Local News - WIZS

GVPH COVID-19 Update: Recent Deaths Reported at Universal Health Care

August 11, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of August 10, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Granville County

1,262 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 1,262, 704 are community-spread cases located across Granville County, 541 of those 704 have been released from isolation and eight are hospitalized.

Of those 1,262, 507 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County, 366 of those 507 have been released from isolation.

Of those 1,240, 51 are associated with outbreaks at long term care facilities including 11 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center, 29 at Universal Health Care, and eight at Granville House.

Of the 51 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, eight have been released from isolation.

There have been a total of 28 deaths in Granville County, four in the community, one of whom was associated with Central Regional Hospital, two of whom were associated with Universal Health Care, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Unfortunately, two deaths associated with Universal Health Care have been reported. A 66-year-old female passed away on August 7, and an 86 year-old female passed away on August 8.

Vance County

747 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 747, 623 are community-spread cases located across Vance County, 472 of those 623 have been released from isolation.

Of those 747, 124 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities, including 48 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home, and one with Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC). The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.

Of the 124 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.

Three individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 41 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 12 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two of whom were associated with Senior Citizens Home, and 13 in the community.

WIZS Note: There are 151 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 163 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). While the total number of deaths in Vance County remained steady at 40 for several weeks, a recent COVID-related death associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home brings the count to 41.

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.

North Henderson Baptist to Hold 220 Seafood Drive-Through Fundraiser

August 11, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Gayle Davis, North Henderson Baptist Church

North Henderson Baptist Church will have a fundraiser for missions at 220 Seafood Restaurant on Monday, August 17, 2020, from 4 until 7 p.m. The event is drive-through only.

Plates are available for $8 and include trout, French fries and hush puppies.

All are welcome! Your support of this fundraiser is greatly appreciated!

Help Wanted: Cook/Kitchen Manager Needed for ACTS of Henderson

August 11, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Lee Anne Peoples, Executive Director, ACTS

Cook/Kitchen Manager Needed

Looking for a dependable & experienced part-time Cook/Kitchen Manager for the ACTS of Henderson Soup Kitchen. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a 30-minute lunch (up to 30 hrs/wk).

Applications may be picked up and completed applications may be dropped off at ACTS (201 South William Street in Henderson) Monday-Thursday from 2 – 4 p.m. If you have any questions, email Lee Anne Peoples, Executive Director, at lapeoples@actsofhenderson.org.

Required Qualifications:

As the name implies (ACTS—Area Christians Together in Service), is an organization based on Christian principles. As such, the person for this position should be a Christian. In addition, they should have:

A high school diploma and a minimum of 1-2 years of experience in fast-paced food service management
Experience in delegating, decision making & effective verbal & written communication
Excellent supervisory skills involving planning, organizing, & motivating staff members/volunteers with a positive, professional attitude
The willingness to take direction as needed from the supervisor
A ServSafe® Manager certification or be willing to take the class when it is offered
The ability to pass a background check
A valid NC driver’s license and a reliable vehicle
The ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds & to bend, crawl, stoop, push & lift

Responsibilities include:

Preparing and packaging 15-20 Mobile Meals plates & 75-125 meals through the Soup Kitchen daily in a timely manner; providing instruction to staff & volunteers in assisting with that process; monitoring sanitation practices to ensure that employees/volunteers follow standards & regulations; inspecting supplies, equipment, & work areas to ensure conformance to established standards; checking the quality of food & supplies, including raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met; keeping track of supplies; interacting daily with clients of ACTS Soup Kitchen in a positive, caring manner; washing, drying and putting away dishes; maintaining a record of the number of meals served daily through both Mobile Meals & the Soup Kitchen; washing, drying, folding, & putting away kitchen linens; training new volunteers & providing direction to volunteers & staff in a kind manner; cleaning kitchen, dining, & bathroom areas each day.

Additional duties may be assigned. Volunteers usually assist the Cook/Kitchen Manager with these tasks, but it is ultimately their responsibility to ensure that they are completed.

H-V Chamber: Employee Quarantine Guidelines, New Industry, Counterfeit Money & More

August 10, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce announces the following community updates:

Employee COVID-19 Quarantine & Returning to Work

The Chamber has received a Memo To Businesses and Employers from Kelsey Dickman with the Granville-Vance Public Health Department (here is the link). The memo gives some updates for you to be aware of as a local employer or HR manager concerning employee quarantine and isolation for COVID-19 cases in the workplace. Dickman indicated that the Granville-Vance Public Health Department website has also been updated with this information: https://gvph.org/

Summary Notes – One change to note is criteria for release from isolation has been updated to the following: isolation can generally be discontinued 10 days after symptom onset and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours (reduced from 72 hours), without the use of fever-reducing medications, and with the improvement of other symptoms.

