THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health (MPH), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.
COVID-19 Testing:
According to Beard, to date, MPH has tested 2,100 patients for COVID-19 with a positive return rate of 8.71 percent, or approximately 183 cases. Beard said the majority of those tested are from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, with a few from southern Virginia.
These totals do not include the 155 participants of the free COVID-19 testing event sponsored by Granville Vance Public Health at Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson on June 24, or patients tested at providers such as Vance Family Medicine or Duke Primary Care.
While Beard said tremendous efforts are being focused on broader community testing, and some providers are offering tests to asymptomatic patients, MPH is currently offering results via rapid testing to symptomatic patients or those who are identified as high exposure risks.
MPH’s New Catheterization Lab
Beard was pleased to announce that MPH’s new $3.2 million catheterization (cath) lab will open its doors to patients in early August. Construction began on the lab, located off of the emergency room and adjacent to the helipad, this past fall.
“It’s going to be beautiful,” said Beard. “It’s as nice a cath lab as any in the region. We are very excited about what we can do from a preventative and emergent standpoint with cardiovascular care.”
The lab will expand on Maria Parham Cardiology’s current services including heart catheterization studies, non-surgical stent procedures, stress tests, echocardiograms, heart monitoring and pacemaker implantation.
Beard said the continued expansion of health services offered in the local, rural community is the commitment of Maria Parham and Duke LifePoint Healthcare.
“We have interventional cardiologists from Duke,” explained Beard. “These are the same doctors you would see if you drove to Durham for care. Our mentality is you shouldn’t have to fight the traffic when you’re fighting for your life.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety precautions, Beard said a virtual tour of the cath lab will be posted online in the next week or so, followed by a live ribbon-cutting event posted on MPH’s Facebook page in early August.
Please visit MPH’s website www.mariaparham.com and Facebook page (click here) for more information. WIZS will also bring you more updates as they are received.
To hear the interview with Beard in its entirety, including additional MPH, COVID-19 and community health updates, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Oxford Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury on Gun and Drug Charges
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging an Oxford man with illegally possessing a firearm and crack distribution.
According to the indictment, Connell Clayton Lester, 55, is charged with possessing a firearm while subject to a domestic violence protective order, possessing a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base (crack).
According to the indictment, on March 5, 2020, Lester, a convicted felon, possessed a Hi-Point 9mm handgun while subject to a domestic violence protective order from New York. It is alleged that the order restrained Lester from harassing, stalking, assaulting, or threatening an intimate partner and prohibited him from possessing a firearm.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that Lester possessed with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and distributed crack cocaine. If convicted, he faces up to twenty years imprisonment for the drug charge and ten years for the firearm count.
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
Youth Encouraged to Enter ‘I Exist 2020’ Short Film Contest
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department
Calling all young filmmakers! The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department’s Youth Services Unit presents the “I Exist 2020” short film contest for amateur filmmakers ages 11-18.
Videos cannot contain excessive violence or obscene content. The deadline to submit a video is Wednesday, July 22, 2020.
A prize will be given to three winners, and videos will be featured on all of the Rec. Department’s social media sites.
For more information, please contact Shantel Hargrove at (252) 430-0382 (shhargrove@ci.henderson.nc.us
Vance Co. Schools to Begin School Year Under Fully Remote ‘Plan C’
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Vance County Schools
The Vance County Board of Education met on July 17, 2020, in a special called meeting to consider options for the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year. By a vote of 5 – 2, the board accepted the Superintendent’s recommendation to begin the year under the state’s Plan C fully remote option for the first nine weeks of the school year, with plans to implement Plan B at the start of the second nine weeks.
The district has aspirations to begin option A at the start of the second semester in January. Staff will continue to evaluate data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as well as guidance from the Granville Vance Public Health to ensure that we are making decisions in the best interest of our students and staff.
As we work to implement our plans over the next few months, we are committed to ensuring that every student is equipped for success in whatever format we choose to operate. Very soon, we will begin sharing information with all families in preparation for the beginning of the school year.
As we continue working to navigate these uncharted waters, please know that we remain committed to ensuring that our decisions are supportive of providing the safest environment possible for our students, families and community. For that reason, all athletics and extracurricular events are currently suspended until further notice.
The 2020-2021 school year promises to be one of tremendous transitions for our school system and community. As we work through our responses to COVID-19, we ask for your patience, your support and your grace.
Local News Audio 07/17/20 Noon
/by John C. RoseWIZS – Your Community Voice
Local News Audio from Noon, July 17, 2020
Information Sought for Two Persons of Interest in Berea Mini-Mart Robbery
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information and photos courtesy Granville County Crime Stoppers
Information about two persons of interest is being requested after a July 13, 2020, robbery of the Berea Mini-Mart, located off Hwy 156 W in Oxford, NC.
During late evening hours, $1,000 was criminally removed from the cash drawer. The Granville County Crime Stoppers Board of Directors has authorized the payment of a reward for information leading to the arrest/indictment of those responsible for this crime.
If you can help identify the men pictured below or have any information to share about this incident, please contact Granville County Crime Stoppers at (919) 693-3100 or the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at (919) 693-3213.
NCHSAA Delays Start of Fall Sports Season Until at Least September 1
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, NCHSAA
On Tuesday, Governor Cooper announced the reopening plan for the 2020-2021 school year. He also indicated that the NCHSAA would be making the decisions relative to sports. The NCHSAA Board of Directors approved the following rule and calendar changes:
Commissioner Que Tucker provides the following statement at this time.
