Keep Road Safety At Top Of Memorial Day To-Do List

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Even with today’s high gas prices, the State Highway Patrol expects about 35 million folks to be on the road during the long Memorial Day weekend. And although the following safety suggestions aren’t new, they do bear repeating as a way to ensure safe travels on the state’s 80,000 miles of roads, highways and interstates.

This time last year, the average prices of a gallon of regular gas in North Carolina was $2.91, compared to $4.36 this year, according to AAA. But families are apparently ready to get out of town for the four-day holiday, some long overdue for even a short vacation.

This weekend traditionally kicks off the unofficial start to summer, and AAA predicts an increase of almost 5 percent in the number of people who will travel by car compared to last year, when COVID-19 precautions still had people sticking close to home.

The Highway Patrol will be out in full force, taking steps “to monitor driver behavior in an attempt to reduce collisions that occur from speeding, impaired and distracted driving, as well as reducing the severity of collisions through seat belt use enforcement.  Using the Vision Zero approach, law enforcement officials hope to report zero fatal collisions throughout the holiday weekend,” according to a press release from the North Carolina Dept. of Public Safety.

The Highway Patrol is again teaming up with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to participate in the annual “On the Road, On the Water” campaign. The same rules apply to boat operators as apply to drivers of motor vehicles – don’t drink and drive.

Additionally, the SHP is partnering with the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign.  This campaign began Monday, May 23 and continues through June 5, with an emphasis being placed on seat belt violations.

Motorists are encouraged to follow these suggestions while traveling:

  • Plan Ahead – Plan routes in advance to include secondary routes, detours and possible road closures.  Up-to-date information regarding delays and closures can be found at www.DriveNC.gov.
  • Slow Down – Obey the posted speed limit and be mindful of speed limit reductions within work zones.
  • Use Restraint Devices – Seat belts must be worn in both front and back seats if available.  Children should be properly restrained in compliance with child passenger safety laws, www.buckleupnc.org.
  • Don’t Drive Distracted – Avoid any distraction(s) while driving that reduces your ability to drive safely.
  • Plan Ahead if Consuming Alcohol – Have a predetermined plan to arrive home safely by identifying a designated driver or by utilizing one of the many ride sharing services.
  • Reporting Dangerous Drivers or Other Emergencies – Motorists are encouraged to dial *HP(47) or 911 if they encounter a situation needing a law enforcement response.

Suspect Lonte D. Alston in Homicide Case Surrendered

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Update: 6:55 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2022 –

Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News, “Lonte Alston is in custody. He surrendered himself to Detectives tonight (Tuesday) at the Magistrates office. He is at the Vance County Detention Facility without bond.”

— original press release — 

On May 18, 2022, at approximately 10:15 PM, officers of the Henderson Police Department responded to 325 Alexander Avenue in reference to someone being shot inside the residence.

Officers arrive within two minutes of being dispatched, and discovered Christopher Dewayne Falcon, age 52, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to an area medical facility where he succumbed to his injuries earlier this morning.

Our investigation into this matter has led us to obtain warrants on Lonte D. Alston, (43), for First Degree Murder. The incident occurred inside the residence of 325 Alexander Avenue after a verbal altercation between the victim and suspect.

We are seeking the public’s assistance with any information that can assist in locating the suspect. Please contact us through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252- 492-1925 or the P3 app), the Henderson Police Department 252-438-4141, or contact us through Facebook or Instagram.

Authority Chief Marcus W. Barrow

TownTalk: Sam Seifert New Associate Administrator at Maria Parham Health

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Samuel B. Seifert, MHA, FACHE will serve as Associate Administrator starting Monday, June 13 at Maria Parham Health. He is a board-certified healthcare administrator with over 17 years of continuous experience.

The Henderson native most recently served as a Senior Administrator in the Department of Anesthesiology at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. Before moving to Atlanta in 2016, Seifert served in various leadership positions during a 12-year tenure at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem.

In a press release issued by Maria Parham Health, Seifert said, “It is an honor and a privilege to join the team at Maria Parham Health and help advance Maria Parham’s nearly 100-year tradition of providing quality, accessible healthcare to the citizens of Henderson, Vance County and surrounding communities. I’m excited to start in my new role, and my family and I look forward to returning to the area and becoming involved in the community.”

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Click Play – John C. Rose of WIZS on Seifert Hire

Maria Parham Health CEO Bert Beard said, “We are very excited to welcome Sam home to Henderson as part of Duke LifePoint and Maria Parham Health. Sam’s extensive healthcare experience and knowledge of the region will be a huge benefit to our team objectives as we continue to progress our mission of making communities healthier. With our growth in services and integration with Duke in the graduate medical education space it is a great time for Sam to join the team. We are as excited as the rest of the community to welcome him home.”

Seifert earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion at Wake Forest University and a Master of Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Sam and Amine, his wife and also a Henderson native, have a daughter and son at home.

