The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a three-year feasibility study on the Tar Pamlico River Basin with a series of public involvement meetings to gather community input. The first of six events will take place virtually for the Franklin County/Louisburg area on Mar. 22, 2021, according to information from Franklin County Cooperative Extension Director Charles Mitchell.
Each of the meetings will consist of a 30-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer session, according to a written statement from the Corps’ Pittsburgh district. The meetings are organized by geographic region and will be held from Mar. 22-31. More information about the study and how to access the meetings can be found on the district’s website: www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Planning-Programs-Project-Management/Tar-Pamlico-Feasibility-Study/.
The Corps’ Pittsburgh district, in collaboration with N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, is doing the study to develop flood risk-management alternatives for the river basin. The $3 million study began in April 2020.
Each meeting is 1.5 hours from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Access the WebEx platform at https://usace1.webex.com/usace1/j.php?MTID=m00ce03770c09508b30d3a7d9f851d5d5, To join by phone, attendees can call 1-844-800-2712 and use the access code 199-053-6905.
The study is being made in conjunction with federal disaster funding that North Carolina received following recent hurricanes, namely Hurricane Florence in 2019 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
The study, scheduled to be completed in April 2023, will produce recommendations to reduce flood risks and damage caused by flooding – from structures like floodwalls and levees to natural and nature-based measures like wetland and floodplain storage.
In response to recent flooding that occurred as a result of Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2019), North Carolina received funding through the 2019 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief (H.R. 2157) for a feasibility study to assess and recommend actions that reduce flood risk and increase resiliency within the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.
The Tar River Basin begins in the piedmont of North Carolina and extends 215 miles southeast through the Coastal Plan and flows to the Pamlico Sound estuary. The basin covers about 6,100 square miles. The study encompasses all or part of 13 counties, including Franklin County. In addition to Louisburg, the study focuses on the other five major population centers in the basin: Rocky Mount, Greenville, Tarboro, Princeville and Washington, NC. Although much of Washington is situated downstream, it also is affected by river flooding.
Many communities within the basin have experienced major recurring flood events over the past 25 years associated with Hurricanes Fran (1996), Floyd (1999), Matthew (2016)—each of which ranking among the most destructive storms in state history and representing among the top four floods of record for major population centers within the basin. Recurring flooding within the basin results in considerable economic damages to homes, businesses, industry, and public infrastructure. For example, Hurricane Matthew is estimated to have caused over $110M in damage to residential, non-residential, and public structures. Inundation of structures and roadways (i.e., reduced access to critical services and recovery aid, inundation of occupied vehicles) also results in increased life safety risks both during and following flood events.
The public can submit comments via email to lrp.plan.enviro@usace.army.mil or through the electronic comment form at www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Planning-Programs-Project-Management/Tar-Pamlico-Feasibility-Study/. Comments can also be submitted by mail to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District Planning and Environmental Branch, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Comments must be submitted or postmarked no later than April 23.
(Credit for the graphic to Planning & Environmental Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District)
Public meeting set to discuss Tar Pamlico Basin flooding
/by Laura GabelThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a three-year feasibility study on the Tar Pamlico River Basin with a series of public involvement meetings to gather community input. The first of six events will take place virtually for the Franklin County/Louisburg area on Mar. 22, 2021, according to information from Franklin County Cooperative Extension Director Charles Mitchell.
Each of the meetings will consist of a 30-minute presentation followed by a question-and-answer session, according to a written statement from the Corps’ Pittsburgh district. The meetings are organized by geographic region and will be held from Mar. 22-31. More information about the study and how to access the meetings can be found on the district’s website: www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Planning-Programs-Project-Management/Tar-Pamlico-Feasibility-Study/.
The Corps’ Pittsburgh district, in collaboration with N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, is doing the study to develop flood risk-management alternatives for the river basin. The $3 million study began in April 2020.
Each meeting is 1.5 hours from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Access the WebEx platform at https://usace1.webex.com/usace1/j.php?MTID=m00ce03770c09508b30d3a7d9f851d5d5, To join by phone, attendees can call 1-844-800-2712 and use the access code 199-053-6905.
The study is being made in conjunction with federal disaster funding that North Carolina received following recent hurricanes, namely Hurricane Florence in 2019 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
The study, scheduled to be completed in April 2023, will produce recommendations to reduce flood risks and damage caused by flooding – from structures like floodwalls and levees to natural and nature-based measures like wetland and floodplain storage.
In response to recent flooding that occurred as a result of Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2019), North Carolina received funding through the 2019 Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief (H.R. 2157) for a feasibility study to assess and recommend actions that reduce flood risk and increase resiliency within the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.
The Tar River Basin begins in the piedmont of North Carolina and extends 215 miles southeast through the Coastal Plan and flows to the Pamlico Sound estuary. The basin covers about 6,100 square miles. The study encompasses all or part of 13 counties, including Franklin County. In addition to Louisburg, the study focuses on the other five major population centers in the basin: Rocky Mount, Greenville, Tarboro, Princeville and Washington, NC. Although much of Washington is situated downstream, it also is affected by river flooding.
