Advance Academy Graduates 79 in Drive-Thru Commencement Ceremony

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-Press Release and photos, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools celebrated as Advance Academy held commencement with 79 graduates on Thursday,
June 11, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. The drive-thru ceremony was held at Vance-Granville Community College.

Though unable to have a traditional graduation, VCS was elated to be able to recognize the Class of 2020. The ceremony was live-streamed on the school district website, as well as live updates on WIZS radio.

Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Vance County Schools, and Mrs. Stephanie Ayscue, principal of Advance Academy,
presented each of the graduates with their diploma.

Brittany Bell, meteorologist for ABC11, and June Atkinson, former North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction, pre-recorded their speeches to the graduating class.

Graduates included:

Ashanti Kemya Allen, Jaheim Ahmad Allen, Damien Martes Alston, Carlos Ky-Ron Alston, Dontrel Jamal Alston, Saul Hernandez Arias, Correll Jaymon Arrington, Ra’Darrius Ty’Quan Cortez Arrington, Courtney Brianna Bagby, Isaiah Robert Beckham, Laniyah Briona Nicole Brown, Ke’Marus Martise Bryant, Cory Randall Bullock Jr., Demetrius Bullock, Johnathan Savion Bullock, Tawain Printice Bullock Jr., Y’Nashia Stephney Cannady, Roxana Cisneros, Janiyah Marie Crews, Amilyah Te’onka Davis, Briseyda Elizabeth Diaz-Casillas, William Riley Dickerson, Hailee Marie Edmonds, Tristen Scott Faulkner, Robert Thomas Finley IV, Jesus Manuel Garcia Arellano, Dallas Scerbo Gill, Jose Alejandro Gonzalez, Mary Elizabeth Dunston Hargrove, Tederian Monroe Harris, Tyrell Tony Hatcher, Da’Quan Quimaine Hawkins, Da’Twan Quimaine Hawkins, Shyquan Jaleel Hayes, Payton Rey Heath, Mo’Nasia Tamiqua Henderson, Sa’monte De’Quaries Henderson, Alveante Markeith Holden, Jah’Vonte Ty’Key Jiggetts, Taneia Rene Leonard, Adryonna Biyonce’ Lynette Jones, Zavion Ty’lek Kearney, Cameron Lee Kittrell, Emily Michelle Kittrell-Rosas, Trayshawn Maliq Macon, Zamauri Marrow, Kativanna Lynn Mattei-Gonzalez, Karla Marleny Mejia Portillo, Mason Dean Miller, Jada Drewchelle Montaque, Trevon Antwan Murphy, Trevonda Antoinette Murphy, Imari Chantel Nelson, Joshua Lee Oliver, Kalei Nicole Parrish, Anthony Tyrik Pauling, Ahmaj Malik Person, Jawanda Janae Person, Marcus Allen Pitchford Jr., Alex Alberto Prudencio, Joshua Maleek Reid, Aja-Lik Jeremy Robinson-Clack, Tiana Charlotte Rogers, Danny Salmeron, Christopher Daniel Satterwhite, She’Dasia J’shel Small, Mercedes Angeleah Lynna Soto, Sincere Nigel Spencer, Tayana Elise Terry, Lamyah Armony Towns, Ty’Joshua Isaiah Tunstall, Dayana Henrietta Warren, Willie Lee Waverly III, Precious Aliyah Wilkerson, Ty’Quayveon Leneil Williams, Tyeisha Danielle Symon Williams, Allison Paige Wilson, Zha’Nae Twone’ Wynn and Shy’Queria Tyzasia Yancey.

VCS is extremely proud of our seniors and wishes them the best as they journey ahead. They are certain to go forth and do great things.

For additional photos from the ceremony, please visit the Vance County Schools’ Facebook page (click here).

 

 

Vance County Logo

Special Meeting Called to Adopt Vance Co. Water District Budget Ordinance – June 15

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

Vance County Board of Commissioners Chairman Gordon Wilder has called a special meeting for Monday, June 15, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.

