Red Cross: September Is National Preparedness Month

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As meteorologists along the East Coast track the season’s next predicted hurricane, the American Red Cross of North Carolina reminds residents during National Preparedness Month that taking a few minutes to plan ahead can have a big impact on how you, your family and your household fare during weather events.

Whether it’s a hurricane with storm surge and flooding or wildfires and extreme heat, families across the country need to make sure they’re ready in case of an emergency.

“Disasters can happen at any time, often without warning, changing lives forever in just minutes,” said Rebecca Pittman, Regional Disaster Officer for the North Carolina Region. “As we experience more extreme weather, it’s critical to help protect your loved ones and National Preparedness Month is the ideal time to get your household ready for emergencies.”

Pittman said individuals can get ready for disasters by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll stay connected in case family members become separated for one reason or another.

Follow these steps to prepare for emergencies:

  1. Depending on the emergency, you may need to stay where you are or go somewhere else to stay safe. If you may need to leave, think about where you will go, how you will get there, where you will stay and what you’ll take with you. Plan well in advance if you’ll need help leaving or use public transportation.
  2. Next, gather and organize critical supplies — like food, water and medicine — into a go-kit and a stay-at-home kit. Your go-kit should include three days of supplies that you can take with you. Your stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food and water, and a one-month supply of medications, if possible.
  3. Customize your kit to meet your household’s specific needs. If you have young children, don’t forget formula and diapers. If you have pets, include leashes, carriers, food, bowls, litter and a litterbox.
  4. Make a plan to reconnect with loved ones if you are separated or if the phone or internet is down. Write down important phone numbers on a contact card and carry it with you.
  5. Finally, download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts and expert advice in both English and Spanish. And don’t forget to sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government to get critical information during local emergencies.

This year, experts forecasted active wildfires and hurricanes — predictions that are proving to be true. In July, Hurricane Beryl broke records as the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded and in early August, Hurricane Debby brought widespread flooding to much of the East Coast. So far in 2024, 2.7 million more acres of land have been burned by wildfires compared to all of 2023. Plus, 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record according to experts. Altogether in 2024, the U.S has experienced 19 climate disasters, each with losses of over a billion dollars — more than double the average from the last 40 years.

When these disasters happen, the Red Cross is there providing food, shelter and comfort to ensure no one faces such a difficult time alone. To help families better cope with increased extreme weather, the Red Cross is also enhancing our support for those who need it most and increasing our capacity to respond to non-stop disasters.

“The best defense during an emergency is to be prepared, and that’s true for both our individual families and our entire community,” said Pittman. “During National Preparedness Month, consider donating to help people affected by disasters big and small, or making an appointment to give blood. If you have the time, take a first aid class or put on a red vest and join us as a volunteer.”

Visit redcross.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to learn more today.

TownTalk: Darryl Jones – City Road Center for Hope Opens

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16. 26. 24. 7. 365.

They could be numbers on a lottery scratch-off card, but for Darryl Jones, shelter program manager at the new City Road Center for Hope Men’s Shelter, they signify a jackpot of a different sort.

The newly renovated space at the former City Road Methodist Church can provide overnight shelter for 16 men, and up to 10 more in the overflow area. That makes 26 altogether who can find refuge, a warm bed and more within the walls of the emergency shelter.

Once open only during the winter months, the shelter now can be open every day, all year. 24/7.

Jones was a guest on Wednesday’s TownTalk and said the shelter never had to close during the transition from its original space in the basement of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Henderson to its new location at 903 N. Garnett St.

The public is invited to come out and see the transformation in a couple of upcoming events – a ribbon-cutting ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and a celebration on Saturday, Oct. 12, also at 10 a.m.

Jones said these events will serve an important dual purpose: first, to show the community the results of their donations and financial support and, second, to show how much the shelter needs to have ongoing support.

When they were in the church basement, the shelter didn’t have utility bills to pay, he said.

“Now, we have to pay that,” lights, water and more are just a few of the ongoing costs the shelter will incur.

Critical ongoing support, will help the shelter “keep moving forward and growing,” Jones said.

“This thing is bigger than me, bigger than our organization,” he said of the overarching concept of homeless ministry.

