The Granville-Vance Health District is establishing a Hotline for county residents to call to register for the COVID-19 vaccine, according to GVHD Health Director Lisa Harrison.
Harrison appeared on Town Talk Wednesday and told host John C. Rose that residents who fall into the 1B phase of people eligible for the vaccine can call the number as early as tomorrow (Thursday). The number will be posted on gvph.org and on WIZS home page when it is available.
“The plan is for us to get as many shots in people’s arms as quickly as possible,” Harrison said, but asked for patience from residents as the health department staff makes adjustments to roll out the vaccine.
Click Play to Listen to Lisa Harrison on TownTalk…
The state is in Phase 1A of the process, which prioritizes vaccinations for front-line health care workers and those who work and who live in long-term care facilities. Harrison predicted that vaccinations for this group would take all of the month of January to complete, at which time the area would move to Phase 1B. Phase 1B includes any resident age 75 or older and front-line essential workers aged 50 or older, according to Harrison. “That is a huge group – we will be (vaccinating) that group for quite a while,’ she said.
Harrison predicted that it may be March before the third group prioritized to get the shot. This group includes health-care workers and front-line workers of any age, as well as other groups including educators and city and county government officials.
The health department staff continues to monitor current COVID-19 cases and do contact tracing, and now, Harrison said, she has 20 people who can give the vaccine. “We want to do the best job we can as fast as we can,” she said. “I know a lot of people are really eager to come to the health dept or the hospital and get their shot, and I am grateful,” Harrison continued, and asked for public’s patience as those at higher risk to contract COVID-19 are vaccinated first.
“We will get to everyone. We just can’t get to everyone today and tomorrow. And so we will continue to let you know what comes up next, following the rules but being as fast as possible.”
Right now, the health department has sufficient vaccine to get through the next two weeks. She estimated that the vaccine on hand can vaccinate 100 people a day for 10 days. “We’re both excited and daunted by the work ahead,” Harrison said.
The health department is a “small but mighty group” putting in long hours to work on contact tracing, entering data into the state-mandated COVID monitoring system and now giving vaccines. Harrison said, “I will be very appreciative when other primary care offices and pharmacies have the vaccine available.” At this time, however, health departments and hospitals are the only outlets for the vaccine. Hospitals will spend most of the month of January vaccinating ER and ICU personnel, she said. Other front-line or essential workers will get vaccinated as soon as possible. “We look forward to getting to them in the coming weeks,” Harrison said.
For more information, contact the Vance office at 252.492.7915. The Granville office number is 919.693.2141.
Part of Agreement Commissioners Approve Means Free Wifi Downtown and in Kittrell
/by WIZS StaffThe Vance County Commissioners approved an agreement Monday with an Internet broadband provider that will bring free Wi-Fi to parts of downtown Henderson and to the town of Kittrell.
County Manager Jordan D. McMillen said the Wi-Fi Zone agreement is a joint effort between the city and the county and begins a five-year commitment with Open Broadband, LLC.
“Now that the agreement has been signed it will take a few weeks or months for them to order the equipment and determine the areas downtown for equipment to be located,” McMillen said in a written statement to WIZS. Next steps include identifying downtown business owners to partner with Open Broadband to place antennas.
The plan is it to have Wi-Fi available in the general area between Orange Street and Rose Avenue along Garnett Street, as well as along the side streets which extend to Chestnut Street, McMillen added. “We are excited about this initiative and (are) glad to partner with the City to make it happen,” he said. The free public Wi-Fi for Kittrell will be available within the town limits.
Open Broadband, LLC is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that seeks to bring broadband internet service to underserved markets and rural areas, according to information provided on its website. It provides service in about 20 North Carolina counties.
Warren County Public Utilities to Increase Water Tap Fees Beginning February 1st
/by WIZS Staff— press release courtesy of Warren County Government
Warren County, North Carolina — At their first meeting of the new year, the Warren County Board of Commissioners took action on a recommendation from Warren County Public Utilities to increase water tap fees due to the rising cost of materials. This increase will be effective February 1, 2021.
New customers to the system will be required to pay $1,200 for a ¾” tap and $1,500 for a 1” tap. Previous costs had been $950 and $1100 respectively.
