Stories include:
– MLK Day
– Food Drive at Perry Library
– 3 on 3 basketball tournament
– Food giveaways/covid testing
– hiring event
For full details and audio click play.
Submitted by Adrian Ogle, Chief of Staff, Maria Parham Health
For most of us, this past holiday season was unlike any other we have experienced. Instead of the typical hustle and bustle of holiday parties, family gatherings and being surrounded by those we love – this year was just different. I know for me personally, I missed seeing my mother and other beloved family members due to the restrictions of COVID-19.
While changing traditions this year was hard, I know there are people here in our community who are facing much greater difficulties because of how COVID-19 has impacted their lives. I see these challenges every single day in my role on the frontlines of fighting this pandemic as a Chief of Staff.
That’s why I’m excited and proud to be among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. I know many people have questions or concerns about the vaccine – I did too, at first. However, after talking to other clinicians I know and trust, reviewing the facts and being tired of missing so much in 2020, I feel very confident in my decision to get vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines have gone through the same rigorous process to gain authorization that all vaccines available in the United States have gone through – no steps were skipped, and no corners were cut. Researchers anticipate that the vaccine will be approximately 95% effective. This is significantly higher than other common (and important) vaccines like the flu vaccine, which is typically between 40-60% effective.
You’ve probably heard about the potential side effects, which can include pain at the injection site and sometimes headaches, muscle pain, body aches, fatigue or fever. I personally experienced mild soreness and achiness around the injection site, which were mild and went away within two days. I can tell you from personal experience serving patients and families every day during this crisis that these potential side effects pale in comparison to the challenges that come with a serious case of COVID-19.
For me, I chose to get the vaccine because it is very important that we as a community all take measures to control Covid-19 to allow us to return to a sense of normalcy.
With the COVID-19 vaccine, I believe we are on the right path toward reaching an end to the pandemic and returning to normal life – but it is going to take all of us doing our part by choosing to get vaccinated, continuing to wear masks, maintaining social distancing and practicing hand hygiene until the vaccination is widely administered. I want to encourage every member of our community to step up and be a vaccine hero once it is available to you. Do it for your family, your friends, yourself – and all of us at Maria Parham Health.
While there is much that we all missed last year because of the pandemic, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community, and I will continue to do my part to help ensure that brighter days are ahead in 2021.
(This is not a paid ad. Maria Parham Health is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)
There will be a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 28 to discuss updates to the Tar River Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which covers Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties. The virtual meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. and will discuss next steps to update the hazard mitigation plan. The plan outlines steps to prepare, respond and reduce losses in the event of floods, severe storms, wildfires, extreme winter weather and other natural hazards.
Local governments are required to develop a hazard mitigation plan as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for hazard mitigation projects, which stems from passage of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
The upcoming meeting is the part of the first of six steps that will be addressed in the update, according to information from area emergency management officials. In addition to public outreach is risk assessment, capability assessment, mitigation strategy development, plan maintenance and plan adoption. The updated plan is expected to be ready for review by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency by June 2021.
In addition to two open public meetings, residents of the four counties are invited to complete a survey. Find the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPWRNC2 and to visit the Tar River Hazard Mitigation Planning website click on https://gis.aecomonline.net/irisk2/NCHMP.aspx?region=30.
If you would like to attend the meeting, use the following links and information:
Join on your computer or mobile app by CLICKING HERE TO JOIN THE MEETING or use this link BY CLICKING HERE. Or call in (audio only) (877) 286-5733,,456918094# (Toll-free) Phone Conference ID: 456 918 094#
Updates and draft documents will be available on the website during the planning process, which began in September 2020.
Granville County Emergency Management is leading this regional effort. The planning committee is made up of local officials, representatives, and key stakeholders.
To learn more about the project, contact any of the emergency management coordinators below:
Robin Edwards, Granville County
919.603.1310 / robin.edwards@granvillecounty.org
Brian Short, Vance County
252.438.8264 / bshort@vancecounty.org
Dennis Paschall, Warren County
252.257.1191 / dennispaschall@warrentcountync.gov
Christy Shearin, Franklin County
919.291.9420 / chearin@franklincountync.us
— press release
IRS Criminal Investigation warns North Carolina taxpayers about new wave of COVID-19 scams as second round of Economic Impact Payments are delivered
The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) is warning North Carolina taxpayers about a new wave of COVID-19-related scams as the agency delivers the second round of Economic Impact Payments.
In the last several months, IRS-CI has seen a variety of Economic Impact Payment (EIP) scams and other financial schemes designed to steal money and personal information from taxpayers. Criminals are taking advantage of the second round of Economic Impact Payments – as well as the approaching filing season – to trick honest taxpayers out of their hard-earned money.
“As this second round of Economic Impact Payments are being issued and as we approach tax filing season, I’d like to remind taxpayers to remain vigilant. Fraudsters continue to exploit this pandemic to victimize the American public by seeking ways to gain access to taxpayer’s personal and financial information in an effort to line their own pockets,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line.
Some common COVID-19 scams include:
Although criminals are constantly changing their tactics, taxpayers can help protect themselves by acting as the first line of defense. The best way to avoid falling victim to a scam is knowing how the IRS communicates with taxpayers. The IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The IRS does not call people with threats of jail or lawsuits, nor does it demand tax payments on gift cards.
IRS-CI continues investigating hundreds of COVID-19-related cases with law enforcement agencies domestically and abroad and educating taxpayers about scams.
