NC State Board of Elections

Advocacy Group Sends Invalid Absentee Ballot Request Forms to 80,000 NC Voters

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections

The State Board of Elections has learned that a voter advocacy group mailed about 80,000 absentee ballot request forms to North Carolina residents with voters’ information already filled out on the forms.

A state law passed last year prohibits election officials from accepting absentee ballot request forms pre-filled “partially or in whole,” and the State Board has instructed county boards of elections not to process such request forms.

The advocacy group, The Center for Voter Information (CVI) in Washington, D.C., halted additional mailings with pre-filled voter information after N.C. elections officials informed the group of the issue.

CVI plans to send about 400,000 additional mailings to N.C. residents, but they will include blank absentee ballot request forms, which are valid.

County boards of elections that receive an invalid absentee request form will send a letter to the voter informing them of the issue. The letter will include a blank request form for the voter to return.

The State Board urges voters to discard any absentee ballot request form they receive that includes pre-filled voter information.

CVI asked State Board staff to review a sample mailing in April, and State Board staff did not catch the pre-filled forms at that time. However, CVI sent some mailings before forwarding the final product to elections officials for review. Election officials discovered the issue after these mailings were sent to voters.

“We will do our best to review mailings and other voting information distributed by third parties when requested and when resources allow for it,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the N.C. State Board of Elections. “However, it’s ultimately up to advocacy groups to ensure their mailings do not confuse voters or potentially affect their ability to vote in an election.”

All registered voters in North Carolina may request an absentee by-mail ballot. The official 2020 State Absentee Ballot Request Form is available for download from the State Board website. Voters may also pick up a request form from their county board of elections or call their county board to request a form.

For the November 3 general election, the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is October 27. Voters may request a ballot now. Starting in early September, ballots will be mailed to voters who request them.

Town Talk 06/11/20: Local Organizations Promote ‘Go Big for Small Business’

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Sheri Jones, director of the Small Business Center at Vance-Granville Community College; Michele Burgess, president of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce; and Kathy Walters, director of Henderson’s Downtown Development Commission, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Jones announced that in response to the cancellation of National Small Business Week 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), the Small Business Center Network (SBCN) is promoting small businesses through a coordinated social media campaign called NC Small Business Week.

Running June 8-12, 2020, the NC Small Business Week campaign encourages support for local small businesses with the slogan: “Go Big for Small Business!”

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy,” said Jones. “They create two-thirds of new jobs, represent almost half the economic activity in the country and drive innovation and competition.”

With 48 percent of all U.S. employees working for a small business, including 18 percent who work for businesses with 20 or fewer employees, Jones said small business entrepreneurs “come up with ideas, they test them, take them to market and create competition. They lead in innovation.”

With 90 percent of the H-V Chamber of Commerce’s 335 member organizations classified as a small business, Burgess said this sector of the business population is crucial to the local economy.

“The Chamber wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for small businesses and our partnerships,” Burgess stated. “A small business owner does everything. He doesn’t have an HR manager or finance director that he can call; he’s everything. When we partner with a business and they join the Chamber, they hire us on, in a sense, to help research and provide employee training and resources.”

Walters explained the VGCC Small Business Center, the Chamber and Henderson Downtown Development are all connected in a partnership with each other to make local small businesses successful.

“All of downtown, with the exception of government, is small business,” explained Walters. “When someone contacts me and tells me it is their dream to own a business downtown, I refer them to Sheri and the Small Business Center so they can discuss creating a small business plan. We also work with Michele and the Chamber all of the time by giving those interested in downtown a copy of the Chamber’s annual Envision Vance magazine, referring them to the Chamber for business resources and putting them in touch with downtown business owners.”

Jones said these three local entities also work well with their counterpart organizations in the four-county area. “Each of our four counties – Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren – are blessed to have local small business support through their economic development offices, through their respective Chamber of Commerce, through downtown development organizations and through the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments.”

With COVID-19 canceling many plans, including the H-V Chamber’s Small Business of the Year recognition originally scheduled for May, Burgess said the four-county area is showing its interconnection and support for small businesses by joining together for a combined awards ceremony slated for the fall.

“The Henderson-Vance Chamber is joining with the Granville, Franklin and Warren Chambers, in partnership with presenting sponsor Duke Energy, to honor each county’s Small Business of the Year recipient at a luncheon on September 30. Each Chamber will select a small business based on their perseverance, resiliency and community spirit,” said Burgess.

