New fairgrounds police chief settling in just in time for GTBNC festival

The N.C. State Fair has a new police chief who’s just getting settled into the job in time for the Got to Be NC Festival. Anthony “Tony” Prignano started on April 25. Technically, his job title is Public Safety and Security Chief, and it’s a shift from his decades of work in the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. “When I retired from the sheriff’s office in March at age 53, I didn’t want to just quit working,” Prignano said. “I’ve been in in law enforcement for nearly 30 years. It’s not just something that leaves your blood. When it comes to…

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Safety First at the Fair

As this year’s fair approaches, it is important to remember safety tips that will keep you and your family safe this year as you experience all the fun the fair has to offer.   Here are 10 safety tips that will help you have the best time possible at this year’s fair:  Wear comfortable, closed-toes shoes — You’ll be doing lots and lots of walking at the fairgrounds, so do your feet a favor and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.  Wash your hands A LOT — It’s always been advisable to wash your hands frequently while at the fair, but this year it…

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Stay safe at the fair

The State Fair is a fun place to be, but with thousands of people on the grounds every day, the population of the fairgrounds is larger than most cities and towns across the state. With that, keep in mind that the same things that happen every day in a city could happen at the fair. Here are a few suggestions to help make your day at the Fair even more enjoyable. RIDES Follow the instructions of ride operators. The majority of ride incidents occur because of rider error. Don’t rock the seats on gondola rides such as the Ferris Wheel or…

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Germ City tests your handwashing skills

How clean are your hands? Even if you think you have a good hand-washing technique, you may be surprised with the germs you leave behind. That’s the focus of Germ City, an exhibit sponsored by the Food and Drug Protection Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Inside the exhibit, visitors rub a “germ lotion” on their hands. The lotion shows up under black light. They then have the chance to wash their hands thoroughly using soap and water. Finally, they step into a darkroom with black lights to see how well they washed their hands. This…

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