Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

TownTalk: Around Old Granville: Cemetery Preservation In Warren County

/by

We’ve probably all seen them dotting the landscape: small cemeteries – fenced or not – that appear to pop up in odd places along the roadside. But there probably many more gravesites that we don’t see in our daily travels – they may be overgrown with weeds, or shrouded in wooded areas well off the road.

Local historian and genealogist Emerson Foster hunts for this type of cemetery. But he doesn’t’ stop when he’s found one – he goes to great lengths to clean it up.

“I see a lot of these graves with headstones falling over and in disrepair,” Foster said on Thursday’s Around Old Granville segment of TownTalk. Along with a handful of his genealogy friends, Foster said they try to right fallen headstones and clean them up.

These are largely family cemeteries, and Foster said he’s located numerous cemeteries in his search for where his own ancestors are buried.

“The last cemetery we went to was the Green family cemetery” in the Snow Hill area of Warren County, Foster told WIZS’s Bill Harris and Mark Pace.

He has relatives that belonged to the Greens that descended from Thomas Edward Green, he said.

As the older members of a family die off, Foster said, the locations of some of these family cemeteries gets lost, so Foster relies on information from relatives or others who may live near a cemetery to help him locate them.

The Green cemetery has 35 graves, five of which were where children are buried. But there was only one marker with the name “Davis,” he said. “Everybody else is marked with field stones.”

Undeterred, Foster used death certificates to confirm which people are buried in that particular cemetery. The death certificates contain names, dates of birth and death – and where the body was buried.

“They all said ‘buried at Green family cemetery,’” he noted.

He located another cemetery after speaking with a woman who lives across the road from where he suspected the cemetery to be. “She pointed us in the right direction. We just kept walking until we found it – it’s deep in the woods,” Foster explained.

He’s been at this for four or five years, and he said he always looks forward to the fall – that’s prime walking-in-the-woods-weather – fewer bugs, too.

These sometimes forgotten cemeteries often are on private property, so Foster recommends trying to locate the owner and request access to the property.

“A lot of these older cemeteries that are way out in the woods, (the landowner) is not even aware that there’s a cemetery there,” he said.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Winterize Your Vehicle

/by

For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

When the weather cools off, we think about taking steps to winterize our homes and our wardrobes, but what about our vehicles? There are a few key steps car and truck owners can take now to keep those vehicles in top running order through the cold winter months.

Is your car harder to start in the winter? It could be a faulty thermostat, weak battery or starter issue, said John Stevenson, WIZS’s resident expert.

“The number one thing is to make sure you have the right content of antifreeze,” Stevenson said, “not the level, but the mixture,” he added. A 50-50 ratio is recommended for most vehicles, but let the professionals at Advance Auto Parts help you select the right product for your vehicle’s needs.

Take a moment to get your battery tested, too. Advance can test your battery at no charge.

In anticipation of icy road conditions, taking a moment to inspect your brakes and tires is another way to make sure you stay safe.

And taking a peek under the hood to do a visual inspection on those cables, belts and spark plugs is not a bad idea, either.

One other item that drivers may overlook is washer fluid. There are different formulas, Stevenson said. “There’s all kinds of stuff that you would never think about,” he said. “That’s a good reason to check things out with the folks at Advance.”

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

CLICK PLAY!

 

WIZS Radio Local News Audio 10-05-23 Noon Special Report

/by

Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F

WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM

 

Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Why?

/by

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

Click Play!

 

TownTalk: Masonic Home For Children’s Homecoming Oct. 14

/by

The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford Homecoming gets underway next weekend and organizers have planned plenty of activities for the community to enjoy.

Gene Purvis is vocational counselor for MHCO and he said the homecoming festivities give alumni a chance to come back to campus for a visit, but it’s also a time for others to tour the campus while enjoying live music, crafts, food and more.

The fun begins in earnest on Friday, Oct. 13, Purvis said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, with a charity golf tournament that alumni sponsor each year. That tournament will be held at South Granville County Club, he noted.

Later that day, as the barbecue teams begin setup for Saturday’s competition, Purvis said the grounds will be open for a “yard party,” a little food and a little music to ease into the next day’s full schedule of events.

