DEA establishes six new heroin enforcement teams

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— Courtesy DEA

RALEIGH, NC – The Drug Enforcement Administration today announced the establishment of six new enforcement teams focused on combatting the flow of heroin and illicit fentanyl.

“At a time when overdose deaths are at catastrophic levels, the DEA’s top priority is addressing the opioid epidemic and pursuing the criminal organizations that distribute their poison to our neighborhoods,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “These teams will enhance DEA’s ability to combat trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogues and the violence associated with drug trafficking.”

The enforcement teams will be based in communities facing significant challenges with heroin and fentanyl, including New Bedford, Mass.; Charleston, W.Va.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Raleigh, N.C.; and Long Island, N.Y.

In determining the locations for these teams, DEA considered multiple factors, including rates of opioid mortality, level of heroin and fentanyl seizures, and where additional resources would make the greatest impact in addressing the ongoing threat. While the teams are based in specific cities, their investigations will not be geographically limited. DEA will continue to pursue investigations wherever the evidence leads.

DEA received funding in its FY 2017 enacted appropriations to establish these teams, which will be comprised of DEA special agents and state and local task force officers.

The abuse of controlled prescription drugs is inextricably linked with the threat the United States faces from the trafficking of heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.

Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, eclipsing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. According to initial estimates provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 64,000 overdose deaths in 2016, or approximately 175 per day. More than 34,500, or 54 percent, of these deaths were caused by opioids.

The DEA continues to aggressively pursue enforcement actions against international and domestic drug trafficking organizations manufacturing and distributing heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Just last week, the Department of Justice announced indictments against two Chinese nationals and their North America-based traffickers and distributors for separate conspiracies to distribute large quantities of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues and other opiate substances in the United States.

DEA also encourages parents & their children to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting www.justhinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov. Follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv

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Oxford Prep School Enrollment Expansion

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— courtesy Oxford Prep

Oxford Preparatory School Readies for 2017/2018 Enrollment and 6th Grade Expansion

Applications for new 6th – 12th grade student enrollments for the 2018 – 2019 school year will be available at oxfordprep.org and available in the school office when Open Enrollment begins on Monday, November 6th. Oxford Preparatory School (OPS) is an independent and tuition-free public charter school that is designed to mold students into future leaders through completion of a rigorous curriculum while focusing on community service and developing an appreciation of the arts. OPS offers a college preparatory curriculum, a variety of competitive middle school and varsity athletic teams, and is located in a permanent facility at 6041 Landis Rd. in Oxford.

To be considered for a potential lottery, all applications must be turned in to the office or postmarked by Friday, February 2, 2018. If more applications are received than available seats in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade a blind public lottery will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2018. All students choosing to attend OPS will need to confirm enrollment by completing and sending in an enrollment packet by Friday, March 16, 2018. After February 2, applications will continue to be accepted, and processed in the order they are received.

Oxford Preparatory School invites families of prospective students to learn more about the unique offerings of the school. The first of three information sessions will be held on Tuesday 11/7 at 6:00. Afterwards, tours will be conducted that will allow the opportunity to meet faculty. In addition, prospective students are invited to spend time visiting the school on select Shadow Days so they can experience our unique school program firsthand. Visiting students accompany OPS student guides through their classes during a four-hour visit. It’s a chance to meet the staff and the students and to get a snapshot view of our engaging college preparatory classes. The first of three shadow days will take place on Tuesday 11/7 from 8:30 – 12:30. Please call the Oxford Preparatory School office at (919)690-0360, or email our Office Manager, Kate Reetz at Reetzk@oxfordprep.org to make an appointment.

 

Maria Parham Regional Home Health

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— press release from HomeCare Elite

Maria Parham Regional Home Health named as a top agency of the 2017 ABILITY | HomeCare Elite

HENDERSON, N.C. – Maria Parham Regional Home Health today announced that it has been named a top agency of the 2017 HomeCare Elite®, a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. For 12 years, HomeCare Elite has annually identified the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies and highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall.

Maria Parham Regional Home Health, a local provider of home health services in Henderson, is part of LHC Group, a national provider of post-acute care services with over 14,000 employees operating more than 400 locations in 27 states.

