Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

TownTalk: Mary Emma Evans Foundation Continues To Help Those in Need

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It all started with popsicles.

And young people playing ball on a basketball court in South Henderson, said Phyllis Evans.

The “it” Evans is referring to has evolved beyond popsicles and the neighborhood where Evans lives.

The Mary Emma Evans Foundation provides resources for the whole community, from tangible items like food and clothing to helping individuals learn soft skills like preparing for job interviews.

Beginning in early August, there will be a physical location for the work of this group of volunteers – many of whom are relatives of Mary Emma Evans, in whose memory the foundation was formed back in 2011.

Phyllis Evans and Phylicia Evans joined WIZS co-host Bill Harris on Monday’s TownTalk to talk about the new location, located on Parham Street. There was a ribbon-cutting recently and now the Evans foundation is expected to be up and running come the first of August.

Phyllis said it hasn’t been easy to try to function without a physical location, and she’s looking forward to having a spot where people can come in and choose items themselves.

“Everybody is all excited,” Phyllis said.

She’s hosting a free clothing giveaway Aug. 4, 5 and 6 at 331 Alexander Ave. Things get started at 8 a.m. on Aug. 4, but come early, because she hopes things will get snatched up quickly. There is a wide assortment of children’s and adult clothing available.

Phylicia Evans is one of Mary Emma’s grandchildren and she said the Parham Street location will be a spot where people can come in and get what they may need, whether it’s food or clothing. Eventually, they hope to establish a diaper bank as well.

Donations are most welcome – whether it’s food items, clothing or, of course, financial. The immediate goal is to raise $1,300 by August 1 to help get them moved in.

“We’re looking for sponsors as we open up our physical place,” Phylicia said. “It would help with the building as we continue doing the great work we’re doing in the community.”

All donations are tax-deductible, Phylicia said, and any board member who accepts donations can provide a receipt upon request.

Because they will have a permanent location, Phylicia said the foundation will be able to partner with other organizations to offer certificate programs for individuals to improve their skillsets.

“People will be able to come to us and get certifications like customer service skills, project management (and) Microsoft Office,” she said. This self-paced program not only improves knowledge, but can be a resume builder, too.

“We look forward to seeing a lot of growth and just continuing to expand” the services they can provide, she said.

Her grandmother was a staunch supporter of Henderson’s beautification efforts when she served on the City Council, Phylicia said. For that reason, the family participates in the Adopt-A-Highway program to try to tame the litter along Dabney Road near Lowe’s Home Improvement.

They picked up trash along that roadside back in January and they hope to get back out in the fall, when the weather cools a bit.

No doubt, Mary Emma would approve.

If you’d like to help, contact Phyllis Evans at 252.767.8902 or email

maryemmaevans@gmail.com.

Follow on Facebook The Mary Emma Evans Foundation or visit the website at https://www.maryemmaevansfoundation.org/

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Yellow Jackets

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

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Kittrell, Middleburg Voters Have Candidates For Nov. 7 Election

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The towns of Kittrell and Middleburg have a slate of candidates who have filed for mayor and seats on the town councils.

The elections will be held Nov. 7, according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

Incumbent Mayor Jerry Joyner is running unopposed in Kittrell and there are three candidates for three seats on the town council: Mary Jo Floyd, Susan Pulley and Robert Tunstall.

In Middleburg, Ray Bullock is running unopposed for mayor and Hazel Baskett, Shirley Bullock and Mamie Turner have filed to be candidates for three seats on the town council.

WIZS News Special Report: Candidate Filing Period Closes

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Broadcast from the Vance County Board of Elections office on WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM

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TownTalk: ‘Way To GROW!’ Festival Coming To Downtown Henderson

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Say you’re organizing an event – complete with food, music and more – and you really want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves. One sure-fire way to make sure the whole community feels invited and welcomed is to get key leaders involved and interested.

Two people who fit that description in the Henderson area are Heather Joi Kenney and Tracy Mosley. They, along with other community partners, are introducing a street festival called Way to GROW! to focus on all aspects of entrepreneurship.

Kenney is president of Gateway CDC and Mosley is director of Helping All People Excel, a local nonprofit whose focus is access, exposure and opportunity for all youth.

They were guests on Thursday’s TownTalk to provide details about the Aug. 12 festival.

Actually, the week leading up to the Aug. 12 event is Entrepreneur Week at Gateway CDC, which is hosting a variety of workshops Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. to share information about becoming a successful, sustainable entrepreneur.

Because of her love for this community, “the beauty of its people and of the downtown area,” Kenney said she applied for – and ultimately received – a grant from NC IDEA, a statewide nonprofit whose mission is to support entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship across the state. The Way to GROW! festival “provides an opportunity for people to be entertained and to shop” among dozens of vendors who are themselves entrepreneurs.

