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Vance County to Hold Evening Informational Session on Medicaid Changes

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-Press Release, Vance County Department of Social Services

Changes to Medicaid requirements will take effect on November 1, 2019. While most recipients will see no changes to the services they have been receiving, enrollment through a health plan will be required.

A health plan – through Medicaid – is a group of doctors, hospitals and other providers that will work together to provide healthcare to meet collective needs. The goal is for every medical service – physical health, mental health and medicine – to come through the same healthcare plan. A primary care provider (PCP) should also be selected to assist with health care needs, which could be in the form of a family doctor, clinic or other health care provider.

Vance County is in the first phase of the Medicaid Transformation, with recipients to be enrolled by a September 13 deadline.

Recipients who already have a primary care provider may keep the one they have or choose a new one. If a PCP or health plan is not selected before September 13, the Vance County Department of Social Services offers a reminder that one will be chosen for you; however, depending on the type of health services needed, a small number of recipients will be able to continue enrollment through NC Medicaid Direct.

An evening informational event has been scheduled through the Vance County Department of Social Services to guide local Medicaid recipients through the process of selecting a health plan and primary care provider. The evening session will be held at Vance County Department of Social Services and is scheduled for:

  • September 10, 2019: 6 -8 p.m. Vance County Department Social Services, 350 Ruin Creek Rd, Henderson, NC

It is recommended that recipients who are senior citizens bring a trusted family member or friend to assist in the selection process.

If unable to attend this event, an outreach specialist is available for assistance at the Vance County Department of Social Services, 350 Ruin Creek Rd, Henderson, NC from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Assistance will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services notes that there are several health plans Medicaid recipients can choose from.

For a list of doctors for each health plan, or to enroll, visit ncmedicaidplans.gov, use the NC Medicaid Managed Care mobile app or call 1-833-870-5500. A language line is also available.

For eligibility information or for questions about Medicaid’s new requirements, contact Cathy Hope, 252-492-5001 x 3221, Shelonda Boyd, 252-492-5001 x 3266, Shalonda Daye, 252-492-5001 x 3204, Vance County Department of Social Services, at 252-492-5001.

Registration Underway for Annual Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

Join the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor BB&T at Kerr Lake Country Club for the 21st Annual Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament. This Super Ball Tournament is one of the Chamber’s largest fundraising events for the year.

Date: Thursday, October 3, 2019

Time: Registration – 11:45 a.m.; Lunch – 12:15 p.m., Welcome/Rules – 12:45 p.m.; Golf Begins – 1 p.m.

Tournament Entry Fee: $120/Golfer, $440/Foursome. Sponsorships are available.

Tournament fee includes Cart & Green Fees · Mulligan · Goody Bag · Lunch · Beverages and Snacks on the Course · Awards Ceremony.

Awards for First, Second and Third Place teams will be given. Skills Contests: Hole-in-One, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin. We will have the ChipOBoard and a Putting Contest as well.

For more information, please contact Sandra Wilkerson at (252) 438-8414 or sandra@hendersonvance.org.

Reminder: ‘Fireworks in the Park’ Set for Fox Pond This Sat.!

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department presents Fireworks in the Park! This FREE event will be held at Fox Pond Park on Saturday, August 31, 2019 (rain date Sunday, September 1).

Fox Pond Park will close for regular park activities at 7 p.m. that evening.

Shuttling from Aycock Recreation Center will begin at 7 p.m. and the fireworks show will begin in the park at 9 p.m. No parking will be allowed at Fox Pond Park.

Fox Pond is located at 467 Vicksboro Rd in Henderson. Aycock Recreation Center, the site for all event parking, is located at 307 Carey Chapel Rd in Henderson.

For more information, please contact Tara Goolsby at (252) 438-3948 or email tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us.

News 08/27/19

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Town Talk 08/26/19: VGCC’s Continuing Education Provides Skilled Local Workforce

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Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Adult Basic Skills and Continuing Education at Vance-Granville Community College, was the guest of honor on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.

Celebrating 50 years of serving and educating the community, Tucker said the college continues to excel because it adapts to the changing needs of both residents and employers alike.

Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Adult Basic Skills and Continuing Education at Vance-Granville Community College, was the guest of honor on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk. Celebrating 50 years of serving and educating the community, Tucker said the college continues to excel because it adapts to the changing needs of both residents and employers alike. (WIZS photo)

“While there are careers that require a two-year or four-year degree, there are also careers that require a specific skillset or certifications,” said Tucker. “VGCC’s Continuing Education Department works to quickly ascertain the needs of the workforce and then builds a skilled workforce for the employers.”

In fact, Tucker said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais has been committed to providing an educated workforce to meet the current and future needs of local employers since taking the helm in January.

“One of Dr. Desmarais’ visions is that we meet the needs of our workforce in a short-term, workforce development kind of way,” said Tucker.

On the Adult Basic Skills side of the house, Tucker said the majority of jobs now have a minimum requirement of an Adult High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (GED).

“When you complete an Adult High School Diploma or receive your High School Equivalency, you are laying the groundwork to an employer that you are capable of completing a basic level of education. They know if you complete a high school credential then you have a certain level of academic skill,” explained Tucker.

