-Information courtesy Kristen G. King, Clerk to the Board, County of Franklin
UPDATE: Wednesday, September 19 at 9:30 a.m.
The latest forecast indicates that the Tar River in Louisburg will peak at 21.1 ft tonight, Wednesday, September 19 at 6 p.m. Minor flood stage for the Tar River in Louisburg is 20.0 ft. Moderate flood stage is 22 ft.
-Information courtesy Frank Frazier, City Manager, City of Henderson
In response to the tragic and horrendous effects that Hurricane Florence left on our east coast, the City of Henderson has joined in partnership with M.R. Williams to do our part with the relief efforts. The City asks that our community assist us in this effort as we attempt to fill a tractor and trailer with supplies to send to our neighbors down east and along the coast.
This event will begin on Wednesday, September 19 and will continue until we have successfully filled the trailer. The items we are looking to collect include nonperishable foods, water (bottles, jugs, etc.), toiletries, cleaning supplies and clothing. We ask that all items be new or unused.
Henderson Fire Station #1, located at 211 Dabney Dr., will be the central drop-off location and items will be collected there from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. starting on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. For more information, contact the City of Henderson Fire Department at (252) 438-7315.
Lee Edmonds, captain with the Henderson Fire Department, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss October’s Fire Prevention Week and other upcoming fire department events.
The next event on the fire department’s busy fall list will be a dedication and commission for the City’s new fire truck, along with an open house, this Friday, September 21 at 10 a.m. at Fire Station #2. The station is located at 205 N. Garnett Street in downtown Henderson, but an easier direction, according to Edmonds, is just come to “the one with the clock tower.”
Participants will have the opportunity to tour the newly renovated fire department and adjoining municipal building that previously served as the police department. Fire department staff will also be on-hand to demonstrate the bells and whistles of the new fire engine.
While the public will have to wait until Saturday to see the new truck, Edmonds said the crew has already had a sneak preview. “The new fire truck arrived at 10 a.m. this morning,” said Edmonds. “We are all really excited.”
The new model replaces one of the City’s older year models from 1990. Edmonds believes the fire department was fortunate to get 28 years out of the previous truck, “A lot of bigger departments only get 10 years or less out of a truck.”
The nearly half-million dollar fire engine is larger than the previous model and includes newer, faster technology and safety features. “It’s unreal what you can do with a fire truck now,” Edmonds said.
Fire department staff will participate in an all-day, in-house training session next week on the truck’s features. “We will train and get everyone familiar with it before we put it on the front line,” said Edmonds.
The department is also gearing up for 2018’s Fire Prevention Week observed Sunday, October 7 through Saturday, October 13. In honor of this week and its mission to educate others on fire safety, firefighters will be visiting elementary schools in the city to give a presentation to students.
To conclude Fire Prevention Week, there will be a “Look, Listen and Learn” Fire Prevention Day on Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in front of the Henderson Police Department on Breckenridge Street.
Hot dogs and drinks will be provided and vendors will be on site to provide safety information. The City’s fire trucks will be on display and the fire department’s smoke trailer will be available for demonstrations. The event is free to the public.
For more information on the event, or if you are interested in participating, please call Captain Edmonds at (252) 430-1877.
-Information and flyer courtesy Maria Parham Health
Free Prostate Screening Event at Maria Parham
Wednesday, September 19, 2018, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Enter through the main entrance of the hospital. No appointments necessary.
For questions or more information call (252) 436-1605.
The American Cancer Society (ACS), among many other organizations, recommends an annual serum PSA testing and a DRE starting by age 50 for men with a life expectancy of at least 10 years. Men at higher risk, such as those of African-American ancestry and those with a family history, should start screening at the age of 45.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
-Press Release, Vance County Schools
The public is invited to attend the “State of Our Schools” report to our community, led by Superintendent Anthony Jackson, on Thursday, September 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Vance County High School at 925 Garrett Road, just south of Henderson.
Dr. Jackson will be making a presentation on the achievements and performances of our students and schools for the 2017-2018 school year and our expectations for the new school year.
Parents, students, school system employees, community leaders and local residents are urged to attend to receive valuable information about the progress of our public schools.
Administrators and teachers from our 15 Vance County Schools also will be on hand to provide detailed information about their schools, instructional services and programs, extra-curricular activities for students and more.
-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.
Volunteers at Rebuilding Hope are collecting items needed by victims of Hurricane Florence. Items may be dropped off at the Rebuilding Hope warehouse at 414 Raleigh Road, Henderson.
The items include cleaning supplies, buckets, towels, gloves, paper towels, water, Gatorade, plastic totes, trash bags, feminine products, nonperishable foods, snacks, blankets, hand sanitizers, baby wipes, antibacterial wipes and soap, diapers, canned baby food, baby formula and toilet paper.
Items will be collected through Friday and then transported to Cove City for distribution in Jones County.
When flood waters recede, Rebuilding Hope volunteers will offer their help in other ways. Volunteers expect to assist operations centers with clearing debris and home repairs.
Pictured is Leo Suitte of Manson who is loading one of two trailers with chainsaws, generators, ropes, chains, safety equipment and other tools. (Photo Credit: Rebuilding Hope, Inc.)
-Information and chart courtesy Kristen G. King, Clerk to the Board, County of Franklin
As of Tuesday, September 18, the latest forecast is that the Tar River in Louisburg will peak at 19.05 ft tomorrow, Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at 6 p.m.
Minor flood stage for the Tar River in Louisburg is 20.0 ft.
-Press Release, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
The State Bureau of Investigation and the Littleton Police Department have concluded their investigation into the deaths of three family members whose bodies were found June 9 at 1010 Kirkland St. They determined the deaths were a murder-suicide case. This is in agreement with the findings of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which listed the manner of death for Charles Davis as suicide and homicide as the manner of death for Gladys Davis and Antonio Mills.
Littleton Police Department requested the SBI’s help after doing a welfare check at the Kirkland Street home. The officers had to force entry into the house where they found the bodies of 75-year-old Charles Davis, his wife, Gladys Davis, 76, and their grandson Antonio Mills, 41.
“The SBI did a thorough investigation into this tragic case,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Jernigan. “Evidence conclusively pointed to a murder-suicide. I appreciate the work done by the Littleton Police Department and the SBI agents from the Northeastern District Office.”
-Press Release, Halifax Electric
The Halifax EMC service area was spared by the changed storm path taken by Hurricane Florence. Due to pre-storm preparations and the diligent work of Halifax EMC’s operations crew, members were minimally impacted with less than 350 power outages, which were restored in most cases in less than 1 ½ hours. Halifax EMC was back to normal operations by Friday afternoon.
On Sunday, September 16, 2018, Halifax EMC dispatched seven line workers and equipment to assist Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative which serves members in Carteret, Craven, Jones and Onslow Counties. Currently, CCEC has 31,500 of 39,691 members out of service. The Halifax EMC crew is working in the Harker’s Island community of Carteret County to assist in power restoration.
“During times of disaster, cooperatives ban together to offer mutual aid to one another. It’s just part of our cooperative culture,” said Charles Guerry, executive vice president of Halifax EMC. “Halifax EMC is thankful that Hurricane Florence had minimal impact in our area and we are proud to have crew members who volunteered to help others in need.”
At this time, it is unknown as to how long our crew will be away; however, once the rains cease and flooding begins to subside, power restoration will move more quickly.
