THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Lisa Harrison, director of Granville-Vance Public Health (GVPH), and Brian Short, director of Henderson-Vance Emergency Operations, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
With 449 known Granville County COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths, and 355 known Vance County cases and 27 deaths reported as of Friday afternoon, Harrison and Short said precautions still need to be taken to stop the spread of the virus.
According to GVPH’s website, there are currently four outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district, including the Federal Correctional Complex and the Murdoch Development Center in Butner and Pelican Health and Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson.
Of the Granville County community-based cases, 97 have been released from isolation and five are hospitalized. Of the 263 community-based cases in Vance County, 127 have been released from isolation and nine are hospitalized.
Harrison reported that 696 NC residents are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state. “The reason we keep promoting wearing face coverings, washing hands and practicing social distancing – and the point of flattening the curve – is so that we don’t overwhelm our health care system,” said Harrison. “We’ve seen in other countries how horrible it is when there aren’t enough ventilators for people. More than half-a-million tests have now been given in NC; we’re going to see the number of positives increase, and we are going to, unfortunately, see a number of those people need the hospital.”
According to Harrison, the report of increased cases is due, in part, to more testing and quicker turnaround times. “At the beginning of the pandemic response, getting access to test kits, swabs and the medium to be able to send off to a lab was really difficult to do,” stated Harrison. “We are seeing the number of available tests increase across NC because of private labs and our State lab. Mako, in our own backyard here in Vance County, is leading the charge in developing, as quickly as they can, more test kits.”
Explaining the two primary test types, Harrison said testing is currently done in the form of a nasal swab or a blood test with either a 24-48 wait for lab results or a rapid response with an answer in minutes.
An issue with the rapid result method and with the blood test is that results are not yet 100-percent accurate, which can result in false positives, according to Harrison.
For those that suspect they may be suffering from COVID-19, Harrison said the best thing to do is to contact a doctor’s office to discuss symptoms and testing. “COVID-19 is still a diagnostic test that requires a doctor’s order, that’s why we suggest contacting your primary care doctor first,” said Harrison. “We have not been able to do the sort of mass testing that people see on tv in big cities here locally yet. We will get there; I’m certain.”
In fact, Harrison said the health district’s first attempt at mass testing will be held in the parking lot of Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Details are still being discussed and will be announced at a later date.
Short, who has worked closely with GVPH, Harrison and Granville County Emergency Services Director Jason Reavis through the pandemic, praised the business community for their response to COVID-19 restrictions.
“This is just my observation, but the overwhelming majority of people inside businesses seem to be wearing masks or face coverings,” Short said. “However, I’m not seeing a lot of social distancing, and that is disappointing. I think businesses have gone to great lengths to mark places for people to stand, place signs in the aisles and place revised occupancy notices on doors, but it’s so hard for them to enforce that inside the business. You almost need as many employees working as you have customers to really enforce them properly. I think the businesses are doing the best they can to try to protect the employees and the public, but it’s an almost insurmountable task.”
GVPH updates its website daily with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.
To hear the interview with Harrison and Short in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Local WIZS Noon News 06/09/20
/by John C. RoseLocal News on WIZS – Your Community Voice
1450 AM / 100.1 FM at 8a, 12p and 5p; M-F
At noon on June 9, 2020:
Vance County Schools Receives National Beta Recognition
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Vance County Schools
Vance County Schools has been named a 2020 District of Distinction by the National Beta Club. This honor was granted to only two districts in the state of North Carolina and awarded for offering the academic recognition membership to all students in all eligible schools within the district.
This national award recognizes commitment to academic excellence, leadership development and service involvement throughout every school in our district, in an ongoing mission to prepare our students for their future. The students exemplify these characteristics and qualities and stand true to the Beta motto: “Let Us Lead by Serving Others.” By cultivating service and leadership, we know we are preparing our students for tomorrow.
Beta Club advisers in our schools play a major role in the success of the program and recognition of eligible students. Those advisers include:
In addition to the district recognition, every school in our district has been recognized as a National Beta School of Merit, honoring the club’s dedication and commitment to academic excellence. Each school has members from all eligible grade levels in their individual Beta Clubs.
Vance County Schools had eight schools awarded National Beta Schools of Distinction, for increasing membership by 10%. Growth is evaluated based on student membership from the previous year. Recognized as Schools of Distinction include New Hope Elementary, Pinkston Street Elementary, Clarke Elementary, E.M. Rollins Elementary, E.O. Young Elementary, Aycock Elementary, STEM Early High and Vance County Early College.
With more than 500,000 active members and 8,750 chapters nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation’s largest non-profit, educational youth organization. National Junior Beta Club includes grades 4-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12, with both recognizing outstanding achievement, promoting character and social responsibility, encouraging service involvement to school and community as well as fostering leadership skills.
