-Press Release, North Carolina Loggers Association
As Hurricane Florence’s wind speeds currently surpass 130 mph, North Carolina loggers are bracing for the hurricane expected to make landfall on the Carolina coast Thursday night as a Category 4 or 5 storm. Major lumber and paper mills powering the state’s $29.4 billion dollar forestry business, along with the loggers harvesting its abundant natural resource, currently lie directly in its path.
Recent massive rainstorms across the state the past month have already slowed logging operations. Hurricane Florence is expected to compound the issue.
North Carolina has about 18.8 million acres of timberland. According to North Carolina State University, the forest products community leads the manufacturing sector within the state. Forest products impact the state’s economy, with more than 1,000 companies directly contributing to North Carolina’s forest industry that employs more than 70,000 individuals.
Photo of Brett McHenry with Brett McHenry’s Logging (Photo Credit Ed Lallo)
“It’s essential, first and foremost, for our loggers and mill operators to be out of harms way by the time the storm hits land,” said Ewell Smith, Executive Director of the Carolina Loggers Association, a non-profit corporation organized to promote logging professionalism and business opportunities for the state’s forest products network. “Currently, the loggers are in the process of securing job sites and bringing in as many logs as possible to the mills to keep them going in the wake of the storm. As one of the state’s largest business sectors vital to our economy, any major disruption in production will definitely create a significant economic ripple for small and large businesses alike.”
According to Smith, the wood and paper mills are just the tip of usage for forestry products. There are numerous other products that are dependent on the same resource and will be impacted from the storm; glass on cell phones, toothpaste, gum for chewing and gluing, as well as America’s favorite McDonalds McFlurry with Oreo Cookies.
Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, along with his counterparts in South Carolina and Virginia, has already declared a state of emergency. The governor has signed an executive order that waives truck weight limits for “crops ready to be harvested” which includes timber.
The office of North Carolina’s Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is continuing to watch the path of Hurricane Florence that has the potential to be a powerful and devastating storm.
“Our state has witnessed the destructive effects of hurricane-force winds and heavy rains in the past, so we know we need to be prepared,” said the Agriculture Commissioner. “Farmers and timber owners need to review their emergency plans, stock up on supplies, compile emergency contact information and monitor weather updates to keep their families safe. We are prepared to work with our state and local partners to help our agriculture and forestry community if the need arises.”
Sitting 116 miles from the coast, Brett McHenry Logging in Wilson, NC has been hit by multiple storms in the past. “Wilson’s my community,” said owner Brett McHenry. “This will definitely be the worst storm we’ve ever had to prepare for. We just finished cutting and now we’re picking up any logs and squaring up our sites and equipment.”
According to Smith, “Hurricane Florence has the potential to bring a vast amount of rain and wind,” he said. “Flooded and saturated lands only compound the issues with the increased safety risks for our loggers while cleaning up fallen trees. Again the number one issue right now is for our logging and forestry communities, as well as people living in wooded areas, to get out of harm’s way of Hurricane Florence.”
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Contact: Ewell Smith
504-884-4585 esmith@ncloggers.com
The CLA is a nonprofit corporation organized to promote professionalism and business opportunities for members. The CLA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit business league. CLA focuses on regional, state and national business issues
Ewell Smith was the former Executive Director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board who has weathered four disastrous hurricanes including Hurricane Katrina.
Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Awards Over $340K in Health Grants
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation
Triangle North Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors has approved $343,450 in grant awards to local organizations in the Foundation’s sixth annual grant cycle. With the 2018 grant award, the Foundation’s contributions to the community total $1.5 million since the Foundation began grantmaking in 2013.
“The primary purpose of our grantmaking is to invest in organizations that share our mission to improve health in our region,” said Val Short, executive director for the Foundation. The 2018 grant awards will fund 12 projects presented by nonprofits and agencies that serve local communities—and all of them will focus on community health and health improvement programs throughout the four-county region. “Our hope is that these grant awards will result in improved health and healthier outcomes for children and adults in Vance, Warren, Granville, and Franklin counties,” said Short.
