Aug. 6, 7 Forums To Provide Updates On Broadband Internet Expansion

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– information courtesy of the Office of N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon

N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon has scheduled upcoming forums – one in Vance County and one in Granville County – to provide updates on the status of expanding broadband internet across the counties he serves.

Leaders from the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity will provide in-person updates on the state’s efforts to close the digital divide, according to a press statement from Sossamon’s office.

The Vance County forum will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Perry Memorial Library from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity Nate Denny will be the speaker.

The Granville County forum will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 7, also from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Granville County Expo Center. NCDIT Broadband Infrastructure Deputy Director George Collier will be the guest speaker.

To date, the Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has awarded more than $500 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to deploy high-speed internet infrastructure across North Carolina. This funding also supports initiatives to help residents afford internet access, obtain digital devices, and access digital literacy resources.

Specific to Granville and Vance counties, nearly $12 million has been awarded for projects connecting 5,828 homes and businesses. Highlights include:

  • Fybe: Awarded $1.8 million in June through the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program, with an additional $1.8 million from Granville County and over $1.5 million from Fybe, to expand high-speed internet to 1,720 homes and businesses in Granville County.
  • Spectrum: Awarded $4 million in CAB funds in 2023 to connect 1,530 homes and businesses in Granville County.
  • Brightspeed: Received $4 million in Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants to connect 1,914 homes and businesses in Granville County and nearly $2 million to connect 664 locations in Vance County.

Granville County Schools have also benefited from these efforts, recently receiving $400,000 to expand device lending programs, offer digital literacy training led by student interns, and establish community Wi-Fi locations through the division’s Digital Champion grant program.

Attendees at both sessions will have the opportunity to ask questions about the state’s broadband initiatives and individual projects aimed at bringing high-speed internet service and digital literacy resources to their county.

Henderson Fire Dept

TownTalk: Henderson Fire Department Engages With Community

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Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale calls it “crew integrity” – it’s the way a group of firefighters establishes and strengthens the bond by learning and by doing together, whether it’s shopping in the grocery store or participating in a training exercise.

One way Twisdale promoted this concept recently was by acknowledging the accomplishments of several firefighters who have received promotions, including Donte Richardson and Jack Wilkinson, two firefighters who have been with the department for just a few years.

Richardson joined the department in 2019, and since then Twisdale said he’s found a career path.

“He’s developed into a good mentor,” Twisdale said, adding that Richardson now wears a white helmet, signifying his promotion to captain.

But Richardson also was recognized as the recipient of the city’s employee of the quarter award and the Optimist award.

Twisdale said Richardson epitomizes the traits of an optimist – always upbeat and looking for the good in all situations – which plays a key role in his abilities to provide training and instruction to other firefighters.

Twisdale said he knew Richardon would be “good at influencing the new generation of firefighters” as he watched the young man obtain various certifications and complete trainings over the past few years.

Wilkinson, who joined the department in 2022, has been promoted to fire engineer, Twisdale said.

Not only does an engineer drive the truck to fire calls, Twisdale explained, but he also “is responsible for the equipment on the truck being in good working order. He’s the person standing beside the truck, moving the levers and making sure (firefighters) are protected” when they’re inside a burning structure.

“He is one of the most relied-upon members of the fire department,” Twisdale said.

Richardson and Wilkinson are among 12 firefighters that belong to one of three shifts – A, B, C – and Twisdale said each shift become like a family, spending 24 hours at the time together as they live, work, train and go out on calls together.

Anyone who thinks that firefighters sit around the station, playing cards all day, while they’re waiting for a call to come in needs to think again, Twisdale said.

Between daily training, EMS calls and more, Twisdale said there’s plenty for firefighters to do on any given shift.

Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds and Capt. Randy Owen recently visited the new assisted living facility Bridges at Parkview to conduct some staff training.

Helping staff learn how to handle smaller emergencies, including general fire safety and safe operation of fire extinguishers, for example, could cut down on unnecessary calls.

Both Edmonds and Owen are working with fire inspections, and Twisdale said both men have proven to be a good fit for the department and for the role they play in the community.

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Community Information Series: “Post-Pandemic School Safety: It Takes ALL Of Us”

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The community is invited to attend a presentation titled “Post Pandemic School Safety; It takes ALL of Us” on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Baskerville Funeral Chapel.

This is another in a series of community information sessions hosted by Charlie Baskerville, Jr. The upcoming presentation features Dr. Michael T. Williams, a facilitator with the N.C. Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Williams is also the author of  I Count Too: Affirming Students Who Look, Love, Learn, and Live Differently.

The presentation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, located at 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.

The event is free of charge and open to the public.

TownTalk: North Henderson Baptist Church One-Day VBS, Backpack Giveaway Aug. 3, 4

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North Henderson Baptist Church has planned two special events next weekend and Pastor Eddie Nutt invites the community to come out and participate.

