WKRK 105.5 FM 1320 AM
  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Closings & Traffic
  • Missing Pets
  • Shop Local
  • Contact Us

NC MedAssist teams with Humana to provide a free over-the-counter medicine event in Cherokee County on July 23, 2021

6/30/2021

 
Picture
​NC MedAssist is hosting a local Mobile Free Pharmacy Event, in partnership with Humana, on Friday, July 23, 2021. The event will be held from 9:00am – 2:00pm at First Baptist Church of Murphy (517 Hiwassee St., Murphy, NC 28906). This free medicine giveaway is open to any individual or family in need of over-the-counter medication items. Such items include cough and cold medicine, vitamins, allergy medication, first aid supplies, etc. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medicine. No identification is required.
 
This mobile medicine giveaway will be held as a drive-thru only event. In order to comply with local recommended guidelines, all participants will remain in their vehicles while volunteers retrieve their medicine. Participants are highly encouraged to preorder their over-the-counter medicine online by visiting https://medassist.org/mobile/ and selecting their event. Please note, not all events have online order availability, however, additional options are available the day of the event so that all participants are able to receive medicine. All OTC items are given out on a first come, first serve basis, while supplies last.
 
At the event, participants will receive information on NC MedAssist’s Free Pharmacy Program, which mails free prescription medications directly to a patient’s home.  NC MedAssist’s overall goal is to help ease the burden for those in need; it is aiding people who are making the choice between buying food and purchasing life-saving medication.
 
“Due to the pandemic, we had to create a new and innovative way to continue serving the community. We will be bringing close to $100,000 worth of OTC medicine to the event to be distributed to those most in need,” said Sheila Kidwell, Director of Foundations and Communication at NC MedAssist. “We understand there is a pressing need, especially in the midst of allergy season. Our goal in partnering with Humana is to improve the health of the community, one family at a time.”
 
The Mobile Free Pharmacy events serve an average of 800 individuals. To ensure the event runs smoothly, many volunteers are needed. NC MedAssist is partnered with safety-net organizations to recruit community members to serve in volunteer roles such as pharmacy consultation, client ‘personal shoppers’, and sorters. However, the charitable organization is still actively seeking volunteers for the Mobile Free Pharmacy Event from the community. Any available individuals can sign up at www.medassist.org/volunteer. 
 
About the organization: NC MedAssist is a statewide non-profit pharmacy, founded in 1997. The organization provides free prescription medication to all low-income, uninsured North Carolinians who qualify for their Free Pharmacy Program. NC MedAssist offers three programs that address the needs of children and adults: the Free Pharmacy Program (for prescription medication), the Over-the-Counter Program (which includes the Free OTC Store in Charlotte, as well as the Mobile Free Pharmacy Program which distributes over-the-counter medicine in communities across the state), and the Transitional Jobs Program (for individuals with barriers to employment). Last year, NC MedAssist distributed $76 million worth of prescription and over-the-counter medicine to NC residents. Learn more about NC MedAssist right now at www.medassist.org. You can also visit their Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact them to find out how you can help.

Camping still prohibited along the Appalachian Trail in the Pisgah National Forest due to bear activity

6/25/2021

 
Picture
Due to continued bear activity, camping is still prohibited along the Appalachian Trail in the Pisgah National Forest  from Grassy Fork Road , mile marker 245, to Max Patch Road, mile marker 253.

Hikers should use bear canisters to store food and all other scented items. Bears are taking down bear bags hanging from trees and riffling through camping supplies and gear.

Bears have also been reported in other parts of the national forests including on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest near Old NC 105 and in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on the Nantahala National Forest.

Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by being BearWise and practicing these safety tips no matter where they are in the forest:
  • Do not store food in tents.
  • Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills, or other areas of your campsite.
  • Do not burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill.
    ​
Black bears are seldom aggressive, and attacks are rare. To avoid bear attacks, experts recommend the following: 
  • Keep your dog on a leash.
  • If you see a bear, pack up your food and trash immediately and leave as soon as possible.
  • If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run. Back away slowly in the opposite direction until the bear leaves.
  • If necessary, attempt to scare the bear away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it.
  • If you are attacked by a black bear, try to fight back using any object available. Act aggressively, yelling and waving your arms. Playing dead is not appropriate because black bears will eat dead animals.

