TownTalk 1-13-21 “Which Set of Fools”
Which set of fools do you believe in?
Politics. Social Media. Censorship. Division. Unity.
Click Play Below…
Jordan McMillen Credentialed by International Local Government Management Organization
— press release
Jordan McMillen, County Manager of Vance County, North Carolina, recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Mr. McMillen is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.
ICMA’s mission is to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics and by increasing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities around the world. The organization’s 13,000 members in 27 countries also include educators, students, and other local government employees.
To receive the prestigious ICMA credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; have earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field; and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.
Jordan McMillen is qualified by having over 12 years of professional local government executive experience. Prior to his appointment in 2016 as County Manager of Vance County, North Carolina, he served a dual role of Deputy County Manager/Planning and Development Director for three years, Planning and Development Director for two years and prior to that as Planning Services Manager for three years. He is more than deserving of this designation having worked in Vance County for a number of years and having made the positive impact that he has and continues to make for our citizens. This is even more notable following his recent honor being named County Manager of the Year for the Kerr-Tar Region.
For more information regarding the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program, contact Jenese Jackson at ICMA, 777 North Capitol Street, N.E., #500, Washington, D.C. 20002-4201; jjackson@icma.org; 202-962-3556.
Maria Parham Health Welcomes First Baby of 2021
— press release
Maria Parham Health is ringing in 2021 with the year’s first bundle of joy. Weighing 5 pounds and 15 ounces and measuring 19 inches, Raylen Nicole was born to Alyssa and Donnie, Monday, Jan. 4, at 4:54 PM.
“We are so excited to meet the newest member of our family!” said Alyssa. “We are so grateful to the physicians, nurses, and staff at Maria Parham for taking such good care of us and making this experience special for our family.”
Maria Parham’s Women’s Center is committed to providing high quality, compassionate care close to home for new and expecting parents in the region. The Center offers 24-7 in-house obstetrical coverage, attentive and dedicated nursing care while in labor, and dedicated and experienced staff.
“Our clinical and support staff are committed to creating a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment for moms and babies,” said Janice Martinez, CNM at Maria Parham. “It is one of our great privileges to help our community’s families welcome their newest additions in a positive and memorable way.”
Maria Parham’s Women’s Center is located at 566 Ruin Creek Rd, Henderson, NC. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call 252-438-4143, or visit MariaParham.com.
About Maria Parham Health
Maria Parham Health, a Duke LifePoint hospital, is a regional health system with campuses in Henderson, N.C., and Louisburg, N.C. serving the people of north-central North Carolina and Southside Virginia. Maria Parham offers a wide range of services and the latest technology to meet the health care needs of the community. It is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and CMS. For more information about Maria Parham Health, please call (252) 438-4143 or visit mariaparham.com.
(This is not sponsored content.)
Home and Garden Show with Wayne Rowland and Paul McKenzie 01-12-21
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com on Tuesday at 4:30 PM.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 01-12-21 – Backyard Composting
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
Hungry Heroes is at it Again
Amanda Riggan is at it again – the founder of Hungry Heroes BBQ returns to Henderson Thursday, this time to stock refrigerators at the sheriff’s office, fire department and EMS agencies.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Riggan has had to make some adjustments in the way she shows her appreciation for law enforcement personnel. Since 2018, she has been firing up her Traeger grill and cooking up meals for law enforcement officers and firefighters.
One new program is called “Stock the Fridge,” and that’s what she’ll be doing in Henderson later this week.
Armed with everything from bottled water, Gatorade, chips and other snack items, Riggan will visit the Vance County agencies. “I always buy what I like…I think I like the good stuff,” she remarked during Tuesday’s Town Talk with John C. Rose. “They never complain,” she said, of those whose fridges get stocked.
