City of Henderson Logo

Franklin Co. Requests Additional 450,000 Gallons of Water Per Day From KLRWS

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Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington requested a Special Called Meeting of the Henderson City Council on Tuesday afternoon, August 18, 2020.

According to Ellington, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss a request from Franklin County for an additional 450,000 gallons of water per day from the Kerr Lake Regional Water System (KLRWS), of which the City of Henderson is a managing partner.

Discussions about the terms and if KLRWS and its partners will accept are on-going.

Melanin Marquee

McGregor Hall to Present Free, Online Performance of ‘Melanin Marquee’

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will feature “Melanin Marquee – A Black Broadway Cabaret” live via its Facebook page on Sunday, August 30, 2020, at 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy this incredible lineup of the region’s finest performers free-of-charge from the comfort of your home. A donation link will be available to support McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.

Make sure to visit the McGregor Hall Facebook page to read the artists’ profiles before tuning in live for the performance.

RSVP by clicking on this event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/372006713784250

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Franklin County Logo

Franklin County: Notice of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater

General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.

Franklin County Public Utilities experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater from the Youngsville Regional pump station in Youngsville, NC. The spill was a result of heavy rain on Saturday, August 15, 2020. The spill occurred at 4:32 p.m. and discharged until 9:34 p.m. The discharge of wastewater was estimated to be 20,040 gallons, and approximately 10,000 gallons entered into an unnamed tributary of Richland Creek which is a tributary of the Neuse River Basin.

Franklin County Public Utilities staff was dispatched to the site and started clean up after the overflow stopped.

The department also experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater from the South Nassau Street pump station in Youngsville. The spill was a result of heavy rain on Saturday, August 15, 2020. The spill occurred at 4:50 p.m. and discharged until 6:07 p.m. The discharge of wastewater was estimated to be 2,000 gallons, and approximately 800 gallons entered into an unnamed tributary of Richland Creek which is a tributary of the Neuse River Basin.

Franklin County Public Utilities staff was dispatched to the site and started clean up after the overflow stopped.

The division of Water Quality was notified of this event on August 16, 2020, and is reviewing the matter. For additional information concerning this event, please contact Franklin County Public Utilities Department at (919) 556-6177. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Franklin County’s website at www.franklincountync.us.

Epsom Community Classic

Register Now for Epsom Community Classic Run/Walk

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The Epsom Community Classic Run/Walk will be held Saturday, August 29, 2020, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Originally scheduled for April, the coronavirus pandemic necessitated a rescheduling to this later date.

The race is run on a 3.5-mile loop starting and finishing at Epsom Fire and Rescue located at 8120 NC Highway 39 in Henderson.

This event is being held in partnership with New Bethel Baptist Church with the end goal of raising financial support for missions.

Entrants have a choice of entering as a competitive or recreational runner. Competitive entrants will receive an official time and will be eligible for awards. Recreational entrants will not receive official times, but can either time themselves or see their times on the digital clock at the finish line.

The entry fees are $20 through August 19, $25 August 20-28 and $30 on race day. The fee does not include a t-shirt, but shirts can be ordered for an additional $10 on or before August 19.

To register, visit the Epsom Community Classic link on RaceReach.com (click here)

Awards will be presented to the first three male finishers overall, to the first three female finishers overall and to the top three finishers in each of the following age groups (both genders): 19-under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-over.

Due to the road conditions, running with a baby stroller is not recommended. Also, please no pets.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be some changes to how the race is conducted. Water will be available both at the start/finish area and once on the course. Hand sanitizer will also be available. Vendors and food trucks will be taking their own precautions by serving pre-packaged food and drinks.

Depending on the dictates of the county, there may be post-race snacks available, but just to be safe, you may want to bring your own.

NCDHHS

Executive Order Extends School Immunization, Health Assessment Deadlines

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-Press Release, NCDHHS

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 156 extending, but not waiving, proof-of-immunization and health assessment documentation deadlines for school and child-care facilities. With health care visits limited in some cases due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the order will give students and families more time to get their required vaccines and health assessments completed.

