WIZS Radio Local News Audio 05-10-23 Noon
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Tag Archive for: #wizsnews
TownTalk: Henderson City Council’s Fire Department Update
The Henderson Fire Department enjoys a rating that puts it among an elite group of fire departments across the country, and Acting Fire Chief Curtis Tyndall said he was proud to present information about how the department measures up to industry standards during Monday’s City Council meeting.
Tyndall thanked the city for helping the fire department provide the city with the level of service to its residents.
The ISO rates fire departments on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. Insurance companies use the grade to help determine insurance premiums.
The Henderson fire department has a level 2, which puts it in the top 4 percent of departments across the country.
The areas that are considered during the ISO rating include emergency communications, fire departments, availability of water and community risk.
According to Tyndall, 78 percent of the city is with a 1.5-mile radius of a fire department.
The city has been discussing for the past several years the possibility of adding a third fire station to serve the western part of town.
In an email sent to WIZS Tuesday morning, Henderson City Council member Garry Daeke commented on Monday’s meeting and about the city’s finances.
“We have spent our money on recurring costs, salaries, and the budget is about to get much tighter,” Daeke wrote. “Taking action sooner, rather than later, would save on future costs,” referring to the construction of a third fire station.
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The Local Skinny! Upcoming Children’s Programs At Perry Library
Summer is just around the corner, and Perry Memorial Library staff is planning a host of programs to keep youngsters occupied while they’re enjoying their time away from school.
Youth Services Director Melody Peters said the library will be a cool spot to visit over the summer, and not just for the air conditioning.
“It’s free – all summer long,” she told WIZS’s Bill Harris during the library’s recurring segment of The Local Skinny!
A new space for teens is being created just outside the Maker Space, Peters said. They’ve ordered some new “cool” furniture for the spot, which will be geared to young people in middle and high school. Teens that take part in the summer reading program will get coupons that they can turn in for sweet summer treats.
The reading program isn’t just for teens, however. There are a variety of ways to track progress – from time spent reading to chapters completed, and participants can come to the library each week to track their progress and get prizes.
“We want everybody to join us,” Peters said. The reading challenge kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13.
The N.C. Cooperative Extension is offering a Lunch and Learn program on Wednesdays for students in grades 6-8. The first session will be Wednesday, June 14, Peters said, and participants will be cooking and making different recipes each week.
And although the Mother Goose storytime is taking a break in May, Peters said the time slot – Thursdays at 11 a.m. – is still a great time for young children to come and take part in some “make and take” craft projects.
“It really is for all ages,” she said, adding that there’s a theme for each week’s projects through the month.
Peters said craft activities are really important ways for youngsters to develop skills that they need at school. “I was hearing from teachers that kids really missed out on some of those skills with scissors, painting“ during the pandemic. “Kids really lost two years of using scissors, using glue – those fine motor skills really do matter.”
Another way young people can use their imagination and develop those fine motor skills at the same time is by coming to the Lego Club. The Club begins June 15 at 4:30 p.m. in the children’s storytime area.
Participants will have the option of “free-build” or they can accept a challenge, Peters said.
“We’re going to try to have challenges and then say, ‘show us what you did,’” she added.
Contact the library at 252.438.3316 to learn more about any of the programs the library offers. Peters’s extention is 226. Or you can visit www.perrylibrary.org or follow the library on Facebook or Instagram.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 05-08-23 Noon
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Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 05-08-23 Noon
Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Henderson City Council Approves Resolution to Name Bridge in Memory of Master Trooper
The Henderson City Council unanimously approved a resolution to name a bridge in Vance County in memory of Master Trooper James “Brent” Montgomery.
The action item appeared on the Council’s agenda Monday night. The resolution calls for the I-85 bridge at Satterwhite Point Road to be named in memory of Montgomery. He died in March 2021 from complications of COVID-19 at age 50.
He had been a trooper for 15 years in Vance, Warren and Franklin counties, and before joining the Highway Patrol had worked with the local sheriff’s office and police department.
“As a dedicated public servant, he was exemplary in the performance of his duties and an inspiration to all who knew him,” according to information included in the Council’s agenda packet.
