Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny: Perry Memorial Library Is Open And Ready To Serve Patrons

/by

In many communities the library is still an important resource. Henderson’s Perry Memorial Library also continues to be an important resource in our community. Patty McAnally, the library’s director, says that it has been a challenge to help serve their patrons through the pandemic. The library is currently open from 10am to 6pm Monday through Friday. Patrons are able to browse the stacks and use the computers. While some restrictions on seating are still ongoing, the library does still have seating available at tables in the facility. The History Room is also open by appointment for those looking to work on genealogy.

McAnally also understands that many are still not comfortable coming to the library so curbside pickup is still available and books can be reserved online. For those who need help navigating the library site and are unsure of how to place a book on hold, just give the library a call and they can help with the process.

If you do choose to go to the library, masks are required and if you forget yours they will be happy to give you one. However, McAnally says a national study has determined the risk of Covid transmission from things like books is very low. The virus does not survive very well on paper. Of course there are other items and surfaces beyond books and the staff of Perry Memorial Library continue wipe down computers, keyboards, mice, chairs and all counter tops between each patron to ensure safety. McAnally said it was a big relief to learn the books were not a concern for transmission of Covid. “We are here to help people,” McAnally said. Helping the library’s patrons was made much more difficult by Covid but things are improving now that the library is open again.

For more on Perry Memorial Library visit their Facebook page and their website. There you will find out about the many upcoming events the library has to offer.

Click Play

Colton’s Adventure Features Spaghetti Dinner, Silent Auction On Sept. 17

/by

The 4th annual Colton’s Adventure fundraiser is set for Friday, Sept. 17. Come out to Kerr Lake Country Club between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. for eat-in or take out, according to Kelsey Maddox, Colton’s mother.

They’ll be serving up a spaghetti meal, complete with salad, bread and dessert. Tickets are $9. Beverages are served for dine-in patrons.

There also will be a silent auction, so come prepared to browse the items available.

Maddox said plate delivery to businesses also is available.

All proceeds go to Colton’s direct medical care, she said.

Last year’s event sold out right at the stopping time, Maddox said, and they were able to purchase a special wheelchair called a Zip Zak.

This year’s goal is to sell 800 plates.

Colton was diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia, and his medical team is still searching for a genetic diagnosis, Maddox told WIZS News Friday.

“The diagnosis he was given is Chondrodysplasia Punctata Tibia Metacarpal type,” Maddox wrote in an email. “It is amazing the words that you learn when having a medical complex child,” she added.

In his short life, Colton has undergone 34 surgeries and endured countless hospital stays. This year alone he has been hospitalized several times – and he turned four years old during one hospital stay. He’s hospitalized now for RSV, she said.

He has been able to resume therapy sessions five days a week, which were put on pause last year during COVID-19 restrictions.

All told, Colton’s medical team consists of 21 physicians in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, as well as Wilmington, Delaware.

Maddox said about 40 items will be in the silent auction, including a UNC basketball autographed by Coach Roy Williams, a Texas Roadhouse gift basket that includes 2 free dinners every month for one year, and signed sports items from the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kerr Lake Country Club is located at 600 Hedrick Drive, Henderson, NC 27537.

Local Restaurant Salutes First Responders With Breakfast ‘On The House’

/by

The law enforcement presence around JR’s Restaurant 39 this morning shouldn’t have alarmed passers-by – J.R. Stainback and his staff WANTED those firefighters and all other first responders to come by for a free breakfast to say “thank you” for their service.

In addition to all those uniformed first responders in attendance were other city and county officials who were providing well-wishes to Stainback during a ribbon-cutting to recognize the restaurant as a new member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

Stainback spoke with WIZS News Monday morning and told Trey Snide that this is the second annual Community Servant Breakfast to honor all first responders, from volunteer firefighters to 911 operators and everyone in between who serves as a first responder in Vance County.

