Buyer & Cellar

McGregor Hall, Brian Westbrook to Present Virtual Presentation of ‘Buyer & Cellar’

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

Brian Westbrook (“Into the Woods,” “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”) will perform in an online, one-man presentation of Jonathan Tolins’ comedy classic “Buyer & Cellar,” the first virtual performance in McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center’s history.

The one-man play follows Alex More, a struggling actor who makes ends meet by landing a job as the curator of Barbra Streisand’s basement.

Online performances will be held on Saturday, June 13 and Saturday, June 20, 2020, at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket purchasers will receive a web address and password at the email address connected to their purchase no later than 10 minutes prior to showtime.

Please note: content rated ‘R’ for language.

For tickets, visit https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/11557

In order to continue its mission to “share the healing power of the arts in Henderson and beyond,” McGregor Hall asks for the help and support of the community to make this performance a success.

NC Governor Logo

Cooper Extends Utility Cut Off Moratorium, Implements Evictions Moratorium

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 142 to extend the prohibition of utility shut-offs and implement a moratorium on evictions. The Order went into effect Saturday with the Governor’s signature.

“North Carolinians need relief to help make ends meet during the pandemic,” said Governor Cooper. “Extending housing and utility protections will mean more people can stay in their homes and stay safe as we all work to slow the spread of this virus.”

“North Carolinians want to pay their rent, but for far too many people – through no fault of their own – that’s just not possible right now,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “We are in unprecedented times that call for unprecedented action. I support Gov. Roy Cooper’s extension of the moratorium on evictions to ensure that people do not face homelessness in the midst of this health and economic crisis.”

The Council of State concurred on this Executive Order with no objections.

The Order will aid in efforts to stop the spread of the virus by preventing homelessness due to eviction and ensuring access to essential utilities such as water and power. Though the Order allows for extended windows to pay rent and utility bills, all tenants and customers are still ultimately responsible for making their rent and utility payments.

The Order’s evictions moratorium:

  • Is effective immediately and lasts for 3 weeks;
  • Would prevent landlords from initiating summary ejections or other eviction proceedings against a tenant for nonpayment or late payment of rent;
  • Prevents landlords from assessing late fees or other penalties for late or nonpayment;
  • Prevents the accumulation of additional interest, fees, or other penalties for existing late fees while this Order is in effect;
  • Requires landlords to give tenants a minimum of six months to pay outstanding rent;
  • Requires leases to be modified to disallow evicting tenants for reasons of late or nonpayments; and
  • Makes clear that evictions for reasons related to health and safety can take place.

The Order’s utility shutoff moratorium:

  • Continues effective immediately and lasts 60 days;
  • Prohibits utility disconnections for all customers;
  • Prohibits billing or collection of late fees, penalties, and other charges for failure to pay; and
  • Extends repayment plans at least six months, and sets the default term for repayment to six months for cases when the utility and customer cannot agree on the terms of an extended repayment plan.

More information can be found in the FAQ document or read Executive Order 142.

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. to Discuss Allocation of Approx. $1 Million in Coronavirus Relief Funding

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-Information courtesy Jordan McMillen, Vance County Manager

As recently posted on WIZS.com, Vance County has received Coronavirus Relief Funds from the State totaling $974,599. According to Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen, discussion on ways to allocate those funds will be held at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, June 1.

“The state originally required a plan by June 1, but have pushed back the deadline to June 15, as of yesterday,” said McMillen. “According to the latest guidance, the funds must be spent by the end of December or they must be returned. The use of the funds is very restricted; funds can only be used for expenses directly related to COVID-19.”

McMillen continued, “We do anticipate using the funds to purchase necessary PPE for our public safety departments, as well as to outfit our buildings to ensure our staff and the public will be adequately protected, for example with the installation of plexiglass in certain departments, updating certain technology to ensure we are better prepared for telework and telemeetings in the future.”

As the court system opens back on June 1, McMillen said the County is making arrangements to encourage social distancing both outside the courthouse and as people enter the courthouse. Additionally, the courthouse will have regular cleanings throughout the day.

Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners of Hope Updates: 220 Fundraiser Canceled, Gown Project Moved

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-Information courtesy Jane King, Community Partners of Hope, Inc.

Updates from Community Partners of Hope:

Hope House

Six men are living in Hope House now, and all are doing well. Some have lost jobs during the COVID-19 shutdown, some are just going back to work.

Because of their situation, “shared expense” payments are temporarily suspended, so the cost of utilities, internet, etc. is coming out of Community Partners of Hope’s budget.

Hope House’s new roof has been delayed, with work expected to begin soon.

