Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

NCDOT

Public Comment Opportunity for NCDOT Division 5 Projects

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-Press Release, NCDOT

Area residents will get a chance to learn more about the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s draft 10-Year transportation plan for 2020-2029 at a week-long open house in Durham next week. The department unveiled its proposed funding and construction plan in January with more than 1,600 transportation projects across the state.

The list includes 18 new projects for Division 5, which covers Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren counties. Projects were selected based on technical data, as well as input from local officials and the public. A list of the projects in the draft plan and additional information is available on the NCDOT website.

The transportation plan is updated every two years. Projects scheduled in the first five years are considered committed, while projects in the final five years of the draft 10-year plan will be re-evaluated again as part of the development process for the 2022-2031 plan. That will start later this year.

Each of the department’s 14 highway divisions is hosting a week-long public comment opportunity on the projects in the current draft plan. In Division 5, it will be from Feb. 18-22 at the Division office at 2612 North Duke Street, Durham, during normal business hours.

The sessions will serve as opportunities for interested residents to review maps and handouts about the projects, ask questions of local NCDOT staff, and submit comments.

For interested residents who can’t attend the public comment sessions, there is an opportunity to submit comments online through April 15. The draft plan will be considered for final approval by the Board of Transportation this summer.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to provide input. Anyone requiring special services should contact David Keilson at 919-220-4600, or dpkeilson@ncdot.gov, as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

4-H Logo

Four County 4-H Poultry Show & Sale Interest Meeting – Feb. 27

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-Information courtesy NC Cooperative Extension – Warren County Center

2019 FOUR COUNTY 4-H POULTRY SHOW AND SALE INTEREST MEETING

Wednesday, February 27, 2019 | 6:30 p.m.

Vance County Regional Farmers Market

210 South Park Drive, Henderson, NC 27536

All children ages 5-18 are invited to join us on February 27 at the Vance County Regional Farmer’s Market to discuss plans for the 2019 Four County 4-H Poultry Show and Sale.

Whether this would be your first time participating or you have participated for many years, you won’t want to miss this meeting. We will be selecting the two breeds of chicken to raise this year, so if you would like to share your input, please plan on attending.

If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in participating in the show and sale, please call our office and let us know so that we can get the information out to you.

Please call (252) 257-3640 for more information and to RSVP!

NC Dept of Agriculture

NCDACS Accepting Applications for Healthy Food Small Retailer Program

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-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will offer grant assistance to convenience stores interested in offering healthier food options to those living in one of the state’s 349 food deserts. The funding is a part of the Healthy Food Small Retailer Program.

“The goal of the Healthy Food Small Retailer program is to help bring more healthy, locally grown food options to the 1.5 million people impacted by food deserts in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Convenience stores are integral parts of fighting food insecurity in local communities.”

The Healthy Food Small Retailer Program, which is administered by the department, was established in the 2016 state budget bill (HB 1030). The 2019 program will reimburse participating stores for refrigeration, freezer and stocking equipment needed to offer healthier items.

Store owners have until March 4, 2019, to apply for priority consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until March 31, subject to availability of funds.

In addition to being in a food desert (online search available at www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/), store owners applying for funding under HFSRP must meet the following criteria:

  • Accept or agree to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits;
  • Accept or agree to apply to accept Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits;
  • Have no more than 3,000 square feet of heated floor space;
  • Be established as a for-profit business at the time of application;
  • Have not previously received HFSRP funds.

Interested store owners can find more information about the program and download an application at www.ncagr.gov/HealthyRetailer.

In addition, store owners may call 919-707-3173 or email HealthyRetailer@ncagr.gov.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Regulators Notify Industry Regarding CBD Products in the Marketplace

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-Press Release, N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is sending out letters next week to manufacturers and retailers who sell products containing CBD oil, detailing what is legal to sell in North Carolina.

“Under federal Food and Drug Administration laws, CBD is considered a drug,” said Joe Reardon, NCDA&CS assistant commissioner of consumer protection. “North Carolina state laws mirror federal laws. This means that CBD cannot legally be added to any human food or animal feed that is for sale.”

The product can also not make health claims, including statements that the product may prevent, treat or cure any disease. Failure to comply could result in embargo or seizure of products.

“We are taking an educate before regulate stance with industry,” Reardon said. “We know they may not be aware of the state laws regarding the addition of a drug to a food product. However, we reserve the right to be more assertive, as other states have been, if we need to be in the future. Our main concern is consumer health and safety with any product that falls under our regulatory authority.”

“We also urge consumers to be smart shoppers and ask questions before choosing to purchase any tincture that contains cbd öl or hemp extract. Find out how the product is manufactured, if the company has purity standards and what the potency may be,” he said.

Industry with questions about the regulation of CBD can call the Food and Drug Protection Division, 919-733-7366.

