IRS

Tax Filing, Payment Deadline July 15; Tax, COVID-19 Scams Increase

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-Press Release, Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina reminded taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warned against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams. 

Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15. 

“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return – it is not an extension to pay any taxes due,” said Matthew D. Line, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID- 19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.” 

As the filing deadline approaches, taxpayers should beware of tax and COVID-19 related scams. “Criminals use the tax filing deadline as an opportunity to steal personal and financial information,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “Taxpayers should remain vigilant and know that the IRS will not initiate contact with them via phone, email or social media to request personal or financial information.” 

In the last few months, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division (CI) has continued to see a tremendous increase in a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes. CI continues to work with its law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and bring criminals to justice. 

Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Unsolicited (phishing) emails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov. 

For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.

Masonic Home for Children

Masonic Home for Children at Oxford Helping Families in Need

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Kevin Otis, Administrator, Masonic Home for Children at Oxford

COVID-19 has brought a health, economic, and social pandemic to families. The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO) provides a safe haven for children to grow, learn, and develop. The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford is North Carolina’s first children’s home celebrating 147 years of helping children in need. MHCO continues that proud tradition through two programs, Group Cottage Foster Care and Independent Living. 

The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford provides loving care for children and young adults aged birth to twenty-two.  Children reside in cottages with live-in House Parent Child Care Workers. The family-style program meets children where they are developmentally and provides a nurturing, learning environment. Supports are provided to help children with academics, become gainfully employed, obtain transportation, participate in extracurricular activities, and manage the trauma they may be facing. Families stay involved and co-parent with the program team to develop Individual Service Plans to address needs, set goals, and build in supports to achieve personal milestones.  

The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides apartments for young adults. ILP residents continue education at Vance- Granville Community College, trade schools, and four-year universities. Coaching is provided to help residents obtain and maintain employment. Independent living skills are taught relating to a variety of topics including cooking and cleaning, driver’s education, budget management, and tax preparation.  

The Masonic Home for Children is located in Oxford, North Carolina on a pristine 347-acre campus. Cottages provide up to eight residents with their own bedroom, bathroom suite, and open kitchen/family room setting. Playgrounds, basketball courts, a gymnasium, and outdoor pool provide opportunities for children to be active, learn skills, and develop confidence. 

The foundations of success include a strong emphasis on Education, Vocation, Spiritual Development, Recreation, Responsibility, and Respect. The program provides a family of support that includes the child’s family of origin, all working together for the child’s best interests. Long term goals include returning home and independence.  

MHCO has helped well over 10,000 children have a chance at a better life. Alumni have gone on to become business owners, military leaders, and receive doctorates. For many, success is being able to provide for themselves and their families.  

The need for services provided by MHCO is even more necessary during these difficult times. The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford can provide for your children as you manage the challenges you and your family face. Parents maintain guardianship, and scholarships are available to provide the cost of care.

Learn more about referring a child in need by calling (919) 693-5111 or visiting MHCO’s website at www.mhc-oxford.org.  

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News 07/10/20 Noon

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WIZS Local News 07/10/20 Noon

Your Community Voice

  • Covid Community Spread Cases in Vance County Under 70 Positives
  • Vance Co. Schools Announces K-8 Online Summer Learning, Bus Hot Spots
  • FGV Smart Start Awarded Grant to Aid Vance Co. Adolescent Parenting Program
  • Masonic Home for Children at Oxford Provides a Safe Haven for Children to Grow, Learn and Develop

 

Vance County Schools Logo

Vance Co. Schools Announces K-8 Online Summer Learning, Bus Hot Spots

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools’ Facebook page

Vance County Schools is excited to provide the opportunity for continued learning experiences throughout the summer months for all students in grades K-8.

Visit the VCS’ website, www.vcs.k12.nc.us, and click on the K-8 Summer Learning tab at the top. From there, follow the instructions to sign-in. You will then have access to a variety of reading, writing, word work, and math learning experiences, along with links to projects related to various careers to explore.

VCS is also committed to ensuring connectivity is available for students. Click here to see information on the VCS School Bus Hot Spots. The map is updated as the buses change locations.

