Hoke County Newsletter

WINTER 2016

Hoke County CDBG Scattered-Site Housing Hoke County was The families receiving received; not only for INSIDE THIS ISSUE awarded funding for assistance were the Commissioners, the Community low-income and had the Lumber River COG Development Block various issues with but also for the Sheriff’s Office 2 Grant (CDBG) program disability. The CDBG Contractors who by the program was able to provided the work. Department of address those issues Planning 2 Commerce, Division of on behalf of the The photo included Community Assistance families. The Hoke shows one of the The funds received County Board of families who received Social Services 3 were used to provide Commissioners along assistance and was housing assistance to with the Lumber River taken in front of the three families in Hoke Council of new unit. The recipient Health Department 4 County. The County Governments were was Alfred Hart, was able to demolish very instrumental in the Jr. The photo contains and clear two CDBG program. The the Alfred Hart, Jr. Reading/Literacy 6 dilapidated units and families receiving Family and provide those families assistance were able Commissioners James with brand new to address the Hoke Leach and Robert Animal Shelter 7 modular units. The County Board of Wright. We have also County was also able Commissioners during included a picture of to use the remaining the February 1st, the old unit and the Library 8 funds to provide rehab Board meeting. They new unit. assistance to a third expressed their ~ Adrian Lowery family in the County. appreciation for the LRCOG Elections 10 assistance they

Welcome to the Hoke County Newsletter!

Inside you’ll find information of what’s going on inside Hoke County.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email

Newsletter @hokecounty.org Page 2 Hoke County Newsletter

Hoke County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy The Hoke County the topics to be covered 21 years old and submit Sheriff’s Office will be are; Crime Prevention, to a background investi- holding its 3rd “Sheriff’s Administrative Services, gation. Anyone interested Citizens Academy” to Patrol Duties, CSI & Evi- in attending this session commence on Thursday dence Procedures, Juve- must complete a Citizens April 7th 2016. Classes nile Process, Subject Academy Application at will be held at the Hoke Control/Use of Force, the Hoke County Sheriff’s County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Stops, Domestic Office. Space is limited to every Thursday evening Violence, Drug Enforce- 25 students, all others will from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, ment, Gang and Criminal be placed on a standby and last for nine weeks. Investigations, K-9 Oper- list in the event someone ations and Detention Du- is unable to attend. ties.

All classes will be instructed by Sheriff’s Application deadline is Office staff and certified Applicants must be a March 31st 2016. General Law Enforce- Hoke County resident or ment Instructors. Some of county employee, at least

The 5th Annual Hoke County “Sheriff’s Shootout” Basketball Fundraiser On April the 8th 2016 Game Time is 6 pm, at fund the Sheriff’s Annual come out to West Hoke the West Hoke Middle G.R.E.A.T Summer Middle School to watch School Gym. Tickets are Camp. Sheriff Hubert Peterkin 2.00 apiece and can be and his Hoke County purchased in advance at Come out and support the Sheriff’s Office All-Stars any Hoke County Middle kids and your Sheriff’s take on the West Hoke School or High School or Office in what’s bound to Middle “Tigers”. at the door the day of the be the game of the year. event. All proceeds go to

Hoke County Planning Department At their regularly sched- word as to what shops Anything like that on their uled meeting on Monday, and businesses may property is their mainte- December 7, 2015 the lease space in the build- nance responsibility and Hoke County Board of ing. by keeping drainage are- Commissioners approved as clear of debris, trash, a Conditional Use Permit On a more general note, or anything else that may request to allow a 22,400 as all are surely aware, block the flow of water it square foot new shopping North Carolina has re- helps their neighbors and center to be constructed ceived a lot of rain in community. along Highway 401 be- 2015 and the beginning of side the assisted living 2016. This has resulted in If you have any planning facility and in front of the standing water and some or zoning questions Stone Gate Apartments. localized flooding issues. please feel free to come As of right now they are Hoke County Planning by the office or give us a only clearing the land. would like to remind citi- call at (910) 875-8407. They have not received zens to check their cul- verts, pipes, and drainage ~ Robert Farrell approval to begin con- County Planner struction and there is no ditches on their property. WINTER 2016 Page 3

