TownTalk: Combine Fun and Safety For July 4th Festivities

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However you decide to enjoy the upcoming July 4 holiday, law enforcement officials and others cannot stress enough the importance of remembering basic safety rules to keep the next few days a positive experience that produces good memories.

The long holiday weekend surely will be filled with cookouts, water activities and fireworks, just to name a few. But any activity can take a turn when safety rules aren’t observed.

Here’s a compilation of do’s and don’ts from Vance Sheriff Curtis, Mark Ezzell, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, and others to make sure everyone enjoys the holiday.

  • Know what fireworks are acceptable for personal use where you live.
  • Don’t let children light fireworks – let them enjoy from a safe distance.
  • Never try to re-light a “dud.” Discard it and use another.
  • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose at the ready when setting off fireworks.
  • Swim where there’s a lifeguard on duty.
  • If you’re at the pool, walk, don’t run on the pool deck.
  • No diving into pools except in authorized diving areas.
  • NEVER leave a child unattended near water, whether it’s a pool, pond, lake or ocean.
  • If you hear thunder, even in the distance, get out of the water.
  • Heed flags posted at the beach that indicate safety regarding swimming and rip currents.
  • Whether the vehicle is on the highway or in the water, drivers should NOT drink and get behind the wheel. Operation Firecracker Booze It and Lose It is in full swing through July 9, and Operation Dry Water runs from July 1-3.

 

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TownTalk: Cats And Kittens Need Your Help

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Animal rescue organizations – especially those that focus on felines – are feeling the ripple effects of COVID-19 restrictions that shuttered spay and neuter clinics.

Lawanna Johnson, president of Franklin County-based Purr Partners, said the number of kittens being born this year is mainly due to the fact that those clinics couldn’t perform spay and neuter procedures.

Johnson spoke with WIZS co-host Bill Harris Wednesday during the People and Pets segment of TownTalk. She estimated that more than 3 million of the spay/neuter surgeries weren’t able to be done because the clinics were, at the time, deemed non-essential services.

Now, even with pandemic restrictions largely removed, “clinics are so backed up you can’t get appointments,” she noted.

There simply aren’t many low-cost spay and neuter options in the four-county area, and Johnson estimates that she gets 50 calls a day from folks in the community asking for suggestions or help with cats that have shown up in their area.

Originally started as a not-for-profit cat adoption program to assist high-kill shelters in the area, Purr Partners has shifted some of its attention in the wake of this continuing crisis and has started a program in Franklin County it calls “Wandering Whiskers.”

This program focuses on a three-step process called trap/neuter/release, or TNR, for short.

“We have shifted our budget to start trying to deal with this problem,” Johnson said, and the word is getting out.

Purr Partners can help Franklin County residents get feral colonies or community cats spayed or neutered through Wandering Whiskers. The only caveat, Johnson said, is that the residents have to agree to take the cats back and continue to feed them.

Right now, they’re able to help 30-40 cats each month. The program has a Facebook page and can be contacted at Wanderingwhiskers21@yahoo.com.

Unlike dogs that come into heat twice a year, cats can come into heat every couple of months, which exacerbates the problem, Johnson said.

Purr Partners always needs volunteers to help out, whether it’s by fostering cats or simply educating the public. Johnson said the current mantra is “spay one stray.”

At any given time, Purr Partners has up to 250 cats available for adoption. There are about 50 volunteers dedicated to help foster the animals, socialize them and get them ready for adoption. There are another 10 or so who agree to be temporary fosters.

Three PetSmart locations across Wake County serve as adoption centers for Purr Partners and volunteers have meet and greets on the weekends for prospective cat owners at the PetSmarts in Wake Forest and in Raleigh on Capital Boulevard and Six Forks Road.

Visit www.purrpartners.org to learn more about becoming a volunteer or to make a donation.

Fireworks Display At Kerr Lake July 1

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Vance County Tourism invites the community to come view the annual fireworks display at Kerr Lake Saturday evening.

That being said, Norman Dickerson, program coordinator for the county tourism agency reminds motorists that traffic patterns will be altered for just more than an hour to reduce traffic congestion in the area as folks depart the area.

