Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Sossamon Unseats Incumbent Garrison For N.C. House District 32 Seat

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He didn’t win in his home county, but political newcomer Frank Sossamon unseated incumbent Terry Garrison to win the District 32 seat in the N.C. House.

And shortly after learning of his victory Tuesday evening, Sossamon told WIZS News that his election was a grassroots effort.

“The people realized it was time for a change,” Sossamon said, adding that he looks forward to advancing the district economically, and advancing the community in a wholesome way. He also said he wants to put some “real teeth” in the law that punishes those who kill law enforcement officers. He said he would be in favor of the death penalty for those who take the lives of law enforcement officers.

The criminal element in District 32, Sossamon said, is “no longer welcome in our community. I will do whatever I have to do to make us crime free,” he added. “It’s time for us to clean up our neighborhoods.”

Final election results posted on the N.C. State Board of Elections website had Sossamon with 14,107 votes – 51.39 percent – to Garrison’s 13,342 – 48.61 percent.

Garrison said, despite the loss, he is optimistic for the future. In a phone interview with WIZS Tuesday evening, he said he was grateful for the opportunity he has had to serve the public.

The recent redistricting affected the race, he said. “When I lost Warren County, that was a big loss,” he said.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame has won a second term, soundly defeating challenger Patrick Bailey in Tuesday’s midterm elections, leading the way for other incumbents in numerous local races. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Brame, a Democrat, got 8,422 votes, compared to 4,558 votes for Bailey, a Republican.

Democrat Randy Oxendine is the winner over challenger Charlie Baskerville for Vance County Board of Education District 2, receiving 63 percent of the vote. Baskerville got 37 percent of voters.

Candidates for Vance County Board of Commissioners ran unopposed – Sean Alston in District 3, Dan Brummitt in District 4 and Tommy Hester in District 7 – and were re-elected in Tuesday’s election.

In a phone interview Tuesday evening, Brame said he was relieved upon hearing the results that give him a second term as sheriff.  “I can breathe,” Brame said. He underscored the need for collaboration and for the citizens of Vance County “to take ownership of your community.”

Oxendine won a seat on the Vance County Board of Education and he told WIZS News Tuesday that he feels he is “stepping in” to a role previously held by his wife. “I almost feel like I’ve already been on the board,” Oxendine said, reflecting on his win over challenger Charlie Baskerville. Oxendine’s wife previously held the seat, but when she announced that she would not seek another term, her husband threw his hat into the ring.

In some other results that affect Vance County and surrounding counties:

  • Democrat Don Davis defeated Republican Sandy Smith in the U.S. House District 1 race, which opened up when G.K. Butterfield announced he would not seek another term.
  • Although Democrat Cheri Beasley won in Vance County by more than 2,000 votes, she lost her bid for U.S. Senate to Republican Ted Budd.
  • In the race for N.C. Senate District 11, Republican Lisa Barnes defeated Democrat Mark Speed (46 percent).
  • In the race for Granville County Sheriff, Democrat Robert Fountain Jr. earned 38.55 percent of the vote, followed by Chris Smoot (unaffiliated) with 32.9 percent and Republican Vance Johnson with 28.55 percent of the vote.
  • Political newcomer and Democrat Mary Wills Bode defeated E.C. Sykes for the newly drawn N.C. Senate District 18, which includes all of Granville County and a small portion of Wake County. Although Sykes received more votes in Granville County, Bode’s numbers from the southernmost precincts in Wake County swung the race in her favor. Final figures, according to the state board of elections, had Bode with 41,979 votes and Sykes with 37,925.

TownTalk: “Hidden Helpers” Program Assists Veterans’ Families

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Men and women who serve in the military have equipment to support the work they are called to do, whether they are participating in training exercises or whether they are deployed to battle.

But their families – especially children – sometimes need some special support when their parent returns home and family members find themselves in a caregiver role.

Melissa Comeau knows firsthand the importance of linking these “hidden helpers” with resources to help them as they provide care for their loved ones.

Comeau is the director of the Military Veteran Caregiver Network of the American Red Cross. This network offers peer-based support and services to those who are caring for injured, wounded or aging service members or veterans.

She and Phyllis Maynard talked about how the support network got started and how to access help Tuesday on TownTalk’s recurring segment “Former Active Duty, Still Boots on the Ground.”

The term “resiliency” has been batted around a lot lately, especially in light of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

Children are resilient.

And first responders are resilient, too.

Someone is resilient when he or she lives through a challenging time and comes out the other end, as good or better than before.

The Hidden Helpers project is a collaboration of several prominent organizations – the Wounded Warrior Project, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation among them – that provides a way for those caregivers “to come together and learn that they’re not alone,” Comeau said. Through Hidden Helpers, participants build relationships and find resources, she added.

Those relationships and resources were not so easy to identify when she was searching for help, however.

“I didn’t know I was a caregiver,” she acknowledged. A nurse who was caring for Comeau’s husband, himself a wounded Marine, who gave her that label.
“It opened up a new identity,” Comeau said, “but also a new idea of the support that I needed.”

