WIZS Radio Local News Audio 08-22-22 Noon
Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Tag Archive for: #wizsnews
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Woody Ornamental Problems
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!
MPH Welcomes Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Mark Messner
Maria Parham Health Friday announced that Mark Messmer, DO MS has joined its staff and will be offering orthopedic surgical services to patients in Henderson, Vance County and the surrounding region. Messmer comes from a military background and joins Maria Parham from his previous position as staff orthopedic surgeon at Camp Lejeune, according to a press statement from Donna Young, marketing & communication coordinator for MPH.
While at Lejeune, Messner’s patients were primarily active-duty personnel with the Marines and Navy with a variety of sports-related injuries and trauma. He specializes in sports, trauma, arthroplasty and general orthopedics, and becomes the second new orthopedic provider to join Maria Parham Health as the hospital continues to grow its orthopedic and surgical services.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Messmer to Henderson to practice at Maria Parham Health,” said CEO Bert Beard. “Orthopedic surgery is a growing need in our community, and Dr. Messmer’s training and military surgical background have given him a great breadth of experience in a wide range of procedures that people in our region need. This expertise will be important as Maria Parham Health works to make our community healthier.”
Messmer was graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor of science degree in human biology. He has a master’s degree in medical education and holds a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Messmer, a member of the American Osteopathic Association of Orthopedics and the American Osteopathic Association, is scheduling patients at Maria Parham Orthopaedics. To schedule an appointment, please call 800.424.DOCS.
Two GCPS Students Complete Apprenticeship Program
Two Granville County Public School graduates have completed requirements of the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program.
Jared Gladki, a graduate of South Granville High, completed his apprenticeship at Revlon in Oxford. Jacob Ganzzermiller, a graduate of Granville Central High, completed his apprenticeship program at Buhler Aeroglide in Raleigh.
The two were recognized at a ceremony on Monday, Aug. 15, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Dr. Stan Winborne. Gladki completed a two-year degree in mechatronics at Vance-Granville Community College and Ganzzermiller completed at two-year degree in mechanical engineering technology at Wake Tech. Both students participated in a work-based training program with their respective companies; the apprenticeships come with the promise of a full-time, high-skilled job in local manufacturing companies.
The apprenticeship program is a partnership between GCPS, VGCC, Wake Tech, NCTAP and local industries. High school students apply for and enroll in a fast-track program to complete their college engineering coursework – tuition free – while they work. The candidates who complete the apprenticeship are then offered full-time employment at their training sites and get a significant jump start on their career in advanced manufacturing, Winborne said.
GCPS Career Development Coordinator Tamara Rodebaugh attended the graduation ceremony and acknowledged the opportunities for these students and others. “Advanced
manufacturing is a growing sector in our region and offers high-skilled and high-paying careers for our graduates,” Rodebaugh said in the press statement. “All interested students should reach out to their counselors or their Career and Technical Education teachers for more information. I look forward to having more GCPS students enter the selection process this fall,” she said.
CertainTeed Secures State Grant Funding To Aid Expansion Project
CertainTeed of Oxford has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce to help pay for an expansion of their existing facility. The building reuse grant, combined with $837,500 of private funding, will be used to renovate an existing 326,000-square foot building, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.
CertainTeed makes exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, insulation, and ceiling products. In April 2022, officials announced plans for the expansion, which will add 225,000 square feet of manufacturing space to the Oxford location and will include a total project investment of $118.8 million in Granville County, according to information from the Department of Commerce. The original announcement in April stipulated that the CertainTeed expansion would create 37 new jobs – at an average annual wage of $45,096 – which makes the manufacturer eligible for a One NC Grant of $125,000 to aid in the expansion project. Both grants require a 5 percent local match of funds.
“CertainTeed is growing with Granville,” said Economic Development Director Harry Mills. “We are thrilled that the N.C. Department of Commerce recognized the community impact that CertainTeed has in Granville County. Our Economic Development staff was able to assist CertainTeed by securing this additional funding to make their local expansion possible. CertainTeed is one of Granville’s core industry leaders and we could not be happier that they are here for the long haul.”
For more information about the N.C. Building Reuse Grant program, please visit the N.C. Department of Commerce website: https://www.nccommerce.com/grants-incentives/building-or-site-funds/building-reuse.
TownTalk: Duck Derby
This year’s Duck Derby to benefit Franklin/Granville/Vance Smart Start is shaping up to be another successful event and Gary Daeke, one of the fundraiser organizers, said he’s pleased to note that there will be a full-on street festival for families to enjoy.