Stay up-to-date with the latest locations and directions on connecting at www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

Smart Start

FGV Smart Start Awarded Grant to Aid Vance Co. Adolescent Parenting Program

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-Information courtesy the June 2020 FGV Smart Start Newsletter

Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start has been awarded $1,000 to aid the Adolescent Parenting Program (APP) from the Vance County Unrestricted Endowment, a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation. APP provides intensive, family-centered services to pregnant and parenting adolescents in Vance County.

The Vance County Community Foundation is a growing family of philanthropic funds, a source of grants for local causes and a partner for donors. VCCF was founded in 1997 and is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership – all for the benefit of Vance County.

The VCCF board advises the Vance County Community Fund, the unrestricted community grantmaking fund, to support local needs. This competitive grant program is held annually.

Funds from the Foundation will be used for the 25 teen parents who are participating in the program to purchase school supplies for the upcoming school year.

The goals of the APP are for participants to not have a repeat pregnancy, to stay active in school until graduation, and for graduates to enroll in post-secondary education.

Recreation Rocks

HVRPD’s ‘Recreation Rocks’ Scavenger Hunt to Offer Thrill for Young Treasure Seekers

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department presents a “Recreation Rocks” Scavenger Hunt for youth ages 17 and under. Participants will design and submit rocks for the scavenger hunt.

Registration and rocks may be submitted at Aycock Recreation Center (307 Carey Chapel Rd. in Henderson) Monday –Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. All rocks must be submitted by Friday, July 17, 2020, at 5 p.m.

Participants will receive an e-mail at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2020, with clues to find the location of the decorated rocks. Participants take pictures with each rock and submit to Lauren Newlin by email (lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us) or any HVRPD social media site (Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram). The FIRST participant to submit ALL pictures with rocks will win a gift basket filled with goodies from HVRPD.

For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 ( lnewlin@henderson.nc.us).

Granville County Public Schools

Re-Entry Plans, Budget Amendments Topics of July 13 Granville School Board Meeting

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a Special Meeting on Monday, July 13, 2020, at 1 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Board of Education to review budget amendments, consider technology purchases and receive updated information on school re-entry plans for the upcoming school year.

However, due to the current statewide State of Emergency, and in order to protect the health and safety of board members, staff and the public, this meeting will be conducted electronically, with members of the public invited to view the live stream.

To join the live stream 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.

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

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News 07/09/20 Noon

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WIZS Local News 07/09/20 Noon

Your Community Voice

  • Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks
  • Virtual Fall Prevention Exercises and Tips Program
  • Wellness on Wheels, Local Organizations Provide Free Meals Through Summer

 

Skills and Drills

‘Skills & Drills’ Videos Designed to Keep Youth Athletes Physically Active

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are so many restrictions currently placed on youth athletics. Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department’s number one priority is the safety of our citizens. While we don’t recommend partaking in group competition at this time, we also understand the importance that staying physically active has on your overall health.

Because of this, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks will be working with coaches to put together skills and drills videos that your child can use to help develop their skills right at home. We will post links to our videos regularly on the Henderson-Vance Athletics Facebook page (click here) starting Friday, July 10, 2020.

For more information, please contact Darius Pitt at (252) 438-3408 (dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us).

Veterans Dog Walk 2020

‘Paws, Tails and Boots’ Veterans Dog Walk Scheduled for Fall

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-Information and flyer courtesy Mark Ferri

The “Paws, Tails and Boots” Veterans Dog Walk will be held at the Vance County Animal Shelter, 1243 Brodie Rd., Henderson, on Saturday, September 26, 2020, from 9 to 11 a.m.

The public is welcome, with veterans, first responders and their families strongly encouraged to attend. Participants will be walking and interacting with selected shelter dogs in an effort to provide companionship and trust-building activities.

Service animals are welcome; however, participants are asked to leave other pets at home.

The event was founded by veteran and shelter volunteer Mark Ferri. Ferri began the program in 2016 as a way to raise awareness of the mental health issues faced by veterans.

For more information on the Vance County Animal Shelter and their services, please visit their website at www.vancecountyanimalshelter.com.