Perry Memorial Library

Library Seeks Public Input to Plan for the Future

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According to Patti McAnally, H. Leslie Perry Library Director, the library is looking to design the future of public library service for the Perry Memorial Library. Over the past few months, the library has been conducting a community assessment survey to gauge what Vance County wants from their public library. The library is asking for input on experiences, thoughts and ideas about library service. With that in mind, Perry Library is asking for participation in a community conversation that will take place on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 8 a.m. This session is being held in the Farm Bureau Room of the library. A Light breakfast will be served. McAnally asks that those interested to please RSVP no later than Friday, January 21, 2022. Those interested should contact the library at 252-438-3316, ext 232, with any questions.

FLVF Looking For Youth Advocate To Work With Young Victims Of Abuse, Assault

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Families Living Violence Free is a WIZS advertiser. This is not a paid ad.

 

Families Living Violence Free is looking for a qualified person to be a youth development/court advocate to provide counseling and other advocacy services to youth who are primary or secondary victims of domestic abuse and/or sexual assault.

The position requires a candidate who can collaborate with FLVF staff, effectively lead small group counseling sessions, as well as conduct client intake and network with other agencies to connect clients with services and conduct outreach programs.

Candidates also should have a bachelor’s degree in in human services, social work, or psychology from an accredited university, with a minimum of two years’ hands on experience working in youth programs.

A clean driving record and access to reliable transportation are a must as well, as is previous grant-writing experience and management experience. Additional duties include some night and weekend work to take calls on the crisis line, attendance at FLVF events in the community and more.

Find the application at WWW.FLVF.ORG.

NCDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Application Period Open Now Through Mar. 4 At Noon

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The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting grant applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Nonprofits and government agencies have until noon on Mar. 4 to submit applications.

Applicants can submit a draft application for staff review by Jan. 26 to gain feedback on their grant proposals. A .pdf of the draft application should be sent to jenni.keith@ncagr.gov.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. It is managed by the department, through funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“In 2021, we awarded $2.9 million for 16 projects across the state, which included one-time funds of $1.6 million from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. We anticipate $1.2 million in funding this year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The success and growth of specialty crops are important as North Carolina agriculture continues to diversify and as the industry inches closer to the $100 billion mark in economic impact.”

The department will accept grant requests up to $200,000 from nonprofit organizations, academia, commodity associations, state and local government agencies, colleges and universities. Grants are not available for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual.

Eligible projects must involve fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants, nursery, floriculture or horticulture crops.

For grant guidelines and an application, go to www.ncspecialtycrops.com. For questions, contact Jenni Keith at 919.707.3158 or jenni.keith@ncagr.gov.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Latest COVID-19 Figures for Vance and Granville Counties

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Lisa Harrison, Granville-Vance Public Health Director, has released the latest local date regarding COVID-19. As of January 14th, 95% of all confirmed cases are now the Omicron Variant.

In the past 7 days, there have been 890* new cases in Granville County. The percent positivity rate in Granville County is 21.7%. According to the CDC COVID Data Tracker, there is High community transmission in Granville County.

In the past 7 days, there have been 627 new cases in Vance County. The percent positivity rate in Vance County is 28.3%. According to the CDC COVID Data Tracker, there is High community transmission in Vance County.**

There have been 10,923 cases of COVID-19 in Granville County and 9,372 cases of COVID-19 in Vance County for a total of 20,295 across the health district.

Granville County has documented 108 deaths as a result of COVID-19 and Vance County has a total of 108 deaths for a total of 216 deaths across the health district.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Granville County:

In Granville County, 68% of those over the age of 5 have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 64% are vaccinated with at least two doses or one dose of J&J.

In Granville County, 19% of those ages 5-11 years old have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 13% are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines.

In Granville County, 45% of those ages 12-17 years old have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 41% are vaccinated with at least two doses or one dose of J&J.

In Granville County 14,123 of those over the age of 12 are vaccinated with at least one booster/additional dose.

Vance County:

In Vance County, 64% of those over the age of 5 have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 59% vaccinated with at least two doses or one dose of J&J.

In Vance County, 17% of those ages 5-11 years old have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 10% are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines.

In Vance County, 48% of those ages 12-17 years old have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 41% are vaccinated with at least two doses or one dose of J&J.

In Vance County 9,302 of those over the age of 12 are vaccinated with at least one booster/additional dose.

