Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Hurricane Preparation

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Meteorologists continue to track Hurricane Ian as it makes its way toward the U.S. this week. While the exact path of the hurricane cannot be predicted, experts report that North Carolina could get heavy rains later this week as the storm breaks apart as it moves farther inland.

And although the hurricane’s path and strength can change over time, preparing your property in advance of a hurricane does not.

The key is to stay informed and updated, but also to plan ahead – to minimize wind and water damage, according to Wayne Rowland, Vance County agriculture extension technician.

Rowland shared helpful suggestions to help residents prepare for possible effects from Hurricane Ian, and other storm systems capable of producing high winds, heavy rain and flooding.

Survey the outside of your home to identify items that could become airborne in a strong wind, Rowland said. Whether it’s porch furniture, plant containers, bicycles or children’s toys, be prepared to store them as you prepare for a storm.

In addition, Rowland suggests that you make a list of larger items – think boats or small trailers in the yard – that need to be tied down or otherwise anchored in place.

And use concrete blocks instead of wooden ones to raise items off basement or garage floors if flooding is a possibility. Even better, he said, move those items to a higher elevation of the garage or home to safeguard them.

If you don’t already know, now is the time to learn how to disconnect all kitchen appliances, and move cleaners, insecticides and fuels off the floor. “Don’t store chemicals under the kitchen or bathroom sink, or on the basement floor,” he cautioned.

Any important papers, photo albums or other irreplaceable items are best moved to a waterproof and fireproof location, or should be included on a to-do checklist in advance of a hurricane or major storm system.

“Really important documents should be kept in a safety deposit box,” Rowland said. Mortgage and insurance documents, as well as household inventory lists with supporting photo and video documentation should be kept in at least waterproof containers, he said.

If you have to evacuate because you’re going to a shelter, prescription medications, cloth masks, bedding, meals, hand sanitizer, soap and drinking water are on the “must bring” list.

Be prepared to change out your old emergency water supply if needed – the rule of thumb is one gallon per person, per day of water – and a three-day supply is recommended. if it hasn’t been used Change out water supply 1 gal per person per day.

Make sure all contact information is up-to-date and that family members know the designated meeting space.

Having some cash on hand is a good idea and having vehicles with full gas tanks is recommended as well

Planning and preparation go a long way toward minimizing the inconvenience – and dangers – of a hurricane. Have a plan, follow it, and be ready.

Hurricane season began in June and ends in November.

 

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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The Local Skinny! Free Prostate Cancer Screening To Be Held At Maria Parham

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Maria Parham Health is sponsoring a free prostate cancer screening on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cancer Center Director Kim Smith and Hope Breedlove, a social worker who helps clients navigate the process of getting screened, reviewing results and understanding treatment options encourage men in the community to come take part in what they describe as a simple, and necessary, process for early detection of prostate cancer.

Smith and Breedlove spoke with John C. Rose on Monday’s The Local Skinny! and said the two-hour event is free and will observe COVID-19 safety protocols. There is no need to make an appointment – simply show up to the main entrance of the hospital, located on Ruin Creek Road.

As an added bonus, Smith said the “Strollin’ Colon” will be on hand to remind people to schedule their colonoscopies.

Over the last couple of years, regular checkups and screenings may have been postponed because of the ongoing pandemic, but Smith said it’s time to get back on schedule “we’ve got to get our screenings the way we’re supposed to,” she said.

Breedlove said her role as social worker is to help get patients registered, guide them through the process of the screening, then help get lab results out in the mail. If patients need additional follow-up care or treatment of some sort, Breedlove is available to help manage that part of the process, too.

“I get them linked up with the care they need,” Breedlove said.

Men over the age of 50 are more likely to see elevated PSAs, Smith noted. African American males are at a higher risk, and she said it is important to spread the news of the screening throughout the community.

“This is something that has to be done as (men) get older,” she said of the prostate screening.