“We commend our team members at Maria Parham Regional Home Health for their hard work and dedication in achieving this honor,” said Keith G. Myers, LHC Group chairman and CEO. “Quality patient care is the top priority at all LHC Group locations and providers. We are proud to have 217 locations – more than 70 percent of our home health agencies – earn HomeCare Elite recognition.”

The ranking is developed by ABILITY® Network, a leading information technology company helping providers and payers simplify the administrative and clinical complexities of healthcare; and sponsored by DecisionHealth, publisher of Home Health Line and the Complete Home Health ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding Manual.

HomeCare Elite agencies are determined by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, best practices implementation, patient experience (HHCAHPS), quality improvement and consistency, and financial health. In order to be considered, an agency must be Medicare-certified and have data for at least three outcomes in Home Health Compare. Out of 9,064 agencies considered, 2,268 are recognized on the 2017 HomeCare Elite winners list overall.

“The team at Maria Parham Regional Home Health has demonstrated an impressive ability to deliver great patient care,” said Christine Lang, senior director for ABILITY Network. “This is due to the skill and dedication of their clinical professionals, as well as the proficiency and efforts of their quality team tracking, measuring and interpreting the data that supports the delivery of care. Together, they have earned this recognition as one of the top home care agencies in the country.”

About LHC Group, Inc.

LHC Group, Inc. is a national provider of non-acute healthcare services, providing quality, cost-effective healthcare to patients primarily within the comfort and privacy of their home or place of residence. LHC Group provides a comprehensive array of healthcare services through home health, hospice, community-based services, and facility-based services.

About ABILITY Network

ABILITY® Network is a leading healthcare information technology company helping providers and payers simplify the administrative and clinical complexities of healthcare through innovative applications and data analytics. ABILITY is headquartered in Minneapolis with principal offices in Boston and Tampa. For more information visit www.abilitynetwork.com or write to resources@abilitynetwork.com. For more information about HomeCare Elite, call 888.572.4009, write to HomeCareElite@abilitynetwork.com or visit www.abilitynetwork.com/homecare-elite.

About DecisionHealth

For over 30 years, DecisionHealth, an H3.Group brand, has served as the industry’s leading source for news, analysis and instructional guidance with brand names such as Home Health Line and Part B News. Our unique blend of award-winning on-staff journalists and unmatched access to health care executives, providers and their administrative staffs results in business management advice and operationally focused editorial that has captured the attention of nearly 100,000 home health care professionals and specialty physician practices.

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(Maria Parham Health is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)

Students learn about careers at VGCC Manufacturing Day

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— courtesy VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College held a “Manufacturing Day” celebration on Thursday, Oct. 5, in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Nearly 200 high school students from Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties attended, along with VGCC students, educators and other members of the community. They learned about how manufacturing has changed, local career possibilities in the field and options for education and training related to careers in the industry.

“Manufacturing Day is a national event meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers and expose them to modern manufacturing trends,” said Tiffani M. Polk, an academic and career coach with the TechHire program at VGCC. “Our industry partners described the students as highly engaged and inquisitive. Together, I think we were able to reframe what manufacturing is for our future workforce.”

Participating employers included Altec of Creedmoor, Boise Cascade of Roxboro, Carolina Sunrock of Butner, Dill Air Controls of Oxford, Edwards Inc. of Spring Hope, Fastenal of Raleigh, Glen Raven of Norlina, Home Care Products of Oxford, Mars Petcare of Henderson, Novozymes of Franklinton, Plastic Ingenuity of Oxford, Revlon of Oxford, and Superior Tooling of Wake Forest.

Students talk with, seated from left, Revlon representatives Bonnie Garrett and Wendy Grissom at Manufacturing Day in the VGCC Civic Center. (VGCC photo)

VGCC technical programs were represented, including Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology, Automotive Systems Technology, Electrical Systems Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Engineering Technology and Welding Technology. A representative from the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board was on hand, as well.

Attendees also learned about the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP), which partners with colleges like VGCC and employers to prepare a skilled workforce. An alternative to the traditional four-year college degree, the program takes a student from high school through a two-year community college program like Mechatronics Engineering Technology, with the guarantee of a job at the completion of the program.

