100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, NCDHHS
North Carolina has submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The goal of the plan is to immunize everyone who is eligible for and wants a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Leaders from across sectors came together under tight timelines to collaboratively develop a vaccine plan that leads with equity and prioritizes building trust. We will continue to update this plan as we learn more from the science and data on vaccines and in response to the needs of North Carolinians,” said NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.
North Carolina’s vaccine plan reflects five principles that guide the planning for and distribution of one or more COVID-19 vaccines in the state. The principles include:
1. All North Carolinians have equitable access to vaccines.
2. Vaccine planning and distribution are inclusive; actively engages state and local government, public and private partners; and draws upon the experience and expertise of leaders from historically marginalized populations.
3. Transparent, accurate and frequent public communications are essential to building trust.
4. Data is used to promote equity, track progress and guide decision-making.
5. Appropriate stewardship of resources and continuous evaluation and improvement drive successful implementation.
“North Carolina Emergency Management has been working with our partners at the NC Department of Health and Human Services to ensure we have a solid coronavirus vaccine plan,” said NCEM Director Mike Sprayberry. “From an operational perspective, this plan engages the state’s resources down to a county and local level and allows for flexibility based on data so we can pivot quickly and get the vaccine to those who are most in need.”
Currently, multiple vaccines are in development. For a vaccine to be authorized, studies must show it is safe and can prevent someone from catching COVID-19. Thousands of people have volunteered to be part of research trials across the United States and around the world to see if a vaccine is safe and prevents COVID-19 illness. Promising vaccines are being manufactured at the same time they are being tested, so there will be an initial supply when the science shows which vaccines are found to be safe and effective.
Once the Food and Drug Administration authorizes a vaccine, it will take time for manufacturers to ramp up production. Therefore, states will receive limited vaccine supplies at the start and will need to determine which populations receive the vaccine first. North Carolina’s prioritization framework was developed based on the National Academy of Medicine framework and in consultation with an external COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee convened by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine.
“Our convening of the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee informed the state’s plan with independent and diverse perspectives from experts and community leaders across our state. The committee was composed of a broad range of leaders, including from those populations most significantly affected by COVID-19, including racial and ethnicity groups, health care, public health and academia, who worked diligently over the past month in order to fully address equity, inequalities and health issues that are driving the pandemic and creating mistrust,” Michelle Ries, Interim Director, North Carolina Institute of Medicine.
The NCIOM Vaccine Advisory Committee was co-chaired by:
- Dr. Goldie Byrd, Director, Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest University;
- Dr. Leah Devlin, Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management at UNC School of Public Health; and
- Dr. Art Apolinario, a family medicine physician at Clinton Medical Clinic and Board member of the North Carolina Medical Society.
“My patients have taught me how important it is to recognize the mistrust that the current health care system has created with non-white communities,” said Apolinario, M.D., MPH, FAAFP. “We worked to ensure that racial disparities and equity in the delivery of care were recognized and put in the forefront of this COVID-vaccine decision-making process. We had stakeholders at the table to make sure we made unbiased decisions. Our work was independent, free of political bias, open to all opinions and strictly adhered to data and science as the main tenets for a good decision.”
“Old North State Medical Society is an established trusted health care entity in North Carolina. Since early 2020, Old North State Medical Society testing team has been focusing on efficient and effective ways of testing the vulnerable population for this aggressive and lethal COVID-19 virus, as well as promoting culturally sensitive education and messaging,” said Charlene Green, MD, President, Old North State Medical Society. “Trust is the key to success. Old North State Medical Society strongly recommends the inclusion of established community leaders in supporting the distribution of these new vaccines.”
This is an interim plan and will continue to be revised based on further information and guidance from the CDC and other federal agencies, increasing data on safety and efficacy from vaccine trials, ongoing input from state and local partners and the Vaccine Advisory Committee, and refinements needed as the state progresses through the planning and operational stages.
