The Local Skinny! Acquest Group Partners With City On Garnett St. Property

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In the spirit of true public-private collaboration, a portion of South Garnett Street is getting a new lease on life. Alex Green, vice president and director of operations with Acquest Group is set to close on the purchase of property at 411 S. Garnett St. The city has purchased a lot next door, and, together, the area is gearing up for big things.

“We’re very excited to be partnering with the city,” Green told WIZS during a recent interview. The partnership will result in a mixed-use of retail space and restaurants at street level, with condominiums or apartments above.

“It’s absolutely going to change Henderson for the better and we’re so excited about it,” Green said. The interview aired on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny!

Green said the main restaurant space is spoken for, but there should be enough room for a smaller café style shop and one more retail outlet.

While there will definitely be new construction going up, Green said the hope is to keep as much of the existing building as possible. “It’s a beautiful piece of history for Henderson’s downtown and also has some interesting architectural pieces on the inside,” she said.

The area will be transformed into a space for fun activities, live music outdoors on summer evenings, Green said.

Seeing the potential in a location is half the battle, Green said. “That’s part of the challenge when you come into these awesome small towns in rural communities,” she said. It’s like putting together a puzzle – taking empty lots and abandoned buildings – and transforming them to becoming places of community.

Building community also supports generational wealth and keeps money in the local economy.

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TownTalk: Stay Safe This Summer

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– compiled courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Insurance and American Red Cross

As the weather heats up this summer, folks around here may head out to enjoy Kerr Lake or area swimming pools. It’s fun to cool off with water activities like swimming and boating, but it’s important to keep safety in mind.

According to information from the Red Cross, an average of 11 people die each day in the U.S. from unintentional drowning – and one in five of those are children 14 or younger.

The Red Cross Swim app, sponsored by The ZAC Foundation, has safety tips as well as kid-friendly videos and activities. There’s a free Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers online course in English or in Spanish to provide additional information about water safety and handling water emergencies.

Other tips include:

  • Swim in a lifeguarded area. Always designate a “water watcher” whose sole responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
  • Drowning behavior is typically fast and silent. Unless rescued, a drowning person will last only 20 to 60 seconds before submerging. Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself.
  • Preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning.
  • Classes to learn how to swim are available for both children and adults. Check the map for Learn-to-Swim providers in your community. Everyone should learn first aid and CPR too, so they know what to do in an emergency.

It’s important to keep in mind that safety hazards lurk on dry land, too. And N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and the Safe Kids North Carolina program are reminding people of the dangers of leaving children and pets in cars as summer temperatures climb.

Causey, who also serves as the Chair of Safe Kids NC, observed how quickly a vehicle can heat to dangerous – and sometimes deadly – temperatures.

“Summers are great in North Carolina, but the warmer temperatures also mean the very real danger of heatstroke,” Causey said in a written statement. “It only takes 10 minutes for the temperature inside a car to rise to unsafe levels.”

Across the country each year, 35 to 40 children die because of heat exposure in cars. In fact, 53% of child heatstroke deaths occur because a caregiver has forgotten a child in the car. Since 1998, 32 children have died in North Carolina from a being left in a hot vehicle. July is the deadliest month for cases of vehicular hyperthermia in children, but the danger spreads from March through November in our area due to the subtropical North Carolina climate.

Pets are also susceptible to even mildly hot temperatures in vehicles, where an animal in a car on an 80-degree day can experience temperatures close to 100 degrees after 10 minutes and close to 115 degrees after 30 minutes.

Symptoms of overheating in pets can include:

  • Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
  • Increased heart and respiratory rate
  • Drooling
  • Mild weakness or stupor
  • Collapse

“Even the best of parents and pet owners can make the deadly mistake of leaving their child or animal unattended, and that’s why we’re trying to educate people before a tragedy can occur,” Causey said. “These statistics demand the increased education of all parents and caregivers that it is never safe to leave a child or animal unattended in a vehicle.”

For more tips on how to avoid heat-related incidents, visit https://www.ncosfm.gov/community-risk-reduction/safe-kids/heatstroke-never-leave-your-child-alone.

