NC State Board of Elections

County Boards of Elections Complete Post-Election Audits

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections

As a statewide recount for a North Carolina Supreme Court contest begins in North Carolina, all 100 county boards of elections recently completed hand-to-eye audits for the 2020 general election, an important step in confirming accurate election results.

Pursuant to state law, the bipartisan county boards conduct a hand-to-eye audit of ballots from randomly selected voting groups. In a presidential election like 2020, the audited contest is always the president of the United States.

The audit is a comparison of the machine counts of ballots with hand-to-eye counts to ensure voting equipment recorded voters’ choices accurately. The voting systems and software of two companies – ES&S and Hart InterCivic – are certified for use in North Carolina. All counties use voting equipment from one of those companies.

Statewide, more than 150 Election Day precincts and 30 early voting sites were audited. Also, more than a dozen counties conducted a hand-to-eye audit of all mail-in absentee ballots.

Of the 200 voting groups audited, only 13 audits found any difference between the machine count and the human count, and all discrepancies were three votes or fewer. Most differences were attributed to human error, such as a voter marking outside of the bubble, or to human error during the hand count itself.

“We are glad to see that no significant issues were found during the audit,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “This successful audit is a testament to our elections officials and to the elections equipment used throughout the state. North Carolinians can be confident that their votes count.”

The State Board of Elections office conducts a series of post-election audits and investigations, where necessary, to ensure the integrity of election results. For more information on election security and audits, visit Post-Election Procedures and Audits.

The State Board will certify statewide results for most federal, statewide, multi-district and judicial contests during the state canvass at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 24. Results in each contest are not considered official until certified by the State Board.

After state canvass, the board of elections with jurisdiction over each contest will issue a certificate of election to the prevailing candidate.

NC Coop Extension

Register Now: ‘Backyard Ag’ Online Series for New Farmers

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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension

Living on a small farm is a dream shared by many, but the reality can be overwhelming. Those new to farming face the daunting tasks of building infrastructure, figuring out what to grow, negotiating tax and regulatory issues, estimating costs and much more.

Fortunately, N.C. Cooperative Extension has a seven-part online class that will put you on the path to success. This class series, called Backyard Ag: Taking it to the Next Level, is brought to you by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Centers of Person, Granville, Vance and Warren counties.

Class participants will learn about options for small acreages, government assistance programs, business planning, marketing, equipment basics and much more.

The series will begin on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 1 p.m. The class will continue on alternate Wednesdays through February 24, 2021. Each class will be held on the Zoom video conference platform, which can be accessed from any internet-connected computer, tablet or smartphone.

Presenters will include local Ag Extension Agents, as well as representatives from other ag-related agencies. Registration is required and can be completed online at http://go.ncsu.edu/backyardag201.

City of Henderson Logo

City of Henderson Responds to COVID-19 Orange Alert Level

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On Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) announced a new COVID-19 County Alert System to pinpoint counties with the highest levels of viral spread and offer specific recommendations to bring numbers down.

The system uses metrics informed by the White House Coronavirus Task Force and North Carolina’s key metrics to categorize counties into three tiers:

Yellow: Significant Community Spread

Orange: Substantial Community Spread

Red: Critical Community Spread

To be assigned to the red or orange tier, a county must meet the threshold for case rate for that tier AND the threshold for either percent positive OR hospital impact.

  • Case Rate: The number of new cases in 14 days per 100,000 people
  • Percent Positive: The percent of tests that are positive over 14 days
  • Hospital Impact: A composite score based on the impact that COVID-19 has had on hospitals including percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations, COVID-19 related visits to the Emergency Department, staffed open hospital beds and critical staffing shortages over 14 days

According to the current chart, Vance County is coded orange for substantial community spread with a 9.1% 14-Day Percent Positive rate; 464.8 14-Day Case Rate Per 100,000 and a moderate hospital impact.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington responded to the Governor’s press conference and Vance County’s orange alert level:

“As we look to the ever-increasing cases of COVID-19, the City Manager and I have met, and we are strongly advising the citizens to adhere to the Governor’s mandatory mask mandate along with the other common-sense steps that have been made known by numerous health experts. As duly noted by our orange alert level that shows substantial community spread, we must take this very seriously and act now for the well being of everyone in our city and county. It is up to us to protect ourselves and one another. Please, think before you leave your home, enter businesses and as we gather for the upcoming holidays; lives are at risk. We cannot and must not move into the red alert level. As the Governor has stated: it is up to each individual city and its leaders to take action, and we are prepared to take those next steps.”

