Red Cross Issues Reminders To Stay Safe When It’s HOT Outside

/by

-information courtesy of The American Red Cross

There’s no doubt – the next few days are going to be scorchers, with only the chance of a stray rain shower to cool things off.

Weather forecasters are predicting Saturday’s high in the area to approach 100, and the American Red Cross has issued a list of heat safety tips to keep in mind as the summer heatwave continues.

HEAT SAFETY TIPS

  1. Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees.
  2. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
  3. Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
  4. If you don’t have air conditioning, seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like schools, libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
  5. Avoid extreme temperature changes.
  6. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
  7. Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
  8. Postpone outdoor games and activities.
  9. Take frequent breaks and use a buddy system when working outdoors.
  10. Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water and shade.

Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If someone is experiencing heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, get them to a cooler place, have them rest, lightly stretch the affected muscle, and replenish their fluids with a half a glass (about four ounces) of cool water every 15 minutes.

If someone is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion (cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion), move them to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing and spray the person with water or apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If they are conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition. If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 911.

HEAT STROKE LIFE-THREATENING Heat stroke usually occurs by ignoring the signals of heat exhaustion. Heat stroke develops when the body systems are overwhelmed by heat and begin to stop functioning. Signs include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting and high body temperature. Call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of heat stroke. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by immersing them up to their neck in cold water if possible. Otherwise, douse or spray the person with cold water, or cover the person with cold, wet towels or bags of ice.

WHO’S AT RISK? Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the U.S. More than 600 people in this country die every year from heat-related illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some people are more at risk of developing a heat-related illness, including adults over 65, those with chronic medical conditions, people who work outside, infants and children, and athletes. Some may take medications that make the effects of extreme heat worse. People with heart disease, poor blood circulation, obesity and mental illness are also at risk for getting sick if the temperatures climb.

DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Camp For Teens Interested In Law, Forensic Science

/by

Local teens have an interesting opportunity to develop their sleuthing skills next week during a five-day camp at a local church.

Rebuilding Communities, Inc. is sponsoring “CSI, The Law and Leadership Camp” for teens between the ages of 13-17 from July 31-Aug. 4 at First United Methodist Church in Henderson.

The camp will be held daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., according to information from Edy Thompson, Rebuilding Communities, Inc. director.

Teens interested in learning more about what lawyers, forensic scientists and investigators do should register by calling 252.479.5019.

Some of the activities for the week include investigating mock crime scenes, fingerprint analysis and first aid and CPR certification.

 

 

City of Henderson Logo

Henderson Municipal Election 2023 Updates

/by

— UPDATE 3 p.m., Tuesday, July 25

One candidate for the Ward 3 at-large seat on the Henderson City Council has withdrawn from the race and one of the five mayoral candidates faces a challenge that calls into question his eligibility.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan confirmed Tuesday that Daniel Blasky has withdrawn his name from consideration in the nonpartisan municipal elections set for Oct. 10.

Vance County GOP chairman Jimmy Barrier issued a statement to WIZS News, which read in part:  ” After much consideration, Daniel Blasky has decided to withdraw his name from the ballot for Ward 3 At-Large seat on the Henderson City Council to support Michelle Wood in her campaign for that seat. They are friends and have come together to work for the common good.”

Wallace Cheek’s candidacy has been challenged, Vaughan said, adding that this challenge will be heard on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. in the Board of Elections conference before the regularly scheduled board meeting.

Vaughan said Cheek’s residency is in question.  At the hearing, Cheek will have to prove that he lives at the address he listed when he filed to run for mayor.

The Aug. 1 hearing is open to the public.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

— UPDATE 3 p.m., Friday, July 21

With the filing period now ended for the upcoming municipal elections in Henderson, the stage is set for possible sweeping changes in the makeup of city leadership. Only one incumbent filed for re-election for his seat on the council; three current council members have filed to run for mayor.

The filing period ended at 12 noon Friday and Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan, who provided daily updates to WIZS each afternoon during the two-week filing period, said all candidates are eligible to run for the offices for which they filed.

Henderson voters will choose from among five candidates for mayor. Current Mayor Eddie Ellington announced last week that he would not seek a third term.

The candidates for mayor are:

Wallace Cheek

Sara Coffey

Melissa Elliott

Greg Etheridge

Jason Spriggs

Coffey, Elliott and Spriggs currently sit on the Henderson City Council; only Coffey would be eligible to retain her spot on the council, since she is not up for re-election this year.

Incumbent Mike Rainey filed Thursday, July 20 for re-election to Ward 2. Rainey faces opposition from Sam Seifert and Janice Ward.