Child Abuse Prevention Month April is Child Abuse Pre- remind Hoke County April to help raise vention month. The Pin- that it is everyone’s re- awareness for this im- wheels for Prevention is sponsibility to make sure portant cause. Hoke a National effort to raise our community is safe DSS is working with awareness for child for children to thrive. community partners to abuse prevention efforts Anyone can purchase create an event for our across the nation. Pin- pinwheels by visiting the county to Kick off this wheels represent the www.preventchildabuse celebration!! Stay bright futures all children nc.org/store. Please tuned. deserve. We, at DSS, feel free to display pin- ~ Della Sweat display pinwheels to wheels in the month of Director, DSS

CFSR Review Hoke County DSS, Child vices to achieve Safety, Quality Improvement DSS will continue to part- Welfare Services, was Permanency, and Well- (CQI) and participating in ner with the State Division one of ten county depart- Being. A large compo- the federal review was of Social Services and the ments in the State that nent of the CFSR is an just one more way for us other nine county DSS’ volunteered to take part in actual review of child wel- to assess our services. that took part in the 2015 the 2015 Federal Child fare cases across the We strive to provide nec- CFSR, as we all aim to and Family services Re- State; 105 cases were essary, appropriate, and improve services and view (CFSR). The CFSR reviewed from April 2015 beneficial services to the outcomes for the children is federal monitoring of to September 2015 in ten children and families and families involved in child welfare services to counties. North Carolina served by our local child the child welfare system. ensure that children and last underwent a CFSR in welfare system so that families served by local 2007. Hoke County DSS- Safety, Permanency, and ~ Della Sweat child welfare systems are Child Welfare Services is Well-Being Needs are Director, DSS receiving necessary ser- engaged in Continuous achieved. Hoke County

Foster Care, Adoptions, and Licensing Unit Duke Energy

Hoke DSS offers a foster/ and ending March 19, Foster Parent Training Low-Income Program adoptive parent training 2016. will be EVERY Saturday classes at least twice on the following dates Limited Funds available to assist yearly. The 30-hour class For further information on from 9:00am to 3:00 pm Elderly and Disabled is required for anyone fostering or adopting a DUKE ENERGY clients with: interested in fostering or child in foster care, please February 20, 2016 * Hook up * Repair adopting a child from fos- contact Nickkia McIntyre at February 27, 2016 * Electric bill Deposits ter care. The class is free 878-1989 or via e-mail at March 5, 2016 * Electric bill payment assistance on of charge and is normally [email protected] March 12, 2016 delinquent bill held on Saturdays for five or April Locklear at March 19, 2016 *Purchase of energy efficient weeks. We are currently 878-1927 or via e-mail at Must attend equipment (such as fridge, freezer, offering the class begin- [email protected] ALL 5 classes washer, dryer , ac unit, etc. ning February 20, 2016 Training will be at the Maximum benefit is $650.00 Hoke County per individual. Contact a Hoke County Department of Social DSS Adult Services Social Worker for Services program eligibility questions and to complete an application. 314 S Magnolia Street •There are income and crisis guide- Raeford, NC 28376 lines used to determine eligibility. Program Ends June 30, 2016! Page 4 Hoke County Newsletter

Special points February is Heart Health Awareness Month of interest: Heart disease is the leading County, which is considered  Quit smoking and stay cause of death for both the leading cause of death away from secondhand Teen-Time men and women. To pre- in our county. smoke. Health Clinic for vent heart disease and in-  Control your cholesterol teens; available the crease awareness of its You can make healthy changes to lower your risk and blood pressure. 1st & 3rd Mondays effects, Hoke County  If you drink alcohol, of the month from Health Department is of developing heart dis- ease. Controlling and pre- drink only in modera- 4:30PM-7:00PM. proudly participating in tion. American Heart Month. venting risk factors is also  Get active and eat Locally between 2010- important for people who Child Birth healthy. 2014, there has been a already have heart disease. Education total of 321 deaths related To lower your risk: Classes For more information, visit to Heart Disease in Hoke Five week series  Watch your weight. http://www.cdc.gov/disease/ son Thursday’s, from 6-8PM contact Cornelia @ 910) CDC Reports Adolescents’ Use of E-Cigarettes Doubled 875-3717 Ext: 2104. In just a year, the number of middle and high school students CPR & First –Aid who have tried electronic cigarettes has more than doubled, from 3.3% in 2011 to 6.8% in 2012. The increased use of Classes e-cigarettes is concerning since the long-term effects of these Contact Ulva for products remain unclear. Since 90% of smokers began smoking more information @ as teens, the increased use of e-cigarettes among teens is (910) 875-3717 even more troubling as it may lead to the use of other tobacco Ext:2106. products. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/

