Franklin County Logo

New Franklin County Fire Marshal, Starts April 19

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New Franklin County Fire Marshal Press Release Courtesy of Franklin County

Franklin County, March 26, 2021: Franklin County has named Arthur Lee Evans, III (Trey) as County Fire Marshal effective April 19, 2021. Mr. Evans started his public safety career as a volunteer firefighter at Littleton Volunteer Fire Department. In 2012, he became a firefighter with the Town of Weldon in Halifax County. He spent six years with Weldon Fire Department and promoted up the ranks to Assistant Chief.

Mr. Evans obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Wesleyan College and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Coastal Carolina Community College. He has achieved numerous firefighter certifications, technical rescue, and fire certifications including Fire Officer III, Fire Inspector II and North Carolina Fire Arson Investigator. Mr. Evans and his wife Kaitlyn are long-time Franklin County residents.

“We are excited to have the position of the County Fire Marshal filled. Mr. Evans brings a lot of attributes and qualities that align well with the overall mission and services provided by the Office of Emergency Services,” said Emergency Services Director Hendrix Valenzuela.

The Fire Marshal’s Office is a division of Franklin County’s Office of Emergency Services. The Fire Marshal position was funded as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget. County Manager Kim Denton said, “The position fills an important need as the County’s population continues to grow.” The Franklin County Fire Marshal will be responsible for conducting investigations, coordinating with other agencies and performing periodic inspections in occupied facilities as required by applicable State law.

MAE Farm, Mike and Susanne Jones; 2021 NC Small Farmer of the Year

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Mike Jones, owner of MAE Farm in Franklin County, was named 2021 Small Farmer of the Year during Wednesday’s segment of the weeklong virtual celebration of Small Farms Week.

Jones, along with his family and other supporters, waited for the announcement of the winner in the conference room at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Wednesday afternoon. As a lead-in to the announcement, participants viewed live feeds on Facebook Live from Louisburg and from Watauga County, where the other finalist is located.

Rosalind Dale, Extension administrator at N.C. A & T State University and associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences made her way to the room where Jones and his contingent waited to proclaim Jones the winner. He and wife Suzanne received matching jackets emblazoned with Small Farmer of the Year, a plaque and a check for $2,000.

MAE Farm sits on 73 acres of former tobacco land in Franklin County. Jones and his family produce pasture-raised pork and do business at the State Farmers Market.

“I’m very happy to be recognized for my contributions,” Jones said during the live broadcast. Local extension agent William Landis said Jones uses a variety of conservation techniques on the farm, as well as innovative practices like silvopasture (using forested land to graze animals) and rotating pastures and allowing multiple species to graze the same land.

“Mike deserves to be Small Farmer of the Year because he is innovative, focused on conservation and a great mentor,” Landis said during a video presentation that was shown before the winner was announced.

“My success has come from cooperative places,” he said in remarks after he was named the winner. “Many, many people have helped me…I wasn’t the best at anything,” he said, adding that he just kept trying and asked for help from those around him. He said cooperation with others is key to being successful.

MAE Farm comes from the first letters of their three children’s first names, he said. It’s easy to pronounce and easy to remember. He said he didn’t get into farming to be the biggest farm or to make the most money, but to have a nice, stable life.
“I wanted to be a farmer and a father,” he said. “And I got to do both.”

TownTalk 03-22-21 William Landis, Small Farms Week

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Small farmers make up about 80 percent of farmers in this area and provide the community with delicious produce and pasture-raised meats that consumers can find at local farmers’ markets. But small-scale farmers are not necessarily trying to compete with, or become, large-scale farmers, according to William Landis with Franklin County Extension Service.  He told John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk that small farmers who can find a niche product or a niche market can position themselves to be successful.

Landis is the small farms agent for Franklin and Warren counties. Part of his job is to help small farmers with resources to become as efficient and productive as possible. These days, with so much information available via the internet, it may be challenging for producers to make choices about how and what to grow on their farms.