Burgess said it’s not hard to find small businesses that have demonstrated all three attributes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To hear the interview with Jones, Burgess and Walters in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Paint With DP

H-V Rec & Parks to Host Virtual Bingo, Second ‘Paint With DP’ Session w/ Prize

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

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department will have Virtual Bingo for Seniors, ages 55 or better, on Thursdays during the months of June and July. You will be able to join Virtual Bingo by computer or phone.

Participants must contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 (callen@ci.henderson.nc.us) by Thursday, June 11, 2020, to register for the Bingo scheduled for Thursday, June 18. Participants have the option to register for all the scheduled Bingo sessions at once.

Heather Tabor, pictured with her painting, was the winner of the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Park Department’s “Paint with DP” May contest. (Photo courtesy H-V Rec. & Parks)

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks will also have another FREE “Paint With DP” Facebook Live Session. The Live session will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at 2 p.m. on the Henderson-Vance Athletics Facebook page (click here).

Tune in to participate or just watch.

You can purchase affordable painting materials at Walmart, Ollie’s or Dollar General. Once we have completed painting, participants can send pictures of their masterpieces. The best painting will receive a $25 gift card.

May’s “Paint with DP” winner was Heather Tabor.

For more information, contact Darius Pitt at dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us or 252-438-3408.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19 Update: 631 Granville, 391 Vance Cases; Related Deaths Climb to 45

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of June 10, 2020, there are 631 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 391 cases in Vance County, and 38,171 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

There are four outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district – one at Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC; one at Murdoch Development Center in Butner, NC; one at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC; and one at Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC.

Of the total positive cases in each county, 375 in Granville County are associated with the prisons, 5 are associated with Murdoch, 58 in Vance County are associated with Pelican Health nursing home, and 38 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

Of the 251 community-based cases in Granville County, 125 have been released from isolation and 8 are hospitalized.

Of the 375 cases in the prison system, 84 have been released from isolation and one case at Murdoch has been released from isolation.

Of the 295 community-based cases in Vance County, 133 have been released from isolation.

Of the 96 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 41 have been released from isolation.

6 individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 45 deaths in the health district – 31 in Vance County and 14 in Granville County of which 13 are with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.

GVPH updates its website daily at approximately 5 p.m. with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

GVPH also emails updates about COVID-19 in Granville and Vance counties each evening. You can sign up to receive these emails at www.gvph.org/covid-19. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and complete the form.

Franklin County Logo

Franklin County Public Utilities Addresses May/June Water Billing Cycle

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Franklin County Public Utilities has received some questions regarding the May and June billing cycles. Due to COVID-19 safety procedures and Executive Order 124 issued by Governor Roy Cooper, Franklin County Public Utilities did not read water meters for the May billing cycle.

Most customers were only billed the base fee for the May billing and any usage above the minimum was included on the June billing. The base fee for water-only accounts is $30 and the base fee for accounts with both water and sewer is $65. 

The May billing cycle included service for the period from March 16, 2020, through April 15, 2020. Franklin County Public Utilities only billed for the base fee of 0-2,000 gallons, even if your usage was more than 2,000 gallons. A flyer was included with the billing to notify customers of this change. 

Franklin County Public Utilities staff read water meters for the June billing cycle which included service from April 15, 2020, through May 14, 2020, and any usage in excess of 2,000 gallons from the May billing was detected with this reading and included on the June billing. 

If you have any questions, please contact customer service at (919) 556-6177. Franklin County Public Utilities Department apologizes for any confusion that this may have caused.

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Granville Co. Chamber: Participants Needed for 2020-21 Leadership Granville Program

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce

As the Granville County Chamber of Commerce looks to the future and continues to address the uncertainties we may face in the coming months, it is a great moment to remind all citizens of the opportunities provided to inquiring minds as a participant in the 31st Leadership Granville Class.

Individuals with a sincere and genuine interest in future service to the community and those who have demonstrated commitment by previous community activities are encouraged to apply. 

The program provides an education on various facets of Granville County, and all graduates have praised the program for presenting many aspects of our county. Individuals interested in assuming leadership positions within their organization and/or community will find the knowledge gained in the program to be an asset.

Class sessions are tentatively set to begin mid-September 2020 and end with graduation in early April 2021. The program consists of approximately twenty sessions. The length of the sessions varies from daylong to half-day and some evenings.

