S-Line Rail Corridor

Upcoming S-Line Rail Project Updates Set For Henderson, Norlina

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Area residents have a couple of opportunities this week to hear updates about the planned S-Line rail project that includes stops in Henderson and Norlina as part of a 95-mile stretch of rail that that ultimately will connect Richmond and Tampa.

If you’re planning to attend the Henderson Christmas parade Saturday afternoon, then Sadie’s Coffee Corner is the place where a community “pop-up” event will be held.

Stop by anytime between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the 324 S. Garnett St. location to learn the latest about the S-Line and transit-oriented development.

A second opportunity takes place Friday, Dec. 2 outside Rachel’s Whistle Stop in Norlina. There will be an information table set up for interested individuals to stop by any time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., according to information from Warren County Director of Community and Economic Development Charla Duncan.

Rachel’s Whistle Stop is located at 123 Hyco St. in Norlina.

Consultants working with the NC DOT Rail Division will provide updates at each event.

The State of North Carolina’s S-Line project includes six other communities in the region that fall along a 95-mile-long section of the S-Line rail corridor including Apex, Franklinton, Henderson, Raleigh, Sanford, Wake Forest, and Youngsville.

Transit-oriented development has a goal to connect communities and public spaces by increasing accessibility without having to rely on a personal vehicle.

Learn more at https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/rail/s-line-study.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Christmas Tree Selection

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Listen 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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The Local Skinny! Animal Services Gets $13K For Spay/Neuter Program

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Thanks to a donation of $13,000 from a nonprofit dog rescue group, the Vance County Animal Services is able to offer free spay and neuter services for dogs and cats in the area.

Frankie Nobles, chief of Vance County Animal Services, said the gift came from the Mona Pants Foundation, a 501c3 organization that is based in Zebulon.

According to information from animal services, residents who turn in a litter of puppies or kittens to the shelter can have their intact dog or cat spayed or neutered at no charge.

Feral or otherwise unowned cats can be spayed or neutered as well as part of a trap-neuter-release effort. And any animals that are brought to the shelter can be spayed or neutered at no charge to the owner in lieu of having to pay fees for reclaiming or redeeming them.

In addition to providing a free service for individuals with pets living in the community, the additional spay and neutering program likely will reduce the number of unwanted animals being dropped off at the shelter.

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TownTalk: Salvation Army Kettle Drive And Music For The Holidays

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Jimmy Barrier describes the upcoming performance at the local Salvation Army as a Gaither-style event.

If you don’t know exactly what that means, then by all means, come out at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11 to “An Acoustical Christmas.” And if you enjoy that Gaither style of musical performance, then you already know you’re in for a treat.

Barrier will share emcee duties with the Salvation Army’s Capt. Joshua Keaton, but he will also be behind his familiar bass as he and the Sound Barriers fill the air with Christmas music and other favorites with that Gaither-style Southern Gospel feel.

The concert is free and open to the public and will be held at the Salvation Army, 2292 Ross Mill Rd.

A love offering will be taken to benefit the Anchor of Hope and the Red Shield Club, he told John C. Rose on Monday’s TownTalk. Anchor of Hope is a women’s ministry that helps individuals in need and the Red Shield Club is the after-school program.

“It’s all acoustic, all live,” Barrier explained, “so if you make a mistake, everybody hears it.”

It didn’t take much to get Capt. Keaton and his wife, Capt. Amanda Keaton, on board with the project.

“They were elated to have the Gaither-style Christmas program,” Barrier said, adding that he hoped to make the concert an annual event and name it for the late Gill Clopton, who originally had the idea.

“I want to do that and honor him in that way,” Barrier said. He recalled that Clopton was very happy that the program had been scheduled.

Barrier said he and his wife were out shopping for blankets to donate to the Anchor of Hope’s blanket ministry the day before Thanksgiving and he found himself in the presence of someone singing Christmas carols – right inside the store.

Before he knew it, and to his wife’s chagrin, Barrier was performing a duet with Evelyn Couch.

“We started singing Christmas carols in Rose’s at the top of our lungs,” Barrier said.

But the duets didn’t stop there. He invited Couch to come and sing with the group at the recent McGregor Hall community concert last weekend.

“It was wonderful,” Barrier said of last weekend’s performance at McGregor Hall, sponsored by the Vance County Arts Council.

She will join Barrier again at the Dec. 11 concert to perform “O Holy Night.”

“She sings the fire out of it,” Barrier said.

 

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Sheriff Offers Tips for Safe Shopping

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— press release —

“The holiday season is right around the corner and shoppers are crowding stores and shopping online for the latest gadgets and to find the best deals,” said Sheriff Curtis R. Brame of Vance County.

Shoppers also need to consider their safety when shopping in person and online.  According to Brame, “This time of year attracts more shopping-related criminal activity because of the larger crowds and the extended store hours. These factors, and the usual distraction of shopping, create a more favorable environment for petty thieves and other offenders.”

