Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Franklin County Horse Farm Tour Celebrates 25th Year

/by

The 25th annual Franklin County Horse Farm Tour is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. This event has something for everyone interested in the local horse industry, whether you are looking for ideas to construct your own facility or you want to see what other types of equine operations are in the area.

The tour is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes stops at three barns in the area as well as a catered lunch, according to information from organizer Martha Mobley, Franklin County agriculture extension agent. Mobley and the local horse advisory committee work hard each year to showcase all types of horse facilities, from large show barns to backyard horseowners.

This year’s stops include Hidden Pond Farm in Youngsville, Two Grey Farm in Franklinton and LT Stables near Zebulon.

In addition to touring the facilities, each stop will have a featured speaker who will discuss topics ranging from hoof care to county zoning, pasture maintenance to fire ant control.

The tour will begin with check-in at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Center, 103 S. Bickett Blvd. in Louisburg and will end with lunch at Old Mule Hay & Feed Facility in Zebulon. The tour is free, but registration is required.

To register online, visit https://franklin.ces.ncsu.edu/ or phone the extension office at 919.496.3344.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Town Talk: Carolina Weight Loss Centers Support Clients As They Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes, Lose Pounds

/by

There is no secret to weight loss – it’s a simple matter of consuming fewer calories than your body burns. But if the answer is as simple as that, why is it so darned difficult to do?

Diane Varnadore, a nurse practitioner and director of Carolina Weight Loss in Henderson, said her medically assisted weight loss program takes a holistic approach that can help clients achieve their goals, with some added benefits, to boot.

“Most people cannot lose weight unless they have someone to help and guide them,” Varnadore said, adding that her center offers clients access to professionals who are passionate and dedicated to that mission makes a big difference.

Carolina Weight Loss centers offer ways to make lifestyle changes – “this is not a crash diet – it’s not a fad diet,” she said.

There are now 10 Carolina Weight Loss offices – the closest ones are here in Henderson, with centers in Oxford and Warrenton, too, Varnadore told John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk program.

The initial consultation fee is $100, and medical professionals create a meal and activity plan based on information about family history, medications and lifestyle. The low-fat, low-calorie meal plan has added benefits of lowering cholesterol, and can also help lower blood pressure and blood sugar, Varnadore said. Clients who join for  $100 a month come in weekly for check-ins and other services that the center provides.

“The biggest thing is to get the patient on board with the diet and then we see them weekly,” she said. “Ideally, everyone wants to see their weight go down,” but increased exercise builds muscle, which weighs more than fat. Carolina Weight Loss uses a method not always used in weight-loss offices that provides feedback to the client about their progress. The feedback helps keep clients motivated. “Also, just seeing a medical professional weekly to encourage them to follow up…is very effective,” she said.

Obesity is a medical diagnosis, and Varnadore reminds that weighing too much can put people at higher risk for other serious illnesses including some types of cancer, heart disease and stroke. Losing weight is “something you have to do for yourself,” she said. “It’s a medical necessity to reduce your co-morbidity with these other diagnoses.”

Carolina Weight Loss offers shots of B-12 and other all-natural products used to suppress appetite and decrease the fat content in the body. Some of those weight-loss medications can also lower blood sugar, she added.

“It’s really been exciting,” Varnadore said of the success of the business and opening additional locations, as far away as Rocky Mount and Goldsboro. “Most of our patients are referred by another patient,” she said. “They already know someone who’s had excellent results – they’ve heard about, they’ve seen it first-hand.”

Other services the centers offer include types of body sculpting procedures – one is called Ultra Shape, which uses ultrasonic wave to permanently destroy fat cells. A second is called Bella Shape, which is a body contouring process. It costs about $500 for three sessions. Both are non-invasive procedures; Varnadore said these are for people who have already lost weight but may want a little help to address particular areas where stubborn fat remains.

The Henderson office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Thursday visits are by appointment only – that is usually the day for new patient consults, which can take up to an hour to complete. The centers take physican referrals, but do not file insurance. Varnadore said clients can pay with a health savings account card.

To learn more, call 252.430.4375.

(This is not a paid ad. This is not medical advice.)

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Stephen Horton of Oxford to serve as commissioner of NC State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision

/by

Gov. Roy Cooper appointed Stephen Horton of Oxford to serve as the commissioner of the North Carolina State Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision. The Appointment became effective June 17.

Horton is the deputy compact administrator for the Interstate Compact for Juveniles at the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice.

Horton and other state and territory commissioners serve on The Interstate Commission for Juveniles, the governing body of the Interstate Compact for Juveniles. Commission members include representatives from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands, who work together to preserve child welfare and promote public safety.

