Vance County NC

Quarantine Area for Imported Fire Ant Expanding to Include All of Vance County

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-Press Release, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is expanding a state quarantine for the imported fire ant (IFA) to include all of Davidson, Orange and Vance counties effective Jan. 1, 2019. With the expansion, the quarantine now includes portions or entire areas of 75 counties.

According to popular pest control vaughan, quarantine continues efforts to monitor the spread of this pest and address mitigation or control measures. Under quarantine rules, residents and business owners in these counties will need to obtain a permit before moving plants, sod and related equipment into or through non-infested areas. Certificates can be obtained from a local plant protection specialist or by contacting the Plant Protection Section at 800-206-9333 or 919-707-3730.

Items requiring a permit include nursery stock, sod, soil, hay and straw, logs or pulpwood with soil, and soil-moving equipment. Also, the movement of any other products, items or infested materials that present a risk of spread from established IFA areas to non-infested areas is prohibited.

“Failure to obtain the needed inspections and certifications may result in the issuance of a stop-sale notice and rejection or destruction of the regulated article,” said Phil Wilson, director of the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division. “Fire ants can be harmful to humans and livestock. It is critical we continue proactive efforts to slow down fire ant movement into non-infested areas of the state.”

The imported fire ant was first identified and classified as a pest by SafeGuardPest in Brunswick County in 1957. As it spread and became established, it was recognized as an aggressive pest of farmlands, pastures, residential areas and wildlife, Wilson said. The imported fire ant is considered to be a nuisance and a health concern to humans, livestock and wildlife due to its painful sting.

For a map of the quarantine area, click here.

Note from local Vance County Cooperative Extension Agent Paul McKenzie:

The quarantine affects people and businesses who want to move certain materials FROM Vance County INTO a non-quarantined area. For example, if a hay producer in Vance County wanted to sell hay to a cattle farm in Person County, they would have to comply with the requirements of the quarantine (inspections and permits). That hay producer would have to certify that their hay was free of fire ants so they wouldn’t be spreading it into a new area. However, that Vance County hay producer would have NO restrictions on moving hay into, for example, Warren County, since Warren is also in the quarantine area.

Examples of other restricted materials would include nursery stock, sod, soil, etc.

Fire ants have been in Vance County for several years now. People need to learn how to recognize them and how to manage them.

News 11/30/18

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Henderson Fire Dept

Edmonds Discusses Annual Smoke Detector Campaign, Shares Heating Safety Tips

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Captain Lee Edmonds was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the Henderson Fire Department’s annual smoke detector and battery inspection program along with winter heating safety tips.

The annual campaign kicked off at the beginning of this month and is expected to continue through early spring.

Started in 2009 after a Vance County family lost several of their children to a house fire, Edmonds said the door-to-door home inspection program is “a good opportunity to check houses and check smoke detectors to make sure everything is working properly.”

The inspection, which begins anew each November following Fire Prevention Month in October, is free of charge to City of Henderson residents. “We put new batteries in smoke detectors, replace old smoke detectors and install smoke detectors in places that did not previously have them,” said Edmonds.

For the month of November, Edmonds estimated that the department has visited approximately 950 homes and has been successful in inspecting just shy of 200. In a previous interview with WIZS, Edmonds stated that the fire department’s goal is to visit 6,000 homes per annual campaign.

“We aren’t able to get into all of the homes we visit because either people aren’t home or they say they regularly check their batteries and smoke detectors,” said Edmonds. “If they aren’t home, we leave a note on their door asking them to call us so we can come back out.”

In addition to homes, the department inspects downtown businesses annually and most other businesses on a three-year basis.

With the number of fire-related deaths in 2018 topping previous years, the Henderson Fire Department urges residents to check their detectors regularly and to allow fire department personnel inside their home during the annual door-to-door campaign.

Additional Safety Tips Courtesy of Captain Edmonds:

  • Carbon monoxide detectors like the GasAlert Quattro are inexpensive and should always be used in homes that heat with a fuel source such as propane, kerosene or natural gas.
  • Leave three feet of clearance around any type of heater – fireplace, electric heater or gas heater.
  • Unplug electric heater when not in use and always plug directly into wall outlet. Never plug a heater into an extension cord. Extension cords are not rated for a heater and may overheat and cause a fire.
  • Have heaters and furnaces serviced at least once, preferably twice, a year by a certified technician to ensure everything is in working order and to minimize safety hazards.
  • During the holidays, make sure real Christmas trees are watered properly. Christmas lights will catch a dry tree on fire very quickly. Inspect light cords on all types of Christmas decorations and plug directly into wall outlet. Christmas lights should always be unplugged when you aren’t at home.
  • Never attempt to leave the stove open as a means of heating your home.
  • Families should have at least two escape routes mapped out in their home that everyone knows. An outside meeting place should also be discussed in case members of the family escape the home different ways. Make sure windows can be opened and aren’t painted or nailed shut.

With questions regarding your smoke detector, fire safety or to schedule a time for a free home inspection, please call the Henderson Fire Department at (252) 430-1877.

