Two chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association in North Carolina are partnering with the Parkinson’s Foundation Carolinas to host a series of free virtual weekly education workshops to help those who are providing care for family members or others living with dementia.
The series is titled The Empowered Caregiver and it is designed to help caregivers by sharing activities they can apply to their specific situations.
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease and the most common cause of dementia. Parkinson’s disease dementia also falls under that umbrella term. While the disease states are different, there are similarities in caring for both forms of dementia.
“Our latest Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report shows that dementia caregivers in North Carolina face significant emotional, physical and health-related challenges as a result of caregiving,” said Christine John-Fuller, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Dementia is also common for individuals in later stage Parkinson’s. Our goal with this collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation is to offer tools and education to help caregivers feel supported and see pathways forward.”
The Empowered Caregiver education series will be offered via live webinar each Thursday in August from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. -with each week covering a new topic.
Building Foundations of Caregiving – August 1
Explores the role of caregiver and changes they may experience building a support team and managing stress.
Supporting Independence – August 8
Focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.
Communicating Effective – August 15
Teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals.
Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors – August 22
Details common behavior changes and how they’re a form of communication, non-medical approaches to behaviors and recognizing when help is needed.
Exploring Care and Support Services – August 29
Examines how best to prepare for future care decisions and changes, including respite care, residential care and end of life care.
“We are excited about this partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association because no matter the disease, care partners need help,” says Diana Parrish, senior advancement director, Carolinas Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “As a care partner for 19 years, we have found that the Parkinson’s Foundation’s resources, services, and programs have helped us on this journey!”
There is no charge to participate, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link for the series. To sign-up, visit tinyurl.com/CaregiverAugust or call 800.272.3900.
One Dead, Two Injured In Early-Morning Shooting Wednesday On Gholson Place
/by WIZS StaffA 21-year-old died from a gunshot wound in the early-morning hours of Wednesday, July 24 in what law enforcement officers have ruled a homicide.
Tabyious Cheek, 21, died from injuries in the shooting and two other gunshot victims were transported to Duke University Hospital for treatment, according to information Friday from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame.
Brame stated that deputies and members of the Henderson Police Department responded to Maria Parham about 12:39 a.m. Wednesday in reference to three gunshot victims.
Omir Gibbs, 19, and a 16-year-old juvenile were taken to Duke from Maria Parham.
It was determined that the incident occurred on Gholson Place in Henderson, Brame stated.
The investigation into this incident is still ongoing and anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252.738.2200, or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or through the P3 app.
Sheriff Brame: One Arrested On Drug Charges
/by WIZS Staff-Press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics unit served an arrest warrant on Jerry Lee Lemay, Jr. at 457 Lemay Lane in Henderson. The warrant was issued as a result of an ongoing narcotics investigation prompted by numerous complaints from citizens regarding the sale of narcotics at the above location. Lemay had an additional outstanding warrant for the possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
Lemay was served with two warrants charging him with Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Heroin; and Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle.
Lemay appeared before a t a magistrate and was given a $40,000 secured bond.
Warren County Homeowners Can Apply For Help With Home Rehab, Emergency Repairs
/by WIZS StaffWarren County homeowners can apply for funding to help with needed home improvements through Aug. 20.
The application period, which opened Monday, allows low- and moderate-income residents to get assistance with home rehab projects and emergency repairs with Community Development Blcok Grant money through the N.C. Rural Economic Development Division. The funding does not require a local match and will be available in the fall of 2024.
The applications will be evaluated and scored to determine eligibility. Applicants must own and live in their home and be able to document that they are not delinquent on any property taxes to date and hold a clear title to the property.
“Applying for CDBG housing repair funds has been a goal of this department as a part of our transition from economic development to community and economic development,” stated Community & Economic Director Charla Duncan. “We are excited to now be in a position to have staff lead these efforts and begin addressing housing needs in our community.”
This program is designed to address housing needs that include severe structural deficiencies or severe water and/or sewer needs. Minor structural cosmetic improvements will not be considered. To be considered for this program, manufactured housing must have been converted into real property before applying. For questions about manufactured housing as real property, residents should contact the Tax Administrator’s office.
Two informational and technical assistance sessions will be held during the application period: Thursday Aug. 1 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Warren County Memorial Library and Monday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Warren County Senior Center.
For more information applying or the CDBG program and the application process, contact Rose Ponton, Community Development Division Manager with the Warren County Community & Economic Development Office, by email at roseponton@warrencountync.gov or by calling 252.257.3115.
GCPS, Library System Team Up With $400K Digital Divide Grant Funding
/by WIZS StaffGranville County Public Schools and the Granville County Library System are teaming up with a project that will benefit students and library patrons, with help from a $400,000 Digital Champion grant.
The grant comes from the N.C. Department of Information Technology, which has awarded more than $30 million to fund 63 projects across the state in an effort to bridge the digital divide.
The two Granville County entities will use the money to refresh student laptops and to expand technology-based paid internships for GCPS high school students, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin, as well as purchase devices for checkout and use through the Granville County Library System and secure mobile Starlink internet access for the rural library branches and other parts of the county with limited internet access.
Library Director Will Robinson called the partnership a “wonderful opportunity,” noting that the Digital Champion grant will allow the library to expand its digital resources and ensure that patrons and students “have access to essential technology and online information regardless of their background or financial situation. By bridging the digital divide, we empower our residents with the tools they need for education, employment and personal growth.”
GCPS Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne said the funding will help prepare students to use technology in the workplace more effectively.