Diabetes Support Group Every 2nd Tuesday Will the United States Have a Flu Epidemic? of the month from The United States experi- begins when certain key flu followed by increases in 5:30-6:30 PM. ences epidemics of season- indicators (for example, flu-associated deaths. Contact Ulva for al flu each year. This time levels of influenza-like ill- more information @ of year is called "flu sea- ness (ILI), hospitalization It’s still time to get that Flu (910) 875-3717 son." In the United States, and deaths) rise and remain shot...What are you waiting Ext:2106. flu season occurs in the elevated for a number of for?

winter; flu outbreaks can consecutive weeks. Usually http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ Board Of Health happen as early as October ILI increases first, followed about/season/flu-season- Meetings and can last as late as May. by an increase in hospitali- 2015-2016.htm Held on the 2nd CDC says the flu season zations, which is then Monday of every month @ the Health Department 7PM. Health Literacy Resources for Older Adult Caregivers Public Health Advisory Council Caregivers for older adults and take advantage of op- created “A Communication Meets every 3rd may have vast responsibili- portunities to help older Guide for Caregivers” to Tuesday @ 11:30 ties, depending on the older adults with health infor- help families talk about can- AM. at the health adults’ needs. Caregivers mation. cer and get much needed department. Contact can influence health deci- care and support. sions older adults make or The “Tips for Caregivers” Ulva @ (910) 875- the decisions other people section of CDC’s Health You can find this and more 3717 Ext: 2106. make about older adults. Literacy website has a list caregiver resources by visit- of resources for caregivers ing our Older Adults Tips for Hoke County Because of this influence and responsibility, they who serve older adults. For Caregivers webpage. Health need skills to support com- example, the Palliative Care Department plicated medical conditions Communication Institute WINTER 2016 Page 5

State Achieves 2020 Teen Pregnancy Goal 6 Years Early

North Carolina’s teen pregnancy Pregnancies to white, black, and Teen pregnancy rates by race/ rate fell 8% in 2014, hitting a rec- Hispanic teens dropped 7%, 11% ethnicity: ord low for a 7th consecutive year, and 9%, respectively. according to new data provided by African American: 46.7 the North Carolina State Center for  75% of counties saw teen Hispanic: * Health Statistics and released by pregnancy decrease in 2014. SHIFT NC (Sexual Health Initia- White: * tives For Teens). Statewide,  North Carolina’s teen preg- 10,328 girls ages 15-19 experi- nancy rate is 69% lower than Teen pregnancy rates by age enced a pregnancy in 2014. when it peaked in 1990 at a 15-17-year-olds: 23.6 rate of 105.4 per 1,000 girls 18-19-year-olds: 76.4 The 2014 teen pregnancy rate was ages 15-19.

32.3 per 1,000 15-19-year-old girls. Nationwide, researchers have at- In other words, the newly released tributed teen pregnancy declines Teen pregnancy rates by age data shows that only 3.2% of 15-19 to increased use of birth control, 15-17-year-olds: 23.6 -year-old girls in North Carolina the availability of highly effective experienced a pregnancy in 2014. long-acting reversible contracep- 18-19-year-olds: 76.4 tives (LARCs) like IUDs and the Other highlights from the newly Implant, and a slight increase in Number of pregnancies among released data include: the average age when teens first 15-17-year-old girls: 24 engage in sexual inter- Number of pregnancies among course. North Carolina communi-  Reduced pregnancies among 18-19-year-old girls: 41 girls of all racial and ethnic ties have focused on facilitating backgrounds, helping to mini- these trends. However, there is Percent of Repeat Pregnancies: still much work to do in Hoke mize some historical dispari- 27.7% ties. County. Hoke County: Ranked #27 Teen birth rate per 1,000 15-19-year-old girls: 34.1 Number of pregnancies among 15- 19-year-old girls: 65 NC County Ranking (out of 100 counties): 27 Teen pregnancy rate per 1,000 15- 19-year-old girls: 41.8 Change since 2013: -11.6%

