Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Tools For Parents

/by

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

Click Play!

 

Vance County Schools Adds Two To District Leadership Roles

/by

Vance County Schools has added to its leadership staff with the recent hiring of a Career and Technical Education director as well as a Safety Coordinator.

Dr. Aretha Garr is the new CTE director, according to information from VCS spokesperson Aarika Sandlin. Milton Thomas is the district’s new safety coordinator.

Garr brings to her new role at VCS more than two decades of experience of guiding students towards fulfilling and successful careers. She most recently was career development coordinator and principal designee at the Academy at Smith’s Signature Career Academy of Biomedical Sciences in Guilford County.

She also was CTE Department Chair at Parkland IB Magnet High School and Carver High School, both in Winston-Salem.

“I am excited to work towards increasing program enrollment and retention, and forging powerful community partnerships to ensure students have all the tools they need to make informed career decisions,” Garr said in a press statement.

Garr has Bachelor of Business Administration from High Point University, a Master of Healthcare Administration from Pfeiffer University and the School Administrator credential through the Master of School Administration Licensure Program at N.C. A&T State University. She graduated with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from High Point University.

As the VCS Safety Coordinator, Thomas brings vast experience in the areas of security, investigations and emergency management to his new role. With more than 30 years’ experience in the field, Thomas has been a Marine MP, criminal investigator and drill instructor, as well as additional experience as a law enforcement officer and  For the last 18 years of his time with the USMC, he was a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Officer. In this role, Thomas focused on emergency and consequence management. Upon retirement from the service, Thomas joined Vance County Schools at Clarke Elementary as the Media and Technology Assistant.

Thomas earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and his Master of Science in Performance Improvement from the University of Arkansas Grantham.

Maria Parham Steps Up Visitor Restrictions To Combat Spread Of Respiratory Viruses

/by

Maria Parham Health has announced additional restrictions are being implemented for hospital visitors, effective immediately, in response to an elevated level of respiratory virus and illness.

These restrictions were put in place to protect the health and safety of patients and employees, according to information released by the hospital earlier Wednesday.

At this time, the use of face masks is optional, but highly encouraged by all visitors. Masks remain a simple, yet effective, tool to prevent respiratory viral transmission.

Hospital officials note that the Charge Nurse or House Supervisor has discretion to waive these restrictions outside normal visiting hours. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis; specific situations – such as end-of-life care or critically ill patients – are two such examples where discretion could be used.

The measures in place now include:

  • Children under 18 are discouraged from visiting
  • Adult visitors and family members should be limited to next of kin and close contacts.
  • Only two visitors will be allowed at a time. There may be times when 1 or no visitors will be allowed into the Emergency Department
  • Visitors who do not feel well are asked not to visit
  • Use proper cough etiquette (covering cough with tissue or arm, disposing of tissue immediately then cleaning hands)
  • Perform hand hygiene before and after visiting

Visit https://www.mariaparham.com/visiting-hours.

TownTalk: Coker Takes Over As Chief Of Animal Services

/by

The vast majority of pet owners do the right thing and provide everything their animals need to live healthy, happy lives as furry members of the family.

And while Vance County’s new Animal Services Chief William Coker acknowledges this to be the case, he said that for those pet owners who don’t, there are county ordinances in place to protect animals.

“I think the biggest thing is educating the community on proper animal welfare and the county ordinances” in place to protect animals from maltreatment.

Once a dog is placed in a pen or put on a chain in the yard, it instantly becomes totally dependent on people for food, water and shelter. And it’s up to Coker and his officers to make sure all the animals in the county are afforded the minimum standards.

He said he chooses to de-escalate situations that may involve improper pet treatment, but he’s not afraid to fall back on county ordinances. Dogs must have a dog house, for example, and access to fresh water and they must be fed once a day – those are the minimum standards in place for the county’s canines.

After animal services officers give pet owners a couple of warnings and still fail to comply, the officers can issue citations.

Educating the community can come in many forms, Coker said on Wednesday’s TownTalk: he said he’d like to get into the schools and talk to young people about proper animal care. He also said he wants to emphasize getting dogs and cats spayed and neutered to reduce the unwanted pet population.

When his officers go out on a call, he asks that they promote the spay/neuter program, which often can be at a reduced cost for those that qualify.

Coker said he’s always had a passion for animals, and when he learned of an opening at animal services, he applied and was hired on in 2013. He worked with former chief Frankie Nobles for five years, and he said he learned a lot from his time working alongside Nobles.

He and Nobles stay in close contact and Coker said it’s reassuring to know that Nobles, now the county’s Special Projects Coordinator, is just a phone call away.

“I don’t like seeing animals mistreated,” Coker said. Just the other day, he came to work and found a dog tied outside the office door. As much as he hates for that to happen, he said the alternative – just turning the dog loose – wasn’t a good option either.

“As long as I’m chief of animal services, I’ll never turn away a surrender.”

Learn more about Vance County Animal Services at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal-control/

CLICK PLAY!

 

Home And Garden Show

/by

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

  • January is the inventory season to check your seed chemicals, garden equipment.
  • If you are shopping for lawn & garden equipment, consider the rechargeable options.
  • Plan landscape projects now
  • When planning landscape projects, consider impacts on tree root zones.
  • Write down garden problems you had in 2023 Contact Cooperative Extension.
  • Begin monitoring lawns for cool season weeds
  • Check pruning equipment now!
  • Visit public gardens even in winter!
  • Construct a small greenhouse.

Click Play!

 

Vance County Logo

Vance County Names Sherry Moss New Planning Director

/by

Vance County has named Sherry Moss as its new planning director. Moss, currently the planning director for the town of Nashville, NC, will begin her new job on Feb. 12.

Moss is no stranger to the area, having held positions in county government in Vance and Granville counties, as well as the city of Henderson.

She has been Vance County’s interim planning director and special projects coordinator, and has more than 17 years of experience in local government, according to information from Vance County Manager Renee Perry.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to be back to serve the citizens of Vance County,” Moss said in a press statement.

Moss has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Shaw University and a master’s in public policy: public administration from Liberty University.

Perry said she welcomes Moss back to Vance County. “I’m looking forward to working with Sherry in this new role; Sherry is a breath of fresh air and will serve the county well,” sPerry said.

Vehicle Apparently Hit Pedestrian on East Andrews Avenue

/by

January 9, 2024

Press Release:

On Monday, January 8, 2024, at approximately 7:00PM, officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the 300 block of E. Andrews Avenue in reference to a motor vehicle collision, involving a pedestrian.

On scene, 49-year-old William Lamonte Cash was located in the roadway just a few feet from the curb of the road. Medical personnel transported Mr. Cash to an area medical facility for his serious injuries. The extent of those injuries cannot be released at this time. The vehicle was not immediately located.

A witness placed Mr. Cash on the sidewalk/curb of the road just before the incident and described the vehicle as a large truck, hauling equipment or material on a trailer. The area where he stepped into the roadway was not at an intersection or pedestrian crossing. The witness did not observe the actual contact but had just spoken to Mr. Cash from across the roadway moments before hearing the collision.

Video was collected from the area, and thanks to the witness description, we were able to identify and locate the possible vehicle involved and the operator. This incident remains an open investigation; no other information will be released until the investigation is concluded.

Marcus W. Barrow

Chief of Police

Henderson Police Department

Henderson, N.C.

Missing Dog Near Wilton

/by

For our friend and his dog.  Please call or text if you see Bennett.