The Local Skinny! 100 Deadliest Days

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Sandwiched in between two national holidays – Memorial Day and Labor Day – is a period of about 100 days that parents of teen drivers never want to commemorate: During those three or so months have proven to be the deadliest for teen drivers.

During the summer months, teen drivers find themselves with more time on their hands – school is out, and they may be driving to summer jobs or be a taxi service for younger siblings.

In 2021, NCDOT statistics show almost 14,000 car crashes involving teens during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, resulting in 36 fatalities.

The state’s graduated driver license program includes measures that can help new drivers, including restricted nighttime driving and non-family passenger limits.

Of course, experienced drivers of a particular age may have had those same restrictions placed on them by their parents before the graduated driver license system began, and parents today can still be a positive influence on their children when they get behind the wheel.

The top factors for crashes are speeding, lane departure and distracted driving.

Be a good role model for your children and follow all the safety tips: don’t text and drive, even if you’re using the phone to navigate or change the music you’re playing.

Read more at https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/safety/driving-safety/Pages/teen-driver-safety.aspx

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Bug And Tar Removal

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For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

As the weather heats up heading into summertime conditions, it’s a good time to give a little extra attention to your vehicle’s exterior. That sunshine that feels so good can really do a number on your car’s paint, especially if you let dead bugs and road tar residue hang around too long.

Those insects that get stuck in your car or truck grill are unsightly, sure – like when you’ve got a bit of food stuck in your teeth – but did you know that the acidic nature of bugs and the materials in road tar can create bigger problems?

The folks at Advance Auto can steer you to the right product to get rid of bugs and tar before they cause damage.

Whether you choose a preventative product like a prewash or simply a product that is sure to remove the surface gunk, remember that what you want to do is to break the bond between the gunk and the surface. Especially when you’re dealing with a painted surface, it’s important to choose the right product that is designed to target the specific problem.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  •  Soil Samples
  • Controlling Deer in gardens
  • Check garden for insects
  • Check soil moisture
  • Protect seedlings from birds
  • Pruning Azaleas
  • Succession Planting
  • Squash bugs
  • Check tomatoes for leaf disease

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Upcoming Events At Perry Memorial Library

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Parents, if you’re wondering just how you’re going to keep the kids busy when they get out of school, just tap in to some of the events and programs that are shaping up at Perry Memorial Library.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days that have the main programs for young people this summer, said Melody Peters, Youth Services director at the library.

Take the Summer Reading Program kickoff, for example. Stop in on Tuesday, June 18 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to get the particulars of the incentive program that’s good for young people and adults, Peters said on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny!

“We just really want all ages joining us – we want people reading all summer,” she said. One minute of reading equals 1 point. Accumulate points to earn rewards – it’s just that easy.

The kickoff event features carnival-style games for the kids, craft activities for all ages, inflatable bowling games courtesy of the local rec and parks department, and Pelican Sno balls. Rangers from the Kerr Lake State Recreation Area will take part, as well as beekeepers from Vance and Warren counties.

With “adventure” as part of the theme, Peters reminds all readers that you can “find adventure in your backyard or in a good book.”

There are movies scheduled for Thursdays at 11 a.m. during the summer, as well as other special live performances including an aerial storytelling performance and a kids’ band – both returning after an overwhelming response last summer.

A new literary club is forming for middle and high school aged youth; come from 12 noon to 1 on Thursdays beginning June 27.

There’s another new program called Sip n Read, which provides coffee and tea in the Farm Bureau Room for adults who just want some quiet time with a hot beverage and a good book. Stop by between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26 and Wednesday, July 3 for a respite from the summer temps.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to check out a complete listing of all programs that await you at your library.

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Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health Hosting Memorial Day Event – Gather ‘Round The Flag Poles On May 23 At 10 AM

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Maria Parham Health invites the community to a special Memorial Day event Thursday, May 23 to pay tribute to the courageous individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“Let us come together as a community to honor and remember those who have selflessly served our nation,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “We extend a warm invitation to everyone to join us in this meaningful tribute to our fallen heroes. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.”

