100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Vance County Government
Properties Committee – Eaton Johnson Bidding Schedule
The committee (Brummitt[C], Taylor & Wilder) met on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, to discuss the bidding schedule for the Eaton Johnson renovation and whether bids should be released as discussed at the board meeting last month. Two of the three
committee members recommended proceeding forward with bidding in light of the good bidding environment.
The DSS director was present and mentioned that roughly 40% of their clients have embraced the use of phone and virtual meetings during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, although federal and state requirements necessitate in-person meetings for a good portion of the work in DSS. The DSS director mentioned that the volume of individuals needing assistance and
visiting the department will increase significantly once normal operations return.
Recommendation: Proceed forward with the bidding process for Eaton-Johnson renovation and set a public hearing for the June 1, 2020, board meeting as required by the LGC for project financing.
Addressing Ordinance Appeal – Vance Academy Road
The committee discussed an appeal to the county’s addressing ordinance from a citizen for property along Vance Academy Road. The citizen plans to add a residence to the family farm and due to there being more than two homes along the same drive, the county’s addressing ordinance requires the path to be named and all addresses along the path to be re-addressed.
The ordinance allows the board of commissioners to hear and decide on appeals and waivers to the requirement. The citizen/property owner has appealed the request due to the difficulty in re-addressing their current address as it is the address
of record for 16 franchised businesses, more than 20 other businesses as well as registrations and licenses with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The committee discussed the request and recommended granting the appeal to allow one additional residence to be constructed located off of the existing paved drive.
Recommendation: Grant the appeal from the addressing ordinance administrator’s determination and allow one additional home to be added to the paved drive that contains residences with addresses of 560 and 580 Vance Academy Road, and to encourage the property owners to adequately post the location of these addresses along the paved drive.
Human Resources Committee – Resolution Amending Personnel Policies Relative to COVID-19
The committee (Faines[C], Wilder & Taylor) met on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, to review a resolution ratifying the Families
First Coronavirus Response Act. The committee reviewed the act last month and recommended approval of the local policy amendment consistent with the act this month.
The act and associated policy extend the criteria for employees qualifying for family medical leave, provides emergency paid sick leave to employees and defines emergency responder positions that are essential and excluded from portions of the policy.
The emergency paid sick leave provides up to 80 hours of paid sick leave and is available to all employees for the following
qualifying reasons:
1. The employee is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19; or
2. The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19; or
3. The employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis.
Non-emergency responder classified employees are also eligible for emergency paid sick leave for the following additional reasons:
4. The employee is caring for an individual subject to an order described in #1 or self-quarantine as described in #2; or
5. The employee is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19.
Recommendation: Approve resolution amending personnel policies to include the COVID-19 Policy and the COVID-19 Policy for Emergency Paid Sick Leave Emergency Responders.
The next Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street in Henderson, NC.
Economic Impact Payments May Require Additional Steps; Deadline TODAY!
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veterans Affairs benefits, have qualifying children under the age of 17, and didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, you may need to take extra steps to register to have $500 per child added to the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment you’ll receive this year.
The deadline to register with the IRS is TODAY, May 5, 2020.
Visit the IRS website for more information: https://www.irs.gov/
For a short video with tips for using the IRS website (e.g., the information you’ll need to complete the online application): https://app.vyond.com/
The application requires an email address, so if you need help creating an account, see these simple instructions to create an e-mail account via Google: https://app.vyond.com/
Town Talk 05/04/20: Kerr Tar Area Agency on Aging ‘Still Here’ for Seniors, Caregivers
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging’s Harvey Holmes, family caregiver resource specialist, and Michele Brigandi, aging projects coordinator, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
With current COVID-19 social distancing measures in place for the protection of at-risk populations such as the elderly, Holmes and Brigandi said times are difficult for both seniors and their caregivers.
“Social isolation is a huge issue for seniors right now with many programs closed or limited for their safety,” said Brigandi. “Seniors in our area value their time at the Senior Centers engaging in friendships, daily interactions and physical activities.”
Brigandi said she has been impressed with how diligently the Senior Centers in the Kerr-Tar area, which includes Franklin, Granville, Vance, Warren and Person counties, have worked to ensure nutrition programs for seniors continue even while other programs are temporarily suspended.
With in-person congregate meals shifted to home delivery, Brigandi said Senior Center staff and volunteers have risen to meet the challenge of providing nutritious food and necessary hygiene supplies to those isolated in their homes.
