Roses on Dabney Drive Closing Because of Lease

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Roses Discount Stores will continue to serve the Henderson area as a retailer at its Garnett Street location.

The Roses on Dabney Drive will continue to operate with its same store hours through September 30. However, the Dabney Drive location will then close.

A pair of corporate executives spoke to WIZS News Wednesday, and the company issued a statement.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to come to terms on a lease extension with the landlord for our Dabney Drive location after 54 years. We’re making changes and improvements to our Roses store at 1471 N. Garnett St. that will allow us to better serve all of our loyal customers. Each team member at the closing store has been offered a position within the company. We’re excited for the continued opportunity to serve Henderson and the surrounding communities for many years to come.”

Store executives expressed the company’s desire to remain at the existing Dabney Drive location, but in the absence of that option, committing to do more at the North Garnett Street location demonstrates at least part of the discount retailer’s desire to serve the area.

Also, Roses Discount Stores took to its Facebook page Tuesday to express, in bold red letters not unlike the ROSES brand itself, “THANK YOU DABNEY DRIVE,” for 54 amazing years!

Over the long term, additional opportunities may arise for a second Roses location in Henderson once again.

The local corporate underpinning is not affected by these retail changes.

The modern-day version of Roses is presently around 400 stores and growing, most recently with an expansion in Texas.

In addition, there may be an employment opportunity right for you. See more online at www.rosesdiscountstores.com/careers.

TownTalk: Choosing The Right Long-Term Care

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For many choosing a long-term care facility for a loved one can be a difficult choice.  Kim Hawkins, Regional Ombudsman at Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments, says there is variety in the level of care offered at area facilities.  She says there is a difference between a nursing facility and an assisted living facility. “A nursing facility requires an RN on site 24 hours a day and an assisted-living facility requires an RN be easily accessible. If you find an assisted-living facility with an RN on site 24 hours a day, that’s a plus,” Hawkins explained on Wednesday’s TownTalk.

Another thing to keep in mind is if a patient will require short-term or long-term care and to find the correct facility that meets those needs. Doctor recommendations should also be considered when deciding on the the type of facility that is right for your loved one.

“There are 47 licensed long-term care facilities in our area,” Hawkins says.  That area includes the five counties of Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person.  Hawkins says this is a fair amount for the region but that level of care provided at these facilities is more of an issue when choosing a place for your loved one.

Larger facilities in Raleigh, Durham or Chapel Hill offer the same basic minimum services as required by law but facilities in the larger cities may offer more amenities than those located in rural areas.

What if your loved one doesn’t like the facility they are placed in? “In theory, it’s easy to transfer but in reality it usually isn’t,” according to Hawkins.  If your loved one has an issue with a facility, Hawkins suggests giving the facility an opportunity to fix the problem.

If you have further questions about long-term care, call Kim Hawkins at 252-436-2050 or email her at khawkins@kerrtarcog.org.

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TownTalk: Rebuild Communities NC Partners With AARP To Help Seniors Navigate The Digital World

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Coming off a successful series of classes in Vance County, Rebuild Communities NC and AARP’s Senior Planet workshop continues next month with sessions in Oxford.

Edy Thompson, executive director at Rebuild Communities NC said the classes will be held at Oxford Housing Authority, 101 Hillside Drive.

The classes are designed to give senior adults knowledge, experience and practice with the use of technology, from smart phones to telehealth.

The classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“It’s easy…and it’s fun,” Thompson said of the way the classes are designed to meet the needs of older adults who may not have much exposure to the world of the Internet through the use of smart phones, iPads and computers.

It’s a way for senior adults to gain confidence in their abilities to access services and find information without having to bother others for help.

“Most of the seniors say they’re tired of asking their grandchildren for help,” she said. “They’re fast and agile with the Internet – they don’t want to take the time to teach the ABC’s” of how to use a device like a smart phone.

Thompson doesn’t want seniors to be left behind – or left out – just because they aren’t as tech savvy as other groups. She said seniors can keep up with world events, and those that happen right here at home, with the click of a mouse.

“Through the Internet, you can travel wherever you want – see what’s going on and be engaged,” she said. “There are so many ways we can be active and engaged, not set aside just because we are older individuals.”

On Sept. 5 and 7 participants will learn about smart phones and Google Maps. The next weeks features ways to find information online and then protecting your personal information. Zoom basics will be the topic on Sept. 19 and then hosting a Zoom meeting will be presented on Sept. 21. Finally, telehealth and locating health information online are topics for Sept. 26 and 28.

