Granville County Emergency Services reports minimum impact due to Isaias, which made landfall on the North Carolina coast at around 11 p.m. on August 3. According to Emergency Management Coordinator Robin Edwards, reports of a few downed trees and spotty power outages had been made in our area, with no reports of flooded roadways or other damage.
Granville County Emergency Services had been prepared to implement the county’s Emergency Operations Plan, had the storm been more severe. As a precautionary measure, Granville County Commissioners had approved the issuance of a Declaration of Emergency in anticipation of possible severe weather resulting from this storm.
Hurricane season extends through November 30. All Granville County residents are urged to continue making emergency preparedness plans as the season continues, so they can be ready when the time comes.
To receive county-wide emergency notifications, residents are also encouraged to enroll in the Code Red alert system for future weather emergencies. To sign up for Granville County’s Code Red notifications, please visit www.granvillecounty.org and click on the Emergency Management link on the Community tab.
For more information, please call the Granville County Emergency Services office at (919) 603-1310.
Four horses have recently tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) in North Carolina. The horses were located in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus and Durham counties. These are the first cases of EEE reported this year.
“In 2019, there were only two reported cases of EEE in horses in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The fact that we have doubled the 2019 number already, points to a need to be extra vigilant and vaccinate your equine. Mosquito season in North Carolina has several more months to go.”
EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for signs of the disease to appear.
“If your horses exhibit any symptoms of EEE, contact your veterinarian immediately,” said State Veterinarian Doug Meckes. “It is imperative that horse owners keep their vaccines current, talk to their veterinarian about vaccinating equine as soon as possible against EEE and West Nile virus.”
The vaccinations initially require two shots, 30 days apart, for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. Meckes recommends a booster shot every six months in North Carolina because of the state’s prolonged mosquito season.
Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle of water that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to manufacturers’ instructions.
People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.
While there is no vaccine to protect people from EEE, people can protect themselves with repellents and by judicious suppression of mosquito populations, especially in areas near freshwater hardwood swamps.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0088_NC-Department-of-Agriculture-and-Consumer-Services-Logo.jpg.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-08-04 12:41:252020-08-04 12:41:25State Sees Year’s First Cases of Often Fatal EEE Disease in Horses
A delegation of Granville County 4-H members attended North Carolina 4-H Congress, which was held virtually this year. This year’s 4-H Congress, held July 20 through July 23, attracted more than 300 youth and adults representing 4-H programs across the state.
Conference delegates participated in general sessions, learned together in workshops, recognized award winners and elected State 4-H Officers for the upcoming year.
Samuel Dickerson, age 16, represented Granville County and was inducted into the 4-H Honor Club, one of the highest honors a 4-H’er can achieve. New Honor Club members were tapped during a candlelight ceremony held Monday night, July 20.
Samuel Dickerson (pictured above) represented Granville County at the 2020 NC 4-H Congress and was inducted into the 4-H Honor Club, one of the highest honors a 4-H’er can achieve. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
Membership in the Honor Club is based on service to the 4-H program, leadership, moral standards, 4-H activities and project achievement. Less than one-half of one percent of North Carolina 4-H’ers are selected for membership each year. Members must be at least 16 years old and have a minimum of three years of 4-H experience.
Dickerson is a senior at Cornerstone of Freedom Academy and a member of S.H.O.W 4-H Club. The son of Paul and Terese Dickerson of Oxford, he has been active in the 4-H program for 9 years.
4-H is North Carolina’s largest youth development organization, equipping more than 262,200 young people each year with the skills to succeed and improve the world around them. 4-H programs and camps encourage young people to “learn by doing,” helping them to develop into active, contributing citizens. NC State Extension and the Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University coordinate 4-H programs statewide.
To learn more about opportunities available through Granville County 4-H, please contact Agent Lina Lue Howe at (919) 603-1350 or at lina_howe@ncsu.edu.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Samuel-Dickerson-4-H-Honor-Club.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-08-04 11:09:062020-08-04 11:09:06Granville Youth Attend NC 4-H Congress; Dickerson Inducted Into Honor Club
-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health
The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of August 3, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.
The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.
Granville County
1,192 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 1,192, 653 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 653, 495 have been released from isolation, and 11 are hospitalized.
Of those 1,192 cases, 507 are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County, and 366 of those 507 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,192, 32 are associated with outbreaks at long term care facilities including 11 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center, 10 at Universal Health Care, and eight at Granville House.
Of the 32 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, eight have been released from isolation.
There have been a total of 25 deaths in Granville County, three in the community, one at Central Regional Hospital, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.
Vance County
709 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 709, 585 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 585, 440 have been released from isolation.
Of those 709, 124 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 48 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home, and one with Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC) in Henderson, NC. The outbreak at ARC is newly reported. The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.
Of the 124 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.
Three individuals in Vance County are hospitalized
There have been a total of 40 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 11 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two of whom were associated with Senior Citizens Home, and 13 in the community.
WIZS Note: There are 145 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 158 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Vance County has not increased since July 6.
Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0061_granville-vance-public-health.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-08-04 09:18:402020-08-04 09:18:40GVPH COVID-19 Update: Case Reported at Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC)
Vance-Granville Community College has scheduled a new, mostly-online program designed to equip area residents with the customer service skills that are critical to the success of all businesses and organizations. The “Customer Service Excellence” program is set to be offered four times this fall.
In each case, students will only attend the first class in person at one of VGCC’s campuses. The rest of the program (totaling 24 hours) will be completed online from the comfort and safety of students’ homes or offices.
