100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Government
A local appeal from Granville County Government has been mailed out to encourage county-wide participation in the 2020 Census. As of June 9, roughly 60 percent of Granville’s population has responded.
Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Census is used to determine how billions of dollars in federal funding is distributed. “We’d love to get as many people as we can to complete the census, and in turn hopefully see more dollars come to Granville County,” remarked Comm. Tony Cozart, who made the motion to approve this mailing at the June 1 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
Census results will also determine the number of seats each state has in Congress, as well as political representation at all levels of government.
The 2020 Census can be completed by mail, by phone or online in thirteen languages. This is the first year that three options have been made available for a more convenient response. Completed surveys are kept confidential and are protected by law for 72 years.
Those responding by mail should complete and return the questionnaire received in their mailbox earlier this year, which includes a Census ID. Other options are to call 1-844-330-2020 to respond by phone (1-844-468-2020 for Spanish-speaking residents) or to visit my2020census.gov to respond online.
Those who do not have a Census ID should visit the my2020census.gov website, click on START QUESTIONNAIRE, and click below the login where the following prompt is displayed: “If you don’t have a Census ID, click here.” Then, simply answer the questions.
Granville County is currently ranked in the top 20 in the statewide response report, tying with Mecklenburg and Craven Counties. As of June 9, the statewide response rate is reported at 57.1 percent.
On a more local level, the Town of Stem continues to lead Granville County’s response rates at 67.7 percent, followed by the City of Creedmoor at 60.6 percent, the Town of Butner at 57.6 percent, the City of Oxford at 57 percent and the Town of Stovall at 18.1 percent.
Self-response surveys will be accepted through Oct. 31, with Census workers scheduled to visit non-responsive households beginning Aug. 11. Those assigned to follow up door-to-door will be trained to practice social distancing and to follow health guidelines. According to an update sent through the North Carolina State Data Center, Area Census offices in our state are now re-opening, with census workers currently in the field dropping off Update/Leave packets to households in remote and rural areas.
Appropriations for roads, schools, hospitals, emergency response and many other community needs are determined by population, which is reflected through Census data every decade. “We all know how important this is for federal and state dollars, as we’re seeing this through the COVID crisis,” reminded Granville County Board Chair David Smith. “Let’s all do our part to make Granville County count.”
The Census appeal, signed by Sandy Woody, Addressing/GIS Manager and the county’s liaison for the 2020 Census, was mailed out on June 10 and is available for viewing on the Granville County Government website at www.granvillecounty.org.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 06/17/20
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
WIZS Noon Local News 06/18/20
/by John C. RoseLocal news for Henderson and Vance County, North Carolina.
WIZS RADIO – YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE FOR NEWS AND SPORTS
100.1FM / 1450AM / WIZS.com
H-V Rec. & Parks Offering DIY Crafty Kids Kits for Summer Entertainment
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent
The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department presents DIY (Do it Yourself) Crafty Kids. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase craft bags that will include crafts, coloring pages and stickers.
Drive-through pick up will be held on Friday, June 19 and June 26, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Aycock Recreation Center located at 307 Carey Chapel Rd. in Henderson.
The cost is $5 per craft bundle and can be purchased online at https://hvrpd.recdesk.com/ or in-person on the day of the event, but you must bring exact cash.
For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at (252) 438-3160 or (lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us).
Downtown Oxford Announces Cancellation of Annual Hot Sauce Contest & Festival
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation
Due to growing concerns of COVID–19 and guidelines surrounding physical distancing and enhanced precautions issued by the State of North Carolina, the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation (DOEDC) Board, along with input from the Hot Sauce Committee and the City of Oxford, has decided to cancel the 14th Annual Hot Sauce Contest & Festival for the coming date of September 12, 2020. There will be no rescheduling this year.
As stated by a DOEDC Board spokesperson, “We do not feel comfortable going ahead with an event estimated to bring in approximately 15,000 people without being able to provide the necessary measures to keep everyone safe. Furthermore, we feel the reduction of the festival’s footprint to a small, less engaging event would damage the current reputation of this long-standing, local event.”
The DOEDC Board understands the sadness and frustration this news brings, however, the Board feels this action better serves the public safety of our citizens, businesses and visitors.
