NC Dept of Agriculture

State Sees Year’s First Cases of Often Fatal EEE Disease in Horses

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Four horses have recently tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) in North Carolina. The horses were located in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus and Durham counties. These are the first cases of EEE reported this year.

“In 2019, there were only two reported cases of EEE in horses in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The fact that we have doubled the 2019 number already, points to a need to be extra vigilant and vaccinate your equine. Mosquito season in North Carolina has several more months to go.”

EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for signs of the disease to appear.

“If your horses exhibit any symptoms of EEE, contact your veterinarian immediately,” said State Veterinarian Doug Meckes. “It is imperative that horse owners keep their vaccines current, talk to their veterinarian about vaccinating equine as soon as possible against EEE and West Nile virus.”

The vaccinations initially require two shots, 30 days apart, for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. Meckes recommends a booster shot every six months in North Carolina because of the state’s prolonged mosquito season.

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle of water that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to manufacturers’ instructions.

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.

While there is no vaccine to protect people from EEE, people can protect themselves with repellents and by judicious suppression of mosquito populations, especially in areas near freshwater hardwood swamps.

Local News Audio

Local News Audio 08/04/20 Noon

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Local News Audio 08/04/20 Noon

WIZS – Your Community Voice

  • Isaias storm totals and reports
  • VGCC with CARES ACT funds
  • MPH Cath Lab Ribbon Cutting

Click Play to Listen…

 

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH COVID-19 Update: Case Reported at Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC)

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of August 3, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Granville County

1,192 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,192, 653 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 653, 495 have been released from isolation, and 11 are hospitalized.

Of those 1,192 cases, 507 are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County, and 366 of those 507 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,192, 32 are associated with outbreaks at long term care facilities including 11 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center, 10 at Universal Health Care, and eight at Granville House.

Of the 32 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, eight have been released from isolation.

There have been a total of 25 deaths in Granville County, three in the community, one at Central Regional Hospital, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Vance County

709 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 709, 585 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 585, 440 have been released from isolation.

Of those 709, 124 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 48 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home, and one with Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC) in Henderson, NC. The outbreak at ARC is newly reported. The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.

Of the 124 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.

Three individuals in Vance County are hospitalized

There have been a total of 40 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 11 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two of whom were associated with Senior Citizens Home, and 13 in the community.

WIZS Note: There are 145 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 158 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Vance County has not increased since July 6.

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.

VGCC Customer Service Excellence

VGCC to Offer New Customer Service Excellence Program

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College has scheduled a new, mostly-online program designed to equip area residents with the customer service skills that are critical to the success of all businesses and organizations. The “Customer Service Excellence” program is set to be offered four times this fall.

In each case, students will only attend the first class in person at one of VGCC’s campuses. The rest of the program (totaling 24 hours) will be completed online from the comfort and safety of students’ homes or offices.

The class that begins at the college’s Main Campus (near Henderson) will be held August 24 – September 13; at the Franklin County Campus (Louisburg), September 14 – October 4; at South Campus (Creedmoor/Butner), October 5-25; and at the Warren County Campus (Warrenton), October 26 – November 15. Students are reminded that masks or face coverings are now required for everyone while indoors on campus.

The first few classes within the program will introduce the basic concepts of customer service, including how to handle difficult customer interactions; enhance participants’ communication skills; and examine customer relationship management (CRM), which can lead to growing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Next, students will learn critical problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, as well as basic computer skills for the workplace. Then, participants will gain skills that can help them secure employment, including career/resume development, and job interview techniques. A section on financial literacy will help students learn strategies for managing money, budgeting and saving.

Finally, students will prepare for the National Career Readiness Certification exam.

“This program is designed to equip employees with the skills needed to provide outstanding customer service by building and maintaining mutually-beneficial relationships,” said VGCC Dean of Business & Industry Solutions Tanya Weary. “These classes teach participants how to achieve customer service excellence while building a robust, skilled workforce for our local employers in any number of sectors.”

The instructor for the program is Alex Madrigal.

The program costs $70 but will be free of charge to participants who qualify through a Human Resources Development (HRD) waiver.

For more information, contact Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at (252) 738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu.

To register, visit https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/hrd/.

Vance County NC

Hurricane Isaias Prompts Vance Co. Officials to Proclaim State of Emergency

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-Information courtesy the City of Henderson

Due to the current track of Hurricane Isaias and its anticipated impact on Vance County, the Mayor of the City of Henderson and the Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners have declared a State of Emergency for Henderson, NC.

