Boys and Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs Offering Free, Hot Meals to All Children Ages 5-18

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Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina (BGCNCNC) Chair of the Board Tanya Evans and President and CEO Donyell “DJ” Jones appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Evans and Jones were excited to announce that the Boys and Girls Clubs have resumed the distribution of hot, free meals to club members and\or any child between the ages of 5-18. Families are encouraged to drive through and pick up meals without getting out of their vehicles.

Meals are provided Monday – Friday from 4:30 until 6 p.m. at the following locations:

  • Granville Club – 105 West St. in Oxford, NC
  • Vance Club – 212 N. Clark St. in Henderson, NC
  • Roanoke Rapids Club – 116 W 3rd St. in Roanoke Rapids, NC

Volunteers are needed to assist with the distribution of prepackaged dinners. If you are able to assist, please send the following information to Jones at djones@bgcncnc.com:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Days/times that you can volunteer
  • Desired club location where you can serve (Henderson, Oxford or Halifax)

To ensure the safety of all participants, volunteers should bring a mask (scarf, bandana, or wrap) that will cover the nose and mouth. Gloves will be provided on-site. If you are sick, not feeling well or have been exposed to someone that is sick or not feeling well, please refrain from volunteering.

Beginning with the second week of service, the BGCNCNC will be distributing educational/activity kits for members during meal distribution. There will be opportunities for volunteers to assist with creating packets for distribution at that time.

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

NC Governor Logo

‘Some Indicators Moving in Right Direction, Others Not’ in Decision to Ease COVID-19 Restrictions

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen shared an update on where North Carolina stands in the fight against COVID-19 and urged North Carolinians not to let their guard down.

“North Carolinians have made tremendous sacrifices and it is making a difference,” said Governor Cooper. “We remain hopeful that the trends will be stable enough to move into Phase 1 next week.”

“We need to keep up the actions that will slow the spread of the virus. The good news is that we know we can do this. If we stay home now to protect our loved ones and our communities, we can put ourselves on a path to begin easing restrictions and moving forward as planned,” said Dr. Cohen.

As of today, North Carolina has 10,509 lab-confirmed cases, 546 people in the hospital, and 378 deaths due to COVID-19.

Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen updated on where North Carolina stands on the following key metrics:

  • Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days
  • Currently, North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is level over past 14 days but has been on an uptick over the past seven days.
  • Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days
  • Currently, North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases over the last 14 days cases is still increasing.
  • Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days
  • Currently, North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive over the last 14 days is decreasing.
  • Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days
  • Currently, North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations over the last 14 days is largely level.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:

  • Increase in Laboratory Testing.
  • North Carolina has surpassed 4,000 tests for the last 6 of 9 days with 6,000 tests reported yesterday.
  • Increase in Tracing Capability.
  • NC DHHS announced the Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative, a new partnership with Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) and the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) to double the state’s current contact tracing capabilities. The Collaborative has started recruiting for these positions.
  • Availability of Personal Protective Equipment.
  • The state has a 30-day supply of most personal protective equipment, except for gowns and N95 masks.

“We need everyone to continue following the Stay At Home order right now so that we can move to the next phases of easing restrictions. Complacency could risk lives and undo these plans,” added Governor Cooper.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Hold May 4 Regular Meeting Online

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, May 4, 2020, at 6 p.m. However, in observance of the Governor’s “Stay-at-Home” Orders, this meeting will be conducted electronically, with members of the public invited to view livestream.

To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link:

https://live.myvrspot.com/player?udi=Z3Nj&c=Z3JhbnZpbGxlMQ%3D%3D

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.

Public comments for this meeting will be accepted in writing by using this link: https://forms.gle/krHjyJg3JTwj7jt1A. Comments entered into this form between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. on May 4, 2020, will be distributed to the Board of Education members prior to the meeting and the first two minutes of each comment will be read aloud during the meeting.

A maximum of 30 minutes in total will be allotted for public comment.

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

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19 Update: April 30, 2020

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— provided by and courtesy of Granville Vance Public Health online at gvph.org

LOCAL DATA UPDATE

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of April 30, 2020. Our numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data and the NC county map from NC Department of Health and Human Services.