Ward 1 has a four-way race, with candidates Geraldine Champion, Symia Crews, Clementine Hunter and Corey Pearson vying for the seat currently held by Marion Brodie Williams. Williams did not file for re-election.

There are now four candidates for the Ward 3 at-large seat and three candidates for the Ward 4 at-large seat.

Kory H. Franklin filed Friday to run for the Ward 3 at-large seat, joining Daniel Blasky, Michael Venable and Michelle Horner Wood; Melissa Elliott is the current council member for that seat.

Former City Council member George M. Daye is seeking to return to the council, filing Friday for the seat he previously held in Ward 4. The two-term council member joins Lora Durham, and Tami Walker, who previously had filed for the Ward 4 at-large seat. The Ward 4 at-large seat is currently held by Jason Spriggs. Wallace Evans withdrew his name for consideration on Friday, Vaughan said.

The non-partisan City of Henderson municipal election is Oct. 10; early voting for the Henderson elections begins Sept. 21 and ends Oct. 7.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

(PLEASE KEEP IN MIND WHAT’S BELOW IS A RUNNING ACCOUNT AND NOT THE FINAL STORY. THE FINAL STORY IS ABOVE.)

— UPDATE 5 p.m., Thursday, July 20

The filing period will end at 12 noon Friday, and presently at least a three-way race exists for each seat available, including a five-way race for mayor and a four-way race for the ward 1 ward seat.

Two additional people filed Thursday, and both filed for the Ward 2 seat.  Incumbent Mike Rainey filed, and Sam Seifert filed.  So far, Rainey is the only incumbent to file for re-election, in terms of filing for his/her existing seat.

Three sitting council members have filed to run for mayor, and Mayor Eddie Ellington has said he will not seek a third term.

Ward 1 incumbent Marion Williams has not filed to run. While Williams has made no official statement to WIZS nor any statement to local media that WIZS News is aware of, the number of filers from her ward and the public general consensus indicate she will not file.

The non-partisan City of Henderson municipal election is October 10. Early voting for the Henderson elections begins Sept. 21 and ends Oct. 7.

At present, the following races exist:

Filings for Mayor

Wallace Cheek

Sara Coffey

Melissa Elliott

Greg Etheridge

Jason Spriggs

Ward 1

Geraldine Champion

Symia Crews

Clementine Hunter

Corey Pearson

Ward 2

Mike Rainey (Incumbent)

Sam Seifert

Janice Ward

Ward 3 At Large

Daniel Blasky

Michael Venable

Michelle Horner Wood

Ward 4 At Large

Lora Durham

Wallace Evans

Tami Walker

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

— UPDATE 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 19

A fourth candidate filed Wednesday for the Ward 1 seat on the Henderson City Council, according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

Symia Crews added her name to the list for the Ward 1 seat.

The filing period for the Oct. 10 municipal elections ends at 12 noon on Friday, July 21.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

— UPDATE 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 18

The field is getting a bit more crowded for a couple of Henderson City Council seats, as three more candidates filed Tuesday, according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

Wallace Evans and Tami Walker filed for the Ward 4 at-large seat, currently held by Jason Spriggs. Corey Pearson filed to run for the Ward 1 seat, currently held by Marion Brodie Williams.

That brings to three candidates each for the Ward 1 seat, and the at-large seats in Wards 3 and 4.

Janice Ward is the sole candidate thus far in the Ward 2 race.

The filing period for the Oct. 10 municipal elections ends at 12 noon on Friday, July 21.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

— UPDATE 5 p.m., Monday, July 17

According to information Monday afternoon from Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan, Wallace Cheek has filed for the second time to run for mayor of Henderson. This brings to five the number of candidates vying for the office of mayor.

Two others have filed for seats on the Henderson City Council – Michelle Horner Wood filed for the Ward 3 at-large seat and Lora Durham filed for the Ward 4 at-large seat, Vaughan reported Monday.

Susan Pulley filed Monday for commissioner for the town of Kittrell; Robert B. Tunstall filed Friday, July 14 for commissioner for the town of  Kittrell.

The filing period for the upcoming municipal elections ends at 12 noon on Friday, July 21.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

— UPDATE 7 p.m., Thursday, July 13

There is now a four-way race for mayor of Henderson following Jason Spriggs’s filing today. Spriggs currently holds the Ward 4 at-large seat on the Henderson City Council.

Clementine Hunter also filed Thursday for the Ward 1 seat on the Henderson council, according to Melody Vaughan, director of the Vance County Board of Elections. Geraldine Champion had already filed to run for the Ward 1 seat, which is currently held by Marion Brodie Williams.