Of note in the proclamation, a vehicle curfew may be enacted in the event of significant power outages, fallen power lines, and road blockage(s), due to fallen trees and flooding. Such a curfew would be in effect from 8 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2020, until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The curfew will not be officially enacted until/if public safety officials and the delegated authority(s) find that such conditions exist. The time frame may be extended pursuant to the authority delegated. 

As of the time of this posting (approximately 2:30 p.m. on August 3, 2020), a vehicle curfew is not in effect.

Below is the proclamation in its entirety:

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY 

The following Proclamation is issued by the Mayor of the City of Henderson and the Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners: 

WHEREAS, information from the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other sources indicate that Hurricane Isaias is tracking towards the State of NC; and 

WHEREAS, there is a high probability that the storm will track inland very close to Vance County, and 

WHEREAS, Vance County is likely to receive heavy rain and strong winds associated with this tropical event, and 

WHEREAS, these conditions could potentially cause travel and other hazards, power outages and present a clear and present danger to life and property, and 

WHEREAS, Article 1A of Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes, and more specifically N.C. Gen. Stat. 166A-19.22, authorizes counties and municipalities to declare a state of emergency and exercise the powers and duties set forth therein to direct and aid in the response to and mitigation against emergencies; and 

WHEREAS, the undersigned, in accordance with and on the basis of the foregoing, finds that an emergency exists within Vance County, North Carolina, and its municipalities, due to the threat of Hurricane Isaias, and further finds that it is necessary and appropriate to exercise the authority cited hereinabove by issuing this Declaration in order to address said emergency and to protect the health and wellbeing of the citizens of Vance County. 

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority contained in Article 1 of N.C.G.S. Chapter 166A, Article 36A of N.C.G.S. Chapter 14, Title II Chapter 10-8 of the City of Henderson Code of Ordinances and Vance County Ordinance #17, State of Emergency, I, Eddie Ellington, Mayor of the City of Henderson, and I, Gordon Wilder, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists within the County of Vance, the City of Henderson, and all other municipalities and townships located within Vance County. 

I further proclaim that the restrictions set forth below, pursuant to Article 1 of NCGS Chapter 166A, Title II Chapter 10–8 of the City of Henderson Code of Ordinances, and the Vance County Ordinance #17, State of Emergency, are necessary in order to maintain an acceptable level of public order, services, and protection of lives, safety and property during this emergency, and that the same shall be in effect within the City of Henderson, County of Vance and all municipalities and townships, until this Proclamation is rescinded. I hereby order all City and County law enforcement officers and employees and all other emergency management personnel subject to my control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the emergency ordinances set forth below. 

  1. A. 

General Emergency Protective and Control Measures and operations to support the same shall be implemented as determined to be necessary for the health, safety and protection of our citizens. 

Vehicle Curfew: In the event of significant power outages, fallen power lines, and road blockage(s), due to fallen trees and flooding, a curfew will be in effect from 8:00 p.m. Monday the 3rd day of August until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, the 4th day of August, 2020 for the City of Henderson only. The curfew will not be enacted until public safety officials and the delegated authority(s) find the conditions in this section exist. This time frame may be extended pursuant to the authority delegated. General Recommendations: All persons residing or present within the jurisdiction are highly encouraged to comply with all recommendations issued by local officials during the state of emergency. 

All law enforcement officers and employees and all other departments, officers, agents, employees, and personnel employed by or subject to the control of the City of Henderson and/or Vance County are directed to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of this Declaration and of all applicable provisions of local ordinances, state and federal laws and emergency declarations, and the Vance County Emergency Operations Plan. 

The City of Henderson and Vance County recognize and acknowledge that it is likely to incur substantial economic damage from the issuance of this Declaration and does hereby request that they receive any and all available federal and state financial aid and other assistance for which they may be eligible in connection with the same. 

I further proclaim that the Emergency Operations Plan adopted by the City of Henderson and County of Vance, and all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements are in effect and shall remain in effect until this proclamation expires or is rescinded. All emergency personnel are hereby ordered to cooperate in the implementation of the provisions of the Emergency Operations Plan and all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements, and to furnish assistance thereunder. 

I direct that copies of this Proclamation be disseminated to the mass communications media for publication and broadcast, and that a copy of this Proclamation be posted in City Hall as well as the Vance County Courthouse and other public buildings as appropriate. 

This Proclamation shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect until rescinded. 

Proclaimed this the 3rd day of August 2020.

