Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Water Treatment Plant Project May See $3.5 M In Federal Funds

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The regional water plant improvement project continues to move forward, but so far, it’s more like a steady trickle than a blast from a firehose. Rep. David Price visited the water treatment plant last week and met with officials from the area to share that there likely will be $3.5 million in federal funds appropriated for the project, which has an estimated price tag of $66 million.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said Price toured the Flemingtown Road facility and spoke with the tri-county delegation about the project, which will double the daily treatment capacity when it’s completed.

The KLRWS serves Henderson, Oxford and Warren County; Henderson is the managing partner at 60 percent and the City of Oxford and Warren County each have a 20 percent stake.

Ellington told WIZS News Tuesday that the visit  gave Price a chance to meet with mayors and managers to see first-hand how federal funding would be used.

“As the demand for water from our neighboring counties, new customers, as well as the growth we are experiencing, this is vital to our future,” Ellington said in an email. “I spoke with Rep. Price as he was leaving and he assured me he’s confident that this would make it through Congress for this fiscal year.”
Others on hand for the visit in addition to Ellington were KLRWS Chief Operator Steve Gupton, Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon, Oxford City Manager Alan Thornton, Warren County Manager Vincent Jones, Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent and others, according to Ellington.

The city of Oxford is in Price’s district and he received a request for funding from city government officials; Warren County and Henderson are in G.K. Butterfield’s district and Henderson city officials requested funding on behalf of those entities. City Manager Blackmon said each congressional district was given the opportunity to submit the 10 best projects to be considered to receive federal funds in the 2022 Interior Appropriations Bill. This project represents a collaborative effort from both congressional districts, Blackmon said.

“This appropriation is only a small part of the total funding for the expansion project,” Blackmon said. The current funding commitment from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality SRF Program for the expansion project is more than $45 million, leaving a gap of about $20 million. The $3.5 million appropriation will assist in filling the funding gap for this project, he added.

Price issued a press statement in June about his efforts to fund projects in his home district. “Clean water is not a luxury – it’s fundamental to the health and safety of our communities, but our aging water infrastructure urgently needs funding,” Price stated. “I’m pleased that the House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee included these critical projects in their annual funding bill, bringing them one step closer to reality with the passage of the House bill in Subcommittee.”

In addition to making repairs and forming expansion plans, the overall price tag is heftier because costs simply have gone up. The funding gap is preventing the project from getting underway.

One option would be to raise water rates slightly to cover the increased project cost.

In January 2021, the Henderson City Council approved a revised project cost of $57 million for upgrades to the regional water system, which serves 15 municipalities in three counties. At that time, Council member Garry Daeke, who also serves as the KLWRS advisory board chair, told WIZS that council’s action would allow the project to continue, but if additional grants or other funding streams couldn’t be secured, it could mean a rise in water rates.

Since talk of the project first began several years ago, there have been several challenges to overcome, including purchase of a new pump and rising construction costs. The original price was estimated at close to $40 million, but by the fall of 2020, the cost had risen considerably.

Town Talk: Hot Sauce Contest And Other Events Provide Entertainment For All

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Fall is still a few weeks away, but this weekend kicks off a bevy of events in Granville County designed to bring guests from near and far to enjoy everything from classic cars to beautiful glass pumpkins.

It all starts with Saturday’s Hot Sauce Contest, and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen said the 15th annual event is sure to please. She listed numerous events that will be going on throughout September and October on Tuesday’s TownTalk program with host John C. Rose.

Visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/ to find out about events in the county.

Several bands are scheduled to perform throughout the daylong event, and there will be plenty of food and beverage vendors sprinkled along the streets of downtown Oxford, she said.

Of course, one of the main events is the pepper-eating contest, which will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Winners of the hot sauce contest will be announced at 11:30 a.m. at the Overton Main Stage. Then, Allen said, there will be a special memorial to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11. American flags are posted along the streets in Oxford already, she said, and after a moment of silence is observed to remember all those whose lives were lost in the terror attacks, local singer Jonathan Abbott will sing The Star-Spangled Banner.