The class that begins at the college’s Main Campus (near Henderson) will be held August 24 – September 13; at the Franklin County Campus (Louisburg), September 14 – October 4; at South Campus (Creedmoor/Butner), October 5-25; and at the Warren County Campus (Warrenton), October 26 – November 15. Students are reminded that masks or face coverings are now required for everyone while indoors on campus.
The first few classes within the program will introduce the basic concepts of customer service, including how to handle difficult customer interactions; enhance participants’ communication skills; and examine customer relationship management (CRM), which can lead to growing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Next, students will learn critical problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, as well as basic computer skills for the workplace. Then, participants will gain skills that can help them secure employment, including career/resume development, and job interview techniques. A section on financial literacy will help students learn strategies for managing money, budgeting and saving.
Finally, students will prepare for the National Career Readiness Certification exam.
“This program is designed to equip employees with the skills needed to provide outstanding customer service by building and maintaining mutually-beneficial relationships,” said VGCC Dean of Business & Industry Solutions Tanya Weary. “These classes teach participants how to achieve customer service excellence while building a robust, skilled workforce for our local employers in any number of sectors.”
The instructor for the program is Alex Madrigal.
The program costs $70 but will be free of charge to participants who qualify through a Human Resources Development (HRD) waiver.
For more information, contact Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at (252) 738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/VGCC-Customer-Service-Excellence.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-08-04 08:30:232020-08-04 08:30:23VGCC to Offer New Customer Service Excellence Program
(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.
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.
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.
More information on severe weather and hurricane preparedness is located at www.ReadyNC.org.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/national-weather-service-logo.jpg266504John C. Rosehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngJohn C. Rose2020-08-03 10:08:412020-08-03 15:50:29Latest on Isaias for WIZS Area
An Oxford man was sentenced on Friday to 180 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack) and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, the Oxford Police Department (OPD) received complaints of drug distribution activity at the residence of Thurston Darius Bobbitt, 37, in Oxford. As a result, OPD utilized a confidential informant to purchase crack cocaine from Bobbitt at the residence. A search warrant executed at Bobbitt’sresidence and vehicle yielded a quantity of crack cocaine, digital scales, two firearms, ammunition, cell phones, and U.S. currency.
In total, Bobbittwas held accountable for possession and/or distribution of over a kilogram of crack cocaine. Bobbitt had previously been convicted of a felony for which he received a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Oxford Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/U.S.-Department-of-Justice.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-08-03 09:37:132020-08-03 09:37:13Guns & Drug Conviction Gets Oxford Man 15 Years in Federal Prison
-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County
NOTICE of REMOTE MEETING
The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet remotely by Zoom conference call on Monday, August 3, 2020, at 7 p.m. for the regular scheduled meeting.
Public comments will be accepted in written format and must be received by Monday, August 3 at 12 p.m. by mail to P.O. Box 906, Oxford, NC 27565 or email to grancomrs@granvillecounty.org
In order to adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting may be accessed by utilizing the Zoom link and/or phone number included below.
To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0062_granvillecountyseal.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-08-03 07:50:052020-08-03 07:50:05Granville Commissioners To Hold Zoom Meeting This Evening
On Thursday, July 23, 2020, at approximately 12:11 p.m., Creedmoor investigators executed a search warrant on Mayview Drive. The search warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual assault against a minor.
Later in the evening, police investigators returned to the same address and arrested Donny Ray Hilton (white male, age 33 of Creedmoor) for three (3) counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child. Hilton was placed in Granville County Jail under a $105,000 secured bond.
The investigation is ongoing; investigators do expect additional charges for more known victims and suspect additional unknown victims may exist. Anyone with information or knowledge of similar cases is urged to call the Creedmoor Police Department at (919) 528-1515 or Granville County Crime Stoppers at (919) 693-3100.
A reward of up to $1,000 dollars is offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the suspect. Callers do not have to give their name or personal information. All callers are kept anonymous.
Creedmoor Police Department was assisted with this investigation by members of the NC State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) team. Creedmoor Police Department joined the NCSBI ICAC Task Force in 2019.
On Thursday, July 23, 2020, at approximately 12:11 p.m., Creedmoor investigators executed a search warrant on Mayview Drive. Later in the evening, police investigators returned to the same address and arrested Donny Ray Hilton (white male, age 33 of Creedmoor) for three (3) counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child. (Photo courtesy City of Creedmoor)
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Donny-Ray-Hilton-1.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-07-31 10:03:112020-07-31 10:03:11Creedmoor Man Arrested for Indecent Liberties With a Child; Authorities Suspect Additional Victims
-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health
The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of July 30, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.
The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.
Granville County
1,145 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 1,145, 611 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 611, 484 have been released from isolation, and six are hospitalized.
Of those 1,145 cases, 505 are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County, and 74 of those 505 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,145, 29 are associated with outbreaks at long term care facilities, including 11 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center, seven at Universal Health Care, and eight at Granville House.
Of the 29 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, six have been released from isolation.
There have been a total of 25 deaths in Granville County: three in the community, one at Central Regional Hospital, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.
Vance County
693 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 693, 570 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 570, 415 have been released from isolation.
Of those 693, 123 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities, including 48 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, and 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home. The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.
Of the 123 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.
Three individuals in Vance County are hospitalized
There have been a total of 40 deaths in Vance County: 14 of whom were associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 11 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, and two of whom were associated with Senior Citizens Home.
WIZS Note: There are 155 total active cases in the Vance County community and 127 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Vance County has not increased since July 6.
