Tag Archive for: #wizs

Pop The Hood: Conventional vs. Synthetic Motor Oil

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Thank you for listening to Pop The Hood on WIZS!

Changing the oil in your car or truck is probably one of the most important – if not THE most important – piece of maintenance you can do to care for your vehicle’s engine.

Up for debate is when to change the oil – is it every 3,000 miles? Every 5,000? It depends.

Another debate involves the type of oil to use: conventional, synthetic or a hybrid?

Again, depends on who you ask. And on the vehicle.

Let the professionals at Advance Auto Parts help you find answers to your questions about the brand and type of oil best suited for your needs.

Conventional oil is fine for many makes and models, but some manufacturers recommend synthetic oil, which is supposed to have fewer impurities than the conventional oil.

Think of conventional oil as a material made up of molecules that resemble a handful of gravel – it’s all the same substance, but they’re all different shapes. Synthetic oil is more like a handful of marbles – more uniformly shaped and smooth.

As you may expect, synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, so you’ll spend more for an oil change if you use synthetic oil.

Follow your vehicle’s specs to make sure the oil you choose is compatible with the vehicle.

If your vehicle is an older model, a synthetic oil can help prevent sludge buildup and prolong engine life.

Expect to spend $25-$50 for a conventional oil change at your neighborhood oil change shop; that range could be $45-$70 for synthetic oil. The good news is that synthetic oil doesn’t have to be changed as often.

Another plus for synthetic over conventional comes for drivers who tend to make many short trips. Conventional oil doesn’t have a chance to warm up enough to burn off impurities; synthetic oil does warm more quickly, so it may to prevent engine malfunctions.

The do-it-yourselfer may be able to crawl under a vehicle, drain the old oil and replace it with new oil for a fraction of that cost, but consider the time and effort involved to determine which route is better for you and your situation.

Be an informed consumer and know which questions to ask, whether you’re going to take your car to the shop or DIY it.

The three types of motor oil will work fine in your vehicle as long as they meet current American Petroleum Institute certification and don’t go against the manufacturer’s recommendations. The only type of engine you should never use synthetic oil in is a rotary. Rotary engines have unique seals that are engineered for use with conventional oil only.

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The information contained in this audio on air and online as well as the wizs.com web 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.

Warren County Looks To Fill Community Development Division Manager Position

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Warren County is hiring a Community Development Division Manager to provide support across the county in various areas, from housing development projects and workforce development to food security and poverty reduction.

The application is available at the county’s Human Resources website: https://www.warrencountync.com/166/Human-Resources. The position closes on Sept. 13, according to information from Charla Duncan, Warren County Community & Economic Development director.

This is a newly created position, Duncan stated, designed to support various initiatives in the county, including housing, broadband, transportation, recreation, workforce development, and early child development.

“This role will be characterized by a high-degree of initiative and dedication to preserving and producing affordable housing and an ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies, as well as lenders, private foundations, non-profits, and the business community,” Duncan stated, adding that one role will be to develop and implement a strategic plan to address the unmet housing needs within the county.

The job follows the normal hours of operation for Warren County government – Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., but there will be occasions to work outside those office hours to attend workshops, meetings and special events. It’s mostly an on-site office job with the possibility for some remote work in accordance with county policy.

Read more details below:

