Kansas Animal Rescue Organization Provides Assistance to Granville

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-Press Release, County of Granville

Weather conditions across the state led to some unexpected assistance in Granville County this week as a Kansas animal rescue group provided relief to the animal shelter.

In an effort to assist those impacted by Hurricane Florence, Unleashed Pet Rescue and Adoption of Mission, Kansas – with assistance from Polk County SPCA of Livingston, Texas and Paws4Life of Shreveport, Louisiana – reached out to North Carolina animal shelters who were at or near capacity, arriving with transport units to take animals back to safer areas.  According to Granville County Animal Control Director Matt Katz, there was room for several more animals on the return trip. This was a welcome relief locally, as kennels were already pressed for space before the storm even made landfall on our coast.

Over the weekend, several more pets had been surrendered to the Granville County shelter and no more kennel space was available, Katz explains. When volunteer Roxanne Blackburn was contacted by Sherry Davis with the Polk County SPCA about pulling animals on their way out of North Carolina, the offer couldn’t have come at a better time.

Granville County’s Animal Shelter’s save rate is 80 to 90 percent, Katz noted, but the “tough decisions” sometimes have to be made. Not this time, however, as 26 animals were rescued.

Unleashed Pet Rescue is a licensed, nonprofit animal shelter that works to save the lives of rescued pets, pulling them to safety. The organization works to find homes for pets of all ages, health, temperaments and history, giving each animal an opportunity for a better life. During Hurricane Harvey, Unleashed Pet Rescue was an integral part of the animal rescue efforts along the Gulf Coast, as well as offering assistance during other emergencies across the nation.

Katz says that this will be the first time all year that the shelter has had this many open kennels.

“These folks also pulled dogs from Franklin and Vance Counties on their way out of the state,” Katz said. “This may lead to another avenue for placement of our dogs.”

Katz credits Roxanne Blackburn for taking the initiative and “jumping on this opportunity,” and asks anyone interested in the welfare of local animals to thank these groups for their assistance.

“We are grateful to Roxanne for all her help in this, and ask everyone to please take a moment to thank these groups on their Facebook pages. This opens up so many opportunities for us, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

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Committees to Discuss Vacant School Properties, Jail & RVs – Mon., Sept. 24

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

Please be informed that the County’s Properties Committee (Brummitt, Taylor, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Monday, September 24, 2018, at 3 p.m. to discuss vacant school properties and jail intercom video and door lock modernization.

The Planning/Environmental Committee (Faines, Kelly, Wilder) will meet Monday, September 24, 2018, at 4 p.m. to discuss RVs and campers.

Both meetings will take place in the administrative conference room.

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Update to Granville Co. Road Closures; Three to Remain Closed Indefinitely

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-Information courtesy Lynn Allred, Public Information Officer/Grants Coordinator, County of Granville

Update on Road Closures – Wednesday, September 19

After an assessment of Granville County roads by the Department of Transportation yesterday, several will remain closed indefinitely, until long-term repairs can be made. These roads are Community Road, Smart Road and Enon Road. If traveling along these areas, please make plans to detour.

Aaron Church Road is still being evaluated by the DOT, due to extensive flooding. There may be other roads in the county that have not yet been reported. Drivers are urged to move with caution and to report any additional road issues to the Granville County Sheriff’s office at (919) 693-3213.

Forecast for Tar River in Louisburg Changes; Minor Flood Stage Reached

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-Information courtesy Kristen G. King, Clerk to the Board, County of Franklin

UPDATE: Wednesday, September 19 at 9:30 a.m.

The latest forecast indicates that the Tar River in Louisburg will peak at 21.1 ft tonight, Wednesday, September 19 at 6 p.m. Minor flood stage for the Tar River in Louisburg is 20.0 ft. Moderate flood stage is 22 ft.

News 09/19/18

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City of Henderson/M.R. Williams Collecting Items for Hurricane Relief Efforts

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-Information courtesy Frank Frazier, City Manager, City of Henderson

In response to the tragic and horrendous effects that Hurricane Florence left on our east coast, the City of Henderson has joined in partnership with M.R. Williams to do our part with the relief efforts. The City asks that our community assist us in this effort as we attempt to fill a tractor and trailer with supplies to send to our neighbors down east and along the coast.

This event will begin on Wednesday, September 19 and will continue until we have successfully filled the trailer. The items we are looking to collect include nonperishable foods, water (bottles, jugs, etc.), toiletries, cleaning supplies and clothing. We ask that all items be new or unused.