“Saturday is the Big Day,” Purvis said. The opening ceremony kicks things off Saturday at 9 a.m., then it’s time to enjoy activities, carnival rides for the kids and a marketplace filled with handcrafted items created by the children who reside in the cottages on campus.

By 11 a.m., though, you should find a good spot along College Street or along the campus’s main driveway to get the best view for the Community and Shrine Parade.

Other main attractions include the two bands scheduled to perform, Purvis said.

At 12:30 p.m., the band 20 Ride takes the stage, followed by Nationwide Coverage from 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

One of the vocalists of this Nashville, TN band is Oxford native Marsha Hancock Matthai, Purvis added.

The children’s home has been in operation for 150 years, and over the years, Purvis estimated that close to 11,000 children have spent time at the residential facility – some for a short time and others for much longer periods.

The home operates almost completely on private donations. “We are almost 100 percent dependent upon donations to keep the programs going here,” Purvis said. “It’s imperative that people do reach out and support in various charitable ways – through items or funds.”

View the full schedule of the Oct. 14 events at

https://mhc-oxford.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Copy-of-MHF-Schedule-of-Events-2023.pdf

CLICK PLAY!

 

The Local Skinny! Vance And Granville Benefit From State Budget Appropriations

/by

 

State employees, current and retired, who live in District 32 join others across the state who will see bumps in salaries and retirement checks, thanks to provisions in the budget most recently approved in Raleigh.

In his first months in the N.C. House representing District 32, Frank Sossamon helped secure those provisions, but that’s not all the freshman representative has been busy with.

Sossamon has been involved in attracting a wide variety of programs and projects- with a pricetag of $44 million – to the district.

“I look forward to seeing the great impact these projects will have on my community,” Sossamon said in a press release. “This budget will allow our state to continue to receive recognition as a great place to own a business and live.”

In addition to salaries for teachers and other state workers, the state budget includes $2 billion for water and sewer improvement projects and more than $620 million for behavioral mental health programs. And Sossamon has secured large slices of the budget pie in those two areas to come right here to Vance and Granville counties.

Sossamon spoke with WIZS News Tuesday about being a legislator. “It’s amazing to me the kind of reception I’ve received from the very beginning,” he said, adding that he has been appointed to some important committees, including the powerful Appropriations Committee.

He said he talked with a lot of legislators to make sure District 32 was included in discussions. “I worked hard with every chairman and vice chairman. Not only did we do a proposal for each (project), but I verbally expressed why these projects need to be supported.”

And that hard work seems to have paid off.

Vance-Granville Community College is getting $11.5 million to create an Advanced Manufacturing Center in Granville County’s Triangle North Business Park. “It’s going to be a game changer,” Sossamon said. It will show prospective businesses looking in the area that District 32 can train workers and support business and manufacturing. “This is going to put us in a different position than we’ve ever been in” for recruiting business and industry, he said.

“This makes me feel good that this is now happening and moving forward,” he added.

And $10 million is flowing to the City of Oxford for water improvements with Kerr Lake Regional Water System.

Maria Parham Healthcare Center is getting $5 million to bolster its capacity and ability to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes.

Other water and sewer projects – including $4 million for Vance County and $5 million for South Granville Water and Sewer round out the 7-figure awards.

Sossamon said the work he does in Raleigh is just part of the overall effort to effect change. “In addition to VGCC, Kerr-Tar COG and economic development leaders, he said “it takes every entity in the district, in each county, every municipality,” he said. “It takes all those, and others, to see these things come to fruition. Everybody has to be going – economically – in the same direction.”

Prospective businesses and industry choose communities for a variety of reasons, not just a pool of trained employees. Education and crime are key indicators, too, and Vance County is getting more than $691,000 to provide the sheriff’s office with body-worn cameras and support equipment. ”We have some appropriation chairs that are pro-law enforcement,” Sossamon noted. “Any time they can support law enforcement, they’re gonna do it.

Sossamon said he predicts the body cameras will be a morale builder for the sheriff and his officers. Having a state-of-the-art department will be a selling point for recruiting, he said.

