Behavioral Health; It’s Time to Start Talking

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The Behavioral Health unit at Maria Parham Franklin in Louisburg offers resources for and treatment of a variety of health issues, from mild dementia in older adults to substance abuse and bipolar disorder.

For Jason Roberts, behavioral health director for the in-patient facility, people struggling with mental health problems need to know they aren’t alone in the battle they face. “How you start to heal,” Roberts told John C. Rose, “is you talk about it.” Someone who goes to hospital with a heart attack, for example, gets wraparound care and follow-up treatment to make sure good health is restored, he said during Wednesday’s Town Talk. Mental health also deserves that wraparound treatment and follow-up care. “That’s what we do here,” he added.

The facility has 13 beds for patients 55 years and older; there are 20 beds for adults 18-54, he added. The geriatric side mostly handles mild to moderate dementia patients; the majority of the adults are experiencing a dual diagnosis – a mental health disorder coupled with a substance use problem.

“We are meeting people at their most vulnerable,” Roberts explained. Most referrals are made through the local hospital emergency departments, he said. The “trauma-informed model of care” uses group therapy as part of treatment. “Sharing is a part of recovery,” Roberts said, adding that it “helps the patient know they’re not alone in what they’re going through.”

Podcast of Jason Roberts on TownTalk

Although relatively short stays are the norm – 5 to 7 days for adults and up to 14 days for those who are in the geriatric program – Roberts said the goal is crisis stabilization with a plan for follow-up care.

A team of providers work together to develop a swift medicine management plan of care and provide a range of treatments including individual sessions, group therapy and recreational therapy, all designed to help the patients interact with others and to reassure them they aren’t alone.

Roberts has been at Maria Parham Franklin for about one year, and said a goal for the immediate future is to continue to improve the follow-up, wraparound care that patients often need to be successful.

“For so long, we’ve looked at mental health and behavioral health as things we don’t talk about,” Roberts said. “That’s the crux of the issue — we don’t talk about it. We don’t talk about the reason people are going through what they’re going through. It’s important to talk about how you feel, because it’s how you start to heal,” he said.

The unit is looking to hire nurses, psychiatric technicians and a recreational therapist, Roberts said.  An “interview day” will be held on Mar. 29 and those interested in participating can schedule an interview, he added. There will be additional information on social media and traditional media outlets closer to the date. “We’re looking for some talent and anyone who has experience in the field,” he added.

To learn more, visit https://www.mariaparhamfranklin.com/services/behavioral-health.

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(Maria Parham is a paying advertising client of WIZS.  This is not a paid ad.)

NC Dept of Agriculture

Use care when burning yard debris

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The sunny skies and warmer temperatures may be tempting area residents to get outside and burn yard debris, but a local fire ranger urges landowners to use abundant caution to avoid problems.

Just in the last week, fire departments in Vance and Granville counties and the NC Forest Service have responded to 13 wildfires. Of those, seven were caused by debris burning, according to Granville County Fire Ranger Rob Montague.

March through May is recognized as spring wildfire season, and the N.C. Forest Service said that as residents begin spending more time working in their yards, it is important to be responsible when it comes to burning yard debris.

“Every year, almost 40 percent of wildfires in North Carolina are the result of careless debris burning,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler stated in a press release from the forest service.  “To protect ourselves and our forestland from wildfire, we have to be responsible and vigilant. Check the weather. Make sure you’re prepared to burn before you do. Never leave a debris fire unattended, and always have a water source and phone nearby in case you need them,” Troxler’s statement continued.

Contact your county forest ranger for technical advice and options to help ensure the safety of people, property and the forest. Visit www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts to find the ranger in your county.

Consider the following factors before burning yard debris:

  • Choose to compost or make mulch. Some types of debris, such as leaves, grass and stubble can be turned into mulch or compost.
  • Check local burning laws. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely.
  • Make sure you have a valid permit. You can obtain a burn permit at any open authorized permitting agent or online at www.ncforestservice.gov/burnpermit.
  • Local fire officials can recommend a safe way to burn debris. Don’t pile vegetation on the ground. Instead, place it in a cleared area and contain it in a screened receptacle away from overhead branches and wires. Keep your pile small, not tall.
  • Stay informed about the weather and possible weather changes. Postpone outdoor burning during high winds or gusts, or periods of low relative humidity. Even if you have a valid permit, stop burning if strong winds develop.
  • Be sure you are fully prepared before burning. To control the fire, you will need a hose, bucket, steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire. Keep a phone nearby, too.
  • Never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed up debris burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out. To learn more about fire safety and preventing wildfires and property damage or loss, visit www.ncforestservice.gov.