Many communities within the basin have experienced major recurring flood events over the past 25 years associated with Hurricanes Fran (1996), Floyd (1999), Matthew (2016)—each of which ranking among the most destructive storms in state history and representing among the top four floods of record for major population centers within the basin. Recurring flooding within the basin results in considerable economic damages to homes, businesses, industry, and public infrastructure. For example, Hurricane Matthew is estimated to have caused over $110M in damage to residential, non-residential, and public structures. Inundation of structures and roadways (i.e., reduced access to critical services and recovery aid, inundation of occupied vehicles) also results in increased life safety risks both during and following flood events.
The public can submit comments via email to lrp.plan.enviro@usace.army.mil or through the electronic comment form at www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Planning-Programs-Project-Management/Tar-Pamlico-Feasibility-Study/. Comments can also be submitted by mail to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District Planning and Environmental Branch, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Comments must be submitted or postmarked no later than April 23.
(Credit for the graphic to Planning & Environmental Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District)
SportsTalk 03-05-21 Scotty Richardson, Andreas Prince and Player of the Week
/by Bill Harris“He’s really been the heart and soul of the team,” Crossroads Christian Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach Scotty Richardson said of Andreas Prince when both appeared on Sports Talk on Friday. Prince is the first player from the school to be named to receive 1A All State honors. The school, which has only had a basketball program for four years, has made it to the Elite Eight the last two seasons. Prince was part of the reason for the team’s success. In addition to the All State honors, Prince was named to the All Tournament and All Conference teams. He averaged 21 points over the season. “It’s definitely a great honor. It means a lot to me and my family,” Prince said. Prince singled out Coach Richardson as making an impact on him both on and off the court.
Richardson said at the end of last season graduating players cost his team 65 points, the average of what the graduation players scored per game last season. And despite the season being interrupted by Covid 19 and having only three weeks of practice, the team was still strong this season. This year Crossroads Christian will lose three seniors to graduation. Richardson said, “The cupboard is not bare,” since the team will return four starters next season.
In the second half of SportsTalk, two county athletes received Player of the Week Honors. Alyssa Bullock, a 7th Grade basketball player at Vance Charter School, is averaging 20 points per game. Additionally, Bullock is averaging four steals, four rebounds and 5 assists per game and put up 27 points in this week’s contest with East Wake.
The second player of the week is Tyron Lyons of the Vance Co. Vipers. In last week’s 42-6 loss to Chapel Hill, Lyons contributed one solo tackle and three assists.
Player of the Week honors are announced every Friday on the Coach’s Corner segment of SportsTalk with Trey Snide.
For full details and complete audio click play.
Granville adds 2 COVID-19 testing sites
/by Laura GabelThere are two additional places in Granville County to get free testing for COVID-19, thanks to a collaboration between Granville County Public Schools and OptumServe, an agency contracting with the state of North Carolina to administer the test.
The Mary Potter Center for Education in Oxford and Butner-Stem Middle School in Butner are open several days each week, according to information from GCPS.
Butner-Stem Middle School, located at 501E. D St., Butner is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enter the clinic at the bus entrance. Mary Potter Center for Education, located at 200 Taylor St., Oxford, is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enter at the rear of the building at the gym entrance. Schedule an appointment for either site at lhi.care/covidtesting.
Because the location is subject to change, anyone interested in getting tested should visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting for the latest location information. Call (877) 562-4850 if you do not have internet or are registering for a minor.
Anyone who meets the testing criteria can be tested at an OptumServe community testing site, including uninsured, underinsured, undocumented and homeless individuals. OptumServe will generate a unique identification number for individuals who do not have a driver’s license, according to information from OptumServe.
WIZS Local News 03-05-21 Noon
/by Bill HarrisWIZS Your Community Voice — 100.1 FM / 1450 AM
Click Play for today’s Local News Audio.
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Local News Airs on WIZS M-F at 8 a.m., 12 Noon and 5 p.m.
“TownTalk” Airs on WIZS M-F at 11 a.m.
“The Local Skinny!” Airs on WIZS Mon-Thurs at 11:30 a.m.
MPH Visitor Restrictions Set in February Remain Unchanged at This Time
/by WIZS Staff(This is not a paid ad.)
Vance County Schools Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration 2021-2022
/by WIZS StaffAccording to the Vance County Schools motto, “The Wow Starts Now!”
Public Information Officer Aarika Sandlin wrote in a news release, “We are excited to kick off our registration for Pre-K and Kindergarten students!”
She indicated there will be virtual information sessions taking place on March 10 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. This is “for EVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in our district,” she wrote.
In fact, each school will host its very own information session, and the links are available on the district website at www.vcs.k12.nc.us.
Sandlin said, “We are excited for the newest additions making their way to the VCS family!”
City of Oxford Staff Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations
/by John C. Rose— information courtesy of the City of Oxford, NC
On Wednesday, City of Oxford staff took steps to receive covid-19 vaccinations. The event took place at the Oxford City Hall Auditorium. The vaccinations were administered now that Phase 3 is underway in North Carolina, which allows frontline workers to get the shots.