Women With Children Needed as Health Focus Group Volunteers

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-Information and flyer courtesy NC Cooperative Extension – Warren County Center

The Warren County Cooperative Extension Office is looking for local women with children to participate in a volunteer focus group on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Participants will provide the Poe Center, a health education organization, with feedback related to nutrition and physical activity in the community. Feedback provided will help prepare programs and health messages for Warren County.

The focus group will be held at the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office located at 158 Rafters Lane in Warrenton, NC.

Participants will receive a water bottle, tote bag, cooking magazine and magnet.

 

NC Dept of Agriculture

High Point Halal Meats Voluntarily Recalls Chicken, Lamb & Beef Products

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-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

High Point Halal Meats in High Point is voluntarily recalling all production lots of chicken, lamb and beef products because they were produced without benefit of required inspections.

“Inspectors with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Meat and Poultry Inspection Division discovered uninspected meat and poultry products in commerce,” said Dr. Beth Yongue, director of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Division. This is a Class I recall where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. Customers who purchased these products are urged not to consume them.”

The following products are subject to recall:

All chicken, lamb and beef products bearing a “High Point Halal Meats” label.

These items were shipped to retail stores within North Carolina. These products bear an NCDA inspection legend with the establishment number P-318.

Throw away these products or return them to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions about High Point Halal Meats products can call the facility at 336-802-0620 during business hours.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

4-H Logo

Warren County 4-H Planning Ski Trip to Wintergreen, Space Limited

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-Information and flyer courtesy NC Cooperative Extension – Warren County Center

Back by Popular Demand…we had a BLAST last year…seats are limited!

When: Saturday, February 23, 2019
Where: Wintergreen Resort, Wintergreen, VA
Cost: $30 per person
Registration deadline: February 14; call 252-257-3640, or sign up via 4HOnline.
Who: Ages 9-18; children 5-8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited to 20.

 

NC Coop Extension

Warren Co. Coop Extension Encourages Food Donations in Aftermath of Govt. Shutdown

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-Information courtesy the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office

The recent federal government shutdown left federal employees, and people on government assistance (SNAP, EBT, etc.), vulnerable. Due to the shutdown, the food stamps that were meant for the month of February were issued in January. There was confusion, and many utilized the food stamps in the month of January while they had to last through February.

With this situation, and the possibility of another shutdown on the horizon, the marginalized and food insecure citizens of our community are particularly vulnerable. We can predict a high need of resources from the food pantry towards the end of February.

Every year, North Carolina A&T Cooperative Extension encourages its agents to host a food drive to celebrate Small Farms Week in March. While it is early, I believe that the need is more pertinent now, and the impact will be much greater if we began the food drive now.

If you are interested in making a donation, please bring it to the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office – 158 Rafters Ln, Warrenton, contact (252) 257-3640 or email wllandis@ncsu.edu.

Thank you! We look forward to your donations.

– William Landis, Extension Agent

Oak Level Church of Christ Invites Public to ‘100 Women in Red’ Celebration

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-Information courtesy Katrina Reid, Christian Women Working Together of Oak Level United Church of Christ 

We extend an invitation to all churches to come join us in celebrating “100 Women In Red” (men and children are also welcome) on Sunday, February 17, 2019, at 3 p.m., 5631 Jacksontown Road, Manson, NC 27553.

Theme: “Boldness Through The Blood of Jesus”

Guest Speaker: Reverend Natasha Lewis from Temple of Deliverance Church, Henderson, NC.

We pray that you will have an opportunity to fellowship with us on that Sunday. We thank you in advance for your presence.
For more information, please contact Sis. Rayenna Wimbush at (252) 915-6316.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Applications Being Accepted for Hurricane Florence Reforestation Fund

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-Information courtesy NCDA&CS

Woodland owners in 52 counties impacted by Hurricane Florence and recognized as federally-declared disaster areas can now apply for cost-share funding for reforestation efforts. The North Carolina General Assembly approved $2.5 million in time-limited funding for reforestation efforts that will be administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. Forest Service.

“Hurricane Florence not only devastated agricultural crops, but the storm also caused considerable damage to our valuable forestlands. The Florence Reforestation Fund will help owners rebuild these natural resources,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.  “I am grateful to legislators for providing funding that will help keep North Carolina green and growing.”

Qualifying property in designated counties will be eligible to apply for the program funding. However, funding requests should be for “shovel-ready” projects and practices that can be completed within short time periods. Funds will be administered similar to other NCFS cost-share programs such as the Timber Restoration Fund that was offered following Hurricane Matthew.

Approved practices include site preparation and tree planting as recommended in the applicant’s management plan. Afforestation of open fields or pastureland is also eligible, however, funding for forest stand improvement practices is not available through this program. To receive reimbursement, at least 4.5 acres of approved, completed work must be documented. The maximum funding allocation will be 100 acres per landowner per fiscal year.

Applications need to be submitted to the landowner’s local N.C. Forest Service office for initial review before they are sent to the NCFS Central Office for final approval. Applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds have been allocated. Projects should be completed by May 1, 2020.

To learn more about the Florence Reforestation Fund, landowners should call their local county ranger’s office.