The Sheriff reminds all Vance County residents to follow these safety tips:

In-Person Shopping Safety:

  • A single shopper is the best target for theft. Always shop with a friend or relative.
  • When going shopping, tell someone where you are going and what time to expect you to return. Also, make sure they know what you are wearing, as well as the type of vehicle you are driving.
  • Shop during daylight hours. If you shop at night, park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
  • Dress casually and comfortably and avoid wearing expensive jewelry. If carrying cash, keep it in your front pocket rather than in a purse or wallet. This makes it much more difficult for a pick pocketer to remove.
  • Store car keys in your pants or jacket pocket. If your purse/wallet is stolen, you will still be able to drive home.
  • Pay careful attention to your surroundings and avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
  • When returning to your vehicle, look around it and in the back seat. Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Have your car keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time unprotected from the security of your vehicle.
  • If you feel uneasy returning to your vehicle alone, find a security guard and ask them to walk you to your car.

According to Brame, “During this time of year, busy holiday shoppers become careless and vulnerable to credit and gift card fraud. Online scammers are also on the rise.  However, taking a few preventive measures can help.”

Online Shopping Safety:

  • Make sure the web page where you enter your credit card information is secure through SSL (Secure Socket Layer). The URL that starts with “https” rather than just “http” is SSL secure. A lock icon may also appear before the “https” to indicate a secure website.
  • Only shop on websites you trust or have investigated. Almost any major retail store’s website will be safe to shop. Stay away from suspicious or unfamiliar online retailers.
  • Avoid using public Wi-Fi while shopping online. Using public Wi-Fi can leave your personal information vulnerable to hackers.
  • Do not save sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card information, on your phone or computer.
  • Keep good records. Always print out a copy of any online products or services you purchase.
  • Have items shipped to a secure location. If you are not going to be home, consider having packages delivered somewhere that keeps them off sidewalks or porches.
  • Install multi-factor authentication on your accounts to lessen the possibility of getting hacked.
  • Never send your credit card information via email.
  • Check a company’s information on their website. Only do business with companies that provide a physical address and telephone number.
  • Do not click on links or attachments unless you are confident about where they came from. Cyber criminals often send emails that look like they are from retailers to try and gain your personal information.
  • Consider purchasing items online with a credit card rather than a debit card. Debit cards draw directly from your bank account, which means fraudulent charges can leave you with insufficient funds for other bills. If you do not have a credit card, consider using a prepaid debit card.

Credit Card Fraud:

  • Keep a close watch on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible.
  • Never write your PIN number on your credit card.
  • Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.
  • Shield your credit card number so that others around you cannot copy it or capture it on a mobile telephone or other camera.
  • Only carry credit cards that you absolutely need.
  • Shred anything with your credit card number written on it.
  • Check credit card and bank statements frequently for any fraudulent charges.
  • Sign up for transaction alerts.
  • Consider signing up for identity theft protection services.
  • If your credit card is lost or stolen, report it immediately.

Gift Card Fraud:

  • Never buy gift cards from online auction sites.  This is a large source of gift card fraud.  Many of the gift cards are stolen, counterfeit or used.
  • Only buy gift cards directly from the store issuing the gift card or from a secure retailer’s website.
  • Do not buy gift cards off publicly displayed racks in retail stores, because these are more susceptible to tampering or theft. Only purchase gift cards at the sales terminal from the cashier.
  • Check a gift card before buying it and make sure the protective stickers are still intact. Ask for or purchase a different card if you believe the gift card has been tampered with in any way.
  • Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift card in front of you. This will guarantee that your card is valid when you buy it and that it reflects the balance you just charged on it.
  • Always keep your receipt as a proof of purchase if there is money stored on the gift card.
  • If possible, register your gift card at the store’s website.
  • Never give your Social Security number, date of birth or any other unneeded private information when purchasing a gift card.  No reputable company will ask for this information.

In light of these problems, Brame warns shoppers to be careful so that they don’t become the victim of criminal activity.

“Unfortunately, when shopping online and in-person, people have a tendency to let their guard down,” said Brame.  “However, paying attention and taking precautions can help eliminate their chances of being victimized.”

Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners Of Hope Seeks Donations For Men’s Shelter

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Community Partners of Hope is reaching out this holiday season to ask for donations to provide to the men who come for respite and a warm night’s sleep at the men’s shelter.

The shelter needs snack items like breakfast bars, single-serving sizes of snacks, chips and other individually wrapped cakes and cookies, as well as cases of bottled water, tea or sodas, preferably 12-ounce cans or bottles.

Other favorites include Pop-Tarts, tins of Vienna sausage and fruit cups.

In addition to the food items, the shelter needs paper towels, tall kitchen trash bags (13-gallon size) Clorox cleanup spray, laundry detergent (pods, please) and extra-large black garbage bags (39+-gallon size).

