WIZS Noon Local News 06/18/20
Local news for Henderson and Vance County, North Carolina.
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- Covid-19
- Relay for Life
- Warren Library
H-V Rec. & Parks Offering DIY Crafty Kids Kits for Summer Entertainment
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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent
The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department presents DIY (Do it Yourself) Crafty Kids. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase craft bags that will include crafts, coloring pages and stickers.
Drive-through pick up will be held on Friday, June 19 and June 26, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Aycock Recreation Center located at 307 Carey Chapel Rd. in Henderson.
The cost is $5 per craft bundle and can be purchased online at https://hvrpd.recdesk.com/ or in-person on the day of the event, but you must bring exact cash.
For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at (252) 438-3160 or (lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us).
Downtown Oxford Announces Cancellation of Annual Hot Sauce Contest & Festival
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation
Due to growing concerns of COVID–19 and guidelines surrounding physical distancing and enhanced precautions issued by the State of North Carolina, the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation (DOEDC) Board, along with input from the Hot Sauce Committee and the City of Oxford, has decided to cancel the 14th Annual Hot Sauce Contest & Festival for the coming date of September 12, 2020. There will be no rescheduling this year.
As stated by a DOEDC Board spokesperson, “We do not feel comfortable going ahead with an event estimated to bring in approximately 15,000 people without being able to provide the necessary measures to keep everyone safe. Furthermore, we feel the reduction of the festival’s footprint to a small, less engaging event would damage the current reputation of this long-standing, local event.”
The DOEDC Board understands the sadness and frustration this news brings, however, the Board feels this action better serves the public safety of our citizens, businesses and visitors.
Should you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Oxford City Hall at (919) 603-1100.
Local Health Departments to Receive Combined $1+ Million in COVID-19 Funding
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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is allocating $35 million in federal funding to local health departments to support the COVID-19 response. Per federal guidelines, counties will be able to use these funds to support COVID-19 staffing, infection controls, testing and tracing, IT infrastructure and data sharing and visualization.
“Our local health departments are critical partners with the state as we fight this virus, and this funding will help them continue and expand their important work,” said Governor Roy Cooper.
“Since the start of the pandemic, our local health departments have been working around the clock to protect their communities and slow the spread of the virus. These funds continue to support their ability to address the overwhelming demands they are facing,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D.
North Carolina’s local health departments are on the frontlines supporting people in getting tested for COVID-19 and knowing if they have been exposed. Testing and contact tracing are core public health activities and key components of North Carolina’s strategy to responsibly ease restrictions while continuing to slow the spread of COVID-19. These responsibilities are in addition to their ongoing work to promote health and prevent disease.
Local health departments will receive a base allocation of $90,000 per county with additional funding based on population size and their cumulative positive COVID-19 caseload. Some local health departments represent multiple counties. CLICK HERE to see how much each health department will receive.
Local health district allocations include:
Granville-Vance (two counties) – $650,568
Franklin – $242,158
Warren – $149,803
This one-time, non-recurring funding is part of NCDHHS’ cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC), which awards annual funding to state, local and territorial health departments to support vector-borne disease surveillance and response. The coverage period runs from the beginning of the 2020 calendar year through the end of FY 2021-22.
Visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov to learn more about testing and contact tracing in North Carolina. For more information about the state’s response to COVID-19, go to nc.gov/covid19.
GVPH COVID-19 Update: Outbreak at Pelican Health Nursing Home ‘No Longer Active’
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As of June 17, 2020, there are 709 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 433 cases in Vance County, and 46,855 confirmed cases in North Carolina.
There are two outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Granville County at Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC and Murdoch Development Center in Butner, NC.
Of the cases in Granville County, 395 are associated with the prisons and five are associated with Murdoch. Of the 395 cases in the prison system, 89 have been released from isolation and one individual with Murdoch has been released from isolation.
Of the 309 community-based cases in Granville County, 180 have been released from isolation and 10 are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 17 deaths in Granville County, 16 of whom were with the Bureau of Prisons.
There are two active outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Vance County: Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC, and Senior Citizens Home in Henderson, NC. There was also an outbreak at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC that is no longer active.
Of the cases in Vance County, 103 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 42 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home and three associated with Senior Citizens Home. Of the 103 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 42 have been released from isolation.
Of the 330 community-based cases in Vance County, 160 have been released from isolation.
Six individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 35 COVID-19 related deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with Pelican Health and nine of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.
GVPH updates its website daily at approximately 5 p.m. with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.
GVPH also emails updates about COVID-19 in Granville and Vance counties each evening. You can sign up to receive these emails at www.gvph.org/covid-19.
Completion of 2020 Census Encouraged Through Local Mailing Campaign
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-Press Release, Granville County Government
A local appeal from Granville County Government has been mailed out to encourage county-wide participation in the 2020 Census. As of June 9, roughly 60 percent of Granville’s population has responded.
Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Census is used to determine how billions of dollars in federal funding is distributed. “We’d love to get as many people as we can to complete the census, and in turn hopefully see more dollars come to Granville County,” remarked Comm. Tony Cozart, who made the motion to approve this mailing at the June 1 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
Census results will also determine the number of seats each state has in Congress, as well as political representation at all levels of government.
The 2020 Census can be completed by mail, by phone or online in thirteen languages. This is the first year that three options have been made available for a more convenient response. Completed surveys are kept confidential and are protected by law for 72 years.
Those responding by mail should complete and return the questionnaire received in their mailbox earlier this year, which includes a Census ID. Other options are to call 1-844-330-2020 to respond by phone (1-844-468-2020 for Spanish-speaking residents) or to visit my2020census.gov to respond online.
Those who do not have a Census ID should visit the my2020census.gov website, click on START QUESTIONNAIRE, and click below the login where the following prompt is displayed: “If you don’t have a Census ID, click here.” Then, simply answer the questions.