The 12 grants approved by the board fall under one or more of the five funding priorities established by the Foundation in 2013, including chronic disease, mental health and substance abuse, nutrition and physical activity, reproductive health, and success in school as related to health and wellness.
Most of the 2018 grant projects focus on chronic disease management and prevention and mental health and substance abuse. The TNHF grantees will provide a broad range of approaches to improving health– from programs that provide healing and support to traumatized children, to programs that provide strategies for managing chronic disease, to programs that provide care, treatment, and support for those with substance abuse disorders. “In all of our grant programs, health and wellness are at the heart of the work they will do,” said Short.
A list of the grant recipients and their projects for 2018-19 include:
Located in Henderson, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and schools in Vance, Warren, Granville, and Franklin counties. The Foundation’s grant funding mission has been made possible by the endowment that was established after Maria Parham Health merged with the for-profit Duke-Lifepoint in 2011.
The Foundation will launch a new grant cycle in the spring of 2019, but in the meantime, the Foundation staff is available to discuss ideas for grant projects or to provide assistance with grant writing. Information about our grantees and future grant opportunities is available on the website at www.tnhfoundation.org or call 252-598-0763.
Hurricane Florence Updates – Sept. 12
/by WIZS StaffUpdated Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m.
WIZS will be bringing you updates on Hurricane Florence as new information is received. Please check the WIZS website, Facebook page and listen live to WIZS 1450 AM and 100.1 FM for updates throughout the week. The latest briefing from the National Weather Service can be found any time by clicking here.
Information is provided courtesy Brian K. Short, director of Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations.
(Click here for WIZS audio of this Story)
Brian K. Short, director of Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS Town Talk program to provide updates on Hurricane Florence as of 11 a.m. Florence has taken a more southerly turn and, at the moment, presents less of a threat to the local area.
“It’s safe to say our situation looks significantly better than it did 24 hours ago,” said Short. “If the storm takes the south or southwest track that they think it will, our impact will be much, much less than expected this time yesterday.”
Short urges caution even with an improved forecast, “It will still make impact as a major storm. I don’t believe we need to let our guard down because things can change with little or no notice.”
The present forecast shows wind gusts of approximately 25-35 mph and rainfall of 3-5 inches for the local area. The likelihood of flooding and flash flooding has also decreased over recent hours.
Florence is currently expected to make landfall around mid-afternoon on Friday but so much still depends on the speed at which it moves. “The forward momentum of the storm has picked up, but it is expected to stall later today or tomorrow,” Short said.
Yesterday, officials discussed opening the former Eaton Johnson Middle School building, 500 N. Beckford Dr., Henderson, mid-day on Thursday. According to Short, the change in forecast may prompt the shelter to be opened as late as Thursday evening, Friday morning, or, depending on Florence’s path, not at all.
If opened, the shelter would provide physical refuge from the storm but would not provide food, clothing or supplies. “This would be a place to stay only. You would need to bring the things you could not live without but don’t pack like you’re going on vacation,” said Short.
A decision about the shelter’s opening is expected later today.
Hurricane Florence Targets Major East Coast Logging Operations in NC
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, North Carolina Loggers Association
As Hurricane Florence’s wind speeds currently surpass 130 mph, North Carolina loggers are bracing for the hurricane expected to make landfall on the Carolina coast Thursday night as a Category 4 or 5 storm. Major lumber and paper mills powering the state’s $29.4 billion dollar forestry business, along with the loggers harvesting its abundant natural resource, currently lie directly in its path.
Recent massive rainstorms across the state the past month have already slowed logging operations. Hurricane Florence is expected to compound the issue.
North Carolina has about 18.8 million acres of timberland. According to North Carolina State University, the forest products community leads the manufacturing sector within the state. Forest products impact the state’s economy, with more than 1,000 companies directly contributing to North Carolina’s forest industry that employs more than 70,000 individuals.
