Anyone who owns a vacation home or rental property may know the difference between a homeowner’s insurance policy and a dwelling policy. They are two distinct types of coverage, and N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has successfully negotiated an agreement that provides for a rate increase of 8 percent for dwelling policies.
The Rate Bureau had requested a 50.6 percent increase, but as the head of what Causey calls a consumer advocate agency, it’s his job to keep an eye on the bottom line to make sure that people who want and need insurance have access to the best information to make decisions about coverage.
“My job is to protect consumers…to make sure they’re getting a fair shake and (insurance) companies are financially solvent so that they can pay claims when needed,” he said on Thursday’s TownTalk.
Although the rates vary across the state – higher rates in counties along the coast and lower in some of the western counties, Vance County’s rate is just over half of that 8 percent level, Causey said – 4.8 or 4.9 percent.
The new rates take effect on Nov. 1.
Renters need to remember, however, that a dwelling policy is for the structure; renters still need to consider renters’ insurance to protect their personal property against, loss, theft or damage.
Causey explained that, as insurance commissioner, he is only able to offer two responses to a Rate Bureau for a rate request: yes or no.
So far, in his 8 years, his answer has always been “no,” which puts the request on a path that involves going to court. The dwelling policy rate request had been scheduled for later this month, but it was canceled when an agreement was reached in May.
“I’ve beem criticized for not going to court,” Causey said, but court cases are expensive and those costs get passed along to taxpayers. The way he sees it, “getting as close to 0 as you can get – that’s much better than going through that court process.”
So far, a request for a homeowner’s insurance rate increase is still on for October. During the required public comment period, Causey said he received more than 25,000 comments – not surprisingly – asking that rates not go up.
“I heard the message loud and clear,” Causey said.
With his consumer advocacy hat on, Causey reminds current policy holders to review their coverage regularly, shop around and choose financially sound companies that will be able to pay claims.
Make sure you ask your insurance agent about deductibles and make sure you ask for replacement value coverage.
“If you don’t have replacement value coverage, you’re not going to be happy with your claim,” he said. Having this type of coverage may cost a few dollars more in premiums, he said, but “it’s worth its weight in gold.”
Oh, and don’t fall for TV and internet ads. Choose local agents with local companies, he said.
Email him at mike.causey@ncdoi.gov, visit www.complaint.ncdoi.gov to file a complaint or phone the department 855.408.1212.
“We’re here to help and that’s the message I want to get out,” Causey said.
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Coop with Jamon Glover: When Your Child Gets In Bed With You
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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Warren County Seeks Members To Form New Tourism Development Authority
/by WIZS StaffThe Warren County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to establish a Warren County Tourism Development Authority.
State and local statutes require establishing a TDA to oversee revenue generated by the newly levied 5 percent occupancy tax on short-term lodging.
The occupancy tax is not a property tax; rather, it is similar to sales tax, in that it is passed on to visitors and occupants of short-term rental lodging facilities. While the tax is collected by the Warren County Finance Office, the established TDA board is the sole entity that oversees how revenues are spent.
Revenue must be spent on tourism and marketing and tourism-related infrastructure.
Individuals interested in participating should complete a statement of interest before Aug. 9. The form
can be found on the www.warrencountync.com website or by visiting https://www.warrencountync.com/FormCenter/County-Commissioners-9/Statement-of-Interest-to-Serve-on-the-Wa-79
The TDA composition includes:
For more information on the Warren County occupancy tax, visit https://www.warrencountync.com/876/Occupancy-Tax-5.
Contact Paula Pulley, clerk to the Board of Commissioners, at paulapulley@warrencountync.gov or call 252.257.3115 to learn more about serving on the county’s boards and commissions.
Pop The Hood: Know The Difference Between Coolant And Antifreeze
/by WIZS Staff— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.
Although the terms often are used interchangeably, it’s important to know that antifreeze and coolant are NOT the same thing.
Coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze; antifreeze contains either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, which keep your engine from freezing in winter or overheating in summer.
And while it may sound strange to be talking about “anti-freeze” products in the middle of summer, it’s always good to know just what your vehicle needs to operate efficiently in any type of weather. Let the professionals at Advance Auto Parts help you choose the product that’s just right for your needs.
Michael Puckett, a district manager at the Advance Auto on Raleigh Road, said different types of antifreeze come in different colors, according to their particular uses and ingredients.
Vehicle owners should follow the original manufacturer’s specifications when choosing antifreeze.
Coolants are usually 50/50 mixes of distilled water and the glycol, but different brands may offer different ratios.
In addition to raising the boiling point and lowering the freezing point of water, coolant also helps prevent corrosion.
Unless it’s an emergency situation, it’s never a good idea to put plain ol’ water in your vehicle’s radiator. But it IS always a good idea to disconnect the battery cables and make sure the engine is cool enough to work on before adding any fluids, even if you’re just topping off.
When your car or truck engine is not running, the coolant is in the radiator. When the engine is running, however, the coolant courses through passageways in the engine, absorbing heat before returning to the radiator to be cooled by fresh air.