 

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Oxford Logo

TownTalk: CultureFEST To Liven Up Downtown Oxford (POSTPONED UNTIL MAY 2023)

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UPDATE NOON 9-27-22:

DUE TO FORECAST WEATHER EVENTS, CULTUREFEST ORGANIZERS HAVE MADE THE “DIFFICULT DECISION TO CANCEL AND POSTPONE UNTIL NEXT MAY.”

BE SURE TO READ THE FOLLOWING UPDATED NEWS TEXT:

This Saturday’s CultureFEST in downtown Oxford has been rescheduled, thanks to the likelihood that the area will be dealing with the remnants of Hurricane Ian, now poised to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast tomorrow (Wednesday).

Two of the event organizers  – Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent and Ajulo Othow – were on TownTalk Monday to spread the word about the event, which was going to mark its second year of being held in the parking lot at Littlejohn Street.

Sergent contacted WIZS News Tuesday morning to share the news of the postponement.

“We have made the difficult decision to cancel and postpone until next May,” Sergent said.

With weather forecasts predicting that North Carolina will be hit with heavy rains from the storm, it was a case of better safe than sorry.

ORIGINAL STORY 9-26-22:

The parking lot at Littlejohn Street will be the site for the second annual CultureFEST on Saturday, Oct. 1 in downtown Oxford.

The sights and sounds are local, to be sure, but the flair – and flavor – of the event is international, as dance groups representing the diversity of cultures are featured or all to enjoy. In addition to the dance performances, there will be food trucks and children’s activities during the event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Two of the event organizers spoke Monday with John C. Rose on TownTalk. Ajulo Othow expressed appreciation to the City of Oxford and the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation for their collaboration and partnership to make CultureFEST a downtown event.

“Our goal is to grow this event from year to year,” said Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent. “We’re excited about the opportunity to bring people from a variety of backgrounds…to enjoy all the different things that culture brings to the table.”

At 11:30 a Hawaiian dance group kicks off a slew of performances that will take the stage through the course of the afternoon. “They did a wonderful job setting the tone last year,” Othow noted. A new group representing the Haliwa Saponi tribe will join this year’s event, and there will Orgullo y Alma Latina presenting traditional dances of Guerrero, Mexico, and the Carolina  Indian Arts performing dances from the Punjab region of India. The African American Dance Ensemble and the Cane Creek Cloggers also will perform.

“It’s going to be a wonderful day!” Othow said. “We’re excited about all of the different performers.”

It was Othow’s mother, the late Dr. Helen Othow, who founded the John Chavis Historical Society and it was this group that started the festival, but it was last year that CultureFEST was held in downtown Oxford for a larger audience.

“We are so grateful to the City of Oxford and the DOEDC for seeing all of the ways in which our community is on display – valuing culture, different ways of performance, dance and music.”

Folks can get a close-up view in demonstrations including tortilla making, glass blowing and the art of karate.

The Food trucks also will serve food representative of a variety of cultures – from the Soul Food of Butner’s Tru Soul to Mexican food provided by Mixed Cultures and Truly Delicious Jamaican-style food, there will be something for everyone.

The St. Cyprian’s Drummers will provide entertainment and if folks recognize some familiar faces in the bluegrass band that will accompany the Cane Creek Cloggers, they will have correctly identified Tim and Brenda Currin of Granville County.

Sergent said CultureFEST is a way to experience different cultures and to break from a natural tendency to stay in our own comfort zones. “We owe the existence of this event to Ajulo’s mom, who always wanted us to do more,” Sergent said, “pushing us to make us do (and) be more than we had been.”

Helen Othow died in January 2022 at the age of 89. There will be a special tribute to her life and legacy during Saturday’s event.

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Henderson Figures Big In 2022 Class Inducted Into Strength Sports Hall Of Fame

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The N.C. State Strength Sports Hall of Fame inducted a dozen power lifters earlier this month in a ceremony at Aycock Rec Center in Henderson, which saved drive time for most of the inductees – most of them live right here in the community.

