July 15th Forum About Autism Identification Changes

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— courtesy Vance County Schools

A forum for interested parents will be held for the North Central Region, which includes Vance County Schools, on the proposed Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities, specifically, the changes in the evaluation and identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The forum will be held on Monday, July 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Butner-Stem Middle School at 501 East D Street in Butner.

All interested parents are invited to attend.

Vance County NC

Vance County FY 19-20 Budget CONSENSUS

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The Vance County Commissioners met Wednesday afternoon at 4 o’clock, and County Manager Jordan McMillan told WIZS News, “I believe we made progress this evening in finalizing the budget. The discussion tonight focused on the fire fund and the board reached a consensus to add equal funding for Epsom and Drewry.”

He said, “That means each would get $100,000 like the other departments. Also, as Drewry requested they would get a second part time position like the other departments. Epsom would get 1 part time position as they requested. These additions will take the fire tax up 2.5 cents which will make the fire tax 8.9 cents total. Also there was some discussion as to whether to pay for the VFD radios out of the general fund or the fire fund. The board consensus was for this to remain in the fire fund as recommended in the budget.”

McMillan said the conversation then shifted to the general fund and how the Rescue Squad should be funded.  McMillan wrote in his email to WIZS News, “When positions were added to the Sheriffs office I proposed cutting back the two part time positions designated for the Rescue Squad to assist in balancing the budget. This was not unanimous but there was a consensus to remove the funding for these two positions.”

He said, at the end of the day, the Volunteer Fire Departments should be satisfied with the funding and positions they are receiving.  “This is a big step forward for public safety in Vance County. Within two years the departments have moved to $100,000 funding from $60,600 and now this year they get an additional $87,326 for two part time positions during the week. This is unprecedented in our surrounding counties in terms of overall funding and the part time positions in all stations,” McMillan said.

The necessary budget ordinances will be prepared and the board will meet in a special called meeting Monday, June 17, 2019 at 6 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room at the old courthouse downtown.

31 Retire From Vance County Schools

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— photo and information courtesy of Vance County Schools

A total of 31 associates with Vance County Schools were honored during the evening of June 12, at the school system’s Annual Retirement Banquet.

The event was held at the Henderson Country Club.

The Honorable Judge Caroline Burnette stands at the podium at the far left as she addresses retirees and guests at the Vance County Schools Annual Retirement Banquet.

The Honorable Judge Caroline Burnette, who is a 9th District Court judge, was the evening’s featured speaker. She offered the retirees encouraging words and reminded them to have fun. She stressed that they have dedicated their lives to help others and now it is time to do things for themselves.

Jan Vaughan, who retired last year as a teacher at Aycock Elementary School, spoke about her first year as a retiree. She told those now joining her in retirement to do things they enjoy and to remember that every day is Saturday.

School administrative leaders praised each of the retirees who worked with them. The administrators included Superintendent Anthony Jackson, Assistant Superintendent Trixie Brooks, principals in our schools and department directors. The honored associates were each given a handsome glass plaque to commemorate their years of service to our children, their colleagues and our schools.

Those honored for their retirement include:

Larry Alston of Zeb Vance Elementary School
Christine Ayscue of Vance County Middle School
Mamie Banks of Vance County High School
Carnetta Blakely of the Exceptional Children’s Department
Larry Bobbitt of the Exceptional Children’s Department
Willa Clark, director of the Career and Technical Education Program
Jeanette Cousin of L.B. Yancey Elementary School
Faye Crawford of E.M. Rollins Elementary School
Lisa Finch of New Hope Elementary School
Hye Griffin of Vance County High School
Louis Hargrove, Jr. of Dabney Elementary School
Terri Hedrick, Public Information Officer
Rosa Henderson of Vance County Middle School
Susan Hughes of Dabney Elementary School
Isabella Jenkins of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School
Nancy Lee of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School
Brenda LeMay of Clarke Elementary School
Barbara Lucas of Zeb Vance Elementary School
Michael Miller of Vance County High School
Alexa Molden of Clarke Elementary School
Randolph Oxendine of Carver Elementary School
Ingrid Palmer of Vance County Middle School
Crystal Richardson of Vance County Middle School
Dr. Alice Sallins of Dabney Elementary School
Alisa Salmon of the Maintenance Department
Claudette Scales, Pre-Kindergarten Coordinator
Cynthia Simpson of Zeb Vance Elementary School
LaRose Stainback of Zeb Vance Elementary School
Judy Tatum of Zeb Vance Elementary School
Barbara Vann of Vance County High School
Donna Vann of Dabney Elementary School

