100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Government
Granville County volunteer fire departments have been working for the past several months to complete requirements for lower insurance rates for local residents and businesses.
At the October 5 meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners, Emergency Services Director Jason Reavis provided details of the training, equipment, maintenance, staffing levels, water supply, inspections and communications that were evaluated during recent inspections by the Insurance Services Office (ISO).
Ratings were released by N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey in a September 23 presentation at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center.
N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is pictured with chiefs of Granville County volunteer fire departments during a Sept. 23 presentation. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)
The Insurance Services Office rates fire departments on a scale from 1 to 10 to determine how well-protected a community is by the district’s fire department, with 1 being the highest score. These ratings, which stay in effect for a five-year period, are provided to homeowners insurance companies to determine insurance premiums in fire districts across the state.
The assessment takes into consideration the readiness of the fire department itself, available water sources for water protection, and communication capabilities. Since communities with well-prepared and well-equipped fire departments are at less risk of extensive property damage, low ISO scores can result in lower insurance rates for homes and businesses.
“These new ratings may result in thousands of dollars in savings on Granville County insurance premiums to Granville County homeowners and businesses,” Causey said during his presentation.
Granville County’s volunteer firefighters have been preparing for the recent ISO assessments for over a year, culminating in drills that took place during the summer.
In June, volunteer fire departments in Antioch, Berea, Brassfield, Bullock, Corinth, Cornwall, Providence, Stem and Stovall, as well as Granville Rural Fire Department, began training with a timed tanker shuttle, using both a static water source (pond) and a pressurized water source (fire hydrant). Approximately 29 tankers and fire trucks from across the county and from neighboring vicinities participated, with inspectors from the North Carolina Fire Marshal’s Office conducting the drills.
Inspections followed at each fire department, with scene set-ups and all paperwork completed in mid-July.
“Most of our fire departments are staffed by volunteers,” said Granville County Fire Marshal Ken Reeves. “These dedicated firefighters have worked day and night – between their full-time jobs and their volunteer service – in an attempt to get insurance scores lowered in their communities. The result of their hard work is something we all should be proud of.”
Finals scores for each participating department are as follows:
Antioch: 6 (previous score of 9)
Berea: 6 (previous score of 9)
Brassfield: 6 (previous score of 9)
Bullock: 5 (previous score of 9)
Corinth: 5 (previous score of 9)
Cornwall: 6 (previous score of 9)
Granville Rural: 5 (previous score of 9)
Providence: 4 (previous score of 9)
Stem: 5 (previous score of 4 in town limits, 9 outside)
Stovall: 5 (previous score of 9)
There are 14 fire departments in Granville County, with 10 being part of the recent ISO assessments. The Creedmoor Fire Department (also volunteer-based), as well as the City of Oxford and the Town of Butner (paid municipal departments), were not included in these inspections, but are set to be evaluated soon. The Virgilina Fire Department is rated by the State of Virginia.
During his presentation to the County Board of Commissioners, Reavis also expressed appreciation to 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Director Trent Brummitt, Byron Currin of Soil and Water Conservation, the County’s Addressing Coordinator Sandy Woody, and Fire Marshal Ken Reeves for their work during the ISO inspections.
For more information about fire departments/districts in Granville County, contact Fire Marshal Reeves by phone at (919) 603-1310 or by email at ken.reeves@granvillecounty.org.
Granville Fire Departments Report Improved Inspection Ratings
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Government
Granville County volunteer fire departments have been working for the past several months to complete requirements for lower insurance rates for local residents and businesses.
At the October 5 meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners, Emergency Services Director Jason Reavis provided details of the training, equipment, maintenance, staffing levels, water supply, inspections and communications that were evaluated during recent inspections by the Insurance Services Office (ISO).
Ratings were released by N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey in a September 23 presentation at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center.
N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is pictured with chiefs of Granville County volunteer fire departments during a Sept. 23 presentation. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)
The Insurance Services Office rates fire departments on a scale from 1 to 10 to determine how well-protected a community is by the district’s fire department, with 1 being the highest score. These ratings, which stay in effect for a five-year period, are provided to homeowners insurance companies to determine insurance premiums in fire districts across the state.
The assessment takes into consideration the readiness of the fire department itself, available water sources for water protection, and communication capabilities. Since communities with well-prepared and well-equipped fire departments are at less risk of extensive property damage, low ISO scores can result in lower insurance rates for homes and businesses.
“These new ratings may result in thousands of dollars in savings on Granville County insurance premiums to Granville County homeowners and businesses,” Causey said during his presentation.