The Interstate Compact for Juveniles (ICJ) is the law that regulates the interstate movement of juveniles who are under court supervision or have run away to another state. The ICJ is a contract that has been adopted as law throughout the United States. The Commission is responsible for promoting and enforcing rules to implement the ICJ.

Horton also serves on the ICJ Rules Committee, which provides oversight and guidance regarding proposed rule amendments throughout the ICJ rule-making process.

Horton began working in Court Services District 24, which includes Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties, in April 1999. He’s worked in various positions during his 22 years with Juvenile Justice, including court counselor, court counselor supervisor, and staff development specialist. In May 2014, he began serving as the deputy compact administrator for Interstate Compact for North Carolina.

Horton graduated from Appalachian State University in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

City of Henderson Logo

Henderson City Council to Meet Monday

/by

The Henderson City Council will hold its regular meeting Monday night at 6pm. Items on the agenda include: Amending city code, Chapter 26 Zoning ordinance/subdivision ordinance to comply with North Carolina general Statutes; Authorizing demolition and removal of structures at 832 Champion St., 1022 Maple St. and 553 Spring St., for failure to comply with minimum housing code; Ratifying the submission of a grant application to the bureau of justice assistance for a body-worn camera system; Submission of an application to the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Justice assistance bureau 2020 Justice Assistance Grant to fund Three Watch Guard In Car Video Camera Systems. The City Council meets at the Municipal Building in the Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave.

Vance Co. Architectural Survey is getting underway

/by

In March Elizabeth King, Architectural Survey Coordinator at the State Historic Preservation Office, appeared on TownTalk to announce that a comprehensive survey of historic Vance County properties was getting underway. According to an email from King received today by WIZS News, Heather Slane of HMW Preservation in Durham and Cheri Szcodronski (Zoe-Co-Dron-Ski) have been hired to conduct the actual survey of Vance and Person Counties. According to King, both have a great deal of experience not only in historic preservation but in North Carolina history and culture.

Early fieldwork will begin in Henderson and Roxboro in August and September and is tentatively scheduled to be completed by late 2022 or early 2023. Slane and Szcodronski will wait until later in the fall before heading out to rural areas of Vance County as leaves will have fallen allowing for more visibility when surveying properties. The first task will be to review all existing survey files, many of which are 45 years old or older and update these files with what is observed during field work. In early 2022 surveying additional properties in rural Vance and Person Counties will begin. A recent survey of this type was done in Franklin County and has resulted in a book which is currently in the planning stages which will highlight the historic architecture located in that county.

For more information on the survey or to alert them to an historic property contact Elizabeth King at the State Historic Preservation Office at 919-814-6580 or email elizabeth.king@ncdcr.gov.

City, County Animal Ordinances Spell Out Owners’ Responsibilities To Keep Pets Safe

/by

Pet owners often regard their dogs and cats as members of the family and give their furry companion enough food to eat, proper veterinary care and a roof over their heads. However, recent news stories about the venomous zebra cobra that escaped in Raleigh leave some animal lovers shaking their heads about how to make sure animals – and the neighbors who live near them – stay safe.

Vance County has two animal control ordinances that describe and define adequate, proper treatment and housing of animals, from companion animals to exotic animals like that zebra cobra that had everyone’s attention when it was on the loose.

Vance County Animal Services Director Frankie Nobles told WIZS News Thursday that in his 11 years on the job, his department has had only one dealing with a citizen concerning exotic animals.

Vance County Ordinance #16 is a 9-page document that outlines owner responsibilities for animal care, from rabies vaccinations and adequate shelter to what constitutes a public nuisance and fees associated with violations.

Section 19 of the ordinance describes minimum standards for care of equines, and states that owners must provide adequate shelter, fresh clean water at all times and be fed appropriately. Horses may not be tied or tethered as a means of confinement, the ordinance states.

County Ordinance #28 describes what is required to own a “wild, vicious or exotic” animal in Vance County. There’s a $50 permit fee included in the application and 13 other pieces of detailed information that must be provided to Animal Control before a resident takes possession of an exotic animal. In addition, owners of exotic animals are required to maintain a minimum of $1 million liability insurance in case of injury or property damage, the ordinance states.

Corey Williams, Henderson’s development services director, said the police department typically handles issues with dogs, with assistance from Animal Control. Although there is no leash law in the city limits, there are certain breeds of dogs that, according to city ordinance, must be muzzled when at large. Additionally, the city has a two-dog limit per household.

Visit vancecounty.org to find the complete ordinances. In the Residents tab, click Code of Ordinances and choose IX. General Regulations.

(The text throughout this story includes clickable links to the referenced ordinances.)

