Sheriff Offers Tips for Safe Shopping

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— press release —

“The holiday season is right around the corner and shoppers are crowding stores and shopping online for the latest gadgets and to find the best deals,” said Sheriff Curtis R. Brame of Vance County.

Shoppers also need to consider their safety when shopping in person and online.  According to Brame, “This time of year attracts more shopping-related criminal activity because of the larger crowds and the extended store hours. These factors, and the usual distraction of shopping, create a more favorable environment for petty thieves and other offenders.”

The Sheriff reminds all Vance County residents to follow these safety tips:

In-Person Shopping Safety:

  • A single shopper is the best target for theft. Always shop with a friend or relative.
  • When going shopping, tell someone where you are going and what time to expect you to return. Also, make sure they know what you are wearing, as well as the type of vehicle you are driving.
  • Shop during daylight hours. If you shop at night, park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
  • Dress casually and comfortably and avoid wearing expensive jewelry. If carrying cash, keep it in your front pocket rather than in a purse or wallet. This makes it much more difficult for a pick pocketer to remove.
  • Store car keys in your pants or jacket pocket. If your purse/wallet is stolen, you will still be able to drive home.
  • Pay careful attention to your surroundings and avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
  • When returning to your vehicle, look around it and in the back seat. Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Have your car keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time unprotected from the security of your vehicle.
  • If you feel uneasy returning to your vehicle alone, find a security guard and ask them to walk you to your car.

According to Brame, “During this time of year, busy holiday shoppers become careless and vulnerable to credit and gift card fraud. Online scammers are also on the rise.  However, taking a few preventive measures can help.”

Online Shopping Safety:

  • Make sure the web page where you enter your credit card information is secure through SSL (Secure Socket Layer). The URL that starts with “https” rather than just “http” is SSL secure. A lock icon may also appear before the “https” to indicate a secure website.
  • Only shop on websites you trust or have investigated. Almost any major retail store’s website will be safe to shop. Stay away from suspicious or unfamiliar online retailers.
  • Avoid using public Wi-Fi while shopping online. Using public Wi-Fi can leave your personal information vulnerable to hackers.
  • Do not save sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card information, on your phone or computer.
  • Keep good records. Always print out a copy of any online products or services you purchase.
  • Have items shipped to a secure location. If you are not going to be home, consider having packages delivered somewhere that keeps them off sidewalks or porches.
  • Install multi-factor authentication on your accounts to lessen the possibility of getting hacked.
  • Never send your credit card information via email.
  • Check a company’s information on their website. Only do business with companies that provide a physical address and telephone number.
  • Do not click on links or attachments unless you are confident about where they came from. Cyber criminals often send emails that look like they are from retailers to try and gain your personal information.
  • Consider purchasing items online with a credit card rather than a debit card. Debit cards draw directly from your bank account, which means fraudulent charges can leave you with insufficient funds for other bills. If you do not have a credit card, consider using a prepaid debit card.

Credit Card Fraud:

  • Keep a close watch on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible.
  • Never write your PIN number on your credit card.
  • Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.
  • Shield your credit card number so that others around you cannot copy it or capture it on a mobile telephone or other camera.
  • Only carry credit cards that you absolutely need.
  • Shred anything with your credit card number written on it.
  • Check credit card and bank statements frequently for any fraudulent charges.
  • Sign up for transaction alerts.
  • Consider signing up for identity theft protection services.
  • If your credit card is lost or stolen, report it immediately.

Gift Card Fraud:

  • Never buy gift cards from online auction sites.  This is a large source of gift card fraud.  Many of the gift cards are stolen, counterfeit or used.
  • Only buy gift cards directly from the store issuing the gift card or from a secure retailer’s website.
  • Do not buy gift cards off publicly displayed racks in retail stores, because these are more susceptible to tampering or theft. Only purchase gift cards at the sales terminal from the cashier.
  • Check a gift card before buying it and make sure the protective stickers are still intact. Ask for or purchase a different card if you believe the gift card has been tampered with in any way.
  • Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift card in front of you. This will guarantee that your card is valid when you buy it and that it reflects the balance you just charged on it.
  • Always keep your receipt as a proof of purchase if there is money stored on the gift card.
  • If possible, register your gift card at the store’s website.
  • Never give your Social Security number, date of birth or any other unneeded private information when purchasing a gift card.  No reputable company will ask for this information.

In light of these problems, Brame warns shoppers to be careful so that they don’t become the victim of criminal activity.

“Unfortunately, when shopping online and in-person, people have a tendency to let their guard down,” said Brame.  “However, paying attention and taking precautions can help eliminate their chances of being victimized.”

Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners Of Hope Seeks Donations For Men’s Shelter

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Community Partners of Hope is reaching out this holiday season to ask for donations to provide to the men who come for respite and a warm night’s sleep at the men’s shelter.

