85 Percent of H-V 911 Calls for VCSO and HPD; All Other Agencies Combined 15 Percent

/by

Information obtained Thursday from Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations, concerning the number of dispatches made to area agencies in 2020, shows the Vance County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched the most in this area, receiving a total of 39,077 calls or 43.94 percent of the total.

Not far behind was the Henderson Police Department with 36,332 calls or 40.85 percent of total call volume.

Calls in Vance County with Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations being involved in 2020 for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol totaled one percent or 892 calls.

Keep in mind some calls for all agencies would have been hang ups but still required some follow up.

Remembering covid was not recognized as being present in North Carolina until March of 2020, if a majority of calls represented points of exposure to those responding, then local law enforcement faced many times over the risk and points of exposure to covid than did their counterpart first responders in all the EMS, Rescue Squad and all fire departments in Henderson and Vance County including all volunteer companies as well as forestry and the fire marshal’s office combined.

And it’s not even close.

Essentially, the local law enforcement agencies of the HPD and the VCSO “answered the call” 84.79 percent of the time in 2020. The NC SHP did one percent in Vance County in 2020. That leaves just 14.21 percent for everybody else combined.  Also keep in mind the SHP can be otherwise dispatched.

Vance County EMS got the call 7,489 times or 8.42 percent.

The Henderson Fire Department was on the receiving end of the call 2,083 times in 2020 or 2.34 percent of the time.

The Vance County Fire Department had 880 calls or .99 percent.

Everybody else combined accounted for 2.46 percent of the calls.

EMS and Fire first responders were slated for covid vaccines before law enforcement by the State of North Carolina. But if there are no apples to oranges comparisons here, and there could be because these are just numbers/stats, then those getting the call 15 percent of the time were put in front of those getting the call 85 percent of the time for the covid vaccine.

These numbers are facts.  None of these numbers are reported to in any way undercut any agency or minimize even one of the calls.

A total of 88,937 call records exist for Vance County E911 for the year 2020.

Town Talk Logo

TownTalk 03-25-21 Covid Vaccinations For First Responders

/by

Thank you for listening to WIZS Radio, Your Community Voice!

Continued discussion about covid vaccine availability to first responders such as EMS, Fire, Police, Deputies and Highway Patrol.

TownTalk Broadcast for 3-25-21.

Local Chambers Promote Small Business; Looking Biz of Year!

/by

Nominations are being accepted at local Chambers of Commerce for the 2020 Small Business of the Year.

Henderson-Vance Chamber President Michele Burgess noted several criteria for companies who are nominated. Anyone can nominate a company for consideration, and companies may self-nominate, she said.

All nominated companies must submit a written application to the Chamber office no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021.

The deadline is Monday, April 12 to submit written applications to the Granville Chamber in Oxford, according to a written statement from that Chamber’s Small Business Committee.

Both chambers use the following criteria for a small business to be nominated:

  • employs a maximum of 50 people
  • is a member of the local chamber and is located in the county
  • has been in business at least 3 years and is experiencing growth or stability over its business life
  • provides critical service or products, fills a void in the business community, or has a unique approach to the delivery of goods and services
  • Is not a governmental agency or municipality

In addition to the above criteria, the Granville Chamber lists two more criteria for consideration:

  • May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances  to remain in business
  • Is supportive of community growth sustainability
  • Representative(s) of each small business completing a written application will be invited to a Small Business luncheon

All applications are confidential.

Email michele@hendersonvance.org or call the H-V Chamber at 252.438.8414 to learn more and to request an application. Copies also are available at the Chamber office, 414 S. Garnett St., open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the Granville application, email wanda@granville-chamber.com or call the Oxford office 919.693.6125. Copies of the application are also available for pickup at the Oxford office, located at 124 Hillsboro St.

Multi-Employer, Virtual Hiring Event March 30 at 11 a.m.

/by

NC Works is having a virtual multi-employer hiring event at 11 a.m. on March 30.

Positions range from assemblers, machine operators, material handlers, welders and more.

The most direct method for this and other job availabilities is to visit events.kerrtarworks.com. You can also call the NCWorks Career Center at 919 693 2686.