Granville County’s volunteer firefighters have been preparing for the recent ISO assessments for over a year, culminating in drills that took place during the summer.
In June, volunteer fire departments in Antioch, Berea, Brassfield, Bullock, Corinth, Cornwall, Providence, Stem and Stovall, as well as Granville Rural Fire Department, began training with a timed tanker shuttle, using both a static water source (pond) and a pressurized water source (fire hydrant). Approximately 29 tankers and fire trucks from across the county and from neighboring vicinities participated, with inspectors from the North Carolina Fire Marshal’s Office conducting the drills.
Inspections followed at each fire department, with scene set-ups and all paperwork completed in mid-July.
“Most of our fire departments are staffed by volunteers,” said Granville County Fire Marshal Ken Reeves. “These dedicated firefighters have worked day and night – between their full-time jobs and their volunteer service – in an attempt to get insurance scores lowered in their communities. The result of their hard work is something we all should be proud of.”
Finals scores for each participating department are as follows:
Antioch: 6 (previous score of 9)
Berea: 6 (previous score of 9)
Brassfield: 6 (previous score of 9)
Bullock: 5 (previous score of 9)
Corinth: 5 (previous score of 9)
Cornwall: 6 (previous score of 9)
Granville Rural: 5 (previous score of 9)
Providence: 4 (previous score of 9)
Stem: 5 (previous score of 4 in town limits, 9 outside)
Stovall: 5 (previous score of 9)
There are 14 fire departments in Granville County, with 10 being part of the recent ISO assessments. The Creedmoor Fire Department (also volunteer-based), as well as the City of Oxford and the Town of Butner (paid municipal departments), were not included in these inspections, but are set to be evaluated soon. The Virgilina Fire Department is rated by the State of Virginia.
During his presentation to the County Board of Commissioners, Reavis also expressed appreciation to 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Director Trent Brummitt, Byron Currin of Soil and Water Conservation, the County’s Addressing Coordinator Sandy Woody, and Fire Marshal Ken Reeves for their work during the ISO inspections.
For more information about fire departments/districts in Granville County, contact Fire Marshal Reeves by phone at (919) 603-1310 or by email at ken.reeves@granvillecounty.org.
Grace Family Ministries to Hold Weekend Prayer Walk
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Grace Family Ministries
Join Grace Family Ministries this Saturday, October 10, 2020, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for a prayer walk through Henderson.
Participants should meet at Grace Ministries, 981 Burr St in Henderson, at 10 a.m. for a devotional, prayer and street assignments. Lunch will be served after the prayer walk.
For more information, please call (919) 691-3381.
Granville Co. Public Schools Moves Toward Plan A Reentry
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, October 5, 2020, the Granville County Board of Education approved a new timetable for the gradual, staggered shift for students to return to school.
Currently, the district is in the process of welcoming students back to school under Plan B. Plan B allows for different groups of students to physically return to school on different days of the week. Under this plan, strict social distancing is required along with other safety protocols mandated by the state. COVID symptom screening and the use of face masks are mandatory for all persons entering school grounds.
The Board also approved a shift to Plan A for elementary students, as allowed under the Governor’s recent executive order, which allows these grade levels of students to return to school in one single group, with relaxed restrictions on social distancing.
The Board approved this new plan with input from a wide range of stakeholders, including our local health care professionals, parents, teachers, administrators and students. The chart below references the specific dates for transitions for different grade levels as the district gradually shifts toward more students attending school in person.
***BASED ON READINESS INDICATORS***
Plan B Staggered
(1 Day F2F)
Full Plan B
(2 Days F2F)
Plan A
(4 Days F2F)
PK, K, & Self Contained EC
September 28, 2020
October 19, 2020
January 6, 2021
Grades 1 – 5
October 12, 2020
October 26, 2020
January 6, 2021
Grades 6-12
October 12, 2020
October 26, 2020
Remain on Plan B
*EC Self-Contained maintain current schedule
Virtual at the base school remains an option
It was also shared at the meeting that families should remain flexible, as schools could potentially shift back to full remote learning in the event there was a shift in the readiness indicators. This could include a sudden rise in COVID cases, clusters within schools, or issues related to school staffing availability or operational readiness.
GCPS will report suspected, presumptive, or positive cases of COVID-19 to the Granville-Vance Health Department and work with them for follow-up and conduct contact tracing. If a person with COVID-19 was in a GCPS facility while infectious, staff will coordinate with local health officials to notify affected employees and families.
