Local News - WIZS

Warren County Memorial Library Reopens

September 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Warren County Memorial Library

The Warren County Memorial Library reopened to this public this week. Hours are currently Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Book/resource browsing, copying, printing and faxing are available inside. No contact pickup is still provided.

Restrooms and computers will be unavailable for use from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. to allow for cleaning.

Guests are asked to wear face covers and practice social distancing.

Cooperative Extension to Hold Four-Part Farm Business Webinar Series

September 23, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Warren County Cooperative Extension

Franklin and Warren County Cooperative Extension will host a four-part Farm Business Webinar Series for interested participants.

Sessions Include:

September 24, 2020 – Farm Estates with Andrew Branan
October 1, 2020 – Present Use Values with Mark Megalos
October 8, 2020 – Record-Keeping/Quickbooks with Nate Converse
October 15, 2020 – Risk Management with Rodrick Rejesus

All meetings begin at 10 a.m. To register, go to www.nccefarmbusiness.eventbrite.com. Once registered, the link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed to you.

VGCC Student Engages in Cutting-Edge COVID-19 Research

September 18, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College student Emiliano Dunton of Oxford has faced challenges in his life, and now, he is involved in research related to what is perhaps the world’s biggest challenge today: the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

Dunton, a VGCC Bioprocess Technology student, is participating in a research externship program at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) through a partnership between the community college and the university. Through the externship, he gets practical experience related to his studies. Specifically, Dunton works with a team led by Dr. Weifan Zheng, an award-winning professor of pharmaceutical sciences at NCCU’s Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) program, along with research scientists Xialan Dong and Zheng Huang. Zheng and his team are currently using computer programming to identify drugs that may be effective in attacking COVID-19.

Vance-Granville Community College student Emiliano Dunton of Oxford is participating in a research externship program at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) through a partnership between the community college and the university. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

“I am currently learning a new computer language called Python, which is the most used computer coding language of 2020,” Dunton explained. “Our plan is to use the computer language to search for articles pertaining to biopharma research and information regarding COVID-19.”

Currently, due to that same global pandemic, Dunton is working and learning remotely with the professors at NCCU, but he looks forward to making an on-site visit to the Durham campus in November.

Stewart Lyon, head of the Bioprocess Technology program at VGCC, said Dunton is perfect for this research opportunity because of his interest in not just biotechnology but computers. “Emiliano has found a niche in science in the growing field of bioinformatics,” Lyon said. “Bioinformatics essentially uses computer programming languages to analyze large biological data sets.”

Dunton recalled, “I enrolled at VGCC because I did some research on good biotechnology programs and found out VGCC had one of the best around.” He said that the Bioprocess program appealed to him “because I’ve always been intrigued with technology, and the ever-growing science/information-driven era we live in calls for that type of background.”

Dunton said his excitement about learning a new computer language led him to participate in the NCCU externship program. “I also want to inspire more minority youth in my community to strive for excellence and let them know that no matter where you’re from, or what type of background you came up from, you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to,” he added.

Lyon said that Dunton is an inspiration to his instructors and classmates because of his determination to overcome obstacles in order to achieve success. Due to injuries sustained from a gunshot wound years ago, Dunton uses a wheelchair. Though he has use of his arms, Dunton also relies largely on touch-screen computers and has recently learned to code using speech-recognition software.

“After I’ve completed my studies at VGCC, my goal is to continue my education and obtain a bachelor’s of science degree,” Dunton added. He has an interest in the intersection of pharmaceuticals and agriculture and would like to learn more about North Carolina’s growing hemp industry and related pharmaceutical extracts. “I also would like to empower and educate people on methods to generate generational wealth for minority youth in the surrounding communities, as well as inspire academic excellence,” Dunton said.

According to Lyon, Dunton “serves as an example of resilience and that great opportunities in life are available.” He recalled seeing how excited the student was “to find out that he was going to be actively contributing to a research team with the goal of helping to resolve a global health crisis….I think his time with VGCC and Bioprocess Technology, and now linking back to the UNC system, has been transformative for him. Emiliano also balances his obligations as an outstanding student with his familial and community responsibilities. He is a father as well as a student, and seeks to be a role model both at home and in the classroom.” Dunton said his seven-year-old daughter is one of his greatest “sources of strength.”

Dunton is the recipient of the Donald and Betsy Seifert Presidential Excellence Award this year. That is VGCC’s highest scholarship level.

Lyon said he is also pleased with the partnership with NCCU that allows Dunton to have such an interesting experience. The externship program is largely supported by a grant from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) to NCCU.

“VGCC is listed as a participant in NCCU’s initiatives under the grant,” Lyon explained. “NCCU uses the funds to accomplish two major goals: develop and implement the research externship experiences for our students, and to create stackable program credentials. This ultimately helps to increase the number of students entering the industry employment pipeline. The partnership between VGCC and NCCU now allows for our students to transfer from VGCC’s Bioprocess Technology degree to NCCU’s bachelor’s degree program in Pharmaceutical Sciences.”

