NC Dept of Agriculture

Fireworks Caused 35 NC Wildfires in 2018; State Urges Caution

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Elevated wildfire risks due to abnormally dry conditions in Eastern North Carolina are prompting N.C. Forest Service officials to urge extreme caution with fireworks and to celebrate safely this Independence Day. Forecast chances for rain are slight at best and are unlikely in the southeastern counties for the next several days where warm temperatures will continue to raise the risk of wildfires.

“There were 35 wildfires sparked by fireworks in North Carolina in 2018 despite it being a very wet year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “To reduce the risk of starting wildfires from fireworks during the upcoming holiday, we recommend enjoying professional fireworks shows rather than setting off personal fireworks if possible.”

Even small fireworks such as sparklers, fountains, glow worms, smoke devices, trick noisemakers and other Class C fireworks can be hazardous. For example, sparklers burn at temperatures above 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Glow worms burn directly on the ground near ignition sources.

Wildfires caused by fireworks can be prosecuted under the forest protection laws of North Carolina and individuals may be subject to reimbursing the costs for fire suppression.

If you choose to display your own fireworks, here are some safety tips to follow:

  • Don’t use fireworks such as ground spinners, firecrackers, round spinners, Roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars, which are illegal in North Carolina.
  • Do not use fireworks near dry vegetation or any combustible material.
  • Don’t aim fireworks at trees, bushes or hedges where dry leaves may ignite.
  • Make sure fireworks are always used with adult supervision.
  • Follow instructions provided with fireworks.
  • Do not use fireworks while under the influence of alcohol.
  • Have a rake or shovel and a water source nearby.
  • Ensure all burning material is completely extinguished afterwards and monitor the area for several hours.

“As the population in North Carolina continues to increase and more homes are built in wooded areas, it’s important for everyone to understand wildfire prevention,” said State Forester David Lane. “In addition to using fireworks safely, campfires or grills should never be left unattended.”

Campfire and grill ashes should be doused with water and stirred. Repeat this process to ensure ashes are cold. Place ashes in outside metal containers or bury them in mineral soil. Never put ashes in a paper bag, plastic bucket or other flammable container. Never store ashes in a garage, on a deck or in a wooded area. Double-check that ashes and coals are completely cold by feeling with the back of a bare hand before throwing them away to make sure a fire won’t start.

For more information, contact your local N.C. Forest Service office or visit www.ncforestservice.gov.

Franklin County Schools

Franklin Co. Schools to Require Online Student Registration

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Franklin County Schools

Beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, all parents and guardians are required to complete student registration forms through Franklin County Schools’ new online system.

Parents will receive an email in mid-July with further details. Meal applications, as well as middle and high school technology fee forms, may also be completed through the online system.

If your email address is not on file with your child’s school, or if your email address needs to be updated, please contact the school’s administrative office. #FindOutFirst

Town Talk: Blue Collie Coffee Provides Job Opportunities for Disabled – 06/27/19

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Paige Sayles, co-owner of Blue Collie Coffee, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the nonprofit coffee shop.

Located at 106 N Main Street in Louisburg, the coffee shop provides employment opportunities for community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Blue Collie currently employs six local residents that have been with the shop since Sayles and husband Al first opened the store in May 2017.

“We started looking around, found a coffee shop that had been closed for two-and-a-half years, did the renovations, started hiring, went to coffee school…and here we are two years later,” said Sayles.

Featuring Hillsborough’s Joe Van Gogh Coffee, tea, baked goods and more, Sayles said the shop is proud to serve most of its offerings from NC-based business owners.

Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.; closed on Sunday. The shop will be closed the week of July 4th and will reopen on Monday, July 8, 2019.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Paige Sayles in its entirety, including information on the Z.B. Collie Foundation, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday – Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

Louisburg’s New Recreational Park to Hold Grand Opening Celebration

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Franklin County Government

A grand opening celebration of the V.E. and Lydia H. Owens Recreational Park at Louisburg’s Bull Creek will be held Saturday, July 13, 2019.

The park will start the day with a 5K Run/Walk from 8 until 10 a.m. Register at https://kcdctiming.weebly.com.

Food trucks, inflatables, games and music will provide fun for the whole family from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Don’t miss the dedication of the J.M. May Butterfly Garden at 11 a.m. and check out the V.E. Owens fishing hole.

The park is located at 499 Massenburg Baker Road in Louisburg, and features walking and nature trails, a children’s playground and an ADA fishing pier.

For more information about Franklin County parks, visit https://www.franklincountync.us/services/parks/parks.

Faith Dove

Greater New Life Ministries of Franklinton to Celebrate Second Anniversary

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Greater New Life Ministries

Greater New Life Ministries, 86 Pokomoke Rd, Franklinton, NC, will hold a Second Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, June 30, 2019, at 6 p.m. The celebration will feature Elder Jerry Perry and the Gospel Believers of Henderson.

Also appearing: Anthony Adams/Confirmation of Tarboro, Heavenly Voices of Franklinton, Gospel Disciples of Henderson, New Mighty Soul Lifters of Henderson, Christland Singers of Louisburg, Melodaires of Warrenton and others.

Admission is free.