“It also allows us to further impact our community in our partnership with the Granville County Library System. All Granville County citizens deserve reliable access to technology and broadband. We look forward to seeing how this funding will positively impact our schools, students, and Granville County citizens,” Winborne said.
Area August Blood Drives
/by WIZS StaffThe American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets as the summer continues. Type O blood donors are especially needed to help keep hospital shelves stocked through August.
Anyone who donates blood or platelets during the month of August will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details.
Make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Upcoming blood drives by county:
Vance
Henderson
8/1/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.
Granville
Oxford
8/15/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ernest F. Hart American Legion Post 90, 914 Williamsboro St.
Warren
Warrenton
8/12/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Warren County Armory Civic Center, 501 US Hwy 158 Bus E
Franklin
Louisburg
8/2/2024: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Senior Citizens Center, 279 S. Bickett Blvd.
Online Workshops In August Designed To Support Caregivers To Those Living With Dementia
/by WIZS StaffTwo chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association in North Carolina are partnering with the Parkinson’s Foundation Carolinas to host a series of free virtual weekly education workshops to help those who are providing care for family members or others living with dementia.
The series is titled The Empowered Caregiver and it is designed to help caregivers by sharing activities they can apply to their specific situations.
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease and the most common cause of dementia. Parkinson’s disease dementia also falls under that umbrella term. While the disease states are different, there are similarities in caring for both forms of dementia.
“Our latest Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report shows that dementia caregivers in North Carolina face significant emotional, physical and health-related challenges as a result of caregiving,” said Christine John-Fuller, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Dementia is also common for individuals in later stage Parkinson’s. Our goal with this collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation is to offer tools and education to help caregivers feel supported and see pathways forward.”
The Empowered Caregiver education series will be offered via live webinar each Thursday in August from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. -with each week covering a new topic.
Building Foundations of Caregiving – August 1
Explores the role of caregiver and changes they may experience building a support team and managing stress.
Supporting Independence – August 8
Focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.
Communicating Effective – August 15
Teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals.
Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors – August 22
Details common behavior changes and how they’re a form of communication, non-medical approaches to behaviors and recognizing when help is needed.
Exploring Care and Support Services – August 29
Examines how best to prepare for future care decisions and changes, including respite care, residential care and end of life care.
“We are excited about this partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association because no matter the disease, care partners need help,” says Diana Parrish, senior advancement director, Carolinas Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “As a care partner for 19 years, we have found that the Parkinson’s Foundation’s resources, services, and programs have helped us on this journey!”
There is no charge to participate, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link for the series. To sign-up, visit tinyurl.com/CaregiverAugust or call 800.272.3900.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-26-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Drought? What Drought? WIZS Listening Area Removed From ‘Abnormally Dry’ Status
/by WIZS StaffGiven the recent downpours, showers and afternoon and evening thunderstorms, the WIZS listening area no longer is in the “abnormally dry” status posted by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council.
Just last week, most of the state was experiencing some level of drought conditions, according to NCDROUGHT.ORG, but since then, that level has decreased, thanks to substantial rainfall. Only five counties remain in severe drought, with 30 counties still in moderate drought and 47 others in the abnormally dry category.
Rainfall totals vary widely across the four counties, with some areas reporting 1-inch, 2-inch, even 5-inch totals just in the last week.
The rain has been a welcome sight for farmers with crops in the field. Hopefully, corn and bean crops in the southeastern portion of the state have gotten some relief as well.
SportsTalk: Elliott Readies Vipers For Practice
/by WIZS StaffWhere will you be at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 31? If you want to play JV or varsity football in a Vance County High School Vipers uniform, the correct answer is: at football practice.
Head Coach Aaron Elliott said high schools can officially start practice on July 31 and the players are looking forward to the late-night tradition that Elliott began his first year as coach.
“This is the third year,” Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk with Bill Harris and George Hoyle. The players “absolutely love it and look forward to it – we’re gonna keep it going.”
The workouts and practices they’ve had over the summer have been well attended, , but they’re not mandatory, so Elliott said the Tuesday night/Wednesday morning session will get things started in earnest. He figures he’s talked with 85 or so young people who want to play this season.
He’s especially pleased about the number of younger players – “that’s going tohelp the JV team out,” he said.
There’s one incoming freshman, however, who has probably already got a spot on the varsity squad, Elliott noted. He said he got the chance to catch a Vance County Middle School game and witnessed a particular player score touchdowns three different ways – on a kickoff return playing special teams, intercepting a pass on defense and scampering across the goal line for six on offense.
Making a mental note to keep an eye on this young man, Elliott said he had the chance to speak with him and about being a part of the program. “He’s been with us all summer – hasn’t missed a practice,” Elliott said. Chances are, he’ll be starting on defense when the season opens.
Elliott said he’s talked with other coaches and they’re experiencing an uptick in interest in high sports, which is encouraging.
“As much as we want to put COVID in the past, it’s still affecting high school sports,” he said. The football team graduated 10 players last year; that number is set to rise to 14 this year and if the trend continues, next year’s team will have 29 graduate. For Elliott, those numbers have a direct correlation to decreased numbers during the COVID pandemic.
The Wednesday practice will last about an hour and 45 minutes, Elliott said and then they’ll have a more normal practice time on Thursday at 5 p.m.
There’s a Jamboree on Aug. 9, and another exhibition-style game on Aug. 17 before the season opener away again Warren County High School on Aug. 23.
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TownTalk: Around Old Granville: Forgotten Historical Figures
/by Laura GabelMark Pace, NC Room Specialist at Thornton Library in Oxford talks about local historical figures that have been forgotten.