Ellington continued, “While we are not at this point as of now, similar to texting while driving and wearing your seatbelt, this certainly could result in a fine for blatant negligence. We are making it a priority to revisit and contact businesses as well as the faith community, urging them to refuse entry without a proper face covering. This falls on them to do their part. These are difficult decisions for leaders, and it’s a reflection on them; safety has to be paramount. As the Christmas season approaches, let’s not let it get to imposing stricter regulations. Just do the right thing for your fellow man.”

In information sent by the City, the state of NC is asking public officials in red and orange counties to consider expanding free COVID-19 testing, pass ordinances to create civil penalties for statewide order violations, increase enforcement of gathering size and setting the alcohol curfew earlier than the statewide rule of 11 p.m.

The City has not indicated that any such further restrictions are currently planned for Henderson. WIZS will bring you any additional information as it is released.

Vance County Courthouse

COVID Outbreak Closes Vance Co. Courthouse for Two Days

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Due to a small outbreak of COVID-19, the Vance County Courthouse is closed and will be closed Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20, 2020.

The Vance County Clerk of Court, the Hon. Henry Gupton, told WIZS News that two or three positive COVID tests have occurred, both in folks who work in or around the courthouse and the courtrooms and in those who appear in court.

Gupton said the Granville-Vance Public Health Department suggested the closing and a thorough cleaning.

There will be no court this Thursday and Friday. Gupton said he would be at the courthouse himself and a dropbox would be available outside for emergency filings.

Gupton said he wants to be there to help people; he wants everyone to know what is going on and that additional information would be available soon.

None of this news story should be used in any manner to make decisions beyond this week. Gupton will issue additional information as needed.

All indications at this time of publication are that the courthouse will be open next week.

Henderson Police Department

HPD: 17-Year-Old Shot by Juvenile Suspect Succumbs to Injury

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at approximately 5:50 p.m., officers of the Henderson Police Department arrived at 111 S. Pinkston Street in response to a person being shot. When responders arrived, they located 17-year-old Tysean Wortham of Henderson suffering from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Mr. Wortham was transported to a medical facility where he later succumbed to his injury.

Through the public’s assistance, the investigators of the Henderson Police Department quickly developed a suspect. Shortly after midnight, investigators were able to take the suspect, a 15-year-old juvenile, into custody without incident.

The motive behind this tragedy remains under investigation and no further information can be released about the arrestee due to his age.

As always, we are grateful for the community we serve and the assistance they provide us in our duties. We are still seeking information from the public about this incident. Please contact us through Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925 or P3 app, call us at (252) 438-4141, or contact us through Facebook or Instagram.

Rabies Alert

Skunk Found on Cross Creek Road Tests Positive for Rabies

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-Information courtesy Vance Co. Animal Services

Vance County Animal Services responded to a call on November 16, 2020, in reference to a possibly rabid skunk in the 800 block of Cross Creek Road in Henderson. The skunk was sent off for testing and has tested positive for rabies.

At this time, Animal Services is asking residents to please make sure that all dogs and cats are up-to-date on their rabies vaccines. Even if your pet is up-to-date, a booster vaccine is recommended if you live on or near Cross Creek Road.

The Vance County Animal Shelter offers rabies vaccines for $5. Hours of operation are Monday 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; and Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Green Rural Redevelopment (GRRO)

Noon News 11-18-20; Free Food, Covid Tests, PPE; Food Drive; Job Fair

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– GRRO Free Covid Testing; Free Food Boxes; Free PPE
– Covid in Vance County
– Henderson Wellness Center, ACTS, Thanksgiving Food Drive
– VGCC Job Fairs

For Full Details and WIZS Noon News Audio Click Play…

 

ACTS of Henderson Sign

ACTS of Henderson Announces Current Food Pantry Needs

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-Information courtesy ACTS of Henderson

ACTS of Henderson is currently in need of the following items for its food pantry:

  • Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
  • Rice – one or two lb. bags
  • Peanut butter – 16 to 18 oz. jars
  • Canned baked beans
  • Canned beans – navy, great northern, pinto, black-eyed peas, etc.
  • Clean, dry plastic grocery bags
  • Any type of canned greens
  • Dry pasta
  • Cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup
  • Canned soups – chicken noodle, tomato, etc.
  • Canned green peas
  • Canned corn
  • ‘Awesome’ brand cleaner (from the Dollar Tree or Roses)
  • Wrapped, unused silverware packets

Items may be dropped off at the ACTS location at 201 South Williams Street in Henderson any weekday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you need to drop off at a time other than this, please call ACTS at (252) 492–8231 to make arrangements.

