Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

TownTalk: Vance County Animal Services Pet Adoption Event Saturday At Petsense

/by

 

The Vance County Animal Shelter has 44 kennels to house the dogs that find their way to the Brodie Road facility, whether it’s from a stray pickup or from an owner surrender.

William Coker, director of Vance County Animal Services, said in August alone, 213 dogs and cats were brought into the shelter.

The good news was that 33 dogs and 23 cats were adopted from the shelter in August, Coker told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s TownTalk. September’s numbers were slightly lower – 190 dogs and cats came into the shelter, he said. But adoptions were down in September – only 7 dogs and 8 cats were adopted.

“When you’re bringing in that amount of animals, and the adoptions are like they are, it makes for a bad day,” Coker said.

There’s an adoption event scheduled for Saturday at Petsense in Henderson, located at 1528 Dabney Dr. and it’s a chance for the public to come out and see some of the dogs that are just waiting to find their “furever” home. The adoption event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. One-year rabies boosters also are available for $5 during the adoption event.

There’s a $155 adoption fee for dogs and a $105 adoption fee for cats, but Coker said you won’t find a better deal. The animals get their vaccinations, they get microchipped and most importantly, they leave the shelter spayed or neutered.

“You’re really getting a sweet deal,” Coker said. “The animal, when it leaves here, is in great shape…you should have a good pet that’s going to be around for a long time.”

Coker said he’s so happy to report that the county has received a $50,000 grant to offer free spay and neuter services to pet owners in the county regardless of their income level. The state has a program for pet owners who receive government assistance, but Coker said he wants to be able to offer the spay/neuter program to all pet owners.

“To me, that’s the solution to lowering the numbers in the shelter,” Coker said. In one day last week, the shelter took in 14 puppies. Two have been adopted already. But that still leaves a dozen. And that’s just a snapshot from one day in one week.

The shelter staff does have to make decisions to euthanize animals when the shelter is full. Coker said it’s easier to decide to put down older animals, or those that are sick.

“It does come the time that it’s good dogs that have to be euthanized because we don’t have space,” Coker said. Spaying and neutering dogs and cats is the key to reducing the unwanted pet population.

“You’re not going to adopt yourself out of this situation,” he said.

If you have room in your home for a pet, consider adopting from the Vance County Animal Shelter.

If you can’t adopt, but still want to help, consider making a donation to the shelter. Coker said the shelter needs dog food

“I’m going to have to start begging – or buying  – dog food,” he said. He’d prefer to have a monetary donation so the staff can continue to buy the same food for the dogs that they’re used to eating.

For those who’d like to volunteer to work at the shelter, Coker said there’s a brief application to fill out and it shouldn’t take long for the application to be processed and approved.
“Hopefully, we can get them in here in a week or two,” he said.

The shelter is located at 1243 Brodie Rd. Check the website for hours of operation, which vary depending on the day of the week.

Visit https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal-control/ to learn more.

CLICK PLAY!

Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Fall Webworms and Bagworms

/by

Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

In this segment we ask ‘What are Fall Webworms and Bagworms and how can we control them?’ There’s also a reminder of an upcoming composting class.

Listen 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!

Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners Of Hope Seeks Program Manager For Freedom BRIDGE, Set To Open Nov. 3

/by

Community Partners of Hope is looking for a part-time program manager for its new ministry, Freedom BRIDGE, which is being established to help people affected by or at risk of opioid use disorder.

Find details about the job and a link to the application at https://www.cp-hope.org/freedombridge

BRIDGE, which stands for Building Recovery Intervention Development Growth Empowerment, is scheduled to open on Monday, Nov. 3 at 12 noon. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at 936 W. Andrews Ave., right beside Vance Recovery.

Freedom BRIDGE will offer clients the support they need to heal and thrive, through accessible classes, compassionate counseling, prevention programs and recover services.

In addition to serving clients, Freedom BRIDGE will also provide services to client family members.

Email partners@cp-hope.org to learn more.

TownTalk: DMV Commissioner Offers Insight, Updates To Increase Customer Satisfaction

/by

When Paul Tine stepped into his new role as the state’s DMV commissioner back in May, he knew his role was largely to steer the department through some upgrades and challenges that presented lots of roadblocks to customer service. Hours of waiting in line just to get in the door and impossible-to-get appointments were common complaints, and Tine said he and his team continue to work to make things better.

“Demand is certainly high,” Tine said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, “based on population and the Real ID initiative.”

He acknowledges the need for greater efficiency with internal processes, including upgrading and replacing the record-keeping technology that DMV uses. Customers expect a strong platform, he said, and he hopes to deliver before too long. He said he hopes to award by year’s end a contract to modernize the DMV technology. Until then, Tine and the DMV staff are constantly looking for ways to improve customer satisfaction.

The COVID-19 era requirement that customers make appointments is over, and walk-ins are welcome any time. Tine said 87 percent of clients are walk-ins these days, with the other 13 percent making appointments to conduct their business at DMV.

Moving toward more online transactions is helping ease the crunch at brick-and-mortar DMV offices, and there’s a new queueing system in place that allows customers to wait in their vehicles or other locations nearby instead of braving adverse weather conditions while they wait to get inside the DMV office.

“You can wait wherever you like,” Tine said, and a quick text message from DMV will let customers know when it’s their turn for assistance.

Thanks to more funding from the state legislature, Tine said more examiners have been hired – “the majority of those people in 30 days,” he said. The department is clearing a backlog of employee training by shifting to “in the field” training, which allows employees to serve while they are learning, he said.