For more tips, visit https://bearwise.org/six-outdoor-bearwise-basics/ or go to www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc and click on "Learn about Bear Safety."

Leadership Chatuge Community Builders 2021, Class IV: August 26 – November 11, 2021

6/25/2021

 
Picture
Attention Leaders, Emerging Leaders, and Entrepreneurs who want to help build thriving communities!
Whether you work or serve in business, government, education, the arts, nonprofits, or you’re preparing for your next vocational or career move, Leadership Chatuge Community Builders can equip and support you, providing a solid foundation to be a more knowledgeable and effective leader in our rural mountain community. Topics include: personal leadership styles, regional economic development and opportunities, local history and Appalachian culture, community supports, understanding social determinants of health, and much more. Highlights include speakers who are experts in their fields, networking opportunities, resources, and engaging presentations. Becoming more knowledgeable in these areas will prepare and equip participants to serve more effectively and confidently as community builders.
  • For adults and high school students in Clay and Cherokee counties (NC) and Towns County, GA
  • Class size limited for optimal instruction and interaction.
  • 12 weeks; Thursdays, 4:30-7:30pm; at Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville, NC
  • Tuition Cost: $375; includes speakers, weekly dinners, and supplies; some partial scholarships are available.
  • Applications due August 6, 2021.  On-line registration will close at midnight on August 6.
  • Applications will be accepted starting June 1, 2021.  Click here for on-line registration.

​For information on scholarships, to obtain an application, or for more information, email info@hintoncenter.org .

The Town of Murphy is Selling Two Tracts of Real Property at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 22

6/23/2021

 
Picture
The Town of Murphy is selling two tracts of real property, totaling 29.29 acres in Tangelwood, at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 22 at the steps of the Cherokee County Courthouse. For additional details and to review a copy of the survey, please click the following links:

Tanglewood Auction Details 

Tanglewood Survey

As COVID-19 Variant of Concern Spreads Rapidly, Health Officials Urge North Carolinians to Get Vaccinated

6/16/2021

 
Picture
There is increasing urgency for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the more dangerous new Delta variant is rapidly spreading in the United States, including in North Carolina. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified the Delta variant as a ‘variant of concern’ because it spreads faster than current COVID-19 variants. Early studies from the United Kingdom have also shown a possible increased risk of hospitalization in people infected with the Delta variant. The currently available COVID-19 vaccines are the best protection against the virus and its variants.
 
The news comes as research is showing medical problems from COVID-19 can last even for those who did not have symptoms. A study by FAIR Health found that 19% of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients develop long-term symptoms such as pain, breathing difficulties, fatigue and high blood pressure. In addition, the study found that 27.5% of COVID-19 patients who were symptomatic but not hospitalized also developed lasting symptoms.
 
"While our COVID-19 trends are good, we are still seeing unvaccinated people hospitalized and dying from this virus, and many struggling with long-term effects like having difficulty breathing when doing simple activities. This is preventable if you get a vaccine to protect yourself and your community," said NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.
 
Getting a vaccine is the best way for people to protect themselves from COVID-19. Rigorous clinicals trials among thousands of people ages 12 and up have proven the vaccines are safe and effective against all circulating variants. More than 140 million Americans have now been safely vaccinated and protected from serious illness and virus-related hospitalization and death.  
 
North Carolinians now have another reason to get vaccinated. Four vaccinated North Carolinians 18 and older will win $1 million each and four North Carolinians ages 12 to 17 will win tuition for post-secondary education. Drawings will run from June 23 through Aug. 4. All North Carolina residents 12 and older who have been vaccinated with at least one dose are eligible, some restrictions may apply. Those vaccinated starting June 10 are entered twice for each drawing — increasing the chance of winning for the newly vaccinated. Drawings will take place every other week on Wednesdays with the first drawing on June 23. New entries will close at midnight on the Sunday prior to the Wednesday drawing. Winners will be verified and then announced.
 