Heat Safety Tips:

  1. Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees.
  2. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
  3. Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
  4. If you don’t have air conditioning, seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like schools, libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
  5. Avoid extreme temperature changes.
  6. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
  7. Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
  8. Postpone outdoor games and activities.
  9. Take frequent breaks and use a buddy system when working outdoors.
  10. Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water and shade.

Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If someone is experiencing heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, get them to a cooler place, have them rest, lightly stretch the affected muscle, and replenish their fluids with a half a glass (about 4 ounces) of cool water every 15 minutes.

If someone is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion (cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion), move them to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing and spray the person with water or apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If they are conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition. If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 911.

HEAT STROKE LIFE-THREATENING Heat stroke usually occurs by ignoring the signals of heat exhaustion. Heat stroke develops when the body systems are overwhelmed by heat and begin to stop functioning. Signs include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting and high body temperature. Call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of heat stroke. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by immersing them up to their neck in cold water if possible. Otherwise, douse or spray the person with cold water, or cover the person with cold, wet towels or bags of ice.

PET SAFETY

  • Animals can suffer heat stroke, a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like boxers or bulldogs, are especially prone to heat stroke, along with overweight pets, those with extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.
  • Some of the signs of heat stroke in your pet are heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down, brick red gum color, fast pulse rate and being unable to get up.
  • If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees.
  • Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage. Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid appfor instant access on how to treat heat stroke, other emergencies and general care for cats and dogs and take the Cat and Dog First Aid Online Training.

The Red Cross app “Emergency” can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hand with more than 35 customizable severe weather and emergency alerts. The Red Cross First Aid app puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid scenarios, including heat emergencies, at your fingertips. Download these apps for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps. Learn First Aid and CPR/AED skills (redcross.org/takeaclass) so you can help save a life.

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 06-20-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for June 21, 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.

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Business Name – Benchmark Community Bank

Job Opening – Relationship Bank Teller:  This position requires an outgoing and service-oriented applicant.  Full-time. Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. and Fridays 8:30-5:30 p.m. You will have your weekends and late evenings free.  Competitive pay scale offered with benefits.  Excellent relationship building skills needed.  Experience working with the public and handling money.  Basic math and computer skills.  Training provided.

How To Apply – Apply online – https://www.bcbonline.com/home – and click on the careers tab on the homepage.

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Business Name – ServPro of Franklin, Vance, and Granville

Job Opening – Hiring for Production Technicians.  Providing fire and water clean-up and restoration.  No experience needed, just a desire to be trained and show your strong desire to advance and learn the business.  Full-time. 40 hours a week.  Pay will be based on prior job history or experience.

How To Apply – Come by the ServPro office building located at 260 Industry Drive in Henderson to request an application and bring in your resume.  For questions, call 252-433-0005.

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Business Name – Fred’s Towing and Transport
Job Opening – Towing Operators Needed.

How To Apply – Stop by the NC Works office, located at 857 South Beckford Drive, Suite G in Henderson NC.  Questions call 252-438-6129. Or apply online at ncworks.gov.

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Business Name – Vance County Public School System
Job Opening – A Chef is needed for the CTE (Career and Technical Education) Program to teach high school culinary students and handle the AdVance Academy Food Truck.

How To Apply – Vance County Public Schools Human Resource Department – 252-492-2127.  Or get additional information about job openings online at https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us

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Business Name – Granville Vance Public Health Department

Job Opening – Multiple professional positions are open.  1. Full-time Dentist II for Carolina Fellows Family Dentistry in Oxford, NC.  This dental office provides full dental services for the citizens of Granville and Vance County. 2. Physician Extender I or II.  Applicant will assess and evaluate needs of the patients and implement a course of action, medical services to patients in a rural setting – Requires Physician Assistant licensure or approved as a Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse Midwife. 3. Nutritionist I in the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program.  Providing professional nutritional services to clients or in small groups. 4. Processing Assistant IV.  Full-time, provides administrative support to clinical and administrative personnel to enable community needs to be met in an efficient, timely and professional manner.  High School Graduate with at least 2 years of office experience.