Agenda:

1. Water District Board

The Vance County Water District Board will be called to order to adopt the FY 2020-21 Water District Budget Ordinance.

2. Finance Director’s Report

a. Budget Amendments

b. Authorization of Year-End Closeouts

c. Education Lottery Fund Applications

d. Adoption of FY 2021-25 Capital Improvements Plan

3. County Manager’s Report

a. Adoption of FY 2020-21 Budget Ordinance

b. Approval of Salary Schedule – Effective July 1, 2020

c. Economic Development Incentive – Maria Parham Health

d. Rezoning Request – Bullocksville Park Road (Parcel 0586 01010)

4. Eaton Johnson Project

a. Public Hearing – Local Government Commission Financing

b. Preliminary Findings Resolution and Bank Financing Selection

c. Review of Bids and Award of Construction Contract

5. Board of Equalization and Review

The Vance County Board of Equalization and Review will be adjourned.

6. Other Items as Necessary

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

NC State Board of Elections

Advocacy Group Sends Invalid Absentee Ballot Request Forms to 80,000 NC Voters

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections

The State Board of Elections has learned that a voter advocacy group mailed about 80,000 absentee ballot request forms to North Carolina residents with voters’ information already filled out on the forms.

A state law passed last year prohibits election officials from accepting absentee ballot request forms pre-filled “partially or in whole,” and the State Board has instructed county boards of elections not to process such request forms.

The advocacy group, The Center for Voter Information (CVI) in Washington, D.C., halted additional mailings with pre-filled voter information after N.C. elections officials informed the group of the issue.

CVI plans to send about 400,000 additional mailings to N.C. residents, but they will include blank absentee ballot request forms, which are valid.

County boards of elections that receive an invalid absentee request form will send a letter to the voter informing them of the issue. The letter will include a blank request form for the voter to return.

The State Board urges voters to discard any absentee ballot request form they receive that includes pre-filled voter information.

CVI asked State Board staff to review a sample mailing in April, and State Board staff did not catch the pre-filled forms at that time. However, CVI sent some mailings before forwarding the final product to elections officials for review. Election officials discovered the issue after these mailings were sent to voters.

“We will do our best to review mailings and other voting information distributed by third parties when requested and when resources allow for it,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the N.C. State Board of Elections. “However, it’s ultimately up to advocacy groups to ensure their mailings do not confuse voters or potentially affect their ability to vote in an election.”

All registered voters in North Carolina may request an absentee by-mail ballot. The official 2020 State Absentee Ballot Request Form is available for download from the State Board website. Voters may also pick up a request form from their county board of elections or call their county board to request a form.

For the November 3 general election, the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is October 27. Voters may request a ballot now. Starting in early September, ballots will be mailed to voters who request them.

Paint With DP

H-V Rec & Parks to Host Virtual Bingo, Second ‘Paint With DP’ Session w/ Prize

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department will have Virtual Bingo for Seniors, ages 55 or better, on Thursdays during the months of June and July. You will be able to join Virtual Bingo by computer or phone.

Participants must contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 (callen@ci.henderson.nc.us) by Thursday, June 11, 2020, to register for the Bingo scheduled for Thursday, June 18. Participants have the option to register for all the scheduled Bingo sessions at once.

Heather Tabor, pictured with her painting, was the winner of the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Park Department’s “Paint with DP” May contest. (Photo courtesy H-V Rec. & Parks)

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks will also have another FREE “Paint With DP” Facebook Live Session. The Live session will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at 2 p.m. on the Henderson-Vance Athletics Facebook page (click here).

Tune in to participate or just watch.

You can purchase affordable painting materials at Walmart, Ollie’s or Dollar General. Once we have completed painting, participants can send pictures of their masterpieces. The best painting will receive a $25 gift card.

