Noon News 05/06/20
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Special Presentation of WIZS News with Frank Sossamon of South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church
Are You Ready? May 3-9 Hurricane Preparedness Week 2020
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-Information courtesy Granville County Government
This week is Hurricane Preparedness Week! Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but most storms hit from mid-August to mid-October.
All residents are encouraged to take this time to update emergency supply kits with enough non-perishable food and water to last each person in your family a minimum of one week. Kits should also 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.
“Know Your Zone” is a cooperative effort of North Carolina Emergency Management and county emergency management partners and is a tiered evacuation system that highlights areas most vulnerable to impacts from hurricanes, tropical storms and other hazards.
After being piloted during the 2019 hurricane season, state and county emergency management will partner to officially launch the Know Your Zone initiative prior to the peak of the 2020 season. In preparation for the launch and the coming hurricane season, visit http://knowyourzone.nc.gov for an interactive lookup tool, FAQ, and other educational resources.
More information on severe weather and hurricane preparedness is located at www.ReadyNC.org.
Vance County Schools Announces Plans for Graduation Celebrations
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Letter to the Class of 2020 from Vance County Schools:
To the Class of 2020,
We hope that you are all were able to view “Be the Light: A Tribute to the Class of 2020,” a message of hope for our beloved seniors. As we approach one of the biggest milestones in your life, we want to make sure we celebrate you while also keeping the health and safety of everyone as a top priority.
Each of our high schools will host a drive–thru graduation event. Seniors will be assigned designated times, giving each senior their moment of celebration. Families will be given directives from the school on the process; however, each senior will be allowed one vehicle of guests to join them as the senior exits the vehicle, walks across the stage and a photograph is captured of this special moment.
Drive-Thru Graduation Schedule:
Vance County Early College – Graduation Date: May 21 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.; Rain Date: May 22
Vance County High School – Graduation Date: May 23 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Rain Date: May 27
Advance Academy – Graduation Date: June 11 from 3 – 5:30 p.m.; Rain Date: June 12
We understand this is not the graduation you dreamed of; however, you are resilient and we will do all we can to honor and celebrate your accomplishments. If government guidelines and health regulations allow a larger graduation event to occur this summer, the district is committed to seeing that through. But in the meantime, we want to celebrate you and all you have accomplished now.
Stay tuned for additional information from your individual school, as well as the district website.
Go forth and do great things!
NC to Move Into Phase I of Easing COVID-19 Restrictions Friday
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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper
Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 138 to modify North Carolina’s Stay At Home order and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions effective Friday, May 8 at 5 p.m. Certain businesses remain closed as the state continues battling COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is still a serious threat to our state, and Phase 1 is designed to be a limited easing of restrictions that can boost parts of our economy while keeping important safety rules in place,” said Governor Cooper. “This is a careful and deliberate first step, guided by the data, and North Carolinians still must use caution while this virus is circulating.”
“We must continue to protect our families and neighbors as we take this cautious step forward. When you leave your home, follow the three W’s: wear a face covering, wash your hands, and wait six feet apart,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Today’s Order removes the distinction between essential and non-essential businesses. Retail businesses are allowed to open at 50% capacity and will be required to direct customers to stand 6 feet apart, perform frequent cleanings, provide hand sanitizer when available, screen workers for symptoms and more. The Order allows people to leave their homes for commercial activity at any business that is open.
Certain businesses remain closed, including bars, personal care businesses, entertainment venues and gyms. Restaurants may only continue to serve customers for drive-through, take out and delivery.
All workers at retail and other businesses are recommended to wear cloth face coverings. Teleworking is still encouraged for businesses that can practice it.
Though small outdoor gatherings will be allowed in Phase 1, gatherings of more than 10 people generally are still prohibited. The Order encourages cloth face coverings to be worn when outside the home and in contact with others. Everyone who uses a face covering should adhere to this guidance without fear of profiling or bias.
During Phase 1, childcare facilities will be open to serve families of parents who are working or looking for work. These centers will be required to follow strict cleaning protocols. Summer day camps can operate in compliance with NC DHHS guidelines.
In explaining today’s Order, Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen reported North Carolina remains stable on the following key metrics:
Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is decreasing.
Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases over the last 14 days cases is slightly increasing.
Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive over the last 14 days is decreasing.
Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations over the last 14 days is level.
In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:
Laboratory Testing
- North Carolina has doubled the daily testing rate.
Tracing Capability
- The Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative has received over 4,000 applications and is in the process of hiring 250 new contact tracers.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Supply chains continue to improve with the exception of gowns.
The order is in effect until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22. However, the end of this Order does not necessarily mean the state will move to Phase 2. Phase 2 will only start if data and indicators are in the right place.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about Order 138.
View a copy of recent graphs and slides.
GVPH: COVID-19 Update: May 5, 2020
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— courtesy of Granville Vance Public Health online at GVPH.org
The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of May 5, 2020. Our numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data and the NC county map from NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Vance County
113 positive test results for COVID-19
68 of those 113 are community-spread cases located across Vance county
45 of those 113 are associated with an outbreak at the Pelican Health nursing home
20 of those 113 cases have been released from isolation and 8 remain hospitalized
There have been a total of 10 deaths in Vance County, 6 of which are associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak. Unfortunately, there were two deaths today. An 81-year old male and an 85-year old male died today, May 5, 2020, at the Pelican Health nursing home.