American Flag

Remains of POW/MIA Jones Returning Home on Honor Mission – June 20

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Franklin County Government

An Honor Mission for Private First Class William Hoover Jones, POW/MIA, is set for June 20, 2019. Jones was presumed dead since December 31, 1953. His remains are now being returned home for his final resting place in Nash County. The escort should depart from RDU at 11:15 a.m. and travel I 540 to US 64 to Nash County, escorted by the North Carolina Highway Patrol, for burial.

The public is invited to stand with local EMS, Fire Departments and other auxiliaries and show honor for our fallen comrade and to honor PFC Jones’ service to our country. Overpasses and exits will be lined along the route with military and veteran supporters including US 264 and NC 39 overpasses and exits at Tant Road, Lewis Road and Stallings Road.

PFC Jones was awarded Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Korean Service Medal and many others.

For additional information, contact Franklin County Veteran’s Services Director Brenda Wilkins at (919) 496- 1939.

Jones Arrested on First Degree Burglary Charge

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

On June 18, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division with assistance from the Community Action Team arrested Demetrius Edward Jones, age 25, a resident of 455 Loblolly Circle, Louisburg.

On June 18, 2019, at approximately 1 a.m. deputies were dispatched to 320 Loblolly Circle, Louisburg after the resident heard someone forcing open her back door. Based on the description of the suspect and the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office K-9, Demetrius Edward Jones was taken into custody.

Demetrius Edward Jones was charged with one (1) count of First Degree Burglary and was placed in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $70,000 secured bond.

Terry M. Wright, Chief of Staff

On June 18, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division with assistance from the Community Action Team arrested Demetrius Edward Jones, age 25, a resident of 455 Loblolly Circle, Louisburg. Jones was charged with one (1) count of First Degree Burglary and was placed in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $70,000 secured bond. (FCSO photo)

Franklin Co. Schools Offering Free Summer Lunches!

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-Information courtesy the Franklin County Schools’ Facebook page

Franklin County Schools is offering free summer lunches to students age 5-18, Monday – Thursday through June 27, 2019.

Lunches will be provided from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. inside the Franklinton Middle School cafeteria. The school is located at 3 N. Main St. in Franklinton, NC.

Wiggins, Former KVA Headmaster, and Wilkerson Named FCS Principals

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-Press Release, Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools is proud to announce that two new principals have been hired for District elementary schools for the 2019-2020 school year.

Frank Wiggins Jr. is the new principal of Youngsville Elementary School; and, Jamie Wilkerson is the new principal of Franklinton Elementary School.

Franklin County Schools is proud to announce that two new principals have been hired for District elementary schools for the 2019-2020 school year. Frank Wiggins Jr. is the new principal of Youngsville Elementary School; and, Jamie Wilkerson is the new principal of Franklinton Elementary School. (Photos courtesy Franklin Co. Schools)

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Wiggins and Ms. Wilkerson to their new leadership positions within our District,” said Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools. “Both new principals bring a wealth of unique experiences and many achievements to their new schools. We anticipate they will also convey new energy, ideas and focus to create environments that are conducive to excellence in learning and teaching.”

Wiggins is a veteran principal who has worked in both public and private schools for the past 27 years. He earned a Master’s of School Administration from East Carolina University in 1992. Most recently, Wiggins was the Head of School at Kerr-Vance Academy in Henderson. He previously served as an elementary and middle school principal with Granville County Schools at Wilton Elementary and G.C. Hawley Middle School in addition to other positions in education. Wiggins is a native of Kinston and currently resides in Henderson. He is married to Sandra Allen Wiggins, who teaches at Franklinton High School.

Wilkerson is a veteran teacher who holds a Master’s of School Administration from Campbell University. She has most recently been serving as assistant principal in FCS’ Terrell Lane Middle School. She previously taught mathematics for Johnston County Schools, Harnett County Schools and Cumberland County Schools. She also served as an elementary math specialist and instructional coach in Durham. In addition, she taught as an adjunct for Campbell University and is working toward her terminal degree through Liberty University.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to build a positive school culture along with the staff, students, parents and community of Franklinton Elementary School,” Wilkerson said. “I will work with all stakeholders to ensure student learning continues in a high-quality, instructional learning environment.”

Vendor Applications, Sponsorships Available for Upcoming BBQ Competition

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-Press Release, Helping All People Excel (HAPE)

Mark your calendars and get ready for the Tri County BBQ Competition on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at the Kerr Lake Country Club, hosted by Helping All People Excel – HAPE, a 501c3.

This fun-filled, family-friendly event will feature 10 – 15 teams competing in the BBQ Competition, along with vendors, raffles and lots of fun for the residents of Vance County and surrounding areas.

Through this event, we want to help build a stronger community while also giving back to the community. Proceeds from the Tri County BBQ Competition will be used to provide college essentials to twenty-five (25) recent high school graduates from Vance County and surrounding areas.

These items will include laundry detergent, soap, toothpaste and twin extra-long sheet – items that are essential for college but in most cases not covered by financial aid or scholarships. As we all know, getting to college is a major accomplishment. We cannot allow this accomplishment to be overshadowed by the struggle of not having what’s needed to survive while living on a college campus.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. If you would like more information on this event, sponsorship opportunities, a vendor application or how to make a donation, please contact Tracy Mosley at 252-432-1131 or email tmosley@helpingallpeopleexcel.com.