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

  • Work with the colleagues to research and develop land use policies to encourage housing in areas with access to infrastructure and services, as well as address workforce and workforce housing demand
  • Ensure educational and financial assistance programs to homeowners are promoted and fully utilized by residents
  • Develop programs with innovative approaches to affordable and workforce housing
  • Develop homeowner assistance programs
  • Facilitate educational and informational workshops to educate renter and first-time homebuyers on rental assistance program as well as home purchase procedures, finance, and maintenance
  • Manage and oversee programs funding by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and oversees the administration and contract compliance of community development programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
  • Maintains up-to-date knowledge of housing and community development activities in the county and across the state, as well as nationwide best practices
  • Develop and recommend policies and programs related to community development programs for the county to consider; prepares reports and delivers presentations to committees and county commissioners
  • Develop and distribute information through a variety of media outlets
  • Facilitate community engagement efforts for program areas
  • Conduct research, compile and analyze data as needed for all departments (related to economic & community development)
  • Write and administer grants related to community development initiatives
  • Analyze and interpret state and federal policy
  • Assist with transportation projects
  • Assist in marketing the county in residential and workforce recruitment efforts
  • Assist in overseeing performance measurement for the Community and Economic Development Office
  • Develop surveys and research tools as needed pertaining to community development
  • Assist in strategic planning and implementation
  • Assist in departmental community and economic development projects as needed
  • Assist with community and economic development budget tracking as needed
  • Serve on county committees as needed
  • Other duties as needed (we’re all on the same team)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the local community and region is preferred; ability to research and understand economic and community development concepts and practices; ability to research and understand local, state, and federal laws related to community and economic development; ability to research and understand concepts and laws related to land use and planning and zoning; must be a team player willing to take on tasks aligned with the strategic vision of Warren County and the Community and Economic Development Office; punctual and reliable; effective communicator with both public speaking skills and written skills; can work independently with minimal direction; values rural communities and is community-oriented with great inter-personal skills; eager to serve the greater public, including a diversity of backgrounds and lifestyles; pragmatic and logical, but also excited by innovation and thinking outside of the box.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Preference is for a candidate to have graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in public administration, community development, planning, or social sciences, and have at least four years of work experience related to this role. There is a desire for an advanced degree in any of those areas, but it is not required. There is a desire for a candidate that has previously worked in local government. Experience related to developing and implementing affordable housing and community development programs is desired. Open to considering other combinations of education and experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This is light working requiring minimal physical movement. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, and atmospheric conditions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess an appropriate driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina; considerable knowledge of word processing and the Microsoft Office Suite; considerable knowledge of social media platforms. Knowledge of GIS is helpful, but not mandatory.

N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon Plans Sept. 16 Meeting To Discuss Future Of Broadband Internet In Granville

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N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon will be in Oxford on Saturday, Sept. 16 to have a dialogue about broadband internet access – how to improve it, why it’s important and its future role in daily life.

The town hall-style meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Expo Center, 4185 U.S. 15 South, Oxford.

“In today’s interconnected world, access to reliable and high-speed internet has become an essential utility, impacting education, healthcare, business and communication,” according to a press release from Sossamon’s office.  “Unfortunately, many members of our community still face challenges in accessing quality broadband services, hindering their ability to fully participate in the digital age.”

Representatives of the N.C. Dept. of Information Technology will be present to share information during the meeting, whose purpose is to facilitate an open and informed discussion about the state of broadband internet access in Granville County and to explore potential solutions and opportunities for improvement.

The meeting will feature informative presentations and will allow those in attendance to voice concerns, ask questions and contribute their perspectives.

Tim Twisdale Named New Henderson Fire Chief

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The City of Henderson has selected Battalion Chief Tim Twisdale as chief of the Henderson Fire Department.

Twisdale has worked for more than 20 years with the department, and “is a very valuable asset for our city,” according to an announcement posted on social media Wednesday.

Interim Fire Chief Curtis Tyndall retired effective July 1, and City Manager Terrell Blackmon hinted last week that an announcement of a new chief was imminent.

Tyndall was deputy fire chief and stepped in as interim chief following the death of Chief Steve Cordell, who died in January.

The post on social media went on to say that “although we will miss both of them dearly, we must move forward for our community and our department. Change is inevitable, but great things can come from change.”

SportsTalk: Duke Baseball 2023 Super Regional

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Chris Edwards, play by play announcer of Duke Baseball for Learfield, spoke with John Rose on WIZS SportsTalk.

Super regional play begins Friday for Duke at Virginia at 12 noon.

Wake Forest, Duke and Virginia hope to advance to the College World Series.

CLICK PLAY BELOW TO ENJOY CHRIS EDWARDS ON WIZS SPORTSTALK!

 

VGCC Logo

Perry Memorial Library To Host VGCC Enrollment Day June 22

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– information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Vance-Granville Community College is taking the show on the road – the enrollment show, that is.

Enrollment Day is set for Thursday, June 22 in Henderson and rather than having prospective students come to the college’s Main Campus, staff from Main Campus will be set up at Perry Memorial Library to assist individuals with registering for Fall 2023 classes, according to Courtney Cissel, VGCC’s public information officer.