“For some reason we are not receiving as many supply donations as we have in the past and it’s a struggle for our shelter managers,” according to a newsletter from the Community Partners of Hope.

Donations may be dropped off at First Presbyterian Church Monday-Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or call 252.432.9494 to arrange a drop-off time. Cases of bottled water may be left outside the shelter, but other items should be received by someone at the church during the designated times.

The shelter currently has enough hand sanitizer, toiletries, toothbrushes and toothpaste on hand to share with the men, and they have plenty of bedding. Shelter staff are not accepting used clothing or food that needs to be heated.

There are opportunities for providing meals to the men who come to the shelter. To learn more, click THIS LINK.

Boys and Girls Clubs

Put Donation To BGCNCNC On Your “To-Do” List

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The Thanksgiving holiday kicks off in earnest a season of giving, and there are several different ways to make donations that will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina in the coming days and weeks.

Of course, a check mailed to BGCNCNC, P.O. Box 176, Oxford, NC 27565 is always welcome, said CEO Donyell “DJ” Jones, and something for individuals to consider on Giving Tuesday, coming up next week.

Jones said a link will go live on BGCNCNC’s Facebook page Wednesday to make a donation quick and easy.

There are two toy drives underway as well – one in Oxford by Will Jakes, whose Edward Jones office collects new, unwrapped gifts for club members in Granville County.

Jones said the Zeta Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity is sponsoring toy drives across the counties that have clubs as well. “They are really committed about spreading the love and supporting the counties,” Jones said.

Following is a list of collection locations and deadlines:

  • Vance County – Beckford Medical Center, 176 S. Beckford Drive, Henderson. Deadline is Dec. 16.
  • Granville County – Bobo’s Menswear, 216 M.L.K. Jr. Blvd, Oxford. Deadline is Dec. 20.
  • Warren County – Henderson and Henderson Dentistry, LLC, 516 W. Ridgeway St., Warrenton. Deadline is Dec. 19.
  • Franklin County – Franklinton Town Hall, 101 N. Main St., Franklinton. Deadline is Dec. 15.

Through generous donations from the community last year, Jones said every club member received a gift for Christmas.

He said he hopes that financial contributions come in between now and the end of the year to help “give us a leg up in 2023.”

Whether it’s a check in the mail, a click on the Facebook page or a gift for a child, Jones said efforts from a caring community “truly make a difference for our young people.”

Kitchen Safety Tips For Thanksgiving Weekend Cooks

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Kitchens everywhere are gearing up for the Main Event – roasting turkeys for Thanksgiving. And home cooks, whether experienced or new to preparing holiday dinners, need to remember a few safety tips to keep from becoming a Thanksgiving Day statistic.

According to data from National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day represents the leading day of the year for home cooking fires. Between three and four times as many cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day as a typical day of the year.

“Thanksgiving is a hectic holiday, with multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time, along with lots of guests, entertaining, and other distractions in the home that can make it easy to lose sight of what’s on the stove or in the oven,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires, so we strongly encourage people keep a close eye on what they’re cooking and to minimize the likelihood of getting distracted.”

NFPA data shows that cooking was the leading cause of reported home structure fires and civilian fire injuries and the second-leading cause of civilian fire deaths and direct property damage, on annual average between 2015-2019. On Thanksgiving Day alone, an estimated 1,400 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2019, reflecting a 228 percent increase over the daily average.

“The good news is that the vast majority of cooking fires are preventable,” said Carli. “By taking simple steps and precautions to minimize the likelihood of having a cooking fire, everyone can enjoy a festive, fire-safe Thanksgiving.”

Following are tips and recommendations from NFPA to help people cook safely this Thanksgiving:

  • Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.
  • When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly.
  • Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.
  • Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area.
  • Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.
  • Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.
  • Keep children at least three feet away from the stove. Kids should also stay away from hot foods and liquids, as steam or splash from these items could cause severe burns.

In addition, NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which can cause devastating burns. For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil.

Home and Garden Show

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

  • Take photos of your garden to know how to rotate planting of vegetables next spring
  • Conduct your annual shade tree inspection. Use a pair of binoculars to inspect the trunk and limbs for defects, injuries, rot, broken limbs, etc. and contact a professional if you see anything questionable.
  • If you have stored sweet potatoes make sure they are located where they will not freeze
  • Consider building a small greenhouse this winter that can be used to start seed and raise transplants for next year’s garden. Simple kits are available from various sources.
  • Purchase a NC Christmas tree this year
  • Continue planting – bulbs, pansies, perennials, trees, shrubs
  • Now is the time to collect soil samples. Get samples to us by 5 pm Wed, 11/23 for delivery before fee season. 6 week analysis. Dec 1 fee goes to $4 per sample
  • Keep leaves off of seedling grass
  • Make a compost bin if you don’t have one already

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