Environmental Health Sanitation Reports Available Online Sanitation grades and down menus under the would like to view by reports for all facilities “Your Government” date, establishment type inspected by Environ- heading as follows: or other criteria. mental Health in Hoke County Departments > County area available Departmental Listings > Having these reports online. Environmental Health. available online for easy There is also currently a viewing by the public is a To access the reports, go direct link to the Environ- valuable tool. The best to the Hoke County Envi- mental Health page on thing a person can do ronmental Health page the county news section when deciding where to on the county website of the main page. eat or send their kids, and click the big link that etc., is to look at the post- looks like a grade card. You can also directly ac- ed grade and now they cess the reports by simp- can also see why the The Environmental ly going to http:// grade is what it is. Health page can be locat- hoke.nc.gegov.com/ ed by going to the main links.cfm ~ Helene Edwards county website at http:// Health Director www.hokecounty.net/ Once there, you may and then utilizing the drop search for the reports you Page 6 Hoke County Newsletter

Environmental Health is Awarded a Grant

The Hoke County Health experienced mentor de- county’s retail food regu- plan is to complete the Department’s Environ- partment who will guide latory program. Enrollee’s initial self-assessment for mental Health division them as they work to- must complete an initial all nine standards and has been awarded a wards program goals. assessment against nine prove compliance with the grant of $8224 from Hoke County is one of the Standards the first year to first Standard, regulatory NACCHO, the National 27 jurisdictions nation- identify program gaps. In foundation. Grand funds Association of City and wide to be selected. Their subsequent years the will pay for staff training, County Health Officials, assigned mentor is Pitt department will attempt to supplies, and staff time. to participate in the FDA County Environmental meet the individual Stand- An additional $3000 is Mentorship Program in Health, of Greenville, NC. ards, including topics available to cover travel 2016. such as regulatory foun- costs of mentor meetings Erik Johnson, Environ- dation, standardized staff and attending the national The Mentorship Program, mental Health Specialist training, foodborne illness FDA conference in Wash- in its fifth year, assists with Hoke County, en- preparedness, community ington, DC in August. local health departments rolled the department in relations, compliance/ who are enrolled in the the FDA Program Stand- enforcement and program ~ Helene Edwards, FDA Voluntary National ards in August 2015 and resources. Health Director Retail Program Standards applied for the grant in by matching them with an October. He says it is the In 2016, Hoke’s action Hoke County Preparedness 2015-16 2015-16 Plans for full scale exer- Working on Ebola Established Capabilities cise for 2017 have been response Rubric planned * Plans for tabletop exer- * Have had two Ebola * Rubric based on capa- cise for 2017 in May of 16 information sharing meet- bilities have been estab- * Working on strategies ings with partners lished and sited for scenario of foodborne * Have developed Ebola * Capabilities weakness- illness response plan es addressed ~ Roland Little Preparedness Coordinator

Hoke Reading/Literacy Council

Hoke Reading/Literacy We have awarded 115 staff at 910-875-2145 or Please contact us if you Council students will be certificates and provided email us at are interested in serving. reading at the 5th National 85 Hoke County citizens [email protected]. African American Read In with 557 hours of public ~ Carole Taitt which will be held on access lab usage. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Executive Director, Tuesday Feb. 16 at Buffa- Reading/Literacy Council FRIENDS OF LITERACY Volunteers are needed to lo Springs Missionary serve as tutors for stu- Baptist Church, 8025 DRIVE Bernard dents (adults and chil- (left) Turnpike Rd, Raeford. Please support our dren) in our program; Vol- This event is open to the Friends of Literacy drive unteers must be at least public. which will take place 16 years old, be an excel- UPDATE shortly. Funds raised will lent reader and possess a be used to provide pro- willingness to pass on YTD we have served 142 gram support, books, and their love of reading to students with 1573.5 educational materials for others. Training will be hours of computer in- our students. If you would provided. struction and 2108 hours like to make a donation Estrella of one to one instruction. please contact the office (right) WINTER 2016 Page 7