Town Talk: Vance County Schools News Program 06/13/19

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One of the two segments of TownTalk on Thursday, June 13 featured Terri Hedrick, Public Information Officer with Vance County Schools.  She said the 2018-2019 school year is complete at this point.

Click Here To Listen To TownTalk With Hedrick

There were three uplifting graduation ceremonies this spring resulting in almost 400 graduates from Vance County Public Schools.

VCHS Graduation Story

Early College High School Graduation Story

Advance Academy Graduation Story

Hedrick said the school system is so pleased with the school year, considering the changes with consolidation and how the challenges were met.

Following a safe and happy summer, remember the 2019-2020 school year starts early for three schools.  Vance County High School, Early College High School and EM Rollins, of which Rollins is year round, will start on Monday, August 5.

The first school day otherwise for the remaining schools still on the traditional calendar is Monday, August 26.  Open House is August 22.

And, over 900 school system employees will gather at McGregor Hall on Monday, August 19 for the annual convocation.

Click Here To Listen To TownTalk With Hedrick

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Progress Wants To Pass Fuel Savings On To NC Customers

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-Press release and additional information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

In an email to WIZS News and other media outlets, Evans said, “I am sharing a bit of good news regarding electric rates. Due to fuel savings achieved from the joint dispatch of our generation fleet (one of the advantages of the merger several years ago), we are proposing an adjustment to our fuel rate in order to pass those savings along to our customers.”

Duke Energy Progress files annual adjustments with North Carolina Utilities Commission for customers in North Carolina

If approved, typical residential customers will see their monthly bills go down $4.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Duke Energy Progress today made its annual filings with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) for costs associated with fuel, compliance with the state’s renewable energy portfolio standard (REPS), cost recovery under the Joint Agency Asset Rider (JAAR), and implementation of energy efficiency (EE) and demand-side management (DSM) programs.

In its filing, Duke Energy Progress is proposing a decrease in monthly fuel costs as part of an annual adjustment of the actual cost of fuel used to power North Carolina homes and businesses through renewable, natural gas, nuclear and coal-fired generation. By law, the company makes no profit from the fuel component of rates.

The fuel rate is based on the projected cost of fuel used to provide electric service to the company’s customers, plus a true-up of the prior year’s projection. The NCUC is responsible for reviewing the actual fuel costs required to serve customers to ensure an accurate adjustment is made each year.

The percentage change on a typical bill would be an average decrease of 3.3 percent for residential customers, 4.4 percent for commercial customers and 1.9 percent for industrial customers. The total monthly impact of all rate changes for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month would be a decrease of $4, from $120.95 to $116.95.

The new fuel, REPS and JAAR rates would go into effect Dec. 1, 2019, and the new EE and DSM rates would go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Helping customers save

Duke Energy Progress works to actively manage its fuel contracts to keep fuel costs as low as possible for customers. Savings achieved from the joint dispatch of Duke Energy’s generation fleet in the Carolinas also help to minimize the company’s fuel costs.

Duke Energy Progress is also committed to helping customers take control of their energy use and manage their bills. The company offers energy-saving tips and innovative efficiency programs for every budget to help customers realize additional savings.

For example, the Home Energy House Call is a free in-home energy assessment, valued at $180, designed to give Duke Energy customers more information about how they use energy in their home and strategies to save money on their monthly bill.

To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/savings.

Duke Energy Progress

Duke Energy Progress, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns nuclear, coal, natural gas, renewables and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides about 12,700 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.6 million customers in a 32,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2019 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, and Forbes’ 2019 “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Buys Garnett Street Station

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— press release from Triangle North Healthcare Foundation

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Announces Community Investment

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors has announced the acquisition of the historic Henderson landmark, Garnett Street Station.

