Warren County Government Holiday Schedules

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Warren County government offices, facilities, and services will be closed for the holidays and announce the following schedules regarding hours of operation:

  • Warren County government offices, including County Administration – closed today (Thursday), through Monday, Dec. 27; and also will be closed on Friday, Dec. 31;
  • Warren County Memorial Library – closed through Monday Dec. 27; and closed on Friday, Dec. 31;
  • Warren County convenience centers: will close tomorrow (Friday) at 12 noon through Monday, Dec. 27, and also will be closed Saturday, Jan. 1.

Visit warrencountync.com to learn more.

This information comes from Charla Duncan, community & economic development director and senior assistant to the Warren County manager.

NCTeach Supports Aspiring Teachers Get Prepared For Classrooms

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Just two years after its launch, the teacher recruitment initiative called TeachNC reported that it has “significantly exceeded” its second-year goals, with more than 1,400 aspiring teachers applying to an educator preparation program in 2021. That number more than doubles the number of applicants who signed up in the first year.

From September 2020 through August 2021, the TeachNC.org website was accessed in excess of 159,000 times and has attracted over 11,000 prospective educators who are being supported in their quest to become teachers, according to a press statement from the organization, which partners with several state and national agencies to get more educators into classrooms.

More than 1,400 of those applied for an educator preparation program in North Carolina during the initiative’s second year, with many of them also entering the classroom through the state’s residency licensure pathway, allowing them to work as teachers while completing course work necessary for certification. The year-two teacher recruits represents more than a 130% increase over the number of applicants supported in TeachNC’s first year. Of the applicants, 50 percent identified as candidates of color and nearly a quarter of those reporting a focus area say they want to teach a STEM-related subject such as math or science or in special education.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt commended the TeachNC initiative for its success in helping to attract more people to the teaching profession and serving as a key resource of information about teaching careers in the state.

“TeachNC fills a critical need in North Carolina to make it easy for would-be teachers to learn more about the profession and to support them as they begin their journey to the classroom,” Truitt said. “My own North Star is that every student deserves a highly qualified, excellent teacher in every classroom, and the work of TeachNC is helping the state reach that all-important goal.”

TeachNC, which works in partnership with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, delivers research-based tools and supports for prospective teachers, helping reduce the barriers to applying to and enrolling in an educator preparation program. In a survey by the initiative, 60 percent of TeachNC subscriber-respondents reported an increased interest in teaching and 59 percent of TeachNC’s applicants reported that without the support of TeachNC tools, they may not have applied to a North Carolina educator prep program.

The following resources are freely available to anyone in North Carolina who may be considering entering the teaching profession:

  • 1-on-1 coaching from current North Carolina educators (900+ calls in year two)
  • Interactive education preparation program search tool and application tools
  • Application fee reimbursements
  • Scholarships and financial aid search tool
  • North Carolina’s first statewide teacher job board
  • Live chat function to answer questions 24 hours/day
  • Guides on testing, finances, resumes, cover letters, application essays, licensure, and more

Brenda Berg, President & CEO of BEST NC, the nonprofit, nonpartisan group of business leaders that launched and helped fund the TeachNC pilot, said she is pleased with these results.

“When we launched TeachNC in 2019, we knew our state had an urgent need for teachers. With the challenges our schools have faced through the pandemic, this need is greater than ever, making it even more exciting to see that these results have exceeded our expectations,” Berg said.

“It’s not that people don’t want to become teachers. More than 10,000 people have expressed interest in becoming teachers by subscribing to TeachNC; they just need additional information and support to get there,” she said. “We are also happy to see the state take this over as an on-going effort, because we know that an investment in teacher talent is a direct investment in North Carolina students.”

The recently passed state budget includes funding to DPI to adopt the TeachNC initiative and provides a dedicated position within the agency to administer the program.

TeachNC is a partnership of BEST NC, NCDPI, and TEACH.org. TeachNC includes a full suite of strategic recruitment activities including a robust communications campaign, a comprehensive website encompassing all existing resources in the state, and 1-on-1 personalized supports for teacher candidates. These resources create a trusted, safe, and user-friendly support system for anyone considering a teaching career in North Carolina. Visit TeachNC to learn more.