(To Listen to Riggan and Owen on TownTalk, Click Play…)
“I wish we could actually serve and shake hands and give hugs, but we can still bless people,” she said. Her Hungry Heroes program came to Henderson in September 2020, partnering with local restaurant Skipper Forsyth’s Bar-B-Q to provide meals to the Henderson Police Department and the Henderson Fire Department. This time, she said, she will deliver the snack items as a way to show her appreciation for the tireless service they provide in their community.
Randy Owen, a friend of Riggan’s and fire technology coordinator at Vance-Granville Community College, agreed. Owen also appeared on Town Talk Tuesday and said when the two were discussing a return visit, they agreed that serving a meal may not work as well this time, given the spike in COVID-19 cases being experienced in Vance County and statewide. “Maybe this will put a smile on their faces,” he said, referring to the delivery of the beverages and snacks.
Although she misses the face-to-face meetings that Hungry Heroes created before the pandemic, Riggan said she hopes the Stock the Fridge project will serve the purpose until she can get back to doing what she loves – interacting with all those who serve their communities on the front lines, whether in a police uniform or firefighter gear. “I’ll be back as soon as this COVID is over and we’ll serve real food — we’ll serve barbecue and not just snacks” she promised.
Until then, the grab-and-go snacks hopefully will be a welcome addition to the fridge or pantry that firefighters and deputies can get on their way back from a call or take with them when they leave.
In addition to the local agencies, Riggan’s Hungry Heroes serves active military and veterans. She went to Fort Scott in Kansas back in November and was responsible for three meals a day for a weeklong event that entertained a group of combat veterans on a hunting expedition.
Owen, who coordinates training for 58 agencies in the Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties, noted that the firefighters don’t just put out a fire and then head back to the station. “They are dealing with people if they have to bet people out of the house,” he said. “Their job is also to console…to get the Red Cross involved…It goes a lot deeper than just going and putting the fire out,” he explained.
“These agencies step up to the plate every time,” Owen said. “It’s not just to fight fires, but it’s to serve the community and I appreciate them so much. They are my heroes. And Amanda thinks the same way I do.
Visit www.hungryheroesbbq.com to learn more.
Noon News 1-12-21 Wilton Baskett Obit; Covid 19 Vaccine; Vance Co. Manager; First Birth Of 2021
Noon News for 12 Jan. 2021. Stories include:
– Obituary for Vance Co. basketball coach Wilton Baskett
– Update on Covid 19 vaccinations for area counties
– Vance Co. Manager Jordan McMillan receives credential
– Maria Parham Hospital announces first birth of 2021
For full details and audio click play.
Covid Vaccine Things to Know in Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin Counties
Area health departments continue to update the public on progress with administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Please see below for updates from the Granville Vance Public Health, the Warren County Health Department and Franklin County Health Department. Although some details differ, all health department officials stress that residents’ patience and continued vigilance in the use of the 3 W’s – Wear, Wait, Wash – are vital components to combating the pandemic.
Three counties remain in Phase 1a, but are scheduled to open up Phase 1b, Group 1 soon. Franklin County began vaccinating eligible residents in Phase 1b last week.
Granville and Vance counties
Granville and Vance counties remain in Phase 1a distribution and plan to move to Phase 1b, Group 1 (only those aged 75 and over), on Thursday, Jan. 14. Health Director Lisa Harrison hopes to complete vaccinating groups 1a and 1b by March.
Phase 1a is only for eligible health care organizations and individuals with additional instructions to sign up for the vaccination. Harrison urges all others to wait to ask for an appointment until news outlets announce or publish that the phase for which you’re eligible to receive the vaccination is underway. Residents can also visit the GVPH COVID-19 website https://gvph.org/covidvaccines/ to find updated information. More information is forthcoming about how to register in the mandatory statewide COVID Vaccine Management System (CVMS). There is a survey everyone must fill out as part of registration and the system is not accessible to individuals at this time, Harrison added.
