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Local COVID-19 Cases On The Rise

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COVID-19 cases are on the rise across much of North Carolina, and Vance and Granville counties are no exception.

According to information extracted from the COVID-19 dashboard Granville-Vance Public Health website, the number of new weekly positive cases is on the uptick in both counties.

The most recent numbers are for May 7, with 42 cases – 2 of which are reinfections – for Vance County. That is an increase over the 26 cases reported as of April 30.

In Granville County, the May 7 number was 95, with 7 being reinfections. The April 30 number had been 75, according to the dashboard statistics.

In both counties, the number of new cases dropped to single digits in early April, but have since seen increases. Cases in both counties peaked in mid-January, with 865 cases in Vance and 1,155 cases in Granville.

Total cases since March 2020 are 11,936 in Vance and 14,536 in Granville, with deaths from COVID-19 standing at 122 in Vance and 115 in Granville.

With mask requirements now optional in many places and people gathering and congregating with less regard for social distancing, the risk for contracting COVID-19 may also increase.

If you do experience symptoms, you should get tested. And if the results come back positive for COVID-19, health professionals advise to self-isolate for 10 days.

Visit http://www.gvdhd.org/ to learn more.

 

National Police Week Observed May 11-17

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In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley recognized the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers at the local, state and national levels. The annual observance began May 11 and continues through Tuesday, May 17.

“In taking an oath to preserve and protect, law enforcement officers put their lives on the line daily to keep our communities safe,” Easley said in a press statement released earlier this week. “We recognize and appreciate their sacrifice and commitment every day. This week, we take the opportunity, across the country, to honor those law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. We also express our deepest respect and admiration for the families of these fallen heroes.”

Based on information from the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021.  Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.  Nine officers have died in the line of duty in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed gratitude to the law enforcement community. “This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” Garland said.

“We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read tonight (Friday, May 13) during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8 p.m. Those who wish to view the vigil live online can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF.

 

Online Meeting May 19 To Talk About Business Recovery Grants

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The N.C. Department of Revenue has scheduled an online information session next week to help businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic apply for Business Recovery Grant money.

The session will be held Thursday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to noon and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the grant’s Phase 2, according to Sheri Jones, VGCC Small Business Center Director. “The state is eager to distribute these funds to eligible businesses so I would encourage anyone who was in business during the pandemic to take a look at the criteria and apply – it is much broader and covers more business types in this phase, Jones said.

The deadline to apply is June 1.
To register for Thursday’s online session, go to:  NC DOR Business Recovery Grant – Program Overview & Common FAQs
The N.C. General Assembly passed the legislation and Gov. Roy Cooper signed it into law in March. The BRG issues awards of up to $500,000 to eligible North Carolina businesses that suffered substantial economic loss during the pandemic.
Two types of grants are available through the program:

  • A hospitality grant is available to an eligible arts, entertainment or recreation business,
    as well as an eligible accommodation or food service business such as a hotel, restaurant or bar (NAICS code 71 and 72).
  • A reimbursement grant is available to an eligible business not classified in NAICS Code
    71 and 72.

For Phase 2, the law was changed to make more businesses eligible for a grant. A business that received other COVID-19 relief may now be eligible for a grant in Phase 2.
Visit https://www.ncdor.gov/business-recovery-grant for more information and to apply.

Mail Carriers’ ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Event May 14

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Postal carriers deliver all sorts of mail to boxes near and far every day. But there’s a special-delivery postcard that found its way into area mailboxes recently to promote the “Stamp Out Hunger” campaign, which takes place the second Saturday in May.

That day is THIS Saturday, May 14.

The request is simple: Leave healthy, non-perishable food items by your mailbox and the person who delivers your mail will pick up your donation.

Since 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers, along with various national partners, has worked to collect food items that are donated to local food pantries.

Visit www.stampouthungerfooddrive.us to learn more.

The Local Skinny! The Doctor Is In! Free Medical Event This Weekend

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The Vance Charter School parking lot transforms into a large waiting room this weekend as a pop-up medical clinic comes to town.

All services are free of charge, and organizers say the only thing folks need to bring may be an umbrella, as rain is forecast for the weekend. The parking lot will open at midnight tomorrow (Friday, May 13) and the clinic will begin at 6 a.m.

Rishabh Jain said the Remote Area Medical clinic will provide medical, dental and vision care for anyone who comes out – no ID is required and no proof of insurance is needed. The school is located at 2090 Ross Mill Rd.

“It’s general health and wellness that we’re trying to promote,” Rishi Dasgupta said. There will be additional resources on site – including boxes of fresh produce – for participants if they’d like them. The idea is to look at health holistically, he said.