Tap fees help to cover the costs of adding new customers to the countywide water system. Since April of 2020, there has been a slow but continuing cost increase on tapping materials and supplies, most likely caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Macon Robertson, Warren County Public Utilities Director on an interim basis.
“We are proud of our countywide water system and the level of service we are able to provide when it comes to this enterprise,” said Tare Davis, Chairman of the Warren County Board of Commissioners. “Maintaining a high quality of service also means we have to take into account rising costs and adjust fees accordingly. The Board felt it was important that existing customers not assume the costs for new customers joining the system. We feel confident that this adjustment for new customers is reasonable and needed.”
The North Carolina Rural Water Association assisted the county in its evaluation of the current tapping fee schedule.
In North Carolina, counties and municipalities are allowed to engage in activities of a commercial nature; these activities are all public enterprises. The majority of public enterprises are self-supporting; local governments are allowed to generate income from user charges to supporting the operating and capital expenses of the service. Water supply and distribution is a public enterprise.
Questions regarding the tap fee increase should be directed to Warren County Public Utilities at 252-257-3645.
PLANT TREES TO HELP PROTECT DRINKING WATER
/by WIZS Staff— Tar River Land Conservancy Press Release
BUTNER/STEM – Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) is seeking volunteers to plant hardwood tree seedlings on conservation land located at 831 Roberts Chapel Road in Granville County. Seedlings will be planted near streams to protect drinking water supplied by Lake Holt and Falls Lake. Tree planting events will take place from 8:45 AM to 12:00 PM on
these dates:
Friday, January 22, 2021
Saturday, January 23, 2021
Friday, January 29, 2021
Saturday, January 30, 2021
No previous tree planting experience is necessary to volunteer. TRLC will provide tools and instruction on proper tree planting techniques. Tree planting holes will be pre-dug before volunteers arrive. Participants should wear weather-appropriate work clothing, work gloves and a hat. TRLC welcomes any business team, church group, school club, or Scout troop interested in participating as a group. Participants will be asked to follow safety protocols to limit exposure to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
For more information or to register, please contact Alex Hall at TRLC at 919-496-5902 or volunteer@tarriver.org.
January is National Stalking Awareness Month
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
— from Families Living Violence Free
January is National Stalking Awareness Month!
Know it. Name it. Stop it.
January 2021 marks the seventeenth annual National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), an annual call to action to recognize and respond to the serious crime of stalking.
If you or someone you know are being stalked, Families Living Violence Free is here to help! Call our 24/7 Crisis Line at 919-693-5700; Español 919-690-0888.
A real person will answer 24/7. You can call from anywhere.
At Least There Will Be Girl Scout Cookies; Local Sales Start Jan.16
/by WIZS StaffThe countdown to cookie season is almost here! In just over a week, area residents will see the colorful boxes in the hands of local Girl Scouts, many familiar types and one new variety to enjoy. Each box is $5.
Sales kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16 and conclude on March 7. In addition to the traditional door-to-door sales and tables outside big box stores and groceries, Teresa Wimbrow, local membership director for the North Carolina Coastal Pines Council, reminds anyone looking to satisfy their cookie craving can order online by visiting https://www.nccoastalpines.org/.
She said, “Some who live in neighborhoods will be knocking on doors but that practice is being discouraged for safety reasons and because of Covid. ”
The troops are “quite competitive in normal times” and Winbrow hopes that this year’s cookie sale will be another success. “We’ve never sold cookies in a pandemic before,” she said, and expressed gratitude that Walmart is allowing the troops to set up their booths again this year. Customers can find the cookie booths outside retailers such as Walmart by Jan. 24. All the scouts and the adult volunteers will wear masks and will follow all state-directed pandemic protocols. Expect to see them in operation on Saturdays and Sundays, Winbrow added.
Winbrow oversees Girl Scout troops in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. Franklin County has 11 troops, Granville has 10, Vance has 4 and Warren has 2 troops. Anyone interested in learning more about Girl Scout membership or volunteering can contact Winbrow. “The cookie sale usually sparks some interest,” she said, adding that the troops do get some new members during and after the cookie sale.
This year’s cookie list has favorites customers have been gobbling down for years, but there is a new cookie called Toast-Yay!, a French toast-inspired flavor. Traditional favorites such as Thin Mint, Shortbread, Tag-along and Do-si-do are all available as well, Wimbrow said.