220 Fundraiser

The 220 Fundraiser originally scheduled for April 27, and rescheduled for Monday, June 29, has now been canceled.

If you purchased tickets and would like a refund, please call (252) 432-9494. Otherwise, your purchase will be considered a donation to Community Partners of Hope.

Protective Gown Project

If you want to help the community, please consider joining a group that has been making disposable protective gowns for the hospital and nursing home workers. This project was started by First Baptist Church in Henderson, and the work was done at McGregor Hall for a number of weeks.

The project is now moving to First Presbyterian Church (upstairs from the shelter), and we can use volunteers to create gowns from plastic sheeting to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19.

Work is done from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday – Friday and also 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The work is not difficult and someone can train you quickly.

All volunteers 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All volunteers will be screened upon arrival and must have a temperature below 100, no symptoms, and no known exposure to COVID-19 (including no known exposure by anyone in their household). Please bring a mask and scissors with you.

If you would like to help, please sign up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A44ADAC2BA1FD0-protective

Donations

At this time, Community Partners of Hope is only in need of financial contributions. Expenses continue at Hope House even when the Henderson Men’s Shelter is closed for the season. Funds are still needed in the ongoing search for a new shelter location. All contributions are tax-deductible.

You may send a check to Community Partners of Hope, Inc, P.O. Box 1791, Henderson, NC 27536

Local News Audio

Noon News 05/28/20

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

WIZS, Henderson – Your Community Voice
Governor announces COVID 19 county payments
Boys and Girls Club announce virtual summer camp
Perry Library announces curbside service
COVID 19 update

 

VGCC Reopening Business Seminars

VGCC Small Business Center Presents ‘Reopening Your Business’ Webinar Series

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-Information courtesy the VGCC Small Business Center 

As local businesses begin to reopen, the Small Business Center of Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) has scheduled a six-part series of online seminars intended to assist businesses in navigating these uncharted waters.

Sessions include:

June 4 – Understanding Phases 1, 2 and 3 of Reopening

June 9 – Reopening Your Business Without Opening Liability

June 11 – Best Social Media Practices as You Reopen

June 16 – The Latest CDC Health & Safety Guidelines Broken Down for Your Business

June 17 – Connecting With Customers as you Reopen

June 19 – Managing Finances During Reopening & Beyond

All sessions are from 10 – 11 a.m. Please register no later than twenty-four hours prior to each session at www.ncsbc.net.

In these one-hour sessions, subject matter experts will look at the various phases of reopening along with potential liability, communicating with customers and employees, CDC guidelines and managing finances. There will also be time allowed for questions and answers.

Participants will need a valid email address in order to receive the webinar login information. After registering, the link will be sent the evening before the event, and a reminder email will also be sent approximately one hour before the start time.

With additional questions, please contact the VGCC Small Business Center via email at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

Boys & Girls Club Summer Camp

Register Now! Boys & Girls Clubs to Hold Free Virtual Summer Camp

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-Information and flyer courtesy BGCNCNC

The Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina (BGCNCNC) will hold a free virtual summer camp for local children June 15 through July 31, 2020.

Camp includes:

  • A “Be Great” box full of fun activities and supplies that will be delivered to your home each session
  • Access to a Private Facebook Group for updates, activities and daily Facebook Live sessions
  • Daily Zoom meetings with guest speakers, presentations, classes and more!

In order to receive access and a “Be Great” box, please register by Friday, May 29, 2020. Complete the registration form at www.bgcncnc.com or visit the BGCNCNC’s Oxford, Roanoke Rapids or Vance locations weekdays from 4:30 – 6 p.m.

For more information, call (919) 690-0036 or visit www.bgcncnc.com.

NC Governor Logo

Four-County Area to Receive Over $4 Million in COVID-19 Relief Funding

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper announced that $85.4 million in federal funds provided for COVID-19 relief to counties will be disbursed this week.

Three large counties, Guilford, Mecklenburg and Wake, have already received funds directly from the federal government, and 59 other counties that have completed certification will receive funds this week from the state-administered Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) that was passed by Congress. Counties are encouraged to support municipalities with the funding as needed.

“Everyone is working hard to make ends meet, including county governments as they finalize their budgets,” Governor Cooper said. “These funds will help communities respond to the COVID-19 crisis with testing, personal protective equipment and more.”

Though the federal government did not require that the state share any of the $3.56 billion in the CRF to North Carolina local governments, Governor Cooper’s COVID-19 budget proposal recommended $300 million be allocated to counties and municipalities.

Ultimately, the unanimously approved and bipartisan budget that Governor Cooper signed included $150 million for counties that have the flexibility to share monies with their municipalities as county commissioners deem appropriate.

