It’s something that many of us worry about as we get older and can’t remember things like we once did, but Michael Patterson, a family caregiver specialist for Kerr-Tar COG Agency on Aging breaks down what falls in the “normal forgetfulness” category and what does not.
Patterson was a guest on Wednesday’s TownTalk and previewed some of the information that he will share at the monthly community form series sponsored by the Hon. Charlie Baskerville.
The program “Dementia Friends,” which will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 9, is designed to promote awareness about what dementia is and how it affects caregivers and their families who care for those in the grips of dementia.
“When it comes to individuals caring for those with dementia, (I) stress this is a journey,” Patterson said, “a chronic condition.” It’s not like caring for someone with flu – follow doctor’s orders and you’ll be good as new in a week or so.
Some people can live for decades with dementia, and others’ lives are cut short. Whatever the scenario, caregivers carry a heavy load and experience a different relationship with their loved one.
“I work with caregivers to understand that this is a journey,” Patterson said. Self-care is important, he emphasized. What caregivers need to understand is that they are not alone.
A couple of his favorite resources include the Dementia Alliance of NC and Duke Dementia Family Support. Both provide education and support group opportunities; the Duke group offers respite vouchers, as does the KTCOG Agency on Aging.
“Dementia is a brain disease,” Patterson said, but its onset can be triggered by numerous factors, including genetics or other health conditions like hypertension or high cholesterol.
So when your doctor or health care team encourages you to eat right, take your meds and live a healthy lifestyle, a secondary effect could be lowering your risk for any of the types of dementia.
“Dementia is the umbrella and then under it are the other subcategories,” Patterson explained, adding that many people equate dementia with Alzheimer’s.
Granted, Alzheimer’s accounts for between 60 percent and 80 percent of most dementia cases, but it’s not the only type of dementia that researchers have identified.
Now that Baby Boomers are reaching the age of 65-70, this generation of adults that accounts for a larger percentage of the overall population may skew the prevalence for dementia diagnoses.
But, Patterson said, “just because you are getting older, doesn’t mean you’re going to get dementia.”
Memory loss is a normal part of aging, as our mental and physical abilities change over time.
It’s when that memory loss has an adverse impact on your daily living that dementia may be coming into play.
Can’t find your car keys? Normal aging. Can’t remember what the car key is used for? Not normal aging.
If you get in your car to go home but forget how to “get” home, that also could be more than normal aging.
Learn more at the April 9 program, which will be held at Baskerville Funeral Home, 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.
Contact Patterson at 252.436.2040, extension 6072.
CLICK PLAY!
The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Catalytic Converters
/by WIZS StaffFor our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.
Ask a mechanic about your vehicle’s catalytic converter and you’re likely to hear about how it reduces pollution and toxic gases that come from the engine.
An environmentalist may tell you how essential this little piece of metal is to protect the air we breathe.
Ask an unscrupulous so-and-so and you’ll likely hear that they’re super easy to steal, strip of its precious metals and make some serious money, all at the vehicle owners’ expense.
This relatively small, but essential, piece of equipment has attracted thieves looking to make a fast buck. The National Insurance Crime Bureau says claims of catalytic converter thefts have increased by nearly 300 percent since 2020.
Vehicles can run without a catalytic converter, but legally, they’re supposed to have one. If you notice that your vehicle makes a very loud sound when you start it, you may want to check to see that the catalytic converter is there – if not, that 18-inch gap in your exhaust system where the converter used to be is the reason for the noise.
So, what’s a car owner to do? There are several suggestions to keep your vehicle safe:
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.
CLICK PLAY!
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 04-04-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Gas Leak Near M.R. Williams
/by WIZS StaffFINAL UPDATE 12:57 PM Thursday, Apr. 4
According to Dominion Energy NC and its media relations department, the gas leak is no longer an issue of public safety, and the matter is now complete.
**********************************
UPDATE 11:45 AM Thursday, Apr. 4
From Dominion Energy NC: “Dominion Energy responded to a gas leak this morning at 235 Raleigh Road in Henderson that was caused by excavation activity striking and damaging a gas line. The natural gas leak was secured at 11:18 a.m. and Dominion Energy crews are now working on the gas line repair.”
**********************************
UPDATE 11:40 AM Thursday, Apr. 4
Raleigh Road is back open, according to Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
**********************************
UPDATE 11:25 AM Thursday, Apr. 4, 2024
From Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow – There is a gas leak on Raleigh Rd in front of MR Williams. Raleigh Rd at that location is shut down for an unknown time period.
Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Communication, Part 4
/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.
Click Play!
TownTalk: NC Should Have Good Weather To View April 8 Eclipse
/by Laura GabelAs a meteorologist, Jonathan Blaes is a scientist well-versed in the vagaries of weather, especially in North Carolina and especially in the springtime. But next week, he just may divert his attention – for a few minutes, anyway – to observe a celestial event that has nothing to do with storms, or clouds or rain or anything else weather-related.
