It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Historic Bethabara Park gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Winston-Salem, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was”
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“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go”
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“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after”
“This company is TOP-NOTCH! Incredibly helpful and super friendly. If you’re looking for a part-time”
“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home”
“These folks are so helpful! They care about their clients and it shows in the”
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“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and”
“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was the best option. She was familiar with all assisted living/memory care facilities around town and was quick to respond to the family with tours. She delivered FL2 forms to physician's and made the transition an easy process. I recommend Sandy 100 % for any family needing a smaller community for their elderly family member.”
“I have been working for ABC for two years now, and I am very grateful for my position. The staff are acceptable, the clients are lovely, and the environments are professional. I highly recommend PCAs and CNAs to apply.”
“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“These folks are so helpful! They care about their clients and it shows in the service! I highly recommend ????”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Bailey Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Downtown Grille or visit Old Salem Museums Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Winston-Salem, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Winston-Salem, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Winston-Salem, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A major hacking attack on Krispy Kreme in November affected more than 160,000 people, the doughnut maker said on Thursday.The company disclosed Thursday that the data breach affected mostly Krispy Kreme employees, former employees and members of their families, all of whom are being sent notifications.Krispy Kreme’s cybersecurity filings Thursday said ...
A major hacking attack on Krispy Kreme in November affected more than 160,000 people, the doughnut maker said on Thursday.
The company disclosed Thursday that the data breach affected mostly Krispy Kreme employees, former employees and members of their families, all of whom are being sent notifications.
Krispy Kreme’s cybersecurity filings Thursday said the hackers accessed and stole files containing the sensitive personal information of at least 161,676 individuals.
That includes at least 19,665 North Carolinians, according to the Krispy Kreme security breach report to the N.C. Attorney General’s Office.
Krispy Kreme said its investigation was completed May 22, and that its notification “has not been delayed as the result of a law enforcement investigation.”
Krispy Kreme said in its disclosure that “we will be providing detailed information specific to their data” to affected individuals.
The company said information subject to unauthorized access varies by individual, but may include personal identification, financial accounts, biometric data, health insurance information, and username and password.
“Importantly, we have no reports that the criminals have used any information for identity theft or fraud as a result of this incident,” the company said.
Krispy Kreme is offering credit monitoring and identity protection services at no cost to affected individuals. Enrollment information will be in the notice letters.
For more information on the data breach, call (866) 461-2984 between 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time on weekdays.
Krispy Kreme disclosed in February that it had an $11 million financial impact in the fourth quarter from the hacking incident that at that time mostly affected customers’ ability to place digital and online orders.
Krispy Kreme said some of the $11 million is expected to be covered by cybersecurity insurance.
Murphy Law Firm, based in Oklahoma City, said it plans to pursue a class-action lawsuit against Krispy Kreme related to the data breach and is soliciting potential lead plaintiffs.
The law firm said the ransomware group known as Play took credit for the attack, claiming to have stolen 184 gigabytes worth of data, including personal information, client documents and financial information.
To put the data breach exposure into context, a gigabyte is a unit of digital information storage equivalent to 1 billion bytes.
The group claims to have made this data public on their Tor-based leak website in December.
“As a result of the data breach, these individuals’ personal and highly sensitive information may be in the hands of cybercriminals, who can place the information for sale on the dark web or use the information to perpetrate identity theft,” the law firm said.
Krispy Kreme already is facing at least one federal lawsuit accusing the company of misleading investors with its recent financial performance, particularly as it relates to a partnership with fast food giant McDonald’s.
The common theme among the lawsuits filed to date is that Krispy Kreme made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the company’s business, operations and prospects.
The typical lawsuit coverage period is Feb. 25 and May 7.
Krispy Kreme reported May 8 that it was pausing an expansion of the McDonald’s partnership as part of a first-quarter earnings report that also included ending a quarterly dividend payment and withdrawing its fiscal 2025 financial guidance.
Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s unveiled in October 2022 “a small operations test” in which three flavors of doughnuts would be delivered fresh daily from one of Krispy Kreme’s three restaurant locations in Louisville to nine McDonald’s locations.
In March 2024, the companies announced taking their in-store partnership nationwide via a phased rollout that began in the second half of 2024 and was projected to be completed by the end of 2026.
As of March 31, 2025, there are more than 2,400 participating locations, primarily in the Midwest, but with at least 500 in the greater New York City area.
There had been plans to reach about 6,000 McDonald’s locations by the end of 2025 and more than 12,000 by the end of 2026.
However, Krispy Kreme said in its May 8 news release it “is reassessing the deployment schedule together with McDonald’s while it works to achieve a profitable business model for all parties.”
A grocery store in the Triad is set to close.Representatives with Lowes Foods told WXII its location at 2890 Reynolda Road will be closing in early July. An exact date was not given.They also said the lease on the store was up for renewal and they made the decision to close it.Lowes Foods has several other locations in Winston-Salem, including one on Robinhood Road and Peters Creek Parkway.Representatives haven't said how many employees are impacted. But said they are working with the 20 stores in the Piedmont Tri...
A grocery store in the Triad is set to close.
Representatives with Lowes Foods told WXII its location at 2890 Reynolda Road will be closing in early July. An exact date was not given.
They also said the lease on the store was up for renewal and they made the decision to close it.
Lowes Foods has several other locations in Winston-Salem, including one on Robinhood Road and Peters Creek Parkway.
Representatives haven't said how many employees are impacted. But said they are working with the 20 stores in the Piedmont Triad, including King, Lewisville, Clemmons, Kernersville and Bermuda Run, to help employees at the Reynolda Road location find similar positions.
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Trial begins over North Carolina election district maps controversy in Winston-Salem
23-year-old Greensboro man second victim to die after shooting in High Point
Winston-Salem will get an early start on summer this week, forecasters say.Spring doesn’t officially end until Friday, but it will feel more like August in the region beginning Wednesday.Heat-index readings on Wednesday and Thursday could top 100 degrees in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and other areas in the region. Actual temperatures could reach the mid-90s over the weekend, the National Weather Service warned Monday.The heat index incorporates air temperature and humidity to determine how hot it actually feels. Tha...
Winston-Salem will get an early start on summer this week, forecasters say.
Spring doesn’t officially end until Friday, but it will feel more like August in the region beginning Wednesday.
Heat-index readings on Wednesday and Thursday could top 100 degrees in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and other areas in the region. Actual temperatures could reach the mid-90s over the weekend, the National Weather Service warned Monday.
The heat index incorporates air temperature and humidity to determine how hot it actually feels. That’s important because humid air already filled with moisture which makes it difficult for the human body to cool itself naturally through the evaporation of sweat.
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Experts warn that high heat-index readings can be especially dangerous early in the season because the body has not had a chance to adapt to hot conditions.
Actual temperatures will hit 90 for the first time this year, with some areas hitting that threshold as early as Tuesday, the weather service said.
Overall, the forecast calls for daily temperatures of 90 degrees or more Tuesday through Sunday.
Another round of showers and thunderstorms is likely in the area Tuesday afternoon and evening, and there is a 30% to 50% chance of rain and storms Wednesday and Thursday along with the hot, muggy conditions.
Sunny skies – and lower humidity – are expected for the weekend with highs of 90 on Friday, 92 on Saturday and 95 Sunday, the weather service predicted.
Normal highs in the Triad for mid-June are in the upper 80s.
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One of the 2,000 “No Kings” nationwide protests took place in High Point on Saturday. Demonstrators say they’re speaking out against the Trump administration's actions. Reporter HIGH POINT, N.C. —In response to President Donald Trump’s military parade commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, more than 2,000 protests took place nat...
One of the 2,000 “No Kings” nationwide protests took place in High Point on Saturday. Demonstrators say they’re speaking out against the Trump administration's actions.