Vance County Schools is proud to be recognized as a Beta Club District of Distinction and for all of our schools being designated as Schools of Merit. We are extremely proud of our Schools of Distinction and excited about Beta Club continuing to make an impact in our schools, within our community and for our students.
Dr. Alisa McLean Completes Year-Long Superintendent Program
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
GCPS Superintendent Alisa McLean was among 45 superintendents from across the state to graduate from the NCSSA Next Generation Superintendent Development Program Cohort VII.
The program is designed to support the growth, expansion and enhancement of superintendents using the North Carolina Superintendent Standards, said Jack Hoke, executive director of the NC School Superintendents’ Association.
The year-long program was comprised of six face-to-face sessions that guided superintendents as they reflected on and improved their effectiveness as district leaders; focused on their personal leadership goals and linked personal goals with district and state goals; and guided and facilitated the professional development of superintendents toward advanced levels of executive leadership as defined by the North Carolina Standards for Superintendents.
Dr. Alisa McLean, GCPS Superintendent, and Dr. Jack Hoke, executive director of the NC School Superintendents’ Association, are shown with Dr. McLean’s certificate of achievement for completing the NCSSA Next Generation Superintendent Development Program Cohort VII. (Photo courtesy GCPS)
Hoke said of Dr. McLean, “In addition to participating in high-quality professional development, Dr. McLean developed a strong network of superintendents to consult with, and she contributed to the discussion on emerging issues and innovative practices occurring in the Granville County public schools.”
Superintendent McLean offered her thoughts, saying, “The NCSSA Next Generation Superintendent Development Program gave me an opportunity to network with other superintendents from across the state and discuss trending issues and innovative practices in education. The program is designed to assist superintendents in the complex work of leading and guiding a school district. I appreciate the NC School Superintendents’ Association for organizing and delivering the program and for bringing all the superintendents together for the great professional development and growth opportunity.”
Board Chairman David Richardson offered his reaction during the June 1, 2020, Board Meeting. He stated, “In the midst of leading a district through a response to COVID 19, we are proud and excited to announce Dr. Alisa McLean’s graduation from the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association Next Generation Superintendent Development Program. I can say that we have seen the fruit and profit of Dr. McLean’s participation in this innovative group, and I want to thank her and congratulate her for this accomplishment and want her to know that as the Board Chair, a Board member and a resident of Granville County, I want to thank you for your commitment to leading Granville County Public Schools with distinction, innovation and a caring heart.”
Town Talk 06/08/20: Harrison & Short Discuss Increased COVID-19 Testing, Need for Continued Precautions
/by Kelly BondurantTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Lisa Harrison, director of Granville-Vance Public Health (GVPH), and Brian Short, director of Henderson-Vance Emergency Operations, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
With 449 known Granville County COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths, and 355 known Vance County cases and 27 deaths reported as of Friday afternoon, Harrison and Short said precautions still need to be taken to stop the spread of the virus.
According to GVPH’s website, there are currently four outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district, including the Federal Correctional Complex and the Murdoch Development Center in Butner and Pelican Health and Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson.
06/08/20 (Lisa Harrison & Brian Short)
Of the Granville County community-based cases, 97 have been released from isolation and five are hospitalized. Of the 263 community-based cases in Vance County, 127 have been released from isolation and nine are hospitalized.
Harrison reported that 696 NC residents are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state. “The reason we keep promoting wearing face coverings, washing hands and practicing social distancing – and the point of flattening the curve – is so that we don’t overwhelm our health care system,” said Harrison. “We’ve seen in other countries how horrible it is when there aren’t enough ventilators for people. More than half-a-million tests have now been given in NC; we’re going to see the number of positives increase, and we are going to, unfortunately, see a number of those people need the hospital.”
According to Harrison, the report of increased cases is due, in part, to more testing and quicker turnaround times. “At the beginning of the pandemic response, getting access to test kits, swabs and the medium to be able to send off to a lab was really difficult to do,” stated Harrison. “We are seeing the number of available tests increase across NC because of private labs and our State lab. Mako, in our own backyard here in Vance County, is leading the charge in developing, as quickly as they can, more test kits.”
Explaining the two primary test types, Harrison said testing is currently done in the form of a nasal swab or a blood test with either a 24-48 wait for lab results or a rapid response with an answer in minutes.
An issue with the rapid result method and with the blood test is that results are not yet 100-percent accurate, which can result in false positives, according to Harrison.
For those that suspect they may be suffering from COVID-19, Harrison said the best thing to do is to contact a doctor’s office to discuss symptoms and testing. “COVID-19 is still a diagnostic test that requires a doctor’s order, that’s why we suggest contacting your primary care doctor first,” said Harrison. “We have not been able to do the sort of mass testing that people see on tv in big cities here locally yet. We will get there; I’m certain.”
