Industrial Hemp Commission to hold first meeting Nov. 1

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The N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission will hold its first meeting Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. in the Martin Building at the State Fairgrounds. The meeting is open to the public.

The state General Assembly passed legislation in 2015 to create a pilot program to research hemp production in North Carolina as allowed under federal law. The Industrial Hemp Commission will be responsible for setting up the rules and process for applying for the pilot program.

The commission has nine members representing agricultural research, law enforcement, farming, agricultural consulting, agribusiness and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

More information about the industrial hemp pilot program is available at www.ncagr.gov/hemp.

Home and Garden Show 10/18/16

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Be safe when cleaning up debris from Hurricane Matthew

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As North Carolina residents begin to clean up in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, the N.C. Forest Service is encouraging them to remember to be careful when burning debris.

The current situation has many roads closed due to flooding and other issues. This, combined with emergency response resources being heavily engaged in other areas, including more than 100 N.C. Forest Service personnel, means getting help to deal with an escaped burn may be difficult.

“While it’s hard to believe with as much rain has Hurricane Mathew brought to the state, grass and twigs can, and will, dry out quickly and become fuel for a fire,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “It’s also important to remember that it is illegal to burn anything other than yard debris.”

There are many factors to consider before burning debris. The N.C. Forest Service encourages residents considering debris burning to contact their local county forest ranger. The ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options to help maximize the safety to people, property and the forest.

The Forest Service urges people to follow these tips to protect property and prevent wildfires:

  • Consider alternatives to burning. Some types of debris, such as leaves, grass and stubble, may be of more value if they are not burned, but used for mulch instead.
  • Check local burning laws. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours. Others forbid it entirely.
  • Make sure you have a valid permit. You can obtain a burning permit at any Forest Service office or authorized permitting agent, or online at ncforestservice.gov.
  • Keep an eye on the weather. Don’t burn on dry, windy days.
  • Local fire officials can recommend a safe way to burn debris. Don’t pile vegetation on the ground. Instead, place it in a cleared area and contained in a screened receptacle, away from overhead branches and wires.
  • Household trash should be hauled away to a trash or recycling station.
  • Be sure you are fully prepared before burning. To control the fire, you will need a hose, bucket, steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire. Keep a phone nearby, too.
  • Never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed debris burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out.
  • These same tips hold true for campfires and barbeques as well. Douse burning charcoal briquettes or campfires thoroughly with water. When soaked; stir the coals and soak them again. Be sure they are out cold and carefully feel to be sure they are extinguished. Never dump hot ashes or coals into a wooded area.
  • Burning agricultural residue and forestland litter: In addition to the rules above, a fire line should be plowed around the area to be burned. Large fields should be separated into small plots for burning one at a time. Before doing any burning in a wooded area, contact your county ranger, who will weigh all factors, explain them and offer technical advice.

Studies have shown that taking these and other measures can reduce the possibility of wildfires.

For more information on ways you can prevent wildfires and loss of property, log onto ncforestservice.gov.

Loose Leaf Collection to Begin October 24th for Henderson Residents

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Loose leaf collection will begin the week of October 24th, 2016, and will end Mid-January.  This involves the use of a vacuum machine and trucks therefore it is essential that leaves be free of rocks, trash and limbs so that the equipment is not damaged.  You may continue to bag the leaves or place in a container;  however,  it is not required until the loose leaf pickup season is over.

  1. LOOSE LEAVES – All leaves must be raked behind the curb (not into storm drains, ditches or gutters on the street)
  2. BAGGED LEAVES – All leaves must be in CLEAR plastic bags and weigh less than 50 lbs. per bag. Bags must be left at the curb. Do not put in street or gutters and ditches

Make certain that no leaves are left on top of your water meter. Leaves will generally be picked up on a two or three week rotation; however,  this is dependent on weather conditions and leaf accumulation. If you have any questions, contact the Public Services Department at 252-431-6115 or 252-431-6118. Also, please keep in mind after January 17, 2017,  if leaves are not bagged there will be a $75.00 charge.

Carolina Panthers Announce $250,000 in Grant Funding

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High Schools in North and South Carolina eligible to apply for funding to replace essentials including athletic equipment and other athletics infrastructure.

Carolina Panthers Charities is providing $250,000 in grant funding to assist high school athletic programs in North and South Carolina that have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Matthew and the storm’s aftermath. The grants are designed to assist high school athletic programs in the replacement or repair of equipment, supplies or athletic infrastructure lost or damaged due to the recent catastrophic hurricane damage that has impacted large portions of North and South Carolina.