“I have talked to staff for the nutrition program and they are seeing first-hand the effect this is having on our seniors,” stated Brigandi. “Depression and boredom are huge; many also suffer from dementia, anxiety and mobility issues. If you have a senior in your life, I encourage you to reach out often – daily, if possible – to check on them.”
With many Senior Centers closed and programs such as adult day care and respite care currently unavailable or limited, caregivers who rely on these services are also feeling overwhelmed.
“A lot of times it’s hard for caregivers to ask for help or admit they need help,” Holmes commented. “Both myself and the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging want to be that rock for caregivers and to assure them that we’re still here. We are still only a phone call or email away.”
Noting a possible stigma with the term “social distancing,” Holmes said he is encouraging the public to view it more as a physical distancing. “Be physically distant instead of socially distant. You can be social and stay connected with others by phone or online,” said Holmes.
Holmes encouraged seniors and caregivers to stay “socially connected” with the Agency on Aging via Facebook, Twitter, or the organization’s website at kerrtarcog.org/departments/aging. You may also call the agency at (252) 436-2040 for additional information or with questions.
2020 Kerr Tar Senior Games
Brigandi, who is also the coordinator for the Kerr Tar Senior Games, clarified that the games have been canceled for 2020. Both athletic events and performing arts activities were originally scheduled for spring 2020.
“We are tentatively planning a celebratory get-together or banquet for the end of September,” Brigandi said. “We want to recognize seniors in the area, offer fellowship and entertainment and recruit participants, hopefully, for next year’s Senior Games.”
To hear the interview with Holmes and Brigandi in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Vance County Animal Shelter Cleared; All Inhabitants Find Homes
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Vance County Animal Services Chief Frankie Nobles appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
Nobles was pleased to announce a first in his over 10 years of service with the Vance County Animal Shelter – a complete clearing by either rescue, fostering or adoption of all animals this past weekend.
“It’s never been completely empty since I’ve been here,” said Nobles. “We are excited. We got every animal to a home, and it was an amazing weekend.”
Nobles said it was a combination of the hard work of shelter staff and volunteer organizations, and fewer animals being taken in during COVID-19 restrictions, that made this possible.
You can listen to the interview here from WIZS Radio.
The shelter is currently responding to emergency calls only, such as injured or aggressive animals, and has used some of the downtime for needed shelter maintenance.
“We’ve worked so hard to get to the point of clearing the shelter. When COVID-19 happened, that was our time to catch up and get ahead of the ballgame. It’s getting to be summertime, and that’s when we see most of our animals coming in,” Nobles said.
Nobles explained such a feat would not be possible without volunteer organizations such as the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson, NC. “We joke around here and call ourselves the dream team just because we are a big team of people that work well together, and it works like a dream.”
To hear the interview with Nobles in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
14 COVID-19 Deaths, 254 Confirmed Cases in Granville, Vance Health District
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health
As of May 4, 2020, there are 144 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 110 cases in Vance County, and 11,848 confirmed cases in North Carolina.
There are two outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district – one at Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC and one at Pelican Health Nursing Home in Henderson, NC.
Of the total positive cases in each county, 87 in Granville County are associated with the prison and 47 in Vance County are associated with the nursing home.
Of the 57 community-based cases in Granville County, 34 have been released from isolation and 46 of the 87 cases at the prisons have been released from isolation.
Of the 110 cases in Vance, 19 have been released from isolation and 6 are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 14 deaths in the health district – 8 in Vance County and 6 with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.
GVPH updates its website daily with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.
Maria Parham Health to Resume Elective, Non-Urgent Surgeries & Procedures
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Maria Parham Health
Maria Parham Health announced today that it is taking the appropriate steps to safely resume some elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures that were previously rescheduled out of an abundance of caution amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The decision to reschedule procedures when clinically appropriate was made in accordance with federal and state guidance and aimed to help preserve critical resources in the event of a surge of COVID-19 patients in the community.
Today, current projections indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region, which means less strain on healthcare resources.
“Resuming these important services is an essential component of meeting our community’s health needs and advancing our mission of Making Communities Healthier,” said Bert Beard, Chief Executive Officer of Maria Parham Health. “As this work gradually gets underway in our hospital again, we remain committed to conserving critical supplies, being vigilant in our fight against COVID-19, and ensuring that our facility is a safe place for all patients, providers and employees.”
