Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden
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Microclimates, Hot Weather, Thunderstorms, Hurricanes and Forecasting
They probably don’t teach terms like “crazy hot” in meteorology school, but everyone around here knows firsthand exactly what Jonathan Blaes means when he says those words to describe this summer’s weather.
Blaes, director of the National Weather Service office in Raleigh, summarized the current weather pattern that has sent temps soaring into the triple-digit range across parts of the Midwest and West.
“In Texas and Arizona, it’s been crazy hot without a break for months,” Blaes said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.
North Carolina summers often see stretches of hot weather for days in a row, but not months. “This (pattern) has been pretty persistent and pretty remarkable,” he added.
The thunderstorms that blew through the area earlier this afternoon are ushering in a slight break in the heat and humidity, with predicted highs hovering in the mid- to upper 80’s for the rest of the week.
Heat and humidity are the basic fuel for thunderstorms, Blaes said, so why don’t we have thunderstorms every single day during the summer?
We feel the heat and humidity down here on the ground, but there are other factors that affect the likelihood that afternoon storms will pop up, he explained. Take the temperature of the air at higher elevations, from cloud level and beyond, for example.
Temperatures need to cool off at a steeper rate to fuel storms, so when it’s “hot all the way up into the clouds,” that cooling doesn’t always occur at the rate needed to create storms.
But there are other factors closer to earth that have a bearing on the weather, including soil makeup, elevation and bodies of water, just to name a few.
“Weather is very local,” he said. “Details matter. Locations matter,” he added. “All those different features and materials interact with the air and sunlight and they’re different.” Those differences help to drive the weather patterns in a particular area, both in the short-term and long-term.
And Blaes and his team consider all those factors when they make their forecasts.
The National Weather Service team is keeping an eye out as hurricane season continues. There already have been four named storms, and we’re barely three months in, he said.
The NOAA forecast is calling for above normal activity this hurricane season, with between 14 and 21 named storms.
Typically, we can count on 14 named storms. Of that number half, will become hurricanes. Of that seven, half of those will be Category 3 or stronger, Blaes said.
“Things are going to ramp up and you can place a pretty good wager we’re going to be hearing more about tropical storms in the Atlantic,” he said.
Thanks to sophisticated technology advances, forecasts are more data-driven and less prediction or educated guesses.
In the event of a hurricane between now and November, Blaes said one thing he’d for sure recommend is to prepare a hurricane kit and make a plan. Just in case.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 08-15-23 Noon
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WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Vance County Schools Excellence in Education Banquet
Vance County Schools named its 2023 Educators of Excellence at a banquet on Thursday, Aug. 10 to honor nominated teachers, staff and administrators from across the schools in the district.
Teacher of the Year honors go to Analiza Maghanoy of EM Rollins STEAM Academy, according to information from VCS Director of Communications & Marketing Aarika Sandlin.
Others receiving top honors were Lillian King of Carver Elementary – Beginning Teacher of the Year; McShell Edmonds of Vance County High – Assistant Principal of the Year; and Dr. Michael Putney, Sr. of Dabney Elementary – Principal of the Year.
VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett said the district benefits from the experience of leaders like the ones honored at the banquet.
“Vance County Schools is very fortunate to have dedicated and passionate teachers and leaders who work diligently day in and out to ensure the children in Vance County are receiving the best possible education, learning from innovative programs and experiences, and truly understanding how they can positively impact tomorrow.”
Maghanoy teaches third grade English Language Arts at EM Rollins STEAM Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Western Mindanao State University and a Master of Education Studies from the University of Newcastle, Australia.
“I know many outstanding teachers who give their best efforts to our students every day. I am humbled to be recognized as the Vance County Teacher of the Year, with gratitude to my strong administrators (present and past) for their unwavering support and inspiration to be the best I can to serve the students, parents, and the entire community of Vance County Schools”, Maghanoy stated.
King, also a third-grade teacher, works at Carver Elementary and majored in elementary education at N.C. Central University.
“I feel very honored to even be nominated and even more grateful to have been chosen by my district,” she said.
Top administrator awards went to Edmonds, who was named Assistant Principal of the Year.
“This achievement not only brings me joy but it fuels my motivation to continue pushing to strive for even greater heights. I am committed to using this achievement for continuous growth, learning and making a meaningful impact on my school community. I am so grateful for the support and guidance I received from fellow educators, the VCHS family, friends, and my family.”
Edmonds received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from N.C. Central University and a Master’s in School Administration from N.C. State University.
This is Putney’s third time as Principal of the Year, but he said he feels honored to receive the recognition. He’s been principal at Dabney since 1997.
“This is my passion. I do not see this as a job. I see this as a calling to be able to have an impact on others. To hear positive remarks from former students, staff, and parents fuels me to continue to strive to make a difference for others.”