The commemoration will take place at the flagpoles of Maria Parham Health on Ruin Creek Road, beginning at 10 a.m., according to information from MPH Marketing & Communication Coordinator Donna Young.

This commemorative event will feature:

  • Prayers for those who gave their lives in service
  • Guest speakers sharing reflections
  • Music to uplift and inspire
  • The hanging of a Memorial Wreath
  • Reading of Names in Memoriam to honor individuals’ sacrifice

All members of the public are invited to join us as we come together to honor and remember our fallen heroes. Whether you have a personal connection to the military or simply wish to pay your respects, your presence is deeply appreciated.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to hospital auditorium to ensure the solemnity of the occasion remains undisturbed.

This special program comes on the heels of an earlier event on May 2, the National Day of Prayer. At 12 noon, team members from three area hospitals – Maria Parham Henderson, Maria Parham Franklin in Louisburg and Person Memorial Hospital in Roxboro – gathered at their respective locations to offer prayers for the nation, their hospitals and patients, as well as for families.

Beard, who serves as Market CEO at Maria Parham Health and Person Memorial Hospital, expressed appreciation for those who gathered together at the three locations. “In  moments like these, we are reminded of the profound impact of collective prayer in fostering  hope, resilience and compassion within our community,” Beard said.

The National Day of Prayer observance provided an opportunity for hospital staff to come together in a spirit of solidarity, reflecting on the challenges faced by our nation and our healthcare system  while also offering gratitude for the tireless efforts of frontline workers and the resilience of  patients and families.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all who participated in this meaningful observance,” added Beard. “Together, through the power of prayer and compassion, we can continue to support and uplift one another, fostering a culture of healing and unity within our hospitals and beyond.”

-information courtesy of Maria Parham Health

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Oxford Plans Memorial Day Service Monday May 27 At 11 AM

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The City of Oxford invites the community to a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony Monday, May 27, at the Granville Veterans Memorial Wall, located in front of City Hall.

The ceremony begins at 11 a.m., according to information from Oxford Communications Specialist Sabrina Richards. Rene Adams, representing the group Gold Star Mothers is, the featured speaker. The event serves to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

Mark your calendars and plan to attend. City Hall is located at 300 Williamsboro St. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors.

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Vance County Logo

Tax Revaluation Info Session Monday, May 20

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Vance County will hold a tax revaluation information session Monday, May 20.

The session starts at 4 p.m. and will be held in the Vance County Administration Building (the old courthouse building).

On a flyer the County has indicated that it has answers to questions about the revaluation.

The Local Skinny! Making Things Happen Downtown

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The Henderson City Council Monday approved a tax incentive program to encourage downtown business owners to make improvements to the overall appearance of downtown without adding to their tax bill.

Downtown Development Coordinator Tracy Madigan explained on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! that the tax incentives would occur over a five-year period. The idea is pretty simple: when a business owner makes improvements to a building’s interior or exterior,  the presumption that the property value – and associated tax – would also increase.

Through the tax incentive program,  Madigan said the additional tax amount would be waived 100 percent. In Year 2, the percent would drop to 80 percent, and continue at that rate until Year 5, when the tax due would be 20 percent of the higher tax bill.

There are programs in place to help downtown businesses with items like new awnings and signs, she said, but the tax incentive plan provides “a little more meat” to support existing businesses and to encourage new businesses to come downtown.

“This has a lot of teeth to incentivize (downtown business owners) and make improvements downtown,” Madigan said. It’s just one of the things in the proverbial pipeline that she said would motivate improvements in the overall appearance of the downtown area.

Madigan said recent changes made by the City Council to create a separate board to oversee the city’s participation in the NC Main Street program is just one way to strengthen downtown revitalization efforts. The newly created board can focus specifically on the Main Street Program. Previously, the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission board had served in this capacity, and Madigan said creating a new board to focus on the Main Street program will free up the HVDC board to implement additional strategies to support downtown revitalization.

“It’s a way to improve downtown from two different directions – and get more done,” she said.

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Granville Vance Public Health Logo

The Local Skinny: Granville Vance Public Health Receives Recognition

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The Care Management High Risk Pregnancy Program at Granville Vance Public Health has received the “Friend of WIC” award by the NC Dept. of Health and Human Community Nutrition Service section for its commitment to providing quality services and advocating for its participants.