TownTalk: The City Of Henderson Budget

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The proposed budget for the City of Henderson includes a bump in salary for some frontline city employees, continued funding for economic incentives and grants and, what may interest city residents most – no increase in taxes or fees for city services.

The $22.68 million also includes a $1.65 million appropriation from the fund balance, which City Manager Terrell Blackmon called a “considerable reduction” from the appropriation from the previous fiscal year. This reduction is due largely in fact to the availability of ARPA pandemic relief funds.

“The fund balance is still doing great at this time,” Blackmon told WIZS News Tuesday in a statement via email, adding that it remains well above minimum requirements of both the City Council and the Local Government Commission.

Blackmon provided details of the budget to WIZS News earlier Tuesday via email. The city council is set to vote on approval of the 2022-23 budget at its June meeting.

According to Blackmon, personnel costs are the biggest variable in the proposed budget.

“Although there is no cost-of-living increase in the FY23 budget, we are absorbing salary increases from police and fire the past two years in addition to cost-of-living and premium pay increases in the current budget,” Blackmon stated.

In an overview of the budget that was presented to the city council, Blackmon noted that revenues – although up – continue to be projected in a conservative manner and expenditures limited to capital needs.

The budget addresses one of the issues in the city’s recently adopted strategic plan – employee recruitment and retention – by giving frontline workers in operations, water and wastewater departments a $1 increase in their hourly rates. He said this moves those salaries closer to the current market rate and will hopefully help to retain employers in these areas.

The city may have to take a second look at water rates once construction begins on the regional water system expansion, but that is not expected to begin until early 2023. Blackmon said the city is seeking approval for the project from the

The budget designates $25,000 to the Downtown Development Commission for incentive and grant programs toward continued downtown revitalization and $100,000 in economic development grants for ongoing projects at M.R. Williams, North Central Medical Transport and MAKO Laboratory.

The police and fire departments will get funding for leasing and lease-purchase of needed equipment, including police cars under a 5-year lease plan and possible purchase of a new fire engine by the fire department.

Blackmon said the budget reflects “further positive steps to help the city grow and reach its full potential.”

Part of that potential lies in the West End Urban Redevelopment Plan, which focuses on improvements to areas near the downtown area as well as the Flint Hill Community Development Plan. These projects represent a $1.5 million investment in redevelopment activities in the city, which could include acquisition of properties, down payment help for first-time home buyers and urgent repairs to homes – all of which would help strengthen the downtown area and nearby neighborhoods.

“We must continue to work towards innovative ways to promote and energize redevelopment initiatives now to position the city to be ready for near future business prospects and citizenship,” Blackmon said.

See the full proposed budget at https://cms8.revize.com/revize/henderson/recommended%20budget%20FY%2023.pdf

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 05-24-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for May 24, 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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Name of the Company: Henderson Family YMCA

Jobs Available: Multiple positions are available.  Part-time.  Camp Counselor; Lifeguard; Members Services (nights and weekends); Nursery Attendant/Kids Zone (mornings and evenings); Substitute Group Fitness Instructor; Wellness Center Attendant (nights and weekends).  Specific details about each position are listed online at the Henderson Family YMCA website.

Method of Contact: Visit the website at https://www.hendersonymca.org/get-involved/employment-opportunities.  You can download and print out the application(s) here, or you can stop by the Membership Services desk at the YMCA on Ruin Creek Road, to pick up an application.  Questions: Call 252-438-2144.

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Name of the Company: Jersey Mike’s Subs – Opening June 8 in Henderson, NC

Jobs Available: Hiring now for Crew Members and Shift Leads.  Looking to hire people to provide premium service while making premium sandwiches.  All employees learn all positions.  Shifts are available from 6:30 am – 10 pm, including opening, lunch, and closing.  Employees must enjoy people!  Paid training is available, with opportunities to grow with the company.

Method of Contact: Go to jerseymikes.com/careers and select the 997 South Beckford Drive location.

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Name of the Company: Eastern Minerals

Jobs Available: Full-time positions available now.  High School Diploma or GED required.  Also must pass pre-employment drug screen.  Positions:  Warehouse Shipping/Receiving (must be able to drive forklift and lift 50 lb bags);  Industrial Maintenance Technician on production machinery (good basic knowledge of industrial electronics and 3-phase motors with strong mechanical aptitude) and Working Maintenance Supervisor over team of 4-5 employees (provide support to manufacturing operation, industrial electronics and 3-phase motors, welding and electrical aptitude required.)

Method of Contact: Apply in-person at Eastern Minerals, 170 Eastern Minerals Road, in Henderson, NC.

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Name of the Company:  Buchanan’s Store

Jobs Available: Needed immediately is a Cook for the Deli Department.  Must be 21 years old.  Must have experience in food service, be able to work well with people, must have transportation to get to job site and able to work on a regular basis.

Method of Contact: Apply in person at Buchanan’s Store, located at 6547 Drewry-Virginia Line Road in Manson, NC.  Can also apply by sending a message on Buchanan’s Store Facebook page.  Call for additional information 252-456-2580.  Store hours are 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week.   