Maghanoy and Putnam will represent Vance County in regional competition.
Following are the nominees from across the district competing for the awards:
2023-2024 Teacher of the Year Nominees:
- Nino Robles, AdVance Academy
- Caroline Boyd, Aycock Elementary
- Debbie McCune, Carver Elementary
- Cynthia Moore, Clarke Elementary
- Karin Jennings, Dabney Elementary
- Analiza Maghanoy, E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy
- Julia Morton, E.O. Young Elementary
- Jamie Chin, L.B. Yancey Elementary
- Tina Terry, New Hope Elementary
- Kevin Johnson, Pinkston St. Elementary
- Jose Ortiz Covelli, STEM Early High
- Vicki-Ann Fullwood-Barrett, Vance County Early College
- Pamella Wickham, Vance County High
- Davia Johnson Wilkins, Vance County Middle
- Cynthia Nnaemeka, Vance Virtual Village Academy
- Hannah Whittemore, Zeb Vance Elementary
2023-2024 Beginning Teacher of the Year Nominees:
- Matthew Weaver, Aycock Elementary
- Lillian King, Carver Elementary
- Nicole Clarke, Clarke Elementary
- Ty-Mhaj Hart, Dabney Elementary
- Rosa Bullock, E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy
- Marcia Cobbs, E.O. Young Elementary
- Loletta Davidson, L.B. Yancey Elementary
- Twanda Peace, Pinkston St. Elementary
- Quentillia Crutchfield, STEM Early High School
- Karen Suarez, Vance County High
- Damian Davis, Vance County Middle School
- Whitney Brodie, Zeb Vance Elementary
2023-2024 Assistant Principal of the Year Nominees:
- Dr. C’monee Wilkins, Clarke Elementary
- Facetia Branch, Dabney Elementary
- Desmond Thompson, Vance County Middle
- Angela Cusaac, Vance County High
- McShell Edmonds, Vance County High
2023-2024 Principal of the Year Nominees
- Dr. Carnetta Thomas, E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy
- Dr. Michael Putney, Sr., Dabney Elementary
- Dr. Shannon Bullock, L.B. Yancey Elementary
- Dr. Stephanie Ayscue, Vance County Middle School
- Dr. Jessica Perry, Vance Virtual Village Academy
North Carolina Voters Will See ‘No Labels’ On Future Ballots
North Carolina is now among a group of 10 states that has recognized the No Labels movement.
The State Board of Elections voted 4-1 over the weekend to allow the No Labels party to appear on ballots alongside the more traditional descriptors of Democrat, Republican, Independent and Unaffiliated.
In a June 2023 interview with WIZS, Pat McCrory, one of the national co-chairs of the movement, said he is in favor of more choices for voters.
“And if No Labels does come up with a President/Vice President team as an alternative for voters, dissatisfied with the options from traditional parties, make no mistake: “It’ll be to win, not to be a spoiler,” the former N.C. governor said on the June 20 TownTalk segment.
North Carolina joins nine other states – Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota and Utah – that have approved No Labels to appear on ballots.
“The No Labels movement has achieved a significant milestone, winning ballot access in 10 states,” said civil rights leader Dr. Benjamin J. Chavis, national co-chair of No Labels. “This is a historic victory for Americans who have said loud and clear they want more choices at the ballot box. The spirit of democracy is winning in America today.”
During that TownTalk interview, McCrory said No Labels seeks to provide a common-sense approach to address challenges that mainline parties find little on which to compromise.
“I’m a conservative who believes the more competition, the better.” Divisions and failure to find compromise among political parties only create chaos, he said back in June.
With a focus on common-sense policy solutions, practical compromise and cross-party collaboration, the No Labels movement has spent the past 13 years working to give voice to America’s commonsense majority.
Visit https://www.nolabels.org/ to learn more.
Alan Gill Steps In As Interim Director Of Vance County Board Of Elections
Alan Gill has been named to serve as interim Vance County Board of Elections director following the recent announcement that Melody Vaughan is stepping down from that position.
Gill told WIZS News Monday that he began today and he and Vaughan will have a couple of weeks to have some overlap before she leaves on Aug. 25.
“There’s a lot of things that need to go on,” Gill said, with city elections looming in early October and then elections in Kittrell and Middleburg a month later.
Gill has experience with elections that take place in the county and he has been a chief judge – mostly in the West Henderson polling location – since the early 2000’s. He also has worked the early vote sites since he retired from his job as director of the Vance County Recreation and Parks Department in 2014.
“If I can help, I’m glad to,” Gill said of his interim director role. “I’m actually quite happy just doing the chief judge duties, but didn’t want to see the Vance County Board of Elections left in a hard spot,” he added.
