Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

TownTalk: Sossamon Discusses Candidacy For NC House 32

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The Rev. Frank Sossamon said his more than three decades as a local pastor will serve him well if he’s elected to serve a different kind of flock – the residents of N.C. House District 32.

Sossamon has filed as a candidate for the House seat and will face incumbent Terry Garrison in next year’s election.

He and Garrison both put their hats into the ring before filings were suspended, pending a court ruling on whether the redrawn district maps would be upheld or would need to be changed again. Critics have charged that the new maps are gerrymandered and are partial to the Republican majority in the N.C. General Assembly.

The redrawn maps have District 32 covering all of Vance County and all but two southernmost precincts in Granville County. Sossamon told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk that if he were elected, he would serve all the people in his district.

“I’m going to represent the people,” Sossamon said. “I am a Republican, and I am a conservative Republican, but in order to get things done…we’ve got to work for the greater good for the people we represent.”

He said he won’t be the type of politician that sits behind a desk. “I’ll be out meeting the public,” he said working to find ways to help solve problems and helping the community.

“I will be a very active, a very busy representative – that’s been my nature for 36 years in Vance County,” he said.

As a pastor in Vance County for all those years, he has vast experience in being a problem-solver. That, he said, along with his ability to listen, really listen, to people, will transfer into his role as representative if he is elected.

He said he wants to challenge, to encourage and motivate people in the community to make things better. “We can’t wait on Washington, or Raleigh…we can pull ourselves together and accomplish a lot of things” he said, adding that this effort could really become a model for others to emulate.

As for key issues facing the district, Sossamon ticked off economic development, infrastructure, improving the workforce, education and clean drinking water. And crime.

Infrastructure is a “major problem” in Vance, he said. “We need a lot of help.”

“I just feel like there are some things we can do to make our communities safer and to feel better about where we live,” Sossamon said.

There are many ways to work together across county lines to have mutual benefit, he said, adding that although Vance and Granville often compete for new business and industry, there are various ways that both counties can work together “to do some joint things regarding economic development. There are things we can do better together,” Sossamon said. He said he would like to sit down with leaders from across the district, identify strengths and weaknesses and then concentrate on the strengths to recruit business and industry.

Working together rather than becoming territorial doesn’t have to dampen the competitive spirit between counties, but Sossamon said he hopes “we can lay those things aside and have a conversation that can lead us to joint ventures.”

Improving the workforce, for example, is something that would make the area more attractive to business and industry. “We’ve got the community college to help us,” he said.

Improving the quality of the workforce not only will make the district more attractive, but it also could lower crime in the area as well, for example.

Sossamon said he hopes to bring “a fresh look, a new look…a new vision for the area.”

He doesn’t subscribe to the idea that ministers should steer clear of politics. On the contrary, he said, Christians across the nation are realizing the need to be involved in the greater community, whether in politics or in other capacities.

He decided to run for office after prayer and contemplation about just what he has to offer to help the district.

“There ought to be people lining up to serve” their communities, he said, challenging others to consider running for local office as well, “to bring fresh ideas that will help improve our community.”

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VGCC Dr. Levy Brown

VGCC’s Dr. Levy Brown Hired For State-Level Post

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Dr. Levy Brown, a vice president of Vance-Granville Community College, has accepted a position as senior vice president/chief academic officer for the North Carolina Community College System in Raleigh. He will begin his new job in January 2022.

In a written statement, Brown said he appreciates his time at VGCC and is excited about the opportunity to pursue new professional endeavors. “VGCC has a number of brilliant students, faculty, staff and community members. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead and serve alongside these individuals during my time at the college,” Brown stated. “Looking ahead, I am humbled by the opportunity to partner with my colleagues to make a difference at the system level. We have myriad opportunities to make a tremendous impact on students, faculty, and staff across the Great 58,” he said, in reference to the 58 community colleges that comprise the state system.

VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais thanked Brown for his leadership during his time at VGCC. “Dr. Brown’s focus on building student supports and investing in faculty development has put our college on a transformational path for student success,” she stated.
“I look forward to working with Dr. Brown in a new capacity as he leads academics for North Carolina community colleges.”

Cecilia Wheeler will be acting vice president of learning, student engagement and success while VGCC conducts a nationwide search beginning in the fall of 2022. Wheeler, a 32-year VGCC employee, is Dean of Arts and Sciences. She has delayed her retirement plans to serve in the capacity of vice president until a candidate is in place, hopefully by January 2023.

In his new role, Brown will oversee a variety of areas, including systemwide academic educational delivery activities such as adult basic skills, curriculum programs, student support services and workforce continuing education. He also will be responsible for leading and coordinating instruction and student learning supports among other critical areas that impact the student experience.

He fills the position vacated by Dr. Kimberly Gold, who was promoted at the state board’s November meeting to the position of chief of staff with NCCCS.

Brown’s prior work includes several leadership roles with Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC), including Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement and Success; vice president of Academic Affairs, and Vice President of Student Services. In his current role, he serves as the college’s Chief Academic and Student Affairs Officer. He is responsible for leading and working collaboratively with credit faculty and staffers in the areas of academic programs, student success, equity and inclusion, enrollment management, K-12 partnerships and other areas. Brown is serving as the college’s primary lead for their work with Achieving the Dream. He continues to work alongside a cadre of faculty and staff to improve student outcomes. Further, he is one of the leaders at VGCC tapped to focus on the adult learner experience through NC ReConnect.

Prior to joining VGCC, Brown served as Dean of Arts & Sciences at Lenoir Community College. Also, he has served in various leadership roles and has taught at other higher education institutions in North Carolina. Brown has been actively engaged in service at the local, state, and national level. On the national level, Dr. Brown serves on the Commission on Student Success for the American Association of Community Colleges and he was recently named a 2021-22 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow. Together, the 2021-22 fellows are leaders at colleges that collectively serve more than 400,000 students. As well, 67 Rising Presidents Fellowship alumni have become presidents of community colleges that collectively serve an additional 953,000 students nationwide. Locally and regionally, Brown has served on various boards and committees including, but not limited to, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce (current chairperson), Teach for America-Eastern North Carolina, North Central North Carolina Boys and Girls Club, and the Transfer Advisory Committee (TAC).

Brown holds a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University, a master’s degree in library science from North Carolina Central University, and a doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on higher education from East Carolina University.

The Local Skinny! Gear & Beer Brings Something Different To Downtown Henderson

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Curious about why there’s a kayak hanging out on Garnett Street? Stop in to Gear & Beer, a new business in downtown Henderson.

The “beer” part of the name requires no explanation, but just what kind of gear are we talking about?

Carol Terwilliger spoke with WIZS’s Trey Snide on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny! to tell folks what to expect when they stop in to her store, located at 234 S. Garnett St. Her establishment is featured in the recurring “business spotlight” segment.

The gear on the shelves includes anything campers or other lake visitors may need, from toothpaste to kayaks.

With Kerr Lake a short trip away from the downtown area, Terwilliger wanted to provide a store that has all those lake essentials, as well as a few extras.

As for why she chose downtown to locate her retail space, she said, “I could really see the potential” of downtown Henderson and she said she wanted to do her part and to be a part of the revitalization effort.

It’s an easy drive for campers to come pick up gear and it’s also a fun place to come enjoy some down time after work.

She’s just finished a lounge area in the back, where patrons can sip a craft beer and play Giant Jenga, Connect Four and corn hole.

Speaking of craft beer, Terwilliger said that the store will feature a different North Carolina brewery each quarter. This quarter, it’s Gizmo Brew Works from Umstead Industrial Park near Research Triangle Park

There are 10 different varieties available for purchase.

The store is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit www.gearandbeernc.com to learn more.