“This year is extra special,” Stainback said, given that the country has just marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“We’re remembering all the people from 9/11” as well,” he said. But Stainback said he is so appreciative of the community support that he and his restaurant staff have received over the past couple of years during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

“For us to be able to do this, is a testament to this community…2020 was horrible, but the community stuck by us,” he said. When dine-in wasn’t an option, people ordered take-out plates. “The community has really rallied around us,” he said. This breakfast is a result of all that support. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the wonderful support of the customers.”

During the ribbon-cutting, Stainback reiterated the importance of that customer support. “From all of us, from all the customers who support us every day…(this breakfast) is an offering of thanks for everything y’all do,” he told those first responders.

Michele Burgess, Chamber president, and Dr. Levy Brown, chairman of the Chamber board, thanked Stainback for participating in the Chamber

“We want you to know you will continuously have the Chamber’s support,” Brown said, wishing Stainback continued success.

Local city and county officials also were on hand for the event, including Board of Commissioners Chairman Dan Brummitt, Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington, Police Chief Marcus Barrow and Sheriff Curtis Brame.

“Where would we be without our first responders?” Brame wondered aloud after the ceremony.  “I’m just grateful to be a part of such an awesome team here in Vance County,” he added.

He said it’s not often that all the staffs in the various law enforcement agencies get to spend time in fellowship with one another and the community service breakfast provides that opportunity. “We’re so busy…doing our own jobs – we only see each other at crime scenes, accident scenes – to be able to sit down and break bread together is awesome. I’m overwhelmed with the amount of people that showed up,” he said.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Composting With Worms

/by

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

 

Vance County Schools Logo

VCS Names Teachers, Principals Of The Year During Annual Excellence In Education Event

/by

Vance County Schools recognized outstanding educators and administrators Thursday at its annual Excellence in Education event. The district’s principal and teacher of the year were announced, as were beginning teacher of the year and assistant principal of the year, according to information from Aarika Sandlin, VCS director of communication and marketing

Dr. Tim Hall, a high school social studies and history teacher at Vance Virtual Village Academy, was named the district’s Teacher of the Year.

The Beginning Teacher of the Year is Elizabeth Moore. Moore teaches 9th grade World History at Vance County High School. She is in her second year of teaching.

Principal of the Year honors go to Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson, principal at Pinkston Street Elementary. Assistant Principal of the Year is Dr. Regina Miles of Zeb Vance Elementary.

Congratulations to these educators for their dedication to school children and to education.

Hall is in his second year with Vance County Schools, but he has been in education for 25 years. In addition to social studies and history, Hall teaches AP classes in US history, psychology and sociology. Hall has a degree in history from Elon College, a masters degree in history from East Carolina University and a PhD in interdisciplinary studies in humanities and society from Union Institute and University.

In a written statement, Hall said he appreciates the support from the school family and said VCS “is innovative in its efforts to meet the needs of all students in the county with V3A being an excellent example of educational transformation in practice.”

He subscribes  to Nelson Mandela’s belief  that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. “I believe him,” Hall said. “I want to help create a better world without oppression, racism, prejudice, and discrimination. I want everyone to reach their highest potential as human beings. And I want to be part of the work that makes those beliefs a reality.”

Moore, also in her second year with VCS, said she is honored to receive the beginning teacher award. The Pennsylvania native has a degree in history from California University of Pennsylvania and a masters degree in teaching, learning and curriculum from Drexel University.

“It makes me feel good that so many people value what I say, and it motivates me to keep teaching every week,” Moore stated.

Batchelor-Crosson has been an educator in VCS for 20 years, and has experience teaching kindergarten, 3rd grade, as well as administrative positions within VCS. She is a graduate of Fayetteville State University, earning her undergraduate degree in sociology. She continued her education at the University of Phoenix, earning a masters in school administration and a doctorate of education.

“To be nominated and recognized by your peers is such an honor,” she said. “The extreme joy comes with knowing that the work that you do every day has an impact on someone else that feels that you are deserving of such recognition.”