HIGH POINT, N.C. —
In response to President Donald Trump’s military parade commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, more than 2,000 protests took place nationwide. The parade also coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.
The “No Kings” protests were seen across North Carolina, including several in the Triad. Hundreds stood and marched at the “No Kings” demonstration in High Point Saturday.
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Protestors expressed a variety of concerns related to actions taken by the Trump administration. Many voiced their disapproval of big agenda items such as Trump’s mass deportation policy, tariffs, and potential legislation that would cut Medicaid and provide tax breaks for wealthy Americans.
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Several demonstrators said they’re concerned about the country being transformed in a negative way.
"It feels like people have been asleep for a long time,” demonstrator Mary McInerney said while holding a large American flag. “And now they're starting to wake up and say, ‘hey, wait a second. What happened to the country I grew up in? This isn't it.’"
"I served this country honorably,” military veteran Hubert Smith said. “I love this country, but I don't like what they're trying to turn our country into. We don't have dictators in America."
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Organizers said they hope the large mobilization effort sends a message.
"Their voice is powerful,” Tyler Beall, an organizer with Indivisible Guilford County, said. “Showing up, just being active, engaged and present in a moment is sometimes all you have to do to be a voice of conscience or clarity or, just to be your own individual."
Other Triad cities saw “No Kings” demonstrations, including Winston-Salem, Lexington, Elkin, and Sparta. In Virginia, they took place in Galax, Martinsville, and Danville.
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JOHN DEEMWinston-Salem Journal, N.C.(TNS)The union leader for Winston-Salem firefighters is accusing city administrators of retaliating against him and his members by expediting a council vote on proposed changes to vacation and sick time that they oppose.The new policy would essentially cut paid leave in half for Winston-Salem Fire Department firefighters.City Manager Pat Pate has said he wants to bring the department’s vacation and sick time more in line with neighboring departments while also adjus...
JOHN DEEM
Winston-Salem Journal, N.C.
(TNS)
The union leader for Winston-Salem firefighters is accusing city administrators of retaliating against him and his members by expediting a council vote on proposed changes to vacation and sick time that they oppose.
The new policy would essentially cut paid leave in half for Winston-Salem Fire Department firefighters.
City Manager Pat Pate has said he wants to bring the department’s vacation and sick time more in line with neighboring departments while also adjusting pay scales to be more competitive.
At a June 9 Committee of the Whole meeting, in which council members essentially lay out the agenda for their next regular gathering, Assistant City Manager Sharon Wojda provided a detailed timeline — accompanied by a PowerPoint slide — for next steps on the proposed changes.
A schedule presented June 9 for bringing proposed changes in vacation and sick time for Winston-Salem firefighters to city council listed Sept. 2 as the expected date. However, the item is on council's Monday agenda.
That schedule called for proposed policy revisions on firefighter leave to be brought to the General Government Committee in August, then to the full council for approval in September.
However, a resolution to make the changes now is on Monday’s council agenda.
“After the ( June 9) Committee of the Whole meeting, staff was asked to bring these changes to Council for adoption in June with the other personnel resolution changes,” according to an “action request form” accompanying the agenda item.
Inclusion of the firefighter leave resolution caught Perry Parrinello, president of the local firefighters union and a vocal critic of the changes, off guard.
He noted that because public comments are only welcome at council’s first meeting of the month, there will be no opportunity for him and others to express their opposition at Monday’s meeting.
“This ... seems like retaliation, giving me no time to speak to council (about how) we still do not like this proposal,” said Parrinello, a Winston-Salem firefighter who has spoken against the proposal at previous meetings.
Monday’s meeting agenda also doesn’t specify that the item deals with firefighter pay specifically.
“Resolution Amending Sections 30 and 44 of the City of Winston-Salem Personnel Resolution,” it reads.
“That’s been their M.O. this whole time,” Parrinello said. “Lots of sneaky language, timelines, etc.”
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