Offering programs primarily to adult learners 18 years and older, VGCC provides High School Equivalency classes free of charge at all four campus locations. Daytime and evening classes are available.

Other programs and areas that fall under the Con. Ed. umbrella include Fire and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement Training, Occupational Extension, Occupational Healthcare, Personal Enrichment and VGCC’s Small Business Center.

For more information on VGCC’s Continuing Education division or to register, please visit www.vgcc.edu/coned, register in person at any campus location, or call (252) 738-3324/(252) 738-3345.

To hear Tucker’s interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Address Canvassing Begins for 2020 U.S. Census

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Every ten years, America comes together to count all the residents and households in the country, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting and distributing federal funds that support vital programs in communities, counties, states and across the nation.

Census results impact housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone.

Address canvassing for the 2020 Census has begun, with representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau in the field to update and verify local addresses.

These address listers may be knocking on doors across the area and asking a few simple questions to confirm the address and to request information regarding additional living quarters on the property.

For identification purposes, badges and briefcases will be visible indicating affiliation with the Census Bureau.

This operation is one of several activities the Census Bureau conducts for an accurate and complete count and will continue through mid-October as the 2020 Census prepares to officially start counting people in March 2020.

For more details, visit the Census Bureau website a https://www.census.gov/.

VCS Bus Drivers Wanted; Next Training Scheduled for Sept.

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Want to be a child’s hero? Greet students every morning and see them home in the afternoon as a Vance County School’s bus driver. VCS is looking for folks who have a class B license with P and S endorsements.

Please contact VCS transportation at (252) 438-5012 ext. 1, or stop by the transportation department to complete an application. Make sure you bring your license.

Don’t delay…. the next bus driver training class is September 23-25, 2019.

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Vance Co. Planning Committee to Discuss Flood Ordinance, ‘Stump Dump’

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

Please be informed that Vance County’s Planning Committee (Faines, Kelly, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Thursday, September 5, 2019, at 3:45 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.

Topics to be discussed include:

– Flood Ordinance Update

– Zoning Ordinance Amendment for LCIDs (stump dump)

News 08/26/19

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Sheriff Curtis Brame

Sheriff Curtis Brame Talks Drug Activity, ICE, Low Deputy Pay

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Sheriff Curtis Brame was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to provide updates on matters pressing to Vance County and the Sheriff’s Office.

West End Community Watch

Brame was the guest of honor at Tuesday’s meeting of the West End Community Watch held at West End Baptist Church in Henderson.

At the gathering of concerned citizens, Brame reported on the county’s current drug problem and recent “senseless” shootings.

“The recent crimes are of great concern to the law enforcement community,” said Brame. “The rapport-building and the unity between the Sheriff’s Office and the Henderson Police Department have allowed us to come together and bring in outside resources such as the SBI and US Marshals.”

Brame told the crowd that a notable difference is being made on drug activity in the county. “Yes, we are making an impact. We have arrested some of the known targets and are working on infiltrating others.”

Issues with drug activity and crime are not unique to Vance County, Brame explained, “I get a little upset when people talk about Henderson being the worst place in the world to live. That is not true! All surrounding counties face the same issues that Vance County faces.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Brame was asked his opinion on NC Governor Roy Cooper’s recent veto of a proposal that would have made it mandatory for state and local law enforcement to comply with requests to detain illegal immigrants until an ICE agent could retrieve them.

“I was glad that happened [the veto]. The citizens of Vance County and the citizens of other counties voted their sheriff into office. I hate to think the federal government can step in and allow an ICE agent, not a magistrate or a judge – an agent, to override the sheriff,” said Brame.

One of the major discrepancies in the proposal, according to Brame, was how long illegal immigrants were to be detained while waiting for an ICE agent to arrive.

“If ICE doesn’t come and get them within a certain period of time, they aren’t going to stay in jail because they will meet the qualifications of being bonded out by a licensed bondsman, by cash or by property. If someone meets these criteria, I have no legal authority to hold them,” said Brame.

Brame said he believes such authority should only come from a judge or magistrate. “If you order a sheriff to hold someone in detention, there needs to be judge’s or magistrate’s signature on a federal level. Me, the police chief, officers and deputies do not have the authority to put someone in jail unless we have a judge’s signature.”

Available Positions at the Vance County Sheriff’s Office

While the Sheriff’s Office is looking to hire for several positions, Brame reported issues with attracting prospects.

“There is a problem all across the country with filling law enforcement positions,” Brame said. “Locally, it is hard to attract people and hard to retain people when they can leave Vance County and go to surrounding counties and make $4,000 – $6,000 more a year.”

Brame said this figure far exceeds the $29,000 annual salary granted to detention officers at the Vance County Jail or the $33,000 starting pay for deputies.

One way Vance County citizens can do their part to make law enforcement a more attractive field, according to Brame, is to “support your sheriff and police chief now and in the future, no matter who they are.”

“Support your local law enforcement. Go to City Council meetings and County Commissioners meetings and tell them to pay these deputies, pay these police officers, pay these first responders. Pay these people!”