To listen to the interview in its entirety, please click here.

Arulappan Named Vance Co.Schools’ Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Selvaraj Arulappan, an Exceptional Children’s teacher at Vance County High School, was chosen as the Vance County Schools’ Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence for 2018-2019.

With his award, Arulappan represented our school system in the N.C. Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence Award competition at the state level and attended the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s 68th Conference on Exceptional Children held in Greensboro November 15-16.

Selvaraj Arulappan, an Exceptional Children’s teacher at Vance County High School, was chosen as the Vance County School’s Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence for 2018-2019. (Photo Credit: Vance County Schools)

Arulappan has 13 years of experience as an educator and is a leader among his peers at Vance County High School. He received his master’s degree in special education from N.C. Central University.

He has a passion for working with students who are intellectually, physically and behaviorally challenged. He also is very successful in engaging and connecting with students.

He is a leader in the classroom and serves in multiple roles at Vance County High including on the Leadership Team, as a PBIS Committee member and a vocational rehabilitation counselor. He also collaborates with the music therapy and art staff to provide diverse experiences for his students. His colleagues describe him as caring, compassionate, supportive, proactive, dedicated and engaging.

“Mr. Arulappan has done such amazing work serving his students in preparation for transition into life after high school,” one colleague said.

Another colleague noted, “Mr. Arulappan stands out above others with his ability to engage and connect with students. He actively engages the parents in meeting the educational needs of their children.”

Several educators who work with him said that Arulappan goes beyond the call of duty to support his students and colleagues.

VGCC Franklin Campus Launches Vanguard Flex Evening & Weekend College

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin County Campus has launched a new initiative called Vanguard Flex to meet the needs of adult learners who need more options for class scheduling.

The evening and weekend college program begins with Spring Semester for which registration is now underway.

“Vanguard Flex offers flexible, hybrid schedules in the evenings and on weekends on our campus located at 8100 N.C. Highway 56 in Louisburg,” said Bobbie Jo May, dean of the campus. “We want to accommodate the busy schedules of our adult learners. We are offering flexible scheduling for placement testing, advising, the library resource center, and the open computer lab on our campus some evenings and one Saturday per month.”

Spring Semester classes start on all four VGCC campuses on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, with a registration deadline of Jan. 3. In addition to the traditional 16-week semester session, VGCC is offering a 12-week term, two 8-week terms and two 4-week terms for the Spring. The first of two 8-week sessions will begin on Jan. 7 and run through March 5. The second 8-week session starts March 5 and concludes May 6, with a registration deadline of Feb. 28. A 12-week mini-term begins Feb. 5 and runs through May 6, the registration deadline coming Jan. 31.

The four-week “Spring Forward” online mini-term begins Dec. 17 with a registration deadline of Dec. 13. A second four-week online mini-term, labeled “March Forward,” is scheduled to begin March 5 with registration ending March 1.

Vanguard Flex is offering five complete curriculum programs of study initially: Early Childhood Education, Certificate; Early Childhood Education, Diploma; Medical Office Administrative Assistant I, Certificate; Business Management, Certificate; and Basic Welding, Certificate. All courses taken in the certificate programs can be applied to diplomas and degrees offered through Vance-Granville, Dean May said.

In addition, a variety of classes is being offered in the following areas through the Vanguard Flex initiative at Franklin Campus:

College Transfer: English, Math, Biology, Introduction to Computers and Psychology courses can be used toward many degree and diploma programs offered through the college. Dean May is recommending that students meet with an academic coach or advisor prior to enrolling in the classes.

Career and Technical: Courses in Welding Technology, Paralegal Technology, Medical Office Administration, Business Management, Bioprocessing Technology and Early Childhood Education lead to certificates and diplomas that can be completed entirely through the evening and weekend format.

Continuing Education: VGCC’s Franklin Campus has a robust selection of courses through the Continuing Education division during the day, evenings and weekends, among them, Nursing Assistant, Medication Technician, Phlebotomist, Notary Public, Bioworks, Human Resource Specialist and Healthcare Administration.

Adult Basic Skills: For those in need of a High School Equivalency or Adult High School Diploma, the Franklin Campus offers flexible hybrid schedules with evening classes in the Adult Basic Skills program. Basic Skills classes for Spring will begin Jan. 8 and will be held each Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Orientation is held each Friday at 10 a.m. Dean May encourages students to contact the instructor at 252-738-3618 with questions about the classes.

A complete list of the evening and weekend courses is available online at www.vgcc.edu/vanguard-flex.

Students who are interested in Vanguard Flex should contact the Franklin County Campus at (919) 496-1567 or write to Dean Bobbie Jo May at mayb@vgcc.edu.

McGregor Hall

McGregor Hall to Present ‘Irish Christmas Dance Spectacular’ Dec. 20

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-Information courtesy the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center website

McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will present “Carol of the King: The Irish Christmas Dance Spectacular” on Thursday, December 20, 2018. The show starts at 8 p.m. – doors open at 7 p.m.