Granville County
144 positive test results for COVID-19
57 of those 144 are community-spread cases located across Granville county and 36 of those 57 have been released from isolation
87 of those 144 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Butner, NC and 47 of those 87 have been released from isolation
There have been a total of 6 deaths in Granville County, all reported by the Bureau of Prisons associated with the Federal Correctional Complex.
Some additional cases being reported currently out of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) are related to a building on the Durham County side and those cases will be reported to the Durham County Health Department for data entry into the NCEDSS system. The Bureau of Prisons is doing their own testing on site. For more about the response from the Bureau of Prisons, please see their website.
H-V Rec. & Parks to Hold Mother’s Day Poetry Contest
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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent
Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department is sponsoring a Mother’s Day Poetry Contest. Participants should submit one original poem about mothers and/or Mother’s Day by email to tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
The winner of the poetry contest will receive a Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks goodie bag and will be announced on Facebook Live on Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m.
For more information, please contact Tara Goolsby at (252) 438.3948 or tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us.
Citizens of Henderson Organizes Drive Through City to Thank Essential Workers
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-Information courtesy Christine Hawkins, Citizens of Henderson
Citizens of Henderson has organized a drive through the city to thank essential workers for their sacrifices on Thursday, May 7, 2020. All that are interested in participating are invited to join by meeting at the Vance County Courthouse on Church Street at 2:30 p.m.
The line of vehicles will be escorted by police as the group drives by the police station, fire department, Vance County offices, City of Henderson Operations Center, post office and Maria Parham Health. If time permits, a nursing home and grocery store may also be included.
Participants are allowed to make signs with appropriate, positive messages to place in car windows.
Citizens of Henderson thanks everyone for their support and looks forward to honoring local frontline workers!
State Will Not Provide COVID-19 Testing Directly to Prison, Parole Employees
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-Press Release, NC Department of State Treasurer
State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, and the State Health Plan (Plan) announced that they are no longer seeking a direct testing solution with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) regarding testing of corrections officers and other employees at the state’s correctional institutions over the next few weeks.
Announced on April 22, the Plan had sought to provide direct testing at DPS facilities after Treasurer Folwell had secured more than 20,000 COVID-19 tests. However, logistical and personnel concerns from DPS will prevent direct testing. Therefore, Treasurer Folwell has told Mako Medical, and any other test providers that were going to provide tests, they can release the tests designated to support the program.
“We’re disappointed that we could not work out the details on how to go directly to the facilities outside of the fence to test,” said Treasurer Folwell. “However, we fully understand the dilemma of the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice.”
The vast majority of DPS employees are members of the Plan. Last month, the Plan announced that it is waiving the cost of treatment for members diagnosed with COVID-19, including associated deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. The Plan previously announced that it was also covering the cost associated with the testing of COVID-19.
The member cost-share waiver for COVID-19 related treatments is effective immediately through June 1, 2020, at which time the Plan will continue to re-evaluate this and other measures. The Plan is taking this action to help ensure that members receive the COVID-19 testing and treatment they need when they need it.
“Unlike other state agencies, DPS has unique safety and operational hurdles that could not be overcome by the State Health Plan’s desire to directly test these state employees,” added Treasurer Folwell. “We know that the leadership at ACJJ wants to act as quickly as possible and their concern for the welfare of their employees is tantamount. In fact, ACJJ has recently procured, paid for and administered tests at one of its 54 facilities.”
State Health Plan Executive Director Dee Jones added that the Plan is ready to assist when a viable testing method that meets DPS’s requirements is available. However, she highly encouraged any State Health Plan member who is exhibiting symptoms to see their Primary Care Physician.
The State Health Plan, a division of the Department of State Treasurer, provides health care coverage to more than 727,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, current and former lawmakers, state university and community college personnel, and their dependents.
Economic Impact Payments May Require Additional Steps; Deadline TODAY!
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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veterans Affairs benefits, have qualifying children under the age of 17, and didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, you may need to take extra steps to register to have $500 per child added to the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment you’ll receive this year.
The deadline to register with the IRS is TODAY, May 5, 2020.
Visit the IRS website for more information: https://www.irs.gov/
For a short video with tips for using the IRS website (e.g., the information you’ll need to complete the online application): https://app.vyond.com/
The application requires an email address, so if you need help creating an account, see these simple instructions to create an e-mail account via Google: https://app.vyond.com/
Vance County Animal Shelter Cleared; All Inhabitants Find Homes
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Vance County Animal Services Chief Frankie Nobles appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Nobles was pleased to announce a first in his over 10 years of service with the Vance County Animal Shelter – a complete clearing by either rescue, fostering or adoption of all animals this past weekend.
“It’s never been completely empty since I’ve been here,” said Nobles. “We are excited. We got every animal to a home, and it was an amazing weekend.”
Nobles said it was a combination of the hard work of shelter staff and volunteer organizations, and fewer animals being taken in during COVID-19 restrictions, that made this possible.
You can listen to the interview here from WIZS Radio.
The shelter is currently responding to emergency calls only, such as injured or aggressive animals, and has used some of the downtime for needed shelter maintenance.
“We’ve worked so hard to get to the point of clearing the shelter. When COVID-19 happened, that was our time to catch up and get ahead of the ballgame. It’s getting to be summertime, and that’s when we see most of our animals coming in,” Nobles said.
Nobles explained such a feat would not be possible without volunteer organizations such as the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson, NC. “We joke around here and call ourselves the dream team just because we are a big team of people that work well together, and it works like a dream.”
To hear the interview with Nobles in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.