Tag Archive for: #franklincountynews

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National Drinking Water Week: Franklin Co. Assures Residents Water is Safe

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has assured consumers that drinking water was safe to use as normal. The consistent and reliable quality of drinking water is at the heart of the theme for this year’s Drinking Water Week, “There When You Need It” which is being held May 3-9 this year.

Franklin County Public Utilities and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) will observe Drinking Water Week by recognizing the vital role tap water plays in daily life, the infrastructure that is required to carry it to and from homes and businesses, and the important work of water professionals “behind the scenes.”

Many communities, including Franklin County, are fortunate to have reliable access to safe water when they turn on the tap. In large part, this stems from the regular testing Franklin County Public Utilities are subject to in order to ensure that regulatory standards for water quality are met. In fact, every water system must publish a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which details its water quality. The CCR will be available in June 2020 for the calendar year 2019.

“Shortly after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic, the EPA and CDC each reminded us that we should trust our tap water as we normally would for hygiene and hydration,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “This proved to be extremely important because handwashing is an important way to stop the spread of the virus. We couldn’t do that without high-quality drinking water.”

To commemorate the week, water utilities, water organizations, government entities, environmental advocates, schools and other stakeholders throughout North America and beyond will encourage consumers to understand and appreciate their drinking water.

For more than 40 years, AWWA and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week, a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role water plays in daily lives.

Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health to Resume Elective, Non-Urgent Surgeries & Procedures

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-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.

Aviation Businesses Expanding at Triangle North Executive Airport

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-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.”

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Franklin Co. Reports First Community (Non-Facility Based) COVID-19 Related Death

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Sadly, Franklin County has now recorded its first community COVID–19 related death. As of the date and time of this press release, this death is not associated with any congregate care outbreak. 

This brings Franklin County‘s current total number of COVID–19 related fatalities to nineteen (19), and this community loss is reflected in the NCDHHS numbers that were updated on May 1, 2020, which includes the report of 105 total lab–confirmed coronavirus cases in Franklin County. 

Please note that the NCDHHS COVID–19 website now contains maps that show “confirmed–cases by zip codes.” This is a new feature, and only includes results for zip codes where the population exceeds 500 people. Here is the link for this new feature: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public–health/covid19/covid–19–nc–case–count#zip–code–map 

Look for more updates from the Franklin COVID–19 EOC as more information becomes available.

Triangle North Executive Airport Holding ‘Healthcare Fly-Over’ Sat., May 2

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-Information courtesy Bo Carson, Airport Manager, Triangle North Executive Airport

Triangle North Executive Airport is basing pilots for an upcoming healthcare fly-over this Saturday, May 2, 2020, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The healthcare fly-over will consist of hospitals in Franklin, Orange, Durham and Wake counties.

Take a look to the sky if you should happen to be near the hospitals on Saturday, wave in support and make sure to spread the word.

Schedule · Saturday, May 2, 2020:

11:40 a.m. – Maria Parham Franklin Flyover

12 p.m. – Duke/VA Hospital Flyover

12:05 p.m. – UNC Hospitals

12:14 p.m. – Rex Hospital

12:22 p.m. – Wake Med Cary

12:32 p.m. – Wake Med Raleigh

FCSO: Two Arrested Under New ‘Death by Distribution’ Law

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-Information courtesy the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

On April 29, 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group closed an investigation into a January 2020 incident involving the drug overdose death of Franklin County resident, Tiffany Moss.

The subsequent investigation led detectives to Kristen Jade Bailey and Matthew James Bond of Zebulon, who were arrested and charged with Death by Distribution, a Class C Felony in North Carolina.

Kristen Jade Bailey (FCSO photo)

Since January, detectives have executed several search warrants and conducted numerous interviews that confirmed Kristen Bailey and Matthew Bond were the sources of the controlled substance that led to the overdose death of Ms. Moss.