Sign up for the classes by calling 252.915.1663.

 

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TownTalk: Author Michael Bean Will Have Book Signing At Perry Memorial Library

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Local author Michael Bean has a unique insight on the trials that middle schoolers face.  Not only was he once a middle schooler himself, but he also teaches middle school students at Vance Charter School.  That insight has contributed to Bean writing a book simply called “Jazz.”  The book follows the character Mitchell Williams as he navigates the intricacies of middle school at fictional King’s Hollow.

The coming of age story is told through two intersecting yet different timelines, one as a middle schooler and one as a high schooler.  Mitchell has to deal with bullies, preparing for band competition with the school’s jazz group as they raise money for a trip to New York and with meeting a girl.

Bean says the book started off as a story about himself.  “After I started writing it, I realized I was not all that interesting,” Bean said on Tuesday’s TownTalk with Bill Harris.  “That’s when I changed the characters name from Michael to Mitchell and realized I could throw everything at a fictional character,” Bean continued.

The beginnings of the book date back to 2020 and was written in about a year, according to Bean. “I edited it eight times,” Bean added.  The book is self published, and his son designed the cover. The book is available through Walmart and Barnes & Noble.  An e-book is available through Amazon.

To help draw attention to the writer’s efforts, Bean will host a book signing in the Farm Bureau Room at Perry Memorial Library on Breckinridge Street in Henderson on Saturday, August 12th from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.  Bean said he initially ordered 75 books for the signing, but interest has been so good he ordered an additional 100 books for the event.

While this is Bean’s first novel, he has more writing on the horizon he said. “I have two other books I’m working on and a graphic novel,” Bean said.  It’s a slower process Bean said with these projects.  “Jazz” was written during the pandemic, but now Bean is back to teaching, attending Vance Charter athletic events and he and his wife have three children of their own so there isn’t as much time to write as before.

With “Jazz” Bean hopes that not only teenagers but everyone will find something to identify with and see something of themselves in the pages he has written.

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Sheriff Brame Attends NC Sheriffs’ Association’s Business Conference

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 Last week, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association hosted sheriffs, sheriffs’ personnel and their families from across the state for their Annual Business Conference. Vance County Sheriff Curtis R. Brame was in attendance. Commenting on their experience at the Annual Business Conference, Sheriff Curtis R. Brame said, “I always look forward to the opportunity to meet with fellow sheriffs at Association events. It is important for us to collaborate and always work to enhance the Office of Sheriff in North Carolina. The Annual Business Conference is just one of the many ways the Association allows us to do that.”

 The Annual Business Conference is an opportunity for sheriffs and sheriffs’ personnel to gather for networking, panel discussions, and training programs which cover a variety of topics related to law enforcement. Topics covered during this year’s Annual Business Conference included the sheriff’s role in school safety and active shooter response procedures, among others. Attendees also heard presentations from guest speakers and attended a number of meetings throughout the conference.

The Association also elects new Executive Committee officers each year at the conference. This year’s elections resulted in five sheriffs being elected to new offices:

∙ President – Sheriff Darren Campbell, Iredell County

 ∙ First Vice President – Sheriff Mike Roberson, Chatham County

 ∙ Second Vice President – Sheriff Ricky Buchanan, McDowell County

 ∙ Third Vice President – Sheriff Clee Atkinson, Edgecombe County

 ∙ Treasurer – Sheriff Van Shaw, Cabarrus County

 

 Outgoing President Charles Blackwood, Orange County, will transition into the role of Chairman of the Association’s Executive Committee and Sheriff Alan Jones, Caldwell County, was reelected to serve as Secretary.

 

 Newly-elected Association President Darren Campbell remarked, “The Annual Business Conference is always an excellent opportunity for sheriffs to get together to discuss important issues we are facing, network, and conduct Association business. I am excited for the opportunity to serve as the President of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association and hope to help enhance public safety in our communities while representing the sheriffs of North Carolina.”

Educators: ‘Bright Ideas’ Grant Application Period Runs Through Sept. 15

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Most educators take a break from lesson planning and other classroom duties during the summer, but as August approaches and the beginning of another school year draws near, you can bet your bottom dollar that teachers are beginning to percolate ideas about how to make learning more engaging for students.

Got any bright ideas?

Wake Electric does.

Applications for Wake Electric’s Bright Ideas grants are being taken through Sept. 15 for the upcoming school year.  The early bird submission ends Aug. 15.

