Maria Parham Franklin Celebrates Newly Expanded Behavioral Health Facility

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-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health, part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Thursday, February 20, 2020, to celebrate its newly expanded behavioral health facility at Maria Parham Franklin. Representatives from the hospital and Duke LifePoint Healthcare joined community leaders, elected officials, health care providers and other supporters to celebrate the completion of the project.

“This project has been a true partnership since the beginning, and I am grateful for our many partners – including Duke LifePoint Healthcare, as well as local, state and non-profit organizations for contributing their time and resources to expanding services at Maria Parham Franklin,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “Since opening our doors, this facility has provided care to thousands of patients, and we are so honored to continue serving the health needs of this community.”

Since October 2018, the hospital has operated its Maria Parham Franklin location, which provides 24/7 emergency care, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services and a 13-bed inpatient geriatric behavioral health unit for adults 55 years and older. Spanning 14,900 square feet, the new 20-bed adult behavioral health unit adjoins the current facility and will serve patients 18 years and older.

“As Franklin County continues to advance and grow, a strong foundation for healthcare is critical for our long-term success,” said Sidney E. Dunston, Franklin County commissioner and chairman of the Commissioner’s Hospital Committee. “We are proud to be restoring critically needed healthcare services back to our community, while also adding new jobs and opportunities for growth.”

The expansion project cost for construction and equipment totaled more than $10 million. With both phases of the Maria Parham Franklin project now complete, the capital investment totals more than $16 million and was made possible by Duke LifePoint Healthcare, The Dorothea Dix Hospital Property Fund, The Golden Leaf Foundation and the North Carolina Department of Commerce through the North Carolina Community Development Block Grant.

“Access to high-quality behavioral health services is a growing need for communities across our nation, and Duke LifePoint Healthcare is proud to have been a part of restoring these essential health services to this region,” said Harry Phillips, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Duke LifePoint Healthcare. “This project underscores our commitment to engage patients and people, lead quality innovation and advance knowledge to improve health in the communities we serve.”

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H-V Chamber Seeks Nominees for 2020 Small Business of the Year Award

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is looking for nominees for the 2020 Small Business of the Year. This is your opportunity to recognize an outstanding business in the small business community.

You are encouraged to nominate chamber member businesses that are deserving of this recognition.

 2020 Small Business of the Year Criteria:

  • Employs a maximum of 50 people
  • Member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and must be located in Vance County
  • Must be a viable, on-going business for three or more years, experiencing growth or stability over its business life
  • Provides critical service or products, fills a void in the business community, or has a unique approach to the delivery of goods and services
  • May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business
  • Business is supportive of community growth and sustainability
  • Is not a governmental agency or municipality

Anyone can nominate a business they believe deserves recognition and meets the criteria. Companies may also nominate themselves.

All nominated companies will be required to submit a written application and return it to the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020, to be considered. All applications are confidential.

For a nomination form or if you have questions, please email michele@hendersonvance.org or call the H-V Chamber at (252) 438-8414.

U.S. Department of Justice

Henderson Man Involved in Shooting Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced QUINDARIUS DANTE RAINEY, 30, of Henderson to seven years imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

RAINEY was named in an Indictment filed on July 31, 2019, charging him with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. On November 12, 2019, RAINEY pled guilty to that charge.

According to the investigation, during the early morning hours of August 26, 2018, RAINEY was captured on video surveillance shooting a handgun with an extended magazine multiple times at another man. The shooting occurred in the parking lot of the 85 Bar & Lounge in Henderson.

The victim attempted to flee and RAINEY continued to shoot at the man while chasing him. RAINEY then entered his vehicle and fled the scene. The victim was not injured, but several nearby businesses and cars sustained property damage.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017, the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices in those communities on a sustained basis to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

The Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. Dodson and John Parris prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

Vance Co. Schools Continues Support of Decades-Long Leandro Case

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

At the Vance County Board of Education meeting held on March 9, Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson addressed the on-going Leandro Case.

What is Leandro? In 1994, families from five low-wealth counties (Hoke, Halifax, Robeson, Vance, and Cumberland) claimed that North Carolina was not providing students with the same educational opportunities as those in higher-income districts, at which time the court case began and is still ongoing.