Nutt joked that he’s trying to keep members of his congregation at church all weekend long, not just in the pews on Sunday but also as volunteers for the one-day Vacation Bible School on Saturday, Aug. 3 and then for the “back to school party” complete with backpack giveaways and a hotdog supper.

The VBS is designed for special-needs individuals and Nutt explained that it’s for all ages. There is no cost to attend the 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. activity, which will include crafts, music, Bingo and, of course, a Bible lesson. The morning will conclude with a meal, he said on Tuesday’s segment of TownTalk.

It’s the first time the church has had a VBS for those with special needs, and it’s an extension of the weekly 9 a.m. service for this population from the community, which Nutt said is “holding steady” with attendance.

“We’ll have plenty of hands-on (from volunteers) to help with crafts, Bingo with prizes for everyone as they learn about God’s love,” Nutt said.

Then, on Sunday afternoon, the church fellowship hall will be abuzz with activity for the back-to-school party, which begins at 5 p.m.

“We’ve had back to school parties for years,” Nutt said, and this year marks the third year for the backpack giveaways. Last year, they gave away more than they had available, but they created a wait list and were able to distribute additional backpacks after making a second run to purchase bookbags and supplies to go in them.

“This year, hopefully we’re prepared for a bigger crowd,” he said.

He does ask that the children who receive backpacks be present at the Aug. 4 event, so Nutt and his church volunteers can share “face to face” the Good News that Jesus loves them.

And be on the listen-out for next year’s “Night To Shine Prom” for special-needs individuals.

It was the first time that the church had hosted the event, so Nutt said they didn’t know how many to expect.

But with between 65 and 70 prom-goers in attendance, along with caregivers and family members who came and stayed for the festivities, Nutt said he was pleasantly surprised at the turnout.

The church applied for, and was accepted, as a site for the February 2025 event, which is traditionally held the Friday night before Valentine’s Day.

North Henderson Baptist Church is located at 1211 N. Garnett St.

 

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The Local Skinny! State Of NC Focusing On Crime Prevention

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– information courtesy of the N.C. Department of Public Safety

The N.C. Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health and Human Services recently released a timeline of violence prevention initiatives that reflect the whole-of-government partnership launched last year with the formation of the state’s first Office of Violence Prevention.

“We must continue to work to make our communities safer and reduce crime by investing in the programs and interventions proven to work,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “Last year we launched the Office of Violence Prevention to foster collaboration between public health and law enforcement professionals across North Carolina to reduce violence and make our communities safer.”

Siarra Scott has been named acting director of the office, which brings together law enforcement, public health officials, community groups and other state and local partners to apply a public health approach to violence prevention. It’s an approach endorsed by a new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General and adopted by a growing network of local Offices of Violence Prevention springing up in communities across the state.

“June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and we know that from 2019 to 2021, children in North Carolina were more likely to die as a result of firearm misuse than a car accident,” Scott said in a press release. “I’m honored to partner with leaders across the state who are looking for new ways to ensure the safety and health of our communities.”

Cooper created the Office of Violence Prevention through Executive Order 279. The office is a partnership between the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Law enforcement and public safety officials cannot walk this path alone,” said N.C. Public Safety Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe Jr. “Our partnership with DHHS is helping the state identify the root causes of violence in our communities and plan an effective response that leverages criminal justice, healthcare, social services and economic resources.”

“Violence and poor health outcomes are fundamentally driven by many of the same factors — lack of food, transportation, housing, and other basic needs,” said N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Working together we can save lives by ensuring all North Carolinians have access to healthcare, social services and other critical resources. Using a data-driven approach and collaborating on strategies that work, we are increasing firearm storage options and improving access to critical resources, including mental health and substance use-disorder services.”

The report highlights 2023 and 2024 accomplishments that include:

  • Establishing the Office of Violence Prevention and a 24-member Community Violence Advisory Board through Executive Order 279.
  • Launching and growing  NC S.A.F.E., a public awareness campaign that promotes safe storage of firearms. Efforts include the distribution of almost 50,000 firearm storage devices to North Carolinians.
  • Leveraging federal funding to support hospital and community-based violence intervention programs and working to extend Medicaid funding to cover violence interruption services.
  • Partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to revive federal Project Safe Neighborhood funding for violence prevention.
  • Improving access to healthcare for more than 600,000 North Carolinians through Medicaid expansion.
  • Collaborating across state agencies to provide re-entry services for formerly incarcerated people, as established by Executive Order No. 303, directing whole-of-government coordination of services.
  • Advancing suicide prevention initiatives, including collaboration with local firearm safety teams, suicide prevention teams and faith leaders.

To learn more about the partnerships that are helping North Carolina develop a comprehensive response to violence, view the timeline of North Carolina Violence Prevention Activities.