“Come to us,” Landis said of cooperative extension services. “Bounce what you’ve heard off your local extension agent. We’re here to help you out,” he said. Many small farmers around here, he said, have full-time jobs off the farm and do their farm work when they get off work.

March 21-27 is Small Farms Week in North Carolina, thanks to the Cooperative Extension program at N.C. A&T State University. And a Franklin County farmer is in the running for Small Farmer of the Year.

Mike and Suzanne Jones run MAE Farm and they market their pasture-raised meats at the State Farmers Market. Jones has been a farmer since the early 2000’s, long before Landis became an extension agent. “It’s good to see that he’s finally getting recognized,” he said.

The winner will be announced on Mar. 24 during the virtual Small Farms conference.

Small Farms Week TownTalk Podcast

Selection criteria include how small farmers are engaged in the community, as well as innovative practices that are used on the farm, Landis said. Jones is involved with the local Farm Bureau and uses innovative pasture management practices like silvopasture – letting animals graze in forested areas – and rotational grazing of multiple species.

Landis said a small farm is one that has less than $250,000 a year in income. Advances in technology, from tractors with built-in GPS systems to the use of drones, have been helpful additions for producers. Other types of technology – like phone apps – are also being used to help boost the agritourism industry, Landis said. One such app is called Visit NC Farms. Producers load information about their farm and it’s accessible via the app. Agritourism is a growing trend and has helped small farmers weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Other online tools like MeatSuite can help consumers find locally sourced meats in their area, he added.

Franklin County, he said, is situated in a perfect spot to respond to the huge Raleigh-Durham market. “Within 30 minutes, you can be in Raleigh and deliver your product,” he said. The Raleigh-Durham market is one of the largest markets in the U.S., he said. Responding to the needs and wants of a market that size is what can put a small farmer on the road to success.

Right now, the Franklin County Farmers Market is located near the Carly C’s on Bickett Boulevard in Louisburg. It currently operates under a shelter on Fridays from 9 to noon, but Landis said there is some movement afoot to create a closed-in market.

Franklin County Sheriff

Nash County Pair Arrested 3-19-21 North of Louisburg on Drug-Related Charges

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— press release courtesy of Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

IRS

Tax Day for individuals extended to May 17: Treasury, IRS extend filing and payment deadline

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— press release courtesy of the IRS

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced (this week) that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. The IRS will be providing formal guidance in the coming days.

“This continues to be a tough time for many people, and the IRS wants to continue to do everything possible to help taxpayers navigate the unusual circumstances related to the pandemic, while also working on important tax administration responsibilities,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Even with the new deadline, we urge taxpayers to consider filing as soon as possible, especially those who are owed refunds. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get refunds, and it can help some taxpayers more quickly receive any remaining stimulus payments they may be entitled to.”

Individual taxpayers can also postpone federal income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This postponement applies to individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax. Penalties, interest and additions to tax will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 17, 2021. Individual taxpayers will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by May 17.

Individual taxpayers do not need to file any forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the May 17 deadline can request a filing extension until Oct. 15 by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Filing Form 4868 gives taxpayers until October 15 to file their 2020 tax return but does not grant an extension of time to pay taxes due. Taxpayers should pay their federal income tax due by May 17, 2021, to avoid interest and penalties.

The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds associated with e-filed returns are issued within 21 days.

This relief does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. These payments are still due on April 15. Taxes must be paid as taxpayers earn or receive income during the year, either through withholding or estimated tax payments. In general, estimated tax payments are made quarterly to the IRS by people whose income isn’t subject to income tax withholding, including self-employment income, interest, dividends, alimony or rental income. Most taxpayers automatically have their taxes withheld from their paychecks and submitted to the IRS by their employer.

State tax returns
The federal tax filing deadline postponement to May 17, 2021, only applies to individual federal income returns and tax (including tax on self-employment income) payments otherwise due April 15, 2021, not state tax payments or deposits or payments of any other type of federal tax. Taxpayers also will need to file income tax returns in 42 states plus the District of Columbia. State filing and payment deadlines vary and are not always the same as the federal filing deadline. The IRS urges taxpayers to check with their state tax agencies for those details.

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.