Warren County EMS To Receive AED Devices As Part Of Duke Clinical Trial Study

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You’ve probably walked right past an AED and never even noticed it – they are small devices, usually mounted on a wall, that can literally save the life of someone in cardiac arrest.

Warren County Emergency Services is getting 10 AEDs – automated external defibrillators – on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

A team from Duke University’s RACE CARS program is heading to Warrenton Wednesay morning to make the presentation.

Warren County has been highlighted for its “outstanding work with cardiac arrest survival,” according to information from Charla Duncan.

Chief Joel Bartholomew and Capt. Chris Tucker are just a couple of local officials who will be on hand at 9:30 a.m.
The emergency services headquarters is located at 890 U.S. 158 Bypass in Warrenton.

RACE CARS is an acronym that stands for Randomized Cluster Evaluation of Cardiac Arrest Systems and Warren County is taking part in the trial study to test the implementation of community interventions to improve survival for people with cardiac arrest.

See more about the program here: https://racecarstrial.org/

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Fruit & Nut Trees

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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.

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WIZS Election Coverage

TownTalk: Election Review

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The dust of last week’s midterm elections have settled locally, although several key races across the nation have yet to be called. Here in Vance County, however, races have been decided, with Democrats and Republicans each taking its share of wins.

Sheriff Curtis Brame defeated Republican challenger Patrick Bailey to gain a second term in office, but Republican Frank Sossamon grabbed the N.C. House District 32 seat from incumbent Terry Garrison.

In an interview Tuesday after it was clear that Brame would win a second term, he spoke with WIZS News and said he would continue to work hard for the residents of Vance County. The last few years have been challenging for law enforcement officers everywhere, Brame said, not the least of which has been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He can’t wave a magic wand over the county to make it happen, but if he could, Brame said he would wish for two things: “funding…to retain good, qualified law enforcement officers and a new detention facility.”

Brame implored the citizens of Vance County to “take ownership” of their community – to attend city and county meetings, be a part of the community and work collaboratively together with law enforcement.

Sossamon also spoke with WIZS after his win and he echoed Brame’s sentiments – about crime, anyway.

He said the goal is for District 32, comprised of Vance and Granville counties, to be “crime free,” Sossamon said, adding that he would do whatever it takes. “It’s time to clean up our neighborhoods,” he said, “and make us proud of living in District 32 – make us proud citizens, safe and wholesome citizens.”

There are many state and federal funding sources that he wants to tap into to ensure that his district benefits as much as possible – everything from rehabbing homes and promoting home ownership to supporting law enforcement and first responders.

“We’ve got to get it in motion and have the will to do it,” Sossamon said.

 

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Vance County Logo

The Local Skinny! County Commissioners Meeting Review

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Vance County Commissioners have approved bumping up the pay for some county employees whose jobs require permanent night shifts, which could put more than $3,800 in the paychecks of 911 dispatchers and detention officers.

County Manager Jordan McMillen said the commissioners approved the $20 extra per night shift worked at the Nov. 7 meeting. The pay increase will begin with the Nov. 13 pay period, McMillen said.

This could mean an additional $30,700 paid to 911 employees and another $50,400 for detention staff, if night shifts are fully staffed.

McMillen said that “shift differential pay” is common in private industry and is endorsed by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials.

In other matters before the commissioners:

  • The search continues for a company to provide health care services to inmates at the Vance County Detention Center. McMillen said several providers are expected to submit proposals in the next week or so, which means a selection could be made by late November. McMillen said he is hopeful for a January 1 startup date, but some of the service providers have indicated they need 60 days once the contract is awarded to begin providing services. In the interim, StarMed continues to provide services at the jail.
  • Residents who use the Kittrell Solid Waste Convenience Site will be pleased to know that commissioners approved spending more than $44,000 to pave the entire 18,000 square foot location – no more dust, grime and gravel! Reynolds
    Hauling will complete the project, which will be paid with funds from the capital fund totalling $44,395. Originally, only a portion of the site was going to be paved – at a cost of just more than $17,000, McMillen said. But it was decided to pave the whole site in “an effort to improve the citizen experience” at county-owned sites. The county spends money each year to add gravel at the sites, but decided that pavement was a better long-term investment which would save on future maintenance costs.