Town Talk Logo

Sons Of American Revolution: Descendants Often Play Detective To Find Lost Graves Of Patriot Heroes

/by

The Sons of the American Revolution is, first and foremost, a fraternal and civic organization. But its members also are part detective who spend time tracking down clues and uncovering details about individuals who fought for this country’s independence from England.

Bill Riggan, a member of the Halifax Resolves chapter of the SAR, spoke with Bill Harris and Mark Pace on Thursday’s Town Talk tri-weekly history program.

The four-county area is steeped in history, and Riggan said his SAR chapter covers Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, in addition to several other counties to the north and east.

“It’s a place where we should have a lot of revolutionary era soldiers,” Riggan said. He said the National Society of SAR has 140,000 names and locations of patriots’ gravesites, and a total of 732,000 names of patriots that are available for people to attach themselves to.

Being able to prove that you are a descendant of someone who supported the revolution against the Crown may prove difficult, or at least time-consuming. There are several criteria that must be satisfied for membership to the SAR: any male lineal descendant of someone who wintered at Valley Forge or a signer of the Declaration of Independence may become a member, as well as male descendants of members of the Continental Congress or those who fought in battle during the Revolution.

But civil servants during that era are also considered patriots. “There were a lot of people who helped with the war but didn’t put on a uniform and fight,” he said. Another criterion for membership is being a descendant of a signer of the Oath of Allegiance, a petition that was circulated throughout communities that disavowed the King and supported the revolution.

Although its membership is aging, Riggan said he hopes interest in preserving history will encourage younger men to consider joining.

Several grave-marking ceremonies are scheduled for October in Franklin County, and will include the state SAR color guard, as well as local Boy Scouts and the DAR – Daughters of the American Revolution. The color guard will be in period dress – “it will be very ceremonial, very traditional,” Riggan said. The dates are Saturday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 23.

Although the SAR doesn’t maintain gravesites – it relies on families for that –  Riggan said the group strives to identify as many as they can. He encourages anyone with information about possible gravesites  – whether found while combing through family archives or stumbling across a random grave while hunting – to contact him and he can help with verification.

“We want to honor them,” Riggan said of those long-ago patriots, whose final resting places deserve to be cared for and remembered.

Take Harrison Macon, for example. Macon fought in the Revolutionary War and he is buried in Franklin County. The now-defunct Franklin SAR chapter bore his name, thanks to founding member Dr. D.T. Smithwick, a historian from the 1930’s.

Riggan said efforts to reconstruct the records of the former Franklin chapter have turned up details that show Smithwick ordered a headstone from the VA for Macon’s grave. ”We have evidence he did that. He put that on the grave – we know that to be a fact,” Riggan said.

But where?

To learn more about the October grave-marking ceremonies or SAR membership, contact Riggan at 919.495.0706.
For complete details and audio click play.

 

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk: Armanti Edwards makes a name for himself in the CFL

/by

Armanti Edwards is a North Carolina sports legend. He would lead Appalachian State to consecutive NCAA Division I Football Championships in 2006 and 2007 as a quarterback.  When he was signed by the Carolina Panthers he trained as a quarterback and a wide receiver but never quite lived up to his potential with the Panthers and eventually an injury along with management changes meant Edwards’ days in Charlotte were numbered. He moved on to the Cleveland Browns and then to training camp with the Chicago Bears but never found a place in the NFL. Edwards NFL stats were underwhelming only throwing three passes, catching six and running the ball three times. He also had fifteen kick-off returns and forty punt returns. He never scored a single touchdown during his four NFL seasons.

Out of football for a couple of years, Edwards has made a remarkable turnaround in the Canadian Football League. Armanti, who spoke with WIZS’ Trey Snide on Thursday’s SportsTalk said it was an easier transition to the CFL than to the NFL. His NFL experience was what made this transition easier as he was more prepared than when he first came out of Appalachian State.  He also credits much of his success to his mentor, Ricky Proehl who was an assistant coach with the Panthers. “Proehl made a difference by teaching me the position’s skills,” Edwards said.

In 2016 Edwards made his debut with Saskatchewan in the CFL playing in four games and grabbing nineteen passes for 231 yards and a touchdown but it was 2017 where Edwards really showed his abilities. Having been signed by Toronto, he helped the team when the CFL Championship 83 receptions, 962 yards and four touchdowns. In 2019 he had over one thousand yards receiving.

This years Edwards has taken his talents to the Edmonton Elks who kick off their season on August 5th. “I’m ready for the first hit,” Edwards says of the first game. “We are looking good on paper,” Edwards added about the Elks chances this season.

While we may remember him most for his quarterbacking skills at Appalachian State, he has certainly caught on, pun intended, in the Great White North of Canada.