (www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pals) to ensure the most accurate delivery of sample information to the lab but enclose a copy of the submission form with soil sample boxes.

N.C. House Of Representatives District 32 Election Result 2024

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UPDATE: Thursday, Nov 7

The N.C. House District 32 race is one of several tight contests that played out across the state during Tuesday’s election. And although Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn ended the night with 182 more votes than incumbent Frank Sossamon, it remains unclear whether there will be call for a recount.

Local elections officials still have to review provisional ballots, which must be verified before they are counted and added to the official results.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles said the provisional ballot meeting will take place in Vance County Thursday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.

According to information released earlier Thursday by the N.C. State Board of Elections, Vance County had a total of 163 provisional ballots cast – 141 on Nov. 5 and 22 during the early voting period.

In Granville County, a total of 417 provisional ballots were cast – 380 on Nov. 5 and 37 during the early voting period.

Winder Street Dedicated As ‘Eddie James Hicks Drive’

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With a contingent of family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers gathered at the corner of Garnett and West Winder streets, city leaders unveiled new signs dedicating Winder Street in honor of Eddie Hicks, a hometown celebrity with a servant’s heart.

All the green Winder Street signs – from Chestnut Street to County Home Road – will have a second attached that identifies it as Eddie James Hicks Drive.

Flanking the words on the sign are the East Carolina University Sports Hall of Fame logo and the familiar New York Giants insignia, a tip of the hat to the places where Hicks dazzled crowds with his athletic gifts. Hicks was inducted into the ECU hall of fame in 2014. He played for the Giants and returned to watch his beloved Giants play when he could.

Kendrick Vann, director of the Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks Department, recalled when he and Hicks went to a Giants game. Hicks was Vann’s godfather, and he also was an employee of the rec and parks department.

“He truly loved being a benefit to the community, an asset to the community and all people, regardless of race, color, creed,” Vann told those gathered at the 11 a.m. dedication ceremony where the sign was officially unveiled.

Vann said Hicks loved his church, his temple and working for the City of Henderson and Vance County. And, Vann said, he offered advice about making priorities in life: “Church, community, family, football.”

David Person, Worshipful Master of Beacon Light Lodge 249, said Hicks loved his lodge and he loved his lodge brothers. “Let’s continue to think of Eddie and the legacy he’s built,” Person said, and all the people who have been impacted by him.

Hicks’s widow, Jackie, spoke briefly before the sign was unveiled and thanked those in attendance for sharing in the moment. “There was nothing that this man wouldn’t do for anybody,” she said. With a resolve to stay strong, as her husband would have wanted, she challenged the group to work for change in the city that Hicks called home.

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