Youngsville Christmas 2020

Town of Youngsville Moves Forward With Annual Christmas Parade

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The Town of Youngsville posted the following message via its Facebook page regarding the annual Christmas parade:

Dear Youngsville Residents:

The town board of commissioners would like to communicate its intention to move forward with its annual Christmas parade, which is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. this Saturday, December 5, 2020. We would also like to share we have consulted with the Franklin County Health Department and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and will incorporate a variety of COVID-19 mitigation measures into our parade operations plan.

While some have advised us to cancel our parade (including county and state health officials), we have received overwhelming support from the community to continue. Please know we do not take this decision lightly, and that we have carefully weighed many factors in our decision to proceed. The most overwhelming factors in our decision are the sheer number of individuals that wish us to move forward, and our confidence that residents will make responsible choices for themselves and their families.

Regarding responsible choices, we’d like to communicate to all those considering enjoying the parade this Saturday with us. First, if you or anyone in your household is at-risk and/or has any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, we encourage you to quarantine at home until your individual situation permits you to safely be in public. Second, if you will be attending the parade we encourage you to practice physical distancing, use hand sanitizer, wear a face covering, and adhere to all other public health best-practices. The town will also be posting signage along the parade route to remind everyone of these guidelines.

To those with continued reservations, we would like to share that – when using the standards established in our governor’s executive orders regarding the square-foot-per-person limits for retail stores – the “capacity” of our 18.2-acre parade route would be over five times the population of Youngsville. Thus, we’re confident that when parade-goers observe physical distancing and spread-out along the parade route (along with observing all other guidelines), we will have a safe and successful parade.

Additional information regarding the parade may be found by visiting the following website: tinyurl.com/youngsville-xmas

Thank you for making Youngsville the best place to live in North Carolina!

Yours truly in public service,

Mayor Flowers and the Youngsville Board of Commissioners

Crime Stoppers Community Awards

Crime Stoppers Presents Community Awards for Service, Support

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release and photos, Granville County Government

Granville County Crime Stoppers recently made awards presentations for community service and support. Due to COVID-19 mass gathering restrictions, the annual recognitions, usually made during the annual Crime Stoppers Banquet in October, were made through personal visits by Crime Stoppers President Frank Sossamon.

Award recipients included:

  • Bobby Wheeler – Jim and Nancy Smith Citizenship Award;
  • CertainTeed – Corporate Partnership Award;
  • The Butner-Creedmoor News – Local Business Partnership Award; and
  • Vickie Boyd – Crime Stoppers Board Member of the Year.

The local Crime Stoppers organization was also the recipient of four state awards (out of six recognitions given) through the North Carolina Crime Stoppers Association:

  • Best Promotional Idea – Eat Out Against Crime 2019;
  • Most Innovative Fundraising Idea – Crime Stoppers Annual Banquet 2019;
  • Productivity Award – Populations of 50,000 to 99,000; and
  • N.C. Coordinator of the Year 2019 – Ricky Cates, Creedmoor Police Department.

Crime Stoppers is comprised of members of the community, law enforcement agencies, the media, and businesses who work together to help solve crimes and make our communities a safer place to live, work and raise a family. Citizens are encouraged, through cash rewards and a promise of confidentiality, to provide information leading to the arrest and indictment of criminals.

To provide helpful, anonymous information regarding crime in Granville County, call the Crime Stoppers tip line at (919) 693-3100 or the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at (919) 693-3213.

Click here for the story and photos recognizing the Granville County Crime Stoppers 2020 Law Enforcement Officers of the Year.

(Left to right): Mr. Jim Smith, for whom the annual Jim and Nancy Smith Citizenship Award is named; honoree Bobby Wheeler; and Crime Stoppers President Frank Sossamon.

(Left to right): Teresa Gladden, representing Certain Teed, Corporate Partner of the Year; and Frank Sossamon, Crime Stoppers President.

(Left to right): Crime Stoppers Board Member Bobby Wheeler; Butner-Creedmoor News Editor Shawn Taylor, Local Business Partner of the Year; and Crime Stoppers President Frank Sossamon.

(Left to right): Crime Stoppers Board Member of the Year Vickie Boyd; and President Frank Sossamon.