“With kids headed back to school and flu season right around the corner, it’s more important than ever this year for all North Carolinians to get their recommended immunizations,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “Childhood immunizations keep kids safe and protect public health by lowering the likelihood of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease like measles.”

The Executive Order and a State Health Director Memo issued by State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Tilson will extend, but not waive, North Carolina’s current proof-of-immunization requirement deadlines for students enrolled in public, private or religious educational institutions, including child care facilities and K-12 schools as well as colleges and universities. The Executive Order also extends the deadline for each child entering a North Carolina public school for the first time to submit a school health assessment.

In typical years, proof of required immunizations and health assessments are required within 30 days of the first date of attendance of school. After the 30 days, children are to be excluded from school until the family provides documentation of requirements. This year, the 30-day “grace period” for all students will begin on October 1, 2020. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services similarly extended immunization and health assessment deadlines in September 2018 during the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

Whether children are home-schooled or attend school in-person or by remote learning, they are required by state law to be immunized based on their age for certain vaccinations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

School requirements are listed on the NCDHHS website according to school or grade level, as well as the requirements for young children who attend child care facilities. NCDHHS’ Immunization Branch offers comprehensive guidance on immunization recommendations, as well as advice for families on navigating access issues during COVID-19, and is working with local health departments on strategies to increase immunization access.

NCDHHS is collaborating with multiple partners, including the North Carolina Pediatric Society and the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, on an awareness campaign to help ensure school-age children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. NCDHHS is also partnering with Community Care of North Carolina, NC Area Health Education Centers and others on the Keeping Kids Well program to increase well-child visits and immunization rates for Medicaid beneficiaries younger than 19 years old. Governor Cooper has proclaimed August Immunization Awareness Month in North Carolina to highlight the importance of immunization.

“Immunization Awareness Month and back-to-school season are important reminders to families to make sure their children are up to date on vaccines. If you have any questions about what vaccines are due or how your doctor’s office is responding to COVID-19, reach out to your pediatrician or family physician,” said Susan Mims, MD, MPH, FAAP, president of the North Carolina Pediatric Society. “Whether your children are going back to school in person or virtually, please make sure they are protected from preventable diseases and death.”

Financial concerns should not act as a barrier to childhood immunization. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers free vaccines to families who cannot afford to pay for their children’s vaccines (through 19 years of age), and federal law requires most private insurance plans including Medicaid to cover recommended preventive services such as vaccinations at no out-of-pocket cost.

In order to be fully protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, children should receive all age-appropriate immunizations.

For more information about vaccine-preventable diseases and recommended immunizations, refer to resources from the CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Parents who are unsure which vaccines their children need can find out by taking a short quiz on the CDC website.

Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools Accepting Applications for Student Internet Service

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-Information courtesy Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools understands that many families in our community do not have access to the internet. In order to assist those families in preparation for remote learning during the 2020-2021 school year, we are asking interested families to complete an application for internet service.

Families with reliable internet service are asked not to apply for assistance.

All applications are due Friday, August 7, 2020, by 5 p.m.

Complete the application via the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeHiHYkwSXrQPrfLm4a5MNcEdHbCfLZWYMUEqEX_kjjGRShA/viewform

National Weather Service

Latest on Isaias for WIZS Area

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Franklin, Harnett, Hoke, Wake, and Warren Counties.  — Click For The Latest

WEATHER.GOV/RALEIGH – https://www.weather.gov/raleigh

NWS RALEIGH – https://www.facebook.com/NWSRaleigh

NWS RALEIGH – https://twitter.com/NWSRaleigh


The latest on Isaias for the WIZS listening area – 1450 AM / 100.1 FM / Live Stream

THE LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BRIEFING WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK:

https://www.weather.gov/media/rah/briefing/NWSRaleighLatestBriefing.pdf

____________________________________________________________________________________

(Update 9:30 a.m. – 8/3/2020) — update written and provided by Brian Short, Henderson-Vance Director of Emergency Operations

Click here for the Isaias briefing as of 9:30 a.m. on August 3. Overall, the local situation remains the same as in previous updates.