Eddie Ellington, Mayor of Henderson

Gordon Wilder, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners

Vance County Sheriff's Office

Local Business Offers Free Lunch to Law Enforcement, First Responders

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

Local business Tony’s Auto & Tire is providing lunch for on or off duty law enforcement officers, medical workers and first responders on Saturday, August 8, 2020.

The free lunch will be served drive-thru style starting at 11:30 a.m. at 415 Raleigh Road in Henderson. The meal includes chicken and fixings.

Eligible participants include:

  • Law Enforcement
  • 911 Communicators
  • Medical Personnel
  • Fire/Rescue – Volunteer/Full-time
  • First Responders

Sheriff Brame said the meal is a thank you from the business for all that these individuals do for the community.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

National Weather Service

Latest on Isaias for WIZS Area

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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: The Tropical Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning for Franklin, Harnett, Hoke, Wake, and Warren Counties.  — Click For The Latest

WEATHER.GOV/RALEIGH – https://www.weather.gov/raleigh

NWS RALEIGH – https://www.facebook.com/NWSRaleigh

NWS RALEIGH – https://twitter.com/NWSRaleigh

The latest on Isaias for the WIZS listening area – 1450 AM / 100.1 FM / Live Stream

THE LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BRIEFING WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK:

https://www.weather.gov/media/rah/briefing/NWSRaleighLatestBriefing.pdf

____________________________________________________________________________________

(Update 9:30 a.m. – 8/3/2020) — update written and provided by Brian Short, Henderson-Vance Director of Emergency Operations

Click here for the Isaias briefing as of 9:30 a.m. on August 3. Overall, the local situation remains the same as in previous updates.

Presently, we remain under a Flood Watch and are just outside the boundary of counties who are under a Tropical Storm Watch (though that will likely change to include us).

We are forecast to receive wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph, with rainfall estimated between three and six inches. We should begin feeling the effects late this evening and in the overnight hours into Tuesday. With this much rain and gusty winds, we could certainly have downed trees and power outages.

As of today at 8 a.m., we have activated our Emergency Operations Center in a monitoring capacity and have escalated to a Level 2 status. We will be issuing a local Proclamation of a State of Emergency later this morning just to be on the safe side.

One particular emergency protective measure that could be implemented would be a vehicle curfew. If enacted, this would apply only to the municipal city limits of Henderson and not all of Vance County. Additionally, this limitation would only be imposed if power is lost due to the storm and would only be for the overnight hours beginning at 8 p.m. and lasting until 6 a.m.

Beginning this evening, we will be overstaffing the 911 center, and it will remain overstaffed throughout the day on Tuesday.

At this point, we do not plan to open any shelters as we do not believe they will be needed. However, we remain ready to do so if the situation worsens.

We will be coordinating our preparedness activities with our local and state response partners, and we are encouraging our citizens to continue their own local preparedness efforts.

____________________________________________________________________________________

(Update 12 Noon – 8/2/2020) — update written and provided by Brian Short, Henderson-Vance Director of Emergency Operations

Attached (above links) is the morning forecast from the National Weather Service for Tropical Storm Isaias. (Those links above will stay current with subsequent updates.)  The storm continues to shift west with each update, and the current track continues to bring it inland through our state following the I-95 corridor. At present, we are forecast to receive some pretty strong wind gusts that at times could reach tropical storm strength as well as between 4 and 6 inches of rain. The rainfall will occur over a relatively short period of time, so localized flooding and flash flooding is certainly possible as are downed trees and power lines.

H-V Emergency Operations

Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations

Our office is continuing to monitor the storm closely. We will make a decision early tomorrow (Monday) about declaring a local state of emergency for this event. We will also decide early tomorrow (Monday) regarding the implementation of any additional emergency protective measures.

Remember it is still not too late to work on your emergency supply kit (on Sunday and early Monday) and begin some basic preparedness activities if you have not done so already.

We will continue to forward along additional information as it is received.

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a Flash Flood Watch for a portion of central North Carolina, including the following areas: Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Person, Richmond, Scotland, Vance, Wake, and Warren.  The watch presently is in effect from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon.

In an earlier statement from Brian Short, he said:

Keep in mind that we are now entering peak hurricane season, and the tropics have already been very active. The time to prepare is now and not when the winds begin to blow.

In addition to non-perishable food and water, hurricane emergency supply kits should include:

• First-aid kit
• Weather radio and batteries
• Prescription medicines
• Sleeping bag or blankets
• Changes of clothes
• Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant
• Cash
• Pet supplies including food, water, bedding, leashes, muzzle and vaccination records.