“The cool part about the hot sauce festival,” Allen said, “is that there’s something for everyone.”

The classic car show will be on Little John Street between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., featuring vintage vehicles and souped-up, tricked out cars and trucks, she said. Children’s games and activities can be found along Williamsboro Street between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Vendors also will be selling their own hot sauces, and Allen said that she considers that to be one of the event’s biggest draws. “It’s just a really good foodie event,” she said. “People love that hot sauce.”

Check out all the details at nchotsaucecontest.com.

But Granville County events don’t stop with the Hot Sauce Contest, Allen said.

The Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor has opened its pumpkin patch, she said. But these pumpkins aren’t grown on vines – they are made of glass and there are hundreds of them ready for purchase at the local art and pottery gallery.

Allen said there’s something for everyone, from traditional orange to beautiful blues and reds – a kaleidoscope of colors. Beginning on Oct. 1, about 100 limited-edition pumpkins will be available for purchase at the gallery or online. Glass blower Lisa Oakley, owner of the gallery, will sign, date and number each work.

Cedar Creek is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pumpkin patch will be open through Nov. 7. And the gallery’s fall festival returns this year for the first two weekends in October, featuring live glass blowing and pottery demonstrations.

Events are planned for outside, she said, adding that face coverings and social distancing protocols will be observed inside the gallery.

“This is a really neat time to be surrounded by art and see how it’s made,” Allen said.

Visit cedarcreekgallery.com to learn more.

A short distance from Creedmoor is Butner and the annual Harvest Show, hosted by the Lord Granville Agricultural Harvest Association, will take place on Oct. 1 and 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event will be held at the corner of 12th and G streets in Butner and will feature displays of antique farm equipment, a working blacksmith and farm shop, and something Allen called “tractor games.”

Daily admission is $5 or $8 for a two day pass.

Back in the northern part of the county, the 6th annual military history show at the Henderson-Oxford Airport will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23. Proceeds go to the local Veterans Affairs committee, which provides advocacy, resources and services to local military veterans.

In addition to various military displays of uniforms, equipment and vehicles, Allen said there will be helicopter rides and reenactors, in period gear representing soldiers from various wars that the U.S. has been involved in.

And if you’re not too tuckered out from all the activity, this year’s edition of the Granville Haunt Farm is a destination that is a must-see – or a must drive-through.

Grey Blackwell said this year’s theme conjures up images from horror movies. “You’ll get to drive through their version of a gigantic movie screen,” Allen said, “as it comes to life on the other side.”

It’s a total drive-through event again this year, and there will be timed ticketing as well, eliminating long lines and traffic jams during the times that the haunt farm is in operation.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 1, the haunt farm will be open each Friday and Saturday in October.

Visit Granvillehauntfarm.com to learn more.

 

 

SportsTalk: Sam Feaver Settles in as KVA Athletic Director

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George Hoyle has left some big shoes to fill as Kerr-Vance Academy’s Athletic Director. The school has had numerous state championship teams over the years and now Sam Feaver will try and fill those shoes. Feaver has a lot on his plate and says the community has been great and thanked George Hoyle for making the transition smooth.

Coming from Crescent in Durham where he also served as AD, Feaver knew that athletics were a huge part of Kerr-Vance Academy. Feaver was surprised, though, at how much student’s families are invested in the athletic programs.

While most athletic directors also double as a head coach, Feaver is not coaching any of the school’s teams at the moment but is open to it. “I have experience with boy’s basketball and soccer, and I’m open to stepping in.”

One of the big issues Feaver faces as KVA AD is finding coaches. At the moment the school has an opening for a varsity boys, middleschool and JV coach and will either need a varsity girls soccer or softball coach.

Feaver says that things have been going well so far in regards to Covid with little in the way of interruptions. The fall season has been a safe one so far for KVA.

 

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.

 

 

The Local Skinny Jobs In Vance

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for September 07, 2021. 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 christa@hendersonvance.org to be included.