I’m thrilled for Sheriff Brame,” he said. “I’m elated that this kind of money is coming to the different entities in Vance County to have a better quality of life.”

Hard work lobbying notwithstanding, Sossamon said he is pleased so far with the outcomes for his district.

“I’m trying to do all I can…(for) not just one, but every person.” And that’s what he says he’ll continue to do. “I really want to make our counties better than what they are now.”

CLICK PLAY!

 

The Local Skinny! Home And Garden Show 10-04-23

/by

On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Start preparing for leaf collection. Plan to compost your leaves Do Not Burn Them!!!!!!
  • Save seed from coneflower, sunflower, marigold, rudbeckia, cosmos and others.
  • Check cole crops for insects. Ex Loopers, cabbage worms, Harlequin bugs.
  • Store leftover and collected seed in a cool, dry location.
  • Bring in Houseplants from outside before this weekend
  • If you overseed or reseed your lawn, avoid weed control products according to product instructions.
  • October is a great time to collect your Soil Samples!n 2 week analysis time.
  • Planting trees and shrubs? Start with a tape measure.

Click Play!

 

VCS Announces September Student Spotlight Honorees

/by

Information courtesy of Aarika Sandlin, Vance County Schools Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support

 

Vance County Schools has named its three Student Spotlight winners for September. De’Shun Woods of Vance County Early College, Adreyan Burton of Vance County High School and Taelyn Evans of E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy are the first honorees for the 2023-24 school year.

Students are selected for demonstrating exemplary qualities and contributions to their school communities, according to Aarika Sandlin, VCS Chief Officer of Communication & Innovative Support. The Student Spotlight program, sponsored by Vance County Schools and the Vance County Public School Foundation, aims to celebrate outstanding students who are making a meaningful difference in their schools.

 

De’Shun Woods, senior, Vance County Early College

Woods is a senior at Vance County Early College. He is a natural leader, said Student Government Association Sponsor Brian Schlessinger, who commended Woods for his “innate

leadership qualities and dedication to helping others.” He demonstrates leadership through his academic achievements and his willingness to provide guidance and support to his peers.

Biology teacher Vicki-Ann Fullwood Barrett cited his “consistent performance in the classroom and engagement in discussions, which have been commendable. Beyond academics, he has demonstrated a commitment to being well-rounded through involvement in extracurricular activities, showcasing his dedication to personal growth.”

Woods is vice president of the Student Government Association, president of the Beta Club and

and serves as community service director of the National Honor Society. He plays clarinet and is the woodwind captain for the Vance County High Band. Woods was crowned Homecoming King recently and is a Vance-Granville Community College ambassador. And if that’s not enough, Woods also has a job with Chick-fil-A of Henderson.

Criminology is one of his favorite classes, and Woods has stated that he would like to pursue a criminal justice degree at N.C. State University to prepare him for a career with the N.C. State Highway Patrol. Woods said recently that the class is learning policing styles and discrimination in law enforcement, which motivates him to encourage more minorities to join the profession.

In his down time, Woods likes to listen to R&B music and watch his favorite TV show, The Blacklist. He said his mother is his biggest role model – she works hard and he values her leadership qualities. When asked what advice he would share with others, he said that students must have a voice for themselves and not be deterred by others’ opinions. He wants to encourage people to help one another and become the best version of themselves. De’Shun Woods is a shining example of a student positively impacting the Vance County Early College community and the community at-large.

Adreyan Burton, Junior, Vance County High School

Burton, a junior at Vance County High School, shines brightly as the Student Spotlight for September. His journey at the school is marked by outstanding scholarship and leadership. His commitment to academics and his consistent placement at the top of his class is a testament to his dedication to excel in his studies, school leaders state.

His passion for knowledge is evident in his willingness to go above and beyond in his

schoolwork, always striving for excellence. Beyond academic achievements, Burton possesses an extraordinary leadership gifts that motivate and engage others. He inspires his peers and contributes to a positive learning environment.

His favorite subject is English, because he said it keeps his mind sharp and focused. But he takes time for activities outside the classroom like donning the VCS Viper costume for school and sports activities.

