RandolphObserver.com archive.vol4.qtr2.2006

Governor's Crime Commission awards nearly $22 million for secure communities

06/07/06

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley announced that the Governor’s Crime Commission (GCC) is awarding $21.96 million to state and local agencies to improve community security and assist crime victims. The money will provide assistance for a range of programs including efforts to fight juvenile delinquency, assist victims of domestic violence, provide modern equipment and technology for local law enforcement agencies, stop gang activity and fight drug abuse.

“It is critical that our local law enforcement agencies have the tools and equipment they need to keep our communities secure and safe,” said Easley. “These grants will provide needed technology for our local officers and bolster efforts to prevent domestic violence, child abuse and gang activity.”

Funding for GCC grants is appropriated annually by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of Justice for distribution to the states in four categories: Drug Control and System Improvement; Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; Victim of Crime Act; and Violence Against Women Act programs. These grants were first awarded in 1969.

The commission awarded grants to 216 agencies, 23 more than last year. The state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety will be getting $2.3 million to fight gang activity, improve the state’s fingerprint identification network, provide school-based crime prevention programs and improve the state’s emergency communications network (VIPER).

The Administrative Office of the Courts is receiving $2.3 million for dealing with domestic violence, child abuse and other family-related issues. Nearly $850,000 will be devoted to upgrading the state’s automated system that helps notify crime victims on custody status and court information of convicts. More than $400,000 is being directed for enhancing sex offender tracking technology, including updating and improving Web site data.

Below is a list of the grants awarded to Randolph County.
Randleman Police Department for Watch GuardVideo System $7,222.50
Archdale Police Department for Mobile Data Computer Project 2006 $6,722.25
County Total: $13,944.75

New FM station licensed to Liberty

Bob Roach 4/08/2006

Believe it or not Liberty now has its own radio station. WJOF 97.9 is now on the air with a religious format. The station is a low power FM and the transmitter site is just west of Liberty near the intersection of Highway 421 and Old Liberty Road. The station operates with 78 watts with the antenna 110 feet above ground. While this level of power doesn't seem to be impressive when compared to a full power FM such as Randolph County's other FM, WKRR Rock 92 which is licensed to Asheboro and operates with 100,000 watts at 1300 feet, WJOF covers the immediate Liberty area very well. To see the station's coverage area go to: www.radio-locator.com

Programming on WJOF is provided by the Three Angels Broadcasting Network, a 24-hour Christian television and radio network. According to the network's website "3ABN offers divorce recovery programs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, cooking and health programs, stop smoking and weight loss, programs that deal with children and family issues, organic gardening, natural home remedies, gospel music programs, as well as a variety of inspirational themes from the Bible for children and adults". For more information about the network go to: www.3abn.com

According to information obtained from the FCC and the NC Secretary of State's office, the station is owned and operated by HEALTH AND LIBERTY, INC a corporation formed in June of 2001.

Low Power FM (LPFM) is a new concept in broadcasting which allows community's like Liberty to have their own broadcast outlet. LPFM stations, unlike translators which have been around for years and used to fill in gaps in the coverage area of existing stations, can originate their own programming. WCOM 103.5 operated by Carrboro Community Radio in Chapel Hill is a great example of the possibilities of local community programming with a LPFM station. The station offers a mix of music, local talk and advice, nationally syndicated programs, and station organizers hope to do live remote broadcasts in the future. To find out more about WCOM visit their website www.communityradio.coop.

Will WJOF be as progressive and provide a variety of local programs highlighting Liberty citizens and events as well as the syndicated programming it currently is broadcasting? Is play by play coverage of Eastern Randolph High School's football games, live music programs from the Liberty Showcase and Fiddler's Cove, and coverage of the Liberty Town Council meetings in WJOF's future? Only time will tell.

If you're in the immediate Liberty area, tune in to 97.9 and hear Randolph County's newest radio station.

Want to know more about LPFM? Visit www.lpfm.ws.

Liberty Antiques Festival offers treasures for novice and seasoned antique collectors

Donna Roach 4/06/2006

“We turned a hobby into a career,” says Mary Sico of Liberty, NC. The hobby is antique hunting and the career involves coordinating (along with her husband Vito and her business partner, Janet Hill ) the twice annual Liberty Antiques Festival. Each year a show is scheduled in the spring and in the fall. For 2006 the dates are April 28-29 and September 29-30.

As a young married couple still in college , Sico and her husband combed the “junk stores for furniture, then moved to antiques.” She says antique hunting is a “nice hobby for couples, single people and young people.” Even children can find an area of interest in antiques or the collectibles market. Sico says her son collected action figures as he was growing up.

The April show will host approximately 400 vendors from all over the country and will include early painted furniture, American pottery and country primitive. “Antiques are at least 25 years old,” says Sico.. Many of the merchants have participated in the festival since its inception in September of 1991.

For novice or seasoned antique/collectible hunters, come prepared to spend time visiting various vendors at the Liberty Antiques Festival. Sico suggests that folks listen to the local weather forecast and prepare accordingly. The festival goes on “rain or shine.” Also, dress in layers and do your homework by checking out some of the great antique and collectible books on the market.

Think you might find a treasure and have no way to get it home? No problem. Sico says they’re prepared to help out. Customers should come to the information tent for additional advice regarding on-site shipping or storage possibilities.

Rain or shine the Liberty Antiques Festival will run Friday and Saturday, April 28-29 from 8:00a.m. until 6:00p.m. each day. Admission is $5.00 per person with children under 12 free. Free parking begins at 7:00a.m.

Cleaning up for the big move

(NAPSI)-Whether it's across town or across country, each year millions of people make the big decision to pack up their stuff and move-which, according to many professional organizers, provides the best opportunity to finally get organized.

"Moving time is the best time to install that new master bedroom closet, kitchen pantry, garage storage area or laundry room," said Linda Koopersmith, author of the new book "Home Organizing Bible" and cohost of Style Network's television show "Clean House." "That's the beauty of moving, the new place is completely empty, a blank slate waiting to be created…and organized." Koopersmith encourages people moving to envision their dream storage solution, then create it before the new place becomes even more cluttered than their previous house.

"Before packing, carefully evaluate all household items, like that never-been-used garden tool," said Craig Moeller of ClosetMaid.

Another key to organizing the new home is developing a detailed "home organization plan" for each new room. One effective tool for storage and organization planning is the ClosetMaid Visual Storage Planner, an interactive program on the company's newly revamped Web site.

"Being organized in your new home means having a plan that includes taking only what you need from the old place," says Linda Rothschild, former president of the National Association of Professional Organizers and owner of New York-based Cross It Off Your List, a professional organizing company. "Homeowners can dispose of clutter by simply giving things to friends or local charities, having a garage sale or throwing out all unwanted household items. Otherwise people find themselves right back where they started, with tons of out-of-control clutter filling up their new place."

What about homeowners who after disposing of clutter still find themselves with a lot of stuff going to the new house? "That's simple," said Barry Izsak, current president of the National Association of Professional Organizers and author of the new book, "Organize Your Garage In No Time." "Before the move begins, homeowners should designate all items they plan to take but won't initially be using in the new home, such as out-of-season clothing, sporting items or holiday decorations. Such items are perfect for storing in the garage."

If properly planned, the new garage can be the perfect storage solution by installing products such as garage hooks, racks and shelving. Many people choose the ClosetMaid Maximum Load ShelfTrack system for their garage storage solution needs.

For more information, go to www.closetmaid.com/moving

For those who can't bear to part with some of their precious belongings during a move, consider creating storage solutions for the garage as well as closets in the home.