Teachers in seven counties – including Vance, Granville and Franklin – that the electric cooperative serves are eligible to submit applications, according to information from Wake Electric.

Since 1994, Wake Electric has given more than $1.13 million in grants to classroom-based projects throughout the area it serves. These grants help to finance innovative classroom projects that would otherwise not be funded by the school district, from a variety of content-based hands-on projects to career planning and information technology.

Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $3,000.

Visit https://www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/community/bright-ideas/ to determine if your school is eligible.

To learn more, email communications@wemc.com, call 919.863.6440 or 1.800.474.6300 or go to https://wemc.com/bright-ideas-grants/.

Kerr Tar Workforce and NCWorks

TownTalk: Workforce Wednesdays To Connect Employers With Prospective Employees

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Whether you’re looking for a career change or that first job after high school or college, the local NCWorks Career Center may have just what you need to set off on the path of employment.

The latest program offering, Workforce Wednesdays, is a time when people in search of a job can come in for help with developing or updating resumes and actually talk to an employer who’s looking to fill positions.

“It’s booming right now,” said Sherita Ohno, business services representative with NCWorks Career Center, located at 826 S. Garnett St.

This week’s Workforce Wednesday guest employer is Pallet One from Granville County, Ohno told WIZS co-host Bill Harris on Monday’s TownTalk.

“We want to be involved,” Ohno said, “and give employers (that) onsite advantage…and pick up some of that traffic that’s coming into the Career Center.”

Desiree Brooks, business services manager of the KTCOG Workforce Development board, said there are plenty of people who are actively looking for work, and the NCWorks Career Center serves as a hub to connect job seekers with employers.

They are working closely with young people – especially students – “to educate them early and promote career awareness so they know what’s available” in terms of jobs and careers.

One way they do that is with technology – specifically virtual reality.

Through the use of VR equipment, individuals can experience what it’s like to work at particular jobs.

Using VR goggles and a handheld joystick, participants can enter a simulated workplace to get the feel of what different careers or jobs may look, sound and feel like.

“Young people love technology, Brooks said. “We’re meeting them where they are…you are on that worksite – it is so real.”

Ohno and Brooks have tried out the VR experience. “I thought I had left and gone somewhere,” Ohno said.

One recent event that featured a single employer brought out about 80 people who were interested in jobs.

“People are out there and they DO want to work,” Brooks said. “And we want to help them.”

Employers are struggling to get workers and to retain employees, and Brooks said that either workers or businesses that use the services of the NCWorks Career Center get support and resources that improve retention rates.

Career advisors can guide job seekers through the process of creating a resume that reflects their skillsets and help match those skillsets with jobs in the area. Training opportunities are available as well.

Call 252.598.5200 to make an appointment or just drop by the center to learn more about services and programs.

The NCWorks Career Center in Henderson serves the KTCOG five-county region that includes Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person counties. KTCOG offers programs and services in all five counties. Visit https://www.ncworks.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx to learn more.

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The Local Skinny! NCDHHS Prepares For Medicaid Expansion

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-information courtesy of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced Oct. 1 is the anticipated start date for Medicaid expansion, which could make more than 600,000 state residents eligible to participate in the insurance program.

Medicaid expansion in North Carolina would increase the eligible population to adults aged 19-64 who have incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level on Oct. 1. The General Assembly still must act by Sept. 1 to set the wheels in motion.

The expansion would give health care coverage to single individuals making under about $20,000 a year. Likewise, a family of three earning under about $34,000 combined will now be eligible. Beneficiaries will get care the same way as existing Medicaid beneficiaries and be eligible for the same comprehensive benefits and copays as other non-disabled adults in Medicaid, according to information from DHHS.

“We are thankful for leadership and partnership in passing Medicaid Expansion which will save lives, increase access to care and bring billions of dollars to North Carolina,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Moving forward now sets the department on a path to be able to get health care coverage to thousands of people as soon as possible.”

NCDHHS has opened for public comment the State Plan Amendment for Medicaid Expansion’s Alternative Benefit Plan, a legal document required to be submitted to the federal government.

Interested individuals may submit public comment at medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/medex-state-plan-amendment-new-medicaid-expansion-20230726/download?attachment.

DHHS officials have stated that Medicaid expansion “will be transformative for access to health care in rural areas, for better mental health and for veterans, working adults and their families while bringing billions in federal dollars to the state.”

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