May’s “Paint with DP” winner was Heather Tabor.

For more information, contact Darius Pitt at dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us or 252-438-3408.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19 Update: 631 Granville, 391 Vance Cases; Related Deaths Climb to 45

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of June 10, 2020, there are 631 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 391 cases in Vance County, and 38,171 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

There are four outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district – one at Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC; one at Murdoch Development Center in Butner, NC; one at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC; and one at Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC.

Of the total positive cases in each county, 375 in Granville County are associated with the prisons, 5 are associated with Murdoch, 58 in Vance County are associated with Pelican Health nursing home, and 38 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

Of the 251 community-based cases in Granville County, 125 have been released from isolation and 8 are hospitalized.

Of the 375 cases in the prison system, 84 have been released from isolation and one case at Murdoch has been released from isolation.

Of the 295 community-based cases in Vance County, 133 have been released from isolation.

Of the 96 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 41 have been released from isolation.

6 individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 45 deaths in the health district – 31 in Vance County and 14 in Granville County of which 13 are with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.

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. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and complete the form.

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News at Noon 6/10/20

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WIZS – Your Community Voice
Local News at 8am, 12pm, 5pm; M-F
1450 AM / 100.1 FM / wizs.com

Local News for June 10, 2020 at noon

  • Maria Parham Health open for visitors again
  • Dr. Andrea L. Harris, proclamation by the City of Henderson

 

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Vance County Schools Approves 2020-21 Calendars, Applies for K-12 Fully Remote Option

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

2020-2021 Vance County Schools Calendars Approved

Vance County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the 2020-2021 calendars, reflecting the current requirements, as passed by the general assembly, including five remote learning days.

The early start calendar will begin for students on July 31, 2020, and end on May 21, 2021.

The year-round calendar will begin for students on July 31, 2020, and end on June 11, 2021.

Traditional calendars will start for students on August 17, 2020, and end on June 2, 2021.

The total number of days in the calendar is the same length as previous years, just allocated to include the remote learning days. Check out the VCS website (click here) to view the calendars in more detail.

Vance Virtual Village Academy

Vance County Schools wants to ensure that there is a place for every student to learn. As discussion of the 2020-2021 school year begins, the uncertainties for many families remain.

VCS has applied for a new LEA code through the NC Department of Public Instruction for Vance Virtual Village Academy (V3). This school is designed for grades K-12 and will be a fully remote option for those families that feel this is the best option for their child. The school is designed as a place “WHERE WE VALUE connectedness, engagement,
and equity.”

V3 will offer a variety of activities that serve all types of learning styles. The premise is that all teachers will need to consider Universal Design for Learning (UDL) when planning both their synchronous and asynchronous instruction, working to increase access to learning by reducing physical, cognitive, intellectual, and organizational barriers to
learning whenever possible.

At this time, VCS awaits approval from the state to move forward with V3.

Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health Eases Visitor Restrictions

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health announced yesterday that it is transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions as the hospital gradually resumes elective and non-urgent cases and services at its facilities.

The decision was made as current projections continue to indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region and after careful review of state and federal guidance. The updated restrictions, which will now allow most patients to have one visitor or support person per day, have been implemented effective immediately.

“Our hospital’s top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “We continue to monitor closely the prevalence of the virus in our community as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients, and we feel confident that it is safe to begin allowing limited visitors again at this time.”

As part of the updated visitor restrictions, patients are now limited to one well visitor per day, including one companion for outpatient appointments and one support person for obstetric patients. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask and an armband/sticker while in the facility.

Visitors who do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free. Visitors are not allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.

Maria Parham Health continues to screen everyone who enters the facility for symptoms consistent with COVID-19, per CDC guidelines. For additional updates on how the hospital is working to maintain a safe and supportive environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit mariaparham.com.

NC Governor Logo

NC Public Schools’ Reopening Plan to be Announced by July 1

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Office of NC Governor Roy Cooper

To hear further discussion on this press release, please go to WIZS.com and click on today’s Town Talk.