Dickerson was a guest on The Local Skinny! to provide details about the annual event, which has been an annual event since the 1990’s. Back then, he said, it was more for a tourism draw, to give campers and boaters a little entertainment for the July 4 holiday. Since then, locals from near and far have driven in to witness the display. There is a $7 per vehicle state park gate fee to enter Satterwhite Point Park, Dickerson said.

The event, however, remains free. There will be food vendors on hand and a DJ will begin playing music at 4 p.m.

The professionals that create the pyrotechnic display are very competent, Dickerson said.

“They are highly qualified – they’re an excellent group of people and they’ve never let us down,” he added.

Traffic will be detoured between 9:15 p.m. and about 10:30 p.m. from Satterwhite Road onto Anderson Creed Road, Norman said.

“The detour will help reduce congestion and allow for timely clearing of vehicular traffic occurring immediately after the conclusion of the annual Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display at Satterwhite Point Park,” Dickerson stated.

The closure/detour is being coordinated by the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

During the detour period, traffic traveling north/northwest on Satterwhite Point Rd (SR 1319) will be halted at the intersection of Anderson Creek Road (SR 1374). Traffic leaving the park headed south back toward Henderson will be detoured east onto Anderson Creek Rd (SR 1374) and then south onto Flemingtown Road(SR 1371) to its intersection with I-85.

 

Curtis Tyndall HFD Chief Retirement

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Friends, family, co-workers and community leaders gathered at Central Fire Station Tuesday afternoon to honor and celebrate Interim Fire Chief Curtis Tyndall, who is retiring at the end of June.

Tyndall, who was serving as deputy chief, stepped in as interim chief after Chief Steve Cordell died in January. In the past year and a half, he’s carried out the duties of both positions, but he said it’s been an honor to help lead the department.

“This department has some great leaders in it,” Tyndall said during the official part of the floating reception, which was held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. “Put credit where credit goes,” he told those assembled to wish him well in his upcoming retirement.

He said they all work very hard not to disappoint – themselves, the chief, the city and the citizens they serve. “They’re the ones that made it happen. We’re a level 2 fire department because of them – I’m just a part of that team.”

Colleagues from departments across the county shared well-wishes to their friend and fellow firefighter.

Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds said Tyndall played an invaluable role in his time as interim. “He helped bridge a gap to give the city and the department time to heal,” Edmonds said.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon called Tyndall an asset not only to the fire department, but to the whole community, adding that his retirement will leave a void in the station.

L-R: City Manager Terrell Blackmon, Acting Fire Chief Curtis Tyndall

But Blackmon brought encouraging news to the fire department staff, as well, when he said a new chief could be named next week.

Retired Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson said he didn’t think twice when he had the chance to bring before Tyndall back to the fire service after Tyndall – who had retired once before – had spent years working at Vance-Granville Community College as a fire and EMS instructor.

“He’s spent over half his life serving others,” Wilkerson told WIZS News before the formal ceremony began Tuesday. There will be mixed emotions, he predicted, but he said Tyndall should also experience a feeling of accomplishment. “I’m very proud of Curtis,” he said.

Administrative Assistant Amy Colbert, whose office is beside Tyndall’s, said working alongside him has been a great experience.

“You did an excellent job when this department needed you,” Colbert said. “I want you to enjoy your retirement – and come by and visit us.”

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said he’s known Tyndall for many years, and is grateful for his professionalism and dedication. “It means the world to me, and to the city,” Ellington said.

The life of a firefighter isn’t easy, Tyndall told those gathered. Between scheduled shifts and second jobs, time with family often is sacrificed. He offered gratitude to all firefighters’ families – including his own – for their patience and support.

Battalion Chief Doug Owen said he met Tyndall back in 1990 when he joined the department. The last year and a half have been difficult for everyone in the wake of Cordell’s death and said he wishes the interim chief nothing but rest and relaxation in his retirement after more than 40 years of service.

“He won’t be here any more, but this station is always his home,” Owen said.

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Maria Parham GI Welcomes New Gastroenterologist Varnita Tahiliani, MD

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–information courtesy of Donna Young, Maria Parham Health Market Coordinator

Maria Parham GI welcomes Varnita Tahiliani, MD, to its team of medical professionals. A board-certified gastroenterologist with more than 10 years of experience, Tahiliani specializes in treating general GI issues as well as hepatological problems and inflammatory bowel disease.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Tahiliani join our Maria Parham Health team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to our patients,” said MPH CEO Bert Beard.”Her dedication to delivering superior patient care aligns with our mission to provide the best possible care and treatment to our patients.”