Photo of Brett McHenry with Brett McHenry’s Logging (Photo Credit Ed Lallo)
“It’s essential, first and foremost, for our loggers and mill operators to be out of harms way by the time the storm hits land,” said Ewell Smith, Executive Director of the Carolina Loggers Association, a non-profit corporation organized to promote logging professionalism and business opportunities for the state’s forest products network. “Currently, the loggers are in the process of securing job sites and bringing in as many logs as possible to the mills to keep them going in the wake of the storm. As one of the state’s largest business sectors vital to our economy, any major disruption in production will definitely create a significant economic ripple for small and large businesses alike.”
According to Smith, the wood and paper mills are just the tip of usage for forestry products. There are numerous other products that are dependent on the same resource and will be impacted from the storm; glass on cell phones, toothpaste, gum for chewing and gluing, as well as America’s favorite McDonalds McFlurry with Oreo Cookies.
Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina, along with his counterparts in South Carolina and Virginia, has already declared a state of emergency. The governor has signed an executive order that waives truck weight limits for “crops ready to be harvested” which includes timber.
The office of North Carolina’s Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is continuing to watch the path of Hurricane Florence that has the potential to be a powerful and devastating storm.
“Our state has witnessed the destructive effects of hurricane-force winds and heavy rains in the past, so we know we need to be prepared,” said the Agriculture Commissioner. “Farmers and timber owners need to review their emergency plans, stock up on supplies, compile emergency contact information and monitor weather updates to keep their families safe. We are prepared to work with our state and local partners to help our agriculture and forestry community if the need arises.”
Sitting 116 miles from the coast, Brett McHenry Logging in Wilson, NC has been hit by multiple storms in the past. “Wilson’s my community,” said owner Brett McHenry. “This will definitely be the worst storm we’ve ever had to prepare for. We just finished cutting and now we’re picking up any logs and squaring up our sites and equipment.”
According to Smith, “Hurricane Florence has the potential to bring a vast amount of rain and wind,” he said. “Flooded and saturated lands only compound the issues with the increased safety risks for our loggers while cleaning up fallen trees. Again the number one issue right now is for our logging and forestry communities, as well as people living in wooded areas, to get out of harm’s way of Hurricane Florence.”
###
Contact: Ewell Smith
504-884-4585 esmith@ncloggers.com
The CLA is a nonprofit corporation organized to promote professionalism and business opportunities for members. The CLA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit business league. CLA focuses on regional, state and national business issues
Ewell Smith was the former Executive Director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board who has weathered four disastrous hurricanes including Hurricane Katrina.
Second Thursday Food Distribution at Farmers Market Canceled for Sept.
/by WIZS StaffInformation courtesy The First Baptist Church, Henderson
The second Thursday Food Distribution at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market originally scheduled for this Thursday, September 13, has been canceled due to anticipated weather conditions.
Granville Co. Offices To Close at 12:30 p.m., Thurs. Sept. 13
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Michael S. Felts, Granville County Manager
As a precaution, Granville County Government declared a State of Emergency effective this morning, September 12, 2018. This is a measure that allows government officials to enact specific emergency plans and to take additional measures to move resources more freely to ensure the safety of our citizens.
In order to allow Granville County employees time to take care of their personal property and prepare for the potential impacts of this storm, Granville County offices will close at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 13 and will remain closed on Friday, September 14 due to impending inclement weather. The libraries will close on Saturday and Sunday also.
The 5 a.m. advisory now indicates the storm may come on shore at the NC/SC border and track along our southern NC border or just south of the border. A word of caution at this point, though….do not get confident of a lesser impact to our area.
Granville Co. Announces Date Changes for Committee Meetings
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, County of Granville
CHANGE OF MEETING DATES DUE TO HURRICANE FLORENCE
Animal Control Advisory Committee
Will meet Thursday, October 11 at 7 p.m. at the Granville County Expo Center (4185 Highway 15 South, Oxford) instead of Thursday, September 13.