VGCC’s Bioprocess Technology program is open to everyone, including current high school students through the North Carolina Career & College Promise (CCP) program. In fact, through NC CCP, the program is tuition-free for eligible high school students who want to get an early start on their college education.

For more information on VGCC’s biotech programs, contact Lyon at lyons@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3632.

Election Campaign Sign Season Underway

September 17, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Transportation

Drivers traveling on North Carolina roadways are likely seeing what has become an election-year tradition – a lot of campaign signs.

A state law passed in 2011 allows campaign signs to be placed in the state road right of way as early as 30 days before the start of early voting, which starts on Oct. 15. That means signs legally started going into place this week.

There are restrictions regarding the signs. They include:

Whoever places a sign is required to get the permission of any property owner of a residence, business or religious institution fronting the right of way where a sign would be placed;
No sign is permitted in the right of way of a limited-access highway such as an interstate;
No sign can be closer than 3 feet from the edge of the pavement of the road;
No sign can obscure motorist visibility at an intersection;
No sign can be higher than 42 inches above the edge of the pavement;
No sign can be larger than 864 square inches; and
No sign can obscure or replace another sign.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has the authority to remove any signs that violate these rules. If anyone else removes or vandalizes a sign, they could be subject to a Class 3 misdemeanor citation from law enforcement.

Campaign signs can remain in place for 10 days after the Nov. 3 election. Signs still in the right of way after the deadline are in violation of state law, and the NCDOT is authorized to remove and dispose of them.

Free OTC Medicine Giveaway at Warrenton Armory Sept. 17

September 16, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy NC MedAssist

NC MedAssist is offering a free over-the-counter medicine drive-thru event at the Warrenton Armory on Thursday, September 17, 2020, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Armory is located at 501 US 158 Business East in Warrenton, NC.

The event is held in collaboration with the Warren County Health Department and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medication. No identification is required. Face masks are required to participate.

Available over-the-counter items include cold/cough medicine, pain relief, vitamins, children’s medicine and more.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Click here to order your medication online prior to picking up at the event.

McGregor Hall: ‘The Drifters in Concert’ Rescheduled for Next Fall

September 15, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information and featured image courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center has rescheduled “The Drifters in Concert” to Sunday, October 3, 2021, at 3 p.m.

The Drifters linked Fifties rhythm and blues with sweet Sixties soul music. They have enjoyed a string of honey-voiced lead singers, including Henderson native Ben E. King. Hit after hit followed, including “There Goes My Baby,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “This Magic Moment,” “Up on the Roof,” “On Broadway,” and many, many others.

All tickets purchased for the original 2020 concert date will be honored. Additionally, reserved seating will remain the same from the original ticketing orders. If you have purchased tickets for this event, a McGregor Hall representative will be in touch with you via email or phone.

If you have further questions regarding this concert, please contact McGregor Hall:

Email: info@mcgregorhall.org
Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/McGregorHallHenderson/
OR
Leave a voicemail on the McGregor Hall Box Office phone line at (252) 598-0662

PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/11557/mcgregor-hall-performing-arts-center

Thank you for your patience as McGregor Hall endeavors to navigate this unprecedented, challenging time in the arts industry, and ultimately, in world history.

Warren County Tops State in 2019 Tourism Expenditures Growth

September 11, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Domestic visitors to and within Warren County spent $31 million in 2019, an increase of 16.6% from 2018 ($26.65 million); this growth rate is the highest the county has seen going all the way back to 1990. This growth was the highest increase seen in all 100 counties in North Carolina from 2018 to 2019.

The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

“We, as residents, know that Warren County is a special place; it’s great to see that being recognized by visitors as well,” said Charla Duncan, Economic Development Director (Interim). “It’s encouraging to know that our existing businesses are feeling a positive impact from our tourism draw, and we hope that potential businesses can look at this growth and see the value of operating in Warren County.”

2019 state tax revenue generated in Warren County totaled $1.13 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. Approximately $2.75 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses. This translates into about $194 in tax savings per resident in Warren County.

Visitors to North Carolina set a record for spending in 2019. The $26.7 billion in total spending represented an increase of 5.6 percent from 2018.

These statistics are from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2019,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by the U.S. Travel Association.

“The numbers confirm the strength of North Carolina’s tourism industry as an anchor of economic development,” said Wit Tuttell, director of Visit North Carolina. “As the No. 6 state in the country for overnight visitation, we can attribute our success to the natural beauty and authenticity that visitors experience, and to a passionate effort to inform and inspire travelers. The money they spend benefits everyone by sustaining jobs and reducing our residents’ tax burden.”

Statewide highlights include:

State tax receipts as a result of visitor spending rose 5.0 percent to more than $1.3 billion in 2019.
Visitors spend more than $73 million per day in North Carolina. That spending adds $5.92 million per day to state and local tax revenues (about $3.7 million in state taxes and $2.2 million in local taxes).
The travel and tourism industry directly employees more than 235,000 North Carolinians.
Each North Carolina household saves on average $551 in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state.