North Carolina’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan builds on the foundation of the state’s overall goals and pillars of response to the pandemic: Prevention, Testing, Tracing, Isolation and Quarantine. North Carolina took early and aggressive action to slow the spread of the virus, built statewide capacity for testing, personal protective equipment supplies and contract tracing, developed hospital surge plans, and promoted aggressive prevention strategies.
Noon News 10-21-20 Salvation Army Playground Relay For Life Corbitt Trucks Gang Free
/by John C. Rose– Salvation Army Local Playground
– Relay for Life of Vance County, Rosa’s Team, 220 Fish Fry Fundraiser
– Corbitt Preservation Association President’s Challenge
– Gang Free Inc Needs Your Vote
Click Play for Full Noon News Audio
Skunk Tests Positive for Rabies in Warren County
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Warren County Government
A skunk that was taken on October 12, 2020, from Warren Plains Road in Warren County has tested positive for rabies at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health. The skunk was killed by the citizen’s dog. The dog’s rabies vaccination had expired, and the dog is currently under observation.
Dogs and cats not current on their rabies vaccination that come into contact with a rabid animal have very few options. One option is quarantining the animal for a period of up to six months at the owner’s expense; the second option is euthanizing the pet.
The top three wild animals testing positive for rabies in North Carolina continue to be the raccoon (number one), the skunk and the fox. The cat continues to surpass other domestic animals, such as the dog and livestock, in testing positive for rabies.
The feeding and keeping of stray and other unvaccinated cats presents a health risk to our communities and the animals themselves; this practice should be halted and is discouraged. The disposal of food scraps in yards and wooded areas attracts animals and is unsanitary. Residents are encouraged to dispose of food scraps by composting or placing scraps in covered rubbish containers to avoid attracting animals.
North Carolina law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets that are four months of age and older should be kept current on their rabies vaccination. Failure to vaccinate pets is a violation of state law and local ordinance and owners can face fines and criminal charges.
The Warren County Animal Control Department offers one-year rabies vaccinations. Vaccinations are available Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. for $5 each at the Animal Ark. Appointments can be made by calling the shelter at (252) 257-6137.
Vance Co. Without a Fire Marshal Since June
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Vance County has been without a fire marshal since Keith Duncan accepted the position of fire marshal of Person County in June.
In a statement to WIZS News, Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen shared that the Planning and Development Department, as well as the Fire Department, are handling the inspection and plan review portions of the job. “We have several certified fire investigators in our fire department that can be made available should a volunteer department need fire investigation assistance,” said McMillen. “For the most part, we have all of the duties of the position covered currently.”
McMillen did not indicate that there are plans to fill the fire marshal position at this time.
“The Board created this new position in 2016 with the idea that it would create a dedicated liaison for the volunteer fire departments to assist with insurance ratings and concerns that may arise,” explained McMillen. “As a part of this, the fire marshal met regularly with the fire association and was instrumental in enforcing the County’s contracts with each department as well as reviewing pay requests each month to reimburse the volunteer departments for their part-time hours worked. The position was very helpful in assisting the departments as they went through their rating improvement process that took place last year. Prior to 2016, our fire chief position included the fire chief and fire marshal duties.”
Convicted Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Escaping Butner Federal Prison
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announces that today, Richard R. Cephas, of Wilmington, Delaware, was sentenced to 18 months consecutive to the sentence he is currently serving for escaping from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in Butner, North Carolina on or about April 1, 2020.
In June 2017, Cephas was sentenced by the United States District Court for the District of Delaware to a term of 66 months in federal prison – for his violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 (a)(l) and (b)(l)(A) and 846, Conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine.
The conviction and sentence resulted from a long-term High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) federal wiretap investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Drug Trafficking Task Force in Delaware. More about that investigation here.
As alleged in the publicly filed affidavit attached to the Criminal Complaint, Cephas had been serving the remainder of his prison sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Butner, NC. On April 2, 2020, Cephas was placed in an escape status by the BOP following his absence from a bed count conducted by staff at the Butner facility. At the time of his absence, Cephas was not authorized to be away from the Federal Prison Camp. On April 20, 2020, Cephas was returned to custody.
