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Vance Co. Technology Committee to Discuss Broadband – July 15

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

Please be informed that Vance County’s Technology Committee (Brummitt, Feimster, Taylor) is scheduled to meet Monday, July 15, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room of the Vance County Administration Building located at 122 Young Street in Henderson.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss broadband.

H-V Rec. & Parks Announces Special Olympics Bocce for Children, Adults

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department is currently registering children and adults with intellectual disabilities for Vance County Special Olympics Bocce. Those interested must preregister by August 15, 2019, and must be at least 8 years old to participate.

Participants will develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and learn new skills.

Bocce games will be held at the Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson on Thursday nights beginning September 5 through November 7, 2019, from 6 – 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 or email callen@ci.henderson.nc.us

Faith Dove

St. John Baptist to Hold Yard Sale & Food Fundraiser

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-Information courtesy St. John Baptist Church

St. John Baptist Church will have a yard sale and food fundraiser on Saturday, July 13, 2019, from 7 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Items include: electronics, shoes, clothing, electric mixer, housewares, hotdogs, sandwiches, chips, drinks, water, cakes and more!

The church is located at 490 Jacksontown Road in Middleburg, NC.

NC Dept of Agriculture

State Veterinarian Reminds Livestock & Pet Owners to Watch Out for Ticks

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

State Veterinarian Doug Meckes is reminding livestock and pet owners to be vigilant in their tick preventative measures during warm weather. Recently, the deaths of five cows in Surry County were linked to acute anemia caused by tick infestations. Samples were sent to the N.C. Division of Public Health, Communicable Disease Branch for identification which confirmed Asian longhorned ticks.

“This is the fourth confirmed case in North Carolina since 2018, and the first case reported this year. Previous cases were found in Polk, Rutherford and Davidson counties,” Meckes said. “The deceased young bull brought to our Northwestern Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab had more than 1,000 ticks on it and the owner had lost four other cattle under the same circumstances.”

The Asian longhorned tick is an exotic, East Asian tick. The first case identified in the U.S. was in West Virginia from a tick taken from a white-tail deer in August 2010. Since then, 67 counties in the United States have confirmed local Asian longhorned tick populations. Virginia has the most counties with 24 confirmed.

It is a serious pest of livestock in its native regions, and the means of introduction into the U.S. is unknown. It is an aggressive biter and frequently builds intense infestations on animals causing great stress, reduced growth and production, and blood loss. The tick can reproduce parthenogenetically (without a male) and a single fed female tick can create a localized population.

While the Asian longhorned tick has not been linked to any human infection in the United States, the N.C. Division of Public Health, Communicable Disease Branch is working with NCDA&CS to understand its distribution and monitor for diseases it may carry.

The finding of this tick in the state corresponds with a continued effort by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to identify ticks in all 100 counties of the state. Veterinarians are encouraged to submit ticks they find on clinical patients to help track and identify tick populations in North Carolina. If you are a veterinarian practicing in North Carolina and are interested in participating in this study, email Dr. Alexis M. Barbarin at NCTickID@dhhs.nc.gov.

Ticks attack people, domestic animals and wildlife. Prevention remains the best method to deter tick-borne illnesses. Protect yourself while outdoors by wearing long clothing, wearing permethrin-treated clothing, and using DEET, picaridin, and other EPA-approved repellants. It is also good practice to shower immediately once you return home. Checking for ticks can help deter tick attachment or allow for early removal. For domestic animals, talk to your veterinarian about effective options to treat your pets and livestock for ticks.

News 07/09/19

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Frazier Announces Retirement Intentions; City Searches for New Manager

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Among the agenda items for Monday evening’s Henderson City Council meeting, council members will discuss extending City Manager Frank Frazier’s contract for employment on a month-to-month basis.

Frazier’s contract with the City is currently set to expire at the end of July.

Frazier, who has served as city manager since 2015, announced his intentions to retire once a successor is named for the position.