Additionally, GVPH would like to continue to emphasize that employers should not require a COVID-19 test result or a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick to validate their illness, qualify for sick leave, or to return to work. A test-based strategy (i.e. requiring negative tests) is no longer recommended to discontinue isolation, except in very specific circumstances in consultation with infectious diseases experts, per the CDC guidance regarding duration of isolation. Therefore, providers will no longer be able to offer testing to return to work.

If you have any questions about the memo information provided here or about public health-related communications needs, please contact Kelsey Dickman at (252) 492-7915 ext. 236 or email kdickman@gvdhd.org.

Announcement of New Industry

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome a new manufacturing industry and new employment opportunities to Vance County. An announcement was made this week by Governor Cooper, NC Dept of Commerce and our local EDC office that Select Products Holdings will be coming to Vance County – utilizing the space in the former Staples Distribution building, across from Vance-Granville Community College.

Select Products offers high-quality, affordable paper products ranging from facial and bath tissue to paper towels and napkins.

Counterfeit Money Discovered

Counterfeit $5 bills were recently discovered by a downtown Henderson business. All businesses (especially those in retail and service) should be aware of this situation.

Job Retention Grant (JRG) Program

The H-V Chamber received word from the NC Dept of Commerce that a new grant program for businesses and non-profits has been announced. If you are a business owner/manager or a non-profit organization manager and you have experienced interruption due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, this new Job Retention Grant (JRG) Program may be a valuable resource for you.

The NC Dept of Commerce has posted the application and guidance, including a FAQ, for businesses. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2020, so you will need to respond right away. Read the eligibility carefully!

The website is https://www.nccommerce.com/grants-incentives/disaster-recovery/job-retention-grant-jrg. It should provide you the necessary information, as well as the application, application guidance and an FAQ section.

For additional information contact Bruce Naegelen, Community Economic Development Planner with the NC Dept of Commerce, by telephone at (252) 822-1859 or by email at bruce.naegelen@nccommerce.com.

Local Law Enforcement, First Responders Honored at Community Events (Pics)

August 10, 2020/by Kelly Bondurant

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Law enforcement officers, 911 communicators, medical personnel, fire/rescue personnel and first responders were honored late last week in two separate appreciation events: “Back the Blue” at the Henderson Police Department and a free community lunch held at Tony’s Auto & Tire.

April Willis, who said she and her family are holding “Back the Blue” donation events as a way to show support for law enforcement, distributed over 150 gift bags on Friday, August 7. Bags were delivered to Henderson Police Department and Highway Patrol officers, including K9s.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said it meant a lot to the officers to be recognized with individual care packages. “My guys said it was very nice,” said Barrow. “The community continues to be as great to us as they have always been.”

Willis said plans are underway to hold a similar event at the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in the near future.

On Saturday, August 8, businesses and individuals from the Vance County community provided a free drive-thru lunch for law enforcement officers and first responders at Tony’s Auto & Tire, 415 Raleigh Road in Henderson.

The event was sponsored by Rebuilding Hope, Action Graphics, Wildeco, Henderson Fruit & Produce, The Help Center, Durham Coca Cola, Sunrise Biscuits, Ladies of the Moose Lodge, Subway of Henderson, Carey Baptist Church, L.H. Dickens, Tony’s Automotive and many others.

“We wanted to honor those that serve our community,” said Tony Sanford, owner of Tony’s Auto. “We have a good police force here and a good community. We want to challenge other communities to do the same thing.”

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame described Saturday’s turnout in one word, ”awesome.”

“Back the Blue” supporters pictured. (Photo courtesy April Willis)

Volunteers distribute gift bags to officers. (Photo courtesy April Willis)

Officers, community members and businesses participated in a drive-thru appreciation lunch event for law enforcement and first responders. (Photo courtesy Vance Co. Sheriff Curtis Brame)

Vance Co. Sheriff Curtis Brame pictured above with volunteers from The Help Center. (Photo courtesy Sheriff Brame)

Registration Underway for Annual H-V Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament

August 10, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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Join the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor BB&T (now Truist) at Kerr Lake Country Club for the 22nd Annual Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament.

This super ball tournament is one of the Chamber’s largest fundraising events for the year.

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2020

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

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

Registration Deadline: September 25, 2020

Tournament fee includes cart and green fees, mulligan, gift bag, lunch, beverages/snacks on the course and an awards ceremony.

Awards for first, second and third place teams will be given. Skills contests will include Hole-in-One, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin.

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

Vance Co. Board of Elections Open Monday-Friday for Voter Registration

August 10, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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This script is provided by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. The H-V Chamber provides a daily “Chamber Minute” on WIZS daily between Tradio and the noon news.

Are you registered to vote? There is still time to register before the fall elections.