(Left to right): Crime Stoppers Board Member Bobby Wheeler; President Frank Sossamon; Ricky Cates, Creedmoor Police Department, Statewide Coordinator of the Year.

Crossroads Christian School

Sports Talk 12/01/20: Crossroads Christian Temporarily Halts Basketball Season

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With questions surrounding mask requirements for student-athletes and health concerns, the Crossroads Christian School Colts have temporarily halted the men’s basketball season.

CCS Athletic Director Scottie Richardson said the decision was based solely on what is right for the players. “The decision came down to the health of our student-athletes, period,” said Richardson. “We just don’t have enough information on the status of playing a sport like basketball and wearing masks. Instead of just allowing it without doing our due diligence of understanding the risks involved with how it couples with asthma, breathing issues, heart issues from birth, etc., we decided to pause the sport for two weeks.”

Richardson further explained that several players have inhalers, are diabetic or have other underlying health issues that could potentially make playing sports in a mask more difficult.

In guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the wearing of masks during athletic activities, Richardson said the agency recognizes that “masks may be challenging for players (especially younger players) to wear while playing sports” and “masks should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious.”

The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) recently announced plans for officials to extend timeouts, quarter breaks and halftime to allow for additional recovery time for playing in masks.

Basketball activities are expected to resume at CCS on Monday, December 7, 2020, with the team spending the first week back on the court in shooting drills, walk-through drills, etc.

According to Richardson, games and full-speed practices will remain paused until more information is gathered from the NCISAA and NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Games canceled for COVID issues or concerns are counted as “no contests.”

Downtown Henderson

City of Henderson Updates: Downtown Christmas Lights, Urban Redevelopment

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Henderson City Manager E. Terrell Blackmon provided the following updates to WIZS News:

The Downtown Henderson Christmas lights/decorations will be put up this week. Blackmon said the City’s goal was always for the lights to be up by the first week in December.

The City’s urban redevelopment meeting held Nov. 30 via Zoom began with a quick recap of the previous meeting on this matter. The purpose of Monday’s meeting was for UNC’s Development Finance Initiative (DFI) to give an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the Redevelopment Commission and provide recommendations on the composition of members for the commission.

The City also reviewed draft Urban Redevelopment Area (URA) boundaries and goals. No official actions were taken at the meeting. The Henderson City Council will revisit this matter in a work session at their December 14 meeting.

The City is still in Phase I of the process, but according to Blackmon, the next steps include:

  • Establish Redevelopment Commission by resolution
  • Confirm URA boundaries
  • Planning Board qualifies URA
  • City Council passes resolution confirming Planning Board’s findings and URA boundaries
  • Public hearing required
  • File resolution with Secretary of State
Local News Audio

Noon News 12-1-20 Covid19; Crossroads Christian; Christmas Lights; HPD Recert; Man Sentenced; ACTS

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Stories include:

– Covid19 update

– Crossroads Christian pauses athletics due to Covid19

– Christmas lights in Downtown Henderson

– City Council meets on urban redevelopment

– Henderson Police Dept. begins recertification process

– Oxford man sentenced on firearms charges

– ACTS food pantry drive.

For full details and audio click play

 

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH COVID Update: Increase in Active Cases, Outbreaks at Long-Term Care Facilities

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

GVPH provided the following update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of November 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.

Vance County

Total Cases: 1,748
Active Cases: 535

Total Cases in Community: 1,569
Active Cases: 486
Cases Off-Isolation: 1,063

Total Cases at Long-Term Care Facilities: 179
Active Cases: 49
Cases Off-Isolation: 94

There is currently an outbreak at Senior Citizens Home.

Total Hospitalized with COVID-19: 26

Total Deaths: 56
Community: 20
Pelican Nursing Home: 14
Kerr Lake Nursing Home: 12
Senior Citizens Home: 10

Unfortunately, another death has been reported associated with the outbreak at Senior Citizens. A 93-year-old female passed away on Nov. 28.

Granville County

Total Cases: 2,547
Active Cases: 330

Total Cases in Community: 1,808
Active Cases: 296
Cases Off-Isolation: 1,503

Total Cases at Federal Prison: 530
Active Cases: 4
Cases Off-Isolation: 504

Total Cases at Long-Term Care Facilities: 209
Active Cases: 30
Cases Off-Isolation: 153

There are currently outbreaks at Universal Health Care, Murdoch Development Center, Granville House, RHA Health Services – Stem and Polk Correctional Institution.