Henderson inductees honored on Sept. 10 are Joe Daniel, William Hawkins, Bobby Jones, Harry Orr, Casey Orr, Ralph Peace, James Perry, Zelmo Perry, Dennis Renn and Jake Roberson. Paul Bossi and Ed Brooks also were inducted into the hall of fame, according to Harry Orr, who also serves as assistant director for the organization.

And Sara Coffey of Henderson was inducted, “for her commitment, volunteering to fill anything needed to help promote the sport of powerlifting,” Orr said in a statement to WIZS News.

Induction to the Hall of Fame is the highest honor given to the sport of powerlifting in the state, Orr said. “To be from North Carolina and (have) that many people from a small town like Henderson, that makes it special to all of us that live here,” Orr said.

According to its website, there are six induction criteria for candidates to be considered for induction:

  • Be a current resident of NC
  • Be at least 25 years old
  • Have a minimum of 7 years’ participating in weightlifting, power lifting, coaching, refereeing, volunteering and/or strength sports
  • Have demonstrated outstanding participation in the categories of Strength Athletes, Lifter, Coach, Referee and Volunteer
  • Must submit a written resume with details that specify reasons for the specific category that the candidate wishes to represent
  • Be drug-free, with no history of failed drug test

Orr said the organization plans to continue inducting a couple of new members each year.

Upcoming Local Blood Drives

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Blood donors this fall play an important role in keeping the blood supply high enough to help patients on blood or platelets, especially ahead of the busy holiday season.

Book a time to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1.800.RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767).

As a thank you, the Red Cross is offering these exciting opportunities for donors:

  • All who come to give through Sept. 30 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience, including two tickets to a 2023 Sport Clips Haircuts-sponsored race of the winner’s choice, round-trip airfare for two, up to a three-night hotel stay, and entry to a Sport Clips racetrack hospitality tent, if available, plus a $750 gift card, thanks to Sport Clips.
  • Those who come to give in September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, also thanks to Sport Clips. Details are available at redcrossblood.org/racetogive.
  • All who come to give Oct. 1-31, 2022, will receive a $5 e-Gift Card by email to a merchant of choice.

Here’s a list of upcoming blood drives in the area:

Henderson

Tuesday, Sept. 27

11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Vance Granville Community College, 200 Community College Road

Thursday, Oct. 6

1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.

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Louisburg

Friday, Oct. 7

11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Louisburg College, 501 N. Main St.

Saturday, Oct. 15

9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd.

Boys and Girls Clubs

State Treasurer Folwell Returns $310.58 To BGC Halifax Unit From Unclaimed Property Division

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Donyell “DJ” Jones understands better than most the post-pandemic budgetary and fundraising pressures on nonprofit organizations. That’s why State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, was eager to return missing money to the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina, where Jones is chief executive officer.

Jones accepted the $310.58 from the state’s unclaimed property division, commonly called NCCash.com. It may seem a small sum, but every penny counts.

“This funding will support our feeding program, allowing each child to enjoy a hot, healthy meal and a healthy snack each day after school,” Jones said. “On behalf of the over 1,700 kids and teens that we serve each year, we appreciate Treasurer Folwell and his team for their support of our local communities.”

Folwell presented the check to Jones during a visit Thursday to the Halifax unit of the BGCNCNC.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina is committed to ensuring that each young person that walks through our doors has the opportunity to realize their full potential. Through supportive relationships with club leaders, a healthy meal, quality programs and activities, or just being in a safe environment, our club members are provided a sense of hope,” Jones said.

“We understand that we cannot achieve this alone and rely on the generosity of our volunteers, donors, and community partners to fulfill our mission. We truly thank the Department of State Treasurer for emphasizing the unclaimed property program and ensuring that organizations like ours have access to the much-needed resources to serve our kids,” Jones said.