Because of the district’s obligation to protect the privacy of students and employees as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) federal laws, the district cannot release specific information about a confirmed case. The names of the people affected and other personally identifiable information will be provided to public health officials in accordance with reporting requirements; however, this information will not be released to the public or the media.
Unless a positive COVID-19 case results in a significant disruption of a campus’ ability to safely operate or deliver instruction, only those identified as close contacts will be notified.
In the event of a reported cluster, it may be necessary for a school to shift to fully remote learning for a certain period of time. Staff and families should be prepared for potential shifts to online instruction if they become necessary. Any changes to a school’s instructional plan will be communicated to families with as much notice as the circumstances allow.
Suspect in Shooting of Female While on Release for Homicide Located, Arrested
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the Henderson Police Department
Today, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested John Williams without incident on outstanding warrants from their office, along with outstanding warrants from the Henderson Police Department.
On Friday, September 25, 2020, officers of the Henderson Police Department responded to the 200 block of Chavasse Avenue after receiving a call of a person being shot. When they arrived, they located Tracey L. Person (51) suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper torso.
Person was transported to an area medical facility for treatment of her injuries.
She and a male friend had been walking in the area when a dark-colored vehicle pulled alongside them and an occupant fired a weapon. As a result of HPD’s investigation, it is believed the male walking with Person was the intended target of the assault.
Through the assistance of the public, the shooter was identified as John Williams, age 37, of Vance County.
Williams was on pre-trial release for a homicide that occurred in Vance County.
Williams is now in the Vance County Jail without bond due to these charges and his previous pretrial release conditions.
Town Talk 10/6/20: Tommy Hester, NC Senate District 3 Republican Candidate
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Thomas “Tommy” Hester, Jr., the Republican candidate for the District 3 NC Senate seat, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Hester, of Vance County, will face Democratic candidate and Bertie County resident Ernestine Bazemore for the seat that represents Beaufort, Bertie, Martin, Northampton, Vance and Warren County. Current District 3 Senator Erica Smith-Ingram is running for US Senate and will not seek re-election to the state senate.
Graduating from Campbell University in 1971, Hester returned to Henderson where he worked at Carolina Cooling & Heating and was later promoted to president of the company.
Hester also graduated from Officer Candidate School (O.C.S.), becoming platoon leader with the 878 Engineering Company for three years.
He currently owns Prim Residential Rentals where he develops residential and commercial property in Vance County.
Community achievements, past and present, include:
Hester provided the following responses, in part, to questions asked during the Town Talk segment:
Why is now the right time for you to seek the NC Senate seat?
“I’ve spent 15 years as a County Commissioner. I’ve tried to help with jobs and economic development in Vance County, and I see an opportunity, with no incumbent, to run for this office to do more for Vance County and the other five counties.”
How will your voice represent the needs and wants of the six counties in District 3?
“I have worked tirelessly on the Golden LEAF Board and the Rural Infrastructure Authority in Raleigh to bring jobs and education into our area. I’d like to expand that into these other counties.
For example, Vance is the only county out of the six to come up with a program to offer broadband for $39.95 to all homes. Mako Medical Laboratories in Vance County now has over 500 employees. We’ve brought in Select Products who will manufacture toilet paper, napkins and paper towels.
I want to see more growth and bring in more tax revenue, not by raising the rate, but by raising the basis. If you expand the basis, you end up getting more revenue and you can keep the tax rate lower.”
What do you want to accomplish in the Senate?
“I want to work with the Senate in Raleigh to bring as much of the taxpayer’s money from these counties back to these counties and help assist in getting jobs. Two things that go together more than anything else are jobs and education; you can’t put one before the other. When you create jobs, you create tax money and expand upon services such as fire protection, law enforcement, etc.”
How would you work with someone with different viewpoints or a different political party on issues such as Medicaid expansion?
“I’m not interested in party; I’m interested in jobs and education. The time I’ve spent has been about trying to do what’s right for the community and trying to get the quality of life better for every citizen in that area. I would love to do that and work with whoever is in the House in the future.”
For additional information on Hester and his campaign, visit his Facebook page at Tommy Hester 4 NC Senate Dist. 3 (click here).
To hear the interview in its entirety, including additional questions and responses from Hester, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
(This is not a paid political advertisement. Political candidates are offered equal air time/coverage on WIZS.)