If you find you’re having to top off coolant levels often, it could be a sign that there’s a leak in the system somewhere.
It’s a good idea to think about doing a system flush every few years, but that depends on the make and model of the vehicle.
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.
TownTalk: NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Rates and More
/by Laura GabelAnyone who owns a vacation home or rental property may know the difference between a homeowner’s insurance policy and a dwelling policy. They are two distinct types of coverage, and N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has successfully negotiated an agreement that provides for a rate increase of 8 percent for dwelling policies.
The Rate Bureau had requested a 50.6 percent increase, but as the head of what Causey calls a consumer advocate agency, it’s his job to keep an eye on the bottom line to make sure that people who want and need insurance have access to the best information to make decisions about coverage.
“My job is to protect consumers…to make sure they’re getting a fair shake and (insurance) companies are financially solvent so that they can pay claims when needed,” he said on Thursday’s TownTalk.
Although the rates vary across the state – higher rates in counties along the coast and lower in some of the western counties, Vance County’s rate is just over half of that 8 percent level, Causey said – 4.8 or 4.9 percent.
The new rates take effect on Nov. 1.
Renters need to remember, however, that a dwelling policy is for the structure; renters still need to consider renters’ insurance to protect their personal property against, loss, theft or damage.
Causey explained that, as insurance commissioner, he is only able to offer two responses to a Rate Bureau for a rate request: yes or no.
So far, in his 8 years, his answer has always been “no,” which puts the request on a path that involves going to court. The dwelling policy rate request had been scheduled for later this month, but it was canceled when an agreement was reached in May.
“I’ve beem criticized for not going to court,” Causey said, but court cases are expensive and those costs get passed along to taxpayers. The way he sees it, “getting as close to 0 as you can get – that’s much better than going through that court process.”
So far, a request for a homeowner’s insurance rate increase is still on for October. During the required public comment period, Causey said he received more than 25,000 comments – not surprisingly – asking that rates not go up.
“I heard the message loud and clear,” Causey said.
With his consumer advocacy hat on, Causey reminds current policy holders to review their coverage regularly, shop around and choose financially sound companies that will be able to pay claims.
Make sure you ask your insurance agent about deductibles and make sure you ask for replacement value coverage.
“If you don’t have replacement value coverage, you’re not going to be happy with your claim,” he said. Having this type of coverage may cost a few dollars more in premiums, he said, but “it’s worth its weight in gold.”
Oh, and don’t fall for TV and internet ads. Choose local agents with local companies, he said.
Email him at mike.causey@ncdoi.gov, visit www.complaint.ncdoi.gov to file a complaint or phone the department 855.408.1212.
“We’re here to help and that’s the message I want to get out,” Causey said.
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 07-11-24 Noon
/by WIZS StaffClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Granville County Names Stacy Hicks To Lead 911 Emergency Communications Dept.
/by WIZS Staff– information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood
Stacy Hicks has been appointed to lead Granville County’s 911 Emergency Communications Department. Hicks joined Granville County government in 2006 as a telecommunicator and has held a variety of positions in the department over the past 18 years.
“I’m honored to have been selected as Granville County’s 911 Emergency Communications Director,” said Hicks. “The eighteen years I have spent serving the citizens of Granville County has only reinforced how critical the 911 center is for the safety of our community,” she said in a press release issued Thursday.
Since joining the county as a telecommunicator, Hicks has progressed through the Emergency Communications ranks serving as a Telecommunication Supervisor, Emergency Medical Dispatch Coordinator, Training & Quality Assurance Coordinator and Operations Manager. Hicks most recently served as the Interim 911 Emergency Communications Director.
“While running a 24/7 public safety operation is challenging, I’m confident in our staff’s training and abilities. We hope all citizens and visitors to our county have peace of mind that when they are dealing with an emergency that a calm and professional voice will answer when they call 911,” Hicks said.
Hicks holds an Associates degree in Business Administration from Vance-Granville Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UNC-Greensboro. She is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Public Administration program at East Carolina University.
Hicks has received numerous national and state certifications including the National Emergency Number Association Emergency Number Professional, Advanced Level Emergency Medical Dispatch Quality, Emergency Fire Dispatch Quality, Association of Public Safety Communicators Communications Training Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency National Incident Management System Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce, North Carolina Division of Criminal Information Operations, and the National Association of Counties Performance Leader Master Certificate.
The 911 Emergency Communications Center is located in the Granville County Law Enforcement Center at 525 New Commerce Dr. in Oxford.
County’s New Chief Code Enforcement Officer Set To Begin Work Monday, July 15
/by WIZS StaffVance County has selected Bob Rosch as the new Chief Code Enforcement Officer, effective Monday, July 15.
The code enforcement office is located in the same office as planning, but it will function as a separate department with Rosch as the department head, according to information received Wednesday from Kelly Grissom, clerk to the board of county commissioners.
Prior to joining Vance County, Rosch served as a multi-trade building and fire inspector for the town of Morrisville. He is certified by the N.C. Dept. of Insurance Level III in all building trades and he holds several certifications from the National Fire Administration as a Fire Inspector and Fire Plan Reviewer.