In fact, Harrison said the health district’s first attempt at mass testing will be held in the parking lot of Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Details are still being discussed and will be announced at a later date.
Short, who has worked closely with GVPH, Harrison and Granville County Emergency Services Director Jason Reavis through the pandemic, praised the business community for their response to COVID-19 restrictions.
“This is just my observation, but the overwhelming majority of people inside businesses seem to be wearing masks or face coverings,” Short said. “However, I’m not seeing a lot of social distancing, and that is disappointing. I think businesses have gone to great lengths to mark places for people to stand, place signs in the aisles and place revised occupancy notices on doors, but it’s so hard for them to enforce that inside the business. You almost need as many employees working as you have customers to really enforce them properly. I think the businesses are doing the best they can to try to protect the employees and the public, but it’s an almost insurmountable task.”
GVPH updates its website daily with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.
To hear the interview with Harrison and Short in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 06/08/20
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
Noon News 06/08/20
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
WIZS, Henderson – Your Community Voice
Henderson City Council meets tonight.
NCHSAA relaxes, but does not lift restrictions on high school sports as of June 15.
Latest COVID 19 statistics.
Coach’s Corner 06/08/20: Register Now for VCAC Barracudas’ Summer Swim Season
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Natasha Rubin, head coach of the Vance County Aquatics Club “Barracudas” appeared on WIZS Coach’s Corner Monday.
Rubin said Barracudas coaches worked hard to offer a 2020 Summer Swim Season to local youth amid on-going COVID-19 restrictions.
Swim sessions will be offered at two locations: Henderson Country Club and Forest Hills in Oxford. To accommodate all swimmers, practices are limited to one hour sessions with a maximum of 12 in the pool at a time.
According to Rubin, this smaller swimmer-to-coach ratio will allow for more one-on-one time and personal attention. “This session will result in better techniques and better speed when we start racing again, hopefully in the fall,” Rubin explained.
As of right now, Rubin said there are no meets planned for the summer session; however, plans are being made for intraclub competitions and other team-building opportunities.
Practices will be held three days a week for six weeks beginning June 15 and ending July 30. Practice will not be held the week of June 29.
Those who are interested in participating are asked to register by Wednesday, June 10. You can register online and choose a location preference at www.teamunify.com/ncvacb.
Visit the Barracudas’ website (click here) or Facebook page (click here) for more information.
To hear more from Rubin, please listen to the Coach’s Corner audio by clicking the play button above.
Protective Gown Volunteer Work Enters Week Two at First Presbyterian
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Jane King, Community Partners of Hope, Inc.
If you want to help the community, please consider joining a group that has been making disposable protective gowns for hospital and nursing home workers. This project was started by First Baptist Church in Henderson, and the work was done at McGregor Hall for a number of weeks.
The project has now moved to First Presbyterian Church, and we can use volunteers to create gowns from plastic sheeting to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19.
Work for the week of June 8 – 12 will be done from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday – Friday and also 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday. The work is not difficult and someone can train you quickly.
All volunteers 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All volunteers will be screened upon arrival and must have a temperature below 100, no symptoms, and no known exposure to COVID-19 (including no known exposure by anyone in their household). Please bring a mask and scissors with you.
If you would like to help, please sign up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A44ADAC2BA1FD0-protective1
The church is located at 222 Young Street – entrance at the corner of Chestnut and Young Streets in downtown Henderson. Please park on Young Street (most handicapped spaces are for Sunday only) or across the street in the parking lot at the Boy Scout building. Please enter using the door from the courtyard to the right of the fellowship hall.
If you have any questions, please contact Jane King at janeking1@gmail.com or call 252-432-9494.
Vance County Public Safety, Properties Committee Announce June Meetings
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Please be informed of the following scheduled Vance County committee meetings. All meetings will be held in the Commissioners’ Conference Room of the Vance County Administration Building located at 122 Young Street in Henderson.
Public Safety Committee (Wilder, Brummitt, Taylor)
Monday, June 8, 2020, at 3 p.m.
Second Public Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 3 p.m.
Properties Committee (Brummitt, Taylor, Wilder)
Monday, June 29, 2020, at 3 p.m.
Filing Period Begins for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Vance County Board of Elections
Filing for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor starts Monday, June 8, 2020, at 12 p.m. and ends on Monday, July 6, 2020, at 12 p.m.
The filing fee is $5. The Vance County Board of Elections office will not be closed for lunch during the filing period.
Anyone interested in filing should call the Vance County Board of Elections office at (252) 492-3730. If you would like to make an appointment before coming to file, you may do so.
You will be required to wear a mask and have your temperature taken before entering into the Board of Elections office.
One person is allowed in the director’s office and the deputy director’s office at a time. A waiting area is available in the hall. Anyone that visits the office should practice social distancing.