We do not have official guidance at this time to determine whether someone is ‘recovered’ since we are still learning many details about this virus and its effects. We can share with you the number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Vance County

91 positive test results for COVID-19

56 of those 91 are community-spread cases located across Vance county

35 of those 91 are associated with an outbreak at the Pelican Nursing Home

19 of those 91 cases have been released from isolation and 7 remain hospitalized

There have been a total of 6 deaths in Vance County, 3 of which are associated with the Pelican Nursing Home outbreak

Granville County

137 positive test results for COVID-19

51 of those 137 are community-spread cases located across Granville county and 24 of those 51 have been released from isolation

86 of those 137 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Butner, NC and 46 of those 86 have been released from isolation

There have been a total of 6 deaths in Granville County, all reported by the Bureau of Prisons associated with the Federal Correctional Complex.

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 their own testing on site. For more about the response from the Bureau of Prisons, please see their website.

NC Dept of Agriculture

NC Dept. of Agriculture: State’s Food Supply is Safe

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and N.C. Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding held a joint media availability on Wednesday to discuss the importance of agriculture and agribusiness, President Trump’s executive order of the Defense Production Act for meat processors, the food supply and North Carolina’s important role in meeting consumer demand in the face of COVID-19.

“Agriculture, agribusiness and their workers are essential to our well-being as a nation. This industry is our food supply,” said Troxler. “The workers in the field, those working in processing plants, driving trucks and at grocery stores and farmers markets are on the front line and play a critical role.”

COVID-19 has created challenges across agriculture as it has for all sectors of the economy.

Dairy producers have had to dump milk, wholesale vendors to restaurants have had to completely change their business model, and food processors are working with staff shortages, PPE supply issues and delivery challenges.

“This is unusual and unprecedented times,” said Harding. “We appreciate our farmers, plant workers and grocery store workers for continuing to do their job. We also appreciate President Trump’s executive order of the Defense Production Act for meat processors.”

Three key take-aways from the press conference:

  • Meat-processing facilities are critical.

Shutting down or slowing production at meat processing plants would create a backlog all the way to the farm. It would be devastating to the farm economy and could lead to disruptions in the food supply. At this point, no North Carolina food processing facilities are closed. The N.C. Department of Agriculture has been actively engaged with Emergency Management, Public Health, the CDC and other agencies to help develop guidance for meat processing facilities to ensure the safety of workers. These guidelines were distributed to 3,200 food manufacturing facilities across the state.

  • The food supply is safe.

COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness. According to the CDC, coronaviruses are generally spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. This includes people who are in close contact with each other. There is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. Consumers can remain confident in our food supply.

Federal and state meat and poultry inspectors remain in processing plants and continue to ensure safe meat handling practices. Produce farmers are taking proactive steps on their farms to protect the public and their workers.  The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has worked with farmers, grocers and processing facilities to help get food products directly to consumers, an example of this assistance includes truckload sales of bulk chicken products.

  • There is not a food shortage.

Consumers could continue to see a shortage in the selection of products at the grocery stores. For example, the stores could have more whole chickens instead of more highly processed cut-up or boneless chicken. Local farmers and farmers markets are other sources of meat products.

“Farmers are working hard to keep the public fed,” Troxler said. “We need them to continue to produce. Let’s do our part by supporting our growers, by buying local and by sharing the message our food supply is safe.”

Granville Co. Govt. Welcomes Two New Hires to Human Resources Team

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County Government introduces two new Human Resources professionals, who have joined its administrative team.

Angela Miles began her new role as Human Resources Director on March 16, coming to Granville County Government by way of Vance County Public Schools’ Human Resources Department where she served as Assistant Director.

Angela Miles (pictured) began her new role as Human Resources Director for Granville County Government on March 16, 2020. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

An East Carolina University graduate, Miles earned her degree in Business Management and was a Computer Specialist with the Department of the Navy for two years before joining Vance County Public Schools in 1994. She is married and currently resides in Henderson. She and her husband have two adult children.

Barbara Burwell is Granville County’s new Human Resources Specialist. Burwell was also employed by Vance County Public Schools, where she worked for the past four years as Administrative Assistant/Human Resources Specialist.

Her prior experience includes a 15-year career with Granville County Public Schools. A Granville County native and a graduate of J.F. Webb High School, Burwell is working towards her degree in Business Administration from Liberty University. She is married and has four daughters and five grandchildren.