To learn more about protecting your home and property from wildfire, visit www.resistwildfirenc.org.

Town Talk Logo

TownTalk 03-11-21 Monica Kearney, Safe Space Inc.

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They may not be on the front lines or in the spotlight as other types of professionals who work to keep the community safe and healthy, but social workers operate across society to provide services to those in need.

March is National Social Work Month and this year’s theme is “Social Workers are Essential.” Monica Kearney, executive director of Safe Space in Louisburg, stressed that social workers are as essential as doctors and nurses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kearney has a master’s degree in social work and has been director at Safe Space since 2014. She spoke with John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk and said a unique quality that social workers have is “meeting people where they are…to help people have a better way of life.”

Safe Space provides domestic violence/sexual assault services that help families break the cycle of domestic violence and sexual assault. Visit www.ncsafespace.org to learn more.

Pandemic restrictions have created challenges, Kearney said, but the non-profit continues to provide outreach and educational resources to reach those who may be in crisis. “Domestic violence is a public health issue,” Kearney noted, whether someone is a victim or someone who has witnessed it in the home. A second social worker at Safe Space helps children who have witnessed domestic violence. The Safe Space mission is “to help people move beyond fear into freedom,” she added.

Social workers serve at the front lines with physicians and nurses, but also are found everywhere from schools to large corporations. Social workers protect children, provide clinical therapy interventions and use evidence-based practices to help others, Kearney said.

Stay-at-home orders, working from home or facing unemployment as a result of the pandemic may put additional strain on families already dealing with domestic violence or sexual abuse, she said. People who have experienced domestic violence, whether they are victims or witnesses, can find help and resources at agencies like Safe Space, Kearney said.

Kearney noted that people who live in more rural counties like Franklin, Vance and Granville already face struggles, but layering the additional challenges brought by the pandemic have only made things more challenging. “It’s easy to say just leave the situation,” she said, but it rarely is as easy as that. More affordable housing is one thing Kearney said would help people who are ready to leave an unhealthy relationship.

Other services that Safe Space offers include a 24-hour crisis line (919.497.5444), a short-term shelter for victims fleeing domestic violence, support groups for victims and children, as well as court advocacy, community outreach and education.

Teenagers may be experiencing challenges because of the pandemic, too, she said. Limiting social interaction can be troubling for that age group, and Kearney said Safe Space can provide information about teens’ social emotional development, as well as other relevant topics such as dating violence and cyber-bullying.

“I was born with an innate desire to make a difference in the world,” Kearney said, “I just wasn’t sure how it would manifest itself.” One of her college professors sparked her desire to make that difference through social work; she currently is pursuing her Ph.D in social work administration and leadership. She has mentored numerous social workers and social work students to help them hone in on their own natural abilities, she said.

Social workers play “an essential role in helping people from all walks of life live life to their fullest,” Kearney said, whether it’s domestic violence, mental health or substance abuse disorders. “We are essential workers,” she explained, “because we are helping people who are struggling.”

Social workers, Kearney said, are a lot like teachers – “we don’t get paid a lot, but we are the unsung heroes in the community.”

In Franklin County, contact Safe Space at 919.497.5444.

In Vance County, contact Infinite Possibilities at 252.425.2492.

In Granville County, contact Families Living Violence Free at 919.693.5700.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Small Farms Week 2021

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The 35th annual celebration of Small Farms Week will be held virtually Mar. 21-27. Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T State University is sponsoring a series of virtual events and educational programs to inform the public and provide research-based information to support small farmers.

This year’s theme is “35 Years: Resilience. Strength. Diversity” and will begin with a kick-off event on Friday, Mar. 19, according to information from the Greensboro-based university. The programs are “designed for farmers with limited incomes and acreage and will provide them with information to become more resilient and more profitable,” according to the statement. Although focused on small-scale farmers, the public is also invited to attend.

The USDA census defines a small farm as “a farm that is 179 acres or less in size, or earns $50,000 or less in gross income per year.

