Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health CEO Thanks Community, Encourages Continued Support

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Op-Ed: Thank You Vance and Franklin Counties – Bert Beard CEO, Maria Parham Health

For the past several months, Maria Parham Health (MPH) has been facing the impact of COVID-19 with our community. We have built upon our robust emergency operations plan that we have in place year-round by updating policies, implementing new protocol, educating our staff, and working with our community partners in ways we never have before. But in all this preparation, MPH has never been alone.

Today, I write to share my appreciation for our community. Thank you to the countless individuals and organizations who have generously donated critically important supplies and resources and offered inspiring words of encouragement to our team. In this crisis, the true meaning of community has never been more apparent or appreciated. Patients, board members, staff, community providers, our sister facilities – all segments of the communities we serve and partner with have shown their support during this pandemic

Community members have brought in surgical masks and N95 respirators to add to the resources we are working to preserve. Local restaurants and businesses have sent food to treat our folks as they work. Many people have donated homemade cloth masks to our hospital and local EMS – an incredible labor of love. Posted signage, sidewalk chalk messages and decorated rocks cheer on our heroes and have infused our campuses with pride. And these are just a few of the many examples that exist.

The outpouring of love and encouragement from our community has been overwhelming, and it makes us so proud to call Vance and Franklin Counties our home and to serve the northern triangle. MPH stands ready to serve you – our neighbors, family and friends. Please continue to keep our community safe and prevent further spread of this disease:

  • Practice social distancing.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • If you must go out in public, wear masks to protect those around you.

To learn more about Maria Parham Health’s COVID-19 preparedness and what you can do to help stay well, visit Mariaparham.com.

Vance County Logo

Vance Commissioners Approve County, Water District Budget

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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen provided WIZS with the following summary of the Vance County Board of Commissioners’ special called meeting held Monday, June 15, 2020:

County Budget – The total general fund budget is $49,498,430, with $1,310,356 used from fund balance to balance the budget. The overall budget with all funds combined is $60.7 million. The budget includes no increase in the general fund property tax rate (remains at .89 cents), no increase in the fire tax rate (remains 8.9 cents), and a $5 increase in the solid waste household fee. Overall, the budget addresses the Board’s top priorities for the coming year while moving the county forward and maximizing county services with limited revenue growth.

Water District Budget – The total water district budget is $1,250,689, which includes a general fund transfer of $261,885. The budget holds the usage rate at 10.33 per $1,000 gallons. We currently have $1,338 active metered customers on the system and believe it will take 1,600 to 1,650 to break even assuming we do not take on any additional debt for the system.

Maria Parham Incentive – Maria Parham Health is in the process of adding a cardiac cath lab which will increase the tax value over $3.2 million and add over 25 jobs with an average wage of over $60,000. As a result of this, we have been discussing an economic development incentive agreement with Maria Parham for several months. We were unable to hold the necessary public hearings and approve the agreement last night due to restrictions that were previously in place related to COVID-19 and public hearings.

Eaton Johnson – The Board approved financing for the project and awarded the contract for the renovation of the former Eaton Johnson Middle School building to Danco Builders, who was the lowest qualified bidder. We will need approval of the financing from the Local Government Commission which meets on July 7, but after that, we will be finalizing contracts and work will begin for the 10-month project to renovate Eaton Johnson for use by DSS. The construction cost approved was $3,030,856.38 and the total project budget with engineering and other contingencies included is $4,531,662. We are hopeful for an August 1, 2020, start date which would put completion in April or May of next year.

Vance County’s approved budget documents and Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) can be viewed on the County’s Board of Commissioners website (click here).

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News – Jobs/Work/Who to call

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WIZS – YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE

Local News – 8am; 12 Noon; 5pm; M-F

Noon News for June 16, 2020

Where to find a job. Who to call.

 

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Vance County Schools Recognizes VGCC With Partnership Award

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance County Schools recently recognized Vance-Granville Community College with the 2019-2020 “Partnership of the Year” award for collaborating with Vance County Early College High School (VCECHS).

“We are pleased to be able to partner with Vance County Early College and the entire school system,” VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais said, in accepting the award on behalf of the college faculty and staff. “An important part of our student body, Early College students enrich our campus community, and we have the privilege of helping them achieve their goals.” 

VGCC worked closely with the school system in 2008 to start the Early College High School, and it has been housed on the community college’s Main Campus near Henderson ever since.

VCECHS is a five-year high school experience that offers students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma along with an Associate in Arts and/or Associate in Science degree, or at least some college transfer credits, tuition-free.

Early College programs provide affordable, accessible pathways to four-year university degrees for many students. In addition, VGCC offers other “Career and College Promise” (CCP) pathways to students at traditional high schools – allowing them to earn college credits, as well.

“We are extremely grateful for your partnership work with Vance County Schools,” Aarika Sandlin, the system’s public information officer, wrote in a letter to the college. “Without devoted community members, churches and organizations, our system would not be the same. We appreciate all that you have done for our schools and our students this year. We are so proud of all you have done to make a difference, making us all Vance County Proud!”

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COVID-19 Update: 1,116 Known Cases in GVPH District to Date

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of June 15, 2020, there are 698 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 418 cases in Vance County, and 45,102 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

There are two outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Granville County at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC and Murdoch Development Center in Butner, NC. Of the cases in Granville County, 393 are associated with the prisons and five are associated with Murdoch.

Of the 393 cases in the prison system, 87 have been released from isolation and one individual with Murdoch has been released from isolation.

Of the 300 community-based cases in Granville County, 135 have been released from isolation and nine are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 16 deaths in Granville County, 15 of whom were with the Bureau of Prisons.

