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New Production Technician Class; Real Skills, Better Pay, Certifications

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— press release

Vance-Granville Community College is excited to announce a new Production Technician program. The program is designed to provide fast, hands-on training to learn job skills in safety, math, quality practices, teamwork, communications, problem solving, production processes and basic bio-processing. Our 96-hour program will prepare workers to help increase productivity, performance, competitiveness and enhance value/profit. The program will start February 15 and runs for only 16 days.

Learn skills needed to be effective contributors in production operations and achieve credentials that get employers’ attention. If you are already in the industry, improve your performance and obtain a higher-paying job within the industry. The Production Technician program is a competency-based training program designed to provide students with enhanced career opportunities in manufacturing. Students will be introduced to the concepts of process improvements and emphasizing the importance of quality and its role in company profitability and job sustainability.

This course prepares people to enter careers as a production technician, machine operator, packaging machine operator, assembly-line worker or assembly-machine operator. Often, entry-level production technician positions are the starting point for a new employee to advance within the company.  In this role, you need to understand and perform tasks based upon setup or job sheets, processes and the use of technology. According to Career Coach, new workers could start around $41,000. Entry-level compensation typically varies between $30,000-$40,000 per year.

Students completing the course:

  • are guaranteed a job interview.
  • receive the North Carolina Manufacturing Certificate.
  • are certified as a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.
  • are certified forklift operators.
  • are certified in OSHA 10 safety.

Tuition scholarships are available. Full scholarships will be provided to the first eight applicants.

Act now, because class capacity is limited. To register for this course, visit

https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/productiontech/.

Dale Folwell

Treasurer Folwell Recommends Improved COVID Vaccine Distribution Plan

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— from the office of North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell

For weeks North Carolina lagged behind much of the nation in administering the doses of COVID-19 vaccinations it received, and state Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, will outline the consequences of the state not being prepared for the rollout during his monthly “Ask Me Anything” conference call for members of the media on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Treasurer Folwell is advocating for a “PPP” approach to execute rapid, efficient supply chain delivery. Rather than concentrating immunizations in local health departments and more expensive hospitals, he believes it makes greater sense to expand availability of the shots to primary care physicians, pediatricians and pharmacies – the three Ps that have been reliably and professionally administering vaccines for more than 100 years.

The Department of State Treasurer has amassed about 26,000 health care providers in the State Health Plan’s Clear Pricing Project network. Many of them are willing and qualified to provide the shots but state health officials have kept them on the sidelines.

The treasurer contends the shaky rollout likely is contributing to more deaths, will increase poverty because business lockdowns will remain in effect until the vaccines can be more widely administered to contain spread of the virus, and students will continue to fall further behind in their education and suffer increased mental health problems because most schools remain closed.

Another topic the treasurer will discuss is the potential community harm from the pending sale of county-owned New Hanover Regional Medical Center to health care giant Novant Health.

Treasurer Folwell contends the acquisition is the latest in a series of hospital consolidations that have inflicted negative consequences on North Carolina taxpayers and health care consumers. An article in Fortune magazine supported his position that increased hospital concentration and monopolies lead to higher costs, lower quality and decreased access. The article noted 74% of North Carolina general hospitals belong to mega-health care systems. Only three other states have a higher percentage.

SNOW Totals for Henderson and Vicinity; 5 INCHES

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A National Weather Service web page reporting snow totals shows that Henderson received 5 inches.

Oxford received 5 inches as well.  Littleton saw 5 inches.  Roxboro got 4.9.  RDU airport had 1.6.

Where did it snow the most in our area?  5.9 inches was the highest total according to the National Weather Service, and it was reported 3 miles WSW of Oxford along Lake Devin Road.

There is more snowy and icy weather in the forecast.  Some of the TV meteorologists have been talking about it already, and it does show up in the NWS forecast as well over the weekend.

Free Alzheimer’s Association Workshops in NC in February; Diagnosis, Care Plans, Living With

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The Alzheimer’s Association’s chapters in North Carolina are joining forces to host a three-part virtual education series on Wednesdays in February.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter and the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter will present different topics designed to help families learn more about the disease and how to help themselves and their family members suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

According to a press release from the Alzheimer’s Association, the workshops are open to individuals who have received a recent diagnosis or are in the early stages of dementia-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s. In addition, anyone interested in learning more about planning, resources, and services that are available may also attend.

There is no charge to attend the workshops, and participants can sign up for any or all three. Registration is required, however. To sign up, visit tinyurl.com/NavigatingALZFeb2021 or call 1-800-272-3900.

“The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is life-changing and leads to many questions so this program is invaluable for recently diagnosed individuals and their care partners,” said Lisa Roberts, Executive Director of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “We want them to know that they are not alone and that we are here for them from the beginning of a diagnosis and throughout their journey with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.”