Individuals 75 years and older may call the health department now to schedule an appointment. Phase 1b, Group 1 vaccinations are scheduled to begin Thursday, Jan. 14. Any other instructions that may help make your vaccine appointment move faster (such as forms you need to fill out ahead of your appointment) will be posted on our website.
If you are not in Phase 1a or Phase 1b Group 1, but want more information, please call the COVID Vaccine Information Hotline at 252-295-1503.
Only hospitals and health departments have the vaccine at this moment, but in the coming weeks and months, primary care offices, pharmacies, and federally qualified health centers will receive vaccine and be able to vaccinate community members as well. The health department is working with Granville Health System and Maria Parham Health to make sure that the vaccination process is working as efficiently as possible.
Warren County
The Warren County Health Department is giving COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment to all healthcare workers in Phase 1a, which includes:
- Healthcare workers caring for and working directly with patients with COVID-19, including staff responsible for cleaning and maintenance in those areas
- Long-term care staff and residents – people in skilled nursing facilities and in adult, family, and group homes
- Healthcare workers administering the vaccine
- Healthcare workers handling people who have died from COVID-19
Individuals who fall in the category of Phase 1b can begin getting the vaccine the week of January 19, 2021.
Anyone 75 years and older, regardless of health status or living situation, is eligible to get the vaccine. Call the health department at (252) 257-1185 to make an appointment.
Franklin County
Franklin County began Phase 1b, Group 1 (residents 75 and older) on Jan. 7, 2021 in a drive-through event and delivered 323 vaccinations.
Franklin County residents who think they are eligible to get the vaccine should email covidvax@franklincountync.us and will receive an automated reply with instructions about how to register for the vaccine. You may also phone the health department’s dedicated COVID-19 phone line at 919–729-0654. If you leave a message, please leave a phone number and your call will be returned.
County Health Director Scott Lavigne said that although the line was long at times during the Jan. 7 drive-through vaccination event, everyone who had signed up got their shot.
NC Tobacco Trust Fund Grants Available For Agricultural Projects
— press release
The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission is accepting applications for the 2021 grant cycle. The key objectives for 2021 are supporting the agricultural industry, impacting rural communities and stimulating economic development. Funds will be awarded in the fall of 2021 for selected innovative projects.
Applications information is now online at www.tobaccotrustfund.org for qualifying organizations. “Creating opportunities for North Carolina producers and creating jobs in current or former tobacco-dependent regions are our 2021 priorities,” said William H. “Bill” Teague, NCTTFC Chairman. “Applications will be accepted online for innovative projects within North Carolina. Selected projects should expect to start in November of 2021.”
The NCTTFC was established in 2000 by the N.C. General Assembly to help members of the tobacco community including farmers, tobacco workers and related businesses. Its original funding was established through tobacco industry annual payments as a result of the Master Settlement Agreement. Funding is now appropriated to the NCTTFC which then reviews, selects and disperses the funds to grant projects.
Past NCTTFC projects includes fair and farmers market improvements, cost-share grant programs for farmers, commodity marketing, researching alternative crops and support of agricultural education programs.
More information can be found at the NCTTFC’s website (www.tobaccotrustfund.org), or by calling Jeff Camden at 919-397-6766. The deadline for applications submission is Friday March 5, 2021.
Nominate a City of Oxford Employee of the Month
— info courtesy of the City of Oxford, NC
The City of Oxford is now opening up its ‘Employee of the Month’ to where all employees and the public can make nominations.
In an email received by WIZS, Alyssa Blair, Executive Assistant, City of Oxford, wrote, “We want to recognize City employees who embody the mission and values of the City in action. To nominate and employee/team you can fill out an online form, under ‘Human Resources’, on the City website. You must include the employee(s) name, department, and a brief description of what the employee(s) did.”
Click here – https://www.oxfordnc.org/departments/human_resources/employee_of_the_month.php
City of Oxford employees who embody the mission and values of the City in their daily duties are recognized each month. City employees or citizens can nominate employees when they see individuals or teams demonstrating the city’s values in action.