Local News - WIZS

Oxford Commissioners to Hold July 14 Board Meeting

July 13, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy City of Oxford

The Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold a regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at 7 p.m. online via Zoom.

To Join the Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87138845754?pwd=L1AvbTMxK3VSeTI0YUZ5aXNEWnhjQT09

Meeting ID: 871 3884 5754

Password: 828030

Dial by your location

+1 929 205 6099

Agenda Items Include:

Public Hearing to receive citizen input on the adoption of a System Development Fee Resolution.

Consider adopting the Water and Sewer System Development Fee (SDE) Resolution.

Consider appointing Wilkinson & Carpenter. P.A., to serve as the legal advisor to the Oxford Planning Board.

Please click here for the full meeting agenda.

Tax Filing, Payment Deadline July 15; Tax, COVID-19 Scams Increase

July 10, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina reminded taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warned against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams.

Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15.

“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return – it is not an extension to pay any taxes due,” said Matthew D. Line, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID- 19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.”

As the filing deadline approaches, taxpayers should beware of tax and COVID-19 related scams. “Criminals use the tax filing deadline as an opportunity to steal personal and financial information,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “Taxpayers should remain vigilant and know that the IRS will not initiate contact with them via phone, email or social media to request personal or financial information.”

In the last few months, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division (CI) has continued to see a tremendous increase in a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes. CI continues to work with its law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and bring criminals to justice.

Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Unsolicited (phishing) emails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov.

For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.

Masonic Home for Children at Oxford Helping Families in Need

July 10, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Kevin Otis, Administrator, Masonic Home for Children at Oxford

COVID-19 has brought a health, economic, and social pandemic to families. The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO) provides a safe haven for children to grow, learn, and develop. The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford is North Carolina’s first children’s home celebrating 147 years of helping children in need. MHCO continues that proud tradition through two programs, Group Cottage Foster Care and Independent Living.

The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford provides loving care for children and young adults aged birth to twenty-two. Children reside in cottages with live-in House Parent Child Care Workers. The family-style program meets children where they are developmentally and provides a nurturing, learning environment. Supports are provided to help children with academics, become gainfully employed, obtain transportation, participate in extracurricular activities, and manage the trauma they may be facing. Families stay involved and co-parent with the program team to develop Individual Service Plans to address needs, set goals, and build in supports to achieve personal milestones.

The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides apartments for young adults. ILP residents continue education at Vance- Granville Community College, trade schools, and four-year universities. Coaching is provided to help residents obtain and maintain employment. Independent living skills are taught relating to a variety of topics including cooking and cleaning, driver’s education, budget management, and tax preparation.

The Masonic Home for Children is located in Oxford, North Carolina on a pristine 347-acre campus. Cottages provide up to eight residents with their own bedroom, bathroom suite, and open kitchen/family room setting. Playgrounds, basketball courts, a gymnasium, and outdoor pool provide opportunities for children to be active, learn skills, and develop confidence.

The foundations of success include a strong emphasis on Education, Vocation, Spiritual Development, Recreation, Responsibility, and Respect. The program provides a family of support that includes the child’s family of origin, all working together for the child’s best interests. Long term goals include returning home and independence.

MHCO has helped well over 10,000 children have a chance at a better life. Alumni have gone on to become business owners, military leaders, and receive doctorates. For many, success is being able to provide for themselves and their families.

The need for services provided by MHCO is even more necessary during these difficult times. The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford can provide for your children as you manage the challenges you and your family face. Parents maintain guardianship, and scholarships are available to provide the cost of care.

Learn more about referring a child in need by calling (919) 693-5111 or visiting MHCO’s website at www.mhc-oxford.org.

Re-Entry Plans, Budget Amendments Topics of July 13 Granville School Board Meeting

July 10, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a Special Meeting on Monday, July 13, 2020, at 1 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Board of Education to review budget amendments, consider technology purchases and receive updated information on school re-entry plans for the upcoming school year.

However, due to the current statewide State of Emergency, and in order to protect the health and safety of board members, staff and the public, this meeting will be conducted electronically, with members of the public invited to view the live stream.

To join the live stream meeting, please use the following link:

https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj

The Board will also meet in Closed Session in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 for Personnel, and Attorney/Client Privilege.

To view the agenda for this meeting, please click here.

Grant Application Process to Support Local Artists Now Open

July 9, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Warren County Arts Council

Artists in all disciplines are eligible to apply for grants to support their professional and artistic development through a partnership of the North Carolina Arts Council and the Warren County Arts Council, Vance County Arts Council, Halifax County Arts Council, and Franklin County Arts Council.

Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants by the Warren County Arts Council in the following counties: Warren, Vance, Halifax, Northampton, Granville, and Franklin Counties.

Applications for the grants are available at www.ncarts.org/artist-support-grant or at www.warrencountyartsnc.org. The deadline is October 1, 2020. Grant awards will not exceed $1,200. Artists may only submit one application.

A virtual workshop discussing the grant guidelines will be held at a future date. Please follow the Warren County Arts Council website and Facebook page for that information. Guidelines for grant applications can also be found at www.ncarts.org/artist-support-grant.

Emerging or established artists are encouraged to apply to support a range of professional and artistic development including the creation of work, improvement of business operations, or expanding capacity to bring work to new audiences. Artist fees are also allowable expenses.

Artists in all disciplines are eligible to apply. To learn more about the Artist Support Grants visit www.ncarts.org/artist-support-grant.

“The Artist Support Grants program responds to the impact of the pandemic by ensuring that artists and the state’s arts infrastructure have the resources needed to help our state make a strong social and economic recovery,” said Wayne Martin, executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council.

“We are honored to serve as the lead arts council in this new initiative,” said Charla Duncan, Chair of the Warren County Arts Council. “Working with our regional partners in this new consortium of rural counties gives us a chance to impact local artists in ways we haven’t been able to do before.”

For more information or questions, please contact the Warren County Arts Council at warrencountyartscouncil@gmail.com or by calling Charla Duncan, Chair of the Warren County Arts Council, at 336-686-2676. The Warren County Arts Council can be found online at warrencountyartsnc.org and on Facebook and Instagram at @wcartcouncil.

Dept. of Justice Issues Warning on Fraudulent Mask Exemption Documents

July 9, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. advised the public today that cards and other documents bearing the U.S. Department of Justice seal and claiming that individuals are exempt from mask requirements are fraudulent.

There have been reports of individuals in North Carolina and other parts of the country creating cards or other documents claiming that the bearer of the card is exempt from mask requirements. Some versions of these cards threaten businesses or organizations with fines if they take steps to require patrons to wear masks.

In an effort to make the cards or documents appear legitimate, fraudsters may include the U.S. Department of Justice’s seal or include other threatening language. The Department of Justice is also aware of efforts by some to sell these fake cards to members of the public.

The public should take note that the Department did not issue these documents, and the Department does not endorse them. Furthermore, the Department has not granted permission for the use of its seal for this purpose, and misusing the Department seal is a federal crime.

“During this pandemic, false information—and fake cards like these—do a grave disservice to us all as we try to understand and follow the public-health measures our governments have ordered,” said U.S. Attorney Higdon. “The public should be aware that these cards are fake and rest assured that we will investigate those who are knowingly creating or peddling these fraudulent cards to the unsuspecting public.”

GVPH: Local COVID-19 Update as of 7/7/20

July 8, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-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 7, 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 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:

863 positive test results for COVID-19. Of those 863 results, 448 are community-spread cases located across Granville County, Of those 448, 323 have been released from isolation, and seven are hospitalized.

Of those 863 cases, 407 are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County and 92 of those 407 have been released from isolation.

Five of those 863 are associated with an outbreak at the Murdoch Development Center, all five of whom have been released from isolation.

Two of those 863 are associated with an outbreak at Central Regional Hospital.

One resident has tested positive for COVID-19 at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center. Three staff members have also tested positive.

There have been a total of 23 deaths in Granville County: one in the community, one at Central Regional Hospital, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Unfortunately, two more recent deaths have been reported associated with the outbreak at the prison: a 62-year-old male passed away on July 3 and a 61-year-old male passed away on July 4.

Vance County:

537 positive test results for COVID-19. Of those 537, 415 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 415, 210 have been released from isolation.

Of those 537, 122 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 47 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 122 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.

Ten 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.

Unfortunately, another recent death has been reported associated with the outbreak at Senior Citizens Home – a 63-year-old female passed away on July 6.

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

North Carolina has a prevention and detection-focused approach to testing for COVID-19 in long term care facilities. Because people are living in close proximity, these are settings that many states monitor for the spread of COVID-19. NC DHHS considers long term care facilities to be experiencing an “outbreak” if at least two individuals who are staff and/or residents have tested positive. An outbreak is considered over after 28 consecutive days with no new positive test results.

All long term care facilities in the district are testing staff and residents regularly and participate in a weekly call with Dr. Shauna Guthrie at Granville Vance Public Health. For schools, businesses, and other settings that are not congregate living facilities, the state considers multiple cases to be a “cluster.” A cluster is defined as both a minimum of five cases in the same facility within a 14-day period and plausible epidemiological linkage between cases.