The shelter needs snack items like breakfast bars, single-serving sizes of snacks, chips and other individually wrapped cakes and cookies, as well as cases of bottled water, tea or sodas, preferably 12-ounce cans or bottles.

Other favorites include Pop-Tarts, tins of Vienna sausage and fruit cups.

In addition to the food items, the shelter needs paper towels, tall kitchen trash bags (13-gallon size) Clorox cleanup spray, laundry detergent (pods, please) and extra-large black garbage bags (39+-gallon size).

“For some reason we are not receiving as many supply donations as we have in the past and it’s a struggle for our shelter managers,” according to a newsletter from the Community Partners of Hope.

Donations may be dropped off at First Presbyterian Church Monday-Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or call 252.432.9494 to arrange a drop-off time. Cases of bottled water may be left outside the shelter, but other items should be received by someone at the church during the designated times.

The shelter currently has enough hand sanitizer, toiletries, toothbrushes and toothpaste on hand to share with the men, and they have plenty of bedding. Shelter staff are not accepting used clothing or food that needs to be heated.

There are opportunities for providing meals to the men who come to the shelter. To learn more, click THIS LINK.

Boys and Girls Clubs

Put Donation To BGCNCNC On Your “To-Do” List

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The Thanksgiving holiday kicks off in earnest a season of giving, and there are several different ways to make donations that will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina in the coming days and weeks.

Of course, a check mailed to BGCNCNC, P.O. Box 176, Oxford, NC 27565 is always welcome, said CEO Donyell “DJ” Jones, and something for individuals to consider on Giving Tuesday, coming up next week.

Jones said a link will go live on BGCNCNC’s Facebook page Wednesday to make a donation quick and easy.

There are two toy drives underway as well – one in Oxford by Will Jakes, whose Edward Jones office collects new, unwrapped gifts for club members in Granville County.

Jones said the Zeta Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity is sponsoring toy drives across the counties that have clubs as well. “They are really committed about spreading the love and supporting the counties,” Jones said.

Following is a list of collection locations and deadlines:

  • Vance County – Beckford Medical Center, 176 S. Beckford Drive, Henderson. Deadline is Dec. 16.
  • Granville County – Bobo’s Menswear, 216 M.L.K. Jr. Blvd, Oxford. Deadline is Dec. 20.
  • Warren County – Henderson and Henderson Dentistry, LLC, 516 W. Ridgeway St., Warrenton. Deadline is Dec. 19.
  • Franklin County – Franklinton Town Hall, 101 N. Main St., Franklinton. Deadline is Dec. 15.

Through generous donations from the community last year, Jones said every club member received a gift for Christmas.

He said he hopes that financial contributions come in between now and the end of the year to help “give us a leg up in 2023.”

Whether it’s a check in the mail, a click on the Facebook page or a gift for a child, Jones said efforts from a caring community “truly make a difference for our young people.”

Kitchen Safety Tips For Thanksgiving Weekend Cooks

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Kitchens everywhere are gearing up for the Main Event – roasting turkeys for Thanksgiving. And home cooks, whether experienced or new to preparing holiday dinners, need to remember a few safety tips to keep from becoming a Thanksgiving Day statistic.

According to data from National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day represents the leading day of the year for home cooking fires. Between three and four times as many cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day as a typical day of the year.

“Thanksgiving is a hectic holiday, with multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time, along with lots of guests, entertaining, and other distractions in the home that can make it easy to lose sight of what’s on the stove or in the oven,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires, so we strongly encourage people keep a close eye on what they’re cooking and to minimize the likelihood of getting distracted.”

NFPA data shows that cooking was the leading cause of reported home structure fires and civilian fire injuries and the second-leading cause of civilian fire deaths and direct property damage, on annual average between 2015-2019. On Thanksgiving Day alone, an estimated 1,400 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2019, reflecting a 228 percent increase over the daily average.

“The good news is that the vast majority of cooking fires are preventable,” said Carli. “By taking simple steps and precautions to minimize the likelihood of having a cooking fire, everyone can enjoy a festive, fire-safe Thanksgiving.”

Following are tips and recommendations from NFPA to help people cook safely this Thanksgiving:

  • Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.
  • When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly.
  • Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.
  • Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area.
  • Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.
  • Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.
  • Keep children at least three feet away from the stove. Kids should also stay away from hot foods and liquids, as steam or splash from these items could cause severe burns.

In addition, NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which can cause devastating burns. For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil.

White House Announces 6-Week Media Blitz To Encourage COVID-19 Vaccine, Boosters

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The Biden Administration has announced a six-week campaign through the end of the year urging Americans to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine. With winter and holiday gatherings right around the corner, more Americans getting their updated vaccine will help avoid thousands of preventable COVID-19 deaths.