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria Parham Health has continued to carefully follow guidance from federal, state and local officials, monitor the prevalence of the virus in the community, and evaluate supplies and resources – including personal protective equipment like masks, gowns, gloves and goggles.
The decisions about which procedures can safely move forward will be made only after assessing a comprehensive pre-operative checklist and evaluating potential risks. The hospital will initially focus on scheduling patients with more time-sensitive health needs, and those decisions will be made in partnership with the attending physician/surgeon/proceduralist. Patients who are scheduled and approved for procedures must meet specific requirements, including passing standard COVID-19 screenings.
Surgical patients also will be asked to practice “safer at home” behaviors for seven days prior to their procedure to minimize potential exposure; check their temperature twice a day during this 7-day period and report temperatures over 100°F to their provider; and undergo testing for COVID-19.
Patients awaiting information about their previously postponed procedure can expect to hear from their provider or provider’s office to discuss rescheduling at the appropriate time.
Maria Parham Health will continue to screen and mask everyone who enters the facility and maintain a zero-visitor protocol for the foreseeable future. These important measures have had a positive impact on ensuring a safe environment, and they also are aligned with the federal government’s guidelines.
Additionally, the facility has implemented new processes and procedures to further protect the health of patients, providers and employees. Visit mariaparham.com to learn more.
As a reminder, if you are having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or go directly to the Emergency Room. If possible, tell the dispatch agent if your emergency involves symptoms possibly related to COVID-19.
Vance County’s Recent Committee Reports & Recommendations
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Vance County Government
Properties Committee – Eaton Johnson Bidding Schedule
The committee (Brummitt[C], Taylor & Wilder) met on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, to discuss the bidding schedule for the Eaton Johnson renovation and whether bids should be released as discussed at the board meeting last month. Two of the three
committee members recommended proceeding forward with bidding in light of the good bidding environment.
The DSS director was present and mentioned that roughly 40% of their clients have embraced the use of phone and virtual meetings during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, although federal and state requirements necessitate in-person meetings for a good portion of the work in DSS. The DSS director mentioned that the volume of individuals needing assistance and
visiting the department will increase significantly once normal operations return.
Recommendation: Proceed forward with the bidding process for Eaton-Johnson renovation and set a public hearing for the June 1, 2020, board meeting as required by the LGC for project financing.
Addressing Ordinance Appeal – Vance Academy Road
The committee discussed an appeal to the county’s addressing ordinance from a citizen for property along Vance Academy Road. The citizen plans to add a residence to the family farm and due to there being more than two homes along the same drive, the county’s addressing ordinance requires the path to be named and all addresses along the path to be re-addressed.
The ordinance allows the board of commissioners to hear and decide on appeals and waivers to the requirement. The citizen/property owner has appealed the request due to the difficulty in re-addressing their current address as it is the address
of record for 16 franchised businesses, more than 20 other businesses as well as registrations and licenses with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The committee discussed the request and recommended granting the appeal to allow one additional residence to be constructed located off of the existing paved drive.
Recommendation: Grant the appeal from the addressing ordinance administrator’s determination and allow one additional home to be added to the paved drive that contains residences with addresses of 560 and 580 Vance Academy Road, and to encourage the property owners to adequately post the location of these addresses along the paved drive.
Human Resources Committee – Resolution Amending Personnel Policies Relative to COVID-19
The committee (Faines[C], Wilder & Taylor) met on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, to review a resolution ratifying the Families
First Coronavirus Response Act. The committee reviewed the act last month and recommended approval of the local policy amendment consistent with the act this month.
The act and associated policy extend the criteria for employees qualifying for family medical leave, provides emergency paid sick leave to employees and defines emergency responder positions that are essential and excluded from portions of the policy.
The emergency paid sick leave provides up to 80 hours of paid sick leave and is available to all employees for the following
qualifying reasons:
1. The employee is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19; or
2. The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19; or
3. The employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis.
Non-emergency responder classified employees are also eligible for emergency paid sick leave for the following additional reasons:
4. The employee is caring for an individual subject to an order described in #1 or self-quarantine as described in #2; or
5. The employee is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19.
Recommendation: Approve resolution amending personnel policies to include the COVID-19 Policy and the COVID-19 Policy for Emergency Paid Sick Leave Emergency Responders.
The next Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street in Henderson, NC.
H-V Rec. & Parks: Free ‘Paint With DP’ Online Session, Chance to Win Gift Card
/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
Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks will host a FREE “Paint With DP” Facebook live session on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at 3 p.m. Tune in to the Henderson-Vance Athletics Facebook page to participate or just watch.
