VGCC Open Air Job Fair

VGCC Schedules Open Air Job Fairs Featuring Hundreds of Local Positions

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-Information courtesy Tanya Weary, VGCC Dean of Business & Industry Solutions

Vance-Granville Community College has scheduled open air job fairs featuring hundreds of local positions.  These events are in response to the dramatic need for employees across our service area.

The job fair begins at the college’s Warren County Campus (Warrenton) on November 17, 2020; at Main Campus (near Henderson) on November 18, 2020; at South Campus (Creedmoor/Butner) on November 19, 2020; and at the Franklin County Campus (Louisburg) on November 20, 2020.

VGCC’s Career Services, Small Business Center and Customized Training have teamed up to offer the first open air job fair event in our service area. Employers from across Granville, Franklin, Vance and Warren Counties will be there seeking to fill jobs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“We’re really just trying to connect the businesses and employers with our job seekers throughout the counties that we serve. There are a lot of jobs and we are sure we can help you find one,” said Tanya Weary, VGCC Dean of Business & Industry Solutions.

This event is free and open to the public. Participants will meet employers from across the service area who will be hiring and eager to fill jobs with competitive wages, benefits and more. Job fair seekers will also be able to gain tips on getting the job they are after.

“We are excited to offer job fairs at each of our campuses,” Linda Fletcher, Director of Career Services said.  She continued, “The college is committed to developing strong communities and improving the quality of life for our community members. Jobs are the key. Local employers have jobs and need good candidates ready to work. We welcome both VGCC students and community job-seekers at each of our open air job fairs.”

Attendees are expected to adhere to social distancing guidelines, and capacity levels will be observed and mandated throughout each event. Job fair participants are reminded that health screenings and masks or face coverings are required for everyone while on campus.

VGCC Career Services encourages job seekers to consider adding to their skill set through additional training and/or education. We can help with career exploration for career-changers or determining the next step in developing an established career. In addition, our students receive assistance with resumes, interview preparation, and job search skills. Take the next step with us toward a better future.

For more information, visit: https://www.vgcc.edu/career-fair/, or contact Linda Fletcher, Director of Career Services, at (252) 738-3466 or fletcherl@vgcc.edu.

Granville County Public Schools

Creedmoor, Wilton Elem. School Consolidation Topic of Board of Ed. Meeting

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a work session at Butner-Stem Middle School on Monday, October 26, 2020, at 6 p.m. The Board will receive and deliberate on two school consolidation studies pertaining to Creedmoor and Wilton Elementary Schools.

Members of the public are invited to view the meeting via livestream. To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj

Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting will be required to wear face coverings and undergo health screenings before entering the building.

Granville Fall Clean Out

Mark Your Calendar for Granville’s ‘Fall Clean Out’ Disposal Event

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Government

On November 21, 2020, residents of Granville County can bring recyclable and hazardous household items to the Expo and Convention Center in Oxford as the annual “Fall Clean Out” is held from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Due to statewide health requirements, this year’s event will be a drive-through, with assistance provided at each designated station.

On-site to collect items for recycling and safe disposal will be the following vendors:

  • Veolia – will be collecting paint, paint-related materials, household cleaners, old gasoline, drain cleaners, fluorescent light tubes and other hazardous household materials;
  • N.C. Department of Agriculture – will be accepting pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, weed killers, etc.;
  • Shred Ace – will be providing on-site document shredding;
  • Interstate Batteries – will be collecting car batteries, motorcycle/boat batteries, lithium/lithium-ion batteries, hearing aid and watch batteries, etc.; and
  • Granville County Sheriff’s Office – will be collecting medications, inhalers, sharps, diabetic supplies, ammunition, flares and fireworks.

In addition, scrap metal such as junk lawnmowers, broken appliances, bicycles and metal furniture will be accepted, as well as electronics (computers, televisions, laptops, printers, etc.) for recycling.