Tahiliani received her Doctorate in Medicine from Saba University School of Medicine in the Netherlands and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Buffalo.

Now accepting new patients, call Maria Parham GI at 252.430.8111 or 800.424.DOCS. Visit MariaParham.com  to learn more about Varnita Tahiliani, MD.

TownTalk: Turning Point CDC Takes The Kids To DC

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There are still some open seats on the bus to Washington, DC that Turning Point CDC has chartered for later this summer, and Chalis Henderson invites anyone in the community to consider joining the adventure.

Henderson, Turning Point’s executive director, was a guest on TownTalk and said the bus departs bright and early on Friday, July 21 – 4 a.m., to be exact.

“Our trip is open to everyone,” she said. “We’re going to have a full day out in the city,” planning to return to Henderson by 10 p.m.

“It’s going to be an action-packed day,” Henderson said, which includes visits to the African American Museum of History and Culture and then the National Mall.

The price is $100 per person and doesn’t include meals, she said. And an adult should accompany each young person.

Providing the community access to such cultural activities is part of Turning Point’s mission. “Being able to provide a community trip is very special.”

Turning Point’s summer campers and staff have taken some of the 56 seats on the bus, but there are still about 20 left.

Register online at www.turningpointcdc.org. or call 252.621.5190 to learn more.

The Washington trip is one way to engage the community, but Henderson said Turning Point’s 13th annual Community Day is another way to bring a variety of resources and agencies together at one location for a sort of one-stop shopping.

Turning Point is teaming up with Oasis of Hope Ministry, its companion agency founded in 2001.

“We’ll have a  ton of community resource partners,” Henderson said. The free event will be on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Turning Point/Oasis of Hope campus off Norlina Road, just past Skipper’s  Forsyth’s restaurant.

There will be backpacks – courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield – and a school supplies giveaway, not to mention children’s activities, food, ice cream, music and more.

“We’re excited to give back to the community on Community Day,” she said.

“A lot of our nonprofit friends will be joining us.”

Visit www.turningpointcdc.org to learn about the services and programs that Turning Point offers.

Make donations online, drop them in the mail at Turning Point CDC, P.O. 2656, Henderson, NC 27536, or better yet, stop in and see how the resources are being used, Henderson said.

 

 

TownTalk: Dingee Promises To Be Stingy As State Auditor

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Charles Dingee is running for N.C. Auditor in next year’s general election, and the slogan he’s come up is helpful for voters to know how to pronounce his name and remember the office he’s seeking: Dingee will be stingy with taxpayer dollars.

Dingee was a guest on TownTalk Monday and talked about his platform and areas of improvement with the state auditor’s office.

The election is more than a year away – November 2024 – but Dingee said it’s not too early to campaign.

“We are crisscrossing the state and educating voters,” Dingee said, “letting them know why I’m the best person to do this job.”

The state auditor is a member of the Council of State, a 10-member body comprised of elected officials that is part of the executive branch of state government.

Dingee said the first things he’d do as auditor is to seek funding code reform and to make the anonymous tip line public.

Citizens who suspect fraud or other wrongful acts within state government can call the tip line.

With more than 120 employees, the auditor’s office should be the vehicle that ensures transparency, he said, “responsible for making sure your money – your taxpayer money – gets where it’s supposed to be.”

Dingee has experience with the banking industry and with running his own business. Small business owners “know the value of a penny (and) make sure every penny is accounted for.”

His “strong conservative business background,” coupled with his Republican affiliation, are what make him the better candidate for the job currently held by five-time incumbent Beth Wood.

“Frankly, the current state auditor hasn’t been doing (the) job.”

In addition, he said he wants to see all larger state agencies undergo an annual – or at least biannual – audit. For example, the state Board of Elections hasn’t had an audit in 13 years, and that’s too long.

“I would like to hope that our bureaucratic officials …are doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” he explained. “But if nobody’s looking, is everthing ok?”

“Government should work for the people – government should be letting people know this is what we’re doing. I’m going to make sure it happens when I’m your state auditor.”

Visit https://charlesdingee.com/ to learn more.

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