Barbara Burwell (pictured) is Granville County’s new Human Resources Specialist. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

Together, Miles and Burwell will be responsible for all aspects of personnel management, administering all County-sponsored employee benefits for a workforce of more than 300 staff members. They will also oversee Worker’s Compensation, ensure that the County is in compliance with all applicable Federal and State labor laws, and act as the primary source of information pertaining to payroll deductions, retirement, disability, etc. for employees and retirees.

Offices of the Human Resources Department are located at 141 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.

NCDHHS

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program to Assist Local Families

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

North Carolina has received approval from the USDA to initiate a new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. This program will assist families who have been impacted by school closings, due to COVID-19, in purchasing food for their children.

Those who are eligible include:

  • School-age children who currently receive free or reduced lunch;
  • Children receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits; and
  • Non-FNS households.

P-EBT benefits will be issued from the Department of Public Instruction this week (week of April 27, 2020) for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) households and the week of May 4, 2020, for non-FNS households. This new program is in addition to other services that families may already be participating in.

There is no application process to receive P-EBT benefits. For those already receiving FNS services, benefits will be automatically placed on the family’s EBT card. Non-FNS households will receive an explanatory letter in the mail from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and will be issued a new P-EBT card, which will be a plain white card with either the parents’ names or the child’s name. The back of the card will display EBT information. These cards will be useable for 365 days.

Families will be able to use the P-EBT card to purchase food items at EBT-authorized retailers, including most major grocery stores, and are encouraged to continue utilizing feeding programs and local school and community sites. To find local meal sites, participants can text FOODNC to 877-877. The service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.

For more information, program participants may call the EBT call center at 1-888-622-7328, download the ebtEDGE mobile app at www.ebtedgemobile.com, or go to the NCDHHS website at https://www.ncdhhs.gov.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Twelve COVID-19 Related Deaths Reported in the Granville, Vance District

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of April 29, 2020, there are 135 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 87 cases in Vance County, and 9,948 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

There are two outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district – one at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC and one at Pelican Health Nursing Home in Henderson, NC.

Of the total positive cases in each county, 86 in Granville County are associated with the prison and 34 in Vance County are associated with the nursing home.

Of the 49 community-based cases in Granville County, 24 have been released from isolation and 46 of the 86 cases at the prisons have been released from isolation.

Of the 87 cases in Vance, 19 have been released from isolation and 6 are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 12 deaths in the health district – 6 in Vance County and 6 with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.

GVPH has created graphs (click here to view) to regularly share data about new cases over time, cumulative cases, and demographics of cases in our counties. Graphs will be updated on Tuesdays and Fridays.

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

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Establishes COVID-19 Relief Fund

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-Information courtesy the Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation recently announced the establishment of a COVID-19 Relief Fund to assist area nonprofits in their COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts.

These organizations are on the front lines in our communities, providing safety nets, support, and continued services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many were already operating with limited capacity prior to this crisis and are now facing increasing stresses on their financial and human resources.

If you are leading such an organization, serving the people of Franklin, Granville, Vance, or Warren counties, the Foundation would like to hear from you.

The Foundation’s Grants Coordinator Carolyn Powell and Executive Director Val Short are both available to discuss ideas for grant projects or relief initiatives. Contact the Foundation by email at info@tnhfoundation.org or call 252-430-8532 to schedule an appointment.

A grant application is required and can be accessed through the Foundation’s Grant Portal at http://www.tnhfoundation.org/ Please contact the Foundation first to discuss your program or project ideas prior to beginning the application process.

A COVID-19 resource page has also been established on the Foundation’s website, which contains links to resources and current information about the pandemic. Please send your organization’s local links for COVID-19 resources to info@tnhfoundation.org for inclusion on the website. 

NCDHHS

Low Income Energy Assistance Program Offers One-Time Supplement

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will be issuing a one-time supplement payment for all households that were approved for Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) benefits during the 2019-2020 application period.

The supplement amounts will be based on household size and approved LIEAP benefit amounts and will be paid directly to the household’s primary heating vendor.

The one-time supplements are scheduled to be issued by NC Fast on the night of May 11, 2020. A notice will be mailed to households informing them of the supplement payments.

For more details, please contact the Granville County Department of Social Services at 919-693-1511.