It’s the solar eclipse that will have his attention on Monday afternoon, which he called “a remarkable and really ‘far out’ kind of thing.”
The official forecast from Blaes, meteorologist-in-chief at the National Weather Service in Raleigh: observers in North Carolina won’t see the most dramatic show when the eclipse occurs roughly at 3:15 p.m., but they will have clear skies and fair temps to make viewing more pleasant.
“It’s certainly going to be a neat event,” he said on Thursday’s TownTalk, “but be careful.”
Although the sun will seem a little bit less powerful during the eclipse because the moon is in the way, its harmful UV rays can still cause damage, so please do NOT look skyward during the eclipse.
Blaes offered an alternative to the traditional pinhole cameras and special glasses for those who want to experience the eclipse in a safe manner: Go for a walk in a wooded area.
“As you walk underneath the trees, you’ll see a crescent shape of the sun on the ground,” he said. It’s Mother Nature’s version of that pinhole camera – the leaves of the trees will create miniature eclipse sun images, he said. “It’s one of the neatest things I’ve ever experienced.”
As a scientist, Blaes said he’s experienced a lot of what Mother Nature throws at North Carolina over the course of a year – springtime storms and rotations aloft that can create tornadoes are just a couple of types of weather that keep him and others at the National Weather Service on their toes.
He said this spring, folks in this area can expect conditions this spring to be “a little bit warmer and a little bit wetter” than normal. Sure, anyone can predict that, but Blaes and his team have analyzed tremendous amounts of data to come up with such a simple-sounding pronouncement.
“Being a meteorologist is fun,” Blaes said. “It is challenging – every day is a puzzle.” The surge in data from satellite images and other sources produces more information than humans can manage, he said, so he and his team rely on statistics and AI – all of which contribute to improved weather forecasts.
CLICK PLAY!
New Granville Finance Director Begins April 15
/by WIZS StaffGranville County has announced that Jennifer Baird will become the county’s finance director and she will begin her new job on April 15.
Baird joins Granville County after three years as senior fiscal analyst and accounting operations supervisor for the city of Durham. With 19 years of state and local government finance experience, Baird will lead operations in the county’s finance office as Steve McNally transitions to his retirement in the coming months, according to a press statement from Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.
“I am thrilled and honored to have been selected as Granville County’s next Finance Director,” said Baird. “I look forward to working with county administration, our board of commissioners, and staff from all county departments to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, and the county’s finances are protected. Granville County has a sterling reputation of financial management, and I am proud to join and continue that legacy.”
During her time in Durham, Baird helped develop the personnel and operating budget for the Water and Sewer Fund and managed all operations of the city’s Utility Finance Department. Prior to her time in Durham, Baird served as Business Officer II, Assistant Finance Manager and other accounting and finance positions for the State of North Carolina departments of Health and Human Services, Public Instruction and Agriculture and Consumer Services.
She was responsible for preparing state budget requests and certifications for various grant programs and managed accounts payable operations for the statewide Child Nutrition grant. She also served as the Chief Finance Officer for Granville-Vance Public Health for two years in between her time with the state and the city of Durham. Baird began her career as a family preservation Caseworker for Person County Cooperative Extension before moving into accounting.
A Person County native, Baird graduated from Person High School in Roxboro and holds degrees in Accounting and Human Services from Vance-Granville Community College and Piedmont Community College. She is also completing the North Carolina Finance Officer Certification Course at the School of Government at UNC. Baird and her family moved to Granville County in 1993 and reside n the Berea community.
VCSO: One Shot Fired, Not by Law Enforcement, In Search Warrant Execution, No One Injured
/by WIZS StaffUPDATE: 4:24 PM Wednesday, April 3
— Press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
A Vance County man was arrested Wednesday a shot was fired from inside a home on St. Matthew’s Street. There was no exchange of gunfire and no injuries were reported, according to information from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame.
Vance County Sheriff’s Office, along with members of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, were executing a search warrant at 2215 St. Matthew’s St. earlier Wednesday when a gunshot was fired from inside the residence in the direction of law enforcement officers at the front door, Brame stated.
After making entry into the residence, a single male was located and detained. The male was identified as 46-year-old Samer Othman, a resident of 2215 St. Matthew’s St.
Othman was arrested and charged with 10 counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm.
Othman received a $750,000 bond and has a court date of April 26.
No residents or law enforcement officers were injured during this incident.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252.738.2200, Henderson -Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or use the P3 app.
***********************************
UPDATE 9:30 AM Wednesday, April 3
WIZS News spoke to Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame. He said during the execution of a search warrant on St. Matthews Street this morning that one shot was fired, not by a law enforcement officer, and that no one is injured and no one was hit by the shot.
More details to follow.