Through its newly formed limited liability company, Garnett Street Station, LLC, the Foundation closed on the property purchase on June 10. The property was purchased from Restoration Associates.

“We consider this an excellent investment for the Foundation, since it is an income-producing property,” said Val Short, Executive Director for the Foundation. “We can also ensure this important historic treasure will be maintained and preserved for future generations,” she added.

Current tenants at Garnett Street Station will continue to lease office and parking spaces. The Foundation is planning some renovations and improvements to the building, including replacing the platform at the back of the building, painting the exterior trim, and repairing mortar on the brick.

Built around 1885 as a railroad freight station and depot, the building stands on land that was originally deeded to the Raleigh & Gaston Rail Road Company by Lewis Reavis in 1837. The depot building was restored and converted to an office building in 1989 by Restoration Associates.

The Foundation will occupy the office on the south end of the building, according to Short. She expects the Foundation will be able to relocate to Garnett Street Station by the end of the summer. “We are very excited about having a permanent home for the Foundation, especially in this iconic symbol of Henderson’s history and development,” said Short.

Located in Henderson, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and schools in Vance, Warren, Granville, and Franklin counties. The Foundation’s grant funding mission has been made possible by the endowment that was established after Maria Parham Health merged with the for-profit Duke-Lifepoint in 2011. For more information about the Foundation, call 252-598-0763 or visit the website: www.tnhfoundation.org

Town Talk: June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month; #ENDALZ

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More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, but less than half are ever diagnosed.  Acknowledging why your loved one is acting differently is hard, but early detection and care can make a significant difference, according to a public service announcement recently received at WIZS.

Today’s edition of Town Talk featured Lisa Roberts, Executive Director, of the Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern North Carolina and Bethany Wood, Manager, Walk to End Alzheimer’s of the Eastern NC Chapter.

Click here or on the WIZS logo below to listen to the show.

6 Tips for Approaching Alzheimer’s

If you notice any of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or someone you know, don’t ignore them. Early detection makes a world of difference, and so does the way you approach the conversation with a family member or a friend. If you notice a pattern of memory loss or behavioral issues that are affecting one’s ability to function, it’s essential to talk about it so they can be evaluated. The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips:

1. Have the conversation as early as possible – Ideally, it’s best to talk about the Alzheimer’s warning signs with a family member or friend before they even occur, so that you can understand how someone would want you to approach them about it. However, many people aren’t planning for Alzheimer’s before it happens. If you’re noticing signs of dementia, start a conversation as soon as possible, while mental functioning is at its highest and before a crisis occurs.

2. Think about who’s best suited to initiate the conversation – There might be a certain family member, friend or trusted advisor who holds sway. Consider asking this person to step in and plan around how to have the most supportive and productive conversation.

3. Practice conversation starters – The following phrases can help broach the conversation.
a. “Would you want me to say something if I ever noticed any changes in your behavior that worried me?”
b. “I’ve noticed a few changes in your behavior lately, and I wanted to see if you’ve noticed these changes as well?”
c. “Lately I’ve been considering my own long-term care plans, and I wanted to see if you’ve done any advance planning you can share with me?”

4. Offer your support and companionship – Seeing a doctor to discuss observed warning signs of Alzheimer’s may create anxiety. Let your family member or friend know that you’re willing to accompany them to the appointment and any follow-up assessments. Offer your continuous support throughout the diagnosis process.

5. Anticipate gaps in self-awareness – It can be the case that someone showing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s is unable to recognize those signs in themselves. Be prepared to navigate confusion, denial and withdrawal, as people may not want to accept that their mental functioning is declining.

6. Recognize the conversation may not go as planned – Despite your best intentions, a family member may not be open to discussing memory or cognitive concerns. They may get angry, upset, and defensive or simply refuse to talk about it. Unless it’s a crisis situation, don’t force the conversation. Take a step back, regroup and revisit the subject in a week or two. If they still refuse to get help, consult their physician or the Alzheimer’s Association for strategies that may help.