Whether you’re watching a World Cup soccer match or visiting the local health department, expect to be informed – often – about the benefits of getting COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to promote community health. Ad campaigns and public service announcement across multimedia outlets and platforms are going to focus on senior adults and populations hardest hit by COVID-19.
More than 70,000 locations are offering the updated COVID-19 vaccines – the Granville-Vance Public Health has both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent boosters, which GVPH Director Lisa Harrison said protects against the omicron variant. But this is the time for providers to think outside the box with pop-up clinics and other mobile settings in rural and remote areas.

HHS will continue direct outreach in communities with community partners and messengers to provide easy access to updated COVID-19 vaccines and information on the benefits of vaccination.

The new enforcement guidance ensures nursing homes are offering updated COVID-19 vaccines and timely treatment to their residents and staff, according to the White House press statement. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires nursing homes to educate their residents on the benefits of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccinations and to offer the vaccines to their residents. CMS will issue guidance today reminding health care providers of this requirement. In its guidance, CMS will make clear that nursing homes with low vaccination rates will be referred to state survey agencies for close scrutiny, and that facilities that do not comply with the requirement to offer and educate on the benefit of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccinations will face enforcement actions, including the need to submit corrective action plans to achieve compliance.

Hundreds of pop-up vaccination clinics to make it even easier for people to get their updated COVID-19 vaccines before the end of the year: National and local organizations, state and local health departments, K-12 school districts and higher education institutions, and pharmacies will continue to host pop-up vaccination clinics in urban and rural communities. Americans can also get vaccinated at ongoing events across the country run by schools, colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and state, county, research, and health fairs.

The “We Can Do This” public education campaign is airing TV and digital ads during the World Cup, as well as ads focused on reaching adults over 50 for Black, Latino, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, American Indian and Alaska Native and rural audiences.

The federal government is putting additional funding behind these efforts, including $350 million for community health centers to expand COVID-19 vaccines through mobile, drive-up, walk-up clinics with community partnerships and $125 million to get older Americans and disabled individuals vaccinated and boosted in vaccination events at senior and community centers, as well as providing transportation to help get individuals to clinics.

Terrell Blackmon

Blackmon Updates West End Community Watch Group On URA, Grants And More

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Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon spoke to members of the West End Community Watch group at its November meeting and provided some updates to plans for the current West End and Flint Hill urban redevelopment areas.

During the meeting, Blackmon explained a bit about progress being made in several areas, including awarding grants to homeowners to repair and renovate their properties, adding to the code enforcement staff and having an animal control officer whose job would be to work within the city limits.

The city got a $750,000 community development block grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce, and the Kerr-Tar COG has taken more than 70 applications from local homeowners who would like to get some of that money to rehabilitate their homes.

“We are in the process of performing title searches on the six selected properties to confirm ownership and we hope to bid out the construction in the 1st quarter of 2023,” Blackmon said in a follow-up conversation with WIZS News.

Blackmon said the city council approved in September funding for an additional animal control officer, and the city is working on a memorandum of understanding with county officials to fund and advertise the position in the first quarter of 2023.

The city also is working with county leaders to fund an additional code enforcement officer to assist with minimum housing and other enforcement issues in the city and extra-territorial jurisdiction, Blackmon said.

As plans continue for the West End URA, Blackmon said the city is acquiring numerous blighted properties that would become controlled burn sites for the fire department. “Our intent is to bundle these properties and put them in an RFP for the development of new multi-family or single-family housing,” Blackmon stated to WIZS.

“The city does not technically ‘build housing,’ he noted, “but we want to serve as a conduit to encourage private development of new housing.”

TownTalk: Boys & Girls Club Of North Central North Carolina

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It makes Donyell “DJ” Jones happy to see young people walk through the Blue Doors of the Boys & Girls Clubs. Even when those doors aren’t blue – like those clubs that operate within schools, for example – Jones is confident that the programming and support remains aligned with the philosophy of the stand-alone clubs that have been in existence for 160 years.

Jones is CEO of the Boys & Girls Club North Central North Carolina, which operates clubs in Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Halifax counties.

He talked with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s TownTalk to provide an update on the status of clubs, how COVID-19 has negatively affected staff and to talk about a couple of local renovation projects that are about to crank up to improve club facilities in Henderson and Oxford.

“We had to be very flexible over the past year,” Jones said, referring to getting back into the swing of things following the pandemic shutdown. But now, club members have returned and BGC is getting back to the business of provide quality after-school care and programming.

The administrative offices are located in Oxford, in a building that is connected to the club building. Jones said he and other office staff are once again experiencing the “laughter and energy that we missed so much when (the children) were home.”