Duke Energy Equality

Duke Energy Awards $1 Million in Grants for Social Justice & Racial Equity

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-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

Duke Energy is taking another positive step to advance social justice and racial equity in North Carolina. The Duke Energy Foundation announced the recipients of $1 million in grants for nonprofit organizations working for social justice and racial equity.

In July, Duke Energy committed to an annual social justice and racial equity grant cycle for at least three years in the state.

Local recipients include:

Project Momentum – Reducing disparate outcomes

“Project Momentum Inc. (PMI) is extremely appreciative to have been selected as a recipient of the Duke Energy Foundation social justice and racial equity grant. This opportunity will allow us to recreate the narrative among local community-based organizations by educating and implementing practical solutions to address equity, diversity, and inclusion in day-to-day practices,” said Mysha Wynn, founder and executive director, Project Momentum.

Region K Community Assistance Corporation – Civic engagement

“The Kerr-Tar Council of Governments/Region K Community Assistance Corporation serves a diverse group of citizens, and has for years,” said Vance County Commissioner Leo Kelly Jr., Chairman of the Board. “The funds provided by the Duke Energy Foundation will be used to train member governments’ elected, Vance Co. boards, and citizen advisory commissions in our region on social justice and racial equity, which we feel is integral to the functionality of our organization and region. By providing this type of training from a regional entity, we hope to bring about greater cultural awareness and sensitivity of diverse groups living within the Kerr-Tar region. On behalf of the Board, I’m extremely pleased that our office seeks out such grants to benefit our region.”

Freedom Organization – Reducing disparate outcomes

“On behalf of the Freedom Organization, I want to thank the Duke Energy Foundation. We are grateful for its support. We look forward to advancing efforts in social justice and racial equity within our community by creating agency for Black and POC residents in North Carolina,” said Marquetta Dickens, CEO, Freedom Organization.

In addition to these grants, employees also have the opportunity to support local organizations through the Duke Energy Foundation’s matching grant program, Dollars4Good, as well as its Hours4Good program, which enables employees to earn grants for volunteer hours logged.

Duke Energy also recognizes the incredible hardship our customers are facing during the global pandemic, and the Duke Energy Foundation has made significant grants to support our communities through hunger relief and bill assistance funding. We are proud to support organizations who are working tirelessly on the behalf of communities in our region such as:

  • County Outreach Ministry
  • Caswell Parrish
  • Backpack Buddies Person Co
  • Christian Help Center
  • ACIM
  • Vance County United Way
  • A Touch of the Fathers Love Ministry and Food Bank
  • Loaves & Fishes Ministry
  • Rachel’s Pantry – Elm City Missionary Baptist Church
  • The Caswell Fund
  • United Way of the Tar River Region
  • Warren County DSS
  • Halifax Community College – Patriot Fund
Green Rural Redevelopment (GRRO)

GRRO Announces Free COVID-19 Testing, Food Box Distribution This Week

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-Information courtesy Green Rural Redevelopment, Inc.

Green Rural Redevelopment, Inc. (GRRO), along with partners Cardinal Innovations and Groundwater Solutions, is hosting a series of COVID-19 testing events this week.

Testing times and locations are as follows:

Franklinton

Wednesday, November 18 ~ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Franklinton Middle School Parking Lot
224 Rams Way
Franklinton, NC 27525

Rocky Mount

Thursday, November 19 ~  9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Word Tabernacle Church (Impact Center Building)
821 Word Plaza
Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Oxford

Friday, November 20 ~ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Granville County Expo & Convention Center
4185 U.S Highway 15
Oxford, NC 27565

Henderson

Tuesday, November 24 ~ 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Elks Lodge
326 W. Rockspring St
Henderson, NC 27536

Like GRRO’s testing events last month, these events will be conducted as low/no contact drive-up services. People who get the free COVID-19 test will also receive a free family box of food, PPE and information on resources to help them through the pandemic.