Both sides agreed in 2017 to have an independent consultant come in to make recommendations, unveiling the WestEd report.

Dr. Jackson shared the WestEd Leandro Report that gave eight recommendations for a sound, basic education for children. 1) Revise the state funding model to provide adequate, efficient, and equitable resources, 2) Provide a qualified, well-prepared, and diverse teaching staff in every school 3) Provide a qualified and well-prepared principal in every school, 4) Provide all at-risk students with the opportunity to attend high-quality early childhood programs 5) Direct resources, opportunities, and initiatives to economically disadvantaged students 6) Revise the student assessment system and school accountability system 7) Build an effective regional and statewide system of support for the improvement of low-performing and high-poverty schools 8) Convene an expert panel to assist the Court in monitoring state policies, plans programs, and progress.

The Vance County Board of Education indicated unanimously they support this cause and the district will continue to follow the decades-long case as it continues in court.

For more information on the case, please visit the Public School Forum of North Carolina website at www.ncforum.org/leandro/.

Granville County Welcomes Brides On Wheels (BOWs) Bridal Tour

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-Information courtesy Granville County Tourism Development Authority

Are you planning a 2020- 2021 wedding? If you are (or hope to be), you are invited to be a part of the Granville County Brides on Wheels (BOWs) Bridal Tour to see what this community just outside of the Triangle has to offer. From rustic to elegant, outdoor to indoor, you will find something that will help make your wedding day perfect.

Reserve your spot now for this year’s tour scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2020.

The Granville County BOWs Bridal Tour day includes five or more venues, meet & greets with local vendors, and a goodie bag for VIP registrants. All you have to do to become a VIP Bride is register yourself and one guest, sit back, relax and take a scenic trip of Granville. The schedule is tentative, so check back often for additions and changes.

Please note that tour seating is limited, so pre-register to assure your spot. For more information, visit the tour’s website at www.brides-on-wheels.com or call (919) 693-6125.

*RAIN DATE FOR BUS TOUR IS SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2019. You will be notified if postponed.

Follow this Event on Facebook for updates and more: https://www.facebook.com/granvillebridaltour/ 

Purchase tickets at https://granvillebows2020.eventbrite.com

Vipers Name Campbell Head Football Coach; Meet & Greet Scheduled March 12

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-Press Release, Vance County High School

The Vance County Board of Education has approved Edwin J. Campbell, Jr. as the new head football coach at Vance County High School.

Coach Campbell comes to Vance County with an impressive football background. A Raleigh native, Campbell attended Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, where he was a standout varsity defensive back and team captain. Campbell also played college football at Elizabeth City State University before earning his degree at Winston-Salem State University.

Campbell later returned to Southeast Raleigh as the varsity defensive coordinator, marking the beginning of his coaching career. Since then, Campbell has coached for several of North Carolina’s most elite football programs, holding positions such as interim head coach, assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator.

Most recently, Campbell was an assistant coach for 3-time state champion Wake Forest High School under Head Coach Reggie Lucas. The Cougars finished the 2019 season 12-2 overall, losing in the 4AA Eastern Regional Final. Prior to his stint at Wake Forest, Campbell helped lead Zebulon B. Vance High School of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to two 4AA Western Regional Finals.

In 2018, as assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, Campbell was instrumental in helping Zebulon B. Vance reach its first-ever state championship game. Following the departure of Zebulon B. Vance Head Coach Aaron Brand, Coach Campbell also became the interim head coach at Zebulon B. Vance.

Campbell has also held coordinator positions with varsity football teams at East Wake and Leesville Road high schools in the Wake County Public School System.

“We took our time and did our due diligence while searching for our new head football coach,” Athletic Director Joe Sharrow said of the coaching search. “We ultimately believe that Coach Campbell is uniquely equipped with the experience and expertise that makes him the right fit for our school and what we needed at this time. I am fully confident in his ability to benefit the lives of our student-athletes and be an extremely successful coach for us.”

Campbell will replace Darry Ragland, who resigned in January after leading the Vipers to a 13-10 record over two seasons. The Vipers graduated seventeen seniors and are expecting many new contributors at key positions.