The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10 from noon – 1:15 p.m. Dr. Mark Pippinger, a behavioral neurologist with Novant Health, will lead the session titled “Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis: What does this diagnosis mean?” and will help participants understand the disease and the diagnostic process, as well as symptoms and approaches to managing care with professionals.

The second workshop is scheduled for Feb. 17 from noon-1:15 p.m. A panel of experts will discuss care plans and care teams, as well as provide a legal and financial overview and how a diagnosis can affect relationships with family and friends. The program is titled “Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis: The Power of Planning” and panelists include Corinne Auman (family caregiving and aging expert), Alyssa Botte (psychotherapist in memory counseling), and Marjorie Brown (elder law attorney).

The final workshop is scheduled for Feb. 24, again from noon to 1:15 p.m. Alzheimer’s Association Early-Stage Advisors will share their experiences of living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. This workshop is titled “Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis: Live Well.”

According to statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association, 180,000 North Carolina residents are living with Alzheimer’s disease and 479,000 family members and friends provide unpaid care to their loved ones suffering from this disease. Visit http://www.alz.org/facts/ to learn more.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s mission, through accelerating global research and early detection, is to end Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

The Eastern North Carolina chapter provides patient and family services, information and referral, education, and advocacy in 51 eastern North Carolina counties. It offers opportunities to get involved and to make a difference, in addition to a variety of services including: a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, educational programs, and MedicAlert®.

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, or the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter, visit www.alz.org/nc or call 800-272-3900.

School Choices in Vance County and Granville County

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Two local school districts have announced virtual events to share information with families about the variety of choices available for students in the 2021-22 school year. The Vance County Schools event is scheduled for Feb. 4; Granville County Public Schools will host a Choice Fair Saturday to showcase its school options.  (See both graphics at bottom of page.)

Vance County Schools Innovative School applications will be available beginning Monday, Feb. 1, said Aarika Sandlin, public information officer for Vance County Schools. Interested parents or students can download the application from the district website www.vcs.k12.nc.us. Printed copies also are available at the district office, located at 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson. The virtual event is set for Thursday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. Interested participants can find information about how to attend by visiting the district social media sites or the district website, Sandlin said.

Completed applications are due no later than February 28 and should be returned to the district office, Sandlin said in a statement provided to WIZS.  February 28 is a Sunday, so applications should be returned to the district office no later than Friday, Feb. 26. Schools included in the Innovative Schools are EM Rollins STEAM Academy, STEM Early High, Vance County Early College and Advance Academy. The Vance Virtual Village Academy has an online application, Sandlin said, so those completed applications should be returned online no later than Feb. 28.

The Granville County Public Schools Showcase will be held virtually from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 30, according to Dr. Stan Winborne, Assistant Superintendent of Operations & Human Resources and public information officer for the district. “We invite the community to come and meet the administrators and staff,” Winborne said, giving individuals “an opportunity to explore, chat and ask any questions that you have to learn about the many choice programs our schools have to offer.” The virtual event will help families choose which program best meets their educational needs, he added.

Registration is required, Winborne said. Visit the GCPS website at www.gcs.k12.nc.us to find a link to the registration page.

NCDOT

NCDOT Plans $4.5 Million in Resurfacing in Four County Area

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More than 70 miles of area roads are on the schedule to be resurfaced, according to information from the N.C. Department of Transportation. The cost of the four projects totals nearly $4.5 million.

The work is set to begin this summer and must be completed by August 2022, according to Marty Homan of the NC DOT communications office.

The largest project involves 27.9 miles of state-maintained roads throughout Granville and Vance counties. ST Wooten Corporation won the contract, which will include milling and resurfacing pavement and making shoulder improvements. Roads to see improvements include Fairport Road in Vance and Granville counties, and Belltown, Sanders and E. Tally Ho roads, all in Granville County.

Under a $700,414 contract, Fred Smith Company of Raleigh will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 16.3 miles of state-maintained roads throughout Granville, Vance and Warren counties. Roads slated for improvement include Plum Nutty, Ross Mill and Dick Faines roads in Vance County, Tar River Road in Granville County and Lady’s Lane in Warren County.

Roads in Franklin County will get similar improvements under a $663,670 contract with Whitehurst Paving of Richmond, Va. Almost 18 miles along Duke Memorial and Gardner roads will be improved.

In Person County, 8.1 miles along Zion Level Church Road/Skylark Drive, and Wagstaff, Royster-Clay and Ralph Winstead roads will be milled and resurfaced, as well as receive shoulder improvements under a $338,714 contract with Carolina Road Solutions of Center Valley, Pa.

VGCC Nursing Faculty and Students help Granville Health COVID Vaccine Drive Thru Clinic

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Nursing students at Vance-Granville Community College had the opportunity to help during recent COVID-19 vaccination events in the area. Dr. Anna Seaman, program head for the Associate Degree in Nursing at VGCC, along with others in the nursing program, helped at the vaccine drive-through at Granville Health Systems last weekend. Senior students got to help administer the vaccines; junior students and VGCC faculty supported in other ways.

