Warren County Native Returns – As County Attorney

Warren County has a new county attorney, and she is set to begin her job next week.

The name Shiekel Richardson may ring a bell with Warren County residents – she is a native of Warren County and was graduated from Warren County Schools. She went on to get a bachelor’s in criminal justice and then a law degree from N.C. Central University, according to information from Charla Duncan, senior assistant to Warren County Manager Vincent Jones.

Richardson was appointed to the position last week at a specially called meeting that convened after the county board of commissioners’ annual strategic planning work session.

Richardson was admitted to the North Carolina Bar Association in January 2020. Her first day will be Feb. 28, 2023.

She previously worked for the town of Wake Forest as an assistant to Town Attorney Hassan Kingsberry. Kingsberry is the former Warren County attorney.

In addition to her work with the town of Wake Forest, Richardson has experience as a hearing officer for the N.C. Department of Commerce, working with the N.C. Employment Security Commission, Legal Aid of North Carolina and in private practice with the local law office of Stella D. Jones.

Board Chair Bertadean Baker said she welcomes Richardson back to Warren County. “With all the great things happening in Warren County, the board of commissioners and I are pleased that we have a Warren County native who has become an attorney, and has now chosen to serve the county where she received her start,” Baker said. “This is an outstanding example for the community and our students here in the county.”

Warren Parks And Rec Girls’ Volleyball Registration Open Until Mar. 15

Registration for Warren County Parks and Recreation youth girls’ volleyball league is open now and runs through Mar. 15. The cost is $10.

The league is open to girls ages 9-18. Want to play volleyball AND softball? No problem – the parks and recreation staff will work with those participants who want to do both sports.

Register online at https://www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation or stop by the parks and rec office in Warrenton on Wilcox Street Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

N.C. Cooperative Extension Scholarship Open For Those In Business-Related Field Of Study

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Administrative Professionals Association is accepting applications for the 2023 Herter-O’Neal Scholarship. This scholarship is open to students pursuing an associate’s and/or bachelor’s degree in a business-related field of study or who are enrolled in a diploma program that results in a degree. The statewide winner will be awarded $1,000 for tuition and/or books. District finalists will receive $250.

The Herter-O’Neal Scholarship is awarded each year to honor the work and dedication of Edith Herter and Frances O’Neal, founding members of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Administrative Professionals Association.  NCCEAPA membership is comprised of North Carolina Cooperative Extension administrative assistants in 100 counties, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, N.C. State University and N.C.  A&T State University.

The application deadline is Mar. 10, 2023. All questions can be addressed to Granville County Cooperative Extension Administrative Assistant Gwen Rubio at gwen_rubio@ncsu.edu or 919-603-1350. Completed applications can be mailed or dropped off – with ATTN: Gwen Rubio written on the envelope – at the Granville Cooperative Extension and mailed or hand delivered to the Granville County  Cooperative Extension Office located at 125 Oxford Outer Loop, Oxford, NC 27565.

Warren Co. Emergency Services Offers Training On A Variety Of Life-Saving Techniques

Warren County Emergency Services will sponsor a day of training for anyone in the community who wants to learn how more about life-saving techniques, from CPR to Narcan.

The classes will repeat each hour throughout the day on Friday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chris Tucker will teach:

  • CPR basics
  • Proper use of an AED (automated external defibrillator)
  • How to administer Narcan in the event of an opioid overdose
  • Proper use of a “Stop the Bleed” kit

 

The training will take place at Warren County Emergency Services, located at 890 U.S. Hwy 158 bypass, Warrenton.

To learn more, contact Tucker at 252.257.1191 or by email at christucker@warrencountync.gov.

Warren Health Dept. Seeks Community Input To Community Health Assessment

The Warren County Health Department is in the process of completing its four-year community health assessment and asks county residents to contribute to the assessment by taking a short survey to identify key health needs and concerns.

The survey is a list of questions related to personal behaviors, risks, health goals and priorities, as well as overall health. This community health opinion survey questions are formed by a diverse representation of community citizens, businesses and key stakeholders.

The purpose of this assessment survey is to learn more about the health and quality of life of Warren County residents. The results from the surveys will be used to help develop plans for addressing major health and community issues in Warren County.

All information is confidential and respondents’ opinions and answer choices will not be linked to them in any way.

This health assessment tool provides a way for communities to voice any unmet health needs or concerns. It is important to have this survey tool to collect data from the community as it helps Warren County Health Department and other county agencies with areas of improvement. This will allow Warren County to determine what social determinants of health the community prioritizes.

The survey can be found at www.warrencountync.com, Warren County Health Department Facebook page, and at https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/lMyK41pb. Printed copies are available for pick-up at the Warren County Health Department.