The Ward 3 at-large seat is also a contested race, with both Daniel Blasky and Michael Venable candidates who have filed to run. This seat currently is being held by Melissa Elliott, who is one of the mayoral candidates. Sara Coffey is the other council member who has announced her candidacy for mayor. Coffey is the only one of the three council members who could retain her seat on the council since her term is not ending.

Gregory Etheridge filed Wednesday to run for mayor. Etheridge is president of Gupton Services.

The Ward 4 at-large seat remains without a filer at this time, since Spriggs put his hat into the ring with his filing Thursday.

Janice Ward filed for the Ward 2 seat, currently held by Mike Rainey.

The filing period continues through 12 noon on Friday, July 21.

The municipal election is Oct. 10 and there will be an early voting period, but the early voting polling sites have not been determined at this time, Vaughan said.

Hazel Baskett has filed for a seat on the Middleburg Town Council.

Mary Jo Floyd has filed to run for Kittrell town commissioner.

Wallace Cheek had filed to run for mayor of Henderson, but state elections officials removed his name late Tuesday after it was confirmed he does not live within the Henderson city limits.

TownTalk: Legacy Keeps Gospel Music Tradition Alive

/by

Like most things that stand the test of time, Gospel music performers have to evolve to stay current with today’s listeners, but not too much that they lose sight of their roots.

Legacy is a local group whose members are doing just that — Brenda Peace-Jones and Tonya Richards are original members of the quartet looking to the future as they remember the work of other family members that helped them get their start.

Legacy is having a concert to celebrate its first anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 12 at West Oxford Elementary School in Oxford. The concert is free and open to the whole community to enjoy,

The Henderson-based group will be joined by multiple other groups that will perform as well. The doors open at 3 p.m. and the concert begins at 4 p.m.

Betty Richards always wanted her children to sing, Peace-Jones said. And so they did. That was at least 50 years ago, however.

“As time went on,” she told WIZS co-host Bill Harris on TownTalk, “the Richards family was dying off.” She credits her nephew George with keeping the family’s music alive.

Gone are the days of big ol’ amps and microphones everywhere when musicians wanted to play and sing. Today’s young musicians have loads of technology at their fingertips to make things easier.

“I’m grateful for the younger people,” Peace-Jones said, adding that they know all about different platforms where music can be heard and enjoyed by others.

“The sound is refined through the electronics,” Richards said. “That’s a great way that technology has made a difference.”

When they were young, they were inspired by the likes of pop artists Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and  Marvin Gaye, as well as Gospel legends like James Cleveland, Walter Hawkins and Milton Brunson.

Peace-Jones said as times change, and people change, the music can change, too. But it’s important to keep the music’s message Bible-based and positive “to make people feel good.”

 

 

The Local Skinny! 988 Suicide And Crisis Line Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary

/by

-information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services

The three-digit suicide and crisis lifeline number – 988 – recently celebrated its first anniversary and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services officials say trained crisis counselors field about 5,000 calls each month.

The number – 988 – connects North Carolinians via call, chat or text to a trained counselor who will listen, offer support and provide community resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to information from DHHS. The service is provided through a state-federal partnership between NCDHHS and the U. S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration.

“988 has made it easier and faster for those in a mental health or substance use crisis to get the help they need,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “It is a critical step forward in strengthening our crisis system throughout the state.”

Every person who connects with 988 is offered support. The call center provides trained crisis counseling and connects callers to help in their local community based on each caller’s specific needs. Callers are connected in real-time to specialized, community-based crisis responders 24/7, if that level of support is needed.

Since its launch in July 2022, there has been a 31 percent increase in North Carolinians reaching out for support – 60 percent are new callers and 40 percent are repeat callers looking for additional support.

Early indicators suggest 988 is highly effective, showing 90 percent of individuals with thoughts of suicide reported improvement in how they were feeling by the end of their call. Operational improvements are also evident. North Carolina’s average speed to answer is 19 seconds, while the national average is 41 seconds (at the start of last year, the national average was 2 minutes and 39 seconds).

“We are encouraged by the significant increase in connections to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,” said Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services. “We’re seeing 988 help more and more people in real time, which means more people are getting the care they need when they need it. That makes 988 a powerful tool for addressing our mental health and substance use crisis.”