NC House Rep. Terry Garrison Provides Updates on COVID-19 Relief Bill

September 10, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy NC House Rep. Terry Garrison’s Sept. 2020 Newsletter

Terry Garrison, North Carolina House Representative for District 32, has released his latest update from the NC General Assembly.

In his September 2020 newsletter, Garrison said the North Carolina General Assembly recently approved its final round of COVID-19 relief for the year (HB 1105) unless additional funding is appropriated by the federal government.

Included in the bill:

$50 increase in weekly unemployment insurance compensation
$335 tax credit for families with children
$52 million in funding for public schools
$30 million in additional grants to expand high-speed Internet access
$20 million in funding to stabilize operations at North Carolina museums, zoos, and other cultural attractions
$6 million in direct assistance to food banks and nutritional programs
$14 million for personal protective equipment (PPE)
$13 million in assistance to farmers
$13 million in funding for the UNC System
$5 million in funding for community colleges
$41 million for early childhood services
$38 million for mental health services
$59 million to expand COVID-19 testing and contact tracing
$23 million for aging adult services
$3.5 million for small business grants

According to Garrison, items missing from the bill include Medicaid expansion, pay increases/bonuses for teachers and public school employees, “significant” investment in public schools, small business assistant, long-term unemployment solutions and “significant” assistance to local governments.

Garrison said he ultimately voted Yes on HB 1105, explaining, “We have a strict deadline to finish spending the federal money we received for COVID-19, and there is much in the bill that is good and badly-needed right now. However, the items we failed to do are critically important and remain on the top of my ‘Must Do’ list for when we return to Raleigh in 2021.”

VGCC Reports Increase in Credit Hour Enrollment

September 10, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The fall semester recently began at Vance-Granville Community College, and officials see positive signs regarding enrollment.

Early data shows an approximate 4 percent increase in the total number of credit hours that students are taking — typically known as Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollment — compared to the same point in 2019. The FTE measurement is important in calculating state funding for each North Carolina community college.

“Thanks to the work of our dedicated, innovative faculty and staff, VGCC continues to move forward, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, college president. “Students are responding positively to how we provide education and training in a way that is affordable, accessible and safe.”

When looking at student headcount, the college has taken a slight dip in comparison to this time last year. However, college leaders are encouraged that students are taking more courses. “We are excited that our students are taking more classes than they did last year this time at Vance-Granville. This should translate into students completing their credentials and degrees at an accelerated pace,” said Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of learning, student engagement and success. “We are pleased to be able to provide quality instruction, academic support, student engagement opportunities, and support services to our students, as most of them are taking online courses with us at VGCC.”

The college invites students from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties and the surrounding region to take advantage of the second 8-week courses that begin on October 14 and end on December 15, 2020. These include general education classes that students can take as part of the College Transfer program, as well as classes required for degrees in fields such as Bioprocess Technology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Medical Office Administration.

Most courses are being offered in an online format, while some are in a hybrid format that combines online learning with an on-campus component.

VGCC has campuses in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. For more information on enrollment, visit www.vgcc.edu.

Fraud Alert: Scammers Claiming to be With DOJ, Preying on Elderly

September 9, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Department of Justice

The Justice Programs’ Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has received multiple reports that individuals claiming to represent the Department of Justice are calling members of the public as part of an imposter scam. The department strongly encourages the public to remain vigilant and not to provide personal information during these calls, which appear to target the elderly.

Reports to the National Elder Fraud Hotline indicate these scammers falsely represent themselves as Department of Justice investigators or employees and attempt to obtain personal information from the call recipient, or they leave a voicemail with a return phone number. The return phone number directs users to a recorded menu that matches the recorded menu for the department’s main phone number. Eventually, the user reaches an “operator” who steers the user to someone claiming to be an investigator. That “investigator” then attempts to gain the user’s personal information.

“Phone scams are an ugly and pervasive act of victimization. The scams being reported to our National Elder Fraud Hotline are especially heinous because they show the perpetrators are preying upon one of the most vulnerable segments of our society – the elderly,” said OVC Director Jessica Hart. “As if this were not despicable enough, the scammers do so posing as employees of the Justice Department, usurping public trust in the agency that serves as a bastion of fairness and lawfulness while these scams exploit the elderly for financial gain. The first step to identifying these criminals is to have their crimes reported.”

“In a time of a national pandemic it is unconscionable for these scammers to prey upon our nation’s most vulnerable victims by pretending to be associated with the United States Department of Justice,” commented United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. “Your Department of Justice does not do business this way and does not seek your personal identifying information over the telephone. We don’t make threats over the phone; we don’t cut deals over the phone and we don’t use investigators who do it for us.”

Those who receive these calls are encouraged not to provide personal information and to report these scams to the FTC via their website or by calling 877–FTC–HELP (877-382-4357). Fraud can also be reported to the FBI for law enforcement action at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/report-fraud.

The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a resource created by OVC for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older. Reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible, and within the first 2–3 days, can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open seven days a week. For more information about the hotline, please visit https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov/.