The Mar. 19 event will feature agriculture in Avery County, located in western North Carolina. This session also will recognize Avery County’s Amos and Kaci Nidiffer, the 2020 Small Farmers of the Year. A panel of local farmers will discuss farming in that part of the state.

The virtual activities continue on Monday, Mar. 22, with sessions on the health benefits of community gardening and ways to boost your immune system during the pandemic. A virtual education forum on Tuesday, Mar. 23 will cover plant production, farm management, high-tunnel winter production and livestock production. A panel of N.C. A&T students will discuss the wide variety of career opportunities available in agriculture and related fields.

Wednesday’s program includes information on marketing and agribusiness, as well as a small farms update by members of A&T’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. The day also includes one of the highlights of the week: the virtual Small Farmers’ Appreciation Program. Keynote speaker is Jimmy Gentry, president of the North Carolina Grange. The 2021 Small Farmer of the Year will also be announced.

The final event of Small Farms Week 2021 will be a panel discussion among A&T students on Thursday, Mar. 25 about opportunities for young people in agriculture.

The registration link is

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-farms-week-35-years-resilience-strength-diversity-tickets-141203398165

Franklin County Sheriff

Franklin County Detention Center Contraband (Part 2)

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— press release from Franklin County Sheriff Kent D. Winstead

(WIZS News has re-ordered the arrestee list as well as redacted some information from this press release.)

Arrests

On March 9, 2021,the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group arrested Tiffany Lynn Edwards, a former detention officer at the Franklin County Detention Center. Edwards was charged with supplying inmates at the Franklin County Detention Center with contraband (tobacco). In addition, detectives with the Special Operations Group also arrested Elizabeth McCray with Conspiring to Provide Contraband to an Inmate.

These arrests were part of an ongoing investigation involving inmates at the Franklin County Detention Center gaining access to prohibited and/or illegal items.

During the investigation, it was determined that Edwards had supplied inmates with tobacco products. Through the investigation it was also determined that McCray was involved in financing deals within the facilities to acquire marijuana edibles. Both of these items are considered contraband and are not allowed inside the detention center.

The investigation is ongoing.

Charges Include:

Elizabeth McCray
33 years old
491 Stallings Road
Zebulon, NC 27597
Elizabeth McCray was charged with one (1) Count of Conspire to Provide Contraband to an Inmate.

Elizabeth McCray was released after posting a $20,000 secured bond.

Tiffany Lynn Edwards
(redacted and picture withheld)

Tiffany Lynn Edwards was charged with one (1) Misdemeanor count of Providing Contraband to an Inmate.

Tiffany Lynn Edwards was released after posting a $1,000 secured bond.

For more information concerning this investigation or to report drug activity in your neighborhood, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186.

Franklin County Sheriff

Franklin County Detention Officer and Inmates Charged; Drugs and Contraband

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— press release from Franklin County Sheriff Kent D. Winstead

Drug Arrest

On March 8, 2021, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group arrested Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer, Chase Garnett Strickland for providing contraband to an inmate. In addition to the arrest of Mr. Strickland, inmates Deaven St Charles Holmes, Joseph Butler Bradley Jr., and Jason Todd Wrenn were also charged with felony drug
charges.

These charges originated after the Sheriff’s Office received information that inmates were getting access to marijuana, marijuana edibles, cigarettes, and other contraband inside jail facilities. The Special Operations Group began an investigation and, through various investigative techniques, was able to validate the information. As a result of this investigation, detectives determined Mr. Strickland was a supplier of these illegal and prohibited items to inmates.

The investigation also exposed an elaborate pyramid-type scheme involving multiple inmates that gained access to these prohibited items and distributed them to other inmates once the contraband entered the facilities. Multiple outside sources were established to handle the finances of each transaction to ensure payment before delivery of the illegal substances and/or
prohibited items.

In addition to the arrest warrant, a search warrant was executed at Strickland’s residence at 694 Hill Road Franklinton, NC. Detectives discovered marijuana during the search. Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Once we received information alleging illegal activity, our Special Operations Group made this investigation a priority and then reacted quickly to identify the
source and others that were involved in distributing contraband to inmates. There is zero tolerance for this type of activity inside or outside of our facility. This investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are expected.”

Charges Include:

Chase Garnett Strickland
28 years old
694 Hill Road
Franklinton, NC 27525

Chase Garnett Strickland was charged with one (1) count of Provide Contraband to an Inmate.

Chase Garnett Strickland was placed in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $25,000
secured bond for the above charge.

