Local Granville-Vance Health Director Attends White House Coronavirus Briefing

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government and Lisa Harrison

The local, Granville-Vance Public Health Director, Lisa Harrison, attended a White House Briefing this week about the Coronavirus.

On Tuesday, February 25, 2020, Harrison joined representatives from more than 30 states and territories for a federal/state/local discussion about Coronavirus. The point was for communities to be prepared.

Pictured (left to right) are Pramod Dwivedi, MS, MSW, MA, BSc, Linn County Public Health in Iowa; Jennifer Kertanis, MPH, President-elect of NACCHO and the Farmington Valley Health District, Connecticut; Lisa Macon Harrison, MPH, Granville Vance Public Health Director, North Carolina; and George Roberts, Jr., MHA, FACHE, President of NACCHO Northeast, Texas Public Health District, Texas. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

Harrison told WIZS News her biggest takeaway from the briefing is that all levels of government are working together to update, communicate and respond. She said, “Local, state and federal levels are committed to ensuring the public health and safety is the best it can be. We have an important job of communicating clearly and well during this time in a way that’s appropriate to this new virus and its risk, but that doesn’t land with people in a way that makes them panic anymore.”

Of course, it is flu season too, and Harrison said, “The flu virus is much more deadly and common in the U.S., and I find it interesting to balance people’s perception of risk with this new virus versus how people continue to shrug their shoulders and deny the flu vaccine.”

The NC Division of Public Health has a helpful web site (https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/COVID19.html) and a phone number people can call if they have questions.

Harrison added, “I need to stress that there are currently, as of today, no cases of novel coronavirus cases in NC.  Nobody needs to get a mask or worry unnecessarily at this point. We do suspect we will have a case in the future and are hopeful that like every other place in the US, the virus will be mild and people will recover fully.”

A 24-hour, main phone number for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is (919) 733-3419.

A Granville County Government press release said that in her role as regional representative/Board member for the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Harrison was one of approximately 40 state, county and city health officials invited to attend and participate in this briefing, which also acknowledged the leadership roles of state and local health officials in meeting community needs.

 

VGCC Succeeds By Going ‘All-In’ for CDL

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The new Truck Driver Training class that began at Vance-Granville Community College in early February 2020 is full to capacity, with demand even greater than the college could accommodate. That is due not only to the growing need for qualified commercial truck drivers with a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) but also to a highly successful enrollment marketing campaign.

Above: Students listen during the classroom instruction portion of VGCC’s CDL/Truck Driver Training program. (VGCC photo)

A team of VGCC staff from numerous departments collaborated in creative ways to design, coordinate and implement several strategies, ranging from the traditional — signs placed in the ground around the community, a press release and print advertising — to the more high-tech social media and video advertising.

“This success demonstrates the power of partnership – including not only our own VGCC professionals but also employers in the community and workforce development partners,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “We went ‘all-in.’ Our students and our community will benefit from this new program, along with all the other valuable education and training programs that we continue to provide.”

Students started the process of completing the CDL credential by attending an orientation session on Jan. 23. Lead instructor Roger Chester gave the students information on the requirements of the nine-week program. Meanwhile, to connect the training to careers, seven local employers set up information tables. “They took the time to speak with students about employment prospects in CDL and trucking at their respective locations,” said VGCC Director of Occupational Extension Kyle Burwell.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified commercial truck drivers is expected to grow by 21 percent through 2020, and trucking companies actively seek quality student drivers right out of programs like this one. “The logistics experts estimate a national shortage of over 50,000 drivers,” added Ronald Bennett, Director of Transportation for Variety Wholesalers, Inc., located in VGCC’s service area. “Variety Wholesalers, as well as other area businesses, will certainly benefit from this program.”

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the opportunity to be employed by commercial trucking companies, become an owner-operator, or take advantage of local jobs. This Truck Driver Training program is certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI). VGCC offers the program in collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, a sister institution of the N.C. Community College System.

“Our Truck Driver Training program is an excellent example of how North Carolina community colleges connect students to fulfilling careers and provide a pipeline of qualified talent to employers,” said Jerry Edmonds, VGCC’s vice president of workforce and community engagement. “We’re responding to the region’s economic needs and providing easy access to low-cost, high-quality job training.”

The college plans to offer a second class starting in August.

For more information about enrolling in the Truck Driver Training program in the future, contact Kyle Burwell at burwellk@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3276, or Gina Brewer at brewerg@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3324.

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Tax Assistance Available for Veterans, Elderly/Disabled Warren Residents

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

The Warren County Tax Administrator encourages all eligible Warren County residents to apply for appropriate tax assistance programs.

Disabled Veterans Homestead Exclusion Program
The Disabled Veterans Homestead Exclusion program excludes the first $45,000 of assessed value for specific real property or a manufactured home from property taxes; this program is for permanent residents that own their property (name must be on deed).