In addition to general checkups, there will be women’s health specialists present; dental services include cleanings, fillings, extractions and X-rays and vision patients can expect to get eyeglasses after about an hour, Jain said.

Both Jain and  and Dasgupta graduated from Duke University last weekend and have helped organize the RAM clinic. Both men will be at the two-day clinic this weekend, along with more than 30 other Duke undergrads who have helped plan the event.

“These clinics promote health and wellness in the community,” Dasgupta said “Anyone is welcome at a RAM clinic.”

A patient who needs dental and vision care may need to come both days, because Jain said medical services can be paired with dental or vision services, but not both in one day.

For patients who may need follow-up care, there will be a list of resources available. “We don’t want to identify a problem and send someone home with no next steps,” Jain said.

Visit www.ramusa.org to learn more.

CLICK PLAY!

 

Perry Memorial Library

Friends Of Perry Library Meeting Monday, May 16

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The Friends of the Perry Memorial invites you to attend the annual meeting on Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m.

The group exists to support the library in its mission to provide the best collection, programs and service to the community in and around Henderson.

Among the agenda items are planning for summer and fall activities, including the next book sale. The group also will be electing board members.

The meeting will be held in the Farm Bureau Room at the library, located at 205 Breckenridge St.

For more information, contact friendsofperrymemoriallibrary@gmail.com

 

Country Snacks Mfg. Named Vance Co. Small Business Of The Year

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Country Snacks Manufacturing was named Vance County Small Business of the Year Wednesday by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

The business, founded in 2000 by Dwight Frazier and now run by daughter Angie Jacobs, makes a variety of snacks like pork rinds and pork skins in bags with the familiar Carolina Country Snack logo.

In presenting the award, Ronald Bennett, chairperson of the Henderson-Vance Chamber, told the group of about 40 that the company started out with a few employees and has grown to about 35. A partnership with Wise Foods has meant the crunchy snack foods have a much wider distribution now. “And it all started right here in Henderson,” Bennett said.

Upon accepting the award, Jacobs said she is proud to live in Henderson. “We love where we live,” she said. “We’re very thankful for this award and we appreciate it.”

Three other Chambers were represented at Wednesday’s event and announced their Small Business winners as well. The luncheon was held at Henderson Country Club.

Granville County Chamber Executive Director Lauren Roberson awarded Randall Huff of Huff Consulting LLC the Small Business of the Year for Granville County. In accepting the award, Huff said his business’s open house was in August 2021, and the reception from the community was a welcoming one.

“We’re in the right place to be able to help people in the right way,” he said. “We look forward to being a pillar in the community for a long time.”

In Franklin County, the Small Business of the Year went to Cook Shack Catering LLC and REMAX Premier Realty is the winner in Person County.

Representatives of the N.C. Rural Center were the guest speakers at the awards luncheon. Miles Kirksey and Tori Keeton shared updates about the role small businesses play in the economy and what that means for rural areas.

Kirksey said Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties have seen the most growth in new small businesses in 2020-21: Vance County has seen a 110 percent growth in new businesses, with Warren coming in at 91 percent, followed by Granville with 89 percent, Person with 86 percent and Franklin with 80 percent.

“I’m excited to see the growth of these five counties,” Kirksey said, adding that the more rural counties should be mindful of the benefits they can offer.

“Rural is not just a place,” Kirksey said. “It’s a way of life.”

Local Salvation Army Leaders Relocating To Texas

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Moving to a new appointment is a way of life for Salvation Army officers. As dedicated pastors and leaders, Salvation Army officers serve wherever their skills are needed. The average appointment for a Salvation Army officer is between 3 years and 5 years, so when Capt. Derrick Smith and his wife, Capt. Odessa Smith, received a call from Salvation Army leadership saying they were being moved, they were not surprised. But they were surprised to learn that they were selected to serve as Divisional Youth Secretaries for the state of Texas.

“Leading youth to Christ has always been at the heart of our ministry,” said Capt. Odessa Smith. “We are thrilled for this opportunity to serve Him in Texas!”

The Smiths have served in the Henderson community for three years. Their last day of service to the Salvation Army of Henderson is Sunday, May 29, 2022.

“We know that God has solid plans for The Salvation Army in Henderson and are grateful that we were appointed here,” said Capt. Derrick Smith. “While we look forward to what God has in store for us in Texas, we will deeply miss our friends and partners in Henderson. We have been blessed to work among people truly dedicated to serving others.”

The Salvation Army will receive its new officers, Captains Joshua and Amanda Keaton, in late June, hailing from their most recent appointment in Concord, North Carolina.