Tag Archive for: #northcarolinanews

Visit Natural and Cultural Attractions for a NC Holiday Escape

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The holiday season is a great time to visit and also take relatives to see the vast array of venues that are within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. When the shopping, eating and watching football get to be too much, renew your spirit with a natural or cultural adventure.

The Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington will be open every day, even noon to 5 p.m. Christmas Day. Most N.C. State Parks will be open every day except Christmas Day, offering wholesome, refreshing family fun. Grandfather Mountain State Park will be open Christmas day with a Photo Scavenger Hunt at 3 p.m, so you can test your new camera. Be sure to start the New Year off right also with a First Day hike Jan. 1, at a state park near you!

The N.C. Aquariums at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores and Kure Beach, and N.C. Zoological Park at Asheboro, will be open every day except Christmas as well.

You’ll find the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences open except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Dec. 24-25, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. The N.C. Museum of History will be open except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Jan. 1 and 2.

The N.C. Museum of Art galleries will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Dec. 24 and 25. The East Building and special “Rolling Sculpture” exhibition will be open Monday, Dec. 26. Both buildings will be open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The Museum Park is open daily dawn to dusk. The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem will be closed Dec. 23-26 and Dec. 31-Jan 2.

State Historic Sites will be closed Dec. 24-26, and Jan. 1-2. The Museum of the Cape Fear in Fayetteville will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. The Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City will be closed Dec. 23-26, and Jan. 1-2. Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 1-2.

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 2. The N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort will be closed Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1. The N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 2. Roanoke Island Festival Park will be closed Dec. 23-27 and closed for the season January through Feb. 27.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

Operation Silent Night results in 88 arrests in the four county area

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Operation Silent Night results in 88 arrests in the four county area

Nearly 230 law enforcement officers from state, local, and federal agencies joined forces this week for Operation Silent Night, an enforcement operation that served outstanding criminal warrants and conducted compliance checks on high risk and violent offenders on probation and parole in Vance, Granville, Warren, and Franklin counties.

Significant arrests and accomplishments included:

  • Confiscation of 10 firearms including assault rifles and significant quantities of ammunition
  • Confiscation of significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and cash
  • Location and cleanup of a home methamphetamine lab in Franklin County
  • Absconder from post-release supervision safely brought into custody after a three-hour standoff in Franklin County
  • Recovery of a stolen vehicle in Vance County
  • Eight parole warrants issued and served for parole or post-release supervision violations
  • 118 searches of probationers attempted, 71 completed
  • 174 warrants served, 212 charges cleared, 32 probation violations issued

Participating agencies included:operation-silent-night-press-121516-wizsphoto2

U.S. Marshals Service

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

Vance County Sheriff’s Office

Warren County Sheriff’s Office

Granville County Sheriff’s Office

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Henderson Police Department

Butner Public Safety

Oxford Police Departmentoperation-silent-night-press-121516-wizsphoto3

Henderson-Vance Emergency Operations

NC Information Sharing and Analysis Center (NC ISAAC)

State Bureau of Investigation

U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District NC

Office of the District Attorney for District 9

North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

“The U.S. Marshals Service along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners will continually work to ensure that violent and repeat offenders on probation and parole supervision are compliant and held accountable for their actions,” said Scott J. Parker, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “This initiative demonstrated the partnership and dedication of the men and women from the U.S. Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners throughout Eastern North Carolina. I want to thank all of the law enforcement officers from the participating agencies for their relentless pursuit of justice here in North Carolina.”

“Cooperation between state, local and federal law enforcement agencies is critical to maintaining safe communities everywhere. No agency can accomplish this alone,” said Frank L. Perry, Secretary of the NC Department of Public Safety. “We appreciate the quality work that these agencies do on a daily basis and we thank them for their collaboration on this operation.”

“The District Attorney’s office is proud to have participated in Operation Silent Night,” said Michael Waters, district attorney for Franklin, Granville, Warren, and Vance counties. “We expect the relationships forged during this effort will pay future dividends in detecting and prosecuting serious felons and probation violators.”

“The City of Henderson and its residents should be extremely pleased with the efforts put forth in this major operation,” said Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. “Our hopes are that the work done in planning and executing Operation Silent Night will benefit our community in the months to come. This is believed to be the largest regional operation for the Henderson Police Department and we are extremely grateful to the U.S. Marshals Service, The NC Department of Public Safety and our partners for their professionalism and effort.”