“Several months ago, as the Coronavirus pandemic began, Richard Cephas, a convicted drug trafficker serving a federal prison sentence, tried to take advantage of the situation by using the threat of the pandemic as a way to avoid paying the price of his criminal activity,” said United States Attorney Higdon. “No one was fooled. Today, the U. S. District Court sent that message loud and clear by adding 18 more months – the maximum allowed under the Federal Sentencing rules – to his drug sentence. This sends a powerful message to Mr. Cephas and to anyone else who would try to use the virus or any other similar situation as an opportunity to escape justice.”
The United States Marshals Service investigated this case and Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson is prosecuting the case.
Relay For Life 220 Seafood Fundraiser – Oct. 26
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Katrina Tunstall, Relay For Life of Vance County
Join Relay For Life of Vance County for a trout plate fundraiser at 220 Seafood Restaurant in Henderson on Monday, October 26, 2020. Plates will be sold from 4 until 7 p.m.
Trout, fries, slaw and hushpuppies available for $8 (no drink included). This fundraiser is take-out only.
To purchase tickets in advance, call Rosa Marks at (252) 213-7076.
Enjoy some good food for a great cause!
(This is not a paid advertisement)
NoonNews 10-20-20 Domestic Violence;Vance Co. Fire Marshall;Men’s Shelte
/by Bill Harris– Domestic Violence Awareness Month
– Vance Co. Fire Marshall
– Men’s Shelter
For full details and audio click play
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 10-19-20 – Winterizing the Herb Garden
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
Town Talk 10/20/20: Corbitt’s ‘President’s Challenge’ Raising Funds in Difficult Year
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Charles Powell, president of the Corbitt Preservation Association (CPA), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Powell discussed the CPA’s 2020 “President’s Challenge,” a fundraiser on-going through October 31. A $50 donation entitles you to full membership in the organization, your choice of a t-shirt, hat, coffee mug or travel mug ($20 value) and 10 percent off any additional merchandise. Items will be shipped free-of-charge to those that live outside the local area.
Society.MP3
In addition, a CPA member that wishes to remain anonymous will match every $50 donation dollar-for-dollar for the first 100 donors, up to $5,000.
“This year has been a very bad year,” Powell said. “We haven’t had any shows or any way for us to raise funds. Of course, our expenses continue with the museum and other areas.”
Powell said the CPA was especially hard-hit after the cancellation of the Show, Shine, Shag and Dine and East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion weekend held in downtown Henderson each fall. The 19th annual event, originally scheduled for October 16-17, 2020, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That’s usually our largest fundraising event of the year. We missed that, and it put us in dire straits,” Powell lamented. “The President’s Challenge is a win-win situation for everybody. For us, we increase our membership, plus it creates funds for us to do our projects.”
One such project involves displaying a rare Corbitt automobile at the Bennett H. Perry/Corbitt Museum located at 180 Church Street in Henderson. In 2019, members obtained the automobile from the previous owner in Greensboro, NC. “We would like to enclose the car on the back patio of the museum and open up a new room for viewing,” said Powell.
“Of course,” Powell explained, “all this takes funds.”
To support the CPA via the President’s Challenge, please mail a check, use PayPal or pay by credit card over the phone.
Checks may be mailed to CPA, PO Box 74, Henderson, NC 27536. If you wish to use PayPal, please email gjammer35@aol.com for an invoice. To pay by credit card, please call Ken Stegall at (252) 432-6476 or Charles Powell at (252) 767-2247 for assistance.
For more information, please visit The Corbitt Preservation Association’s Facebook page or website at www.corbitttrucks.com.
City of Oxford: Halloween Activities Notice
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, City of Oxford
While the City of Oxford, in following the guidelines outlined by the CDC and NC Governor Roy Cooper, is not planning or coordinating any Halloween activities this year due to COVID-19, traditional Trick-or-Treating activities will be left up to the decision of individual households and neighborhoods.
Anyone choosing to participate in Halloween activities and/or Trick-or-Treating is strongly recommended and encouraged to follow the guidelines established by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/
If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact the City at (919) 603-1100.
