News 12/06/19
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Town Talk 12/05/19: ‘Smart’ Technology is Watching & Listening!
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program featured a general discussion of “smart” technology (phones, televisions, baby monitors, etc.) and what is being heard, seen and recorded.
WIZS’ John Charles reminded listeners that anything that responds to a voice command has a microphone that is “listening” to conversations in your home and business.
Likewise, anything with a camera – such as most new smart televisions – has the potential to capture video images.
Smart technology also has the capability to track the user’s location at all times.
Just how much of what is being recorded and how the information is stored and used is unknown. What is clear, for better or worse, is that it is increasingly difficult to maintain a true sense of privacy in a more technological-savvy world.
To hear today’s segment in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
VCSO: Beware of Gift Card Scam Using Sheriff Brame’s Name
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-Information courtesy Sheriff Curtis Brame
The Vance County Sheriff’s Office has received credible reports that someone hanging around Walmart in Louisburg is attempting to sell gift cards to shoppers by stating that they are associated with Sheriff Curtis Brame and the VCSO.
In a phone call to WIZS, Sheriff Brame stated that this is a scam and neither he or the VCSO are associated with the sell of any gift cards.
During the holiday season, scams are rampant and the public is urged to use caution when purchasing gift cards from anyone other than a reputable merchant.
VGCC Receives $194K Grant From Duke Energy & Piedmont Natural Gas
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-Press Release, Duke Energy
Vance-Granville Community College today announced a $194,160 investment from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. The funds will help connect students with hands-on training and career development opportunities.
The investment will be used to expand apprenticeships in the fields of Mechatronics, Industrial Maintenance and Welding, as part of VGCC’s “Business & Industry Connect” program. The college will be able to purchase new equipment, provide tuition supports for students and implement additional training, including the nationally-known “Tooling U-SME” program.
From Left to Right: Kenneth Wilson, Tanya Evans (district manager, Duke Energy), VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, Ken Lewis, Eddie Ferguson. (VGCC photo)
“This grant represents a huge boost to our local industry partners and to students who are looking to energize their careers,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “We appreciate the continuing support of Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas because apprenticeships are part of VGCC’s multi-pronged approach to addressing workforce shortages so that our economy can grow.”
“We are proud to partner with Vance-Granville Community College to connect students with apprenticeship and workforce training opportunities,” said Tanya Evans, district manager, Duke Energy. “These students will help meet the growing and evolving needs of the region’s manufacturing industry.”
This grant is part of Duke Energy’s $35 million investment in North Carolina’s Community Colleges’ focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges could apply for funds through the North Carolina Community Foundation and the Foundation for the Carolinas.
Applications were reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.
‘Festival of Trees’ Wraps Up With Silent Auction on Sat.
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-Information courtesy the Vance County Regional Farmers Market
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is hosting The Festival of Trees fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Vance County now through Friday.
Don’t miss the chance to wander through a winter wonderland of fully and creatively decorated Christmas trees by local businesses and individuals, enjoy performances of seasonal music by local artists and even meet Santa!
The event runs through December 3-6 at the VCRFM from 2 – 7 p.m. Admission is $5 per adult (children under 12 get in free). All proceeds go to support the Boys & Girls Club of Vance County.
Really want a Christmas tree this year, but don’t have time to decorate one? No worries. Many of the trees on display at The Festival of Trees are for sale through a silent auction bid process. Bidding ends Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m.
The VCRFM is located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson.
Photo courtesy VCRFM.
Photo courtesy VCRFM.
Council to Hold Public Hearing on Low-Speed Vehicle Use on City Streets
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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC
The Henderson City Council will hold a public hearing on the use of golf carts and low-speed vehicles on city streets during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 9, 2019, at 6 p.m. or shortly thereafter.
This hearing will allow for citizen input prior to full consideration by the City Council. The public is encouraged to attend.
News 12/05/19
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Henderson-Vance Chamber Seeking Nominees for Citizen of the Year
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce
The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for the 2019 Citizen of the Year.
This annual award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution and demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of Henderson and Vance County.
The criteria used in making the selection includes:
- The person must be a resident of the Henderson-Vance County community.
- The acts and good deeds for which the award is presented must have been performed for the benefit of Vance County and its citizens.
- The community at large should recognize, once the award is made, that it is deserved.
- The activities resulting in the award should be regarded outside the recipient’s normal business or profession.
- The recipient does not have to be a member of the Chamber.
Citizens and Chamber members are encouraged to nominate those they feel are deserving of this recognition.
Nomination forms are available at the Chamber and should be submitted in writing to the Chamber office by Friday, January 3, 2020.
The award will be presented at the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Banquet to be held Thursday, January 30, 2020, at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.
For information or a nomination form, please contact the Chamber at 252-438-8414 or e-mail sandra@hendersonvance.org.
Social Services to Offer Heating Assistance for Eligible NC Residents
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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will begin accepting applications through county social services departments for the state’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019.
Households including a person aged 60 or older, or disabled individuals receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services who have a life-threatening or health-related emergency due to a lack of heating, are eligible to sign up for assistance Dec. 2 – 31, 2019.
All eligible households may apply from Jan. 2 – March 31, 2020 — or until funds are exhausted.
“This funding can help assist eligible individuals and families with their heating expenses during the winter months,” said David Locklear, Deputy Director of Economic and Family Services in the Division of Social Services. “We want to ensure families are healthy and safe during some of the most difficult times of the year.”
The federally funded program helps households with low incomes with a one-time payment made directly to their heating vendor to offset the high cost of keeping their homes warm.
To apply, individuals should contact their county department of social services (PDF). Applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted.
To be eligible, a household must:
- Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
- Have income equal to or less than 130 percent of the federal poverty limit; for example:
- For a household of one, a gross monthly income of $1,353.00.
- For a family of four, a gross monthly income of $2,790.00.
- Have resources, such as saving and checking accounts or cash on hand, at or below $2,250
- Be responsible for their heating cost
For more information on the program and eligibility, visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/low-income-energy-assistance.
Taurus Howard Named Rebuilding Hope’s Dec. Spotlight Volunteer
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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.
Often folks who have been helped by Rebuilding Hope become volunteers. “After Rebuilding Hope built a ramp for me,” Taurus Howard says, “I came up to see if I could volunteer.”
Taurus Howard named Rebuilding Hope’s December 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)
Taurus joined the team about eight months ago. Seeing how volunteers worked together “brought a tear to my eye. I wanted to give back,” says the Henderson resident. “To go out on a job site and see the elderly with smiles on their faces makes me feel good,” he says. “I want them to know that there are still good people in the world.”
A member of Red Bud Baptist Church, Taurus says he would encourage others to become RHI volunteers “because for one thing, we’re put on this earth to help one another, not just take.”
“I look forward to coming up here,” he says. “I have no complaints. God is good.”