10 WAYS TO LOVE YOUR BRAIN
START NOW. It’s never too late or too early to incorporate healthy habits.

BUTT OUT: Smoking increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked.

FOLLOW YOUR HEART: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke – obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – negatively impact your cognitive health.

HEADS UP: Brain injury can raise risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Wear a seat belt and use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike.

FUEL UP RIGHT: Eat a balanced diet that is higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

CATCH SOME ZZZ’S: Not getting enough sleep may result in problems with memory and thinking.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH: Some studies link depression with cognitive decline, so seek treatment if you have depression, anxiety or stress.

BUDDY UP: Staying socially engaged may support brain health. Find ways to be part of your local community or share activities with friends and family.

STUMP YOURSELF: Challenge your mind. Build a piece of furniture. Play games of strategy, like bridge.

BREAK A SWEAT: Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates heart rate and increases blood flow. Studies have found that physical activity reduces risk of cognitive decline.

HIT THE BOOKS: Formal education will help reduce risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Take a class at a local college, community center or online. Growing evidence indicates that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by adopting key lifestyle habits. When possible, combine these habits to achieve maximum benefit for the brain and body. Visit alz.org/10ways to learn more.

VGCC Nursing degree propelled Jeannie Adcock to Duke Hospital

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— press release courtesy VGCC

Restarting a career is never easy. It takes persistence and, often, a leap of faith, to change course, which is what many students come to Vance-Granville Community College to do. That was the case with Jeannie Adcock.

A Vance County native, Adcock completed a bachelor’s degree at East Carolina University and went into the working world. From 2009-2015, she worked at Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson in administrative roles, with stints in marketing, as the physician liaison and as the development coordinator with the hospital foundation (today known as Triangle North Healthcare Foundation).

But after several years working in the health care field, she felt drawn to pursue a career on the clinical side. She decided she wanted to obtain an associate degree in Nursing and headed to her hometown college, VGCC. There, she found supportive faculty and staff members who helped guide her through the Nurse Aide I program and courses like Biology, before she could officially enter the Associate Degree Nursing program.
“I started the ADN program in August 2016,” Adcock recalled. “To say it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done might still be an understatement!”

Adcock said she was able to succeed, at least in part, by making some amazing friends. “You really can’t place a value on how important these bonds are to help you make it through, because no one else understands what you’re going through,” she said. Adcock also found excellent, experienced Nursing faculty members. “I was known as the ‘outspoken’ one in our class, and I’m sure my instructors ‘appreciated’ it,” she reflected with a laugh.

Adcock excelled in the rigorous, challenging program, earning President’s List honors and a pair of academic scholarships from the VGCC Endowment Fund. She later spoke at the annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament to thank the community for supporting the college.

In 2018, she not only graduated but completed the program with among the highest grade point averages in her class. “Every curve ball that was thrown at me, I found a way to knock it out of the park,” Adcock recalled. “I was so proud to receive my degree on stage from Dr. Stelfanie Williams (then the college president), as she had been a very supportive and influential part of my journey.”

Adcock had set clear career goals from the beginning of her time at VGCC. “All of my instructors knew from the start that my plan was to go to work in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), so thankfully, I was one of the few members of our class to receive the ICU preceptorship in our last semester of school,” she said. That preceptorship was part of her invaluable clinical training which takes students to various health care facilities that partner with the college. “I completed clinical rotations at Granville Medical Center, Maria Parham, Central Regional Hospital, UNC and Duke,” she said. “When it was time to apply for jobs, I only applied to ICU’s, landed four ICU interviews/offers and accepted a job offer at Duke.”

Today, she is a registered nurse in the Neurosciences ICU at Duke University Hospital, which is ranked as the top hospital in North Carolina. “I couldn’t be happier with my decision,” Adcock said. “I have the best co-workers, and our providers are all amazing!” She even helps to train the nurses of tomorrow, including VGCC students who come to her unit for their own clinical rotations.

Her advice to those considering following in her footsteps as a student: “Don’t ever let someone tell you that you’re not capable of doing something! Never accept ‘no’ for an answer and don’t expect results without dedication!”