In addition, WIZS Radio in Henderson has formed a new partnership with the H-V Chamber of Commerce. As there are job openings in our area, the Chamber is going to help compile and list, and the radio station is going to announce it and publish it for the community to hear and see. This is an additional effort that continues and builds further on what the Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments has been doing in partnership with NC Works.

Covid Vaccine – Who and What Decides the “Law” of Who Gets It and When

/by

There is little doubt that the response to COVID-19 has changed dramatically since the global pandemic was first declared more than a year ago. Information about vaccine availability in North Carolina and groups currently eligible to get a vaccine are hot topics of conversation. The NC Department of Health and Human Services and local public health officials are continually updating information to keep the community informed.

But many people, including local law enforcement officials, have expressed frustration about just how and when those vaccines are distributed and being given.

Since the first vaccines were administered, there have been shifts in groups and phases eligible to get the vaccine. For instance, Phase 1b originally included people 75 years old or older. In mid-January, however, that age was amended to include those 65 years or older; the Centers for Disease Control recommended that first responders be included among the first wave of vaccinations; North Carolina determined that first responders would fall into a lower priority category.

3-24-21 TownTalk Broadcast Audio

Granville-Vance Public Health Director Lisa Harrison said because North Carolina placed first responders in Group 3, law enforcement officers “were officially only allowed to access the vaccine” since March 3. North Carolina moved to Group 3 for Frontline Essential Workers that includes childcare and PreK-12 school workers on Feb. 24, she said. “But truthfully, we started with first responders and kept rolling with them as much as possible, since there was mixed interest among those in Groups 1 and 2. Those who came to us for vaccine were not turned away,” Harrison noted.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said his department got information in December regarding the shot that later was taken back. “Back in December, they had an entirely different play book,” Barrow told WIZS Wednesday. “The day after three of us got our first shot they changed it and moved all law enforcement further down,” he said. Fire and EMS personnel remained in the higher priority group and got their shots, he said, but “I had to scrounge and get my personnel first in where I could with leftovers.”

Barrow was quick to add that he was not being critical of local health officials. “The director has bent over backwards to help us get everyone in,” he said. “It was just how the state of North Carolina decided to place us.”

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame told WIZS News by phone that “a large percentage of deputies and jail personnel” have been vaccinated. He said that “by working at some of the sites” of vaccination, his personnel were able to get in line when no one else was present to receive the shot and yet a few doses remained.

Jeff Rowan, first sergeant for NC Highway Patrol Troop C, District 4, said Wednesday that he followed a process to inform his personnel about the vaccine. His role was “to reach out to…personnel and find out who wanted to be vaccinated,” Rowan told WIZS News. His district includes Vance, Franklin and Warren counties, so he sent troopers’ names to the emergency management services agency in the troopers’ home counties. “Once I did that, that county would reach out to that…trooper” to set up a time to get vaccinated. “My understanding was we were in phase 2, so that wouldn’t happen until phase 1 was complete,” he said. “As of today, anyone who wanted a vaccination in this district is vaccinated,” Rowan added.

The plan to begin vaccinating Phase 1a – those health care workers and others most at risk for severe disease or death from COVID-19 – started in mid-December 2020 in North Carolina. People in Phase 1b would follow, and the groups would continue to be eligible based on certain criteria such as age, co-morbidity and places of employment. The state further defined its vaccination strategy after people from neighboring states were driving over the border to North Carolina to get their shots. People crossed county lines to get vaccinated, which also added to frustration among those who were waiting to get their shot.

“The state clarified in January that the health care workers and first responders eligible for vaccine in Group 1 needed to be COVID-19 patient-facing,” Harrison explained. That meant that EMS workers transporting sick or symptomatic patients, as well as ICU and Emergency Department workers would have priority to get the vaccine. Also, those giving the shots in large clinic settings would have priority, she said. Soon after, those in long-term care facilities and staff who had been working outbreaks with the most severe illness and death would be eligible.

At first, demand far exceeded vaccine supply, but now that trend has subsided in some counties and state news outlets have reported leftover vaccine as a result of low turnout at previous vaccination sites. Now that demand seems to be tapering off and counties’ vaccination rates rise, state officials are changing course and focusing on putting more vaccine doses in areas with lower percentage of vaccination rates.