Total Hospitalized with COVID-19: 6

Total Deaths: 57
Community: 9
Central Regional: 1
Granville House: 2
Murdoch Development Center: 2
Universal Health Care: 21
Federal Prison: 22

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 GVPH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard (click here) for tables and graphs that are updated daily.

Oxford Logo

City of Oxford’s First Holiday Toy Drive in Full Swing

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The City of Oxford is proud to bring the 1st Annual Holiday Toy Drive to the community. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children are needed.

Donations can be brought to Oxford City Hall, located at 300 Williamsboro St., by December 18, 2020.

Toys are needed for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years old, as well as for a baby (girl) on the way. No toy shall be turned away!

If you are interested in more specific information, please call (919) 603-1102.

City of Henderson Logo

Henderson Public Safety Committee to Discuss COVID, Homicides

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The Henderson City Council’s Public Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at 3 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss COVID-19 and homicides.

This meeting will be available via Zoom, and the public is welcome to observe.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89142439150?pwd=RTBZeFNMampEVHRlbkJzK0NyRlVIdz09

Meeting ID: 891 4243 9150
Passcode: 310402

One tap mobile
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NCDHHS

Winter Heating Assistance Available to Qualifying Seniors, Disabled

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-Press Release, NCDHHS

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it will issue an automated payment to thousands of eligible households to help with winter heating expenses via the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.

The automated payment will be issued beginning Dec. 1 and is designed to help eligible seniors and people with disabilities access winter heating assistance in a safe and socially distanced manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“More of our neighbors may be facing financial hardships because of COVID-19, and this funding can help eligible households with their heating expenses this winter,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “We want to ensure seniors and people with disabilities are healthy and safe during a difficult time of the year.”

Eligible households may qualify to receive an automated payment for the 2020-2021 LIEAP season if a member of the household 1) is age 60 or older or a person with a disability receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services, 2) currently receives Food and Nutrition Services and 3) received LIEAP during the 2019-2020 season. These households will be notified of eligibility in November and do not need to apply for this benefit.

Any household with a person age 60 or older or with a disability receiving DAAS services who does not receive notice of an automated payment is encouraged to practice social distancing and submit a paper application for LIEAP assistance through U.S. Mail or fax to their local department of social services. Applications may also be dropped off at the local DSS, and applicants may contact their local DSS for information on how to obtain a paper application.

Beginning Jan. 2, 2021, all other households may apply online through the ePASS portal at epass.nc.gov or submit a paper application through mail, fax or dropping it off at their local DSS, but they do not have to go into the agency to apply. Individuals may also contact their local DSS to apply. All household applications will be accepted from Jan. 2, 2020, to March 31, 2021, or until funds are exhausted.

To be eligible for the LIEAP program, a household must:

  • Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
  • Have income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit
  • Have resources, such as saving and checking accounts and cash on hand, at or below $2,250
  • Be responsible for their heating cost

For more information on the program and eligibility, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/low-income-energy-assistance.

Henderson Police Department

HPD Prepares for CALEA Assessment; Public May Offer Comments

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

As a law enforcement agency holding Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation since 2002, the Henderson Police Department takes great pride in serving its community. Every four (4) years we host Assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) to perform reviews of the agency’s operations, policies and adherence to the professional standards of CALEA.

For this four-year cycle, the Henderson Police Department’s CALEA Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation “site-based” assessment is scheduled for December 7 through December 9, 2020. As part of the assessment, the Henderson Police Department invites members of the public to offer comments by calling (252) 425-0974 on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, between 1 and 3 p.m. The Assessment Team will be taking telephone comments during these hours.

In addition, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the agency will host a virtual public hearing for comments on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. Link to the virtual hearing is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85927805910

Telephone and Public Hearing comments are limited to five minutes and must address the ability of the Henderson Police Department to comply with CALEA’s standards. If the public has questions regarding the specific standards or standard topics, they may contact Accreditation Manager, Lieutenant Steve Gresham at (252) 430-3145 or via email at sgresham@hendersonncpd.org.

Written comments regarding the Henderson Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for reaccreditation may be sent to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13757 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155 or may be emailed to CALEA at calea@calea.org.