Granville County News - WIZS

GVPH COVID-19 Update: Case Reported at Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC)

August 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-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 The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.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.

Additional Information

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.

Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.

VGCC to Offer New Customer Service Excellence Program

August 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

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.

To register, visit https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/hrd/.

Latest on Isaias for WIZS Area

August 3, 2020/by John C. Rose

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Franklin, Harnett, Hoke, Wake, and Warren Counties. — Click For The Latest

WEATHER.GOV/RALEIGH – https://www.weather.gov/raleigh

NWS RALEIGH – https://www.facebook.com/NWSRaleigh

NWS RALEIGH – https://twitter.com/NWSRaleigh

The latest on Isaias for the WIZS listening area – 1450 AM / 100.1 FM / Live Stream

THE LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BRIEFING WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK:

https://www.weather.gov/media/rah/briefing/NWSRaleighLatestBriefing.pdf

____________________________________________________________________________________

(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.

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a Flash Flood Watch for a portion of central North Carolina, including the following areas: Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Person, Richmond, Scotland, Vance, Wake, and Warren. The watch presently is in effect from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon.

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.

Please follow Vance County Emergency Operations on Facebook to stay informed on current preparedness efforts and other storm-related information.

More information on severe weather and hurricane preparedness is located at www.ReadyNC.org.

Guns & Drug Conviction Gets Oxford Man 15 Years in Federal Prison

August 3, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

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’s residence and vehicle yielded a quantity of crack cocaine, digital scales, two firearms, ammunition, cell phones, and U.S. currency.

In total, Bobbitt was 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.

Granville Commissioners To Hold Zoom Meeting This Evening

August 3, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/j/93731114470?pwd=Skd4UnFzUGtSQU9MK1hESlhTYUtXZz09

Meeting ID: 937 3111 4470

Passcode: 162360

Dial by your location

877 853 5247 US Toll-free

888 788 0099 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 937 3111 4470

Find your local number: https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/u/adAbOx8sWH

To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here.

Creedmoor Man Arrested for Indecent Liberties With a Child; Authorities Suspect Additional Victims

July 31, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy the City of Creedmoor

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)

GVPH COVID-19 Update: Cases Increase, Deaths & Hospitalizations Remain Stable

July 31, 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 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.

Additional Information

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.

Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.

Granville Co. Board of Education to Hold Regular & Special Called Meeting Aug. 3

July 31, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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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, August 3, 2020, at 6 p.m. This meeting will be conducted electronically, with members of the public invited to view via livestream.

To join the livestream 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.

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 12 and 4 p.m. on August 3, 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.

The Board of Education will also hold a special meeting on Monday, August 3, at 5 p.m., prior to the regular Board meeting.

The purpose of the special meeting will be to meet in Closed Session under G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1), (a)(3) and (a)(6) to prevent the disclosure of confidential personnel information and consult with the Board’s attorney.

Due to health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will take place electronically. The Board will convene in open session at 6 p.m. for its regular meeting.

To view the agenda for the regular Board meeting, please click here.

Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Granville Class of 2020-21 Canceled

July 30, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Granville Steering Committee and Executive Committee have made the decision to cancel the Leadership Granville Class of 2020 – 2021. The decision was made based on the potential impact of COVID-19 on the upcoming class, which was scheduled to begin in early September and run through the end of March 2021.

Currently, Chamber businesses and industry members are unable to allow visitors to tour their facilities. Also, Steering Committee members are limited in the amount of “outside of their workplace” interaction they are able to have.

A virtual class option was discussed; however, it was unanimous that this was not ideal as networking face-to-face with other class members, and visiting the community entities is extremely important.

Those persons who wish to be included on a list to be contacted for the 2021 – 2022 Leadership Granville class should email the Granville County Chamber of Commerce – wanda@granville-chamber.com or tawheeler@granville-chamber.com to request an interest flyer.

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare to Host ‘4 County Community Connections Fair’

July 30, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Cardinal Innovations Healthcare

Join Cardinal Innovations Healthcare this August to learn about available mental health resources and services for kids and families in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties. This event – 4 County Community Connections Fair – is designed for children and families.

Due to COVID-19, there have been some changes to ensure everyone’s health and safety. This event will be held drive-thru style where children and families will receive:

• Drawstring bags stuffed with school supplies

• Facemasks (Pack of 4)

• Meals from Subway (while supplies last)

• Community Providers and Resources Flyers and Videos

• Access to the Virtual Key Note Speaker focusing on the #mentalhealthmatters theme to challenge the stigma of mental health and substance use

WHEN AND WHERE:

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 ~ 2 to 6 p.m.

Granville County

Granville Expo Center – 4185 US Highway 15 South Oxford, NC 27565

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 ~ 3 to 7 p.m.

Vance County

Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center – 200 Community College Rd Henderson, NC 27537

Warren County

Warren County Armory Civic Center – 501 US Hwy 158 Bus E Warrenton, NC 27589

Franklin County

Vance-Granville Community College Franklin Campus – 8100 NC-56 Louisburg, NC 27549

Sponsors: 4 County Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Team (JJBH), Vance Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Warren Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Granville Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Franklin Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Gang Free, Inc. and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare.

For more information, please email Whitney Robertson at Whitney.Robertson@cardinalinnovations.org.