Pandemic Prompts Dept. of Public Safety to Transition Some Offenders to Supervision in the Community

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

— Press Release

RALEIGH – In response to the unprecedented crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety today announced it is taking an extraordinary measure to help reduce the spread of the virus in prison facilities. The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice last week transitioned the first individuals who will continue to serve their sentence in the community.

“The department has been reviewing all options to protect public safety as well as our employees and those in the state’s custody,” Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks said. “Many of those options were implemented quickly, providing immediate impact, while others have required more preparation.”

In an effort to keep staff and those in our custody safe, DPS has taken numerous steps over the last several weeks to help reduce the spread of the virus into facilities. Some of the actions include:

  • Suspending visitation, volunteers, work release, and other programs to limit the exposure to the public and avoiding mass gathering situations;
  • Providing extra soap and disinfecting supplies and requiring additional cleaning regimens;
  • Pre-entrance medical screenings for staff;
  • Pre-intake medical screenings for new offenders and a 14-day quarantine period;
  • Suspending acceptance of transfers of offenders from county jails for 14 days; and
  • Dramatically reducing the movement of offenders within the prison system.

Despite these efforts, more than 35 offenders among six separate facilities have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, necessitating use of stronger measures. Twenty staff at 10 facilities have also self-reported positive test results for COVID-19.

By law, the Public Safety secretary has the authority to allow certain individuals to serve their sentence outside of a DPS prison facility, but under the supervision of community corrections officers and/or special operations officers.

Adult Correction is reviewing additional offenders for possible transition to the community to complete their sentence under supervision. All offenders under consideration must meet strict criteria and all legal requirements, such as victim notification in certain cases, before a transfer to the community is approved. The approximately 500 offenders being considered cannot have been convicted of a violent crime against a person and must fall within one of the following categories:

  • Pregnant offenders
  • Offenders age 65 and older with underlying health conditions
  • Female offenders age 50 and older with health conditions and a release date in 2020
  • Offenders age 65 and older with a release date in 2020
  • Offenders already on home leave with a release date in 2020
  • Offenders on work release with a release date in 2020

On Thursday, April 9, six offenders were transferred into the community. All of those six are females and are either pregnant or are 65 or older, and thus in a high-risk category as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a separate effort to reduce the number of incarcerated persons in its facilities, the department has been awarding time credits, where appropriate and in accordance with its statutory authority. This allows some offenders to reduce their maximum sentence and be released to community upon completion of the minimum sentence. In March alone, more than 300 offenders originally scheduled for release in April, May or June, were transitioned to post-release supervision by completing their minimum sentence. Through this process, many individuals who were scheduled for release this spring or early summer have already been discharged or are on an expedited schedule for transition in the next few weeks.

A total of 2,200 offenders were released in March. In fact, since January of this year, over 6,900 individuals have been released from a DPS facility. This is an increase of 10% over the same period in 2019. In addition to the actions of DPS, the North Carolina Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission, is also reviewing offenders under its authority for possible release. For example, over the past week, the commission has released more than a dozen pregnant females to community supervision.

“We do not take these new measures lightly. Our staff are working in accordance with CDC guidelines, while being mindful of adult risk management, as well as reentry best practices in order to identify and transition adult offenders into our communities in a safe and efficient manner,” said Tim Moose, Chief Deputy Secretary of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice.

“This is an ongoing process. We will continue to work diligently to monitor best practices and offender risk, while coordinating any future releases to community supervision, as well as adjusting to this ever-evolving situation to protect our staff, the incarcerated community and the community at large,” Moose added.

For more information, see the comprehensive list of Prisons Actions.

###

Granville’s Spring Recycle & Collection Event Moved to May

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Government

The annual Spring Recycle and Collection event, originally scheduled for April 25, 2020, has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 16 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center. The hours are from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Vendors will be on-site offering document shredding services; the collection of electronics, scrap metal, hardback books and other items; and proper disposal of medications, sharps, inhalers, flares, ammunition and fireworks.