The Warren County Health Department is located at 544 W. Ridgeway Street, Warrenton, NC. For more information about the Community Health Assessment, visit www.warrencountyhd.com.

Warren Youth Baseball, Softball Registration Open Through Feb. 28

Registration for Warren County Parks and Recreation youth baseball and softball leagues is open the month of February. The cost is $10 per person and is for young people between the ages of 4 and 17. High school students interested in registering may register up to 18 years.

Registration can be completed online at www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation.

or by stopping by the Parks and Recreation office in Warrenton, 113 Wilcox St.

For more information or register, please visit the website or call the office at 252.257.2272.

Parks and Recreation is also seeking volunteer coaches for youth basketball season. Submit volunteer application and background check online at www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation.

 

 

 

Warren Parks and Rec Offers Holiday Kids Crafts Program At Library

Warren County Parks and Recreation is offering a Holiday Kids Crafts program for ages 5-12. This program will be held at the Warren County Memorial Library on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. beginning Feb. 7 through Feb. 21. This program will provide instruction and all supplies to make 2-3 crafts per week. Register by Feb. 3  cost is $5 per child for the three-week session. Limited space is available, so register early.

Registration can be completed online or in person:

For more information or register, please visit the county website or call the Parks and Recreation office at 252.257.2272.

Parks and Recreation is seeking have volunteers for this and other programs. Submit volunteer application and background check online at www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation

Warren Parks And Rec Offers Lifeguard Training Program

Warren County Parks and Recreation is offering a training program on Tuesdays beginning in February to prepare applicants for the lifeguard certification course. This free program will provide transportation for instruction and practice. Upon completion of the training, which runs from Feb. 7 through Mar. 28,those who can pass the prerequisites will have the option to sign up for the lifeguard certification course free of charge. The program is open to individuals 15 years and up.

Register online for the academy and choose one of the options below:

  • Option 1: Pick up from local high school to the John Graham Gym (there will be homework time, open play, light dinner, etc. before departing from the John Graham Gym at 5:30 p.m. to go to Aycock Recreation Center)
  • Option 2: Meet at the John Graham Gym at 5:30 p.m. for free transportation to Aycock Recreation Center
  • Option 3: Meet at Aycock Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m.

Register by Jan. 31 either online or in person:

For more information or to register, please visit the website or call the office at 252.257.2272.

Parks and Recreation welcomes volunteers for this and other programs. Please submit volunteer application and background check online at www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation.

Info Session On 4-H Poultry Project Set For Feb. 21

The spike in egg prices has gotten everyone’s attention lately. Just a couple of years ago, a dozen eggs cost less than $1. Today, that same dozen will set you back close to $5 – or more.

Inflation, coupled with avian flu outbreaks affecting the poultry industry, are the chief culprits, analysts say.

Could this price surge create more interest in backyard flocks? Maybe so. And that’s just fine with local 4-Hers, who are getting ready for the 2023 poultry show and sale.

Children ages 5-18 are invited – with their parents – to join a Zoom meeting on Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. for an information session about the upcoming Four County Poultry Show and Sale.

Participants will get 10 birds to raise, show and then sell at auction. The auction proceeds go to the participant and the local 4-H group. Trophies and awards will be given.

Register at https://go.ncsu.edu/4countypoultry2023 or contact your county extension agent or 4-H agent.

The Local Skinny! St. Paul’s Lutheran Food Minsitry

The kickoff event for the “Feeding the 5,000” food ministry is set for this Saturday, and Corey Brooks, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Ridgeway, said volunteers will be ready to serve a hot meal between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“Come in, sit down, have a hot meal…and enjoy a time of fellowship,” Brooks said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

During the colder months, the meal will be served in the church fellowship hall, but when the weather’s nicer, the plan is to “meet people where they are” and go to different places in the community to serve food.

Thanks to funding from the Mid-Atlantic Lutheran Mission and other local folks interested in helping with food insecurity issues in the community, Brooks said the project has taken shape.

He also said a “Blessing Box” is built and ready to be installed across from the Norlina post office. The weather hasn’t cooperated for installation, but Brooks said it should be up and running by the weekend.

The idea is simple: “Take what you need and leave what you can,” Brooks said of the box, which will be stocked with food items. And Bibles, too.

“We’re excited to have others from other churches in the community that are going to help and volunteer to make this come together,” Brooks said of the meal program. They are brothers and sisters in Christ, he said, “here to serve our neighbors in need.”

Monetary donations can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, with “Feeding the 5,000 food ministry” in the memo line.

The church is located off the Ridgeway-Drewry Rd., 114 Poplar Mt. Rd., Norlina, NC 27563.

 

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