Mayor Eddie Ellington, who has been privy to closed sessions involving Frazier, gave this statement to WIZS News:

“We are at a significant moment for the City of Henderson. Our city manager announced to the Henderson City Council a few weeks ago that he plans to retire, with his contract coming to an end this month. We have agreed to keep him on as city manager on a monthly basis as we have set in motion the process of hiring a new manager.

Frank Frazier and I started just a few months shy of each other, with myself as mayor and him city manager. I am pleased with what we have accomplished in our years together, but there is still work that must be carried out for the betterment of our city. The most important is finding the right person to succeed Mr. Frazier. This is a charge that I must lead, for this is our future and I know the citizens of Henderson share my concerns.”

Mayor Ellington recently filed for re-election in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election. Filing began on July 5, 2019, and will end on July 19, 2019, at 12 p.m.

To view the Monday, July 8, 2019, Henderson City Council agenda, click here.

Register by Friday for Year’s Third WOVEN Event

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– Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

The third WOVEN (Women of Vance Empowered Networking) event of 2019 is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16. The luncheon will begin at 12 p.m. at Kerr Lake’s Satterwhite Point Glass House, 269 Glass House Road, Henderson.

Lieutenant Jessica West with the Henderson Police Department will be the keynote speaker. Cost is $20 per person and includes lunch.

Discover ways that each of us can help make our communities safer and more unified places to work, play and live. From simply speaking up when you see suspicious activity, to setting up community watch groups, everyone can take part.

Please RSVP to Sandra Wilkerson at the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce by email at sandra@hendersonvance.org or by calling (252) 438-8414. The deadline to register is this Friday, July 12. 

N.C. Peach Growers Pleased with 2019 Crop

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

After several hit-or-miss years, peach growers across the state are celebrating what is shaping up to be a solid peach growing season.

“Consumers can expect peaches to be in good quantity and quality this year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Many growers began picking in early June with plans to continue through the end of August.”

Unlike surrounding states, most of North Carolina’s peaches are sold directly to consumers at roadside stands and farmers markets. In fact, consumers can find peach orchards in about two-thirds of the state’s counties. Troxler encourages consumers to check with their favorite peach grower for availability and timing of their favorite varieties.

To celebrate the season, the department will host Peach Day events at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh on July 11 and the Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax on July 12. Both events run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature a peach recipe contest, free samples of peach ice cream and an appearance from the N.C. Peach Queen.

Peach lovers also can enjoy the N.C. Peach Festival in Candor July 19 and 20. The 23rd-annual event includes a parade, music, carnival rides, food vendors and lots of fresh, local peaches.

North Carolina is home to about 800 acres of peaches. In 2017, peach growers contributed $2.7 million to the state’s economy, with more than two dozen varieties grown.

News 07/08/19

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Owner Asks Public for Help Finding Dog Missing in Car Accident

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Cecilie Taylor was involved in a car accident Sunday, June 30, 2019, on I-85 southbound between mile marker 214 and 215.

While being assisted at the scene, Taylor’s frightened dog “Titan” ran across the highway and is now missing. Titan is a Shiba Inu, approximately 25 lbs, tan fur with black hairs. He is wearing a collar with no tags, but he is microchipped.

Titan was last spotted at the Waffle House on Ruin Creek Road, Henderson, NC on Wednesday, July 3. He is very shy and may run.

If you have seen Titan, please contact owner Cecilie Taylor at (440) 339-2310 or Vance County Animal Shelter at (252) 492-3136.

Titan is a Shiba Inu, approximately 25 lbs, tan fur with black hairs. He is wearing a color with no tags, but he is microchipped. Titan was last spotted at the Waffle House on Ruin Creek Road, Henderson, NC on Wednesday, July 3. If you have seen Titan, please contact owner Cecilie Taylor at (440) 339-2310 or Vance County Animal Shelter at (252) 492-3136.