JOB OPENINGS IN VANCE COUNTY – Week of September 7, 2021

 

Name of the Company:   NC Pediatric Associates at Henderson location

Jobs Available:  Looking for a full-time Clinical Assistant who is energetic, dependable, good customer service skills and eager to learn while working in a pediatric medical office. Hours are Mon.-Fri. 8am to 5pm with occasional Sat. 9am – 1pm.

Method of Contact: Pease drop off resume and references to any NC Pediatric locations to the attention of April

 

Name of the Company: NC Boys and Girls Club of Oxford, NC

Jobs Available: Part-time Office Administrator/ Receptionist. Responsible for managing the daily operations of the Administrative Office and serves as assistant to the Chief Administrative Officer. The hours are Monday – Friday day shift with approximately 29 hours per week.

Method of Contact:  If Interested please go to www.indeed.com to apply online

 

Name of the Company: Henderson Collegiate

Jobs Available:  Now hiring for the following positions: Elementary Apprentice Teacher, Elementary Assistant Dean of Students, High School Apprentice Teacher, High School Math Teacher, Middle School Apprentice Teacher, Middle School Science Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Student and Family Engagement Coordinator, Technology Support Specialist, Instructional Coach, Teacher Resume Collection, Middle School Technology Teacher

Method of Contact: If you are interested in any of these positions please reach out to recruitment@hendersoncollegiate.org/careers/ or go to hendersoncollegiate.org/careers/ to apply online

 

Name of the Company: Chick – fil- A

Jobs Available: 5 Daytime cashiers needed ASAP! Monday – Friday 7:00am to 4:00pm. NO SATURDAYS!

Method of Contact: to apply text FRONTOFHOUSE to 252-359-3232

 

Name of the Company: The Salvation Army Community Center of Henderson

Jobs Available:  Currently has positions available for Education Coordinator and After-School Program Aides. Looking for people who love working with children and want to work for a company that invests in the community

Method of Contact: Apply on 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.

 

Benefit Concert Sept. 25 For ACTS, Showcases Local Talent

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ACTS of Vance County, Inc. is hosting a benefit concert later this month to showcase local talent and raise money to support its mission – attending to the food needs in the community and shining the love of Jesus.

The concert, “Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord” will be held at McGregor Hall in Henderson and will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, according to ACTS Executive Director Lee Anne Peoples. Tickets are $5, and children 12 and under get in free, Peoples said. ACTS stands for Area Christians Together in Service.

“We have amassed a wide variety of local talent to provide an evening of wonderful, inspirational performances,” Peoples said in a statement to WIZS News.

There also are various sponsorship levels that Peoples said she hopes individuals and other groups and businesses will consider as a way to support ACTS. Platinum ($1,000) sponsors receive a full-page ad in the program; Gold ($500) sponsors get a half-page ad and Silver ($250) sponsors receive a quarter-page ad. Please make all checks payable to ACTS of Henderson.

Sponsors receive complimentary tickets, she added, and will be listed in the program.

ACTS provides hot, homemade meals each weekday between 11 a.m. and noon and distributes food boxes and Mobile Meals to those who cannot physically come to the ACTS location. ACTS also provides 25 bags of food weekly to a local elementary school for distribution to children who may need food on weekends, Peoples said.

In 2020, with one full-time, two part-time staff members and a host of volunteers, ACTS:

  • served 25,527 meals through the soup kitchen
  • prepared and delivered 4,862 Mobile Meals
  • packed and distributed 775 boxes and bags of food through the food pantry

Peoples said those numbers will be significantly higher in 2021, and ACTS needs community support more than ever.

Tickets for the concert are available from any ACTS board member or from the ACTS facility, located at 201 S. William St. ACTS is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact Peoples at 252.492.8231 or lapeoples@actsofhenderson.org to learn more.

 

 

COVID-19 Concerns Halt MHCO Homecoming Event For Second Straight Year

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The 2021 Homecoming celebration at Masonic Home for Children in Oxford has been cancelled, marking the second year in a row that plans have had to be put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MHCO Administrator Kevin Otis issued a statement to WIZS News stating that the event would be cancelled due to health concerns. The executive committee of the board made the decision, with staff input, Otis said.