Sandy Whitfield from Altec talks with students at Manufacturing Day in the VGCC Civic Center. (VGCC photo)

Reflecting on the event, Revlon representative Bonnie Garrett said that “it was nice to get to introduce high school students to our company and to careers in manufacturing that they don’t often think about. We rarely get an opportunity like this.”

Joel Bailey of Edwards said it was his company’s first time participating in a VGCC Manufacturing Day event. He noted that Edwards, a full-service industrial general contractor with a specialty fabrication shop, has many job openings and was particularly interested in recruiting graduates of VGCC’s Welding, Electrical Systems and HVAC programs.

Steve Tsotsoros from Dill Air Controls shows some of the products manufactured by his company to students attending Manufacturing Day in the VGCC Civic Center. (VGCC photo)

The TechHire grant program at VGCC organized Manufacturing Day, with support from the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training Alliance (AMSTA), a partnership of VGCC and local K-12 school systems. The North Carolina TechHire program supports advanced manufacturing and information technology training. VGCC is one of four partnering community colleges in the North Carolina TechHire Alliance, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information on TechHire, contact Tiffani Polk at polkt@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3291.

–VGCC–

(Vance Granville is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)

Joel Bailey from Edwards Inc. (center) talks with VGCC Welding student Cedric Rodebaugh of Franklinton at Manufacturing Day in the VGCC Civic Center. (VGCC photo)

VGCC invites community to Fall Festival

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— courtesy VGCC

Vance Granville Community College will hold a “Community Fall Festival” on Monday, Oct. 30, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Admission is free to the event, which promises fun for the whole family.

Among the scheduled activities are a costume contest for kids, face painting, a bounce house and other games.

Tickets for games and concessions will be on sale. Proceeds will benefit the VGCC Vanguards Athletics department.

For more information, contact Coordinator of Student Activities & Athletics Jermiel Hargrove at (252) 738-3246 or hargrovej@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

(Vance Granville CC is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)

@NorthernVanceFB @JFWWarriors

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Scouting Report by Jeff Jenkins

Listen live to 1450 AM and click on Listen Live on wizs.com for the play by play of tonight’s game.  Northern Vance at J.F. Webb.  Airtime is 6:45 p.m.  Kickoff is at 7 p.m.  The stream also works on your phone, tablet and smart TV.  Tunein Radio is also an option.  Search for WIZS.

Note: Southern Vance is off this week, preparing for its final regular season game next week: the annual Optimist Bowl against Northern Vance. The Raiders will also be awaiting word on whether they will make the playoffs, which may well depend on the outcome of the Southern-Northern game. MEANWHILE . . .

Northern Vance at J. F. Webb
Friday 10/27/2017

The Vikings and Warriors enter Friday night’s match up in Oxford in the same position they have been in for many years: struggling to avoid a last place finish in their conference. Northern Vance is 1-8 overall and 1-5 in the Northern Carolina 1A/2A, while Webb is 2-7 overall (thanks to a nonconference victory over 1A KIPP Pride) and also 1-5 in the NCC. Both teams got their one conference win over 1A Louisburg, and both teams missed their best chance at another conference win by falling victim to scrappy 1A Granville Central — the Panthers beat Webb 20-14 and Northern was shut out last week at home 21-0.

Webb’s Warriors have an edge over the Vikings on paper, scoring an average 17 points per game and allowing 29. In spite of some lopsided losses and a season opening shutout loss, the Warriors have not been shut out in league play, and they came within 4 points of upsetting Warren County (losing 28-25). Even though Northern can move the ball, they struggle to put points on the board, repeatedly stalling in opponents’ red zones. The Vikings average under 7 points per game, and their defense, although capable of stopping passing attacks, still allows 30 points per game, mostly on the ground. The Vikings have been shut out 4 times this season, twice by conference opponents.

Northern has won this matchup the past three seasons, but this might be Webb’s year to break that streak. Although Louisburg seems destined to lock up last place in the Northern Carolina, the loser of Friday’s game in Oxford will likely finish last among the 2A members.

Maria Parham Cancer Center

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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Early detection helps save lives.