“Every day the men and women of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office take proactive steps throughout the county to ensure the safety of the citizens,” said Franklin County Sheriff Kent Winstead. “This operation with local, state and federal agencies is another example of our commitment to continue our efforts in making this county a safe place to live and raise a family.”

“The SBI enjoys long-standing partnerships with local, state and federal law-enforcement agencies and will continue to engage in multi-agency operations like these to make North Carolina a safer place to live,” said NC State Bureau of Investigation Robert Schurmeier. “The SBI was able to contribute to overall efforts with several specialty units including the state’s fusion center (ISAAC), Special Response Team, Clandestine Lab Unit, area field agents, bomb squad and Computer Crimes Unit.”

www.usmarshals.gov

(Press Release Information Above, including two WIZS Photos and one WIZS Cover Photo.  The entire press conference was broadcast live on WIZS 1450 AM and streamed live on WIZS.com from about 10:00 a.m. until about 10:35 a.m., which included live interviews with District Attorney Mike Waters, NC SBI Director Robert Schurmeier and Lieutenant Allen Hedgepeth of the Henderson Police Department.  The press conference occurred at Clearview Church on Oxford Road in Henderson.)

Be safe when cleaning up debris from Hurricane Matthew

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As North Carolina residents begin to clean up in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, the N.C. Forest Service is encouraging them to remember to be careful when burning debris.

The current situation has many roads closed due to flooding and other issues. This, combined with emergency response resources being heavily engaged in other areas, including more than 100 N.C. Forest Service personnel, means getting help to deal with an escaped burn may be difficult.

“While it’s hard to believe with as much rain has Hurricane Mathew brought to the state, grass and twigs can, and will, dry out quickly and become fuel for a fire,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “It’s also important to remember that it is illegal to burn anything other than yard debris.”

There are many factors to consider before burning debris. The N.C. Forest Service encourages residents considering debris burning to contact their local county forest ranger. The ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options to help maximize the safety to people, property and the forest.

The Forest Service urges people to follow these tips to protect property and prevent wildfires:

  • Consider alternatives to burning. Some types of debris, such as leaves, grass and stubble, may be of more value if they are not burned, but used for mulch instead.
  • Check local burning laws. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours. Others forbid it entirely.
  • Make sure you have a valid permit. You can obtain a burning permit at any Forest Service office or authorized permitting agent, or online at ncforestservice.gov.
  • Keep an eye on the weather. Don’t burn on dry, windy days.
  • Local fire officials can recommend a safe way to burn debris. Don’t pile vegetation on the ground. Instead, place it in a cleared area and contained in a screened receptacle, away from overhead branches and wires.
  • Household trash should be hauled away to a trash or recycling station.
  • Be sure you are fully prepared before burning. To control the fire, you will need a hose, bucket, steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire. Keep a phone nearby, too.
  • Never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed debris burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out.
  • These same tips hold true for campfires and barbeques as well. Douse burning charcoal briquettes or campfires thoroughly with water. When soaked; stir the coals and soak them again. Be sure they are out cold and carefully feel to be sure they are extinguished. Never dump hot ashes or coals into a wooded area.
  • Burning agricultural residue and forestland litter: In addition to the rules above, a fire line should be plowed around the area to be burned. Large fields should be separated into small plots for burning one at a time. Before doing any burning in a wooded area, contact your county ranger, who will weigh all factors, explain them and offer technical advice.

Studies have shown that taking these and other measures can reduce the possibility of wildfires.

For more information on ways you can prevent wildfires and loss of property, log onto ncforestservice.gov.

NCDA&CS awards agritourism grants to 29 farms

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RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that 29 agritourism farms will receive funding for marketing projects.

The Agritourism Marketing Cost Share program is administered by the department’s agritourism office with funding from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

“I’m pleased that we are able to award a total of $50,000 in cost-share funding to agritourism farms across the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “For many agritourism operations, this funding can provide the help they need to boost their marketing efforts and increase the number of visitors to their farms.”

In its first year, the cost-share program received 77 applications requesting a total of $409,050. After a thorough review of applications, 29 farms were selected to receive grants for projects ranging from directional signage and marketing brochures (from companies similar to MyCreativeShop) to website development and branding. Individual grants ranged from $360 to $6,000.