Following the teachings of Jesus, Jones said the shelter staff and volunteers choose to help the “least” in the community. In this case, it’s men who for a variety of reasons find themselves without housing.

“We’re trying to help homeless people get back on their feet,” said Jones, who once found himself on the receiving end of the shelter services just more than a decade ago. During that time, a man named William James Avery was a volunteer overnight supervisor. He became a member of the paid staff, and the overflow room at the new shelter is named in his memory.

Jones said Avery was looking forward to seeing the shelter in its new space; he died in 2023 at the age of 80.

Jones called Avery a friend and coworkers. “He was a mainstay with Community Partners of Hope for nine years. He was somebody you could always count on…when nobody would show up, he would come.”

Visit www.cp-hope.org to sign up to provide meals, and to learn about other ways to support the shelter.

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TownTalk: Opioid Settlement for Vance County

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In the first five months of 2024, there were 13 “fentanyl-positive” deaths in Vance County.

That number represents a 225 percent increase from 2023, when there were four deaths associated with the illicit drug that is wreaking havoc and causing overdose deaths.

The majority of victims are black males, non-Hispanic, in two different age groups – 25-34 and 45-54, according to information shared by Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry during the Sept. 14 annual meeting of the county’s opioid task force.

So far, Vance County has received $1,861,404.66 as part of the multi-year, multi-billion-dollar national opioid settlement. The payouts will take place over an 18-year period, during which Vance County stands to get $6.2 million from the state’s total $1.3 billion.

To date, however, Vance County has yet to allocate a penny of those funds.

“There are no plans in place just yet for the funds,” Perry said in comments during her presentation at the meeting, which lasted less than half an hour.

Perry told commissioners present at the meeting that the local opioid committee has met once and has plans to meet again before the end of the calendar year to render a plan. Commissioners Sean Alston, Yolanda Feimster and Carolyn Faines make up the committee right now, and Perry said others from the community will join.

Recipients of the settlement money have a couple of options from which to choose as they plan how to allocate the funds, and Vance County has chosen the option that calls for supporting “high impact opioid abatement strategies” that include a variety of programs and services, such as the following:

  • evidence-based addiction treatment
  • recovery support services
  • recovery housing
  • employment-related services
  • early intervention programs
  • naloxone distribution
  • post-overdose response teams
  • syringe service programs
  • criminal justice diversion programs
  • addiction treatment for incarcerated persons
  • re-entry programs

Commissioner Archie Taylor said he would like to see additional diversity on the committee – different age groups, ethnic groups, as well as individuals in recovery.

Board Chair Dan Brummitt said the committee was created under the watch of former Chair Feimster and “I don’t have any intention” to change what the former chair had put in place.

Taylor countered a few minutes later by saying that perhaps the matter should be made an agenda item for an upcoming board of commissioners meeting.

Perry said she had recommended to the three-member committee that they may consider as committee members representatives from the sheriff’s office, EMS and others who interact with the affected population on a daily basis.

Brummitt said the committee wants to involve community organizations and those with lived experiences in the decision-making process.

Perry said she would inquire about how surrounding counties are choosing to spend their settlement money and report back to the board.

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Maria Parham Health To Add Robot To Surgical Team

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– information courtesy of Maria Parham Health

Operating rooms at Maria Parham Health are going to have an extra set of hands available to assist with surgical procedures when the da Vinci Xi comes on board.

The surgical system, a product of Intuitive, will be able to assist with providing state-of-the-art minimally invasive care across a wide array of procedures, including gynecologic, urology and general surgeries, according to information from MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young.

“Our team is excited to integrate the da Vinci Xi® system into our surgical offerings,” said Bert Beard, CEO at Maria Parham Health. “This innovative technology not only enhances our ability to perform complex surgeries with greater precision but also ensures better outcomes and faster recovery for our patients.”

But the robot, like all members of the surgical team, needs a name, and the community is invited to enter a “Name the Robot” contest. Visit the Maria Parham Health Facebook page and send a private message with your entry – along with your name, phone number and email.

All entries received before Thursday, Sept. 26 will be entered in a drawing to win a pair of tickets to the Sept. 27 “Extreme Illusions & Escapes” show at the Jones Performing Arts Center in Louisburg.

A $100 Amaon gift card will be awarded to the person who comes up with the winning name for the robot. The winner will be announced on Nov. 4 at a “Meet the Robot” event.