Local allocations include:

Vance County – $974, 599

Granville County – $1,233,427

Warren County – $571,030

Franklin County – $1,383, 798

The full distribution of funds is listed here by county, along with instructions to counties about how the funds may be used.

The CRF funds may be used for medical needs including the COVID-19 related expenses of public hospitals and clinics, including testing; public health expenses, such as personal protective equipment and other medical supplies, as well as the cost of cleaning public areas and facilities such as nursing homes; payroll expenses for public safety or healthcare employees dedicated to responding to the COVID-19 emergency; and expenses to comply with public health measures, including teleworking, distance learning, food delivery, paid leave for public employees, expenses for maintaining prisons, and protecting the homeless population.

By state law, the 97 remaining counties will receive a base amount of $250,000, with more distributed by population. This quick disbursement of funds was coordinated by the state Office of State Budget and Management and the new North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office (NC PRO).

For questions about how CRF funds may be used, go to the NCPRO website for more information.

Will Local Churches Continue To Have A Choice

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In short, a 14-day order that has allowed local churches to worship inside, if they so chose, will now lead into a preliminary injunction hearing on Friday, May 29.  It was so ordered on May 16 by United State District Judge James C. Dever III.  The hearing will take place at 11 a.m. in a courtroom of the Terry Sanford Federal Building in Raleigh.

A phone caller to WIZS, intending to be on the air but the show had just ended, asked when folks could go back to church.  The answer lately has been when your church decides to open.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued interim guidance for places of worship.  Just click here for more.

In the link above, a place of worship an its congregation can read about: Social Distancing and Minimizing Exposure; Cloth Face Coverings; Cleaning and Hygiene; Monitoring for Symptoms; Protecting Vulnerable Populations; Combating Misinformation; Water and Ventilation Systems; Additional Resources.

But the larger verdict has been rendered so far by churches choosing not to open, such as the information recently published in a story by northcarolinahealthnews.org. (“Despite judge’s ruling allowing for services, most NC churches remaining closed“)  This story link also has embedded within it the text of the petition filed and the temporary injunction ordered with the including exhibits.

The 14-day order prevents the State of North Carolina from blocking services inside and enforcement actions against same.

Governor Roy Cooper issued a press release stating: “We don’t want indoor meetings to become hot spots for the virus and our health experts continue to warn that large groups sitting together inside for long periods of time are much more likely to cause the spread of COVID-19. While our office disagrees with the decision, we will not appeal, but instead urge houses of worship and their leaders to voluntarily follow public health guidance to keep their members safe.”

But as the 14 days have begun to wrap up, the new answer to our WIZS caller’s question is: faith based communities will need now to see and hear the next steps offered by the Federal Court Friday as well as any updated NCDHHS guidance.

The main apparent rub with Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 138, which essentially stated church goers could only be inside with a maximum of 10 people if no other options were present, is that the order is unconstitutional, and, for lack of a better way to express it, unfair and inconsistent.  Also, there is the question of who determines what worship is.  Is “valid” worship decided by the worshipers or a party of enforcement such as a sheriff or sheriff’s deputy?

So the federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, the summation of which called for Friday’s hearing and included the words that worshipers “should observe the Recommendations to Promote Social Distancing and Reduce Transmissions to the extent practicable.”

Has your church held worship inside?  Did you go?  What are your hopes?  Go to facebook.com/wizsradio and tell us in the comments under this story.

Perry Memorial Library Offering Curbside Book Service, No Contact Home Delivery

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-Information courtesy Perry Memorial Library

Perry Memorial Library in Henderson announces a new curbside service available from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You start by placing holds on materials through your library account or by calling the library at (252) 438-3316. If calling, have your library card number handy. Please make sure the library has the correct information to contact you when your holds arrive (email, phone or text).

For curbside delivery, you can receive up to five books or audio CDs and two DVDs.

When you receive notification that your holds are ready, come to the library and park in one of the designated spots in the parking lot on the Winder side of the building. Spots are near the entrance, next to the handicapped parking. Call or text the number on the sign and let library staff know you have arrived and your spot number.

There is a table set up, and staff will bring your holds out and place them on the table under your spot number, give you a big wave, and you can grab your holds from the table.

If you have books to return, please place them in the outside book drop.

If you are unable to leave your house due to physical limitations or COVID precautions, please call  (252) 438-3316, ext. 223, to arrange for no-contact delivery through the library’s adult outreach coordinator.

Perry Memorial Library looks forward to getting books, audiobooks and DVDs back in your hands!