New health guidelines released Monday represent a first step to help North Carolina K-12 public schools find a safe way to open to in-person instruction for the 2020-21 academic year, health and education leaders announced Monday.

The StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) lays out a comprehensive set of baseline health practices that public schools should follow to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for students, staff, and families. In addition to specific requirements, the Toolkit recommends practices that schools should implement to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while allowing in-person teaching to resume.

Governor Roy Cooper, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson, State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis, and NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Mandy Cohen shared the guidance Monday.

“Getting children back to school to learn is a high priority, but they must be able to do so in the safest way possible,” said Governor Cooper. “Every child, family and public school educator in North Carolina deserve strong protection to lower the risk of virus spread.”

Schools are asked to plan for reopening under three scenarios – Plan A: Minimal Social Distancing, Plan B: Moderate Social Distancing, or Plan C: Remote Learning Only. NCDHHS, in consultation with the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction, will announce by July 1 which of the three plans should be implemented for schools to most safely reopen. The remaining plans may be needed if the state’s COVID-19 metrics change over time.

“Opening schools will be possible if we keep working together to slow the spread of COVID-19. We will each need to do our part and practice the 3 Ws – Wear a cloth face covering. Wait six feet apart. Wash your hands frequently. These easy actions will have an outsized impact in keeping viral spread low in order to help get our children back to school,” said Cohen.

The Public Health Toolkit was developed collaboratively by DHHS and DPI with input from a range of stakeholders across the state, including local superintendents, State Board of Education members, the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Council, and members of the Governor’s COVID-19 Education and Nutrition Working Group.

“We are working together to balance the need for all of our children to get back to school – especially children who rely on public schools for their education, health, safety and nutrition – while at the same time proceeding cautiously and deliberately to protect their health and safety,” said Chairman Davis. “I know meeting these public health requirements will take a tremendous effort by our schools – but I also know we are doing the right thing and that our schools will rise to the challenge.”

The StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit will be a companion to operational guidance under development by DPI that will offer strategies for how to implement the public health guidance and cover other non-health areas for reopening planning, including scheduling, instructional practice, and staff training.

“Today, North Carolinians have the important first step of returning to schools in the fall with this release of the final health guidance for schools from the NC Department of Health and Human Services,” Superintendent Johnson said. “In addition, the North Carolina education agency has already been leading workgroups, comprised of diverse stakeholders from teachers to school staff to superintendents to other support professionals, to create draft operational strategies that will help our school systems prepare for the fall. We will now seek feedback on the draft operational strategies from other stakeholders across the state to ensure that we best capture the needs of all our schools.”

The StrongSchoolsNC Public Heath Toolkit (K-12) was developed using the most current CDC guidance for schools and includes requirements and recommendations for eight areas: Social Distancing and Minimizing Exposure; Cloth Face Coverings; Protecting Vulnerable Populations; Cleaning and Hygiene; Monitoring for Symptoms; Handling Suspected, Presumptive or Confirmed Positive Cases of COVID-19; Communication and Combating Misinformation; Water and Ventilation Systems; Transportation; and Coping and Resilience.

For example, it requires students and others to be screened for illness before entering school and requires floor markings to maintain social distance. It also includes sample screening symptom checklists in English and Spanish, a flow chart protocol for handling suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, and a checklist of infection control supplies schools may need. The Toolkit will be updated as new health guidance is released by the CDC and additional resources are added.

Questions about the StrongSchoolsNC Public Heath Toolkit (K-12) should be directed to StrongSchoolsNC@dhhs.nc.gov (in English or in Spanish).

Local News Audio

Local WIZS Noon News 06/09/20

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Local News on WIZS – Your Community Voice

1450 AM / 100.1 FM at 8a, 12p and 5p; M-F

At noon on June 9, 2020:

  • Covid-19
  • Vance Aquatics