Over the summer, key BGC leaders gathered to identify some key priority areas, Jones said. From those discussions, the group refined a three-year strategic priority plan, which includes creating safe, state-of-the-art facilities as well as intentional programming to reflect the different needs of each club site and the ever-present question of financial sustainability.

The Oxford club is getting a much-needed facelift that is set to begin in February 2023, Jones said.

Jones said a general contractor has been hired and the work, once begun, will transform current outdated bathroom facilities, how club members enter and exit the club, as well as other integral renovations to club space.

“The esthetics and lighting are going to be awesome,” Jones said. “I know it’s going to be a great thing for our young people.” Plans include a new gaming room, collaborative spaces for projects and more improvements to allow for better programming.

The Clark Street club in Henderson also is getting some attention, thanks to help from Goodwill Community Foundation. “That facility needs a little love,” Jones said, adding that Goodwill’s contribution will help take care of most of the items on the wish list there.

Simply put, Jones said, “the kids really deserve it.”

The idea is that newly renovated spaces will attract new members as well, but right now, Jones said that all clubs in BGCNCNC currently open have wait lists.

Why? Like so many other workplaces, there’s not enough staff.

The number of employees dictates the number of kids at the club, Jones said. “We need part-time youth development professionals for our after-school sites,” he said. The biggest need is in Franklin County, but more staff also is needed in the Henderson and Oxford clubs.

They’re looking for individuals who have “a patience and a genuine love for young people,” he said, and it’d be a bonus to have special skills, whether they be in the arts, or STEM education, just to name a couple.

But most of all, he said, clubs need staff who are consistent and who “bring a different vibe and energy to our clubs.”

Jones said safety is the number one priority, and staff must effectively supervise club members while engaging them to address the specific needs of the young people who attend the club.

Some clubs based in schools have reopened, including the one at Northside Elementary in Warren County. The club at Carver Elementary in Vance County is set to reopen in January, but Jones said it’s unclear when Franklinton Middle School may reopen.

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Maria Parham Health Earns “A” For Patient Safety From National Group

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Maria Parham Health has received an “A” rating from a national watchdog organization for its achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors.

The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization that promotes patient safety, published its findings recently, said Donna Young, MPH coordinator for marketing & communications.

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance, so that they can best protect patients.  Your hospital team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States, based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring.

To view the complete report, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org or follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, and via its newsletter.

The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 11-22-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for November 22, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email Michele@hendersonvance.org to be included.

Company  Autobrite Car Washes, Inc

Title of Position  Hiring for several positions in multiple locations.  Individuals must have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a drug test.  Some knowledge of plumbing and electronics a plus. Company is willing to train the right person that is motivated and willing to learn.

How To Apply  Contact Melanie Howell Hutson at Autobrite Car Wash

 

Company  Golden Skillet Restaurant

Title of Position  Hiring now for both full-time and part-time positions for front of house and back of house.  8 hour shifts, day time and night time.  High School Graduates preferred.  At least 1 year restaurant serving or cooking experience preferred.  Having a ServSafe certificate a plus.

How To Apply  Apply in person at Golden Skillet Restaurant, located at 444 Dabney Drive in Henderson or online at www.indeed.com.

 

Company  Ribeye’s Steakhouse of Henderson

Title of Position  Hiring for multiple positions at their restaurant location at 2002 Graham Avenue.  Cook, Host, and Servers.  Night shift, Day shift, Weekend availability, and Holidays for full-time and part-time shifts.  Applicants should be able to communicate and understand the predominant language(s) of our guests.  Must have a basic knowledge of restaurant dining room and service procedures and functions.  Possess basic math skills and have the ability to handle money and operate a point-of-sale system.

How To Apply  Apply in person at Ribeye’s Steakhouse or apply online at www.indeed.com.

 

Company   Lowe’s Home Improvement Center

Title of Position   Sales Specialist Pro Services.  Full-time.  Deliver excellent service to Lowe’s Pro customers. Answer Pro customer questions. Execute Pro orders and projects. Demo Lowe’s product and service offerings.  Meet store sales goals.  Requirements:  Hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Have 1 year of sales or customer service experience.

How To Apply  Apply in person at Lowe’s Home Improvement store, located at 166 Dabney Road in Henderson.  Can also apply at https://talent.lowes.com/us/en.

 

Company  Belk Department Store

Title of Position  Hiring for Seasonal Associates – Position may be Full-time, Part-time or Flex in areas such as Sales; Beauty; Ship to Home – (which includes pick, pack and curbside pickup); and other support areas.  High School Diploma or GED equivalent preferred. Experience in retail preferred.  Excellent communication skills needed. Ability to use computer keyboard, touchscreen monitor, handheld devices, standard telephone, and other related business equipment.

How To Apply  Apply in person at Belk Store in Henderson, NC, located at Henderson Square Shopping Center.

 

Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS.  Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast.  This is not a paid ad.

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