Should you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Oxford City Hall at (919) 603-1100.
Local Health Departments to Receive Combined $1+ Million in COVID-19 Funding
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is allocating $35 million in federal funding to local health departments to support the COVID-19 response. Per federal guidelines, counties will be able to use these funds to support COVID-19 staffing, infection controls, testing and tracing, IT infrastructure and data sharing and visualization.
“Our local health departments are critical partners with the state as we fight this virus, and this funding will help them continue and expand their important work,” said Governor Roy Cooper.
“Since the start of the pandemic, our local health departments have been working around the clock to protect their communities and slow the spread of the virus. These funds continue to support their ability to address the overwhelming demands they are facing,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D.
North Carolina’s local health departments are on the frontlines supporting people in getting tested for COVID-19 and knowing if they have been exposed. Testing and contact tracing are core public health activities and key components of North Carolina’s strategy to responsibly ease restrictions while continuing to slow the spread of COVID-19. These responsibilities are in addition to their ongoing work to promote health and prevent disease.
Local health departments will receive a base allocation of $90,000 per county with additional funding based on population size and their cumulative positive COVID-19 caseload. Some local health departments represent multiple counties. CLICK HERE to see how much each health department will receive.
Local health district allocations include:
Granville-Vance (two counties) – $650,568
Franklin – $242,158
Warren – $149,803
This one-time, non-recurring funding is part of NCDHHS’ cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC), which awards annual funding to state, local and territorial health departments to support vector-borne disease surveillance and response. The coverage period runs from the beginning of the 2020 calendar year through the end of FY 2021-22.
Visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov to learn more about testing and contact tracing in North Carolina. For more information about the state’s response to COVID-19, go to nc.gov/covid19.
GVPH COVID-19 Update: Outbreak at Pelican Health Nursing Home ‘No Longer Active’
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
As of June 17, 2020, there are 709 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 433 cases in Vance County, and 46,855 confirmed cases in North Carolina.
There are two outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Granville County at Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC and Murdoch Development Center in Butner, NC.
Of the cases in Granville County, 395 are associated with the prisons and five are associated with Murdoch. Of the 395 cases in the prison system, 89 have been released from isolation and one individual with Murdoch has been released from isolation.
Of the 309 community-based cases in Granville County, 180 have been released from isolation and 10 are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 17 deaths in Granville County, 16 of whom were with the Bureau of Prisons.
There are two active outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Vance County: Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC, and Senior Citizens Home in Henderson, NC. There was also an outbreak at Pelican Health in Henderson, NC that is no longer active.
Of the cases in Vance County, 103 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 42 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home and three associated with Senior Citizens Home. Of the 103 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 42 have been released from isolation.
Of the 330 community-based cases in Vance County, 160 have been released from isolation.
Six individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 35 COVID-19 related deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with Pelican Health and nine of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.
GVPH updates its website daily at approximately 5 p.m. with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.
GVPH also emails updates about COVID-19 in Granville and Vance counties each evening. You can sign up to receive these emails at www.gvph.org/covid-19.
Completion of 2020 Census Encouraged Through Local Mailing Campaign
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Government
A local appeal from Granville County Government has been mailed out to encourage county-wide participation in the 2020 Census. As of June 9, roughly 60 percent of Granville’s population has responded.
Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Census is used to determine how billions of dollars in federal funding is distributed. “We’d love to get as many people as we can to complete the census, and in turn hopefully see more dollars come to Granville County,” remarked Comm. Tony Cozart, who made the motion to approve this mailing at the June 1 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
Census results will also determine the number of seats each state has in Congress, as well as political representation at all levels of government.
The 2020 Census can be completed by mail, by phone or online in thirteen languages. This is the first year that three options have been made available for a more convenient response. Completed surveys are kept confidential and are protected by law for 72 years.
Those responding by mail should complete and return the questionnaire received in their mailbox earlier this year, which includes a Census ID. Other options are to call 1-844-330-2020 to respond by phone (1-844-468-2020 for Spanish-speaking residents) or to visit my2020census.gov to respond online.