A plus for the vendors is that there’s no fee to participate, she said.

Once she had the grant funding, “Tracy came to mind immediately,” Kenney said, adding that if anyone could make it successful, it was Mosley. “She can make it happen!”

“I’m an event planner – I love events,” Mosley said. “It’s a passion of mine and I love Henderson and the community.”

The plan is to block off Garnett Street between Orange and W. Montgomery streets for the festival. The Breckenridge Street area to Chestnut Street, as well as Wyche Street, also will accommodate pedestrian-only traffic that day.

The idea is to show prospective entrepreneurs that it’s possible to take a passion and turn it into a successful and sustainable business.

It’s one way to create and support the idea of community, Kenney said. “We are responsible for one another…Henderson’s way to grow is collectively.”

Join the fun on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. for food, music, vendors, and more at the Way to GROW! festival in downtown Henderson. The Queens Court of Charlotte, Jim Quick & Coastline, DJ AK and DJ Scoop, along with Chanel Scott of CheMinistry are just some of the groups providing entertainment.

To sign up to volunteer or to become a sponsor, contact Gateway CDC at 252.492.6298.

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Elliott Expects Big Things From Vipers On The Football Field

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With the first game less than a month away, Vance Co. Vipers head coach Aaron Elliott is looking to have a very successful season.  In Elliott’s first season as head coach, he took the Vipers to the playoffs and fully expects to be back this year.  “I think we have a great shot at a 10-win season,” Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk.

The Vipers have been participating is numerous 7 on 7 camps over the last several weeks, and Elliott has been happy with what he has seen.  “We have a team full of athletes,” Elliott said.  He has been impressed with Javion Vines-Holder, the team’s quarterback.  “I started working with him in December and he has been terrific,” Elliott stated.

While the team will be a bit on the young side this year, Elliott said his offensive backfield will return intact and his receivers will be a strength for the Vipers.  The offensive line lost only one starter from last year’s team.

The Viper’s open the season at home on August 18th against Warren County.  Follow the Vipers all season long with play by play live on WIZS.

 

Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: A Proper Foundation

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

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Two Men In Custody Following Altercation Involving A Gun At Local Medical Clinic

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Two men were arrested Wednesday following an incident involving a gun that took place in the parking lot of Vance Family Medicine, but police say there were no injuries as a result of the gunfire.

Anthony Meadows, 22, of the Hicksboro community and Ransom Hawkins, 21, of the Gillburg community were in a physical altercation in the medical clinic’s parking lot, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. 

Both men were treated for abrasions and contusions sustained during the fight and they are both in the custody of the Henderson Police Department, pending charges.

The gun was recovered by police.

Further details of the charges and bonds will be forthcoming, Barrow stated.  

Hendfact Director Addresses Vance Commissioners

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Antelmo Salazar, director of Hendfact Fuerza Activa, addressed the Vance County Board of Commissioners during the public comment section of the July 10 regular monthly meeting.

Through an interpreter, Salazar said in its 14 years of service to the Latino community in the area, Hendfact has helped share information and raise awareness among young people and to their parents.

His appearance before the board was to share some of Hendfact’s goals and to say that the group has seen changes that have helped in the community.

“You have the power and resources to help the Latino community,” he said, adding that there are some laws don’t help Latinos.

“We love this county and we want to be included as well,” Salazar said. He has lived in Vance County 30 years.

Chairwoman Yolanda Feimster thanked Salazar for his comments.
“When we take the opportunity to learn about other cultures and other ethnic groups…we get a lot of information that can be helpful and we can impart information that can be helpful

“We appreciate your input in the community,” Feimster said, adding that she hoped they would continue to contribute to the community.

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Antelmo Salazar, director de Hendfact Fuerza Activa, se dirigió a la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Vance durante la sección de comentarios públicos de la reunión mensual ordinaria del 10 de julio.

A través de un intérprete, dijo Salazar, en sus 14 años de servicio a la comunidad latina de la zona, Hendfact ha ayudado a compartir información y concienciar a los jóvenes ya sus padres.

Su aparición ante la junta fue para compartir algunos de los objetivos de Hendfact y decir que el grupo ha visto cambios que han ayudado a la comunidad.

“Tienen el poder y los recursos para ayudar a la comunidad latina”, dijo, y agregó que hay algunas leyes que no ayudan a los latinos.

“Amamos este condado y también queremos ser incluidos”, dijo Salazar, notando que ha vivido por 30 años en el condado de Vance .

La presidenta Yolanda Feimster agradeció a Salazar por sus comentarios.

“Cuando aprovechamos la oportunidad de aprender sobre otras culturas y otros grupos étnicos… obtenemos mucha información que puede ser útil y podemos impartir información que puede ser útil

“Agradecemos su aporte a la comunidad”, dijo Feimster, y agregó que esperaba que continuaran contribuyendo a la comunidad.