After confirming the cause of death was from Fentanyl, Heroin, and Gabapentin Toxicity, detectives conferred with the District Attorney’s Office and proceeded with the charge of Death by Distribution on both. This law was recently created and passed by the North Carolina General Assembly and became law on December 1, 2019. The intent of this law is to hold distributors of certain controlled substances that lead to a person’s death, accountable for their actions.

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “These types of investigations are unfortunate and heartbreaking. Our office continues to put an emphasis on trying to prevent these tragedies from occurring. When they do occur, we intend to exercise every option we have to hold those who distribute these deadly drugs, accountable.”

Matthew James Bond (FCSO photo)

Kristen Jade Bailey was placed in the Franklin County Detention Facility under a $90,000 secured bond.

Matthew James Bond was placed in the Franklin County Detention Facility under a $100,000 secured bond.

Kristen Jade Bailey (30)
1115 Ridgecrest Dr.
Zebulon, NC 27597

Charges include:
Death by Distribution

Matthew James Bond (36)
1115 Ridgecrest Dr.
Zebulon, NC 27597

Charges include:
Death by Distribution

For more information concerning this investigation or to report drug activity in your neighborhood, please contact Sgt. Ken Pike at (919) 496-2186.

Franklin Co. Health Dept. Temporarily Closed; Six Employees Test COVID-19 Positive

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-Information courtesy Franklin County Government

As noted previously in prior communication, on Friday, 4/24/2020, the Franklin County Health Department (FCHD) received positive coronavirus test–results for two (2) employees. Those two (2) employees do not serve as healthcare providers within the department. Also as previously noted, on Friday 4/24/2020 a total of 48 Health Department staff had samples collected and submitted for coronavirus testing. 

As a precaution, the FCHD was disinfected on Saturday, 4/25/2020, and as of this current release, the Department is remaining closed for regular business from 4/27/2020 until operations resume on Monday 5/4/2020, at 8 a.m. 

The Health Department has received the results for all staff tested on Friday 4/24/2020, and those results indicate that an additional four (4) staff have tested positive, bringing the current total of Health Department Employees with positive test results to six (6). None of the Health Department‘s now six (6) total positive employees are healthcare providers. 

The Franklin County Health Department continues to conduct Contact Tracing for COVID-19, so any individual suspected of being exposed to the coronavirus will be notified by Health Department staff and given specific instructions on what they need to do next.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Health Department is adopting a stringent response to this current situation. As of the date and time of this release, the following Health Department programs will be closed from Monday 4/27/2020 until they re–open on Monday, 5/4/2020: 

  • All clinical services; 
  • Care Management Services (clients may call their workers for call–back); and 
  • WIC (clients may call for assistance). 

After consultations with NCDHHS, the Health Department has been approved to move forward with the following plan for our CLINICAL closures this week: 

  • Clinic patients provided with the option of receiving some mandated services at our neighboring counties’ Health Departments;
  • Patients given the option to receive services at other healthcare providers both inside and outside the county. Patients whose appointments were canceled are being notified and those appointments will be rescheduled.

Environmental Health Services (septic, wells, food & lodging inspections, etc.) and the Franklin County Home Health Agency services will continue to operate remotely (as they have been doing for some time). Limited drop–off service will be available for Environmental Health needs. 

For the week of 4/27/2020 through 5/1/2020, only critical Health Department employees with a negative test and no current symptoms (i.e. with no fever as verified by temperature checks three–times per day) have returned to work to continue the County‘s Emergency Operations Center and to complete contact investigations. The Health Department will resume all services on Monday, 5/4/2020. 

Look for more updates from the Franklin COVID–19 EOC as more information becomes available.

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Two Franklin Co. Health Dept. Employees Test Positive for COVID-19

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-Information courtesy Franklin County Government

On Friday, 4/24/2020, the Franklin County Health Department (FCHD) received positive coronavirus test-result notifications on two (2) employees. The two (2) employees do not serve as healthcare providers within the department.

The first employee was last at work on Thursday, 4/09/2020 at 5 p.m., and first reported mild symptoms on Saturday, 4/11/2020. This employee has not been inside the FCHD since 4/9/2020.