Presently, we remain under a Flood Watch and are just outside the boundary of counties who are under a Tropical Storm Watch (though that will likely change to include us).

We are forecast to receive wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph, with rainfall estimated between three and six inches. We should begin feeling the effects late this evening and in the overnight hours into Tuesday. With this much rain and gusty winds, we could certainly have downed trees and power outages.

As of today at 8 a.m., we have activated our Emergency Operations Center in a monitoring capacity and have escalated to a Level 2 status. We will be issuing a local Proclamation of a State of Emergency later this morning just to be on the safe side.

One particular emergency protective measure that could be implemented would be a vehicle curfew. If enacted, this would apply only to the municipal city limits of Henderson and not all of Vance County. Additionally, this limitation would only be imposed if power is lost due to the storm and would only be for the overnight hours beginning at 8 p.m. and lasting until 6 a.m.

Beginning this evening, we will be overstaffing the 911 center, and it will remain overstaffed throughout the day on Tuesday.

At this point, we do not plan to open any shelters as we do not believe they will be needed. However, we remain ready to do so if the situation worsens.

We will be coordinating our preparedness activities with our local and state response partners, and we are encouraging our citizens to continue their own local preparedness efforts.

____________________________________________________________________________________

(Update 12 Noon – 8/2/2020) — update written and provided by Brian Short, Henderson-Vance Director of Emergency Operations

Attached (above links) is the morning forecast from the National Weather Service for Tropical Storm Isaias. (Those links above will stay current with subsequent updates.)  The storm continues to shift west with each update, and the current track continues to bring it inland through our state following the I-95 corridor. At present, we are forecast to receive some pretty strong wind gusts that at times could reach tropical storm strength as well as between 4 and 6 inches of rain. The rainfall will occur over a relatively short period of time, so localized flooding and flash flooding is certainly possible as are downed trees and power lines.

H-V Emergency Operations

Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations

Our office is continuing to monitor the storm closely. We will make a decision early tomorrow (Monday) about declaring a local state of emergency for this event. We will also decide early tomorrow (Monday) regarding the implementation of any additional emergency protective measures.

Remember it is still not too late to work on your emergency supply kit (on Sunday and early Monday) and begin some basic preparedness activities if you have not done so already.

We will continue to forward along additional information as it is received.


The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a Flash Flood Watch for a portion of central North Carolina, including the following areas: Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Person, Richmond, Scotland, Vance, Wake, and Warren.  The watch presently is in effect from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon.


In an earlier statement from Brian Short, he said:

Keep in mind that we are now entering peak hurricane season, and the tropics have already been very active. The time to prepare is now and not when the winds begin to blow.

In addition to non-perishable food and water, hurricane emergency supply kits should include:

• First-aid kit
• Weather radio and batteries
• Prescription medicines
• Sleeping bag or blankets
• Changes of clothes
• Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant
• Cash
• Pet supplies including food, water, bedding, leashes, muzzle and vaccination records.

If you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you’re in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane, figure out where you’d go and how you’d get there if told to evacuate.

We will continue to issue additional updates as they are received or our situation changes.

Please follow Vance County Emergency Operations on Facebook to stay informed on current preparedness efforts and other storm-related information.

More information on severe weather and hurricane preparedness is located at www.ReadyNC.org.

Boys and Girls Clubs

Boys and Girls Clubs Announces Planned Reopening Date for Local Units

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-Information courtesy the BGCNCNC newsletter and President/CEO DJ Jones

In a recent newsletter, Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina (BGCNCNC) President/CEO Donyell “DJ” Jones announced that the Boys & Girls Clubs is working to finalize its reopening strategy. 