Granville County Library Board of Trustees
Will meet Thursday, September 20 at 4:30 p.m. at the Richard H. Thornton Library (210 Main Street, Oxford) instead of Thursday, September 13.
Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee
Will meet Tuesday, October 2 at 7 p.m. at the Granville County Expo Center (4185 Highway 15 South, Oxford) instead of Tuesday, September 18.
This is the number for the Granville County Command Center:
Granville County Emergency Management: 919-603-1310
The link to our website is below with additional information regarding the storm.
https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/emergency-services/storm-preparedness/
List of Upcoming Granville Chamber Events Postponed/Canceled
/by WIZS Staff— courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com
Upcoming Chamber Events postponed or canceled due to the hurricane forecast:
September 13; 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. POSTPONED
ALIVE AFTER FIVE
Jim Quick and Coastline Band
Downtown Oxford parking lot @ Main and Littlejohn St., Oxford
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September 14; 7:45 a.m. CANCELED
SUNRISE FORUM @ THE HELP CENTER
125 Juniper Court, Oxford (Turn off Oxford Loop, between George’s and McDonald’s; go to the back/end of Juniper Court and look for The Help Center signage.)
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September 18; 8 a.m. POSTPONED
Chamber Ambassadors’ Meeting
Chamber Boardroom
124 Hillsboro St., Oxford
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September 18; 12 p.m. POSTPONED
LUNCH and LEARN ~ SHOP SMALL/SHOP GRANVILLE
Chamber Boardroom; 124 Hillsboro St., Oxford
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Please call the Chamber office at 919-693-6125 or email wanda@granville-chamber.com with any questions or concerns. Details regarding events that have been postponed will be released when available.
Vance Co. Court Sessions Canceled for Sept 13 & 14
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Henry L. Gupton, Clerk of Superior Court, Vance County
Vance County court sessions scheduled for Thursday, September 13 and Friday, September 14 have been canceled at this time.
As of now, the office of Henry L. Gupton, Clerk of Superior Court, Vance County, will still be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This may change depending on the weather forecast.
Maria Parham Health Initiates Emergency Response Plan for Florence
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Maria Parham Health
Effective immediately, Maria Parham Health has initiated its emergency response plan and is proactively taking steps to prepare for the potential impact of Hurricane Florence. The facility’s top priority is to continue providing the highest quality care possible while ensuring the safety of patients and their families, employees and providers – especially in a potentially emergent situation.
As part of its emergency response plan, Maria Parham Health is diligently preparing employees and providers to ensure they are well-equipped to serve the community during this critical time of need. Extra staff will be available to accommodate higher patient volumes and to support the transfer of patients to neighboring facilities, as needed. Hospital leaders are working around the clock to ensure that the facility will have the appropriate capacity and supplies to continue caring for patients and supporting staff in the days ahead.
Maria Parham is closely collaborating with the Emergency Management office in North Carolina and Vance County to stay abreast of the latest storm developments, collaborate on appropriate response protocols and provide updates to the community. The facility intends to share regular updates via media alerts, its website and social media platforms regarding potential facility challenges that may impact certain patient care services in the immediate days ahead. The community should be advised that in the event of a widespread power outage, the hospital has the ability to generate its own power, as needed.
At this time, the hospital and its Emergency Department remain open and are fully operational. If you have an appointment scheduled this week with a provider in one of the hospital’s clinics, please call that office directly to confirm if they will be open.
Please be sure to check the hospital’s website at mariaparham.com and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MariaParhamHealth frequently for updates throughout the duration of the storm.
Franklin Co. Encourages You to Sign Up/Update Code Red
/by WIZS Staff-Information and flyer courtesy Kristen King, Clerk to the Board, Franklin County
Citizens are encouraged to sign up and/or update their contact information on Code Red to receive emergency notifications within Franklin County. The process is simple and only takes a couple of moments. Please share the word with others!