How To Apply – Submit your resume by email to humanresources@gvdhd.org or mail to Personnel Director, Granville-Vance District Health Dept., PO Box 367, Oxford, NC 27565

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Business Name – KARTS (Kerr Area Rural Transportation Service)

Job Opening – Drivers Needed.  Reports to the KARTS Transportation Coordinator.  Must be able to accept and follow instructions; possess a valid NC drivers license appropriate for the size vehicle to be driven; must be at least 21 years of age with at least 3 years driving experience; with a good driving record for the preceding 3 years.  Must be able to relate to people of all ages, economic and ethnic backgrounds.  Must have a working phone at all times.

How To Apply – Mail applications to:  PO Box 246, Henderson, NC 27536.  Or call 252-438-22573 for additional information.

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Business Name – Lowe’s Improvement Center

Job Opening – Head Cashier.  Full-time. Flexible hours.  Responsibilities include delivering a checkout experience that is quick, professional, and friendly; ensure merchandise is accurately scanned and meets the needs of the customer; and engaging in safe work practices and encouraging others to do the same.  Requires morning, afternoon and evening availability any day of the week.

How To Apply – Pick up application at the Lowe’s Home Improvement Center at 166 Dabney Road in Henderson, NC or apply online at https://www.lowes.com/store/NC-Henderson/0738 or online at www.indeed.com.

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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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BBQ Plates 11am – Until Friday

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This Friday – June 24, 2022 – Watkins Volunteer Fire Department will serve you a homemade, take-out, family style BBQ plate.

As it was explained to WIZS, each plate will feed three or four people.  That’s enough for a family meal or food for one or two people with leftovers.

$25 includes 2.5 pounds of BBQ, cup of sauce, homemade slaw, loaf bread.

No tickets required. First come, first served.

If you need directions, click this address with your phone – 1590 Horseshoe Bend Road – Henderson, NC 27536.

Local Businesses Asked To Help Fill Welcome Bags For New Teachers

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More than 100 new teachers are expected to be in classrooms all across Vance County when August arrives, and the Education Committee of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce wants to welcome them with promotional items donated by local businesses.

In fact, 130 new teachers will receive Welcome Bags, which Chamber officials hope will be FILLED with items like pens and pencils, notepads, hand sanitizer, keychains, highlighters, discount coupons and more, courtesy of businesses in the county.

The deadline to bring items – in quantities of 130, if at all possible – to the Chamber office is Friday, July 8. Please contact the Chamber at 252. 438.8414 if items need to be picked up.

The Chamber is located at 411 S. Garnett St.

Filing Period Ends July 1 For Vance Soil & Water Conservation District Seat

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The filing period for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor began on Monday, June 13 at 12 noon and will end at 12 noon on Friday, July 1, according to local elections officials.

Vance County Elections Director Melody Vaughan said prospective candidates must be 21 years old by Election Day in November – Nov. 8, 2022.

The filing fee is $5.

The Vance County Board of Elections office is located in the Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Candidates can file their notarized notice of candidacy and filing fee in person at the Board of Elections office or the documents may be mailed in.

Contact the Vance County Board of Elections office at 252.492.3730.

Vaccines for Children Ages 6 Months to Under 5 Years Will Be Available June 20

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— NCDHHS Press Release —

Children ages 6 months and older can now receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children who are eligible receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is available in North Carolina following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) emergency use authorization and the CDC’s recommendation.

“Many parents and families have been eagerly awaiting a vaccine to protect our youngest North Carolinians,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “These vaccines are the best way to protect children from COVID-19 — they are safe, effective and free.”

Children ages 6 months to younger than 5 get a smaller vaccine dose than any other age group. This vaccine dose differs from the vaccine that was previously authorized for children ages 5 to 11. Booster shots are currently not authorized for children in this age group.

As with all routine vaccinations for children, these vaccines were tested and reviewed by the FDA and the CDC and their independent scientific committees to ensure they are safe for children. Results from ongoing clinical trials that began in March 2021 showed the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines were safe and effective to protect children ages 6 months to under 5 years from COVID-19. The Pfizer vaccine is currently authorized for three doses, while the Moderna will initially begin as two. Moderna is currently testing their third dose, with data expected this summer.