Harrison said the health department routinely gives 2,500 shots – either first or second doses – in the two counties each week. But the first shipment received in Granville County on Dec. 22, 2020 only had 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine, she said. Appointment slots were filled as quickly as they opened up, fueling frustration in the community.

As more doses began to come in, Harrison said, the easier it was to open up a little earlier to different groups. “In our two counties, the population size and the number of providers vaccinating has allowed us to move slightly ahead of the curve and include those who needed vaccine – including dentists and first responders, beyond just those who were patient-facing, but it’s all very hard,” she said.

“We are all first responders,” said Sheriff Brame. “We just have different titles, but I’m not going to complain.” He said, “We followed the orders that came from above … I’ve always been a fighter for law enforcement, so don’t count us out.”

Harrison said Tiffanie Boone, GVPH immunization nurse, has always prioritized and included first responders in the health department vaccine program.

“It is very sad and disappointing we couldn’t get to everyone faster and prevent more severe illness and death,” Harrison said. “I agree that’s why vaccine is so very important and I appreciate those who help others understand that vaccines save lives.”

According to the NCDHHS website, North Carolina is currently vaccinating people in Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4: High-Risk Conditions and Additional Congregate Settings.

Learn more at YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov.

Vance GOP Convention – Plans Growth, Organization, Recruiting

/by

— Vance Co. GOP Press Release

The Vance County Republican Party held it’s annual state required convention Monday night, March 22, 2021. The meeting held in the South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church’s Family Life Center was the largest county convention held in the party’s history. Following registration, refreshment and social time, Vance County GOP Chairman, Dwight Frazier, welcomed attendees and officially opened the convention with a prayer by David Barnett and the pledge of allegiance. Pastor Frank Sossamon next took the podium and conducted the precinct organizational focus of the meeting. Delegates attending the convention sat at their respective voting precinct tables and were presented with a detailed organizational handbook the party recently developed. The handbook developed by Pastor Sossamon and the party contained data pertinent to each precinct, the list of officers required, and the duties of those officers within a precinct, and much more strategical information on how to organize and strengthen the Vance County Republican population. Regular precinct meetings are planned to help reach goals currently set by the Vance County GOP some of which are to raise the number of registered Republicans, convert voters who are currently registered as Democrat or Unaffiliated, and recruit qualified Republican candidates for ALL locally elected positions.

Dwight Frazier led the business session in which delegates adopted The State GOP Plan of Organization and elected their leadership for 2021-2023. The slate of officers elected are as follows: Vance Co. GOP Chairman – Jimmy Barrier, Vice Chairman- Kevin Osborne, Secretary – Pam Barrier and Treasurer – Jacque Esslinger.

Several guests from the district addressed the convention. Attendees heard from District 1 Chairman, Harvey West; Richard Scott, chairman of Halifax Co. GOP; Thomas Hill, Chairman of Gates Co. GOP and currently seeking an at large seat in District 1; Donna Stewart, currently seeking District 4 seat (part of the Kittrell precinct is in District 4). Also attending the convention was newly elected chair of the Warren Co. GOP, Evelyn Woodson and her vice chairman, David Woodson.

Submitted Photo – L-R Frazier, Whatley, Barrier

Two special guest speakers at Monday night’s convention were Sandy Smith, former and current candidate for the US House of Representatives and Michael Whatley, Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party who recently spoke along with Donald Trump at the 2021 CPAC Convention. Sandy Smith spoke on Republican values and her plans for implementing those values once elected to the office. Mr. Whatley first thanked the Vance Co. GOP for the extraordinary job of getting the Republican vote out in the 2020 election and “protecting the ballot” (ensuring all voting in the county was done legitimately with no irregularities). He spoke of the many accomplishments made by the party in the 2020 election and pointed out vital races throughout the state and country the party needed to win in upcoming elections. Mr. Whatley offered to help Vance County however he could to fortify the party.

Outgoing vice chairman, Robert Herford, surprised Dwight Frazier who themed this year’s convention, “Proud to Be a Republican”, with a special presentation of appreciation from the party for his service as Vance County chairman and his dedication to the party over the past ten years.

Dwight Frazier themed this year’s convention, “Proud to Be a Republican”. To conclude the convention he relinquished the podium to the newly elected chairman, Jimmy Barrier, who made a few remarks and asked attendees for their help. “Alone I am just one single vote. I need you to help me make the votes grow by getting involved. If you or someone you know says they can’t stand to watch the news any more, if you are fed up with politics and politicians, help me fight for a change to make things better. Get involved. I want to hear from every one of you.”