Current plans include opening the following locations on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, with hours to be determined:

  • Granville Unit
  • Vance Unit
  • Franklin Unit
  • Franklinton Middle School Unit
  • Halifax Unit

Approval from the local school systems is still needed to open the following locations: 

  • Mariam Boyd Elementary Unit
  • Northside K-8 Unit
  • West Oxford Elementary Unit
  • Creedmoor Elementary Unit
  • Inborden Elementary Unit
  • Everetts Elementary Unit

Although several locations will be open, due to social distancing requirements and guidance from the local health professionals, BGCNCNC will not be able to operate at full capacity. Capacity will be determined as club spaces are evaluated. The current plan is to offer in-person services and virtual programming. 

As BGCNCNC moves forward with its reopening strategy and procedures, members will be contacted by the Area Director/Unit Director.

Members whose contact information has changed should contact the appropriate club location to update:

  • Granville Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 121
  • West Oxford Elementary Unit, Creedmoor Elementary Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 107
  • Vance Unit, Mariam Boyd Elem. Unit and Northside K-8 Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 105
  • Franklin Unit and Franklinton Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 104
  • Halifax Unit, Inborden Elem. Unit and Everetts Elem. Unit – (919) 690-0036, ext 108

For more information, please call (919) 690-0036 or visit www.bgcncnc.com.

Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools to Begin Academic Year Fully Remote

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-Information courtesy Franklin County Schools

The Franklin County Board of Education voted on July 27 to reopen the 2020-2021 school year under Plan C, therefore, all students will begin the year fully remote.

Students who have signed up for the Virtual Academy will have the option to remain on a remote learning plan once the district moves forward with a learning plan that calls for face-to-face instruction.

Students who wish to apply for the FCS Virtual Academy may do so by the deadline of Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

FCS students who have already applied do not need to resubmit their applications. FCS will contact each student and their families in the near future with details about the next steps in the process.

The Virtual Academy is accepting applications online via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/y2krco2p

NCDHHS

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine Booster Now Required for All Rising NC 12th Graders

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-Press Release, NCDHHS

Effective August 1, 2020, a booster dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) is required for students entering the 12th grade in public, private or religious schools in North Carolina. Students who do not meet this requirement may not be allowed to attend school until they receive the booster dose.

The MenACWY vaccine helps protect against four common strains of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W and Y) that cause diseases including infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia).

“The MenACWY vaccine is the best protection against meningococcal disease, which most often affects young people,” said Kelly Kimple, M.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Women’s and Children’s Health Section of the Division of Public Health. “It is vital that children and adolescents continue to receive all their immunizations on schedule to ensure they are fully protected against all vaccine-preventable diseases, including some of the major causes of meningitis.”

All 11- through 12-year-old adolescents should receive one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine. A booster dose of MenACWY should be given at age 16 for adolescents entering the 12th grade or by 17 years of age, whichever comes first. Adolescents who receive their first dose of MenACWY on or after their 16th birthday do not need a booster dose.

There are two age-appropriate vaccines that meet this requirement and provide the necessary protection, Menactra® and Menveo®. If unsure, parents are urged to ask their child’s immunizing provider if they are properly protected, or if an additional vaccine is needed.

Teens and young adults are at increased risk for infection with meningococcal disease. Infection has two common outcomes: meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (bloodstream infections). Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache and stiff neck. With bloodstream infection, symptoms also include a dark purple rash. About 1 of every 10 people who gets the disease dies from it.

Even with treatment, an infection with meningococcal disease can lead to death within a few hours. In non-fatal cases, permanent disabilities can include loss of limbs, hearing loss and brain damage. The bacteria that cause this infection can spread when people have close contact with someone’s saliva, such as through kissing, coughing or sharing eating utensils and cups.

Recognizing the importance of immunization, Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed July as Adolescent Immunization Awareness MonthOpen PDF in North Carolina. Now, more than ever, public health reminds us of the importance of continued routine vaccination to keep children healthy and avoid the risk of vaccine-preventable disease.

For additional information on meningococcal disease and the updated meningococcal immunization (MenACWY) booster requirement, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and our new fact sheet in EnglishOpen PDF or en EspañolOpen PDF.

For more information on all vaccine requirements for 12th graders in North Carolina, go to www.immunize.nc.gov/schools.Open PDF