Learn more about the $4 Million Summer Cash and Summer Cash 4 College Drawings at SummerVaxCash.com. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and the state’s Bringing Summer Back initiative, visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov or dial 1- 888-675-4567.

HOPE Program Applications Reopening

6/15/2021

 
Picture
The NC Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program is reopening applications soon. The HOPE Program provides rent and utility bill assistance to renters who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The HOPE Program has been updated since the first open application period. This fact sheet is intended to inform tenants, landlords and utility providers about how the new program works.

AREAS SERVED
The HOPE Program will serve very low-income renters in 88 North Carolina counties. Very low income is defined as earning less than or equal to 50% of the area median income for the county where the renter lives. The 12 counties listed below received direct federal funding for rent and utility assistance programs. If you live in the one of these counties, you should apply to your local rent and utility assistance program instead of the HOPE Program: 

Buncombe
Cabarrus
Cumberland
Durham
Forsyth
Gaston
Guilford
Johnston
Mecklenburg
New Hanover
Union
Wake 


Native American tribes also received direct federal funding for rent and utility assistance programs. Recognized members of the following tribes will be served by programs managed by their tribal governments: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Coharie Tribe, Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and Waccamaw-Siouan Tribe. 

ELIGIBILITY
Very low-income renters are eligible for rent and utility assistance from the HOPE Program. To qualify for assistance, you must meet all of the following requirements:
  • You rent your place of residence.
  • You have missed rent or utility payment(s) sometime since April 1, 2020, or been faced with homelessness or possible eviction.
    • You do not have to be late on your rent when you apply in order to qualify for assistance.
    • Being late on an essential utility sometime since April 1, 2020 qualifies as being at risk of eviction or homelessness.
  • You have lost income or been unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or experienced significant costs or financial hardship from the pandemic.
  • You have a household income that is less that 50 percent of the area median income for the county
  • where they live. You can check your county’s area median income using the HUD 2021 Income Limits DocumentationSystem calculation tool.
  • You live in one of the 88 counties that the HOPE Program serves. However, if you live in one of the 88 counties and are a recognized member of one of the tribes listed above, you will be served by your tribal government’s rent and utility assistance program. 

BENEFITS

Rent Assistance
The new phase of the HOPE Program will pay the monthly rent you owe to your landlord, up to the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom unit in your county. You can find the county fair market rent limits using the 2021 HUD Fair Market Rent Documentation System. Rent limits are rounded down to the nearest $5 for easier calculation.

Eligible applicants may receive up to 12 months of rent assistance, which may include up to nine months of past due rent. Rent assistance provided during the first phase of the HOPE Program counts towards the nine months of past due rent assistance that an applicant can receive.

The program also pays three months of future rent at a time, with 12 months being the maximum amount of assistance the program can provide in total. If the applicant has not exhausted 12 months of rent assistance, and funds are available, then an applicant may apply for additional rounds rent assistance if they still require rent assistance. Federal grant guidance requires that applicants re-apply and re-qualify every three months to ensure that the applicant continues to qualify for assistance.

Rent assistance is paid to the landlord on behalf of the eligible applicant. Landlords that accept this phase of HOPE funds agree to not evict the applicant for non-payment of rent during the period of assistance and for at least 60 days after that period ends.

Utility Assistance
Utility assistance is available to applicants that apply and qualify for rent assistance. Utility-only applications will not be accepted in this phase of the HOPE Program.

The program covers essential utilities, up to a maximum amount. Those utilities and the maximum assistance amounts are as follows:
  • Electricity: up to $510
  • Natural gas, propane or heating oil: up to $135
  • Water: up to $105
  • Wastewater: up to $120
Applicants who reapply for rent assistance may also reapply for utility assistance. Utility assistance will be paid directly to the utility provider on behalf of the applicant. Utility assistance provided during the first phase of the HOPE Program counts towards the 12 months of past due utility assistance that an applicant can receive.

Rent and utility assistance is provided based on the availability of funding. 

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015


    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Closings & Traffic
  • Missing Pets
  • Shop Local
  • Contact Us