COVID-19 scams should be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or submitted through the NCDF Web Complaint Form. The NCDF is a national coordinating agency within the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division dedicated to improving the detection, prevention, investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct related to natural and man-made disasters and other emergencies.
Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Reports can be made online at TIPS.TIGTA.GOV.
Taxpayers who receive unsolicited emails or social media attempts to gather information that appear to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, should forward the message to phishing@irs.gov. Taxpayers are encouraged not to engage potential scammers online or on the phone.
To learn more about COVID-19 scams and other financial schemes visit IRS.gov. Official IRS information about COVID-19 and Economic Impact Payments can be found on the Coronavirus Tax Relief page, which is updated frequently.
WIZS has been asked to announce, by the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ Workforce Development Board, Hollander Sleep Products is holding a virtual hiring event.
It will take place Tuesday, January 19 at 11 a.m.
Visit the Weebly events page to register. (https://ncworkskt.weebly.com)
You can join for this hiring event with Hollander Sleep Products to find out about their current openings and how to apply.
Email joseph.jung@ncoworks.gov or lonnda.brothers@ncworks.gov.
The NCWorks Career Center can be reach by phone at 919-693-2686.
(This is not a paid ad or sponsorship.)
Stories include:
– Payroll Protection is now underway
– Democratic Party holding local food drive
– Food insecurities addressed with food drives-
– Shannon Christmas’ TownTalk appearance
– Mick Mixon on SportsTalk
For details and full audio click play.
— from Linda T. Bristow
Mt. Moriah A. M. E. Zion Church is continuing its partnership with Livingstone College and the NC Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority to fight food insecurities in Henderson, Vance County, NC and surrounding areas.
Two additional community outreach initiatives are scheduled. The first is on MLK Day Monday, January 18, 2021 beginning at 11 a.m. We will be giving away free groceries (fresh produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and canned goods).
On January 22, 2021, we will be giving away cases of fresh chicken (up to 40 lbs).
Both events are free and open to anyone experiencing food insecurities and will be held at Mt. Moriah A. M. E. Zion Church, located at 5448 Highway 158 Business, Henderson, NC 27537.
The Vance County Democratic Party will be honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday.
In observance and honor of MLK, the VCDP will be collecting non-perishable foods for those in need in Vance County.
Proceeds and items will be delivered to ACTS and The Help Center of Vance County.
You can drop off items outside the library on Monday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. or Shear Magic Salon at 1224 Dabney Drive and ask for Angela Thornton. Or text 919-614-1934 and she will come out and unload items.
Item pickup is also available.
The VCDP appreciates your support for those in need during these unprecedented times and battling the pandemic. Many are in need in our community with lost jobs, lost homes.
Help show the community that we care. Reach out to your network of friends and ask them to donate non-perishable items for the community.
The VCDP would love to thank you in person for your support and looks forward to seeing you there in honor of MLK!
— news release courtesy of ncdhhs.gov
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced today that vaccine providers that are ready to expand may vaccinate all health care workers and anyone 65 years and older.
“Doctors, hospitals and local health departments are working hard to get people vaccinated. There may be a wait, but when it’s your spot, take your shot to stay healthy and help us get back to being with family and friends,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.
Because vaccine supplies are currently limited, states must make vaccine available in phases. To save lives and slow the spread of COVID-19, independent state and federal public health advisory committees recommend first protecting health care workers, people who are at the highest risk of being hospitalized or dying, and those at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.
North Carolina moves through vaccination phases by aligning to federal priorities while giving local health departments and hospitals the flexibility to move to the next priority group as they complete the previous one and have vaccines available. With today’s announcement, vaccine providers who are ready may vaccinate adults 65 years and older and health care workers, which will be followed by frontline essential workers, then adults with high risk of exposure and increased risk of serious illness, then everyone. It is the responsibility of all vaccine providers to ensure equitable access to vaccines. This will mean taking intentional actions to reach and engage historically marginalized communities.
“We know that people are doing all that they can to learn about the vaccines so they can make the best decision for themselves and their families. It can be hard to know what is true and what can be trusted. We are here to provide you with honest, factual information,” said Secretary Cohen.
As part of the ongoing effort to educate North Carolinians about the safety, benefits and importance of receiving COVID-19 vaccinations, NCDHHS launched You have a spot. Take your shot. to provide all North Carolinians with information about COVID-19 vaccine development, testing, safety, side-effects and reactions.
A searchable list of health departments and hospitals administering the vaccination is available on the state’s COVID-19 vaccination website, yourspotyourshot.nc.gov. There is a wait time in many areas. Counties are in various stages as they deal with new COVID-19 cases and vaccinations. To support communities, NCDHHS is partnering with health systems, local health departments and community health centers across the state to host large community vaccine events for people currently eligible to be vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccinations are free of charge, regardless of whether or not people have insurance. However, most doctors cannot provide COVID-19 vaccines in their office at this time. Individuals who are currently eligible and would like to receive the vaccine must make an appointment with their local health department or hospital.
In collaboration with local and statewide media outlets, pooled video footage and photos from recent vaccination clinics, PSAs produced by NCDHHS and other resources are available for publication and broadcast use, and can be downloaded from bit.ly/3rTOcS2.
For more information, visit yourspotyourshot.nc.gov.
Noon News for 14 Jan. 2021. Stories include:
– Covid 19 vaccine protocol
– Covid 19 update
– Granville County Extension Service
For full details and audio click play.