VGCC Dr. Levy Brown

VGCC’s Dr. Levy Brown Hired For State-Level Post

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Dr. Levy Brown, a vice president of Vance-Granville Community College, has accepted a position as senior vice president/chief academic officer for the North Carolina Community College System in Raleigh. He will begin his new job in January 2022.

In a written statement, Brown said he appreciates his time at VGCC and is excited about the opportunity to pursue new professional endeavors. “VGCC has a number of brilliant students, faculty, staff and community members. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead and serve alongside these individuals during my time at the college,” Brown stated. “Looking ahead, I am humbled by the opportunity to partner with my colleagues to make a difference at the system level. We have myriad opportunities to make a tremendous impact on students, faculty, and staff across the Great 58,” he said, in reference to the 58 community colleges that comprise the state system.

VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais thanked Brown for his leadership during his time at VGCC. “Dr. Brown’s focus on building student supports and investing in faculty development has put our college on a transformational path for student success,” she stated.
“I look forward to working with Dr. Brown in a new capacity as he leads academics for North Carolina community colleges.”

Cecilia Wheeler will be acting vice president of learning, student engagement and success while VGCC conducts a nationwide search beginning in the fall of 2022. Wheeler, a 32-year VGCC employee, is Dean of Arts and Sciences. She has delayed her retirement plans to serve in the capacity of vice president until a candidate is in place, hopefully by January 2023.

In his new role, Brown will oversee a variety of areas, including systemwide academic educational delivery activities such as adult basic skills, curriculum programs, student support services and workforce continuing education. He also will be responsible for leading and coordinating instruction and student learning supports among other critical areas that impact the student experience.

He fills the position vacated by Dr. Kimberly Gold, who was promoted at the state board’s November meeting to the position of chief of staff with NCCCS.

Brown’s prior work includes several leadership roles with Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC), including Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement and Success; vice president of Academic Affairs, and Vice President of Student Services. In his current role, he serves as the college’s Chief Academic and Student Affairs Officer. He is responsible for leading and working collaboratively with credit faculty and staffers in the areas of academic programs, student success, equity and inclusion, enrollment management, K-12 partnerships and other areas. Brown is serving as the college’s primary lead for their work with Achieving the Dream. He continues to work alongside a cadre of faculty and staff to improve student outcomes. Further, he is one of the leaders at VGCC tapped to focus on the adult learner experience through NC ReConnect.

Prior to joining VGCC, Brown served as Dean of Arts & Sciences at Lenoir Community College. Also, he has served in various leadership roles and has taught at other higher education institutions in North Carolina. Brown has been actively engaged in service at the local, state, and national level. On the national level, Dr. Brown serves on the Commission on Student Success for the American Association of Community Colleges and he was recently named a 2021-22 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow. Together, the 2021-22 fellows are leaders at colleges that collectively serve more than 400,000 students. As well, 67 Rising Presidents Fellowship alumni have become presidents of community colleges that collectively serve an additional 953,000 students nationwide. Locally and regionally, Brown has served on various boards and committees including, but not limited to, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce (current chairperson), Teach for America-Eastern North Carolina, North Central North Carolina Boys and Girls Club, and the Transfer Advisory Committee (TAC).

Brown holds a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University, a master’s degree in library science from North Carolina Central University, and a doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on higher education from East Carolina University.

North Carolina Dept. Of Revenue Program Helps Businesses Affected By COVID-19 Pandemic

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The North Carolina Department of Revenue’s Business Recovery Grant Program is making one-time payments to eligible businesses in the state that have suffered significant economic loss because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deadline to submit an application is Jan. 31, 2022. Visit https://www.ncdor.gov/business-recovery-grant to learn more.

According to the NCDOR website, there are two types of grants available for businesses that had at least a 20 percent loss of business during the pandemic:

  • A hospitality grant for eligible arts, entertainment, and recreation business, as well as eligible accommodation and food service businesses such as a hotel, restaurant, and bar (NAICS codes 71 and 72).
  • A reimbursement grant for eligible businesses not classified in NAICS Code 71 and 72, and which did not receive funding from other relief programs including Paycheck Protection Program, COVID-19 Job Retention Grant, and EIDL Advance.