Crossroads Christian School

SportsTalk: Holiday Tournament Looms For Crossroads Christian

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We are all expecting gifts this time of year, but Scottie Richardson is looking for a Christmas tournament championship under the tree for Crossroads Christian this week. Richardson, the Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach, has the Colts on a roll as they head into the Greenfield Christmas Basketball Tournament in Wilson. After a slow start Crossroads has won five in a row and stand at 7-3 on the season as tournament play begins tonight against Richmond Christian at 6pm.

The tournament, which Crossroads has played in since 2012, features some strong competition including Grace Christian, Wayne Country Day and Greenfield which is ranked #1 in the state and in the top 20 nationally. Before Richardson and the Colts can think about those teams they must take care of business tonight against Richmond.  “They have a 6’11” center who is a real shot blocker and they are athletic,” said Richardson of Richmond. “But they are not deep,” he continued. That may be where Crossroads has a decided advantage. Richardson explained that Crossroads has four seniors that come off the bench and are as deep as they have been in a long time and now that Crossroads is healthy the team is rolling.  They won two games in a tournament last weekend and are hoping for three wins at Greenfield over the next three days.

Once Crossroads finishes with the tournament the work doesn’t let up as conference play begins after the holidays.

Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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There’s nothing quite like picking a fresh apple or a peach right from the tree and taking a big bite.  If you’d like to be able to do that right from your back yard then prepare to spend a lot of time and effort to get that big bite.  Paul McKenzie of the Vance Co. Extension Service says that this is the cold, hard truth when it comes to back yard fruit crops.

“It can be incredibly rewarding,” McKenzie says of the work required for apples, peaches, nectarines and plums. An intensive spray program is required. Approximately 10 to 15 applications per year is usually needed to keep pests away from these fruit trees.  “If you don’t follow through with, then you don’t have success,” McKenzie said.

However, McKenzie does have some other ideas for those who don’t have the time or energy for such intensive work but still want to have a fruit crop in their backyard. These crops will still require some work but not as intensive. McKenzie says growing figs is relatively easy with little or no pest control required. Pruning is simple as well and fig trees are reliable producers. Additionally, McKenzie suggests Muscadine grapes, blackberries and blueberries.  The biggest effort required is installation and soil prep but little pest management is required.  Once the prep work is done, the rest of the work is fairly straight forward.

Lastly, McKenzie also suggests strawberries. “They are easy to manage,” McKenzie said. Some soil and site preparation is required but McKenzie said that after the first planting you can expect to harvest berries for up to three years.

For more information on back yard fruit crops contact McKenzie at the Vance Co. Cooperative Extension Service at 252-438-8188.

The Cooperative Extension Service Report can be heard on WIZS at 11:50am Monday, Tuesday and Thursday as part of the Local Skinny!  The Home & Garden Show with Wayne Rowland and Paul McKenzie can be heard every Wednesday during the Local Skinny at 11:30.

 

The Local Skinny! Granville Co. Appoints New Sheriff

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John Blackwell Hardy, III was appointed (today) Monday to be the Granville County Sheriff by the board of commissioners, but part of the terms of his appointment include him not running for sheriff in 2022 and not publicly endorsing any candidates for the seat.

Hardy is a graduate of J.F. Webb High School and UNC-Chapel Hill. The board announced its selection at a special called meeting this morning (Monday). He fills the remainder of the term of Charles R. Noblin, Jr, who resigned on Oct. 27, 2021. That term ends on Dec. 5, 2022, according to county attorney Jim Wrenn.

Hardy will assume all duties and powers of the position following the administration of the oath of office.

He has served for a few months as a deputy sheriff in the Court Security Division with the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, according to a statement from Granville County, and has held numerous jobs within the  law enforcement community, including about three years in the patrol division for the Oxford Police Department, where he achieved the rank of corporal.

He received his certification in Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) from Vance-Granville Community College and has more than 25 years of military and law enforcement experience. He began his career in 1987 with the North Carolina Army National Guard. Hardy was an infantry officer in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for 17 years, achieving the rank of major.