H-V Chamber Logo

TownTalk 03-23-21: H-V Chamber Advances will help with Human Resources

/by

The newly formed Human Resources Council, a program of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, will have its first meeting on Thursday, Mar. 25 at 1 p.m. There’s still time to register to participate in the virtual meeting, according to Chamber President Michele Burgess.

Burgess said the council, which falls under the chamber’s business growth and development division, will bring together human resources professionals from a variety of businesses and industry to network, problem-solve and share ideas. The council will meet monthly, she said, and will feature guest speakers.

The purpose of the council is “to help our members grow and to help them solve problems that they’re losing sleep over at night,” Burgess told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk. Until the group can gather in person again – which Burgess hopes it will be able to do by the fall – virtual meetings can help connect area human resources professionals to one another. And this, she said, will build relationships as well as a network for sharing ideas and helping solve HR problems.

One of the challenges that businesses, both large and small, face in the Vance County area is finding employees to fill job openings, Burgess said. These days, besides asking for information about COVID-19 related loans and grants, the Chamber fields calls from companies wondering how and where to find good employees. “That’s really how the whole human resources council came to be,” she said. “It really started even before COVID,” she said, adding that she hopes through strengthening relationships with the public school system and VGCC, the talent pool and workforce development can improve for area business and industry.

Thursday’s speaker is Cherrelle Lawrence, dean of corporate learning and professional development at Vance-Granville Community College. The topic is “Investing in Talent.” Lawrence, who also serves as dean of VGCC’s Franklin campus, will kick off the council gathering with an overview of topics related to human resources. “I’m excited for my business members to hear her,” Burgess said. “She is really dynamic and full of energy!”

TownTalk Podcast with Michele Burgess.

The HR Council will serve to inform human resource officers and managers in local businesses about innovative programs including specific training, apprenticeships and internships offered in the community, she said. “We like being involved,” Burgess said of the Chamber, “but we also like to share with our other partners like VGCC’s Small Business Center, local economic development commission and other entities that attract new business.

“We feel like the workforce issue is very important at this particular time,” Burgess continued. “We want to keep our local businesses here and operating (and) workforce pool is key to that,” she said. “We realize (at the Chamber) that we can’t do everything. But getting people employed and helping our industry” is a top priority.

The Chamber’s business growth and development division is co-chaired Chamber members by Brian Williams, account manager at Temperature Control Solutions, and Stephanie Hoyle, broker associate with Century 21 Country Knolls Realty.

To learn more or to register for the Thursday meeting, email michele@hendersonvance.org or call 252.438.8414.

The Local Skinny! March 23; H-V First Responders Doing Benefit

/by

Past and present individuals who serve various local fire, law enforcement, EMS and volunteer agencies, who form what’s commonly called Henderson Vance First Responders, are planning a 3,000 plate BBQ chicken sale for the local families of Ret. Capt. Mike Davis (HPD) and Master Trooper Brent Montgomery (SHP).

Both served in their respective areas of law enforcement, and both died as a result of covid complications. For a $10 donation, community members at large can enjoy the food, which will be available April 30th from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event will take place at 210 Industry Drive in Henderson. That’s the physical location the Tri-County Shrine Club uses, nearby to Mako, Servpro and Fred’s Towing.

The fundraising project is the brainchild of a number of current and past first responders according to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. He and Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame are helping too along with the Tri-County Shrine Club, formerly known as the Henderson Shrine Club.

Sheriff Brame told WIZS News last week, “All the proceeds will go to the families of Captain Mike Davis and Trooper Brent Montgomery. Follow social media where you can make a donation. Henderson Police Department and Vance County Sheriff’s Office have tickets on hand, so please stop by and make your donation.”

Subsequently, Brame has posted on his Facebook page, “The following persons and businesses have tickets; Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department, Eastside Barber Shoppe, Ray Fields, James Lilley, Sheriff Brame, Chief Barrow, Billy Currin. If you would like to join us in helping get these tickets out please call 432-4307, and I will get you a stack of tickets. God Bless and thank all of you.”

The Local Skinny! Podcast