A portion of the resolution reads:
WHEREAS, the Henderson City Council desires to honor former North Carolina State Trooper and dedicated public servant James “Brent” Montgomery; and
WHEREAS, Master Trooper Montgomery served the North Carolina Highway Patrol in Vance, Warren and Franklin counties with diligence and honor for 15 years; and
WHEREAS, Master Trooper Montgomery served as Field Training Officer, Traffic Crash Instructor, Taser Instructor and had charge over the School of Safety Program; and
WHEREAS, after enduring a difficult battle with Covid-19, James Brent Montgomery, at 50 years old,
passed away on March 15, 2021; and
WHEREAS, personally and professionally, Master Trooper Montgomery was loved and respected for his exemplary conduct and service to the community.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Henderson City Council does hereby request the North Carolina Board of Transportation name the Satterwhite Bridge over I-85 for the late Master Trooper James ‘Brent’ Montgomery.”
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TownTalk: CultureFest Coming To Oxford This Weekend
CultureFest is coming to downtown Oxford and organizers hope that all those who take part in the festivities will leave with a greater appreciation not just for diversity, but for all the things that different world cultures share in common.
“It’s back and bigger than ever,” said Ajulo Othow, one of those planning the event. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and a postponement from last fall because of an impending hurricane, the festival will resume for its second year in the Littlejohn parking lot in Oxford.
Oxford Mayor Jackie Sargent and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen joined Othow on Monday’s TownTalk to discuss highlights of the festival, which will take place Saturday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A variety of entertainment is scheduled each half hour, which Othow said represents cultures from around the globe. St. Cyprian’s African Drummer group kicks things off at 11 a.m., and Sergent said she plans to stick close to the stage so she can enjoy all the performers throughout the day.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn some new things…celebrate each other and learn commonalities,” Othow said. Her mother, the late Dr. Helen Othow, had the original vision for CultureFest. “I’m proud to be able to continue the work she started.”
The festival has taken on a larger community feel since it found its downtown spot, with collaborators including The John Chavis Society, the City of Oxford, Granville Tourism, Downtown Oxford Economic Development Commission, Granville Ed Foundation, Mary Potter Club, Granville Museum and NC Arts Council all contributing to the event.
“I am really proud of this particular festival,” Allen said, adding that she expects folks from outside Oxford and Granville County to come to the festival. “It’s an awesome time to invite people into Granville County,” she said, while uniting folks who already call Granville County home.
There will be food trucks, more than 20 vendors with crafts and more, as well as children’s activities and demonstrations like tortilla making and much more during the daylong festival, making it a real interactive event, Allen said.
“Many hands have gone into making this a successful celebration and a community event,” she added, and that she hopes it becomes a fixture among the city’s festivals.
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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Planting Gardens
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Oxford’s New City Manager Set To Begin Work May 10
-information courtesy of City of Oxford Communication Specialist Sabrina Richards
The City of Oxford has a new city manager – William “Brent” Taylor has been appointed to the post and will be sworn in to begin his new duties in a ceremony on May 10.
Taylor most recently was town manager for Selma, NC and brings with him 30 years of experience in municipal government in the Carolinas, according to information from the city of Oxford.
He has experience with issues relating to police departments, town events and water and sewer management. In his role as town administrator in Walhalla, SC, Taylor helped secure ffunding for the Walhalla Water Treatment facility and improved the water quality for the city’s residents.
“We are excited to welcome Mr. Taylor as our new City Manager. He demonstrated multiple strengths to the board during his interviewing process.” said Mayor Jackie Sergent. “His passion for public service, commitment to transparency and accountability, and the ability to build relationships with employees and residents makes him the perfect candidate to lead our city.”
As city manager, Taylor will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city, strategic planning, budget management and community engagement.
“The people of Oxford have been very warm and friendly and the city has that small-town charm which not only makes me want to work here but even more importantly be a place to live,” Taylor stated upon his selection to the position.
A drop-in reception to welcome Taylor will be held in the City Hall lobby between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., before the regular monthly commissioners meeting begins. The public is welcome to attend.