NCDHHS Submits COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to CDC
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, NCDHHS
North Carolina has submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The goal of the plan is to immunize everyone who is eligible for and wants a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Leaders from across sectors came together under tight timelines to collaboratively develop a vaccine plan that leads with equity and prioritizes building trust. We will continue to update this plan as we learn more from the science and data on vaccines and in response to the needs of North Carolinians,” said NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.
North Carolina’s vaccine plan reflects five principles that guide the planning for and distribution of one or more COVID-19 vaccines in the state. The principles include:
1. All North Carolinians have equitable access to vaccines.
2. Vaccine planning and distribution are inclusive; actively engages state and local government, public and private partners; and draws upon the experience and expertise of leaders from historically marginalized populations.
3. Transparent, accurate and frequent public communications are essential to building trust.
4. Data is used to promote equity, track progress and guide decision-making.
5. Appropriate stewardship of resources and continuous evaluation and improvement drive successful implementation.
“North Carolina Emergency Management has been working with our partners at the NC Department of Health and Human Services to ensure we have a solid coronavirus vaccine plan,” said NCEM Director Mike Sprayberry. “From an operational perspective, this plan engages the state’s resources down to a county and local level and allows for flexibility based on data so we can pivot quickly and get the vaccine to those who are most in need.”
Currently, multiple vaccines are in development. For a vaccine to be authorized, studies must show it is safe and can prevent someone from catching COVID-19. Thousands of people have volunteered to be part of research trials across the United States and around the world to see if a vaccine is safe and prevents COVID-19 illness. Promising vaccines are being manufactured at the same time they are being tested, so there will be an initial supply when the science shows which vaccines are found to be safe and effective.
Once the Food and Drug Administration authorizes a vaccine, it will take time for manufacturers to ramp up production. Therefore, states will receive limited vaccine supplies at the start and will need to determine which populations receive the vaccine first. North Carolina’s prioritization framework was developed based on the National Academy of Medicine framework and in consultation with an external COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee convened by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine.
“Our convening of the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee informed the state’s plan with independent and diverse perspectives from experts and community leaders across our state. The committee was composed of a broad range of leaders, including from those populations most significantly affected by COVID-19, including racial and ethnicity groups, health care, public health and academia, who worked diligently over the past month in order to fully address equity, inequalities and health issues that are driving the pandemic and creating mistrust,” Michelle Ries, Interim Director, North Carolina Institute of Medicine.
The NCIOM Vaccine Advisory Committee was co-chaired by:
“My patients have taught me how important it is to recognize the mistrust that the current health care system has created with non-white communities,” said Apolinario, M.D., MPH, FAAFP. “We worked to ensure that racial disparities and equity in the delivery of care were recognized and put in the forefront of this COVID-vaccine decision-making process. We had stakeholders at the table to make sure we made unbiased decisions. Our work was independent, free of political bias, open to all opinions and strictly adhered to data and science as the main tenets for a good decision.”
“Old North State Medical Society is an established trusted health care entity in North Carolina. Since early 2020, Old North State Medical Society testing team has been focusing on efficient and effective ways of testing the vulnerable population for this aggressive and lethal COVID-19 virus, as well as promoting culturally sensitive education and messaging,” said Charlene Green, MD, President, Old North State Medical Society. “Trust is the key to success. Old North State Medical Society strongly recommends the inclusion of established community leaders in supporting the distribution of these new vaccines.”
This is an interim plan and will continue to be revised based on further information and guidance from the CDC and other federal agencies, increasing data on safety and efficacy from vaccine trials, ongoing input from state and local partners and the Vaccine Advisory Committee, and refinements needed as the state progresses through the planning and operational stages.
North Carolina’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan builds on the foundation of the state’s overall goals and pillars of response to the pandemic: Prevention, Testing, Tracing, Isolation and Quarantine. North Carolina took early and aggressive action to slow the spread of the virus, built statewide capacity for testing, personal protective equipment supplies and contract tracing, developed hospital surge plans, and promoted aggressive prevention strategies.