Since its introduction in 1999, the da Vinci surgical system has been used in more than 775,000 procedures worldwide, demonstrating its effectiveness and reliability as a surgical option for many patients in good health.

The da Vinci Xi® system integrates a sophisticated surgical console with four interactive robotic arms, proprietary EndoWrist® surgical instruments, and a high-definition three-dimensional  visual system. This advanced setup allows surgeons to perform complex operations with unmatched precision and control.

The da Vinci system combines the surgeon’s expertise with robotic precision, allowing for tiny, controlled movements that would be difficult to achieve with human hands alone. This enables complex surgeries to be performed through smaller incisions, resulting in less tissue damage and shorter recovery times for patients.

Equipped with four robotic arms and a versatile range of surgical tools, the da Vinci Xi system enhances a surgeon’s ability to perform various procedures, including:

  • Appendicitis
  • Colon cancer
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Hernia repair and other soft-tissue surgeries

The minimally invasive nature of da Vinci surgery offers numerous advantages:

  • Lower risk of infection
  • Reduced blood loss
  • Less trauma to surrounding healthy tissue
  • Decreased pain
  • Smaller scars
  • Faster recovery

For more information about the da Vinci Xi® surgical system and to learn about minimally invasive surgical options at Maria Parham Health, please visit MariaParham.com.

(Maria Parham is an advertising client of WIZS and WIZS.com. This is not a paid ad.)

TownTalk: Lee Edmonds – Fire Prevention Open House

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There’s just something about a fire truck that brings out the little kid in adults, and kids of all ages are invited to come to an Open House at Station #1 on Dabney Drive to see those shiny red marvels up close and personal.

Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds, who has been with Henderson Fire Department for about 10 years, said the fire trucks and free food are all part of a plan to encourage the community to come to the fire station to learn about more about fire safety and the importance of having smoke alarms – working smoke alarms – in their homes.

The Open House will take place on Oct. 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the station, located at 211 Dabney Drive.

The Open House is being held during Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 6-12). This year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You.”

It’s a good idea to have smoke alarms inside every bedroom, Edmonds said, but also outside each bedroom as well.

“A lot of times, it’s not the fire, it’s the smoke that gets them first,” Edmonds said. Working smoke alarms give people time to get out safely if a fire breaks out; they don’t do much good at all if the battery is removed or if the device is removed altogether.

Edmonds reminds city residents that they can all the fire department at 252.430.1877 to request that fire offiicials come out and check their smoke alarms. “We offer that free service,” Edmonds said. “If it does not work, we will replace it, or replace the battery.”

If you live outside the city limits, Edmonds said he can connect you with a representative of county fire department or volunteer fire department to conduct a similar service.

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Mike Huckabee Keynote Speaker At N.C. Pastor Prayer Summit At Clearview Church

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– Information courtesy of Vance County Republican Party

Political commentator, Baptist minister and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee visited Henderson Tuesday for the N.C. Pastor Prayer Summit luncheon, held at Clearview Church.

Huckabee, a television talk show host who sought the Republican Presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, flew into the Henderson-Oxford Airport to come to speak on the topic of what “Spiritual Leadership in the Public Square” looks like in 2024.

NC State Representative Neal Jackson and Bladen County Commissioner Cameron McGill were also invited to speak to the audience of about 200 people. State Sen. Lisa Barnes and N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon were in attendance, as were area candidates of interest Laurie Buckhout, a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Michele Morrow, candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and William Heitman, candidate for Vance County Commissioner.

Dr. Abidan Shah welcomed today’s event back again to Henderson and Clearview Church. This is the second year Clearview has served as the venue in this region of North Carolina.  The American Renewal Project was founded by David Lane with the vision of working to inspire Christian pastors and church members to run for political office across the United States.  Lane and project director Dr. Gary Miller, both spoke to the attendees about the project.

A North Carolina ‘Pastor Prayer Summit and Panel Discussion’ is an exclusive, free event designed for church and ministry leaders, along with their spouses. During the two-hour gathering, attendees are treated to inspiring speeches from guest speakers, a meal and fellowship.