The Granville County Humane Society will also be on-site to accept donations of pet supplies, dog and cat food, leashes, collars, crates, pet beds, kitty litter and towels.

Last year’s event resulted in the collection of 6,200 pounds of paint, more than 700 pounds of pesticides/fungicides/herbicides, 3,100 pounds of electronics, 3,000 pounds of scrap metal, 5,000 pounds of shredded paper, 2,900 pounds of household chemicals and many more household items.

“We appreciate everyone’s efforts in keeping these harmful items out of the community and the environment,” said Teresa Baker, Granville County Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator.

For more details, contact Baker at (919) 725-1417 or at bakertd@gcs.k12.nc.us.

Creedmoor Drug Take Back

Creedmoor Police Dept. Sponsoring Drop Off Drug Take-Back Event – Oct. 24

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-Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce

The Creedmoor Police Department is sponsoring a Drug Take-Back Event on Saturday, October 24, 2020, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This no-contact, drop off event will be held at the Creedmoor Community Center located at 116 Douglas Drive in Creedmoor, NC.

Bring your unused or expired prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines for proper disposal.

This event is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 19th Annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

For more information, or to find a collection site closer to you, visit www.deatakeback.com.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education Finance Committee to Meet Oct. 23

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education Finance Committee will meet on Friday, October 23, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. at 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, NC 27565 to discuss the 2020-2021 Budget Resolution.

For more information or a link to the meeting, please contact Mrs. Beth Day, Assistant Superintendent of Finance at dayb@gcs.k12.nc.us or Ms. Lisa Preddy at preddyl@gcs.k12.nc.us.

VGCC Logo

VGCC Schedules Nursing Program Information Sessions

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is offering virtual information sessions for anyone interested in applying to the Nursing programs at the college. VGCC offers training options to become a Registered Nurse (RN) through the Associate Degree Nursing program or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) through the Practical Nursing program.

The upcoming sessions, offered through Zoom (www.zoom.us), are specifically geared to help prospective students prepare to apply to enroll in a Nursing program for the Fall 2021 semester. Applications for these programs are due in February and March of 2021.

Three of the sessions will focus on the RN and LPN programs. In the past, students who were not offered a spot in the Associate Degree Nursing program were able to enroll in the Practical Nursing program instead, making this a beneficial option for many students who are ready to get started with their nursing careers.

Sessions are scheduled for Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. (bit.ly/VGCCNursing102920), Nov. 17 at 6 p.m (bit.ly/VGCCNursing111720), and Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. (bit.ly/VGCCNursing120220).

Two other sessions will focus on the Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program. This partnership between VGCC and North Carolina A&T State University allows students to complete both the Associate Degree Nursing, or RN, program, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

These sessions are scheduled for Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. (bit.ly/RIBN111320) and Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. (bit.ly/RIBN120320).

After registering, participants should receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting.

Registration in advance for each session is required. For more information, please email Dr. Erica Jastrow (Practical Nursing and RIBN programs) at jastrowe@vgcc.edu or Dr. Anna Seaman (Associate Degree Nursing program) at seamana@vgcc.edu.

NC Governor Logo

NC to Remain Paused in Phase 3

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that North Carolina will remain paused in Phase 3 for three more weeks as health officials continue to monitor North Carolina’s viral trends. North Carolina has seen increased hospitalizations and trajectory of cases in recent weeks. Governor Cooper underscored the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and using good judgment despite fatigue or frustration with the pandemic.

“As this pandemic continues, I know it’s difficult and tiring to keep up our guard, especially when we’re gathered with people we love. But it’s necessary. No one wants to spread COVID-19 accidentally to friends or family, so we must keep prevention at the forefront,” said Governor Cooper. “Wearing a mask shows you care about people. Wearing a mask is an easy way to protect our communities and look out for each other. Confronting the virus head-on and doing our part as individuals is good for our health and good for our economy.”