The amount an eligible business would receive is a percentage of the economic loss or $500,000 whichever is less. NCDOR will reduce grant amounts if the total amount of grants requested exceeds the maximum amount of funds authorized for the for Business Recovery Grant by the state of North Carolina.

Grant amounts will be determined at the conclusion of the application period. All payments will be made by check, mailed to the address provided by the respective business once the amounts are determined after the application period closes.

 

 

Swine, Dairy Producers Can Apply For COVID-19 Funds To Help Recoup Losses

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The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has opened the application period for the first phase of its North Carolina Swine and Dairy Assistance program. The $30 million in federal COVID-19 funds appropriated by the N.C. General Assembly will offer assistance for eligible swine and dairy producers for losses incurred from termination of contracts or ceased milk production due to the pandemic.

“A significant number of swine farms have lost contracts and dairies have been forced out of business due to the pandemic. It has been a rough time for many farmers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. The application process has two phases. Phase 1 determines eligibility is open now. Eligible applicants will receive a one-time assistance payment of $31,500. Phase 1 is designed to get money quickly to farmers. “If you are a farmer and this program applies to you then get your application in as soon as possible,” Troxler stated.

Phase 2 will focus on infrastructure modifications to barns, hog houses and/or lagoons. More details on Phase 2 will be released in February 2022.

The grant application and required forms can be downloaded from the NCDA&CS website at www.ncagr.gov.  The deadline to apply is June 30, 2023, but funds are limited so farmers are encouraged to go ahead and apply.

For questions about the program in general, call 866.747.9823. Farmers may also contact their local cooperative extension, Farm Service Agency or N.C. Farm Bureau offices for help with the application.

Warren County Equine Clinic On Jan. 29 For Coggins, Vaccines

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Area horse owners can save the cost of a farm visit and drive their equines to Warren County next month for a Coggins and vaccine clinic, according to information from the Warren County Cooperative Extension.

The clinic will be on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, 654 U.S. Hwy 1 in Norlina.

Oberlin McDaniel, DVM, will be on site to update your horses’ Coggins & annual vaccinations. The Coggins test cost is $36. Online results via Global Vet Link will provide results within 3-5 days. Copies can be printed from this site for use by horse owners to show proof of a negative test.

Vaccines that are available include:

  • 5-way E/W/T/R/F, rabies and West Nile.
  • Equine microchipping also will be available.

Contact Stacey Hadnott, NCMVS assistant at 919.813.6560 or ncmobilevetoffice@gmail.com to learn more.

NCDOT

NC DOT Awards Contracts For Vance, Warren Road Improvements

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More than 20 miles of state-maintained roads in Vance County will undergo resurfacing and shoulder improvements, according to information from NC DOT.

Carolina Sunrock of Raleigh was awarded a $2.7 million contract to mill, resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 21.4 miles of Vance County roads, including Tungsten Mine, Jacksontown and Morgan roads.

ST Wooten Corporation of Wilson was awarded a $2.1million contract to make similar improvements along 16.5 miles of roads in Warren County. Roads to be resurfaced under this contract include Slick Williams, Baltimore and Parktown roads.

The work may begin in spring 2022 and must be completed by the end of summer 2023, according to the NC DOT press release.

VGCC Logo

VGCC To Launch New Technology Platform To Support ‘Modern Learner’

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Vance-Granville Community College plans to launch a new technology platform for student services that school officials said will help students across the four campuses whether they are taking in-person classes, virtual classes or a combination of the two.

The school is partnering with software company ConexED,  whose technology is intended to promote student success, according to information from VGCC’s Chris LaRocca.

“ConexEd provides a unified student services platform, eliminating the need for multiple platforms and logins while reducing ‘roadblocks’ for students, so they can reach the appropriate college personnel,” according to the statement. Faculty and staff also will benefit from the new platform as they work with students to handle scheduling, reporting and other support services.