Franklin Property Owners Have Extra Week To File Appeal Revaluations
/by WIZS Staff— Information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III
Franklin County’s Board of Commissioners extended the deadline to file an informal appeal in the 2024 Tax Revaluation process by one week – from Apr. 6 to Apr. 13.
Informal appeal forms were attached to the Change of Value notices that were sent out on Mar. 6, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III. Forms can be found at appeals.franklincounty.tax. Informal appeal forms can be emailed to 2024reval@franklincountync.gov or submitted online at the Tax Department’s page of www.franklincountync.gov.
Revaluation staff can be reached at 844.286.3532 or 2024reval@franklincountync.gov for any questions about this process.
Additionally, the Board of Equalization and Review — which will convene on Apr. 15 — will consider any formal appeals that are filed. If unsatisfied with the decision of the Board of Equalization and Review, the property owner can file an appeal with the N.C. Property Tax Commission within 30 days of the decision by the Board of Equalization and Review.
Property owners can appeal the market value if the assessed value is significantly higher or lower than the actual current market value, the assessed value is based on inaccurate data, or the assessed value is not equitable when compared to similar properties in the market area.
Warren County Health Fair April 5
/by WIZS StaffThe Warren County Health Department will hold its annual Health Fair on Friday, Apr. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 at the Lion’s Den (fairgrounds) in Warrenton. In case of rain or other inclement weather, the event will be held at the Warren County Armory Civic Center.
This year’s health fair will feature several exhibitors and food vendors, according to Crystal Smith, interim Warren County manager. Exhibitors include Halifax-Warren Smart Start, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, Warren County Emergency Medical Services, Warren County Emergency Services, Hope Regional Medical Center, Warren County Memorial Library, On Target Preparedness, Warren Hills, Elite, Therapeutics Alternatives, Henderson Fire Department, N.C. Forestry Services and Trillium Health Resources.
Local food trucks on site are Moots Mobile, The Wandering Dawg, Wing Master E. & Trinity Eats, Sims & Sims and Big Red’s.
The health fair is designed to provide information about local programs/services, health screenings, food and fun activities for the entire family. The health fair is part of a week-long celebration to observe National Public Health Week. For questions about the health fair, please call the Warren County Health Department at 252.257.1185.
TownTalk: Community Info Series To Focus On Dementia
/by Laura GabelIt’s something that many of us worry about as we get older and can’t remember things like we once did, but Michael Patterson, a family caregiver specialist for Kerr-Tar COG Agency on Aging breaks down what falls in the “normal forgetfulness” category and what does not.
Patterson was a guest on Wednesday’s TownTalk and previewed some of the information that he will share at the monthly community form series sponsored by the Hon. Charlie Baskerville.
The program “Dementia Friends,” which will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 9, is designed to promote awareness about what dementia is and how it affects caregivers and their families who care for those in the grips of dementia.
“When it comes to individuals caring for those with dementia, (I) stress this is a journey,” Patterson said, “a chronic condition.” It’s not like caring for someone with flu – follow doctor’s orders and you’ll be good as new in a week or so.
Some people can live for decades with dementia, and others’ lives are cut short. Whatever the scenario, caregivers carry a heavy load and experience a different relationship with their loved one.
“I work with caregivers to understand that this is a journey,” Patterson said. Self-care is important, he emphasized. What caregivers need to understand is that they are not alone.
A couple of his favorite resources include the Dementia Alliance of NC and Duke Dementia Family Support. Both provide education and support group opportunities; the Duke group offers respite vouchers, as does the KTCOG Agency on Aging.
“Dementia is a brain disease,” Patterson said, but its onset can be triggered by numerous factors, including genetics or other health conditions like hypertension or high cholesterol.
So when your doctor or health care team encourages you to eat right, take your meds and live a healthy lifestyle, a secondary effect could be lowering your risk for any of the types of dementia.
“Dementia is the umbrella and then under it are the other subcategories,” Patterson explained, adding that many people equate dementia with Alzheimer’s.
Granted, Alzheimer’s accounts for between 60 percent and 80 percent of most dementia cases, but it’s not the only type of dementia that researchers have identified.
Now that Baby Boomers are reaching the age of 65-70, this generation of adults that accounts for a larger percentage of the overall population may skew the prevalence for dementia diagnoses.
But, Patterson said, “just because you are getting older, doesn’t mean you’re going to get dementia.”
Memory loss is a normal part of aging, as our mental and physical abilities change over time.
It’s when that memory loss has an adverse impact on your daily living that dementia may be coming into play.
Can’t find your car keys? Normal aging. Can’t remember what the car key is used for? Not normal aging.
If you get in your car to go home but forget how to “get” home, that also could be more than normal aging.
Learn more at the April 9 program, which will be held at Baskerville Funeral Home, 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.
Contact Patterson at 252.436.2040, extension 6072.
CLICK PLAY!