She started looking around, “in all the usual places,” but wasn’t finding what the support she needed for someone who was the spouse – and caregiver – of someone with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.

Her husband was able to get a medical retirement, through her efforts.

“This journey is so personal to me,” Comeau said. Not only does it offer another support stream for veterans, but also for the children growing up in these households as well.

Her son, just a toddler when she began this journey, is 11 now.

Children, though resilient, can suffer adversely when one parent is a caregiver to the other parent.

Whether it’s missing out on opportunities to interact with their peers, or experiencing anxiety or depression, the children sometimes suffer silently.

Through peer support and sharing, Hidden Helpers provides a platform for young people to express their feelings and share their own experiences with others who face similar circumstances.

The Hidden Helpers resiliency workshop is “aimed directly at children in caregiver homes,” Comeau said. “We took our best practices and lessons learned and built a resiliency workshop, all led by professionals licensed with mental health credentials.

The workshops are capped at 12 participants, who are grouped by age, she said. And all participants receive follow-up care, a critical ingredient in the process.

Whether in deployment, transition back to civilian life or needing a caregiver, Red Cross partners with other agencies to provide resources that aid service men and women and their families.

Hearing the stories and experiences of others plays a vital role in helping others find their voice and understand their own journeys.

The Hidden Helpers framework takes a holistic approach to “build supports that will help everyone, without them burning out,” she said.

“That creates a better outcome for everyone involved.”

The Hidden Helpers has an online community presence that is available 24/7, Comeau said.

To learn more, visit www.redcross.org/caregivers.

 

Additional links:

https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/2022-07-11-Wounded-Warrior-Project-Announces-Latest-Grants-to-Support-Veterans-Service-Organization-Partners

 

 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces/blog/2021/11/10/joining-forces-and-hidden-helpers-coalition-pledge-support-to-military-and-veteran-children-in-caregiving-families/

 

https://hiddenheroes.org/news/hiddenhelperslaunch/

 

https://www.mathematica.org/publications/hidden-helpers-at-the-frontlines-of-caregiving-supporting-the-healthy-development-of-children

 

https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/family-caregiving/

 

 

 

The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 11-08-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for November 8, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email Michele@hendersonvance.org to be included.

 

Company Name – Nu Vizions

Job Title – Hiring for Team Members who have experience in the Mental Health/Substance Abuse field.

How To Apply – Send your resume to rvaughan@nuvizionsllc.com.

 

Company Name – Vance Construction Company

Job Title – Multiple job positions open, general labor, skilled carpenters, persons with Class A CDL certifications, and supervisor superintendents.

How To Apply – Apply at Vance Construction office, located at 4197 Raleigh Road in Henderson.

 

Company Name – Next Level Kennels

Job Title – Open position for a Kennel Tech.  Looking for a long term, dependable, responsible worker. Work shifts consist  of a variety of days, evenings, weekdays and weekends.  Kennel Techs are responsible for day-to-day care of training, boarders, and personal animals.  This includes but not limited to feeding, watering, cleaning, walking, bathing, and monitoring the well-being of dogs and cats.  Applicants must have the ability and willingness to learn and a desire to provide gentle, compassionate care for boarded pets.

How To Apply – Apply in-person at Next Level, located at 1776 Walter Bowen Road, Henderson.  Or send email to scott@nextlevelkennels.com.

 

Company Name – Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson

Job Title – Drivers needed for non-profit organization.  Must be 18+ years old with a valid driver’s license.  Ability and willingness to make trips driving long periods of time out of state.

How To Apply – Send your resume to Michelle Wood at mhwood72@gmail.com.

 

Company Name – Classic Toyota of Henderson

Job Title – Sales Representative.  Are you a car enthusiast and have experience working in a fast pace environment?  Are you passionate about delivering a unique customer experience that creates a memorable and outstanding impression? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we want to talk to you. If you are looking for a change and want to be part of a winning team, apply today! Previous dealership experience is a huge plus, enthusiastic with high energy throughout the sales workday, outgoing with a friendly personality, especially while handling objections & negotiating pricing.  Must have a clean & valid driver’s license.  Must be willing to submit to a background check to employment.

How To Apply – Apply in person at Classic Toyota of Henderson dealership, located at 205 Toyota Lane, off Ruin Creek Road, in Henderson.

 

Company Name – MR Williams

Job Title – Inventory Coordinator.  Full-time. Prefer experience with inventory control and work authorization.  Position duties include: sales support, receiving all inventory & invoices, verfiy UPC is not assigned & assign UPC to all items, creating & printing UPC labels, manage all physical inventory in all warehouses, batch check-ins, full case returns, store credit, WDN & WBN reconciliation, inventory breakdowns, inventory adjustments, daily updates gross profit on the web portal, daily update schedules on the web portal, sort and file sales rep invoices. Pay: $13.24 – $24.24 per hour.