“The staff and volunteers provide a unique and valuable service to their community, and even more so in helping to shape, guide and influence the young people with whom they work,” Folwell said. “By nurturing and nudging them into self-discovery and positive pathways, they help club members to see new worlds and imagine exciting possibilities.”

 

For the fiscal year through Aug. 31, UPD has paid 32,129 claims totaling more than $15 million from NCCash. Part of that total has been disbursed through the NCCash Match program, a no-hassle, expedited system that eliminated paperwork processing. As of Aug. 31, DST paid 16,986 Cash Match claims totaling nearly $7.3 million.

Under state law, UPD receives and safeguards funds that are escheated – turned over – to DST. The unclaimed property consists of bank accounts, wages, utility deposits, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, bonds and contents of safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned. More information, including how to find out if you are owed money, can be found at https://www.nccash.com/.

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Elliott Pleased With Come Back Win

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20-0.  That was the half time score last Friday night and the score wasn’t in favor of the Vance Co. Vipers.  By the time the whistle blew the Vipers had turned the game around and walked off the field with a 28-27 comeback victory to move to 3-2 on the season.  Head Coach Aaron Elliott attributes the win to players trusting the plan that the coaches had laid out for them.  “We made zero adjustments at half time,” Coach Elliott said.  He felt that if the team would work together they could turn the game around.  “The mood was down and a lot of finger pointing was going on at halftime,” Elliott said.  Coach Elliott said he felt that at halftime that the coaches wanted the win more than the players.

That changed in the second half when Nazir Garrett began to connect on passes in his first game back after a two week absence due to a concussion.  Garrett had struggled in the first half as had the Viper defense but it all worked out for the Vipers as they scored 28 points in the second half.  “It was an emotional win,” Elliott said.  Now the Vipers have a week off before taking on Carrboro on Oct. 30th in the first conference game of the season. Elliott gave his team a couple of days off to enjoy the victory but are now focused on a Carrboro team that Elliott says is better than there record would indicate. The extra week off means that players like Sean Alston, who has been injured will be able to return to the Viper lineup.

You can catch all the action next Friday night, Oct. 30 as Vance Co. takes on Carrboro at Viper Stadium. Airtime on WIZS is 6:50pm with airtime at 7pm.

 

The Local Skinny! COVID-19 Update

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Although daily updates about COVID-19 transmission rates, sickness and deaths have evolved to weekly and now monthly updates, Granville-Vance Health Director Lisa Harrison’s updates have become regular reminders that although vaccines have reduced the threat of severe illness and worse in the community, the transmission rate in Vance County remains high.

In the latest update, Harrison is quick to point out that health professionals are still dealing with COVID-19 and its repercussions, despite the fact that so much of society has opted for a return to almost normal life.

“Although there is some confusion in the news lately about whether we are still in a pandemic or not, the World Health Organization is the entity that gets to declare when the pandemic is over,” Harrison wrote. In the U.S. and in North Carolina, she added, health officials are more confident in their ability to effectively fight COVID-19.

But we’re entering that time of year where folks are rolling up their sleeves for the seasonal flu shot. Harrison said it’s important to consider getting a COVID-19 booster as well.

“An updated COVID-19 booster is now available for people 12 and older, two months after they finish their primary series, and/or two months after illness from COVID-19. It offers the most up-to-date protection against the latest Omicron variants. Omicron is the most common form of COVID-19 in circulation so this new booster identifies variants related to Omicron,” Harrison stated in the weekly update.

Click Stay up-to-date to learn more.

Whether it’s COVID-19, or the flu, or just the common cold, Harrison said it bears repeating a few simple actions that can reduce spread of any virus germs:

 

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick, and when you are sick.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
  • Consider wearing a mask around other people if you have respiratory symptoms.
  • Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you or your child has trouble breathing or has a sudden onset of limb weakness.
  • Ensure you or your child are following an up-to-date asthma action plan if you or your child have asthma.
  • Stay home when you are sick. Let me say that again: Stay home when you are sick.  One more time for those in the back: Stay home when you are sick.

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