 

Vance County Schools Logo

Two Hour Delay For Vance County Schools on Tuesday

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Vance County Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay on Tuesday, January 18th. All schools operating on the traditional and year-round calendar will have a required teacher workday. The workday will begin at 10:00 for all staff.
For VCHS and Early College, students and staff will operate on a two-hour delay.
Should the weather or power outages require a change in this plan, a call/message will be sent out at 6AM on Tuesday, January 18th.

TownTalk: Firefighters And The Dangers They Face

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Two people – one of them a firefighter – were taken to hospital last night after a house fire broke out on Hargrove Street.

City Fire Chief Steve Cordell told WIZS News Monday that Capt. J. Bolton is back at home, and recovering from second- and third-degree burns on both shoulders and arms. “He was attempting to do a search” of the structure to locate possible victims,” Cordell said.

The fire started about 8 p.m. in the kitchen area of a residence at 1224 Hargrove St., he said.

One person was taken to the hospital, but no information is available about the person’s condition.

“She was alive when we got her to the ambulance,” Cordell said in a phone interview with John C. Rose Monday. It is not known to which hospital the victim was taken; Bolton was taken by ambulance to the UNC Burn Center.

Firefighters face risks each time that alarm sounds and they don their protective gear and head to the scene of a fire or a vehicle accident or other emergency call.

Some risks are immediate and obvious – being burned or injured when entering a burning building, for example. But firefighters face the possibility future health challenges as a result of the work they do.

And the recently passed state budget has an item in it that addresses some of those future health challenges – like cancer diagnoses.

Through the N.C. Department of Insurance, $15 million shall be used to establish and administer a pilot program to provide health benefits to eligible firefighters with a new diagnosis of cancer on or after Jan. 1, 2022. This is a supplemental program, and firefighters could receive $25,000 after getting a new cancer diagnosis, up to $50,000. The program also allows for reimbursement of up to $12,000 in medical costs associated with the diagnosis and provides eligible firefighters additional disability assistance.

 

 

Vance County Logo

The Local Skinny! Latest Local Election News

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Candidates who wish to file for local offices will be able to do so beginning Feb. 24, 2022 at 8 a.m., according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

The filing period resumes following a State Supreme Court ruling on newly drawn district maps. The filing period will end at 12 noon on March 4, 2022.

Any candidate who has already filed does not need to re-file, Vaughan said.

Candidates may file for the office of sheriff, the register of deeds, clerk of court and county commissioners’ seats in Districts 3,4 and 7.

Board of Education seats in districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 will be voted on in the next election, as will City Council Wards 3 and 4, at-large seats in Wards 1 and 2, and seats in the NC House and NC Senate.

Following is the list of filing fees:

·      Sheriff – $720.60

·      Register of Deeds – $529.56

·      Clerk of Court – $998

·      County Commissioners – $98.72

·      Board of Education – $42

·      City of Henderson – $10.00

·      NC House and NC Senate – $140

Make checks payable to Vance County Board of Elections.

City of Henderson Logo

City Officials Want To Hear From Residents As They Update Comprehensive Plan

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The City of Henderson is updating its comprehensive plan and wants to hear from residents about priorities for the future, as well as perceived strengths and liabilities.

There is an online survey that city officials hope residents will take a few moments to complete as it develops its vision that will guide future growth.

Visit https://publicinput.com/I7062#5 to take the survey and to learn more about the comprehensive plan, which is scheduled to be completed in spring 2022.

2022 Leadership Vance Class Forming Now – Apply By Jan. 21

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The 2022 class of Leadership Vance is forming now. Applications will be taken until Jan. 21.

The program is designed to create a corps of informed and dedicated emerging leaders in the community as it educates and challenges participants to become more involved in their county.

The class is limited to 20 people, and participants will be informed of their selection by Tuesday, Feb. 1, according to information from the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

Orientation will take place on Feb. 15, 2022. Sessions in March include a business/economic development on Mar. 1 and leading a healthy & caring community on Mar. 15.

A typical program day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends by 5 p.m. on two Tuesdays each month through July.

In addition to monthly sessions, class members are required to attend several public body sessions and a graduation ceremony. Each session is planned by a steering committee member. The sessions provide participants with a sense of issues relevant to the day’s theme.

Participants are introduced to the key leaders in each environment,  conducted through a series of discussions, lectures, group discussions  and tours. Leadership skills are challenged in a variety of simulation exercises.

Tuition is $500 for Chamber members and $750 for non-Chamber members and includes all training materials, meals, travel, graduation and diploma.

Contact the Chamber office 252.438.8414 to learn more or to request an application.