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Name of the Company: 3HC Home Health & Hospice Care

Jobs Available:  Open positions at Henderson Office for Home Health Nurses –  RN’s a LPN’s.  Certifications are required.  Nurses provide quality medical care to patients in their home setting.

Method of Contact: Send your resume to Angela Rhodes, Clinical Talent Acquisition Specialist at 3HC by email – arhodes@3HC.org.

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Name of the Company: Biscuitville – Dabney Drive Location

Jobs Available: Needed immediately Cashiers.  Must be guest obsessed and can take orders outside the restaurant using an electronic tablet or take orders over the speaker with a headset.  Must be available to work from 5:30 am – 3 pm, including weekends.

Method of Contact: Apply in-person at the restaurant location or online at www.biscuitville.com.

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Name of the Company: Select Products – Paper Converter Manufacturer

Jobs Available:  Multiple open positions:  CDL Licensed Truck Drivers; Maintenance Mechanics; Fork-Lift Operators; Machine Operators; and Order Pickers/Packers.

Method of Contact: Apply in-person at the plant, located at 1133 Poplar Creek Road in Henderson NC, across from VGCC.  Ask for Zollie Perry, Human Resources Manager.

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Name of the Company:  For Your Occasion Event Rentals

Jobs Available: Full-Time and Part-Time Positions Available.  Professional appearance and strong leadership skills are needed.  Positions Include:  Warehouse/Installer/Driver (execute installation and breakdown of large and small tents, familiar with warehouse operation organization, maintenance, and cleaning, and drive crew vehicles including 24 ft. box trucks, vans truck and trailers.).  Must be detailed oriented, team driven, able to train staff, organized, positive attitude, exceptional communication skills, and professional demeanor, with knowledge of OSHA safety guidelines. This position has room for growth.  Full-time with $12-$16 hour, depending on experience.  8 hour shift, Monday – Friday, with possible weekend work.

Linen and Warehouse Attendant – Must have experience laundering clothing and fabrics through application of dry cleaning detergents and stain removers and by pressing and folding materials, experience cleaning, sanitizing and organization of objects/spaces.  Washing dishes, flatware glasses and re-stocking inventory.

Event Coordinator– Establish and maintain relationship with customers, vendors and venues.  Plan event details with customer, including tent, tables, chairs, linens, and other essentials.  Create reliable financial reports, project budgets, collect payments on time, assist with logistics of delivery and pick-ups.

Method of Contact: Contact Tara Glarum at info@fyoeventrentals.com.  For Your Occasion Event Rentals warehouse and show room located on East Andrews Avenue in Henderson, NC.  919-426-6562

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Name of the Company: Variety Wholesalers, Roses Stores

Jobs Available:   Multiple job positions are open.  Merchandise Analyst; Human Resource Coordinator; Marketing Coordinator; Payroll Specialist; Accounts Payable Clerk.  Specific details about each of these positions can be found online at the variety wholesalers website.  Go to https://www.rosesdiscountstores.com to read more details.  On the home page, go to the bottom of the home page and click on careers.  College degrees are needed for the Merchandise Analyst and Marketing Coordinator.  High School Diploma and experience needed for the other 3 listed.  Applicants should have a strong desire to work in a fast-paced environment and eager to contribute to the team’s success.  Good communication skills are needed.

Method of Contact: Apply at https://www.indeed.com.  Put in the Indeed.com search bar the names of the job positions or Variety Wholesale Company to see all position(s).  Call 252-430-2600 with questions.

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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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Click It Or Ticket Campaign Underway To Promote Seatbelt Use

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Information courtesy of Governor’s Highway Safety Program

The statewide Memorial Day Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign kicked off Monday and for the next couple of weeks, law enforcement officers in all 100 counties will be keeping an extra eye out to make sure everyone riding in vehicles is buckled up for safety. “Although citizens could face a citation and fines for not wearing their seatbelt, the real goal here is saving lives,” said Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell. “Your chances of being killed or seriously injured in a car crash are reduced by nearly half when you wear a seatbelt.”

In 2021, 555 North Carolinians who were not wearing seatbelts lost their lives in vehicle crashes, including nearly 30 over last year’s two-week Click It or Ticket enforcement period.

North Carolina law requires all passengers in a vehicle to be properly restrained and violations are punishable by fines of up to $180. Children younger than 8 years and under 80 pounds must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat or booster seat. If a passenger under 16 is not properly restrained, the driver faces a $266 fine.

When North Carolina launched the Click It or Ticket initiative in 1993, only 64 percent of North Carolinians used their seat belts. Today, that number hovers around 90 percent.

In addition to increased enforcement statewide, the campaign will include a paid media component, including an influencer campaign where Tik Tok and Instagram influencers will share their own seatbelt messages with North Carolina audiences.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program, which is an arm of the N.C. Department of Transportation, provides grants to law enforcement agencies for various traffic safety initiatives, including campaigns like Click It or Ticket.