Miles is a Henderson native who began her career in education as a teacher assistant and bus driver at Dabney Elementary and continued as a 4th grade ELA teacher at Carver Elementary before moving on to assistant principal roles at Clarke Elementary and now Zeb Vance. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in elementary education, and holds a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University and a masters degree in school administration from N.C. State University.

“I love being an educator in VCS because we are given the autonomy to do whatever it takes to motivate our staff, learn and apply new strategies to be successful, and to do all of this with grace and understanding. Students are my biggest ‘why,’ allowing me to be able to shape the lives of our youth through academics. It is truly an honor to see teachers become leaders based on my support – it is simply amazing.”

Franklin County Begins Process To Redraw Districts For Commissioners, School Board

/by

Franklin County is beginning the process of redrawing existing districts for the board of county commissioners and the board of education, based on the recently released 2020 Census results.

As this process gets underway, the county’s management team is creating a resource for information for residents to stay informed and involved, according to a press release from Franklin County Manager Kim Denton.

All redistricting information can be found at https://www.franklincountync.us/commissioners/franklin-county-redistricting-alternatives.

This resource contains various information including instructions on how to submit suggested district maps for consideration.

Denton suggests that interested persons monitor the county government’s webpage at https://www.franklincountync.us/commissioners/franklin-county-redistricting-alternatives for updates and next steps, including dates for any scheduled upcoming public hearings.

To learn more, contact Denton at 919.496.5994.

SportsTalk: Louisburg High Football To Play Two Games In Four Days

/by

Last year one of the best high school teams in our area was Louisburg High School. Finishing the season at 6-3, Louisburg managed to make to the third round of the state playoffs before being eliminated by Tarboro. This year the Warriors are off to solid start winning the first game of the season by an impressive 54 -0 score over Rocky Mount Prep. Tonight the Warriors are on the road as they take on Warren County.  Despite losing to Vance County in the opening game, Louisburg head coach Dontae Lassiter says he has great respect for a strong Eagles team. “Tonight will be a good gauge to see where our team is,” Lassiter said.

Perhaps Monday may prove an even better test. There is no rest for the weary when it comes to football for Louisburg. They will have to hit the practice field again tomorrow because they will be back on field Monday night to take on 0-1 Kip Pride. “They are huge; Monstrous up front,” Lassiter said after observing film. To top it off, Kip Pride will have had a week to rest up before traveling to Louisburg to face the Warriors who will have had only two days rest. “We’ll figure it out. Our team is just as talented if not more so than last year,” Lassiter said of the Warriors. “We are doing the best wc can with what we can,” Lassiter continued.

Covid has caused these scheduling issues and the team had players who were quarantined although did not test positive. In regards to the impact of Covid this season, Lassiter said this year is by the seat of the pants. “Everybody has to be ready to go every day. Not every week, but every day,” Lassiter said of the team’s preparation this season.

 

VGCC Logo

VGCC Uses Federal Dollars Earmarked To Pay Unpaid Student Bills

/by

Vance-Granville Community College cleared unpaid balances for 261 of its students who attended between Spring 2020 and Summer 2021, to the tune of $153,332.14.

VGCC, like other colleges across the state, applied money from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to provide financial relief to students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is important for us to help our students remove barriers that keep them from getting the skills they need to better their work or life situations,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “Leveraging HEERF funds to help students affected by the pandemic to continue their education is just one of those ways. Our students and our communities matter to us!”

Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of learning, student engagement & success, said the college’s business office and financial aid personnel were key players in making this debt forgiveness a reality. “This move speaks to the college’s true commitment to helping students succeed,” Brown said.  “We are glad that our students were able to directly benefit from the HEERF funds and are able to continue their educational and training journey.”

The VGCC admissions and advising teams will work directly with former students affected by this change to help them get re-enrolled at the college and continue pursuing their programs of study. For more information about enrolling or re-enrolling at Vance-Granville, visit www.vgcc.edu.