Once the painting session is completed, participants can submit a picture of their masterpiece. The best painting will receive a $25 gift card.
For more information, please contact Darius “DP” Pitt at (252) 438-3408 or dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us
Granville’s Spring Recycle & Collection Event Scheduled for Sat., May 16
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Granville County Government
The Spring Recycle and Collection event is still scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020, at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center. The hours are from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
To ensure proper social distancing and precautionary measures, those bringing items in to be properly disposed of and/or recycled will be directed to designated areas and will be assisted with their items.
Accepted items: documents for shredding, scrap metal, junk lawnmowers, broken appliances, broken bicycles, medications, sharps, inhalers, laptops/computers, cell phones, flares, ammunition, fireworks, hardback books, household batteries, pet items, packing materials (no packing peanuts) and more.
Backyard compost bins and countertop caddies will be available for sale.
The Granville County Expo Center is located at 4185 US Hwy 15 in Oxford, NC.
Aviation Businesses Expanding at Triangle North Executive Airport
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Franklin County Government
Franklin County welcomes the expansion of Total Flight Solutions (TFS) and Triangle Avionics (TA) at Triangle North Executive Airport (TNEA). Both businesses are a huge asset for our aviation community that service both existing airfield tenants as well as numerous outside clients.
Total Flight Solutions, established at TNEA in 2011, has expanded its capacity with the purchase of an existing 27,132 square foot hangar at the airport that will be their base for aviation frame and powerplant mechanical operations for the future. The land lease was executed for their operations until 2059.
“The expansion of Total Flight Solutions at Triangle North Executive Airport has allowed me to expand our workforce by four employees and aviation service offering to both the flight school operation as well as maintenance and repair,” states Al Mattress, Owner of Total Flight Solutions. “TNEA brings about an environment that makes us competitive in the marketplace to grow the aviation careers of pilots, bring service and maintenance to the airfield and beyond as well as address our capacity needs for future growth.”
A top tier Flight School and air operation provider in North Carolina, Total Flight Solutions participates in both the Part 61 and newly acquired Part 141 programs. The Part 141 program allows for airplane private pilot training at Triangle North Executive Airport. In the near future, TFS also plans to accept VA benefits followed by visas for international flight training students. Total Flight Solution also leases out 60,000 square feet of hangar storage space as well as office space for its Flight School.
“The success of Total Flight Solutions is a testament to the quality of service they provide to clients and tenants to the airfield,” stated Bo Carson, Airport Manager. “I am thrilled they chose to expand at TNEA and plan to continue their growth here both in flight school operations and aviation mechanics in the future.”
Triangle Avionics has also recently expanded its operation into a 60,000 square foot hangar located at Triangle North Executive Airport. This will complement their office and lab space on the airfield that services airfield tenants as well as outside clients. “Triangle Avionics is thrilled to be a part of the TNEA business and aviation community,” states Cliff Herndon, Owner of Triangle Avionics. “We have quickly grown to four employees and are dealers for the leading manufactures of avionics equipment. Our vision for growing capabilities and capacity are lockstep with Franklin County’s plans for the airport, making TNEA an ideal place to call home.”
“Triangle North Executive Airport is excited that Triangle Avionics is expanding its operation by the establishment of a new FAA repair avionics service station on the airfield, “stated Carson. “Having a repair avionics service station on our airfield is a gamechanger and adds to our diversity of aviation businesses that call us home.”
Triangle Avionics currently services avionic systems that include Aircraft Spruce, Aspen, BendixKing, Garmin, Genesys Aerosystems, MidContinent Instrument+Avioncs, Stratus and TrueTrak. Triangle Avionics offers the following services and certifications in altimeter and transponders, custom panels and overlays, installations, and troubleshooting and repair.
“Triangle North Executive Airport and Franklin County continue to offer an attractive location for aviation employers to succeed,” stated Sydney Dunston, Chair of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. “The expansion of these two aviation-related businesses shows that the airport and businesses are thriving at Triangle North Executive Airport.”
VCS Invites Community to ‘Be the Light’ in Celebration of High School Seniors
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Vance County Schools
Vance County Schools is inviting the community to help us celebrate our seniors on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at 8 p.m. by turning on your porch light for 20 minutes.
Also, at 8 p.m., tune in to the district’s Facebook, Twitter or website for a special message to the Class of 2020.
We are Vance County Strong!