Hoke County Animal Shelter News This has been a long season Our Turkey day was preced- part of our growing success if you would like to set up an of warm tidings and cold ed by a wonderful Christmas and I urge you to find us and appointment. 910.875.4827. weather and we would like for them as well. It has been like us if you have not al- also, if you or someone you to take a moment and share a shelter tradition here for ready done so. You can find know has a pet you need to a little bit from our last cou- some years that every single us by searching “Assisting get spayed/neutered, but ple months here at the Ani- animal in the shelter gets the Hoke County Animal cannot afford to do so mal Shelter. We started the their very own Christmas Shelter” in the Facebook please contact the low cost holiday season off on gift! They all get wrapped search bar. I recently wrote spay and neuter clinic. The Thanksgiving where we held and the animals get to enjoy a story about two wonderful Spay Neuter Veterinary Clin- our annual Thanksgiving opening them. We aren’t dogs who had to be surren- ic is a low cost spay neuter Dinner for the Animals. We sure which they enjoy more dered by their daddy who clinic located in the were so blessed this year as the wrapping paper or the had just lost his home. Our Sandhills, off US 1. Costs a total of 9 turkeys had been gift itself. We feel it is im- post has been seen by over are heavily subsidized and donated as well as all the portant to help each animal 100,000 people already and available thanks to the sup- other fixins’ that go along here feel the love that they was published on the Bark- port of the Companion Ani- with a good home cooked all deserve, the love of a Post. We were able to raise mal Clinic Foundation. Thanksgiving dinner! Every family. During the holidays a couple thousand dollars animal that was here at the we are their family. for the family in need and Call: 910-692-(3499) for shelter that day not only got both dogs are in a long term appointments to spay/neuter a home cooked meal hand We wrapped up the year foster home until the family your pets! fed to them, but they thor- with a sense of pride after can get back up on their oughly enjoyed the affection seeing our adoption and feet. We invite you all to come out of the staff and volunteers rescue numbers for the year! and meet our animals or to who wanted them to feel like Every year our adoption and We will be announcing our volunteer. We rely heavily they had a family during the rescue numbers keep rising annual rabies clinic in the on the love and support we holiday season. Every dog and this year was no differ- next couple weeks and as a receive from the community got taken outside for a nice ent. We had the highest reminder we also do micro- so we hope to see you soon! long walk through the trail by adoption and rescue num- chips at the shelter by ap- our wonderful volunteers. bers that I have seen in my pointment only for $20.00 ~ Kristi Cartwright Some sat at the picnic table 10 years at the shelter and and rabies vaccinations to Animal Shelter just basking in all the affec- possibly ever! Our Facebook Hoke County residents for tions an animal deserves! page has been an essential $10.00. Please give us a call Page 8 Hoke County Newsletter

TAIL WAGGIN’ TUTORS Jackson enjoys listening to his favorite book, read to him by some of the library’s younger patrons. WINTER 2016 Page 9

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Library patrons at the puzzle table with a work in progress. Page 10 Newsletter Title

2016 ELECTION SCHEDULE

SPRING PRIMARIES SECOND PRIMARIES (if needed): GENERAL ELECTION: PRESIDENTIAL County, District and State Offices General Election PREFERENCE PRIMARY Tuesday, May 3, 2016 Tuesday, November 8, 2016 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 (or) Canvass Democrat, Libertarian, and County District, State and Friday, November 18, 2016 Republican Primaries Federal Offices Tuesday, March 15, 2016 Tuesday, May 24, 2016 Revised September 25, 2015 [That means ALL Primaries (This would include US Congress and/ will be held] or US Senate Contests) Tuesday, March 15, 2016 EARLY VOTING One-stop Absentee (Early Voting) will be conducted from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm on weekdays and 9:00 am-5:00 pm and 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Saturdays, beginning Thursday, March 3, 2016 thru Saturday, March 12, 2016.