Polystyrene/styrofoam – not including packing peanuts – will also be collected during this event, as well as pet supplies for the Granville County Humane Society.

“The spring recycle and collection event gives residents an opportunity to protect our environment while spring cleaning,” said Granville County Recycling Coordinator Teresa Baker. “Shred Ace, GFL, the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, the Humane Society and other vendors and organizations will be on-site and ready to take unwanted items for recycling, shredding, re-purposing or proper disposal.”

To encourage backyard composting – another way to recycle by turning organic materials into soil nutrients – compost bins and countertop caddies will be available for sale during this event.

The Granville County Expo Center is located at 4185 U.S. Hwy. 15 South in Oxford. For more information about this event, contact Baker at 919-725-1417 or email her at bakertd@gcs.k12.nc.us.

NC Governor Logo

Governor’s Order Provides Flexibility to Expand Hospital Beds, Equipment & Personnel

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper took action to provide more access to health care beds and get more medical workers to respond to the rising demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He signed Executive Order No. 130, which expands the pool of health care workers and orders essential childcare services for workers responding to the crisis.

“In a time of emergency we need to make it easier for hospitals to free up bed space and hire more medical staff and this order does that,” Governor Cooper said.

The Order temporarily puts measures in place for licensing, Certificates of Need, and other regulations. The public health crisis needs to scale up services and staff and the Order gives the NC DHHS Secretary the authority to do that during the emergency. Once the crisis has passed, the rules will be put back into place.

“We have never faced emergency demand for health care like we do today, and we must act now,” added Governor Cooper. “If we do this work well, along with social distancing, our hospitals can handle the hardships of this pandemic.”

EXPANDING SERVICES, BEDS STATEWIDE

The Order offers flexibility using and moving resources, such as beds, dialysis stations, CT and MRI scanners. It means hospitals can more quickly increase the number of beds to take critically ill patients and allow an ambulatory surgical facility to operate as a temporary hospital.

Though the Order loosens regulations, expanding beds and services will still require the NCDHHS, Division of Health Service Regulation to approve written requests that explain how an increase in capacity, relocation or addition of resources, equipment acquisition, or change in facility operation addresses public health needs and related safety measures.

EMERGENCY CHILD CARE SERVICES

The Order allows childcare facilities to remain open or to reopen to care for children of essential business workers, children who are receiving child welfare services, or children who are homeless or living in unstable or unsafe living arrangements.

The Order requires the facilities to apply for approval and to follow the NCDHHS Emergency Facility Guidelines but also provides flexibility in activities and continuing education requirements for caregivers.

EXPANDING POOL OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH

The Order will allow out-of-state licensed workers to practice in North Carolina during the emergency and may allow retired health care professionals, students training for health care jobs and unlicensed, skilled volunteers to provide care.

Expanded telehealth services and flexibility for in-home care are also included in the Order.

The Council of State concurred with the Order today. Read the full Order.

Read a summary of the Order. 

Parton’s Imagination Library Presents ‘Goodnight With Dolly’ Book Readings

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy the Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start March 2020 Newsletter

Dolly Parton is doing her part in entertaining children amid the novel coronavirus. The country singer recently launched a weekly series in which she reads a children’s book to an online audience at bedtime, selecting books from her popular Imagination Library project.

The nonprofit says the goal for Goodnight With Dolly is to provide “a welcome distraction during a time of unrest and also inspire a love of reading and books.”

The first book that was read by Parton in the 10-week series presented by Dollywood, Abramorama and The Dollywood Foundation was Watty Piper’s “The Little Engine That Could.”

The other books to be read include “There’s a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake” by Loren Long; “Llama Llama Red Pajama” by Anna Dewdney; “I Am a Rainbow” by Parton; “Pass It On” by Sophy Henn; “Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon” by Patty Lovell; “Violet the Pilot” by Steve Breen; “Max & The TagAlong Moon” by Floyd Cooper; “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña; and “Coat of Many Colors” by Parton.

The singer’s weekly readings will be posted on her Imagination Library’s YouTube channel, as well as across her Dolly Parton, World Choice Investments and Dollywood channels.