A disabled veteran is defined as a veteran whose character of service at separation was honorable or under honorable conditions and who has a total and permanent service-connected disability or who received benefits for specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101.

There are no age or income requirements for the Disabled Veterans Homestead Exclusion program. Applicants for this exclusion must meet the following requirements:

• be an honorably discharged veteran who has a 100% total and permanent disability that is service-connected or be the unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran;
• be certified by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs of the permanent total disability that is service-connected;
• be a qualifying veteran with specially adapted housing per 38 U.S.C. 101.

This benefit is also available to a surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of either:

• a disabled veteran as defined above;
• a veteran who died as a result of a service-connected condition whose character of service at separation was honorable or under honorable conditions, or
• a service member who died from a service-connected condition in the line of duty and not as a result of willful misconduct.

Elderly or Disabled Exclusion Program
This program is available to permanent residents of Warren County age 65 or older, or permanent residents that are totally and permanently disabled individuals. Residents 65 or older or that are permanently disabled must also meet the Annual Income Eligibility Limit. The Annual Income Eligibility Limit is set every year by the NC Department of Revenue. The limit for this year is $31,000 for income received from all sources during the prior calendar year.

Qualifying owners must apply with the Warren County Tax Assessor’s Office between January 1 and June 1. If you qualify, you can receive an exclusion of the taxable value of your residence of either $25,000 or 50% (whichever is greater).

As of January 1 of the year for which the exclusion is claimed, applicants will need to meet the following requirements:

• The applicant’s name must be on the deed or title to the residence.

• The residence must be the applicant’s primary residence.

• The applicant must be a North Carolina resident.

• The applicant must be at least 65 years of age or totally and permanently disabled. Total and permanent disability is a disability that substantially hinders a person from obtaining gainful employment.

• If claiming disability, the applicant must provide proof of the disability in the form of a certificate from a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina or a governmental agency authorized to determine qualification for disability benefits.

• Meet the combined spousal income eligibility limit, *whether or not both spouses are on the title. The income determination is described below.

Documentation that shows the applicant’s income is required. For married applicants living with their spouse, the income from both spouses must be included on the application even though the property is not in both names. Income from all sources must be listed on the application, with the exception of gifts or inheritances received from a spouse, lineal (direct) ancestor or lineal descendant. Examples of income include disability payments, IRA distributions, pensions and annuities, social security benefits, capital gains, and veteran benefits. This example does not include all sources of income.

More information on reporting income is included in the cover letter sent with the Tax Relief Application Packets. The packets will be made available after January 1, 2020, for the 2020 tax year.

For more information, contact the Warren County Tax Administrator at 252-257-4158.

Rebuilding Hope’s Servants on Site Summer Youth Program Already Filling Up

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

While the deadline for registering for Rebuilding Hope Inc.’s 2020 Servants on Site (SOS) is not until May 1, well over half of the 200 openings for participants have already been filled.

RHI coordinator Randolph Wilson reports that 176 early bird registrations have been received for the June 20 – 27 event and that a theme for the Servants on Site week has been chosen, “You Are Here.” The theme comes from the Bible verse Isaiah 41:10.

Encourage your youths to take part in this mission endeavor. If you know of any churches or youths you feel would be interested, call our office with contact information.

The cost is $150 per participant. Youths must have completed sixth grade. Keep in mind that for every five youths, we require one adult of the same sex.

Churches provide financial support to purchase materials that a crew will need for the work project at their worksite, and they provide lunches to the crew and homeowners during the week.

Crew partners could number as many as 15 participants from as many as eight of our different registered groups. The crew, and often the homeowner, worship with their sponsoring church on Sunday morning and have lunch with them afterward. This is the first time the crew members meet together as a crew. It is a great time for all the partners to begin knowing each other.

We expect the partnership of a sponsoring church, an SOS crew, and a homeowner to provide a rewarding experience for everyone. We have seen that the relationships that are built last beyond the week of SOS.

SOS will have worship services at Central Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday, June 21 – June 26, with the exception of Wednesday. We hope many will join us as often as possible.

D.R.E.A.M. Fashion & Talent Showcase for Local Youth

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent, Aycock Recreation Center

Come out and support D.R.E.A.M. 2020 (Diverse Roles in Entertainment Arts and Music) Fashion and Talent Showcase being held on Saturday, March 21, 2020, from 6 – 9 p.m. in the E.M. Rollins Elementary School Auditorium.

The showcase is open to children and teenagers and will feature drama, dance, musical instruments, singing and fashion. The deadline to register is Wednesday, March 18.

Admission is $7 for ages 18 and older; $5 for children ages 6-17.

For more information, contact Crystal Allen with the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department at (252) 431-6091 or callen@ci.henderson.nc.us.