2016 CANDIDATES LIST — PRIMARY US PRESIDENT—REP US SENATE—REP NC LIEUTENANT NC SUPERINTENDENT of Mike Huckabee Larry Holmquist GOVERNOR—DEM PUBLIC INSTRUCTION— John R. Kasich Paul Wright Holly Jones REP Greg Brannon Ronald L. Newton Mark Johnson Marco Rubio Robert Earl Wilson J. Wesley Sills Rick Santorum Linda Coleman Rosemary Stein Donald J. Trump US SENATE—DEM Jeb Bush Ernest T. Reeves NC ATTORNEY NC SUPERINTENDENT of Ben Carson Chris Rey GENERAL—REP PUBLIC INSTRUCTION— Chris Christie Deborah K. Ross Buck Newton DEM Ted Cruz Kevin D. Griffin Jim O’Neill Henry J. Pankey Carly Fiorina June Atkinson Jim Gilmore No Preference US HOUSE of NC ATTORNEY NC TREASURER—DEM REPRESENTATIVES GENERAL—DEM Dan Blue III DISTRICT 02—REP John Stein Ron Elmer US PRESIDENT—DEM Frank Roche Marcus W. Williams Martin J. O’Malley Kay Daly NC STATE SENATE Bernie Sanders Tim D’Annunzio NC COMMISSIONER of DISTRICT 21—DEM Hillary Clinton Jim Duncan Eronomy Neon Roque Rocky De La Fuente AGRICULTURE—REP Andy Stevens (Mohammed) Smith No Preference Naveed Aziz Steve Troxler US HOUSE of Ben Clark US PRESIDENT—LIB REPRESENTATIVES NC COMMISSIONER of John David Hale DISTRICT 07—REP INSURANCE– REP DISTRICT ATTORNEY Cecil Ince Mark D. Otto Joe McLaughlin DISTRICT 16A—DEM Gary Johnson David Rouzer Ronald (Ron) Pierce Kristy McMillan Newton Steven Elliot (Steve) Kerbel Mike Causey James R. Allen Darryl W. Perry NC GOVERNOR—REP Austin Petersen Pat McCrory NC COMMISSIONER of HOKE COUNTY Derrick Michael Reid Charles Kenneth Moss LABOR—DEM COMMISSIONER—DEM Jack B. Robinson, Jr. C. Robert Brawley Charles Meeker James A. Leach Rhett Rosenquest Smith Mazie Ferguson Robert A. (Bobby) Wright Barbara Joy Waymire NC GOVERNOR—DEM Joseph (Joe) C. Alston Marc Allan Feldman Ken Spaulding NC SECRETARY of Lonnie Baldwin No Preference Roy Cooper STATE– REP Michael LaPaglia A.J. Daoud

Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 11 Page 12 Hoke County Newsletter