Burton exhibits empathy and kindness in all that he does and he is known for his willingness to help anyone in need, whether it’s creating a culture of support and inclusion at school or inviting a homeless person to a restaurant to make sure that individual had at least one meal that day.

Weightlifting helps him stay in shape and he also enjoys riding 4-wheelers, the music of Hunxo and Lil Tony and TV’s “The Regular Show.”

He admires his mom for teaching him independence and advises others to focus on themselves, be unique and keep smiling.

With aspirations of being an entrepreneur, Burton said he could see himself flipping house or having his own clothing store. His dream adventure includes a visit to Jamaica to enjoy the beaches and the cuisine unique to that Caribbean island.

Taelyn Evans, 4th grader, EM Rollins STEAM Academy 

Evans, a 4th grader at E.M. Rollins STEAM  Academy, was recognized for her exceptional talents and dedication for learning. She comes to class eager to listen, learn, and excel in all subject areas. Her commitment to education is seen in her academic achievements, but also in her willingness to assist her classmates with their questions and assignments. She is a great team player and collaborates well with her peers, making her a dependable and supportive classmate.

Math is her favorite subject because her teacher, Ebony Watkins, makes content fun, she said.

Beyond her academic focus, her passion for

learning is matched only by her love for dancing and

singing. She is a member of Queen of Diamonds dance team and superstar Beyonce is her role model in the area of performing arts. She participates in school musical performances and plays baseball in the community.

Asked what advice she would give to other students, Evans said she wants everyone to do their best, try hard, and remember what they learn in class. Also, to stay calm and have good behavior. She aspires to be a singer and a veterinarian because she loves singing and animals, especially dogs. Asked if she could go on an adventure in the world, she shared that she would visit Africa to see animals and

Jamaica to reconnect with a former teacher. Her motivation for attending school every day is that her mom wants her to have a good education, along with her siblings and a large, loving family.

It’s her dedication and enthusiasm for learning that puts this young lady in the September Student Spotlight. Her teachers are proud to witness her growth, achievements and her commitment to helping other students within the school.

TownTalk: Purr Partners Preps Black Cat Bash Fundraiser

/by

Purr Partners, a Franklin County-based feline rescue and foster organization, is hosting its Black Cat Bash on Saturday, Oct. 14 to raise money for its ongoing efforts to provide medical treatment and homes to sick and adoptable cats.

Founder and president Lawanna Johnson said the nonprofit has been “absolutely swamped” with sick and injured animals. Johnson points to the COVID-19 pandemic for the surge in unwanted kittens and cats. Spay/neuter clinics were adversely affected by the pandemic, she said. “We’re still feeling the effects – we got set back about 20 years,” Johnson said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

The Black Cat Bash is the group’s largest fundraiser of the year, and Johnson said Purr Partners will need every penny it can get to further its efforts. This is the third year for the fundraiser, which Johnson said was interrupted by COVID and then resumed in 2022. The fundraiser will be held at Campbell Lodge, part of the Durant Nature Center, located at 3237 Spottswood Street off Gresham Lake Road in Raleigh.

Tickets are $50 and include a catered dinner from Milton’s, a full dessert bar and one drink ticket.

Johnson said she hopes folks decide to wear costumes and be in a costume contest during the event. There will be a selfie booth for snapping silly photos and the band Reelin’ in the Years will provide music for dancing. And WIZS’s own Bill Harris will emcee the event, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There’s an online auction open now through Oct. 14; visit https://www.purrpartners.org/black-cat-bash-2023/ and click on the Black Cat Bash tab for details about buying tickets and signing up to bid on auction items.

The kitten “season” usually runs from April through November or December, Johnson said, and Purr Partners can have between 200 and 250 cats in its care. During that time. “Once kitten season slows down, our number will drop to 100 or 120,” she said.

She said she gets about 100 phone calls or emails each week from people “begging for help. Sometimes, there’s just not an answer,” Johnson said.

The Black Cat Bash proceeds will go to pay vet bills and “to save cats and kittens that come to us in varying forms of distress,” Johnson said.