The fun begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Henderson on Saturday, Sept. 17. There will be a couple of food trucks, lots of children’s activities and then the race will be at 2 p.m., Daeke told John C. Rose Thursday on Town Talk.
“The ducks have been selling really well,” Daeke noted. They usually sell about 2,500 of the rubber ducks, that will drift down a short-lived “river” created along Garnett Street – compliments of the Henderson Fire Department’s fire hoses. Daeke said Greystone Concrete Products graciously provides the equipment that mixes up the ducks and then dumps them across the starting line to begin the race.
There will be a bounce house and a slide, and Daeke said the kids always enjoy donning fire helmets and having a little fun with the fire hose.
— Click Play below to listen —
The prize for having the winning duck is $1,000. Chick Fil-A for a year is the prize for second place, and the third-place winner will receive a Sheetz gas card. The duck that comes in last gets a prize, too – $100. Tickets are available now from any FGV staffer or board member, but they also will be available until about 1:30 p.m. on the day of the derby.
Scan the QR CODE
Although FGV had the Duck Derby last year, COVID-19 restrictions meant they couldn’t have the full-blown festival. This year, though, brings a return to previous years festivities. Daeke said there should be an area filled with non-profit organizations and agencies available to provide information about resources in the community.
When children and families visit these tables and booths, they’ll get signatures on a scavenger hunt card that will be redeemed for perhaps an ice cream or a sno-cone, he said.
Visit www.fgvsmartstart.org to purchase a duck and to learn more about services of FGV Smart Start. Or call the office at 252.433.9110 to find out more.
Click Play
Nella Roo’s in Downtown Henderson, NC
For the past couple of years, Heather Ruth Hodge has been putting things together to bring her to this place – both literally and figuratively.
Hodge’s family calls her “Roo,” and that’s half the name of her new boutique that has opened on Garnett Street. The first half of the boutique’s name is an homage to her grandmother, Nell, whose own business was situated in downtown Henderson near where Nella Roo’s is today.
Hodge was surrounded by family, friends and plenty of local well-wishers at the ribbon-cutting Thursday morning. The site of the former Carolina Bed Center at 319 S. Garnett St. now sports a different look, and it’s a welcome look for local officials who celebrate downtown revitalization efforts that bring in new businesses like Hodge’s.
In her remarks during the ceremony, Hodge recalled a couple of years ago when she “felt the spirit of the Lord” calling her back to her hometown. “I’m so excited to see where it can go and what it can become,” she said of Henderson and the whole downtown area.
— Click Play below to listen —
Her grandmother, Nell Wiggins, owned Nell’s Boutique just a couple of doors down from Nella Roo’s in the late 1970’s and early ‘80s. Hodge said she is so happy when customers come in and tell her how much they loved shopping at Nell’s. “She was a huge inspiration for me,” Hodge said.
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said he remembered going to Nell’s with his mom when he was a child and getting into a little bit of trouble for his behavior. But, he said, Nell told his mom it was ok, he was just having a little fun.
Leo Kelly, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, said he remembers Wiggins as an artist. He said he planned to bring one of her pieces – a painting on slate – for Hodge to hang at her new store.
“I think this gives new life to downtown,” Kelly said, adding that Nella Roo’s will serve to draw other businesses to Garnett Street storefronts.
“You’re our catalyst, our leader,” said Tracy Madigan with the Downtown Development Commission. New businesses serve to increase pride in the downtown area, and Madigan said people who own buildings downtown are wanting to fix them up to further improve the area.
Chamber Board Chair Ronald Bennett said things are looking up for Henderson. “Henderson’s coming back,” Bennett said. “Thank YOU for choosing to come back.”
Visit https://www.nellaroos.com/ to learn more.
Click Play
VCS Announces Principals, Teachers Of The Year During Awards Ceremony
Vance County Schools honored its 2022 Educators of Excellence at an awards ceremony on Tuesday.
Edward Ortega, principal of STEM Early High School was named Principal of the Year; Launtia Dallas of Clarke Elementary was named Beginning Teacher of the Year; Anita Griffith of Zeb Vance Elementary was named Teacher of the Year and Donald Johnson of Aycock Elementary was named Assistant Principal of the Year.
The awards were presented at the district’s annual Excellence in Education banquet at the Henderson County Club. The banquet honored teachers, staff and administrators from across the district, representing their respective schools.
Griffith, music teacher at Zeb Vance Elementary, has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Piano Performance and Choral Conducting. She has taught at the elementary, secondary and university level.
“This is an amazing acknowledgement”, Griffith said. “I am humbled to be named VCS District Teacher of the Year. Our children are so important and I will try to always do my best for them.”
