Tuesday’s Storm Causes Overflow Of Untreated Water At City Pump Stations, Manholes

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Information courtesy of the City of Henderson

The City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System bypassed approximately 226,800 gallons of untreated water on Jan. 9, 2024 due to inflow/infiltration from heavy rain.  The overflows occurred at two pump stations – Sandy Creek and Julia Avenue – and numerous manholes, according to the notice sent to WIZS by the city.

Approximately 216,000 gallons of untreated water entered tributaries to Sandy Creek, RedBud Creek, and NutBush Creek and another 10,800 gallons of untreated water was contained on the ground.

 

City officials listed the following locations where overflows at manholes occurred:

  • Neathery Street
  • intersection of North Pinkston Street/Farrar Avenue
  • intersection of Alexander Avenue/South Elizabeth Street
  • intersection of Alexander Avenue/Willow Lane
  • Green Acres Outfall, (two manholes)
  • East Rockspring Street
  • Bridgers Street
  • Beckford Drive Outfall

North Carolina General Statutes article 21 chapter 143.215.1c requires a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.

Questions concerning this matter should be directed to Joey Long, Jr. – Collection System ORC at 252.226.4492, Christy Lipscomb – HWRF Director/ORC at 252.430.9387, or Public Works Director Lee Owen at 252.431.0419.

 

 

 

Vance Charter Lottery Window Open Jan. 22-Feb. 29

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Lottery applications for Vance Charter School will be accepted beginning on Jan. 22, 2024 through Feb. 29, 2024.  Applications can be accessed at vancecharter.org. 

The lottery will be held on Mar. 2, 2024, according to John Sossamon, a member of the school’s board of directors. Parent information sessions will be held at Vance Charter School on Tuesday, Jan. 30 and Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6 pm, in the school’s media center.

Vance Charter School is located at 2090 Ross Mill Rd., Henderson.

Visit vancecharter.org to learn more.

TownTalk: Contacting NC DOT To Resolve Roadway Issues

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If the heavy rains and high winds earlier this week have created problems along state-maintained roadways, it’s important to let the N.C. Dept. of Transportation folks know about them so proper repairs can be made.

In days gone by, a quick look in the phone book could have produced a local number to call, but it’s not that simple any more.

Or is it?

These days, a quick online search can yield good information about how to report problems. WIZS is making that search one click closer for you: click on https://www.ncdot.gov/contact/Pages/default.aspx to go straight to the NC DOT “Contact Us” page and find out everything you need to know about reporting a problem.

Whether it’s a dead tree hanging ominously over a road, a clogged culvert, pothole or an animal carcass in the roadway, this page can help get the problem to the right folks at DOT to handle the situation.

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Flat Tires, Spare Tires

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For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

OK, you consider yourself a good car owner – you keep the oil changed, make sure the filters get replaced when they need replacing and you even have a litter bag stashed in the backseat to help keep the interior tidy.

But when’s the last time you checked the spare tire?

Thursday’s Pop the Hood segment could be called “Pop The Trunk” because it’s all about that item resting in a well under trunk lining.

Is your vehicle’s spare tire a full-size tire, just like the other four? Or is it one of those “donuts” that are useful enough to get us to a repair shop or back home?

A small-size tire – that “donut” – is designed for short distances and is rated for speeds of about 45 mph.

It’s not the same as a full-size tire, so drivers who must use this type of spare tire should be mindful to take it slow and to get it replaced as soon as possible.

If you’ve never had a flat tire, count yourself among the lucky ones (and knock on wood, for good measure). And if you’ve never had to use your spare tire, just remember: It’s been sitting in the same location for awhile, so it may need some air. Just because it’s not one of the four tires currently in use, doesn’t mean it deserves to be ignored. You should check periodically that the spare is properly inflated, too.

There are other products available at Advance Auto Parts to help in case of a tire emergency. Let the helpful Advance staff help you find a plug kit or a can of Fix-a-Flat that you can stash in the trunk alongside that spare – just in case.

 

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value on and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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Vance County Schools Adds Two To District Leadership Roles

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Vance County Schools has added to its leadership staff with the recent hiring of a Career and Technical Education director as well as a Safety Coordinator.

Dr. Aretha Garr is the new CTE director, according to information from VCS spokesperson Aarika Sandlin. Milton Thomas is the district’s new safety coordinator.

Garr brings to her new role at VCS more than two decades of experience of guiding students towards fulfilling and successful careers. She most recently was career development coordinator and principal designee at the Academy at Smith’s Signature Career Academy of Biomedical Sciences in Guilford County.

She also was CTE Department Chair at Parkland IB Magnet High School and Carver High School, both in Winston-Salem.

“I am excited to work towards increasing program enrollment and retention, and forging powerful community partnerships to ensure students have all the tools they need to make informed career decisions,” Garr said in a press statement.