In attendance, among others, were City Manager Alan Thornton and Parks and Recreation Director Tina Cheek. Thornton said in a news release as to why he decided to receive the vaccine, “I and the City believe it is important to receive the vaccine and encourage everyone to do so when the opportunity arises.” He extended appreciation to Granville Healthy Systems and Granville Vance Public Health for all of their hard work during this time.
SportsTalk 03-04-21 Hunter Jenks, Chris Edwards, Greg George
/by Bill HarrisTrey Snide and Ron Noel welcomed Vance Co. Head Football Coach Hunter Jenks, Duke Radio play by play announcer Chris Edwards and Granville Central Head Basketball and Soccer Coach Greg George on SportsTalk on Thursday.
Jenks, whose Vance Co. Vipers came up on the wrong end of a 42 – 6 score against Chapel Hill on Friday, said of the first game of the season, “We are never happy with losing.” He said four turnovers and too many plays on defense sealed the teams fate. The Vipers’ defense was on the field for 80 plays during the loss. Even though the Vipers lost by a large margin Jenks said, “By and large, with the first game, I was happy with the defensive side of the ball.”
Jenks explained that practices this week have been good as they prepare to take on Southern Durham on March 12. For that game Jenks hopes his offense will do a much better job at protecting the football. “Don’t be afraid to win the game on the last play of the game,” Jenks said when talking about what he has told his team this week. He said he has already seen improvement and hopes to see more consistency as the team moves through the season.
The game against Southern Durham will be the first road game for the Vipers and can be heard over WIZS radio beginning at 6:30 on Friday, March 12.
During the second part of the show, Chris Edwards talked about Duke baseball and what it has been like to not have games for the past eleven months. He said he missed little things like sunsets from the stadium that he won’t take for granted again. Duke has a weekend series against Pittsburgh. Edwards said it would be a big challenge for the Blue Devils since Pittsburgh just swept Florida St.
In regards to the ACC as a whole, “The ACC will beat up on each other,” Edwards said. He also feels that the ACC has a legitimate chance to have all fourteen teams in the NCAA tournament. Edwards says we will know more about how the teams will shake out after a month of, “beating up on each other.”
Currently, Duke is 4 – 4 on the season and are, “still trying to figure stuff out,” said Edwards. Much of Duke’s success will depend on the team’s bullpen figuring out its role.
In the third part of SportsTalk, Greg George of Granville Central spoke about the success of his JV team. He said the “JV team exceeded expectations. We keep trying to build it because that’s what lays the foundation for the varsity program going forward.”
George says it is challenging to coach so many different programs but he has a great support system with the staff and other coaches at the school. Currently Granville Central is number one in the conference with its soccer program. He said the disruption to the normal athletic schedules because of Covid has leveled the playing field for all of the schools in the conference. Lastly, George commented that the Granville Central football program is making great strides this season. Granville Central will take on county rival J. F. Webb on Friday night.
For full audio and complete details click play.
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover 03-04-21 – Permissive Parenting Style
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
“The Local Skinny!” Mar. 4; Register for Mar. 18 WOVEN Workshop
/by Laura GabelWomen in the area have a chance to learn how Dr. Kayla McHale, with Henderson Wellness, can help make “healthy the new ‘happy’” at a virtual workshop sponsored by Women of Vance Empowered Networking.
Sandra Wilkerson, administrator of events for the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, spoke with John C. Rose on The Local Skinny Thursday about the first meeting of 2021 for WOVEN, set for Thursday, Mar. 18 at noon. She said about 40 people are registered so far, but there’s room for more. Send Wilkerson an email at sandra@hendersonvance.org to register.
“The topic is something we can all pay attention to,” Wilkerson said. If ‘healthy is the new ‘happy,’ then there may be some areas to address, from getting a good night’s sleep to knowing which supplements may be best. She said McHale’s “pep talk” is sure to have something for everyone interested in staying young and healthy at any age.
“As women in the work force,” she said, “a lot of us were working from home, and we didn’t have that more comfortable chair to sit in.” The chairs around a dining table aren’t meant for all-day comfort. “We’ve probably overlooked some of the health issues that we were paying attention to in our office.
More than anything else, she said, the workshop will be about “simply taking care of you. Sometimes we just forget about “us.” It’s time to reflect again about taking care of ourselves,” Wilkerson added.
The seminar should last about an hour, and will include time for questions.
WOVEN, established in 2019, brings together businesswomen throughout the community and provides the opportunity for networking and to share successes and goals with one another.
“The biggest and greatest part of all this is networking,” Wilkerson said.
The Mar. 18 seminar is the first quarterly meeting of 2021. The group did not meet in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions.
McHale has a degree in Exercise Science from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, her home state. She was a four-year starter on the Huskies’ Division II softball team. She got a master’s degree in athletic training and worked with professional athletes before returning to school to become a chiropractor. Her approach to treating the body is addressing the cause of dysfunction rather than solely treating the symptoms in order to restore function and promote long-term relief.