While known as a legend in country music, Parton is also recognized by children as “the Book Lady” after starting her Imagination Library in 1995 in Tennessee. The international book-gifting program launched to a national level in 2000, having delivered more than 130 million free books to children. The organization has shipped books to families in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.

Children ages birth to five are eligible for the program and, once registered, will receive free books in the mail monthly. The books are developmentally appropriate for children at the age of sign up and change each month as the child grows.

Parents or guardians can enroll children via the Imagination Library website at https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/

More information about Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start and its role in promoting the Imagination Library program locally can be found at www.fgvpartnership.org or on the F-G-V Facebook page.

Granville County Tourism

Granville Tourism Authority to Hold Budget Meeting in Response to Pandemic

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Granville Tourism Development Authority will have a special meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at 4 p.m. to discuss the remaining budget for fiscal year 2019-2020. This discussion will be held in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the meeting will be conducted remotely and will take place in a Zoom phone/video conference. The public is welcome to listen in, but participants should register with Tourism Director, Angela Allen by April 13 to be given access.

Allen can be contacted at 919-693-6125 or by email at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

NC MedAssist

NC MedAssist Crisis Fund Provides Medication to Low-Income, Uninsured Residents

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, NC MedAssist

NC MedAssist, a statewide free pharmacy, has launched a Crisis Fund in response to the overwhelming need to provide life-saving medication to low-income and uninsured residents across North Carolina.

Through this fund, NC MedAssist will provide support in two areas: providing over-the-counter medicine to marginalized populations and dispensing free prescription medication to those who have lost their income and health insurance due to COVID-19. NC MedAssist is working with key partners such as Novant Health to ensure every North Carolinian with a chronic illness who has lost their job and health insurance will have access to their lifesaving prescription medication.

NC MedAssist is the only free mail-order pharmacy in North Carolina. Their approach allows for minimal contact for patients to receive their prescription medication. Their Free Over-The-Counter store now offers curbside pickup for their customers.

“We have served North Carolina since 1997, and we are beginning to see one of the largest influx of patients since the 2008 recession. People from all walks of life needed access to their vital prescription medicine during that time,” said Lori Giang, CEO of NC MedAssist. “We expect the same surge of patients to come from the COVID-19 crisis and we do not want to turn anyone away. That is why partnerships like Novant Health are so valuable to helping us serve each patient in need of critical medication.”

NC MedAssist hopes to raise $250,000 by May 31, 2020, to prepare for the increase in patients that will need their services.

To donate go to www.medassist.org/donate.

Jerry Edmonds

Town Talk 04/07/20: Edmonds, VGCC Focus on ‘Hire Education’

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Jerry E. Edmonds, III, vice president of Workforce Development and Community Engagement at Vance-Granville Community College, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Serving in this new position since the fall, Edmonds supports economic development for the region and oversees training programs that respond to community needs and prepare students for workforce success.

In addition, Edmonds leads the development of VGCC partnerships with businesses and government agencies and coordinates outreach and marketing.

“The position of workforce and community engagement is a relatively new combination of functions,” Edmonds said. “Our president, Dr. Rachel Desmarais, was certainly futuristic in her assessment that community engagement would be more and more a part of our community college function.”

Workforce development is what has been traditionally referred to as continuing education, Edmonds explained, and includes public safety, short term healthcare courses such as CNA and phlebotomy, and the college’s new truck driver training, among other programs.

The VGCC Small Business Center also falls under the Workforce and Community Engagement umbrella and has become more visible to the public and business community in recent weeks with the economic repercussions of COVID-19 closures.

Sheri Jones, director of the Small Business Center, appeared on WIZS Town Talk last week to discuss her work with local businesses during the health crisis, which has included assistance with small business loan information.

Along with the Small Business Center, VGCC offers customized training programs specific to the local area. Edmonds admitted that not everyone in the community has been aware of these services in the past, a task that he sees as part of his and his team’s role in marketing the college.

“Marketing is an area that we really have to do a little better job as a community college system in getting the word out about the great programs and great work that we do on a daily basis,” Edmonds stated.