Garr has Bachelor of Business Administration from High Point University, a Master of Healthcare Administration from Pfeiffer University and the School Administrator credential through the Master of School Administration Licensure Program at N.C. A&T State University. She graduated with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from High Point University.

As the VCS Safety Coordinator, Thomas brings vast experience in the areas of security, investigations and emergency management to his new role. With more than 30 years’ experience in the field, Thomas has been a Marine MP, criminal investigator and drill instructor, as well as additional experience as a law enforcement officer and  For the last 18 years of his time with the USMC, he was a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Officer. In this role, Thomas focused on emergency and consequence management. Upon retirement from the service, Thomas joined Vance County Schools at Clarke Elementary as the Media and Technology Assistant.

Thomas earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and his Master of Science in Performance Improvement from the University of Arkansas Grantham.

Maria Parham Steps Up Visitor Restrictions To Combat Spread Of Respiratory Viruses

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Maria Parham Health has announced additional restrictions are being implemented for hospital visitors, effective immediately, in response to an elevated level of respiratory virus and illness.

These restrictions were put in place to protect the health and safety of patients and employees, according to information released by the hospital earlier Wednesday.

At this time, the use of face masks is optional, but highly encouraged by all visitors. Masks remain a simple, yet effective, tool to prevent respiratory viral transmission.

Hospital officials note that the Charge Nurse or House Supervisor has discretion to waive these restrictions outside normal visiting hours. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis; specific situations – such as end-of-life care or critically ill patients – are two such examples where discretion could be used.

The measures in place now include:

  • Children under 18 are discouraged from visiting
  • Adult visitors and family members should be limited to next of kin and close contacts.
  • Only two visitors will be allowed at a time. There may be times when 1 or no visitors will be allowed into the Emergency Department
  • Visitors who do not feel well are asked not to visit
  • Use proper cough etiquette (covering cough with tissue or arm, disposing of tissue immediately then cleaning hands)
  • Perform hand hygiene before and after visiting

Visit https://www.mariaparham.com/visiting-hours.

TownTalk: Coker Takes Over As Chief Of Animal Services

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The vast majority of pet owners do the right thing and provide everything their animals need to live healthy, happy lives as furry members of the family.

And while Vance County’s new Animal Services Chief William Coker acknowledges this to be the case, he said that for those pet owners who don’t, there are county ordinances in place to protect animals.

“I think the biggest thing is educating the community on proper animal welfare and the county ordinances” in place to protect animals from maltreatment.

Once a dog is placed in a pen or put on a chain in the yard, it instantly becomes totally dependent on people for food, water and shelter. And it’s up to Coker and his officers to make sure all the animals in the county are afforded the minimum standards.

He said he chooses to de-escalate situations that may involve improper pet treatment, but he’s not afraid to fall back on county ordinances. Dogs must have a dog house, for example, and access to fresh water and they must be fed once a day – those are the minimum standards in place for the county’s canines.

After animal services officers give pet owners a couple of warnings and still fail to comply, the officers can issue citations.

Educating the community can come in many forms, Coker said on Wednesday’s TownTalk: he said he’d like to get into the schools and talk to young people about proper animal care. He also said he wants to emphasize getting dogs and cats spayed and neutered to reduce the unwanted pet population.

When his officers go out on a call, he asks that they promote the spay/neuter program, which often can be at a reduced cost for those that qualify.

Coker said he’s always had a passion for animals, and when he learned of an opening at animal services, he applied and was hired on in 2013. He worked with former chief Frankie Nobles for five years, and he said he learned a lot from his time working alongside Nobles.

He and Nobles stay in close contact and Coker said it’s reassuring to know that Nobles, now the county’s Special Projects Coordinator, is just a phone call away.

“I don’t like seeing animals mistreated,” Coker said. Just the other day, he came to work and found a dog tied outside the office door. As much as he hates for that to happen, he said the alternative – just turning the dog loose – wasn’t a good option either.

“As long as I’m chief of animal services, I’ll never turn away a surrender.”

Learn more about Vance County Animal Services at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal-control/

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Vance County Names Sherry Moss New Planning Director

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Vance County has named Sherry Moss as its new planning director. Moss, currently the planning director for the town of Nashville, NC, will begin her new job on Feb. 12.

Moss is no stranger to the area, having held positions in county government in Vance and Granville counties, as well as the city of Henderson.

She has been Vance County’s interim planning director and special projects coordinator, and has more than 17 years of experience in local government, according to information from Vance County Manager Renee Perry.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to be back to serve the citizens of Vance County,” Moss said in a press statement.

Moss has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Shaw University and a master’s in public policy: public administration from Liberty University.

Perry said she welcomes Moss back to Vance County. “I’m looking forward to working with Sherry in this new role; Sherry is a breath of fresh air and will serve the county well,” sPerry said.