High school athletic programs have the opportunity to apply for grant funding from Carolina Panthers Charities to assist in their storm recovery efforts. Grant applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a deadline for consideration of November 11, 2016. The team will work in conjunction with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association and South Carolina High School League and other partnership agencies to distribute the grant application to member schools. In addition, schools may also download the application on panthers.com/ community.

“The recent hurricane and subsequent flooding events has been devastating for many communities across the region with many high schools sustaining loss or damage to athletic equipment or facilities,” said Riley Fields, Carolina Panthers director of community relations. “The Carolina Panthers hope this grant funding will enable schools, and the communities they serve, to return to a sense of normalcy by helping meet the important basic needs of high school athletic programs.”

In October 2015, Carolina Panthers Charities provided $250,000 in grant funding which aided 19 high schools in South Carolina following catastrophic flooding that impacted the region.

Contact:

Riley Fields

Carolina Panthers Director of Community Relations

704 358-7469

Riley.fields@panthers.nfl.com

 

Peter Vacho

Carolina Panthers  Military & Football Outreach Manager

704 358-7436

Peter.vacho@panthers.nfl.com

 

WIZS Radio is a Carolina Panthers Radio Network Affiliate.

Public Health Serving You Show 10/12/16

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Vance County Appearance Commission seeks your help

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The Vance County Appearance Commission is seeking increased participation from residents across the county in efforts to recycle household items and other materials that can be reused.

Local participation in recycling by residents is less than 30 percent across Vance County. Members of the County Appearance Commission want more residents to recycle.

Recycling in Henderson and throughout Vance County is easy. In the city of Henderson, all recyclable items can be placed in the plastic bins provided by the city. Once the bins are placed by the street curb on designated pick-up days, Waste Industries personnel will collect the items for proper recycling. For residents living outside of Henderson and in Vance County, all recyclable items can be taken to one of the eight manned collection sites located throughout the county and placed in the large, recycling bins. They are collected regularly by Waste Industries for proper recycling.

Residents do not have to separate recyclable items in the city or throughout the county. Separation of the items is done during the recycling process.

Items that should be recycled include: any plastic bottles, containers and jugs; all aluminum, steel and tin cans; all mixed paper; all newspapers; all magazines; all milk cartons; all paper or cardboard cartons; all food boxes; all envelopes; all flattened cardboard boxes; all glass jars and bottles of any color; used cooking oil; used motor oil and filters; large appliances including refrigerators, AC units and water heaters; all electronics including televisions, radios, cell phones, computer towers and monitors and keyboards; furniture; and bed mattresses.

In the county, these recyclables items can be taken to the manned collection sites located on: N.C. 39 North of Henderson; Warrenton Road near U.S. 1 Bypass; Gun Club Road; Tungsten Mine Road; old Aycock school site on Vicksboro Road; North Chavis Road off U.S. 1 Business; Manson-Drewry Road; and Brodie Road.

Electronics for recycling are accepted only at the N.C. 39 North and Brodie Road collection sites.

Used tires also are accepted for recycling at the Transfer Station near the N.C. 39 North site. These items must be covered with a tarp for proper transportation to the site.

The collection sites are open Mondays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Recycling is a good idea and is important because it: saves natural resources; prevents environmental problems that come from landfills; saves energy; prevents pollution; creates jobs; and saves money.

The Vance County Appearance Commission is urging all county residents to do their part to protect our environment for future generations by recycling today and always!

Home and Garden Show 10/11/16

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Hendersonians Report Discolored Water

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Update 5:40 P.M. Tuesday:

The City Clerk, Esther McCrackin, has issued a press release on behalf of the City of Henderson.  It states:

“Customers who receive water via the Kerr Lake Regional Water System may be currently experiencing discolored water from their taps.  The City believes this is a result of the Kerr Lake Regional Water plant experiencing manganese from the surface water which was removed but was captured in the remaining sludge and is now showing up in the distribution system.

“With the interaction of chlorine, it is making its way through the distribution system, including Henderson customers and also customers of the City of Oxford and Warren County.  Based on action taken at the plant as well as additional flushing within the system to take place, the problem with discolored water should be resolved by the end of the week.  Should you continue to observe discolored water after this time, please call the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant at 252-438-2141.

“It is important to note that the water is safe to drink.”

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Update 2:15 P.M. Tuesday:

According to Esther McCrackin with the City of Henderson:

“Minor changes in the weather and water chemistry have created a discolored water issue.  The water is safe to drink and the City anticipates the issue will be resolved by the end of the week.”

Home and Garden Show 09/13/16

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