Brande McILroy, simulation coordinator for the nursing program at the community college, also participated, according to information from Chris LaRocca in the VGCC  communications department. The event took place on Saturday, Jan. 15 and Sunday, Jan. 16.

More than 2,000 people got vaccinated during the two-day event. While senior students actually help administer the shots, other faculty members and junior nursing students provided support in other areas, LaRocca stated, from gathering paperwork and documentation from clients to monitoring patients after they got the shot to make sure they had no adverse reactions.

The faculty and students plan to help with future events at Granville Health as well as other health care facilities in the service area.

Families Living Violence Free

Intimate Partner Violence

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— submitted by Families Living Violence Free

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans. The term “intimate partner violence” describes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.

If you or someone you know are experiencing Intimate Partner Violence, Families Living Violence Free is here to help. Call our 24/7 Crisis Line to speak with a trained advocate. 919-693-5700; Español 919-690-0888.

(Families Living Violence Free is an advertising client of WIZS.com.  This is not a sponsored post.)

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Launches Community Response Fund

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Triangle North Healthcare Foundation has announced the launch of a Community Response Grant Fund, available to nonprofit, local government, and educational organizations, serving the counties of Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren.

The grants will fund relief and response programs related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  “With the continuing stress on our communities from the Pandemic, our local safety net organizations are struggling to make ends meet and respond to their clients’ needs.  We are pleased to announce the Foundation Board’s commitment to provide grants for community relief,” said Val Short, Executive Director.

Applications for grants up to $20,000 each will be accepted, beginning February 1, 2021. Applications will be reviewed quarterly and grants will be awarded in March, June, September, and December.  Through this Community Response program, recipients can receive up to four grants throughout the year.

The Community Response Grant application is now available at the Foundation’s online grant portal. A link to the grant portal is available at the website:   http://www.tnhfoundation.org   Applications will be accepted continuously now through September 1, 2021.

Virtual meetings with Foundation staff will be required prior to submitting an application.  To schedule a meeting, please call 252-430-8532.

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is a regional healthcare grantmaking organization based in Henderson, established in November 2011, after the merge of Maria Parham Medical Center with the for-profit Duke LifePoint.  Funded by an endowment created from the assets of the former nonprofit hospital, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation has invested over $2 million in over 80 programs in the region since beginning grantmaking in 2013.

(Press Release provided by Triangle North Healthcare Foundation)

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Granville Vance COVID-19 Update as of January 25, 2021

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Granville Vance District Health Director Lisa Harrison provides information routinely by email and other means, and Monday she wrote, “Since our last update on Jan. 19th, there have been 171 new cases of COVID-19 in Granville and 172 in Vance.

“Unfortunately, there have been 2 additional deaths reported this week. A 58-year-old male from Granville County passed away on Jan. 19th, and a 64-year-old male from Vance County passed away on Jan. 16th.

“The GVPH data dashboard is currently under construction. As we shift our priority to COVID-19 vaccines, we are reevaluating what data we are able to share and how we share it. We appreciate your patience during this time. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit the NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard. Relevant graphs from these dashboards are available on our website at https://gvph.org/covid-19_dashboard/.”

According to Harrison, vaccine providers needed to administer all of the initial doses of vaccine received since December 22nd by January 25th.

Hospitals and health departments receive vaccine shipments weekly.  Amounts received vary greatly, however, from provider to provider and county to county.

Harrison reported in her Monday email that she sees the frustration as vaccine supply is not matching the demand.  She said it does not come close.  She wrote, “With the imposed deadline to finish out first doses, we are all running critically low on vaccine. However, I’m confident things will catch up. We all have sufficient second dose supply to match our first doses – we want to assure everyone that second doses of vaccines will be provided to those who received their first dose. Due to the limited supply, first doses are still limited to those in Group 1 and Group 2 – health care workers and those 65 years and older.”

At least 9,000 people have been vaccinated in Vance and Granville Counties, of about 100,000 in the district.  Harrison wrote, “We have vaccinated more than 3,000 people at GVPH and Maria Parham Hospital and Granville Health Systems have each vaccinated as much.”

Also, Harrison wrote, “I have received so many notes from happy vaccinated individuals who stopped and took the time to say they had a wonderful experience in the highly efficient Granville Health System weekend clinic last weekend. I receive calls and notes regularly about our clinics in each of our health department locations and our collaboration with the Senior Center in Granville County at the Granville Expo Center. And this past weekend, after a Friday clinic in Granville’s health department location and a Saturday vaccine clinic in our Vance health department location, we partnered with Maria Parham Health, Vance County Schools, as well as local law enforcement, Vance County Emergency Management, and Vance County EMS to host a joint vaccine clinic at the Vance County High School. We are working together to ensure that we safely and efficiently administer vaccines to everyone who wants one across our rural and historically marginalized populations.”