 

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NC Forest Service

Forest Service Offers Veterans’ Discount On Tree Seedling Purchase In November

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To show its appreciation for service to their country, the N.C. Forest Service is offering a 25 percent discount on tree seedling orders placed by active, honorably discharged or retired military personnel during the month of November.

“North Carolina is home to many veterans and current military members, many of whom are forestland owners,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a press statement.

November is also National Veterans and Military Families Month, a time to celebrate both those who have served in the military as well as their families, for their contributions and sacrifices to the country.

“This discount is a token of appreciation as we honor them this Veteran’s Day and it also helps ensure the sustainability of forestland in the state.”

To qualify for the discount, proof of service is required. A valid military ID, Department of Defense Form  214/215 or National Guard Bureau Form 22/22A is acceptable. Standard shipping rates still apply. Tree  seedlings may be ordered by calling 1-888-NCTREES or by visiting www.buynctrees.com.

The discount applies to the first $500 of all new orders, up to a $125 discount.

The Local Skinny! Granville County is Ready for the Holidays!

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Granville County is chock full of events happening in November, and Angela Allen shared some of what’s going on with John C. Rose on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

  • Cedar Creek Gallery just outside Creedmoor is having its annual holiday open house this weekend. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13.
  • The Hub on Main’s Craft and Brew festival in downtown Oxford Saturday. A portion of Main Street will be closed off to allow for live music, alongside dozens of beer, craft and food vendors from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets for the beer tasting tickets are available via The Hub on Main Facebook page.
  • Thorndale Oaks is having its traditional Thanksgiving lunch buffet on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 11:30 am to 2 p.m. Call 919.603.3701 to reserve a table for this sumptuous event.
  • Turkey Trot to benefit Area Congregations in Ministry. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. outside the Oxford United Methodist Church and the walk/run begins at 9 a.m.
  • C.J. Harris is presenting Something to Do. Get together with family and friends. Nov. 25 Friday 7 p.m. to midnight. DJ Mike will be there playing your favorite Motown and soul tunes. Tickets $15 each or reserve a table for $20.
  • Grey Blackwell and friends are transitioning the Granville Haunt Farm “from scary to merry” with the opening of Granville Christmas Farm, a festival of lights celebration that will kick off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving and will continue through Christmas. Visit https://www.granvillechristmasfarm.com/ to learn more.

Learn more about these events and more at www.visitgranvillenc.com

 

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TownTalk: Aycock School Presents Festival Of Lights

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The staff at Aycock Elementary is gearing up for the 3rd annual Festival of Lights, when the campus will be transformed into a glittery, shiny bright holiday drive-through wonderland.

Aycock Principal Kristen H. Boyd said teachers and staff are already planning for the two-night event, which will be held  from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec 7. and Thursday, Dec. 8.

“We’re getting really excited about it,” said Kristen H. Boyd, Aycock principal. “It’s a lot of work but it’s a really fun time,” Boyd said on Thursday’s TownTalk with John C. Rose. She and Aarika Sandlin discussed the upcoming event, which is free to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted, however, and Boyd said all proceeds go into the festival of light fund, as well as to help support various clubs for the students.

Boyd said some of the school’s club include a garden club, an Imagineering club, as well as clubs for art and engineering.

“The money goes back to the children,” she explained.

Some display favorites are back – like Who-ville and Polar Express, but a new display called Santa’s Workshop will make its debut in this year’s event.

Vehicles will enter via the Aycock Rec Center, Sandlin noted, adding that there’s a specific traffic pattern to follow that will weave onlookers through the various light displays.

Boyd said turnout was great the past two years, and she hopes this year’s festival of lights will be bigger and better attended than ever.

The festival of lights is a way to give back to families in the community, and it’s also a time to give folks a chance to experience the result of teachers’ collaboration.

“It’s a lot of work,” Boyd reiterated. “We all just pull together and make it happen.”

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Vance “State Of The County” Focuses On Positives In Service, Economy And Business

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In Thursday’s “State of the County” address sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Henderson Rotary Club, county officials laid out a list of initiatives and programs, all of which bode well for Vance County, both in the immediate future and in the long-term.

County Manager Jordan McMillen painted a positive picture in remarks to the group of about 100 business and corporate leaders, elected officials and other key players.

“Vance County is alive and thriving,” McMillen said. “That’s not to say that we don’t have our challenges…but today’s going to be positive.”