Those who do not have a Census ID should visit the my2020census.gov website, click on START QUESTIONNAIRE, and click below the login where the following prompt is displayed: “If you don’t have a Census ID, click here.” Then, simply answer the questions.
Granville County is currently ranked in the top 20 in the statewide response report, tying with Mecklenburg and Craven Counties. As of June 9, the statewide response rate is reported at 57.1 percent.
On a more local level, the Town of Stem continues to lead Granville County’s response rates at 67.7 percent, followed by the City of Creedmoor at 60.6 percent, the Town of Butner at 57.6 percent, the City of Oxford at 57 percent and the Town of Stovall at 18.1 percent.
Self-response surveys will be accepted through Oct. 31, with Census workers scheduled to visit non-responsive households beginning Aug. 11. Those assigned to follow up door-to-door will be trained to practice social distancing and to follow health guidelines. According to an update sent through the North Carolina State Data Center, Area Census offices in our state are now re-opening, with census workers currently in the field dropping off Update/Leave packets to households in remote and rural areas.
Appropriations for roads, schools, hospitals, emergency response and many other community needs are determined by population, which is reflected through Census data every decade. “We all know how important this is for federal and state dollars, as we’re seeing this through the COVID crisis,” reminded Granville County Board Chair David Smith. “Let’s all do our part to make Granville County count.”
The Census appeal, signed by Sandy Woody, Addressing/GIS Manager and the county’s liaison for the 2020 Census, was mailed out on June 10 and is available for viewing on the Granville County Government website at www.granvillecounty.org.
Town Talk 06/17/20: Vance Co. Schools Moves Forward With Fully Remote K-12 Academy
/by Kelly BondurantTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent for Vance County Schools, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Jackson announced the Vance Virtual Village Academy, or V3, as it is being called, will move forward with the Board of Education’s approval as a fully remote learning option for VCS students in grades K-12.
With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, the reopening structure of NC public schools still uncertain and the desire of some parents and students for a virtual learning model, Jackson emphasized the importance of offering VCS families a remote learning option.
VCS will open online V3 enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year on July 1. The online academy will follow the traditional school calendar with an August 17 start date.
According to Jackson, enrollment will be capped for the first year at 150-200 students.
Students enrolled in V3 are funded through the State of NC in the same manner as other public school students and will be required to meet the same standards as a student who attends a physical classroom, explained Jackson.
Dispelling the myth that V3 will involve “sitting in front of a device just clicking all day,” Jackson said there will be virtual interactions with teachers, a mixture of independent and group work and a “village” structure that will allow students to interact and socialize with their peers based on their academic needs and interests.
Required materials, including an electronic device and connectivity assistance, if needed, will be provided.
Students may also remain connected to a physical school by participating in athletics and extra-curricular activities and will have access to support services such as school counseling, said Jackson.
“We have to rethink school,” Jackson stated. “I’ve seen the COVID-19 situation as an opportunity to really rethink schools. This is an opportunity to say ‘let’s create one thing that’s different.’ For those parents who seek different and want different, let’s give them that.”
Please visit the VCS website for more information on V3. WIZS News will also provide more information as it becomes available.
To hear the interview with Jackson in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Town Talk 06/17/20: Support Relay For Life With $20 on the 20th Fundraiser
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Jon Charest, senior manager of community development for the American Cancer Society, Inc., appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Relay For Life of Vance County is partnering with Relay teams all across the state to ask volunteers and partners to donate $20 on Saturday, June 20, 2020, in honor of the estimated 20,410 North Carolinians who will pass away from cancer this year.
With cancer patients being among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, and with the pandemic putting the mission of the American Cancer Society in jeopardy due to its impact on fundraising, the goal of the June 20 event is to raise $20,000 for research.
for Life 20 on 20th)
Many in-person Relay events have been canceled this year due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, but cancer never rests. Mark your calendar for this Saturday to rally team members, friends, family and/or your social media following to donate $20.
Donations may be made through the Relay For Life of Vance County event website (www.RelayForLife.org/VanceNC), Facebook Fundraising, or the American Cancer Society FUNdraising app.
To hear the interview with Charest in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Home and Garden Show 06/16/20
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com on Tuesday at 4:30 PM.