The following farms received grants:

  • High Country Ginseng, Boone
  • C.V. Pilson Farm, Cameron
  • Flint Rock Farm, Cameron
  • Windy Hill Farm, Cedar Grove
  • Raised In A Barn Farm, Chocowinity
  • Hubb’s Corn Maze, Clinton
  • Yadkin Valley Farms, East Bend
  • Minka Farm, Efland
  • Sanderson Farm, Four Oaks
  • Poplar Creek Farm, Green Mountain
  • Hickory Creek Farm, Greensboro
  • Brothers On Farms, Hayesville
  • Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, Hendersonville
  • Wise Acres Organic Farm, Indian Trail
  • Good Karma Ranch, Iron Station
  • Addison Vineyard Farms, Leicester
  • English Farmstead Cheese, Marion
  • Renfrow Farms, Matthews
  • Granville Corn Maze, Oxford
  • Wehrloom Honey, Robbinsville
  • Briar Creek Nursery, Rocky Mount
  • Bradley Farms, Saluda
  • Creekside Farm, Selma
  • Huckleberry Trail Farm, Siler City
  • Celebrity Dairy LLC, Siler City
  • The Farmers’ Daughter, Taylorsville
  • Medlin Family Farm, Wake Forest
  • Yellow Wolf Farm, Walkertown
  • Cold Mountain Corn Maze, Waynesville

North Carolina is home to more than 700 agritourism farms, making it one of the nation’s top states for agritourism. Operations vary from pick-your-own strawberries and choose-and-cut Christmas trees to weekend wedding venues and monthlong farm stays. For more information on agritourism farms in the state, go to www.visitncfarms.com.

City of Henderson demolishes abandoned home

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The Citizens Aligned To Take Back Henderson won a victory today as one of the 400 reported homes in the city was destroyed. The home was located at 910 West Andrews Avenue in Henderson. Heidi Owen, who is one of the instrumental leaders of Citizens Aligned To Take Back Henderson, told WIZS news, “What a huge difference taking down this one small structure makes. Imagine if the county and city can work together to remove all 400! We encourage supporters to contact our local leaders and and ask them to do the right thing for Henderson…for Vance County.”

To find out more about Citizens Aligned To Take Back Henderson be sure to like the group on Facebook, and listen to TownTalk on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

VGCC installs first officers for SkillsUSA chapter

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The Vance-Granville Community College chapter of the national SkillsUSA organization, established only a few months ago, now has its first official student leaders.

On Feb. 29, four students signed their contracts and took their oaths as chapter officers. They included President Benjamin Layton of Kittrell (a Criminal Justice Technology student), Secretary/Treasurer Ashley Allen of Henderson (Office Administration), Reporter Harold Todd of Oxford (Criminal Justice Technology) and Parliamentarian Daniel Johnson of Louisburg (Paralegal Technology).

Performing the installation was Steve Hargrove, who chairs the Public Services department at VGCC and serves as lead advisor for the chapter. VGCC Paralegal Technology program head Antoinette Dickens, Office Administration program head Christal Thomas, Office Administration instructor Candy Parker, Medical Office Administration instructor Hollie Garrett and Business & Applied Technologies administrative assistant Kimberly Elliott also serve as advisors. Other faculty members are also helping to support and advise various committees for the organization.

At the installation ceremony, Hargrove played a video message that was recorded specifically for the historic occasion by Peyton Holland, the executive director of SkillsUSA North Carolina.

In closing remarks, VGCC Business Technologies department chair Spring Tucker thanked the students for taking on their new leadership roles.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA chapters help students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations excel. Founded in 1965 as V.I.C.A. (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), SkillsUSA has served nearly 12 million members in its 50-year history. Today, the organization has more than 360,000 students and instructors as members nationwide.

Among the benefits to VGCC students are opportunities to participate in competitions at the local, state and national levels, which are designed by industry experts and showcase the nation’s top career and technical education students. The chapter also provides students with opportunities for leadership, professional development, community service and social activities.

VGCC will soon send a delegation to the 50th annual SkillsUSA North Carolina State Leadership and Skills Conference, which will be held in Greensboro on April 19-21. Over 2,500 students, instructors, industry members, and volunteers will be on hand for the largest showcase of career and technical education in the state.

For more information on SkillsUSA at VGCC, contact Public Services department chair Steve Hargrove at hargroves@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3467.