Vance County Board of Commissioners Chairman Leo Kelly also spoke to the group assembled at the business luncheon held at Henderson Country Club.

Kelly highlighted four projects within the county that have helped to propel the county forward:

  • The $4.5 million renovation of the Eaton Johnson campus, which now houses several different agencies, from DSS and the Senior Center to GRRO and the city-county youth services
  • The second shell building in the industrial park
  • Sale of the former DSS building to the Henderson Family YMCA
  • Purchase of 2.5 acres beside the EMS building to prepare for construction of a new facility

“We’re real proud of what happened to that building,” Kelly said of the renovation of the former middle school campus. “The building is getting fantastic use.”

Finding ways to use existing buildings is one way the county has maximized its resources, but the shell building concept is one that has proven itself as well.

When Mako Medical was looking for a location in 2017, McMillen said, company leaders looked here “because we had a building.”

Public-private partnerships like the shell buildings are going to continue to play a vital role in moving the local economy forward, McMillen noted, and he encouraged the audience to continue to invest in the future of the county and their community.

The total value of all the property in Vance County comes to just shy of $3 billion, and that property generates about $26 million in tax revenue, he said. “That funds everything we do.”

More than three-quarters of the county’s total $55 million budget goes to three sectors: public safety, education and human services.

Other county services highlighted include:

  • Tax collection rates are at an all-time high, more than 97 percent
  • Senior Center provides more than 20,000 meals and in-home assistance to older citizens
  • Animal Services has a new facility and boasts the lowest euthanasia rate in the area
  • 911 answers an average of 236 calls a day
  • Veterans service staff helped more than 1,200 veterans and their dependents access $17 million in benefits
  • The kitchen at the county detention center provides meals for inmates, but also prepares meals for the Senior Center and for Meals on Wheels
  • Parks and rec programs – which gets 45 percent of its funding from the county – served 8,500 youth in its various programs and activities
  • Another 6,500 residents participated in Cooperative Extension activities and programs
  • Smart Start, the Boys & Girls Club, Gang Free, Inc. and the local children’s home all are supported by county funding.

Residential home construction is on the rise, and the county is getting more tourism dollars – and a record occupancy tax from hotels and motels. There’s plenty of room for more, McMillen said.

“We’re not there yet, but I think the state of Vance County is strong,” McMillen said.

To view the presentation, visit https://www.vancecounty.org/and click on the link titled State of the County under the heading Latest News.

TownTalk: Keeping Pets Safe Over The Holidays

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The advice could be coming from your family doctor about how to manage the upcoming holiday season: Limit treats, avoid fatty foods, get regular exercise and stay calm when there’s a houseful of company.

Humans would do well to follow these suggestions, but this advice actually comes from Bridget Waters, DVM. She’s talking about caring for our dogs and cats as we prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Our pets may get anxious when guests arrive for a holiday gathering, Waters said in a TownTalk conversation Thursday with John C. Rose. Waters operates Dabney Drive Animal Hospital in Henderson.

There are some chews that have natural calming agents – like the tryptophan in turkeys that makes us all want to nap after our Thanksgiving meal, she said. Some pets, however, get so anxious they may need a prescription medication.

And although humans may feel compelled to feed pets foods from the table, Waters said it’s not always a good idea.

“Don’t feed them the foods we eat over the holidays,” she said, because some of them may be too rich or too high in fat content. It’s not a great idea for humans to over-indulge, and that holds true for our pets as well.

She suggested that pet owners have pet-friendly treats on hand for those who can’t resist slipping that furry friend an extra morsel. In addition to grapes and raisins – both no-no’s for dogs, Waters listed as “not dog-friendly” onions, garlic, currants and chocolate,

As cold weather sets in, it’s important to remember to keep things like anti-freeze and ice melt granules out of the way, too. While sprinkling ice melt on driveways and sidewalks can help human navigation, when a dog or cat walks on it, it may stay on their paws and cause a problem.

It’s a good idea to wipe the animal’s paws when they come back inside. “Clear the paw pads of anything they might pick up outside,” she said.

Don’t let your pets be couch – or carpet – potatoes in the wintertime, which could bring on weight gain.

“Get them out for a little 5- or 10-minute walk instead of letting them lie around,” she said.

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