He also served a stint as deputy director a few years ago, so he has experience in much of the office operations, including processing registrations, cross-checking databases and updating addresses and voter information.
The position has been advertised, so Gill said he didn’t know how long this interim position will last. It could last through November, however, meaning that Gill will be the person leading the county’s election workers through the early-voting period and then carry out the Oct. 3 Henderson municipal elections.
“I know almost all of the election workers and most of the people that are at the sites that we use for voting,” Gill said, “so if I can help out and we get through this election in good shape, then I’ll be happy.”
Click Play – Broadcast Audio from 8-15-23
TownTalk: Macon Named Vance Co. Extension Director
When you work with the public, effective communication is an important asset. And knowing about interpersonal communication skills is a bonus.
Dr. Wykia Macon has come back home, and she’s brought a wealth of experience with her – experience she has gained from time spent studying and working in several places across the globe.
Macon has been selected to lead the Vance County Cooperative Extension Center, a job that she officially began on Aug. 1.
The director oversees a staff of 9 – but it’s 8 right now, because, you see, Macon used to be lead the 4-H program.
“My time in 4-H gave me time to get into the community,” she said Monday on TownTalk, “to partner with a variety of people.”
As she transitions from being a member of the staff to the leader of the staff, Macon no doubt will put those interpersonal communications skills to good use. It’s all about knowing how to interact and connect with people, she explained.
With a year of coursework in the area under her belt, Macon said she spent two years in Kenya as a member of the Peace Corps. There she lived and worked in a boarding school for the deaf.
“I realized there were a lot of things I didn’t know,” she said.
Her doctoral studies took her to work for policy change in Ethiopia and then to Cambodia.
One thing that she confirmed during her time in those other countries is that Americans are a bit more direct.
As she embarks on this new stage, Macon said she plans to use those communications skills to help build connections in the community.
“I’m excited to watch us grow in different ways – across program areas,” she said.
The cooperative extension is known for its agricultural component, but there are so many more programs that extension provides.
From 4-H to parenting programs, small farms to family and consumer sciences, cooperative extension offices across the state share research-based information and best practices.
“We’re all about research-based information,” she said. “We take that information from the universities (N.C. State and N.C. A&T State) and share it with our citizens.”
Macon said she hopes to spark an interest in idea of community gardens, a place where young people can learn more about planting, harvesting and then cooking the food that comes from the garden. The local Boys & Girls Club has a new garden, thanks to a collaboration with the cooperative extension, and Macon said she would like to see more pop up across the county.
This is one example of how cooperative extension can expand into the community, and Macon said she’s listening out for other opportunities, too.
“When I interact with people, I just try to keep an open mind,” she said, whether she’s speaking with someone younger or someone with more experience.
“We don’t know how to fully serve the community if we don’t listen,” she added.
There she goes, making good use of those interpersonal communications skills again.
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The Local Skinny! Granville Humane Society To Hold Fund Raising Event
The Granville County Humane Society is sponsoring Paws for Granville next month as a fun way for the community to help dogs and cats in the area.
Paws for Granville is a free event that will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Granville County Expo Center on US Hwy 15 just south of Oxford, according to Angela Gooch, a Humane Society volunteer helping to spread the word about the upcoming fundraiser.
Gooch talked with WIZS’s Bill Harris on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny! and said it’s been a tough year for shelters all over the state.
“It’s been a very difficult year with all the surrenders and sick animals that have come in,” Gooch said.
Paws for Granville is one of two fundraisers sponsored by the local humane society each year to help pay for local spay/neuter programs.
Although the event is free, there will be a truck on site to accept donations of dog and cat food to stock the pet pantry, which is used to help low-income clients provide food for their pets.
More than 80 vendors are scheduled to bring an array of handcrafted items, from jewelry to fishing lures, Gooch said. Participants can enjoy browsing among the vendor booths from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A variety of food trucks are driving in as well, she said. And Next Level Kennels, one of the main sponsors for the event, will have its mobile grooming van on site.
All across the area, animal shelters report being at capacity, and Gooch said rescue groups and foster agencies are working hard to get adoptable animals into homes.
In Granville County alone, the shelter has spent $15,000 to spay and neuter dogs and cats.
Gooch said that, typically, there are more cats that get turned in to shelters, but that has not been the case in Granville County lately.
“Dogs have been coming in great, great numbers,” she said, adding that “rescues are full and (they) have no place to go.”
The group needs volunteers to help with the event, and are always looking for foster families for the animals.
There are about 30 animals available now through the humane society. “It is a labor of love and it takes a lot of time and patience,” Gooch said of her work and the work of other rescuers and fosters.
To learn more, call 919.691.9114, follow the group on Facebook, email hsgcncinfo@gmail.com or visit www.hsgc.nc.org.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 08-14-23 Noon
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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Wildlife Habitat
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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