“I am happy to return to Vance County where I previously resided for many years and look forward to serving the community,” Rosch said.
“I am more than thrilled to bring Mr. Rosch on board with the rest of the Vance County team,” said County Manager C. Renee Perry. “His inspections experience will definitely be of benefit to Vance County.”
Vance Sheriff: Butner Man Held Under $2M Bond On Kidnapping, Sex-Related Charges
/by WIZS Staff– press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
On July 8, 2024, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office received a report for a Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division opened an investigation into the allegation.
The reporting person alleged that Dhamani Fields, age 27 of Butner, NC had solicited a female juvenile for the purposes of performing sexual acts multiple times.
As a result of the investigation, Fields was charged with two counts of 2nd Degree Kidnapping, one count of 1st Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, two counts of Indecent Liberties with a Minor, two counts of Soliciting a Minor for Prostitution, and two counts of Statutory Sexual Offense of a Child 15 years or younger.
On July 9, 2024, with the assistance of Butner Public Safety, Fields was taken into custody without incident in Butner, NC and transported back to Vance County, NC. Fields received a $2,000,000 secured bond for the charges listed and was confined to the Vance County Jail.
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.
TownTalk: Renee Perry’s First 8 Months As County Manager
/by WIZS StaffVance County Manager C. Renee Perry has been on the job for eight months, and during that time, she’s had plenty of issues to deal with – filling vacant positions, finalizing the county’s budget and getting up to speed about ongoing challenges involving possible restructure of the fire services, a revaluation and dismissal of a key county official.
For a “glass-half-empty” person, navigating these sometimes choppy waters could be overwhelming. But Perry’s glass seems to always be at least half-full, and when she came on board, she said she was “excited to begin the journey.”
Perry’s first day on the job was Nov. 1, 2023, having been the deputy county manager in Halifax County.
She viewed numerous director vacancies in four county departments not as negatives, but as opportunities to build her leadership team and move forward. One director took another position within the county, another left citing family needs, and others left the county to pursue other opportunities. The finance director, however, was dismissed in February 2024 amid a cloud of suspicion of fraud and other allegations that remain under investigation.
And, one by one, those vacancies have been filled: Budget and Finance director, Animal Services manager, Planning director, Elections director.
On Tuesday, Perry announced that Ferdinand Rouse would begin his role as the county’s economic development director on Monday, July 15.
All the while, Perry was putting together the county’s budget with the added wrinkle of considering results of a property revaluation that occurs every 8 years and guiding commissioners to set a palatable tax rate that would allow the county to continue planning several capital projects, including a new jail, EMS building, 911 call center and more.
And there’s still four months until Perry celebrates her first year of occupying the county manager’s office.
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TownTalk: Medical Arts Named MVP – Most Valuable Pharmacy!
/by WIZS StaffMedical Arts Pharmacy has been awarded the 2024 Dan Moudry Most Valuable Pharmacy award from a national pharmacy cooperative.
Chocky White accepted the award on June 24 during the annual business meeting of the Independent Pharmacy Cooperative in New Orleans.
The IPC has been around for more than 40 years – almost as long as White has been operating as a pharmacist.
He came to Henderson in 1971, fresh out of pharmacy school, and set up shop. What began as a one-man show has evolved into a staff of more than 40, including six pharmacists.
White places a priority on establishing and maintaining good relationships with his customers. “We love interacting with our patients,” he said on Wednesday’s segment of TownTalk. “We feel like that’s the most important aspect of our business.”
Daughter Cara White Kirby, who also is the company’s vice president, said her dad is a stickler for excellent customer service, encouraging – and expecting – everyone on the payroll to over-deliver in that department.
White said Henderson had seven independent pharmacies when he came on the scene. “It was slow growth for me the first 10 years or so,” he recalled. “But I gradually earned people’s support…and have grown steadily over the past 50 years. It’s been my lifetime job and I’ve loved every second of it.”
When IPC reps contacted Cara to make sure her dad would be at the pharmacy when they came to visit, she said it wouldn’t be a problem – if the pharmacy’s open, her dad’s there, she said.
“We knew we were finalists,” she said, “but when they came with balloons and a cake,” she knew something else was afoot.
“I was shocked,” said Chocky. “I thought it was somebody’s birthday.” Cara said there was a whole group of folks filming and taking photos while the pharmacy staff was helping customers and filling prescriptions.
The resulting video was shown at the meeting last month during the award presentation. “They did a beautiful job of showing off our pharmacy inside and out,” Chocky said.
The Wisconsin-based IPC is a network of more than 2,000 members who purchase pharmaceuticals, equipment and merchandise available for purchase at the independent pharmacies.
“We have a very large inventory here,” Chocky said, which benefits customers who need meds or other equipment quickly – even after-hours.
White’s been known to be at the store on nights and weekends – even Christmas Day last year.
“We’re not always open, but we’ll be here if you need us. We do whatever it takes to serve our customers,” he said.
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