Henderson Fire Station #1, located at 211 Dabney Dr., will be the central drop-off location and items will be collected there from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. starting on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. For more information, contact the City of Henderson Fire Department at (252) 438-7315.

Henderson Fire Station Open House, ‘Look, Listen & Learn’ Day Among Fall Activities

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Lee Edmonds, captain with the Henderson Fire Department, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss October’s Fire Prevention Week and other upcoming fire department events.

The next event on the fire department’s busy fall list will be a dedication and commission for the City’s new fire truck, along with an open house, this Friday, September 21 at 10 a.m. at Fire Station #2. The station is located at 205 N. Garnett Street in downtown Henderson, but an easier direction, according to Edmonds, is just come to “the one with the clock tower.”

Participants will have the opportunity to tour the newly renovated fire department and adjoining municipal building that previously served as the police department. Fire department staff will also be on-hand to demonstrate the bells and whistles of the new fire engine.

While the public will have to wait until Saturday to see the new truck, Edmonds said the crew has already had a sneak preview. “The new fire truck arrived at 10 a.m. this morning,” said Edmonds. “We are all really excited.”

The new model replaces one of the City’s older year models from 1990. Edmonds believes the fire department was fortunate to get 28 years out of the previous truck, “A lot of bigger departments only get 10 years or less out of a truck.”

The nearly half-million dollar fire engine is larger than the previous model and includes newer, faster technology and safety features. “It’s unreal what you can do with a fire truck now,” Edmonds said.

Fire department staff will participate in an all-day, in-house training session next week on the truck’s features. “We will train and get everyone familiar with it before we put it on the front line,” said Edmonds.

The department is also gearing up for 2018’s Fire Prevention Week observed Sunday, October 7 through Saturday, October 13. In honor of this week and its mission to educate others on fire safety, firefighters will be visiting elementary schools in the city to give a presentation to students.

To conclude Fire Prevention Week, there will be a “Look, Listen and Learn” Fire Prevention Day on Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in front of the Henderson Police Department on Breckenridge Street.

Hot dogs and drinks will be provided and vendors will be on site to provide safety information. The City’s fire trucks will be on display and the fire department’s smoke trailer will be available for demonstrations. The event is free to the public.

For more information on the event, or if you are interested in participating, please call Captain Edmonds at (252) 430-1877.

Free Prostate Screening Event at Maria Parham, Wed. Sept. 19

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-Information and flyer courtesy Maria Parham Health

Free Prostate Screening Event at Maria Parham

Wednesday, September 19, 2018, from 5 – 7 p.m.

Enter through the main entrance of the hospital. No appointments necessary.

For questions or more information call (252) 436-1605.

The American Cancer Society (ACS), among many other organizations, recommends an annual serum PSA testing and a DRE starting by age 50 for men with a life expectancy of at least 10 years. Men at higher risk, such as those of African-American ancestry and those with a family history, should start screening at the age of 45.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Public Invited to Vance Co. ‘State of Our Schools’ Community Report

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

The public is invited to attend the “State of Our Schools” report to our community, led by Superintendent Anthony Jackson, on Thursday, September 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Vance County High School at 925 Garrett Road, just south of Henderson.

Dr. Jackson will be making a presentation on the achievements and performances of our students and schools for the 2017-2018 school year and our expectations for the new school year.

Parents, students, school system employees, community leaders and local residents are urged to attend to receive valuable information about the progress of our public schools.

Administrators and teachers from our 15 Vance County Schools also will be on hand to provide detailed information about their schools, instructional services and programs, extra-curricular activities for students and more.

Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Collecting Items for Hurricane Florence Victims

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

Volunteers at Rebuilding Hope are collecting items needed by victims of Hurricane Florence. Items may be dropped off at the Rebuilding Hope warehouse at 414 Raleigh Road, Henderson.

The items include cleaning supplies, buckets, towels, gloves, paper towels, water, Gatorade, plastic totes, trash bags, feminine products, nonperishable foods, snacks, blankets, hand sanitizers, baby wipes, antibacterial wipes and soap, diapers, canned baby food, baby formula and toilet paper.

Items will be collected through Friday and then transported to Cove City for distribution in Jones County.

When flood waters recede, Rebuilding Hope volunteers will offer their help in other ways. Volunteers expect to assist operations centers with clearing debris and home repairs.

Pictured is Leo Suitte of Manson who is loading one of two trailers with chainsaws, generators, ropes, chains, safety equipment and other tools. (Photo Credit: Rebuilding Hope, Inc.)