Donald Johnson III (VCS Assistant Principal of the Year), Edward Ortega (VCS Principal of the Year), Anita Griffith (VCS Teacher of the Year), and Launtia Dallas (VCS Beginning Teacher of the Year)
She is a phenomenal educator and in everything she does”, said Andrew Markcoch, the Director of Fine Arts and Innovation. First and foremost, she has built relationships with the students, and has built a culture in her room at Zeb Vance that is palatable.” Anybody that walks into her room will see that instantly. [She is] a wonderful representation of the kinds of things that we do in this district in the arts.”
Dallas, who teaches second grade at Clarke Elementary, said she is “excited, elated, honored and extremely grateful to Vance County Schools for this prestigious award.
I show up every day to educate my scholars as if they had my last name,” Dallas said in a press statement issued by VCS Director of Communications Aarika Sandlin. “My desire is to serve them to
the best of my ability so that they can serve our community. I am humbled by this recognition and I’m ready to allow this fresh fire to perpetuate as I believe that our scholars deserve teachers who believe that they can learn and will not be satisfied until they do.”
Johnson took top honors as assistant principal of the year. Currently at Aycock Elementary, he began his educational journey in Granville County as a teacher and assistant principal before joining Vance County Schools in 2021.
“I am truly humbled, honored, and blessed to serve the community that I am from. As a product of Vance County, I am fortunate to be able to serve alongside an amazing group of educators, children, and families that make up our community. As I reflect on the privilege of being named the Vance County Schools’ Assistant Principal of the Year, the word that immediately comes to mind is ‘thankful.’ I am thankful to serve on a dynamic team that is committed to serving children each day to ensure that all children are given the best opportunities to learn and grow. I am thankful to continue to serve the community that made me who I am today. I am so proud of each educator in our district that invests in our students and community – they are the true heroes.”
Edward Ortega, principal of STEM Early High, said he was honored and humbled to be named VCS principal of the year. “This is a recognition of the dedication and hard work poured in over the years to make sure our students receive the quality education they deserve. I did not reach this point on my own. Since I came from Colombia in 2004, I have been blessed with mentorship and friendship of amazing educators and leaders. I am truly thankful to each one of them for the guidance, support and affection expressed along the way. I am also fortunate to work for a school district and community committed to fostering academic excellence in the county’s children and youth. I will continue to be fully committed to my passion for teaching and learning in all its forms in a school district that has become an incredibly special place for me and my family. Again, thank you Vance County Schools for this recognition. It feels amazing to be the 2022 VCS Principal of the Year.”
Ortega began his career with Vance County Schools as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. He graduated from the Universidad del Atlántico in Colombia as a Modern Languages Teacher.
“It’s an honor to celebrate all of the educators in our district, especially those recognized by their peers as Teacher of the Year and Beginning Teacher of the Year”, said Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett. “It is also exciting to be part of recognizing members of our school leadership. Vance County Schools is very fortunate to have a group of dedicated and passionate teachers and leaders who recognize that the most important part of our job is serving our children.”
Griffith and Ortega will represent Vance County in the regional competition.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 08-17-22 Noon
Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Granville DSS Opens Satellite Office In Creedmoor
People who live in the southern part of Granville County can cut their drive time to the county’s Department of Social Services – a satellite office officially opened Monday in the Butner-Creedmoor area.
County officials had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official first day of business for the second DSS location, 2531 East Lyon Station Rd., according to information from Terry Hobgood, public information officer for Granville County.
Residents will be able to receive the complete suite of services currently offered at the Oxford office at 410 W. Spring St. and the Child Support Office, located at 122 Williamsboro St.
Residents who live or work in southern Granville County will now have convenient access to these vital county services, Hobgood stated.
“The opening of a Social Services office in southern Granville County aligns with Granville County’s strategic plan, which emphasizes the need to expand county services to reach residents currently underserved due to the challenges related to transportation, high gas prices, and geographic distance from Oxford,” said Granville DSS Director Adonica Hampton. “We are excited to be able to provide this imperative resource for residents of the greater Butner, Creedmoor and Stem communities, plus any other county residents who may find it more convenient to visit this new office.”
“I could not be happier see this new Butner-Creedmoor office opened to the public,” said Social Services Board Chair, and District 3 County Commissioner Sue Hinman. “We have heard from our residents for so many years that they need more convenient access to county services. Just like we have brought other county services, like libraries and senior centers to Berea, Butner, Creedmoor, Oak Hill, Stovall and Wilton, we are now able to meet our residents where they are, in one of the fastest growing parts of our county. Any time we can make our residents’ lives easier and provide better customer service, we want to be there.”
For more information about the Department of Social Services, please visit the Granville County Website: https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/social-services/.