There were no safety concerns or serious side effects noted in the clinical trials for either vaccine.

The first wave of shipments is expected to arrive in North Carolina on June 20. NCDHHS recommends that parents and guardians contact their child’s pediatrician, medical provider, or local health department for more details on when the vaccine may become available. Call ahead to confirm the vaccine will be available before visiting a health care provider.

Children between the ages of 3 and 5 have the option of getting vaccinated at a pharmacy or grocery store in addition to a doctor’s office or local health center. Children under 3 years are not able to be vaccinated by a pharmacist. Parents and guardians of children who do not have an established medical provider can visit MySpot.nc.gov to search for a nearby vaccine provider.

Children may be able to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and other routine shots they are due for at the same visit. This is also a good time for them to get a routine checkup.

Children may experience temporary and minimal side effects. These side effects are similar to adults – a sore arm, headache and being tired or achy for a day or two.

According to the CDC, children under 5 had the highest rate of hospitalizations compared to other pediatric groups. COVID-19 cases in children can result in hospitalization, death, MIS-C (inflammation in different parts of the body) and long-term problems with symptoms that last for months. Vaccines will help reduce infections and transmission, bringing all North Carolinians closer to fewer family disruptions ahead of the summer months and school year.

Everyone ages 6 months and older can receive a free COVID-19 vaccine, even if they don’t have health insurance and regardless of their immigration status.  Parents and guardians with questions about COVID-19 vaccines should talk with their child’s physician.

North Carolina’s actions are based on recommendations from the CDC. Read the CDC’s full statement here.

For more information about how vaccines for children work and where you can find a vaccination appointment nearby, visit MySpot.nc.gov. The North Carolina COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center can also help you make an appointment by calling 888-675-4567. The help center is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends.

Las vacunas contra el COVID-19 para los niños de 6 meses hasta 5 años de edad estarán disponibles el 20 de junio

Los niños de 6 meses en adelante ahora pueden recibir una vacuna segura y efectiva contra el COVID-19. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) recomiendan que todos los niños que sean elegibles reciban una vacuna contra el COVID-19. La vacuna está disponible en Carolina del Norte siguiendo la autorización de uso de emergencia de la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA) y la recomendación de los CDC. 

“Muchas familias han estado esperando ansiosamente una vacuna para proteger a nuestros habitantes más pequeños de Carolina del Norte”, dijo el secretario del NCDHHS, Kody H. Kinsley. “Estas vacunas son la mejor manera de proteger a los niños contra el COVID-19: son seguras, efectivas y gratuitas”.

Los niños de 6 meses hasta 5 años de edad reciben una dosis de la vacuna más baja que cualquier otro grupo de edad. Esta dosis de vacuna es diferente a la vacuna que se autorizó anteriormente para niños de 5 a 11 años. Actualmente, las dosis de refuerzo no están autorizadas para niños en este grupo de edad.

Al igual que con todas las vacunas de rutina para niños, estas vacunas fueron probadas y revisadas por la FDA, los CDC, y sus comités científicos independientes para garantizar que sean seguras para los niños. Los resultados de los ensayos clínicos en curso que comenzaron en marzo de 2021 mostraron que las vacunas contra el COVID-19 de Moderna y de Pfizer eran seguras y efectivas para proteger a los niños de 6 meses hasta 5 años de edad contra el COVID-19. La vacuna de Pfizer está actualmente autorizada para tres dosis, mientras que la vacuna de Moderna se administrará inicialmente con dos dosis. Actualmente, Moderna está probando su tercera dosis, y se esperan resultados de esos estudios para este verano.

No se observaron problemas de seguridad ni efectos secundarios graves en los ensayos clínicos para ninguna de las vacunas.

Se espera que la primera orden de vacunas llegue a Carolina del Norte el 20 de junio. NCDHHS recomienda que las familias se comuniquen con el pediatra o proveedor médico de sus niños, o con el departamento de salud local para obtener más detalles sobre cuándo estará disponible la vacuna. Se motiva que llamen con anticipación para confirmar que la vacuna estará disponible antes de visitar a un proveedor de atención médica.