Also today, Governor Cooper updated on progress with the NC Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) program. Since Governor Cooper announced the (HOPE) Program last week, 12,000 eligible applicants have filed for assistance. The HOPE Program provides assistance to eligible low-and-moderate income renters experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic by making direct payments to landlords and utility companies. People can apply for help by calling 2-1-1 or going to nc211.org/hope.

“As the number of applications climbs higher every day, it should make us remember that it’s more than a number. Every one of those applications represents a family having to make impossible choices between basic necessities during a global pandemic,” said Governor Cooper.

Yesterday, Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen and Secretary of Department of Public Safety Erik Hooks sent a letter to local officials in communities with increased viral spread urging their continued action in fighting COVID-19 and suggesting additional measures to mitigate its spread. Read more about that letter here.

“We are doing everything we can to slow the spread of this virus. This simple fact is we can’t do it on our own. Ignoring the virus doesn’t make it go away – just the opposite,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “As hard as this is, it will end. We will get through this. Let’s do it by looking out for one another. Whatever your reason, get behind the mask.”

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is level.

Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of cases is increasing.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.

Laboratory Testing

  • Testing capacity is high.

Tracing Capability

  • The state is continuing to hire contact tracers to bolster the efforts of local health departments.
  • There have been almost 250,000 downloads of the exposure notification app, SlowCOVIDNC.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.

Read Executive Order 170.

Read the slides from today’s briefing.

U.S. Department of Justice

Convicted Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Escaping Butner Federal Prison

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announces that today, Richard R. Cephas, of Wilmington, Delaware, was sentenced to 18 months consecutive to the sentence he is currently serving for escaping from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in Butner, North Carolina on or about April 1, 2020.

In June 2017, Cephas was sentenced by the United States District Court for the District of Delaware to a term of 66 months in federal prison – for his violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 (a)(l) and (b)(l)(A) and 846, Conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine.

The conviction and sentence resulted from a long-term High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) federal wiretap investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Drug Trafficking Task Force in Delaware. More about that investigation here.

As alleged in the publicly filed affidavit attached to the Criminal Complaint, Cephas had been serving the remainder of his prison sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Butner, NC. On April 2, 2020, Cephas was placed in an escape status by the BOP following his absence from a bed count conducted by staff at the Butner facility. At the time of his absence, Cephas was not authorized to be away from the Federal Prison Camp. On April 20, 2020, Cephas was returned to custody.

“Several months ago, as the Coronavirus pandemic began, Richard Cephas, a convicted drug trafficker serving a federal prison sentence, tried to take advantage of the situation by using the threat of the pandemic as a way to avoid paying the price of his criminal activity,” said United States Attorney Higdon. “No one was fooled. Today, the U. S. District Court sent that message loud and clear by adding 18 more months – the maximum allowed under the Federal Sentencing rules – to his drug sentence. This sends a powerful message to Mr. Cephas and to anyone else who would try to use the virus or any other similar situation as an opportunity to escape justice.”

The United States Marshals Service investigated this case and Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson is prosecuting the case.

Oxford Logo

City of Oxford: Halloween Activities Notice

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-Press Release, City of Oxford

While the City of Oxford, in following the guidelines outlined by the CDC and NC Governor Roy Cooper, is not planning or coordinating any Halloween activities this year due to COVID-19, traditional Trick-or-Treating activities will be left up to the decision of individual households and neighborhoods.

Anyone choosing to participate in Halloween activities and/or Trick-or-Treating is strongly recommended and encouraged to follow the guidelines established by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/halloween.html

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact the City at (919) 603-1100.

NCDHHS

NCDHHS Submits COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to CDC

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-Press Release, NCDHHS

North Carolina has submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The goal of the plan is to immunize everyone who is eligible for and wants a COVID-19 vaccine.

“Leaders from across sectors came together under tight timelines to collaboratively develop a vaccine plan that leads with equity and prioritizes building trust. We will continue to update this plan as we learn more from the science and data on vaccines and in response to the needs of North Carolinians,” said NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.