Concurrently, through much of his time in the Army Reserve, Hardy completed 25 years of service in federal law enforcement as a correctional officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (assigned to FCC Butner) and a deputy U.S. marshal assigned to the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, County Attorney Jim Wrenn stated, “the Board of Commissioners made a concerted effort to recruit a qualified individual to shepherd the Sheriff’s Office through this transitional period until the citizens of Granville County have the opportunity to choose their preferred candidate in the upcoming elections.”

In a written statement, Wrenn said “the board of commissioners believe that John Hardy will continue his distinguished career of public service by successfully guiding the Sheriff’s Office to the conclusion of the current term in the dedicated and professional manner shown throughout his career.”

The commissioners chose Hardy based on his extensive supervisory leadership and educational accomplishments, including his distinguished service as an infantry platoon Leader with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Executive Officer and Company Commander with the 108th Training Division of the U.S. Army Reserve, acting supervisory deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service, and acting sex offender investigations coordinator and member of the Critical Incident Response Team with the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the press statement.

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TownTalk: Politics And Its Impact On Local Law Enforcement

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Local politics in Vance County certainly lends credibility to the adage that there are two sides to every story.

The three sheriff’s deputies that remain on suspension with pay want their day in court, and District Attorney Mike Waters said he predicts that a trial could be late summer 2022 or later in the making.

But Sheriff Curtis Brame said he feels like it’s a ploy to wait until after the 2022 elections to decide the fate of the three deputies.

John C. Rose spoke by telephone to both Waters and Brame today (Monday), and both men sounded frustrated with the situation and progress – or lack thereof.

The deputies were indicted earlier this year and Brame said it was his decision, upon hearing from an independent investigation, to suspend the deputies with pay. During a recent county commissioners’ meeting, a member of the public asked the commissioners just how long the deputies would continue to draw their pay while on suspension.

Waters agreed that it was up to the sheriff about what to do with his employees. “He always has discretion about how he’s going to deal with his employees going forward,” Waters said.

“I know I can’t do this indefinitely,” Brame acknowledged. But he contends that politics is playing a role, adding that he feels the district attorney is dragging out the process, “and that puts the burden on me.”

Brame also said he predicts the cases will not be resolved before the 2022 elections. And he blames that on politics, too.

Waters said additional orders will be released soon that will “illuminate” details of the internal investigation of the sheriff’s office as well as release transcripts that presently are sealed.

Waters said the sheriff has made some statements that he “vehemently” disagrees with regarding the case, but he didn’t elaborate for publication. And, because it is an ongoing investigation and it will be litigated, he cannot discuss details on the record.

Brame said all he and his deputies want is to have their day in court.

On that statement, he and the district attorney agree.

“Yeah, there will be a day in court,” Waters said.

 

Click Play – about the 17 minute mark starts the politics and law enforcement part

 

NC Coop Extension

Tips for Starting a Fruit Orchard

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Who doesn’t enjoy an apple or a peach pulled right from the tree?  Or gathering pecans for a perfect pie right from your own backyard? If you are considering starting an orchard of your very own then Wayne Rowland of the Vance Co. Extension Service has some advice for you.

The climate and soil in our area is good for planting an orchard according to Rowland. “Site selection is the most important decision,” Rowland said about starting your own orchard.

In order for your orchard to produce the highest quality and quantity of fruit it’s important that the fruit trees have full sunlight. Correct spacing and pruning of trees will be helpful in keeping that all important sunlight on the trees. “It’s important that the trees don’t shade each other,” Rowland said of proper spacing.

Temperature is another important consideration. Some trees are more tolerant of late season freezes than others. Peach trees, in particular, are not fond of late season frost or freezing temperatures whereas pecan trees are a bit more hearty when it comes to cold weather.

If you need more information about planting an orchard call Wayne Rowland at the Vance Co. Extension Service at 252-438-8188.  The Coop Extension Report can be heard as part of the Local Skinny on WIZS Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 11:50am and the Home and Garden Show airs on Wednesday at 11:30am.

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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