“We’re going to have a quiet weekend,” Otis said, adding that perhaps some sort of special meal would be shared by those on campus.

The event had been scheduled for Oct. 7-9, with food trucks, children’s activities, parade, live music and a barbecue cookoff, just to name a few.

The homecoming weekend is a time when alumni, Shriners, Masons, staff and families converge to have fun, reminisce and conduct business.

Visit mhc-oxford.org to learn more about services MHCO provides or to donate.

Warren County Appearance Assessment Rates Community For Litter, Clutter

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Results from a recent assessment in Warren County about overall community appearance have been released and local officials are using the information to help with the Fall Litter Sweep, which takes place during the month of September.

The Keep Warren County Beautiful Committee used the Community Appearance Index, a tool  designed by the national Keep America Beautiful organization. The local committee is a committee within the public works department. The assessment was conducted between May and mid-June, and visually assessed the overall presence of litter, illegal signs, graffiti, abandoned or junk vehicles and outside storage, according to a press release from county officials.

Supplies for community members are now available at the Warren County Board of Elections office at 309 N. Main St., Warrenton in the John Graham Annex building.

A team of community, business, and government representatives conducted the visual analysis using a scoring system ranging from 1 to 4, where 1 is minimal to no litter and 4 is extremely littered.

“We are thankful for the efforts of dedicated community members like our Keep Warren County Beautiful committee, and those that have participated in litter cleanup efforts in the past,” stated Warren County Manager Vincent Jones. “Our county’s roads are not simply thoroughfares; they are gateways to our community for visitors and businesses. Our roadsides are a big part of our landscape. Keeping them litter-free reflects on us all.”

Here is a breakdown of each district’s score:

  • District I (East and West Warrenton precinct including Axtell and outlying communities from Warrenton) at a 1.91.
  • District II (Sixpound precinct including Macon, Vaughan, Church Hill and Lake Gaston including Roanoke and River Precincts) came in at 3.10.
  • District III (Smith Creek precinct and Nutbush including Soul City, Wise and Oine communities) measured a 2.16.
  • District IV (Sandy Creek precinct including the Afton community) measured a 1.65.
  • District V (Fishing Creek precinct including the Hollister, Arcola, and Inez communities) measured a 2.73.

“Involving community representatives in the process is important to achieve partnership solutions and to promote individual responsibility, ownership, and pride in results,” said Warren County Committee Chair, Debbie Formyduval.

Warren County government has partnered with NCDOT to conduct countywide litter sweeps in the spring and fall since 2017; staff and volunteers also provide resources for trash collection year-round, and promote continued awareness through local radio, newspaper, and social media about the efforts of Keep Warren County Beautiful.

The Keep Warren County Beautiful Committee was established in 2020 when citizens shared concerns with the Warren County Board of Commissioners. Members of the Keep Warren County Beautiful Committee are: Marshall Brothers, Debbie Formyduval, Paula Pulley, Laura Tucker, April Moss, Angela Hyson, Alaina Pulley, and Austin Brothers.

For more information about the Keep Warren County Beautiful committee, contact Marshall Brothers, the Director of Warren County Public Works, at marshallbrothers@warrnecountync.gov.

For more information about the September Litter Sweep, contact Debbie Formyduval at 252.257.2114.

State Highway Patrol

Booze It and Lose It Campaign In Full Force Over Labor Day Weekend

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As motorists hit the road this busy Labor Day weekend, law enforcement officers from Murphy to Manteo will be stepping up enforcement through patrols and checkpoints to keep impaired drivers off the roads.

The statewide “Booze It & Lose It” Labor Day campaign, sponsored by the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program, runs through Sept. 12 and involves all law enforcement agencies, including local police, sheriff’s offices and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Last year, participating agencies cited nearly 1,400 DWI offenders in North Carolina. Motorists caught driving while impaired face the possibility of jail time, lost driving privileges and hefty fines.

NCDOT encourages people to celebrate responsibly and safely. Never drink and drive. If you drink, find another ride using a rideshare app, such as Uber or Lyft, or call a taxi, ride with a friend, or take the bus.