Enjoy this Riverdance-style Christmas extravaganza! The 20-member dance troupe performs lightning fast hard-shoe rhythms and graceful soft-shoe jigs.

Tickets may be purchased by:

DROP IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

Public Invited to Attend Christmas Musical at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist

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-Information courtesy Angela Crawford, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church 

You are invited to attend Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church’s Christmas Musical on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at 3 p.m. Musical guest will be Blessed Generation, Gospel Disciples, Jordan Chapel Gospel Choir and Souls of Calvary.

The public is cordially invited to attend. The church is located at 2464 Rock Mill Rd. in Henderson.

News 11/29/18

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City of Henderson Logo

Coffey Discusses Kerr Lake Regional Water Meeting, Possible Rate Changes

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Sara Coffey, member of the Henderson City Council, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the City’s recent meeting with the Kerr Lake Regional Water Partners.

Attendees of the November 27 meeting held at City Hall included representatives from the City of Henderson, the City of Oxford and Warren County.

The KLRW Advisory Board reviewed the system upgrade project, discussed a possible revision of the partners’ rate structure and reviewed results from a recent study projecting water usage over the next 10 years.

According to Coffey, the meeting focused mainly on a potential new rate structure and the partners’ capacity needs.

“No decisions were made at this meeting, other than to move forward with the rate structure discussion,” said Coffey. “We will meet again in December to decide how to proceed.”

Several factors necessitate a rate structure change, Coffey said, including the increase in cost to operate the water plant, the cost of new equipment and the increase in costs of water and water treatment measures.

“We [Henderson] are 60 percent partners, so 60 percent of the debt is on the City of Henderson,” said Coffey. “We need a different rate structure; ours has been the same for a good, long time now.”

Additional discussions focused on the capacity needs of each partner, a task that, according to Coffey, is hard to determine exactly. To help with this process, a study was conducted to project water usage for the next 10 years according to a variety of scenarios.

Plans to change the rate structure are still in the infancy stage, but, according to Coffey, the project will move forward.

“All we came away with yesterday was to know the project wasn’t going to be scrapped. Warren County has $3 million and we [Henderson] have $3 million to use. It does not need to be sent back. It needs to go into the water and water plant.”

To hear the interview in its entirety, including discussion on current and upcoming events in and around Henderson, please click here.

Community Partners of Hope

Henderson Men’s Shelter in Need of Volunteers, Donations for December

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-Information courtesy Jane King, Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners of Hope and the Henderson Men’s Shelter recently released their list of December 2018 volunteer and donation needs, including:

VOLUNTEER NEEDS

SUPERVISION (sign up for full week or any part of one)

  •        December 2 – 8 (both shifts)
  •        December 13 – 15 (both shifts)
  •        December 20 –  22 (both shifts)
  •        December 23 – 29 (both shifts)

MEALS (full week or any part of a week)

  •        November 30
  •        December 14 & 15
  •        December 17, 18, 20, 21, 22

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

  • Large bottles of hand sanitizer
  • Large refill bottles of hand soap
  • Cans of foot powder or Athletes Foot spray
  • Tall kitchen trash bags (13 Gallon Size)
  • Laundry detergent
  • 7-ounce adjustable air fresheners
  • Febreeze Fabric Freshener (unscented)
  • Pine-sol type cleaner – gallon containers
  • Toilet bowl cleaner – gel type
  • Soap – small sample size (or hotel supplies)
  • Hand warmers
  • Instant Grits
  • Crackers & nabs
  • Cup of Noodles (with cup)
  • Coffee & creamer
  • Peanut butter & jelly
  • Four-pound bags of sugar
  • CLOTHING – NEW ONLY and in original packages (please take used clothing to thrift store)
  • Men’s undergarments (all sizes)
  • Waterproof men’s gloves
  • Men’s sweatshirts (Sizes L, XL, XXL)
  • Men’s thermal sets (Sizes L, XL, XXL)
  • White tube socks

NOT NEEDED: Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, instant oatmeal, deodorant, dress socks, and coffee mugs

Donations can be taken to:

  •             First Baptist Church (9 – 5 Monday thru Thursday or 9 – 12 Friday)
  •             First Presbyterian Church (10 – 1 Monday thru Thursday)
  •             WIZS Radio Station
  •             Or call Betty Boyd (252) 432-3967 to arrange delivery

A NOTE ABOUT DONATIONS

We depend on lots of donated clothing (NEW only) and supplies to keep the shelter running and our men warm and dry.    Sometimes we get donations that we cannot use and then several of us must go through them and “regift” them to other agencies.  Please be sure to let your churches know what we do and do not need this year! Also, it is much easier for us if items are donated in their original packaging instead of repackaged in sets.

All contributions are tax deductible.

You may send a check to:

Community Partners of Hope, Inc,

P.O. Box 1791, Henderson, NC 27536

*You can see our calendar at any time from our website www.cp-hope.org. Just click on the SHELTER CALENDAR tab at the top.