North Carolina’s vaccine plan reflects five principles that guide the planning for and distribution of one or more COVID-19 vaccines in the state. The principles include:

1. All North Carolinians have equitable access to vaccines.
2. Vaccine planning and distribution are inclusive; actively engages state and local government, public and private partners; and draws upon the experience and expertise of leaders from historically marginalized populations.
3. Transparent, accurate and frequent public communications are essential to building trust.
4. Data is used to promote equity, track progress and guide decision-making.
5. Appropriate stewardship of resources and continuous evaluation and improvement drive successful implementation.

“North Carolina Emergency Management has been working with our partners at the NC Department of Health and Human Services to ensure we have a solid coronavirus vaccine plan,” said NCEM Director Mike Sprayberry. “From an operational perspective, this plan engages the state’s resources down to a county and local level and allows for flexibility based on data so we can pivot quickly and get the vaccine to those who are most in need.”

Currently, multiple vaccines are in development. For a vaccine to be authorized, studies must show it is safe and can prevent someone from catching COVID-19. Thousands of people have volunteered to be part of research trials across the United States and around the world to see if a vaccine is safe and prevents COVID-19 illness. Promising vaccines are being manufactured at the same time they are being tested, so there will be an initial supply when the science shows which vaccines are found to be safe and effective.

Once the Food and Drug Administration authorizes a vaccine, it will take time for manufacturers to ramp up production. Therefore, states will receive limited vaccine supplies at the start and will need to determine which populations receive the vaccine first. North Carolina’s prioritization framework was developed based on the National Academy of Medicine framework and in consultation with an external COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee convened by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine.

“Our convening of the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee informed the state’s plan with independent and diverse perspectives from experts and community leaders across our state. The committee was composed of a broad range of leaders, including from those populations most significantly affected by COVID-19, including racial and ethnicity groups, health care, public health and academia, who worked diligently over the past month in order to fully address equity, inequalities and health issues that are driving the pandemic and creating mistrust,” Michelle Ries, Interim Director, North Carolina Institute of Medicine.

The NCIOM Vaccine Advisory Committee was co-chaired by:

  • Dr. Goldie Byrd, Director, Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest University;
  • Dr. Leah Devlin, Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management at UNC School of Public Health; and
  • Dr. Art Apolinario, a family medicine physician at Clinton Medical Clinic and Board member of the North Carolina Medical Society.

“My patients have taught me how important it is to recognize the mistrust that the current health care system has created with non-white communities,” said Apolinario, M.D., MPH, FAAFP. “We worked to ensure that racial disparities and equity in the delivery of care were recognized and put in the forefront of this COVID-vaccine decision-making process. We had stakeholders at the table to make sure we made unbiased decisions. Our work was independent, free of political bias, open to all opinions and strictly adhered to data and science as the main tenets for a good decision.”

“Old North State Medical Society is an established trusted health care entity in North Carolina. Since early 2020, Old North State Medical Society testing team has been focusing on efficient and effective ways of testing the vulnerable population for this aggressive and lethal COVID-19 virus, as well as promoting culturally sensitive education and messaging,” said Charlene Green, MD, President, Old North State Medical Society. “Trust is the key to success. Old North State Medical Society strongly recommends the inclusion of established community leaders in supporting the distribution of these new vaccines.”

This is an interim plan and will continue to be revised based on further information and guidance from the CDC and other federal agencies, increasing data on safety and efficacy from vaccine trials, ongoing input from state and local partners and the Vaccine Advisory Committee, and refinements needed as the state progresses through the planning and operational stages.

North Carolina’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan builds on the foundation of the state’s overall goals and pillars of response to the pandemic: Prevention, Testing, Tracing, Isolation and Quarantine. North Carolina took early and aggressive action to slow the spread of the virus, built statewide capacity for testing, personal protective equipment supplies and contract tracing, developed hospital surge plans, and promoted aggressive prevention strategies.