Granville County is currently ranked in the top 20 in the statewide response report, tying with Mecklenburg and Craven Counties. As of June 9, the statewide response rate is reported at 57.1 percent.
On a more local level, the Town of Stem continues to lead Granville County’s response rates at 67.7 percent, followed by the City of Creedmoor at 60.6 percent, the Town of Butner at 57.6 percent, the City of Oxford at 57 percent and the Town of Stovall at 18.1 percent.
Self-response surveys will be accepted through Oct. 31, with Census workers scheduled to visit non-responsive households beginning Aug. 11. Those assigned to follow up door-to-door will be trained to practice social distancing and to follow health guidelines. According to an update sent through the North Carolina State Data Center, Area Census offices in our state are now re-opening, with census workers currently in the field dropping off Update/Leave packets to households in remote and rural areas.
Appropriations for roads, schools, hospitals, emergency response and many other community needs are determined by population, which is reflected through Census data every decade. “We all know how important this is for federal and state dollars, as we’re seeing this through the COVID crisis,” reminded Granville County Board Chair David Smith. “Let’s all do our part to make Granville County count.”
The Census appeal, signed by Sandy Woody, Addressing/GIS Manager and the county’s liaison for the 2020 Census, was mailed out on June 10 and is available for viewing on the Granville County Government website at www.granvillecounty.org.
‘A Discussion For Awareness’ to be Held at Creedmoor City Hall – June 18
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-Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce
“A Discussion For Awareness” will be held at City Hall in Creedmoor, NC, 111 Masonic St., on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 6 p.m.
The public is welcome to join the meeting to advocate for equality and to dismantle racial injustices in the United States.
Speakers will include influential members of the Creedmoor community. Facial masks and social distancing are required.
For more information, please contact thelma.mungo@gmail.com.
WIZS Noon Local News 06/17/20
WIZS – YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE
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LOCAL NEWS 8A, 12 NOON, 5P
NOON NEWS FOR JUNE 17, 2020
- Flooding
- Vance County Budget
- Vance Water District Budget
- Vance County Schools Names Vance-Granville Community College Partner of the Year
Maria Parham Health CEO Thanks Community, Encourages Continued Support
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Op-Ed: Thank You Vance and Franklin Counties – Bert Beard CEO, Maria Parham Health
For the past several months, Maria Parham Health (MPH) has been facing the impact of COVID-19 with our community. We have built upon our robust emergency operations plan that we have in place year-round by updating policies, implementing new protocol, educating our staff, and working with our community partners in ways we never have before. But in all this preparation, MPH has never been alone.
Today, I write to share my appreciation for our community. Thank you to the countless individuals and organizations who have generously donated critically important supplies and resources and offered inspiring words of encouragement to our team. In this crisis, the true meaning of community has never been more apparent or appreciated. Patients, board members, staff, community providers, our sister facilities – all segments of the communities we serve and partner with have shown their support during this pandemic
Community members have brought in surgical masks and N95 respirators to add to the resources we are working to preserve. Local restaurants and businesses have sent food to treat our folks as they work. Many people have donated homemade cloth masks to our hospital and local EMS – an incredible labor of love. Posted signage, sidewalk chalk messages and decorated rocks cheer on our heroes and have infused our campuses with pride. And these are just a few of the many examples that exist.
The outpouring of love and encouragement from our community has been overwhelming, and it makes us so proud to call Vance and Franklin Counties our home and to serve the northern triangle. MPH stands ready to serve you – our neighbors, family and friends. Please continue to keep our community safe and prevent further spread of this disease:
- Practice social distancing.
- Wash your hands often.
- If you must go out in public, wear masks to protect those around you.
To learn more about Maria Parham Health’s COVID-19 preparedness and what you can do to help stay well, visit Mariaparham.com.
JF Webb, School of Health & Life Sciences to Merge Into Single High School
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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
This past week, the final graduating class of JF Webb School of Health and Life Sciences walked across the stage. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, the school will merge into a single high school on the campus.
While this marks the closing of one school, it signals the dramatic transformation of the entire school campus. JF Webb High School will begin the next academic year with the school’s focus and organization redesigned, to what will be known moving forward as, “The Warrior Way.”
The Warrior Way school redesign will keep all course offerings and special programs associated with the School of Health and Life Sciences and offer an additional NEW focus on providing students the opportunity to earn college credits through VGCC.
Much like an Early College program, students at JF Webb will be provided a streamlined track for dual enrollment at the college’s main campus just seven miles away. The school will offer special guidance and counseling to provide students the opportunity to earn enough credits to graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree.
Students will also have the opportunity to earn other specialty degrees and certificates related to a variety of careers. All of this will be provided at no cost to families – textbooks and tuition will all be included. The school is also in the process of planning regular shuttle service to and from JF Webb and the VGCC main campus on a daily basis.
JF Webb Principal Amy Rice offered her comments, saying “Warrior pride runs deep in our community. I am super excited about the changes going on at our school. The Warrior Way provides clear pathways forward for every student, no matter their interest. However, one thing all pathways have in common is a focus on post-secondary education. Every graduate from our school will have a clear advantage in moving on to the next step in their life’s plan. Whether it be a career in the world of biomedical sciences as a scientist or medical professional, a leadership position in business or industry, a well-paid job in one of the countless skilled trades, or service in the military, JF Webb is the place to launch those plans. The school has an amazing history and an even brighter future. If you haven’t checked us out lately, it’s time to give us another look.”
In addition to the restructuring of the school’s organization, the community will also notice significant upgrades and improvements to the physical campus as well.
To learn more about how you or your child can become part of the Warrior Way, reach out to Principal Rice ricea@gcs.k12.nc.us today.