“For now, we believe these steps provide hope for our student-athletes, and the possibility for playing fall sports We know that many decisions are being made relative to the reopening plan your school(s) will follow. After each LEA has had an opportunity to formalize and finalize those reopening plans, the NCHSAA Staff will survey the membership to determine how sports should and/or can fit into the various models that will exist across the state. Please understand this delayed start date is not “in cement” and can be delayed even further if we do not have improved data from DHHS, or some other reason exists for delaying further into September or beyond.
We acknowledge that playing certain sports are more problematic at any time without a vaccine; however, we remain in consultation with our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) members, and they believe we can and should offer a sports program, with all necessary modifications, delays, etc. In the coming weeks, we will continue working with the SMAC as we plan our next steps for the fall, as well as determining when equipment could be shared—i.e. balls— and/or if we can move into Phase 2 of the summer workouts/conditioning.
Each NCHSAA Board Member believes in the value of education-based athletics and is committed to SAFELY offering a fall, winter, and spring sports program during this school year; however, there is also a commitment to the health and safety of students and coaches. Towards this end, we all will continue to follow the guidance of the Department of Health and Human Services relative to the data and how we all safely move forward.
Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Hold Special Meeting July 20
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the County of Granville
Special Meeting Notice
Please take notice that the Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 20, 2020, at 7 p.m.
In order to adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions, members of the Board will participate via simultaneous communication. Members of the public may only attend via simultaneous communication using call-in information.
The Board anticipates going into closed session pursuant to G.S. §143-318.11(a)(3), (5) and (a)(6).
Public Dial-in Information
1-866-423-8755
Passcode is 583341
To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here.
Governor Cooper Names Members of Andrea Harris Task Force
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper
Earlier this week, Governor Roy Cooper named the members of the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force.
The Task Force, established by the Governor’s Executive Order 143, will address the social, environmental, economic, and health disparities in communities of color that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first meeting is anticipated in early August.
“Inequities in North Carolina are not new, but COVID-19 is shining a bright light on disparities that have gone unchecked in our health care and economic institutions for communities of color,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This task force is the right way to address these inequities as we recover from the pandemic so that as we come back from this, we improve access to affordable healthcare and quality economic opportunities.”
“Health inequities are the result of more than individual choice or random occurrence — they are the result of the historic and ongoing interplay of inequitable structures, policies, and norms that shape lives,” said NC Department of Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders. “I am deeply honored to carry Andrea Harris’ torch on this new task force, as we grapple with these complex and critical issues for North Carolina.”
To read the full press release, including the list of individuals named to the task force, click here.
Town Talk 07/16/20: MPH CEO Discusses COVID-19 Testing, Opening of New Cath Lab
/by Kelly BondurantTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health (MPH), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.
COVID-19 Testing:
According to Beard, to date, MPH has tested 2,100 patients for COVID-19 with a positive return rate of 8.71 percent, or approximately 183 cases. Beard said the majority of those tested are from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, with a few from southern Virginia.
These totals do not include the 155 participants of the free COVID-19 testing event sponsored by Granville Vance Public Health at Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson on June 24, or patients tested at providers such as Vance Family Medicine or Duke Primary Care.
While Beard said tremendous efforts are being focused on broader community testing, and some providers are offering tests to asymptomatic patients, MPH is currently offering results via rapid testing to symptomatic patients or those who are identified as high exposure risks.
MPH’s New Catheterization Lab
Beard was pleased to announce that MPH’s new $3.2 million catheterization (cath) lab will open its doors to patients in early August. Construction began on the lab, located off of the emergency room and adjacent to the helipad, this past fall.
“It’s going to be beautiful,” said Beard. “It’s as nice a cath lab as any in the region. We are very excited about what we can do from a preventative and emergent standpoint with cardiovascular care.”
The lab will expand on Maria Parham Cardiology’s current services including heart catheterization studies, non-surgical stent procedures, stress tests, echocardiograms, heart monitoring and pacemaker implantation.
Beard said the continued expansion of health services offered in the local, rural community is the commitment of Maria Parham and Duke LifePoint Healthcare.
“We have interventional cardiologists from Duke,” explained Beard. “These are the same doctors you would see if you drove to Durham for care. Our mentality is you shouldn’t have to fight the traffic when you’re fighting for your life.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety precautions, Beard said a virtual tour of the cath lab will be posted online in the next week or so, followed by a live ribbon-cutting event posted on MPH’s Facebook page in early August.
Please visit MPH’s website www.mariaparham.com and Facebook page (click here) for more information. WIZS will also bring you more updates as they are received.
To hear the interview with Beard in its entirety, including additional MPH, COVID-19 and community health updates, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Vance Co. Courthouse Temporarily Closed for COVID-19 Related Cleaning
/by John C. Rose100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Thursday afternoon around 2 p.m., the Clerk of Court in Vance County, along with other local leaders, made the judgment call to close the Vance County Courthouse for the remainder of the day for a thorough cleaning.
The Clerk of Court, Henry Gupton, told WIZS News a lady who had a positive test result for COVID-19 had entered the building earlier in the day. As Gupton described it, the lady in question had been told she was negative for COVID-19, but, while she was inside the courthouse today, her provider called and said there had been a mistake and that, in fact, her test result was positive.
Gupton said there was no cause for panic. He said he, Sheriff Curtis Brame, Granville Vance Public Health Director Lisa Harrison and others involved, like District Attorney Mike Waters, had made the precautionary decision to close for the afternoon and extensively clean the affected areas.
Gupton said he wanted the public to be aware of what was going on and why.
The local courts have been taking pleas and conducting continuances in recent weeks and allowing those accused of actions to pay citations and go about their business when possible and appropriate.