Deaven St Charles Holmes
29 years old
15 Casino Lane
Franklinton, NC 27525

Deaven St Charles Holmes was charged with one (1) count of Provide Contraband to an Inmate and one (1) count of Possession of Controlled Substance/Jail Premises.

Deaven St Charles Holmes is currently in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond for the above charges.

Joseph Butler Bradley Jr.
34 years old
3862 Emmaus Church Road
Mount Olive, NC 28365

Joseph Butler Bradley Jr. was charged with one (1) count of Conspire to Provide Contraband to an Inmate.

Joseph Butler Bradley Jr. is currently in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond for the above charge.

Jason Todd Wrenn
37 years old
3420 Hwy 39 S.
Louisburg, NC 27549

Jason Todd Wrenn was charged with one (1) count of Conspire to Provide Contraband to an Inmate.

Jason Todd Wrenn is currently in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $25,000 secured bond for the above charge.

For more information concerning this investigation or to report drug activity in your neighborhood, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186.

VGCC Logo

“The Local Skinny!” March 8; VGCC Celebrates Women’s History Month

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March is Women’s History Month and Vance-Granville Community College has put together a series of programs and resources that are just a click of the mouse away for anyone who would like to participate and learn more.

Natasha Thompson, a history instructor at VGCC, spoke with John C. Rose Monday – International Women’s Day – on The Local Skinny about the various virtual events that will take place in March to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of women.

The theme “No Limits, No Obstacles, No Ceilings: Fighting for a Future of Limitless Potential” is adapted from a speech delivered by then-President Barack Obama in honor of Women’s History Month, Thompson said.

The virtual sessions begin at noon on Mar. 11, Mar. 18 and Mar. 24 and are open to the public; it is not necessary to be a VGCC student, she added. The programs promote women’s history, as well as current conditions and how women can move into the future, she noted.

The Mar. 11 topic is how to stay healthy while maintaining a busy lifestyle. An agent with Warren County Cooperative Extension will lead this program. A panel discussion is scheduled for Mar. 18 and will include VGCC faculty, staff and other community leaders. The panel will discuss historical factors that have limited women in the past, as well as “big-picture” changes and ways current and future VGCC students can work to continue to overcome barriers, Thompson said.

The final topic on Mar. 24 is titled “Minority Women’s Guide to Financial Confidence.” Faith Bynum, a certified public accountant in Raleigh, will lead this workshop on overcoming financial stigmas for minority women.

Visit vgcc.edu to find the links to register for the virtual workshops. Also on the website is a LibGuide, a compilation of additional online events, books and other resources to learn more about Women’s History Month.

(Audio with Natasha Thompson begins at the 8:30 mark of the file)

Public meeting set to discuss Tar Pamlico Basin flooding

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a three-year feasibility study on the Tar Pamlico River Basin with a series of public involvement meetings to gather community input. The first of six events will take place virtually for the Franklin County/Louisburg area on Mar. 22, 2021, according to information from Franklin County Cooperative Extension Director Charles Mitchell.

Each of the meetings will consist of a 30-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer session, according to a written statement from the Corps’ Pittsburgh district. The meetings are organized by geographic region and will be held from Mar. 22-31. More information about the study and how to access the meetings can be found on the district’s website: www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Planning-Programs-Project-Management/Tar-Pamlico-Feasibility-Study/.

The Corps’ Pittsburgh district, in collaboration with N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, is doing the study to develop flood risk-management alternatives for the river basin. The $3 million study began in April 2020.

Each meeting is 1.5 hours from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Access the WebEx platform at https://usace1.webex.com/usace1/j.php?MTID=m00ce03770c09508b30d3a7d9f851d5d5, To join by phone, attendees can call 1-844-800-2712 and use the access code 199-053-6905.

The study is being made in conjunction with federal disaster funding that North Carolina received following recent hurricanes, namely Hurricane Florence in 2019 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

The study, scheduled to be completed in April 2023, will produce recommendations to reduce flood risks and damage caused by flooding – from structures like floodwalls and levees to natural and nature-based measures like wetland and floodplain storage.

In response to recent flooding that occurred as a result of Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2019), North Carolina received funding through the 2019 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief (H.R. 2157) for a feasibility study to assess and recommend actions that reduce flood risk and increase resiliency within the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.