As per the employee’s healthcare provider’s guidance, a coronavirus test sample was collected on Monday, 4/20/2020, but the results were “inconclusive.” A second sample was collected on Wednesday, 4/22/202, with positive test results being reported to the Health Department later in the morning on Friday, 4/24/2020. As noted above, this employee was last in the health department on 4/9/2020.

The second employee was tested on Wednesday, 4/22/2020, after reporting symptoms they initially thought were allergies. Following sample collection, the employee was sent home and given instructions to isolate. Their positive coronavirus test-results were received a little after 9 a.m. on Friday 4/24/2020.

Immediately after the Health Department received notification of the first positive test result, all non-health department staff were instructed to leave the department. All appointments were canceled, and a total of 48 Health Department staff were tested for coronavirus, with 42 employees being sent home with written instructions on isolation and symptom monitoring. The remaining seven (7) department staff canceled all appointments for Monday, 4/27/2020, and prepared the facility for disinfecting which occurred on Saturday, 4/25/2020.

Test results for all staff should be available by late Sunday (4/26/20) afternoon, or earlier Monday (4/27/2020) morning. Only staff who receive a negative test result are allowed to return to work.

As of the date and time of this release, all face-to-face: clinical services; care management services; and WIC are canceled for Monday, 4/27/2020. Patients will be able to speak by phone to staff in those programs on Monday, 4/27/2020 if needed.

Patients whose appointments were canceled have been notified and the department will contact you on rescheduling those appointments. The Health Department anticipates a resumption of these services on Tuesday, 4/28/2020.

Environmental Health Services (septic, wells, food & lodging inspections, etc.) and the Franklin County Home Health Agency services will continue to operate remotely (as they have been doing for some time). Limited drop-off service will be available for Environmental Health needs.

The Franklin County Health Department continues to conduct contact tracing for COVID-19, so any individual suspected of being exposed to the coronavirus will be notified by Health Department staff and given specific instructions on what they need to do next.

As noted above, only Health Department employees with a negative test result will return to work on Monday, 4/27/2020 or thereafter.

Look for more updates from the Franklin COVID-19 EOC as more information becomes available.

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Town of Louisburg Awarded $2.4 Million for Industrial Park 

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-Press Release, Town of Louisburg

On April 16, 2020, the Town of Louisburg was awarded a grant in the amount of $2,439,100 to assist the Town in the construction of water, sewer, and electric infrastructure, as well as industrial access, at the Louisburg Industrial Park.

The Town has made the site a critical piece of its economic development strategy and intends to commit additional resources focused on business recruitment to the industrial park.

The broad plan is to create a 10-parcel industrial park for the recruitment of industrial and commercial businesses. A major economic development goal is to produce large-scale employment centers to provide jobs to local residents, increase tax base and expand Louisburg’s utility services.

The grant was awarded by The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) under The Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account that provides grants to local governments located in the 80 most economically distressed counties of the State.

“Communities across our state are going through challenging times right now, and we must continue to help rural North Carolina prepare for future economic growth,” Secretary Copeland said. “Rural Infrastructure Authority grants provide needed support for job creation in our rural areas, which are appealing places to live, work and grow a business.”

“We very much appreciate the IDF’s confidence in Louisburg and Tommy Hester’s leadership with the RIA. This is a testament to our Town Administrator, Jonathan Franklin, his staff, and their commitment to improving our Town and bringing this project to fruition.” – Councilman Boyd Sturges.

Mayor Karl Pernell added, “This is a big moment for Louisburg and a great opportunity. We look forward to the jobs and the investment this project will attract, and the improvements it will bring to the quality of life of our citizens.”

Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools Online Enrollment System Open for 2020-21

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-Information courtesy Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools’ online enrollment system is currently open and accepting registrations for Kindergarten, new students and transfers for the 2020-2021 school year.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to complete registration online at www.fcschools.net.