The award follows the nomination of GVPH Care Manager and social worker, Phylicia Evans, for the Institute for Family’s 2024 Family Champion Award, according to information from GVPH.  Evans was recognized for her work as a social worker in North Carolina who goes the extra mile to support her community and to connect countless families in the community to essential services and resources.

The Friend of WIC award recognizes continued collaboration and outstanding support of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program. Selection is based on demonstration of commitment to improving WIC Program services and continual advocacy for program services  and participants.

Kristy Walker, Pregnancy Care Management Supervisor, accepted the award on behalf of Granville Vance Public Health (GVPH). “The ongoing collaboration between the Care Management High Risk Pregnancy Program (CMHRP) Program and the WIC Program reflects a shared commitment to advocating for the well-being of participants,” Walker stated. “Through regular reporting, communication channels, and coordinated efforts, both programs work together to  enhance service delivery and participant satisfaction.”

The CMHRP Program at GVPH has established several proactive initiatives to ensure that all patients have access to improved WIC Program services, including streamlining the enrollment process to increase WIC Program participation. GVPH staff also leverage Medicaid eligibility with WIC benefits to provide additional nutritional support and use technology to identify participants who may need additional assistance from care managers.

The CMHRP Program also promotes WIC Program services by facilitating direct communication during office visits or remote interactions to provide comprehensive support and guidance regarding WIC benefits. Program staff advocate for a holistic care approach that addresses participants’ nutritional needs alongside their high-risk pregnancy management.

Lauren Faulkner, GVPH WIC director, said she is “thrilled” that CMHRP Program has been recognized for the honor. “It’s a reminder of the impact we can make and motivates us to keep improving and evolving our services for the community.”

For more information on GVPH maternal health programs, please go to our website: www.gvph.org/clinic/maternal-health-clinic

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Schools Provide Support To Students Facing First Weekend At Emergency Shelter

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The 70 or so children who have spent this week with their families and others at a local shelter face their first weekend away from the place they once called home.

The situation is certainly not ideal, but Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett told WIZS News earlier Friday that district staff has put together some activities for the children to help get through the next couple of days when they’re not in school and things are far from “normal.”

“For the weekend, we are providing totes with art supplies, reading materials, board games and indoor/outdoor physical education items,” Bennett said.

On Monday, about 40 families moved to a shelter that was set up in the gym on the former campus of Eaton Johnson Middle School.
They had been extended-stay residents at a hotel located on Parham Road – some for longer than a year.

Earlier this week, Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott said she was encouraged to see the community support as churches, schools and city and county leaders have rallied to create a caring network for the families who had to move to the shelter.

Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon said the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is in charge of the shelter, with the cooperation of Vance County. The city’s role is limited and one of support to NCDHSS and other agencies in charge, Blackmon explained. “Our role at this point is to be an advocate for the families and to ensure that the motel remains closed for occupancy until the owners mitigate the violations at the property and bring it into compliance with the state building code.”

The city issued a zoning violation in addition to various fire code violations, Blackmon said, the majority of which are related to the state building code, which falls under the county inspections department.

The circumstances have been challenging, to be sure, but Bennett said that the district has worked to provide food, transportation and more to the children who attend Vance County Schools and their families.

“All of the VCS students who are staying in the shelter are still attending school- we have rerouted our buses to ensure they are picked up and delivered back to the shelter each day,” Bennett said in an email.

Members of the district’s Students Services team members are helping the shelter to get the children off to school in the morning and to greet them up on their return in the afternoon, she said.

The Student Behavioral Health Team is working with parents to identify new clothing that has been donated for the children, and breakfast and lunch are provided at no charge each day.

“Students who are displaced are identified as McKinney-Vento and additional resources are being added when needed.  The district has also had a social worker, nurse and counselor at the shelter each day this week to support the families and help connect them with community resources,” Bennett explained.

“We are there to support in any way we can,” Blackmon said of the city’s response to the situation. But, he added, “the services currently most needed by these families at the shelter are provided by the state, county and local nonprofit agencies.”