There are three outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Vance County: Pelican Health in Henderson, NC, Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC, and Senior Citizens Home in Henderson, NC. Fifty-eight of the cases in Vance County are associated with Pelican Health nursing home, 41 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, and two are associated with Senior Citizens Home.

Of the 101 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 41 have been released from isolation.

Of the 317 community-based cases in Vance County, 141 have been released from isolation.

Seven individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 32 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with Pelican Health and eight of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

GVPH updates its website daily at approximately 5 p.m. with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

GVPH also emails updates about COVID-19 in Granville and Vance counties each evening. You can sign up to receive these emails at www.gvph.org/covid-19.

Cokesbury Fire Department

Cokesbury Fire Dept. Postpones July 4 Fireworks Extravaganza

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The Cokesbury Fire Department has released the following statement:

Cokesbury Fire Department has been patiently waiting to make a decision on our 2020 Fireworks Extravaganza. The Board of Directors, after weighing the potential of restrictions still being in place on July 4, has decided to postpone the fireworks until Saturday, September 5, 2020.

We waited until now to see what level of attendance would have been allowed, and also to gauge the comfort level that our people had as it related to public safety and our ability to put on the best show possible.

Look for additional information on the rescheduled fireworks as it gets closer to September.

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Calling All Young Professionals! H-V Chamber Organizing Group for Ages 21 – 40

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is organizing a new Young Professionals group for ages 21 – 40. Who do you have in your business or organization that you could recommend?

This group will meet to socialize, network and share business referrals; receive professional development training; participate in community improvement projects; and be identified as leaders for civic club membership and board appointments in our community.

The participants must work for area businesses but do not have to have reside here. The group will meet during lunch hour or after work hours.

If you have business colleagues and associates in your business/organization that you would like to present for membership, please contact the Chamber at (252) 438-8414 or michele@hendersonvance.org.

Local News Audio

WIZS Local Noon News 06/15/20

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WIZS – YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE

Noon News for June 15, 2020

  • Special Meeting Called to Adopt Vance Co. Water District Budget Ordinance
  • Eaton Johnson Project for DSS and Senior Center
  • Vance County Schools Meal Pickup
  • Oxford Police News
  • Virtual Bingo

 

Vance County Schools Logo

Vance Co. Schools Completes Commencement Exercises, Graduates 340

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools recently graduated 220 from Vance County High School, 41 from Vance County Early College High School and 79 from Advance Academy.

VCS is so proud of the Class of 2020, as these 340 students begin their journey taking a variety of pathways – some are going straight into the workforce, many students are off to colleges and universities, while others have committed to serving in branches of the United States military. No matter where their journey takes them, VCS takes pride that each of them began their journey with Vance County Schools – the place we hope they always call home.

At the time of the May graduations, many of our district’s students were still receiving award letters from colleges and universities. We are excited to announce that Vance County Schools Class of 2020 has a combined total of over 10 million dollars in scholarships and grants. We know educational funding opens pathways for our students and are excited about the opportunities that are before them.

We are excited to share that our students have received the following college acceptances and opportunities to serve in the United States military.

Class of 2020 College Acceptances

Appalachian State University | Barton College | Belmont Abbey College | Brevard College | Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Campbell University | Cape Fear Community College | Catawba College | Central Piedmont Community College | Charleston Southern University | Chowan University | Coastal Carolina University | Converse College | Coppin State University | Durham Technical Community College | East Carolina University | East Tennessee State University | Elizabeth City State University | Elon University | Emory and Henry College | Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville Technical Community College | Florida Agriculture and Technical State University | Forsyth Technical Community College | Gardner-Webb University | Grand Canyon University | Greensboro College | Guilford College | Guilford Technical Community College | Halifax Community College | Hampton University | High Point University | Hofstra University | Hollins University | Howard University | James Madison University | Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte | Johnson C. Smith University | Johnson Community College | Lees-McRae College | Lenoir-Rhyne University | Liberty University | Louisburg College | Louisiana State University | Livingstone College | Mars Hill University | Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | Meredith College | Methodist University | Nascar Technical Institute | Nash Community College | North Carolina A & T State University | North Carolina Central University | North Carolina State University | North Carolina Wesleyan College | Old Dominion University | Oral Roberts University | Pamlico Community College | Pfeiffer University | Pitt Community College | Radford University | Roanoke University | Queens University | Shaw University | Spelman College | St. Andrews University | St. Augustine’s University | The University of Mount Olive | Thomas Nelson Community College | Tidewater Community College | Trevecca Nazarene University | University of Lynchburg | University of Mount Olive |University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | University of North Carolina at Wilmington | University of South Alabama | Vance-Granville Community College | Virginia Union University | Wake Technical Community College | Wayne Community College | Western Carolina University | William Peace University| Wingate University | Winston-Salem State University |

Class of 2020 Military Service

United States Air Force | United States Army | United States Navy | United States Marine Corps | United States Army National Guard |

Vance County Schools is extremely proud of the Class of 2020. We look forward to all that our students will accomplish as they begin this new journey. We know they will go forth and do great things!

VCS Summer Meal

Vance Co. Schools’ Free Summer Meal Program Begins June 15

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools’ free summer meal program will begin on Monday, June 15 and continue through Thursday, July 30, 2020.

Each week, meals will be available for pick up at Aycock Elementary School, EO Young Elementary School, Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Meals are available at these locations in a drive-thru format.

Meal units that are distributed Monday – Wednesday will include two meals – lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning. Thursday distribution will include two breakfasts and two lunches.

Bus meals will resume on June 15 for meal deliveries.

Weekly menus will be available on the VCS website and social media.

VCS has served over 320,000 meals since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Hunger does not take a vacation, so VCS is making meals available to our community’s children throughout the summer to meet their needs.