In Vance County, the Board of Elections Office is located at 300 South Garnett Street, in the Dennis Building, on the corner of Winder and Garnett Streets in downtown Henderson. Office hours are Monday- Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Faye Gill is the Vance County Board of Elections Director. Stop by to pick up and fill out a voter registration form today.

Also, if you have recently moved to Vance County, or you have moved to a new home in a new district, you can go by the Board of Elections office to update your address and find out the voting site location in your new district.

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce encourages you to take an active part in your civic duty of being a good citizen by registering to vote.

For more information, visit the Vance County Board of Elections’ website (click here).

Two Arrested for Obtaining Property by False Pretense at Quality Equipment

August 7, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release and photos, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On August 6, 2020, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit received information regarding the attempt of obtaining property by false pretense at Quality Equipment located at 70 John Deere Road, Henderson, NC.

Investigators arrived at the scene and observed two individuals loading property onto a trailer after they had forged a person or person‘s name.

Investigators approached suspects Hoshayah Abraham Isreal (Age 26) and Javon Tyrell Williams (Age 28).

Ultimately, Isreal was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretense, Accessing Computer to Defraud, Possession of Stolen Property and Possession Fraudulent ID. Williams was charged with Accessory After the Fact, Possession Stolen Property and Possession Fraudulent ID

Isreal’s bond was set at $70,000 secured, and Williams‘ bond was set at $42,000.00 secured. Both parties are set to be in Vance County District Court on September 14, 2020.

Note from Sheriff Curtis Brame: We believe these two suspects have been operating in other jurisdictions throughout North Carolina – possibly in Durham, Alamance, Wake and Cumberland counties.

If either of these two suspects has been into your place of business to purchase lawn care equipment or filled out an application for a line of credit, please contact your local law enforcement agency or the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

Hoshayah Abraham Isreal

Javon Tyrell Williams

Henderson City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Night Club Zoning Ordinance

August 7, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

The Henderson City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, August 10, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave. in Henderson, NC.

Due to COVID-19 health mandates issued by Governor Cooper, the number of citizens allowed into Council Chambers is limited. However, members of the community are strongly encouraged to provide questions/comments for Council in writing as follows and to listen via Zoom.

Written Comments:

Email written comments to: emccrackin@ci.henderson.nc.us
Emails received by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be read aloud at the meeting. Comments are limited to three minutes per person.

To listen to the meeting online:

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 881 9346 5545

Passcode: 814538

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Meeting ID: 881 9346 5545

Passcode: 814538

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbdIkTnQSL

Agenda Items Include:

PUBLIC HEARING

Amending the Zoning Ordinance to Define Restaurants with Entertainment as a Special Use Permit.

Exchanging Vance County Tax Parcel 0106 03001 Owned by the City with a Portion of Vance County Tax Parcel 0105 01001 Owned by Kearney & Company, LLC.

NEW BUSINESS

Affirming the City of Henderson Council’s Support Regarding Implementation of a Compliant (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Stormwater Program.

Award Engineering Contract to CDM Smith in the amount of $15,000 to Submit an Application to Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) for an Additional $6,000,000 for the Completion of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System (KLRWS) 20 MGD Expansion.

CONSENT AGENDA

Establishing a Budget for the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Funding Grant.

Authorizing an Application for U.S. Department of Justice’s 2020 BJA Justice Assistance Grant.

Award a Construction Contract to S.T. Wooten in the Amount of $246,420 for the Henderson 2020 Pavement Overlay Project.

Ratifying the Acceptance of North Carolina Volkswagen Settlement On Road Program Grant Award from the NCDEQ.

Tax Releases and Refunds for the Month of June 2020.

WORK SESSION

City Communications Tower in Support of Improved Signal Clarity for Emergency Responders.

CLOSED SESSION

a) Pursuant to G.S.9143-318.11 (a)(3) regarding an Attorney/Client Matter.

Click here to view previous and current Henderson City Council meeting agendas and minutes.

Reminder: Free Lunch for Law Enforcement, First Responders Sat., Aug. 8

August 7, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

Sponsors from the Vance County community will provide lunch for on or off duty law enforcement officers, medical workers and first responders on Saturday, August 8, 2020.

The free lunch will be served drive-thru style starting at 11:30 a.m. at Tony’s Auto & Tire located at 415 Raleigh Road in Henderson. The meal includes pork, chicken and fixings.

Eligible participants include:

Law Enforcement
911 Communicators
Medical Personnel
Fire/Rescue – Volunteer/Full-time
First Responders

Lunch is being offered on behalf of the following sponsors: Rebuilding Hope, Action Graphics, Wildeco (Gordon Wilder), Henderson Fruit & Produce, The Help Center, Durham Coca Cola, Sunrise Biscuits, Ladies of the Moose Lodge, Subway of Henderson, Carey Baptist Church, L.H. Dickens, Tony’s Automotive and many other individuals in the community.