Session highlights include leadership assessment and development, personal and group dynamics, county history, city-county-state governments, education, the arts, agriculture, economics-industry-small business, health services and volunteer agencies, human services, community support, tourism, judiciary and law enforcement, visiting manufacturers, farm, industries, businesses, etc.

Sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Public Schools and Vance-Granville Community College, Leadership Granville offers citizens of Granville County the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the community and develop their leadership potential. It offers new citizens an opportunity to become personally and professionally acquainted with county structure and life, which can benefit their present and future leadership.

The Chamber remains committed to providing a quality program filled with content and experience. As the Steering Committee and the Chamber address the changes created by today’s environment, the Chamber is seeking a response from all county citizens who may have an interest in the 2020 – 2021 Leadership Granville Program.

Interested individuals should contact one of the Chamber’s office locations – 124 Hillsboro Street in Oxford/Wanda, 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 1598 Highway #56, Butner-Creedmoor/Toni Anne, 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com to request an interest flyer for the 2020 – 2021 year. 

Home and Garden 06-09-20

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com on Tuesday at 4:30 PM.

Dennis Jarvis

Town Talk 06/10/20: Jarvis Talks Move to WV, Future of Economic Dev. in Vance Co.

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Dennis Jarvis II, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

It was announced via press release last week that Jarvis, with H-V Economic Development since November 2017, was recently named the executive director for the Jefferson County Development Authority in his home state of West Virginia. Jarvis begins his new role on July 6, 2020.

Jarvis brings 20 years of economic development experience to his new role and will use his expertise to develop a new strategic plan for the future direction and economic development of Jefferson County.

Discussing his time in Henderson and Vance County, Jarvis said he believes economic development is heading in the right direction. “Almost three years later, we have a stable and professional economic development office, a marketing program that I feel is one of the top in NC, expansion of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park that will have infrastructure in place by the end of the year and heavy project activity.”

Looking to the future, Jarvis said workforce development and education are the keys to a successful, thriving community.

“In order to have a robust economy, I’d encourage Henderson and Vance County to continue to focus on developing and enhancing workforce skills and education,” said Jarvis. “We have too many organizations in this region that say they are doing workforce development and it’s like putting a bandage over a pothole; you can only traverse it so many times before it gives way.”

Jarvis praised Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson for their work in promoting workforce development and education.

“I credit Rachel Desmarais and Anthony Jackson for moving the needle and changing the way that workforce development is talked about and the way skills enhancement is viewed,” said Jarvis. “The community college is now back to its basic core functionality, which is skills assessment and workforce preparedness. I also think you are going to see the school system continue to progress and move forward. When you’ve had 20 years of stagnation and getting away from core missions in both institutions, you don’t change things overnight.”

To hear the interview with Jarvis in its entirety, including additional discussion on the local economy and organizations making strides to improve workforce development, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Coach's Corner Logo

Coach’s Corner: Independent Schools Following NCISAA’s Summer Sports Guidelines

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Homar Ramirez, executive director of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA), appeared on WIZS Coach’s Corner Wednesday.

Stating that the NCISAA does not govern the months of June and July comparable to other associations, Ramirez explained there was more flexibility in determining summer sport and activity guidelines for independent schools.

Guidance from the NCISAA utilizes a three-phased approach to help school systems navigate a gradual reopening of athletic activities.

Stage One of the guidelines began for some local schools, such as Crossroads Christian, last week and are recommended for the first 14 days. Guidelines include limiting sports practices to 25 people outside or 10 inside, face coverings to be worn, social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing to be practiced and the disinfecting of all shared equipment.

While these general suggestions were offered for all sports during Stage One, specific guidelines were also provided for each sport.

Stage Two guidelines are suggested for the 14 days following the end of the first stage, with Stage Three taking student-athletes from the end of the second stage right up to the beginning of fall sports.

“These guidelines were designed to help our schools advance through resocialization and to reacclimate students to the flow of sports and being with other kids again,” Ramirez said. “While guidelines have been provided, schools may advance through the different stages as they are ready. We are planning in case of delays but are hopeful that we won’t see any more.”

Visit the NCISAA’s website at www.ncisaa.org for more details on the summer guidelines.

To hear more from Ramirez, please listen to the Coach’s Corner audio by clicking the play button above.

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News at Noon 6/10/20

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WIZS – Your Community Voice
Local News at 8am, 12pm, 5pm; M-F
1450 AM / 100.1 FM / wizs.com

Local News for June 10, 2020 at noon

  • Maria Parham Health open for visitors again
  • Dr. Andrea L. Harris, proclamation by the City of Henderson