From the Hoke County IT Department

Did you receive or give a information. Additionally, stalling other features or Turn on encryption features. new device during the holi- make sure that your device apps that you no longer use. days? Whether it’s a automatically locks after a Maintain your device’s smartphone, laptop, desk- period of inactivity – prefera- Be careful downloading security. Remember that top, tablet, or another de- bly between 30 seconds and apps. Apps provide a lot of setting your device to be vice, check out the below two minutes. This way, if you wonderful capabilities for secure is great, but you tips to help protect your new misplace your device, you your device, but they are have to keep those settings, technology and secure your minimize the opportunity for also a common way that as well. It may be tempting personal data. someone to access your malicious actors disseminate to do away with some of the personal information. malware or gather infor- security, such as a lock Configure your device mation about you. Always screen password, or allow- with security in mind. The Regularly apply updates. make sure you trust the app ing the settings to change “out-of-the-box” configura- Manufacturers and applica- provider and download the when you get an app up- tions of many devices and tion developers update their app from the Google Play date, but that puts your de- system components are de- code to fix weaknesses and Store, Apple’s App Store, or vice and information at risk. fault settings often geared push out the updates and other trusted source, as they more toward ease-of-use patches. Enable settings to proactively remove known than security or protecting automatically apply these malicious apps to protect By using caution and follow- your information. Enable patches to ensure that users. Be proactive and ing these tips, you can help security settings on your you’re fixing the identified make sure that you read the secure your new device and device, and as you install weaknesses in the applica- privacy statement, review protect your information. software and apps, pay par- tions, especially your operat- permissions, check the app Have a safe, secure, and ticular attention to those that ing system, web browser, reviews, and look online to joyous holiday season! control information sharing. and apps. see if any security company has identified the app as Lock the device. Locking Install antivirus software. malicious. How to create a strong your device with a strong Install antivirus software if it password: PIN or password makes un- is available for your device Set up a non-privileged authorized access to your and enable automatic updat- account for general web http://msisac.cisecurity.org/ information more difficult. ing of the antivirus software use. Privileged (such as whitepaper/documents/ Passwords are more secure to incorporate the most re- Administrator or Root) ac- Security%20Primer%20-% than PINs. If you have an cently identified threats. counts allow you to make 20Securing%20Login% Android device and want to changes in how your device 20Credentials.pdf use a lock screen pattern, Disable unwanted and operates, but a compro- make sure the pattern in- unneeded services. Capa- mised administrator account bilities such as Bluetooth, cludes at least 7 points and provides attackers with the Advice for connecting a network connections and doubles back over itself (e.g. authority to access anything new computer to the Inter- Near Field Communications at least 2 turns). If you use on your device. Use a non- net: the fingerprint lock, remem- provide ease and conven- privileged account when ber that if your device is lost ience in using your browsing websites and https://www.us-cert.gov/ or stolen, you can’t change smartphone. They can also checking emails. ncas/tips/ST15-003 or replace your fingerprints, provide an easy way for a like you can a password or nearby, unauthorized user to Enable encryption. Encryp- gain access to your data. tion makes it hard for attack- PIN. So be careful with your ~ Candace Pierce Turn these features off when ers who have gained access device and make extra sure Director, IT to protect your biometric they are not needed. Also to your device to obtain ac- consider disabling or unin- cess to your information. WINTER 2016 Page 13

Welcome to New Hoke County Employees HATS JAIL SOCIAL SERVICES Sonja Dickerson Altarique Harrington Aisha Bostick Tammy Dixon Travis McCusker Joshua Cooper Clyde McNeill Shonja West Brittney Tuel Christina Hunter Myers HEALTH Michael Smith DEPARTMENT UTILITIES Alicia Dial, RN Jamile Butler Dr. Connie Jones PARKS & Annie Miles RECREATION HUMAN RESOURCES Janae Dupree WASTEWATER Nicole Dial George Robinson TREATMENT PLANT Charles Monroe SENIOR SERVICES Christina King

Featured Department: Featured Department: Tax Collections Hoke County Public Library

Left to Right: Back row (left to right): Director Sheila Evans, Staff Sonya Bowen, Susan Quick, April King, and Members Melinda Patterson & Sarah Oxendine, F*A*R Director Daphne Dudley Storyteller Jackie Kicklighter Front row (left to right): Staff Members Shirley McLaughlin, Clara Adams, Lynette Dial & Natalie Spencer The Tax Collections Department is located in the Pratt Building at 227 N. Main Street. Not pictured: Staff members Mareshah Abers, Larry Hope, & They are responsible for the collection of taxes Logan Willis and F*A*R Storyteller Nancy McNeill on personal property and real estate. The department also assist in answering tax and Hoke County Public Library is a member of the Sandhill billing related questions for the residents of Regional Library System. Available materials include regu- Hoke County. lar & large print books, e-books (via Freading), audiobooks, movies, books for children & teens, and magazines & newspapers; cardholders also have access to electronic resources through NCLive, including e-books, audiobooks, & journal articles. Our new online catalog allows patrons to place hold requests, renew their books, and search the catalog at home or with their smartphone.