Echoing a sentiment shared by Desmarais in previous WIZS interviews, Edmonds said the system is doing just that by focusing on workforce development with individual community colleges training residents for local employment opportunities.

“The NC Community College System has recently embarked upon a marketing campaign with the tagline that North Carolina community colleges are all about ‘Hire Education’ to use a play-on-words’ of ‘higher education,’” said Edmonds. “At the end of the day, all of our programs, be they on the continuing education side or be they on the curriculum side, seek to give students a living wage employment.”

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

Oxford Logo

Oxford Board of Commissioners’ April 14 Meeting Canceled

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

Notice is hereby given that the monthly regular meeting for the Oxford Board of Commissioners that was scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2020, has been canceled.

If you have any questions, please call City Hall, 919-603-1100, and watch the City’s website www.oxfordnc.org for updates as they become available.

NC Coop Extension

NC Cooperative Extension to Offer Backyard Agriculture 101 Online Workshop Series

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension

Want to learn more about raising your own food, or about taking care of your small farm? NC Cooperative Extension will offer Backyard Ag 101, an eight-part online course to show you the basics.

This series is free and will be offered via the Zoom video conferencing platform. It will include topics such as vegetable gardening, managing backyard poultry, small fruit production, managing small woodlots, small-scale livestock & pasture management, landscape basics, and IPM (bugs, weeds, and plant diseases).

This is an 8-week series beginning Wednesday, April 15 and continuing each Wednesday through June 3 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. The course will be taught by Agricultural Extension Agents from the Vance, Warren, Granville, and Person County offices.

To see the full schedule with dates and times and to register for this FREE series visit https://go.ncsu.edu/BackyardAg101. Please note that space is limited and registration is required.

If you have questions, please call 252-438-8188 or email paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu.

Town Talk 04/06/20: NC811 Director Reminds Public to ‘Call Before You Dig’

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Louis Panzer, executive director of North Carolina 811, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Known for its “Call Before You Dig” slogan, NC811 has provided the public with a communications link between local utility providers since 1978.

With April being recognized as Safe Digging Month, Panzer said now is the perfect time to discuss the legal requirement of having utilities marked before digging.

Panzer explained that NC law requires anyone engaging in excavation or demolition activities to contact NC811 at least three working days prior to starting the work. NC811 will then notify the member facility owners within your area of excavation or demolition requests.

The member facility owner then has three working days to provide a response and to mark any underground facilities that may be in conflict with the work area. Only publicly owned lines will be marked by the facility owner; private lines will not be indicated.

NC811 services are provided to residents free of charge and are designed to protect both the safety of those digging as well as the integrity of the telecommunication and utility networks underground.

“So many people rely on services that we sometimes take for granted,” said Panzer. “Telecommunication has increasingly become important, especially during this time where more people are working from home. People are sheltered in place and their children are at home being educated online.”

With an average of five conflicting utilities around your home or business, Panzer said it is better to contact NC811 and ask questions before engaging in even commonplace outdoor projects such as gardening or planting shrubbery.

Steps in the 811 utility location process include:

  1. Call 811. Before calling, have information ready such as your address, property specifics, the area you wish to have located, any special considerations, etc. For a full listing of the required information, click here.
  2. Wait the required time. NC law requires that a three working day notice be given to the utility owners before you dig. Member facilities have three full working days, beginning the first working day after the notice is given, to mark the area requested for underground utilities or to notify the excavator of no conflict in the area.
  3. Check Positive Response. Positive Response is both a by-phone and online means for the utility members of NC811 to provide information regarding the status of your location request. Click here for more information.
  4. Respect the marks. The underground facilities located on your property will be identified by color-coded paint, stakes or flags and should not be disturbed.
  5. Dig with care. If damage occurs, notify the facility owner directly. You can also dial 811 to report damage to underground facilities. In the event of a gas release, remove yourself from the area immediately and call 911 to report.

For more information on NC811, call by simply dialing 8-1-1, download the 811 app or visit www.nc811.org.

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