VGCC representatives will be at the library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to provide information on the enrollment process, as well as the academic programs and student support services available – including financial aid. Advisors will be ready to help with registration for the fall semester, which begins Monday Aug. 14.

Both 8-week and the traditional 16-week classes will be available.

An orientation for new students will be held at 10 a.m. on June 22 as part of Enrollment Day. Orientations can be completed online on June 22 or students can arrange for an in-person orientation at a later date.

For more information about Enrollment Day, or to sign up for orientation, visit www.vgcc.edu/enrollment-day.

NC MedAssist Has $55,000 Goal To Provide Inhalers To Patients

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Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

The average person takes between 12 and 20 breaths each minute, which adds up to about 22,000 each day. This simple, but essential, action goes unnoticed by so many, until there’s a problem. Like asthma.

Asthma is a condition that makes that simple, but essential, action more difficult for 670,000 North Carolinians. May 2 was observed as World Asthma Day, and a non-profit agency has a campaign open through May 16 to raise money to help those who live with asthma.

NC MedAssist serves the uninsured and low-income residents of the state, providing free medications to treat chronic illnesses like asthma, COPD. About 17 percent of  patients currently need inhalers to treat these chronic respiratory conditions. “It’s not a luxury item, it’s an item that allows them to continue breathing,” stated Jessica Yarzumbeck, director of communications and marketing for MedAssist.

The Charlotte-based agency receives all of its prescription and OTC medicine through generous in-kind donations, but inhalers have recently been removed from the list of available items, which directly affects 3,236 of its patients, Yarzumbeck said.

The agency has an immediate to provide respiratory therapies like inhalers to the patients it serves. A gift of $111 can support one patient. The goal is to be able to support 500 – making the goal $55,000.

Donate at https://medassist.org/take-action-on-asthma/

 

Diabetes: Living With, Preventing Disease

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Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy and causes blood sugar levels to rise to abnormally high levels. As the seventh leading cause of death, diabetes is one of the most common – and dangerous – health issues in the U.S. In fact, more than 37 million Americans have diabetes, and one in five who do have it are unaware of their condition.

There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Cheryl Hester, a registered nurse at Maria Parham Health, said diabetes can be treated with medication and its risks reduced by making a few key lifestyle changes.

Children as young as 1 year old have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a result of the body stopping production of insulin altogether.

Insulin is a hormone that helps your body turn food into energy and manages your blood sugar. Symptoms for Type 1 typically develop early and intensely, and this type is primarily diagnosed in children, teens and young adults. Those with Type 1 take insulin regularly to compensate for their body’s inability to produce it.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common iteration of the disease and usually occurs when your body has difficulty maintaining normal blood sugar levels as a result of an inability to use insulin properly.

Generally speaking, risk factors including unhealthy weight, age and a family history of Type 2 diabetes can contribute to a person being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Women with a history of gestational diabetes also are at a greater risk for a Type 2 diagnosis, as are people from higher-risk ethnic groups such as African-American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian and Alaska Native (some Pacific Islanders and Asian-Americans are also at higher risk).

Gestational diabetes occurs only in females and results when pregnancy-related body changes affect the ability to make sufficient inulin. It typically goes away after birth, but it can increase the mother’s and the child’s risk for Type 2 diabetes later in life.

A related condition is prediabetes. Prediabetes presents when blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. More than one in three American adults – around 96 million – have prediabetes, and more than 80 percent don’t know it. Diabetes can also lead to other, more serious health issues, like heart and kidney disease, vision loss and stroke. The good news is that Type 2 and gestational diabetes can be prevented. Eating healthy foods, engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can help.

How do you know if you have diabetes? There are classic symptoms, including frequent urination, increased hunger and thirst, unintended weight loss, blurry vision, fatigue, abnormally dry skin, numb or tingling hands or feet, slow-healing sores and more infections than usual.

But you may not have any of the above-mentioned symptoms and still have diabetes. Your primary care provider can conduct a simple blood sugar test to determine whether you have diabetes or prediabetes. Being equipped with the knowledge of your status can empower you and your provider to work together on a treatment plan and lifestyle changes to improve and protect your health if needed.

For more information on diabetes, visit www.cdc.gov/diabetes and www.diabetes.org.

Need to make an appointment with a provider for a talk about diabetes and blood sugar testing? Call 800.424.DOCS or visit https://www.mariaparham.com/