Having third-party contractors step in to provide services is proving to be beneficial, too. There are self-serve kiosks in selected areas of the state, and a recent announcement that teen drivers can take their driving tests with a driver education group are just two examples of this partnership.

“We’re hoping to have that first certificate coming in the office any day,” Tine said.

The vast majority of North Carolinians will have to conduct business with the DMV at some time or another, and Tine said he’s sure about one thing:

“Our customers do not care about me…they care about that person they talk to in the office, on the phone, and how good our website is.”

Visit www.ncdmv.gov to learn more.

Click Play!

McGregor Hall 2025 Live Series Lineup!

/by

This year’s McGregor Live! series includes something for everyone – from a revenge-seeking barber to a performing dog troupe, with some Christmas tunes, beach music and the Wizard of Oz thrown in for good measure.

The McGregor Live! series package is $135, which Mark Hopper said represents a 25 percent discount from the single-ticket prices.

The season kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 1 with a four-show run of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

This Stephen Sondheim classic won multiple Tony awards in 1979, Hopper said. “This one has a thriller of a story,” he said.

The local production features a 22-member professional orchestra and a cast and crew of about 60.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, with Sunday matinees on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9.

The stage welcomes ‘Plaid Tidings’ for performances on Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec.  20.

This show tells the story of four young men who form an a capella “doo wop” group that performs all your Christmas favorites, Hopper said. With an air of nostalgia, the show makes lots of references to bygone days when celebrities like Ed Sullivan and Perry Como entertained families with TV specials and radio tunes.

The Wizard of Oz On Ice is an interesting addition and came to be because the team at McGregor Hall is thinking outside the box. The performance is Saturday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m.

“There is no way we could afford this as a one-off, meaning a single performance,” Hopper explained. Plus, there’s the whole issue of “ice.”

A California-based company is going on a national tour of the production, which is a reimagined production of the classic story about the girl from Kansas who found her way to the Emerald City.

“We worked out a deal with them to come and do their technical rehearsals here, and in exchange we’re going to get to enjoy a show that otherwise would be way, way, way beyond our reach. This is a really high-end professionally done show with all the characters you know and love – this will be a great, great family show,” Hopper said.

Then, on Feb. 15, the Chairmen of the Board will come to Henderson, bringing with them that toe tappin’ sound that makes you want to get up and dance. Most of the band members are not original members, but Hopper said they all knew the great General Norman Johnson. The band’s current vocalists and band members are real stewards of the band and the music it’s known for, from “You’ve Got Me Dangling On A String” to “Carolina Girls” and more.

The series finale features a man and his mutts – Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix, to be precise.

Join the fun on Sunday, Apr. 26 at 3 p.m. as Peers puts his pups through a series of challenging and hilarious tricks. This group has performed its slapstick comedy routine at Ringling Brothers & Barnam and Bailey Circus and on the David Letterman show. You won’t want to miss it!

Find out more at https://www.mcgregorhall.org/shows-events.

CLICK PLAY!

(This is not a paid ad.)

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Forest Property Boundaries

/by

Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Knowing your correct forest property boundaries can save you time and money.

Listen 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!

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Saturday, Oct. 25 Is ‘Pumpkin Day’ At the Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

/by

Saturday, Oct. 25 is Pumpkin Day at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. From 9 a.m. to 12 noon, pumpkins and mums will be raffled off every 15 minutes, so be sure to stop by for a chance to win!

According to Market Manager Pat Ayscue, there will be plenty of pumpkin-themed activities for the kids to enjoy, including using cookie cutters to create their own unique style of fall masterpiece.

EBT is accepted and matched with Double Bucks as long as funds are available.  Children still get a $5 token each visit through October.

The market is filling up with fall produce including turnip salad, cabbage and broccoli, not to mention other goodie like local honys and fresh pies and pasture-raised pork, chicken and lamb.

There are plenty of handcrafted treasures including quilts, wooden ware, pottery and holiday wreaths, perfect for gift-giving or decorating your home.

Come on out for Pumpkin Day – you’ll be glad you did.

The market hours are Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through Dec. 13.

Maria Parham Health ‘Trunk Or Treat’ Oct. 28

/by

This is the fifth year that Maria Parham Health is hosting its Trunk or Treat for the community, but it’s the first time that costumed kiddos will get to walk through instead of riding through in vehicles.

Hospital organizers say they’re looking forward to being able to dial up the fun by interacting more closely with trick-or-treaters from the community during the event, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Medical Plaza, 120 Charles Rollins Rd.

Originally launched as a drive-through in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trunk or Treat  provided a safe, CDC-compliant way for children and families to celebrate Halloween. Trick-or treaters stayed in their vehicles while receiving candy from costumed staff and volunteers  stationed along a designated route.

“With the significant decrease in COVID cases in our area, we felt it was time to bring back that face-to-face community spirit,” said Donna Young, public information officer for Maria Parham  Health. “We’re excited to welcome families back in a more interactive and festive setting.”

This year, guests will park in the gravel lot behind the hospital and walk down to the Medical  Plaza at 120 Charles Rollins Rd., where the main event will take place. Hospital staff will decorate their vehicles and don creative costumes to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. In addition, community organizations are invited to join in by decorating their own vehicles and passing out treats.

Adding to the fun, live music will be provided by local band Man Up, who will entertain guests with spooky rock tunes that blend Halloween flair with a youthful energy.

The event promises to be a safe, family-friendly celebration full of treats, laughter, and community engagement — a tradition that continues to grow year after year.

For more information or to register your organization to participate, please contact Donna Young  at donna.young@lpnt.net.