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 10-06-20 – Composting
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
Local Noon News 10/6/20
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Granville Vance Public Health’s Free Diabetes Program Begins Today
Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame Discusses Passing of Former Sheriff Thomas Breedlove
VGCC is Offering Events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Click Play for Full Details and Local News Audio…
Breedlove; Domestic Violence Awareness
Town Talk 10/05/20: VGCC Schedules Domestic Violence Awareness Events for Students, Community
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Cathy Davis, counselor/accessibility coordinator/Student Assistance Program coordinator/Title IX investigator, at Vance-Granville Community College, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Davis was the first of several guests scheduled to join Town Talk in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “Domestic violence is on the rise, and this is another topic that we will not remain silent about,” she stated.
With a mixture of events for students and the general public, Davis said VGCC is committed to raising awareness and assist those experiencing abuse. “We are trying to keep the community in community college, and we are all about breaking down barriers to support.”
10-5-20 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Upcoming VGCC Domestic Violence Awareness Events:
October 8 ~ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Healthy Relationships Video Presentation Hosted by Safe Space (video via Zoom platform with a Q&A wrap session after the viewing)
October 15 ~ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Drive-Thru Giveaway at Each of the Four VGCC Campuses
October 22 ~ Wear Purple and Post Encouraging Words of Support Via Hashtags
October 29 ~ 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – VGCC Website/Facebook Scavenger Hunt
Students will use the VGCC website or Facebook page to answer the following questions. The first four students to send answers to the scavenger hunt will receive a restaurant gift card. Please send the answers to Ruthie Davis at davisr@vgcc.edu.
In addition to events scheduled for October, VGCC offers a Student Assistance Program (SAP) to all students and their household members year-round for FREE!
The SAP offers help for personal, professional or school concerns by providing free, confidential, short-term counseling and personal consultation. Additionally, the SAP provides student-life resources for issues such as legal and financial consultation, online learning and resources.
For more information on SAP, please visit www.vgcc.edu/sap or call 1-800-633-3353.
For additional coverage on domestic violence awareness, please join WIZS live at 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com at 11 a.m. to hear discussions with the following scheduled guests:
Monday, October 12 – Infinite Possibilities, Inc.
Monday, October 19 – Families Living Violence Free
Thursday, October 22 – Debbie Scott with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
City of Henderson Issues Statement on Halloween Activities
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, City of Henderson
COVID-19 has changed or influenced how we define our “normal” for 2020. As we enter the fall season and quickly approach Halloween, we should remain vigilant with our efforts to reduce the threat of COVID-19 in our community. The event of Halloween is known to bring an abundance of people into close contact, and many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.
Due to the pandemic, this year the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services “strongly recommends” against traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating in favor of lower risk activities. Residents of Henderson are advised to consider NCDHHS’s Halloween event guidance when determining whether to participate in Halloween celebrations (https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/guidance/NCDHHS-Interim-Guidance-for-Halloween.pdf).
There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. Please be on the lookout for lowered risk alternatives within our community.
Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses a low risk for spreading the virus, while in-person gatherings pose varying levels of risk. When participating in any activity, participants should consider the risk of virus spread based upon the activity’s size and the host’s use of mitigation strategies. Remember the three W’s, Wear, Wait, and Wash.
Per the CDC, a costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face. Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
GVPH COVID-19 Update as of 10/5/20
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health
The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of October 5, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.
The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.
Granville County
1,794 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 1,794, 1,132 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 1,132, 1,022 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,794, 526 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County and 494 of those 526 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,794, 136 are associated with outbreaks at long-term care facilities including 30 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center and 95 at Universal Health Care.
The outbreak at Granville House is no longer active. Of the 136 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, 112 have been released from isolation.
11 individuals in Granville County are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 50 deaths in Granville County: five in the community, one associated with Central Regional Hospital, one associated with Murdoch Development Center, 21 associated with Universal Health Care and 22 associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.
Vance County
1,051 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 1,051, 926 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 926, 804 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,051, 125 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 49 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.
The outbreaks at Alliance Rehabilitative Care, Senior Citizens Home and Pelican Health nursing home are no longer active.
Of the 125 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 96 have been released from isolation.
12 individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 45 deaths in Vance County: 14 associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 12 associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two associated with Senior Citizens Home and 17 in the community. Unfortunately, there has been another death in the community: a 72-year-old male passed away on October 3, 2020.
WIZS Note: There are 122 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 110 in the Granville County community at large at this time (excluding congregate living numbers). One additional COVID-19 related Vance County death and no additional Granville County deaths have been reported in the last seven days,.
Additional Information
The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.
Please visit GVPH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard (click here) for tables and graphs that are updated daily.