Most of the local troops will pick up their cookies at a Durham warehouse this Saturday in advance of the Jan. 16 opening day. Proceeds from the cookie sale support troop activities such as trips and other outings, but the girls also choose to support land donate to local programs in their area.
For more information about scouting, visit the North Carolina Coastal Pines website at https://www.nccoastalpines.org/. Contact Winbrow at 252.438.8103 or twimbrow@nccoastalpines.org.
Noon News 1-7-21 Vaccine Hotline; ACTS Fish Fry; Possible Snow
/by Bill HarrisStories include: I
– Information on the Covid 19 vaccine hotline from Granville Vance Public Health
– ACTS fish fry fundraiser
– Chance of snow in the local forecast
For full details and audio click play.
TownTalk 1-7-21 Washington DC Riot
/by WIZS StaffHost John C. Rose talks about the events that occurred in Washington DC on Wednesday, Jan. 6th.
For full details and audio click play.
TownTalk: Vaccine Deployment; Lisa Harrison, GVPH Director
/by WIZS StaffThe Granville-Vance Health District is establishing a Hotline for county residents to call to register for the COVID-19 vaccine, according to GVHD Health Director Lisa Harrison.
Harrison appeared on Town Talk Wednesday and told host John C. Rose that residents who fall into the 1B phase of people eligible for the vaccine can call the number as early as tomorrow (Thursday). The number will be posted on gvph.org and on WIZS home page when it is available.
“The plan is for us to get as many shots in people’s arms as quickly as possible,” Harrison said, but asked for patience from residents as the health department staff makes adjustments to roll out the vaccine.
Click Play to Listen to Lisa Harrison on TownTalk…
The state is in Phase 1A of the process, which prioritizes vaccinations for front-line health care workers and those who work and who live in long-term care facilities. Harrison predicted that vaccinations for this group would take all of the month of January to complete, at which time the area would move to Phase 1B. Phase 1B includes any resident age 75 or older and front-line essential workers aged 50 or older, according to Harrison. “That is a huge group – we will be (vaccinating) that group for quite a while,’ she said.
Harrison predicted that it may be March before the third group prioritized to get the shot. This group includes health-care workers and front-line workers of any age, as well as other groups including educators and city and county government officials.
The health department staff continues to monitor current COVID-19 cases and do contact tracing, and now, Harrison said, she has 20 people who can give the vaccine. “We want to do the best job we can as fast as we can,” she said. “I know a lot of people are really eager to come to the health dept or the hospital and get their shot, and I am grateful,” Harrison continued, and asked for public’s patience as those at higher risk to contract COVID-19 are vaccinated first.
“We will get to everyone. We just can’t get to everyone today and tomorrow. And so we will continue to let you know what comes up next, following the rules but being as fast as possible.”
Right now, the health department has sufficient vaccine to get through the next two weeks. She estimated that the vaccine on hand can vaccinate 100 people a day for 10 days. “We’re both excited and daunted by the work ahead,” Harrison said.
The health department is a “small but mighty group” putting in long hours to work on contact tracing, entering data into the state-mandated COVID monitoring system and now giving vaccines. Harrison said, “I will be very appreciative when other primary care offices and pharmacies have the vaccine available.” At this time, however, health departments and hospitals are the only outlets for the vaccine. Hospitals will spend most of the month of January vaccinating ER and ICU personnel, she said. Other front-line or essential workers will get vaccinated as soon as possible. “We look forward to getting to them in the coming weeks,” Harrison said.
For more information, contact the Vance office at 252.492.7915. The Granville office number is 919.693.2141.
WIZS Noon News Audio 01-06-21: VGCC; Property Tax; Farmers Market; Weather
/by John C. RoseThe WIZS Noon News Audio with stories including:
ACTS Fundraiser: Fish Fry at 220 February 1st
/by John C. RoseA big ACTS fundraiser will happen February 1st. Area Christians Together in Service will host a fish fry at 220 Seafood.
Dinner includes trout, fries and coleslaw. Take out only. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For a modest price, you’ll receive a generous portion of food, and you’ll be supporting a great, local cause.
“People can come by ACTS to purchase tickets from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. or from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. any weekday,” Lee Anne Peoples, executive director at ACTS, told WIZS News.
At that same location, 201 S. William Street, you can also drop off a donation of non-perishable food and more.