At Tuesday’s event, clergy prayed over each N.C. candidate in attendance and all candidates running for an office in N.C. and all across the nation.  The group prayed especially for people of faith running for their first time as they transition from being spectators to becoming active participants in the cultural arena, with emphasis being placed on religion and morality, the cornerstones of political freedom in the United States.

Before leaving Henderson, Huckabee also took time out of his schedule to be a guest on the Clearview Today podcast which will air Monday, Sept. 30.

The “Clearview Today with Dr. Abidan Shah” podcast can be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Truth Network, and heard locally on WIZS Radio 100.1 FM / 1450 AM weekdays at 10 a.m.

(This is not a paid ad.)

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

The Local Skinny! Fall is Here at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market

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Summer gardens may be giving us the last produce of the long-growing season, but there are still plenty of choices at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

Market Manager Pat Ayscue said, “The summer season is winding down but thankfully since we are a regional market, there are still late summer veggies filling the farmer’s table.” Customers can still find butterbeans, field ripe tomatoes and those most sought-after purple hull peas, she said.

“Also, hats off to our farmers many who planted late crops when the rains came again after the long dry spell,” which created some extra bounty to share with customers on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The fall crops are coming in, too – tender collards, turnip greens, fall apples and grapes of many varieties, Ayscue said.

But there’s more than just fresh produce at the market. Local raw honey is available every Saturday, Ayscue said, and “Hidden Acres will be joining us with their pasture raised beef, chicken, lamb, pork and farm fresh eggs. Stop by and say hi and let them tell you all about their products,” she said.

And although we’re just a few days into fall, people are surely thinking about and preparing for Thanksgiving.

Sweet Inspirations is at the market every Saturday, and Ayscue said customers can begin placing holiday orders now.

EBT is welcome and stop by and ask the market manager about Double Bucks’.  Follow us on Facebook! Each market day the farmers and vendors that are at the market that shopping day will be posted.

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Families Living Violence Free

TownTalk: Families Living Violence Free To Hold Quarter Auction

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Families Living Violence Free is based in Granville County, but Executive Director Amy Langston said the nonprofit agency is just a phone call away – 24/7 – for individuals who find themselves in need of help because of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Although their physical location is on the campus of Central Children’s Home in Oxford, Langston said they are available for anyone in and around Vance County as well.

Langston said the trained staff and volunteers bring distinct skill sets to their roles with the organization, which celebrated its 20-year anniversary in May. But what they all share, she added, is a passion for helping the community and the drive and compassion to serve those who find themselves in difficult situations.

Although they do get grants that help provide emergency services like shelter, food and relocation, Langston said FLVF relies on the community for support, too.

The FLVF annual Quarter Auction is coming up Friday, Oct. 4 at Carlee Farms in Granville County, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy an evening while knowing that the proceeds go to help the organization.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6:15 and the auction starts at 7 p.m., Langston said. A $25 ticket will get you dinner and a bidding paddle; remember to bring your rolls of quarters, as well as some extra money to shop with a host of vendors that will be on hand.

There will be a silent auction taking place that evening, and a 50/50 raffle, too.

“It is fun, but we know the cause” that we’re supporting, Langston said. Sponsorships are available for the event – Bronze for $50, Silver for $100 and Gold for $200 and up.

“All the support we receive will help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault,” Langston said.

Call 919.693.3579 to purchase a ticket. A special unlimited bid paddle is available for $50, but Langston said there will be a limited number for sale, and tickets are going fast.

Proceeds from fundraisers like the Quarter Auction help support FLVF efforts, which not only involves helping people in crisis but also includes educating the community.

Staff members complete 20 hours of intense training, Langston said, and the numerous volunteers undergo similar training, all to ensure clients’ safety and confidentiality.

Langston said she hopes to continue sponsoring community workshops like one held last week to share information about human trafficking.

“We had a full house,” Langston said, adding that details about future workshops would be forthcoming.

Volunteer applications are available at www.flvf.org or at the office, located at 211 Antioch Dr. Oxford. Volunteers help with donations, accompany clients to court for support, help at community events and more. There are two part-time staff openings – a youth advocate position and an outreach advocate position, Langston said.

“We’re growing and we hope to have more full-time positions,” she said.

If you are in crisis as a result of domestic violence or sexual assault, call the crisis line at FLVF at 919.693.5700. Spanish speakers can call 919.690.0888.

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