Dr. Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement & success, said the partnership will aid VGCC’s efforts to connect with the “modern learner” and called the upgrade “a positive step that will help VGCC students achieve their goals.”

VGCC offers classes at four campuses, as well as online. ConexED will help all students, regardless of location, to, for example, schedule appointments and conduct meetings over video-conferencing.
“Enhancing technology for students has become even more important since the pandemic began, so we are excited to implement new solutions that can help VGCC students access a number of different resources, no matter where they are or how they’re attending classes,” said Dr. Ken Lewis, VGCC’s vice president of institutional research & technology.

Advising and registration for the college’s Spring 2022 semester are currently ongoing. For more information on enrolling at VGCC, visit www.vgcc.edu and click on “Admissions.”

More than 210 educational institutions and 1,100 tutoring centers across 12 countries use ConexED. For more information, visit www.conexed.com.

NCDHHS

New Program Can Help Eligible Households That Face Water Disconnection

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A new emergency program launched today (Dec. 1) to help low-income households afford water and wastewater services. The program, called Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program is scheduled to run through September 2023 or until the funds are all used up. It is a federally funded program administered through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Households that have already had the water or wastewater services cut off or have received notice of being cut off because of past due bills may be eligible to apply for the one-time payment, which will be paid directly to the utility company, according to a press release.

Families that already receive assistance from federal programs such as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services are automatically eligible. Households that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 also are automatically eligible. These households should contact the local Department of Social Services for more information.

There are certain eligibility criteria, according to the press release. A household must have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen and have income equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level, have household services that are already disconnected, in danger of disconnection or have a current outstanding bill that they are responsible for paying.

If your water has been cut off, or if you have gotten a notice of disconnection, apply online at www.epass.nc.gov, apply in person at your local department of social services or by phone. In addition, a paper application is available at the website above and can be completed and dropped off or faxed to the department of social services.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, any household needing help paying its water bill can apply for help if they meet eligibility requirements.

Visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance/low-income-household-water-assistance-program-lihwap to learn more.

S-Line Rail Corridor

Passenger Rail Plan Seeks Input As S-Line Project Continues

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The community is invited to participate in a couple of activities this weekend that are part of the NC DOT study of the proposed S-Line rail project. Henderson and Norlina are both being considered for stops along the line.

There will be a pop-up community meeting in Norlina on Friday, Dec. 3 as the plan moves forward.  The Norlina meeting will be held at Rachel’s Whistle Stop Café, according to Warren County Economic Development Director Charla Duncan. The gathering is open to all and will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The café is located at 123 Hyco St, Norlina, NC 27563.

Then, on Saturday, Dec. 4, a team from the engineering firm hired by the state to lead and assess the needs/feasibility study will be at the Henderson Christmas parade to conduct public interest surveys about the plan, according to Downtown Development Director Tracy Madigan. Stop by Sadie’s Coffee Corner on Saturday between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to provide input and give thoughts about the proposed rail plan.

The engineering firm is interested in hearing from the public about such things as how the transit-oriented development should look, things you would consider exciting to change or improve and items you believe present concerns.

Duncan told WIZS News that the Dec. 3 meeting is not about the design of the rail line itself, but “about the possibility for development around a potential stop in Norlina.” She invites the public to come out to share input.

The same is true in Henderson.

Transit-oriented development is defined as a way to build compact, walkable cities and town and preserving rural and natural areas. Having a mix of residential, business and retail  development within walking distance of a transit station reduces the need for driving while creating walkable destinations for recreation and other activities.

According to information about the study from NC DOT, the S-Line is a 95-mile long missing link within the plan for passenger rail service along the southeast rail corridor. The proposed S-Line section begins in Sanford and continues through Apex, Raleigh, Wake Forest, Franklinton, Henderson and Norlina. The Henderson and Norlina stops are among 13 that are noted along the proposed line. The transit-oriented development (TOD) study “will evaluate market conditions, affordable housing considerations, multi-modal transportation opportunities, and regulatory conditions in the various jurisdictions,” according to materials provided by the engineering firm.