Los niños entre las edades de 3 y 5 años tienen la opción de vacunarse en una farmacia o un supermercado, además del consultorio de un médico o centro de salud local. Los niños menores de 3 años no pueden ser vacunados por un farmacéutico. Las familias de niños que no tienen un proveedor médico establecido pueden visitar Vacunate.nc.gov para buscar un centro de vacunación cercano.

Es posible que los niños puedan vacunarse contra el COVID-19 y otras vacunas de rutina que deben recibir al mismo tiempo. Este también es un buen momento para que se hagan un chequeo de rutina.

Los niños pueden experimentar efectos secundarios temporales y mínimos. Estos efectos secundarios son similares a los de los adultos: dolor en el brazo, dolor de cabeza y cansancio o dolor durante uno o dos días.

Según los CDC, los niños menores de 5 años tenían la tasa más alta de hospitalizaciones en comparación con otros grupos pediátricos. Los casos de COVID-19 en niños pueden resultar en hospitalización, muerte, MIS-C (que es una condición que causa inflamación en diferentes partes del cuerpo) y problemas a largo plazo con síntomas que duran meses. Las vacunas ayudarán a reducir las infecciones y la transmisión, acercando a todos los habitantes de Carolina del Norte a menos interrupciones familiares antes de los meses de verano y el comienzo del año escolar.

Todas las personas de 6 meses en adelante pueden recibir una vacuna contra el COVID-19 gratuitamente, incluso si no tienen seguro médico e independientemente de su estatus migratorio. Las familias que tengan preguntas sobre las vacunas contra el COVID-19 deben hablar con el médico de sus niños.

Las acciones de Carolina del Norte se basan en recomendaciones de los CDC. Lea la declaración completa de los CDC aquí (en inglés).

Para más información sobre cómo funcionan las vacunas para niños y dónde puede encontrar una cita de vacunación cercana, visite Vacunate.nc.gov. El Centro de Ayuda para la Vacunación contra el COVID-19 de Carolina del Norte también puede ayudarles a programar una cita llamando al 888-675-4567. El Centro de Ayuda está abierto de 7 a. m. a 7 p. m. de lunes a viernes y de 8 a. m. a 4 p. m. en los fines de semana.

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Maria Parham Now Communicates ER Wait Times

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If you had needed to travel to the emergency room of Maria Parham Health on Friday night at 7:30, your estimated wait time would have been in the single digits as evidenced by the screen grab of mariaparham.com you clicked on for this article.

Minutes matter when it comes to saving lives, and those minutes often matter to prospective patients who may need any form of care.  “How long will I have to wait?” You’ve said or thought those words before.

Maria Parham Health not only wants you to know about receiving high quality emergency care 24/7, but the local regional medical center now seeks to better inform about average emergency department (ED) wait times.

On its web site and in an information release sent to WIZS, how the time is calculated and what to expect are spelled out.

How it’s calculated

“When you see a time, such as 14 minutes, displayed on our website or on the billboard, it is important to understand that this is a four-hour rolling average. Each person who enters our Emergency Department is tracked through a computerized system. The person’s registration time in the ED and “greet time”, which is the time when the patient is greeted by a qualified medical professional, are used to calculate the average wait times. The computerized system automatically averages the most recent four-hour time period, which is updated every 15 minutes throughout the day.”

What to expect

“The average wait time is accurate, reliable and regularly updated. However, due to the natural flux in patient volume, it is possible for a person to experience a shorter, or longer, wait time in our Emergency Department than what is displayed on the signage. Furthermore, patients are prioritized based on severity of the complaint or reason for the visit. This is why we use the four-hour rolling average; it minimizes variance by factoring in the natural ebb and flow of emergency departments. At Maria Parham Health, our priority is to deliver quality care close to home for the people in our communities. We hope you find this new information helpful should you find yourself in the middle of a medical emergency.”

(Maria Parham is an advertising client of WIZS. This is not a paid ad.)