The Cancer Center at Maria Parham Health is having a free lung cancer prevention and screening event.  It will take place November 2, 2017 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Maria Parham Health, 566 Ruin Creek Road.

Call 800.424.DOCS (3627) for details and to register.

A flyer sent to WIZS News about the event says, “Join us for a free event to learn about the latest advancements in lung cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. Take this opportunity to meet members of the cancer care team at Maria Parham Health and have an opportunity to ask questions regarding lung health.”

There will be refreshments, door prizes, information and resources.

(Maria Parham Health is a paying advertising client of WIZS Radio and wizs.com.)

2nd Annual Military History Show

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The 2nd Annual Military History Show is October 28th in Oxford.  It will be a day of full of various military displays from the Revolutionary War, World War II, Vietnam and more.  The displays will include uniforms, equipment, weapons, vehicles, and other military historical articles.  This event has is free to the public and vendors are welcome.  For more information, contact Harry Coombs at 919-691-7697 or email: Harry4th@centurylink.net. Proceeds will benefit Veterans Affairs Committee of Granville County.

A P51 Mustang will be at the show as well.

See more on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1285300684888946/

There is also a photo album from the first show last year: click here.  About 400 people attended last year’s display.

“Hairspray”

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Big, Local Cast & Crew Takes To The McGregor Hall Stage To Bring You The Rockin’ Broadway Hit ‘Hairspray’

This Tony-Winning Musical Is Based On The Popular 1988 Silver Screen Comedy That Was Adapted Again In The 2007 Hit Film

HENDERSON, N.C. (OCTOBER 23, 2017) — McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will roll back the clock to the 1960s with a rocking production of the Broadway hit “Hairspray” for two weekends in a row.

A cast and crew of nearly 100 will present six performances of the musical: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27-28, at 8 p.m. each evening; Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3-4, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m.

Set in Baltimore in 1962, “Hairspray” tells the story of a spunky and lovable plus-size teenage girl who earns a spot to dance on a local television show. After becoming an overnight celebrity and meeting a colorful array of characters, Tracy Turnblad helps to lead her city to social change.

“The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Hairspray is full of laughter, romance, and music and dancing that never seems to stop,” said Mark Hopper, vice president on the Board of Directors for McGregor Hall, who is also the director of the show. The musical brings back the 1960s in nearly 20 songs that will offer melodies to please everyone as Hopper leads a live 15-piece orchestra.

McGregor Hall’s “Hairspray” brings together familiar faces from among the area’s strong theater talent and introduces new young actors and actresses to the big stage, Hopper added.

The show stars Sarah Young of Henderson as Tracy Turnblad, Jonathan O’Geary of Henderson as Edna Turnblad, Brian Westbrook of Durham as Corny Collins, Elsa Wansink of Chapel Hill as Penny Pingleton, and Karen-Leigh Allen of Raleigh as “Motormouth” Maybelle Stubbs.

“We’re fortunate to have so much talent in this region,” Hopper added. “We’ll have veterans of the Henderson Rec Players in the show, and we’re happy to be joined by some of the area’s best from other theater groups. To have so many new young people joining us for the first time is making for a meaningful experience.”

In addition to the six shows for McGregor audiences, a daytime performance of the musical will be staged for area schools on Thursday, Oct. 26.

“We’re appreciative of the support for this production we have received through a grant from the North Carolina Community Foundation,” Hopper said, “and we certainly are thankful for the many supporters who are helping us for the 2017-2018 season.”

Tickets are on sale for $25 or $20 plus sales tax. Group and student rates are available. Tickets can be purchased directly at the McGregor Hall Box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Box Office is located at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson. The Box Office can also be reached by phone by calling (252) 598-0662. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.McGregorHall.org by using the secure and trusted purchasing platform, eTix. Online fees apply.

“Hairspray” is the second act of the McGregor Live! and Heritage! performance series packages. Upcoming shows in the McGregor Live! series are the Christmas Wonderland holiday spectacular, Dec. 5; world-renowned magician and mentalist Joshua Lozoff, Jan. 6; Al Stewart, known for the Top 10 hits “Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages,” and his band, the Empty Pockets, Feb. 17; and the original Eagles tribute band, Hotel California, on March 16.
The Heritage! series will feature a new stage play, “Daddy’s Boys,” by North Carolina African-American playwright Garrett Davis, Jan. 13; the Masters of Soul Motown Revue, March 3; and Rod of God with comedian Roderick Allison, April 14.