The Tar River Basin begins in the piedmont of North Carolina and extends 215 miles southeast through the Coastal Plan and flows to the Pamlico Sound estuary.  The basin covers about 6,100 square miles.  The study encompasses all or part of 13 counties, including Franklin County. In addition to Louisburg, the study focuses on the other five major population centers in the basin:  Rocky Mount, Greenville, Tarboro, Princeville and Washington, NC. Although much of Washington is situated downstream, it also is affected by river flooding.

Many communities within the basin have experienced major recurring flood events over the past 25 years associated with Hurricanes Fran (1996), Floyd (1999), Matthew (2016)—each of which ranking among the most destructive storms in state history and representing among the top four floods of record for major population centers within the basin.  Recurring flooding within the basin results in considerable economic damages to homes, businesses, industry, and public infrastructure.  For example, Hurricane Matthew is estimated to have caused over $110M in damage to residential, non-residential, and public structures.  Inundation of structures and roadways (i.e., reduced access to critical services and recovery aid, inundation of occupied vehicles) also results in increased life safety risks both during and following flood events.

The public can submit comments via email to lrp.plan.enviro@usace.army.mil or through the electronic comment form at www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Planning-Programs-Project-Management/Tar-Pamlico-Feasibility-Study/. Comments can also be submitted by mail to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District Planning and Environmental Branch, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Comments must be submitted or postmarked no later than April 23.

(Credit for the graphic to Planning & Environmental Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District)

NCDHHS

NC to Receive Authorized Johnson & Johnson’s One-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Wednesday

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— NCDHHS Press Release — 

North Carolina has another tested, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect against virus-related hospitalization and death. The federal government authorized the distribution of Johnson & Johnson’s (Janssen) one-shot vaccine and more than 80,000 doses are expected to arrive in the state this week, beginning on Wednesday.

“A third COVID-19 vaccine means North Carolina can get more people vaccinated sooner, which will save lives and slow the spread,” said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.

Like the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines currently in use, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine protects against virus-related hospitalization and death. There are possible temporary reactions, such as a sore arm, fever, headache or feeling tired and achy for a day or two. All of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized were built upon decades of previous work on similar vaccines.

This increased supply will help to ensure the equitable distribution and access to COVID-19 vaccines in every community in the state. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is a single-dose shot and does not require extreme cold storage. As a result, it can be more easily shipped, stored and administered, factors that will help to increase the number of vaccination sites and make them more accessible.

“COVID-19 vaccines and the continued use of the 3 Ws are the most effective ways to help North Carolina stop the spread of COVID-19, get us back in control of our lives and back to the people and places we love,” said Secretary Cohen.

Visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov for accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines. To slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, continue to practice the 3 Ws – wear a mask, wait six feet apart and wash your hands.

NC DOT

More Than 1 Million Pounds of Roadside Litter Collected This Year

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— press release courtesy of NCDOT

RALEIGH – As part of its litter removal efforts, N.C. Department of Transportation crews, contractors and volunteers have now collected more than 1 million pounds of litter from roadsides statewide this year.

“We are only just beginning this year’s efforts to clean up and prevent litter on our roadsides,” said state Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette. “But we need everyone’s help. We all are responsible for keeping North Carolina clean and beautiful.”

NCDOT reports that the agency and its partners have removed 1.18 million pounds of litter since Jan. 1.

NCDOT’s litter management programs are multifaceted. The department makes use of both state-owned forces and contract services statewide. NCDOT’s Sponsor-A-Highway Program allows businesses, organizations and individuals to sponsor litter removal along roadsides. NCDOT is also proud to partner with the more than 120,000 participants in the Adopt-A-Highway Program, where volunteers pledge to clean a section of our highways at least four times a year.

North Carolinians looking to help keep the state’s roadways clean can volunteer for the upcoming Spring Litter Sweep, which will run from April 10-24.

Litter is unsightly, costs millions of dollars to clean up and can hurt tourism, the environment and the state’s quality of life. The most effective way to aid litter removal efforts is to stop it at its source.

Everyone should do their part by:

  • Securing their loads before driving. Unsecured trash can fly from a vehicle and end up as roadside litter.
  • Trash should be held onto until it can be disposed of properly. Keep a litter bag in your vehicle so you can properly dispose of trash later.
  • Recycle whenever possible. Recycling protects our environment, saves landfill space and keeps the community clean.

***NCDOT***