Callers who reach out to 988 have the option to connect with specialized crisis lines providing support services to Veterans and their families, LGBTQ+ youth and young adults (e.g., the Trevor Project Line), and to Spanish-speakers. Text and chat services are reaching individuals of all ages, particularly adolescents and young adults, with 39 percent of chats and texts coming from individuals 13-24 years old. With the recent addition of 24/7 Spanish chat and text services, 988 is expanding its reach into Spanish-speaking communities. As part of that broader commitment to health equity, NCDHHS continues to refine its 988 marketing to reach communities across North Carolina, tailoring campaigns for youth, older adults, rural communities, people with disabilities and Black and Indigenous People of Color.

NCDHHS is also pursuing additional ways to enhance 988. Using data obtained throughout the last year, and feedback from people with lived experience, NCDHHS is launching a supplemental service line that will enable 24/7 peer support services for individuals who contact 988 and prefer to speak to someone with lived experience. This peer “warm line” will connect these individuals to a Certified Peer Support Specialist — someone living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder. By incorporating peer support into 988, the NCDHHS “warm line” promotes an anti-stigma approach to mental health and substance use, and it expands the evidence-based services 988 can offer.

Governor Roy Cooper’s proposed $1B Behavioral Health and Resilience plan proposes additional investment in 988 and other community-based crisis services including:

  • Mobile Crisis Teams: Immediate, on-site support for people experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis
  • Facility-Based Crisis Centers and Drop-in Centers: Community-based crisis centers for individuals experiencing a behavioral health or substance use crisis
  • Statewide Transportation Services: Transportation services to psychiatric facilities that do not involve law enforcement

988 is available to anyone, anytime. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Individuals who speak Spanish can now connect directly to Spanish-speaking crisis counselors by calling 988 and pressing option 2, texting “AYUDA” to 988, or chatting online at 988lineadevida.org or 988Lifeline.org.

CLICK PLAY!

 

TownTalk: Mary Emma Evans Foundation Continues To Help Those in Need

/by

It all started with popsicles.

And young people playing ball on a basketball court in South Henderson, said Phyllis Evans.

The “it” Evans is referring to has evolved beyond popsicles and the neighborhood where Evans lives.

The Mary Emma Evans Foundation provides resources for the whole community, from tangible items like food and clothing to helping individuals learn soft skills like preparing for job interviews.

Beginning in early August, there will be a physical location for the work of this group of volunteers – many of whom are relatives of Mary Emma Evans, in whose memory the foundation was formed back in 2011.

Phyllis Evans and Phylicia Evans joined WIZS co-host Bill Harris on Monday’s TownTalk to talk about the new location, located on Parham Street. There was a ribbon-cutting recently and now the Evans foundation is expected to be up and running come the first of August.

Phyllis said it hasn’t been easy to try to function without a physical location, and she’s looking forward to having a spot where people can come in and choose items themselves.

“Everybody is all excited,” Phyllis said.

She’s hosting a free clothing giveaway Aug. 4, 5 and 6 at 331 Alexander Ave. Things get started at 8 a.m. on Aug. 4, but come early, because she hopes things will get snatched up quickly. There is a wide assortment of children’s and adult clothing available.

Phylicia Evans is one of Mary Emma’s grandchildren and she said the Parham Street location will be a spot where people can come in and get what they may need, whether it’s food or clothing. Eventually, they hope to establish a diaper bank as well.

Donations are most welcome – whether it’s food items, clothing or, of course, financial. The immediate goal is to raise $1,300 by August 1 to help get them moved in.

“We’re looking for sponsors as we open up our physical place,” Phylicia said. “It would help with the building as we continue doing the great work we’re doing in the community.”

All donations are tax-deductible, Phylicia said, and any board member who accepts donations can provide a receipt upon request.

Because they will have a permanent location, Phylicia said the foundation will be able to partner with other organizations to offer certificate programs for individuals to improve their skillsets.

“People will be able to come to us and get certifications like customer service skills, project management (and) Microsoft Office,” she said. This self-paced program not only improves knowledge, but can be a resume builder, too.

“We look forward to seeing a lot of growth and just continuing to expand” the services they can provide, she said.

Her grandmother was a staunch supporter of Henderson’s beautification efforts when she served on the City Council, Phylicia said. For that reason, the family participates in the Adopt-A-Highway program to try to tame the litter along Dabney Road near Lowe’s Home Improvement.

They picked up trash along that roadside back in January and they hope to get back out in the fall, when the weather cools a bit.

No doubt, Mary Emma would approve.

If you’d like to help, contact Phyllis Evans at 252.767.8902 or email

maryemmaevans@gmail.com.

Follow on Facebook The Mary Emma Evans Foundation or visit the website at https://www.maryemmaevansfoundation.org/

CLICK PLAY!