How To Apply – Apply online at https://www.mrwilliams.com/careers/ or at www.indeed.com

 

Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS.  Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast.  This is not a paid ad.

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Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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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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The Local Skinny! “Little Mermaid” Performance Brings People Together

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Ariel or Sebastian or Flounder or King Triton may not have said it in so many words, but Victoria Huggins did: The story of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is about pursuing your dreams, no matter what.

And in a way, that’s exactly what a stalwart group of local leaders did to make McGregor Hall a reality – they pursued their dream of having a top-notch venue right in the middle of Henderson.

Huggins donned a mermaid’s costume and a wavy, red wig to bring Ariel to life during eight different performances of “The Little Mermaid,” which ended with a Sunday matinee.

In a recent TownTalk interview, Huggins told John C. Rose that she loved performing at McGregor Hall – she also played Belle in the 2019 production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

And although she lives in Moore County, Huggins didn’t hesitate to audition for the role of Ariel – McGregor Hall just keeps calling her back, it seems.

From all reports, audiences thoroughly enjoyed the shows – there were two shows specifically for schoolchildren – that took place over the past two weekends.

As word gets out about the lovely facility and the local – and not-so-local – talent involved in creating live theatre, McGregor Hall is sure to stay on a positive trajectory.

That’s a good thing for McGregor Hall. And for Henderson.

 

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Henderson Police Investigate Separate Weekend Incidents That Sent Two To Hospital

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Henderson police are investigating separate incidents that occurred on Saturday, Nov. 5 which sent two men to the hospital – one the result of a hit-and-run and the second the result of a physical altercation.

A pedestrian was struck by a car about 7 p.m. Saturday evening while he was walking along US 1 between Highway NC 39 and Vance Mill Road, according to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

Antione Simpson, who was alert and stable at the scene, was taken from a local medical facility to Durham for treatment, Barrow reported in a press statement.

“The suspected vehicle continued to travel north on US 1 and failed to
stop,” Barrow said. The vehicle was described as a 2003-2007 black Cadillac CTS.

An update on his condition was not available Monday.

Then about 10 p.m., officers arrived at the Little Hotel, 1010 S. Garnett St. and found a 65-year-old man with injuries, including cuts, abrasions and a leg wound.

Barrow identified the victim as Matt Kinard. The altercation had occurred
between Kinard and another resident of the Little Hotel.
“At the time of the incident Kinard was unable to give the name of the
other person or many details about what occurred,” Barrow said in a press statement. Kinard had abrasions and cuts to his face and also sustained a penetrating wound to his
leg. Blood and a knife were found in the area of the assault. Kinard was
transported to a local medical facility and later transported to Durham.

An update on his condition was not available Monday.
Anyone has information about these incidents or about any ongoing criminal activity, is urged to contact Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or
P3 app, call the police department at 252.438.4141, through Facebook or via
Instagram.

WIZS Local, Live Election Coverage

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Tune in to WIZS radio Tuesday evening for a local perspective on tomorrow’s mid-term election results.

Brandon Boyd joins John C. Rose live on the air through the evening, commenting on state and national races, overall voter turnout and trends – all while keeping a keen eye on local races that affect Vance County and the WIZS listening area.

Candidates in some local races are running unopposed, but several other races will be decided following Tuesday’s vote.

Incumbent Curtis Brame and challenger Patrick Bailey are vying for the job of Vance County Sheriff. There’s also a close race for sheriff in Granville County, which has three challengers vying for the job.

In the race for N.C. House District 32, incumbent Terry Garrison is being challenged by political newcomer Frank Sossamon.

Mark Speed and Lisa Barnes are running for the N.C. Senate to represent District 11, which includes Henderson and Vance County.

But there are other state races that have significance locally, including district court judgeships, court of appeals races and battles for seats on the state Supreme Court.

Carolyn Thompson and Julee Flood face each other in a race for district court seat 8, and Don Davis and Sandy Smith are each hopeful to take the U.S. House District 1 election.

Boyd said he hopes others enjoy hearing and seeing tomorrow’s election results as much as he does.

“It’s going to be so much fun watching this thing play out from coast to coast,” he said.

As polls close in the East and then later through the evening on the West Coast, Boyd said he is interested in watching national races here in North Carolina with the Cheri Beasley-TeddBudd matchup for U.S. Senate – but also named Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona as key states to watch.

 

 

 

WIZS WILL PROVIDE LOCAL, LIVE ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE STARTING AT 7:30 P.M. ON NOV. 8.

HERE IN VANCE COUNTY, YOU’LL RECEIVE INFORMATION ON THE VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF’S RACE, THE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 2 RACE AND THE LATEST ON THE NC HOUSE 32 RACE.

JOIN US RIGHT HERE AT 1450 AM / 100.1 FM AND STREAMED LIVE ANYWHERE YOU GO BY CLICKING ON LISTEN LIVE AT WIZS.COM.  (player.listenlive.co/53101)

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Fall Planted Bulbs

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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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