NC Coop Extension

Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover 02/27/20

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News 02/27/20

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Town Talk 02/26/20: Cox, Burgess & Ellington Discuss Economy, Regional Summit

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Diane Cox, executive director of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, and Michele Burgess, president of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Cox and Burgess discussed last week’s Focus 20/20, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ Economic Development Summit, held at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson. Participants included local government representatives, community leaders, business owners and professionals from Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and Person counties.

In response to Burgess thanking Kerr-Tar for hosting the summit, Cox responded, “It was a team effort. We were very fortunate to have not only our Kerr-Tar staff but also the economic development directors from the five counties that make up the Kerr-Tar region in addition to the five Chambers of Commerce, so it really was a collaborative effort.

With an agenda arranged into multiple “acts,” playing on the performing arts venue, discussions included the importance of investing in infrastructure, adapting with the times, advancing entrepreneurship and promoting workforce development.

Cox said the segment on workforce development as presented by Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Continuing Education and College & Career Readiness at Vance-Granville Community College, particularly resonated with her.

“We know we have a workforce issue; workforce is an issue nation-wide. With the economy being as strong as it is now, having enough workers, especially skilled workers, is a big issue.

Working with VGCC, the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board and the school systems, we are actively trying to address the workforce issue.”

Burgess said President and CEO of NC IDEA Thom Ruhe’s presentation on changing the workforce mindset opened her eyes to the prevailing issue of employee disengagement and how negatively that affects community progress and development.

“He gave some of the following workplace statistics: 35 percent of the workforce is actively engaged – they show up every day, and put in work for the betterment of the company. Fifty-two percent of the workforce is not engaged at all. These are the employees he called ‘TGIF’ers’ (Thank God It’s Friday). Then there is 13 percent of the workforce actively disengaged, who actually cause problems when they show up for work.”

Burgess also discussed another takeaway from the summit, the importance of embracing and attracting young people to a community.

“The younger generation is looking at a community to see what’s there, to see if they have a fun downtown and apartments that cater to a younger mindset. So, they are picking the town, moving to the town and then finding a job. This is different from what we are used to, which is people moving here because of a job transfer.”

Explaining that the trend among the younger generation is to move to small towns close to larger cities with more cultural opportunities, Burgess said Henderson is “on the cusp of all that; we’ve got great potential here.”

On Tuesday’s edition of Town Talk, Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington discussed his participation and perspective of the summit, including the knowledge shared by keynote speaker Doug Griffiths, author of the bestselling book “13 Ways to Kill Your Community.”

Listing what not to do, as well as measures to right the path, Griffiths presented the following ways to ensure a lack of community growth and prosperity: don’t have quality water, don’t attract business, ignore your youth, deceive yourself about your real needs or values, shop elsewhere, don’t paint, don’t cooperate, live in the past, ignore your seniors, reject everything new, ignore outsiders, become complacent and don’t take responsibility.

“His discussion on failing to embrace people from the outside that have come into the community really stood out to me,” said Ellington. “People that have lived here and seen the ebbs and flows of the economy have a different view than people from the outside that come in, and that’s not a bad thing.”

Explaining that it takes both points of view to grow the economy, Ellington said he believes the positive attitude and commitment to community investment and improvement seen recently by those moving to Henderson can only lead to more positive outcomes for the area.

Please tune in to WIZS 100.1 FM/1450 AM tomorrow as guest Pam Hester, director of Vance County Tourism, wraps-up this week’s discussion on the local economy and the regional economic development summit.

To hear the interview with Cox and Burgess in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on the 02/26/20 Town Talk. For Ellington’s interview, click on the 02/25/20 Town Talk.

VCS to Hold District-Wide Family Engagement Night at Vance Co. Middle School

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

The Vance County Schools Family Resource Center will host a District-Wide Family Engagement Night at Vance County Middle School on Thursday, February 27, 2020, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided and childcare will be available for those age 12 and under.

Two sessions will be offered: “EOG & EOC Prep/Reducing Test Stress” and “Dealing With Peer Pressure/Bullying Uncovered.”

Don’t miss the special performance by VCS students.

Vance County Middle School is located at 293 Warrenton Road in Henderson.

Potential Warren County Grocery Store Seeks Community Input

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-Press Release, Warren County Government 

A grocery store considering opening in the former Just Save location, East Macon Street, Warrenton, wants to know what Warren County citizens consider most important in a grocery store.

Citizens are invited to attend a meeting at the Warren County Armory Civic Center at 6:30 p.m. on March 5, 2020, where they will be allowed to voice their opinions and preferences.

How do citizens choose a grocery store? How important are convenience and quality? Please join to share ideas about what will make a successful local grocery store.

For more information, contact Stacy Woodhouse, Warren County Economic Development Commission Director, 252-257-3114, or Robert Davie, Town of Warrenton Administrator, 252-257-1122.