Some additional cases being reported currently out of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) are related to a building on the Durham County side, and those cases will be reported to the Durham County Health Department for data entry into the NCEDSS system.

The Bureau of Prisons is doing its own testing on-site. For more about the response from the Bureau of Prisons, please see the prison’s website.

Granville Vance Public Health Information:

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.

Tree Seedlings Available Through N.C. Forest Service

July 8, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) is now accepting tree seedling orders from the public, as well as from private entities and landowners. Each year, the NCFS Nursery Program produces millions of quality seedlings for nearly 50 species of conifers, hardwoods and native understory plants, including eastern and Carolina hemlock seedlings, as well as an expanded selection of genetically improved third cycle loblolly pine seedlings.

Genetically improved stock is also available in longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, white pine and other species. These seedlings offer better volume growth, form, disease resistance, straightness, and other characteristics needed to produce quality forest products.

“Trees are one of our greatest renewable resources, and these tree seedlings help keep North Carolina beautiful and economically viable,” said N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Demand for tree seedlings is up, so anyone interested in buying trees is encouraged to order early.”

Tree seedlings can be ordered from the online seedling store at www.buynctrees.com or by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337). In addition, a user-friendly catalog is available at the “Tree Seedlings & Nursery Program” link located at www.ncforestservice.gov or through NCFS offices located in all 100 North Carolina counties. Completed order forms from the catalog may be mailed to: Seedling Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro NC 27530.

Each catalog also includes information about the types of tree species, quantities and costs to order. Tree descriptions provide information about ideal planting locations and whether a species is typically used to benefit wildlife, restore habitats or as marketable timber.

Hardwoods are sold in quantities as low as ten and conifers in quantities as low as 50. Larger orders are also accepted by the hundreds and thousands. Accepted methods of payment include check, money order, MasterCard and Visa.

Distribution of tree seedlings is set for December through mid-April, depending on weather conditions. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 12 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for an additional charge. Orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery near Crossnore.

For information on planting trees or to obtain a current catalog, please contact Granville County Ranger Rob Montague at 919-693-3154 or at granville.ncfs@ncagr.gov.

Notice to Public: Beware of Scams Involving COVID-19 Contact Tracing

July 7, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy the NCDHHS

The public is asked to be aware that scams involving COVID-19 contact tracing are being used to gain financial and sensitive information.

According to the NCDHHS, legitimate contact tracers from the COVID-19 Community Team will contact those who have tested positive or those who have been near someone with COVID-19 by text from the number 45394 or email from NC-ARIAS-NoReply@dhhs.nc.gov. Avoid responding to unknown calls or emails.

If the Community Team reaches out with a phone call, either NC OUTREACH or the local health department’s number will appear on their phone.

If a member of the Team calls and doesn’t get an answer, they will leave a voicemail. To protect your privacy, the voicemail will not say that the call is about COVID-19.

The NCDHHS website explains that callers will know it is a member of the Community Team calling because they will do the following when leaving a voicemail:

Identify themselves with their first name and the local health department they are calling from.
Say “We are contacting you about an urgent public health matter. We would like to speak with you to provide further information and share guidance.”
Request that you call your local health department at your earliest convenience and will tell you the local health department’s phone number.
Tell you the local health department’s website in case you would like to go to the website to verify the phone number.

Additionally, if you are ever in doubt about how to contact your local health department, please use this website for local health department contact information (click here).

Four-County Health Departments:

Vance: 115 Charles Rollins Rd, Henderson, NC 27536; (252) 492-7915

Granville: 101 Hunt Dr, Oxford, NC 27565; (919) 693-2141

Franklin: 107 Industrial Dr, Louisburg, NC 27549; (919) 496-2533

Warren: 544 West Ridgeway St, Warrenton, NC 27589; (252) 257-1185

McGregor Hall to Livestream ‘Time to Unwind’ Concert July 16

July 7, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will present “Time to Unwind,” a musical concert featuring Greg Milton & Friends via Facebook on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 7:30 p.m.

During this evening of music, the journey will consist of some spirituals, hymns, jazz standards, R&B classics, Gospel and much more. This concert will feature the amazing talent of Blakely Bates, Dr. Aliza McLean, Karen Leigh Allen, Stella Jones, and Alice Sallins, along with many more.

Tune in on the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center Facebook page on July 16 for this concert that is open to the public!

If you are able to give, a donation link will be provided to continue supporting the arts in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(This is not a paid advertisement)