If you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you’re in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane, figure out where you’d go and how you’d get there if told to evacuate.

We will continue to issue additional updates as they are received or our situation changes.

Please follow Vance County Emergency Operations on Facebook to stay informed on current preparedness efforts and other storm-related information.

More information on severe weather and hurricane preparedness is located at www.ReadyNC.org.

City of Henderson Logo

Failure at Sandy Creek Lift Station Results in Release of Untreated Water

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

The City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System bypassed approximately 5,000 gallons of untreated water on July 30, 2020, due to a control system failure at Sandy Creek Lift Station. The overflow was approximately 5,000 gallons of untreated water that entered a tributary to Sandy Creek, and 500 gallons were contained on the ground.

North Carolina General Statutes Article 21 Chapter 143.215.1c requires a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.

Questions concerning this matter should be directed to the Public Works Collection ORC Joey Long Jr at (252) 226-4492 or HWRF ORC Christy Lipscomb at (252) 430-9387.

Antavian Cornelius Yancey

Search Continues for Suspected Murderer Antavian Cornelius Yancey

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information and photos courtesy the Vance County Sheriff’s Office

Update: The Vance County Sheriff’s Office, along with other state and local authorities, continue to look for Antavian Cornelius Yancey for the murder of Charisma Robinson. It is believed that Yancey has family and friend ties in Durham, Burlington and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Yancey is considered to be armed and dangerous. If you have seen or have any knowledge about Antavian C. Yancey’s location, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

Aliases: Cornelius Yancey and Antavian Yancey

Original Press Release Issued July 24:

On Thursday, July 16, 2020, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division received a call referencing smoke in a wooded area. Upon the arrival of Deputies and the Vance County Fire Department on the scene, a vehicle was fully engulfed. 

Members of the Vance County Sheriff‘s Office Criminal Investigation Division responded to investigate the vehicle fire along with North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Arson unit. On July 17, 2020, the Vance County Sheriff‘s Office Criminal Investigation Division received a phone call from the Burlington Police Department in reference to the Burlington Police Department locating the body of a black female that was believed to be from Henderson, North Carolina. The female was identified as Charisma Robinson, age 35. 

Investigator began to investigate these incidents and developed that the two cases were connected. Participating agencies from the Vance County Sheriff‘s Office, Henderson Police Department, Burlington Police Department and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation began a collaborative effort to solve the murder of Charisma Robinson, 

Through the investigation, a person of interest was developed and later identified as a subject/suspect in this matter. 

On July 24, 2020, a warrant for Murder and Burning of Personnel Property was issued for Antavian Cornelius Yancey (B/M/Age 34), regarding the death of Charisma Robinson. 

Yancey is believed to be armed and dangerous. If located, please contact the Vance County Sheriff‘s Office at (252) 738–2200.

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Hold Monthly Meeting Mon., Aug. 3

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, August 3, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson.

Agenda items:

1. Public Comments (for those registered to speak by 5:45 p.m. – each speaker is limited to five minutes)

2. Public Hearing – 6 p.m. – Animal Control Ordinance Amendments

3. Appointment – 6:15 p.m. – Sennica Nicholson, Board of Elections Chair – Poll Worker Wages

4. Appointment – 6:30 p.m. – Porcha Brooks, Tax Administrator – Untimely Exemption Applications

5. Water District Board

a. Monthly Operations Report

6. Committee Reports and Recommendations

a. Public Safety Committee

– Fire District Redistricting

– Fire Reorganization

– Fire Association Priorities

b. Properties Committee

– Warrenton Road Convenience Site – Construction Bids

7. Finance Director’s Report

a. Surplus Property

b. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment – Coronavirus Relief Funding

c. Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Funds for Elections

d. Coronavirus Relief Fund Project Approval

8. County Attorney’s Report

a. REO Property – Bid Acceptance – Tanner Street Lot – Parcel 0111 04009

b. REO Property – New Offer – Community House Road Lot – Parcel 0460 01026

9. County Manager’s Report

a. Legislative Goals

b. McGregor Hall Funding Request

c. HVIP Phase III Project Update

d. Request from Secretary of Interior

10. Consent Agenda Items

a. Tax Refunds and Releases

b. Monthly Reports

c. Minutes

11. Miscellaneous

a. Appointments

b. September Meeting Date

c. Appoint County Manager as NCACC Voting Delegate

12. Closed Session

a. Economic Development Project

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.