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Dale Folwell

TownTalk: Folwell Discusses Third Party Administration For Health Insurance

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As this state’s treasurer, Dale Folwell is the steward of public funds eight times the size of the overall state budget  – and that’s only half of what his department oversees.

Folwell has been leading the charge to transition to make Aetna the company that processes insurance claims, replacing Blue Cross NC. This change will take place beginning January 2025.

Folwell will kick off a promotional bus tour across the state to coincide with the upcoming open enrollment period, when individuals typically have the option to make changes in their plans.

The transition does affect members in the Base PPO Plan, Enhanced PPO Plan and High Deductible Health Plan. It does NOT affect Humana Medicare Advantage Plan members.

Health care and retirement are uppermost on the minds of most state employees – “those who teach, protect and otherwise serve,” Folwell said on Monday’s TownTalk.

Think of the transition from one third-party administrator to another like a car, he said:

The car’s body hasn’t changed – individuals will continue to make copayments, etc. to receive care. The engine hasn’t changed – that’s how the state funds the insurance plans. It’s the transmission – how the state settles claims – that will be undergoing the change.

It’s important to remember that Aetna is NOT the insurance provider, Folwell emphasized.

As a TPA, Aetna’s job is to process claims and make sure they’re correct before presenting them for payment.

We’ve always been self-funded, and Aetna, like Blue Cross NC, is simply a “transmitter” to make sure the billing and payment process is smooth and efficient.

If you’ve ever gotten a bill for a doctor visit or medical procedure and have had questions about what you actually owe and what will be covered by insurance, you’re not alone.

Those involved in the transition to Aetna will have to choose a new primary care provider, but Folwell said he’s confident that they’ll be able to keep their current provider without a problem.

“If people are getting the right primary care, and occasionally any physical therapy they may need,” Folwell said, it will help keep people out of hospitals, which is the ultimate goal.

“I continue to think that people are being gouged on health care pricing as well as prescription drug pricing” in North Carolina, Folwell said.

There’s lots going on in health care, he continued. “It’ sad (people) can’t consume health care – it consumes them.”

When people have a higher fear of the bill than the procedure itself, it should be a cause for concern, he said. And action.

Medical bills can be confusing, to the point that you can’t tell if they had a tonsillectomy or an appendectomy.

But it all comes down to paying for the medical care that you get, and Folwell said his department will partner with any hospital interested in transparent health care, high-quality access at a reasonable cost.

The road tour, featuring Aetna-themed vehicles, will kick off in Raleigh at the Department of State Treasurer’s office later this week on Thursday July 25, then will be at the N.C. General Assembly on Aug. 22.

The tour coincides with the Plan’s 2025 Open Enrollment period, which runs from Sept. 30 through Oct. 25.

The Plan and Aetna are ready to meet people in person during the tour, online or by telephone. For those unable to come out in person, the Plan will also be offering numerous webinars and Telephone Town Halls containing the same information as in-person events.

Learn more at https://www.shpnc.org/

 

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The Local Skinny! Chase Results In Arrest Of Local Man

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-Press release from the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On Friday, July 19 at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Granville County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in locating a wanted person, who has outstanding warrants for Felony Flee to Elude, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon on Government Official.

The wanted person was identified as Kevin Lassiter, 44. Lassiter was believed to be operating a black in color Kia Sorento in the Dabney area of Vance County.

Investigators with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office searched the area and located Lassiter on Nutbush Road in a gravel parking lot in the driver’s seat of the Kia Sorento.

Lassiter was approached by deputies at which point he put the vehicle in reverse and hit a marked Vance County Sheriff’s Office K9 patrol vehicle. Lassiter was able to get out of the lot and led Deputies on a vehicle chase. The chase went in the direction of Kerr Lake. After entering the Kerr Lake Recreation Area, Lassiter collided with a parked truck and boat trailer. The chase continued across Vance County through the Dabney, Watkins and Bearpond communities with speeds averaging between 60 and 70 miles per hour.

Multiple attempts to deploy tire deflation devices were conducted by law enforcement but were unsuccessful. The chase ended on Gillburg Road after a successful PIT maneuver. As a result of the PIT maneuver, the vehicle crashed. Lassiter was taken into custody without further incident and was transported to Maria Parham Hospital with minor injuries. Lassiter was ultimately transported to the Vance County Magistrates Office where he was served with the outstanding warrants from Granville County and additional charges from Vance County.

Lassiter was held without bond for the new charges of:

 

  • 4 counts of AWDW on Government Official
  • Felony Flee to Elude with a Motor Vehicle
  • Resisting Public Officer
  • 2 counts of Injury to Personal Property

Lassiter also charged with DWI by the North Carolina Highway Patrol, as well as multiple charges by the N.C. Department of Parks and Recreation.

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