Individual tickets are available for each of the shows in the Live! and Heritage! series.

Discounted series package tickets are still on sale for McGregor Hall’s Joy! series, featuring three shows with five well-known Christian artists and groups: Dove- and Grammy-award winning Jason Crabb, Nov. 12; Karen Peck with New River, Feb. 23; and the Talleys with Tribute, April 7. With a regular ticket price of $75, the three-show Joy! package will be reduced to $50. Those purchasing the Joy! series can also add on the Christmas Wonderland show for a reduced price of $20.

For more information on this and other series packages, visit www.McGregorHall.org.

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— press release courtesy of McGregor Hall

(McGregor Hall is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)

VGCC agricultural initiative highlighted at local food economies meeting

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— courtesy VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus served as the host for a late-September gathering of community leaders from throughout the region interested in local food economies.

The meeting, entitled “Innovations in Economic Development through Local Foods,” was organized by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), a partnership of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and North Carolina State University. Laura Lauffer of CEFS said that the organization had conducted the same event at two other locations elsewhere in North Carolina before VGCC, but that this was their best-attended to date.

As she welcomed participants to the college, VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams said, “We are excited about the opportunities ahead for this region of North Carolina, and we are happy to be a partner in economic, agricultural and environmental stewardship.”

The first part of the meeting consisted of presenters sharing innovative models related to entrepreneurship and supporting local farmers that could be replicated in other communities. First up was VGCC Small Business Center Director Tanya Weary, talking about the college’s “NC REAL Agricultural Entrepreneurship” program. Lauffer said that Weary and VGCC are “pioneers in leading agriculture business classes and promoting agriculture in the community college system.”

Tanya Weary, director of the VGCC Small Business Center (standing), addresses attendees at the “Innovations in Economic Development through Local Foods” event.

Weary told attendees that the Agricultural Entrepreneurship program, a seven-week, interactive course designed to strengthen the business savvy of community farmers and budding agricultural entrepreneurs, succeeded in part because of strong partnerships. She partnered with the VGCC Human Resources Development department, the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, N.C. Cooperative Extension, local city and county governments, attorneys, banks and other businesses.

“We have worked with other community colleges to share our experience about how we started this, who our partners are and how we’ve been able to grow this,” Weary said. “We have served around 65 students since starting in late 2014, and that’s a real success for this area. We’re very pleased with it.”

She added that the course spurred VGCC to offer other agriculture-related programs. A new free, three-part workshop series, “Planting Your Marketing Seeds for Your Agricultural Business,” is scheduled for Tuesday evenings, Nov. 7-21. Carrie Harvey, the instructor, also taught many of the college’s Agricultural Entrepreneurship classes.

Other presenters included Ardis Crews of the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization; Henry Crews (a graduate of the first NC REAL Agricultural Entrepreneurship class at VGCC) and Jennifer Dietsche, discussing a Vidant Health initiative at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville; Jimbo Eason and John Kimber from Covington Vodka; Eric Hallman of the Piedmont Food and Agriculture Processing Center (PFAP); Mike Ortosky of Orange County Agriculture Economic Development; and Gabe Cummings of Warren County-based Working Landscapes. CEFS has produced a short video on Working Landscapes, which participants enjoyed watching during lunch.

The Harvest Restaurant of Oxford catered a lunch featuring local food for the meeting. After lunch, attendees heard presenters discuss statewide resources, including the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C. Rural Center and CEFS projects.

The CEFS “Local Food Economies” initiative is part of the NC Growing Together (NCGT) project. NCGT is a five-year, USDA-funded project that aims to bring more locally-produced foods into mainstream markets, strengthening the economics of small to mid-sized farm and fishing operations and their communities. In addition to research, academic and extension components, NCGT also aims to create an enabling environment for farms and food businesses.

For more information on the VGCC Small Business Center, contact Tanya Weary at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3240.

–VGCC–