“I am excited and appreciative that Principal Rey Horner and Athletic Director Joe Sharrow have put their trust in me to lead the Vance County Vipers football program,” Campbell said in a statement. “I look forward to meeting the players and guiding them, not only to be their best on the football field but also their best in this community as great examples of how positive young men conduct themselves.” Campbell continued, “I am confident that by leading a team with the right attitude, structure, and the support of the community, we will build a football program that will make Vance County proud.”

Vance County High School will introduce Coach Campbell, wife Chernessa Campbell, and son Edwin J. Campbell III (Tre) at a community meet and greet on Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. All community members, current and former players, parents, fans, media, and anyone interested in Viper Football are encouraged to attend.

The Vipers will open the 2020 football season on the road at Bunn High School on August 21. They will play their first game at home the following week in the County Line Clash against Warren County High School on August 28.

News 03/10/20

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Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health Prepared for Coronavirus; No Reported Cases to Date

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to work closely with Granville Vance Public Health and following guidance from the NC Department of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure our hospital is prepared with the appropriate plans to detect, protect and respond should anyone in our community contract or be exposed to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19).

Additionally, we are reviewing our facility’s robust emergency operations plan and proactively completing a number of preparation checklists out of an abundance of caution.

While we have not evaluated OR treated any patients with this virus at our hospital to date, Maria Parham Health has taken the following measures to prepare, in accordance with CDC guidelines:

• Patients in the Emergency Department and inpatient units are screened based on their recent travel history.
• Personal protective equipment, including face masks, is being stored and managed appropriately based on the risk of exposure or infection.
• Hand hygiene products are easily accessible throughout the facility.

Importantly, all of the above are standard operating protocols that are in place year-round to help ensure the health and well-being of everyone who enters our hospital.

We want to assure our community that our providers and clinical teams are well-trained and prepared to manage outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the coronavirus.

For more information, contact Granville Vance Public Health or visit the NCDHHS website at www.ncdhhs.gov and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.

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Commissioners’ March Meeting to Include Public Hearing on Oxford Prep Annexation

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall in Oxford.

Agenda items include:

Public Hearing to hear citizen input on the Petition of Voluntary, Non-Contiguous Annexation by Oxford Preparatory School.

Consider approving the request of Andrew Swanner on behalf of Oxford Preparatory School for a non-contiguous annexation of 16+/-acres located at 6041 Landis Rd.

Public Hearing to hear citizen input on the amendment to the subdivision ordinance regarding the installation of sidewalks and curbing under section 71.2 (a).

Consider approving the amendment to the subdivision ordinance regarding the installation of sidewalks and curbing under section 71.2 (a).

Consider authorizing the City Clerk to investigate the Sufficiency of the Petition and certify its sufficiency for a non-contiguous annexation of 2 parcels of land totaling 4.91 acres of land located off of Hwy 158 by Land Seitz, LLC.

Consider calling for a public hearing for the April 14 regular meeting to assign a zoning classification for property located off Hwy 158 at the corner of the 1-85 on-ramp that has been petitioned for a non-contiguous annexation.

Consider authorizing the City Clerk to investigate the Sufficiency of the Petition and certify its sufficiency on behalf of Oxford Prep, located at 6041 Landis Rd, to annex 2.89 additional acres of land.

Consider awarding the 2020 Concessionaire Contract for Oxford Park Athletic Complex to Robert Glover, dba Farmer John’s Ice Cream.

Consider approving a letter of support to apply for a Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) grant which requires a 20% match of approximately $11.610.00 from the City.

Please click here for the full meeting agenda.

West End Baptist

Baptist Men of West End Baptist Church to Host 220 Seafood Fundraiser

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-Information courtesy Jerry Parrish, West End Baptist Church

The Baptist Men of West End Baptist Church in Henderson will sponsor a Fish Fry Fundraiser at 220 Seafood Restaurant on Monday, March 16, 2020, from 4 until 7 p.m.

Trout, coleslaw, french fries and hushpuppies will be available for $8 per plate. Plates are available for eat-in or take out. Beverage provided with eat-in meals only.

All proceeds will be used to support local ministries, including ACTS, Lifeline Ministries, Rebuilding Hope, GRACE Ministries and many others.

Your support of this fundraiser is greatly appreciated.