Tag Archive for: #franklincountynews

Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health Provides COVID-19 Policy Updates – March 17

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-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

As the situation regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, so does our hospital’s response. In addition to measures we’ve taken including restricting visitors, closing common areas, and adhering diligently to North Carolina State Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, Maria Parham Health is taking more precautionary steps to help ensure the safety of our patients, employees and visitors.

Effective immediately, we will be limiting entry points to our facility, eliminating all visitor hours and screening everyone – employees, patients and the very limited permissible visitors currently allowed – who enters the building. The following provides additional detail about these safety measures:

  • Limited Entry Points: Until otherwise notified, everyone entering the facility should come through the Main Front Hospital entrance and the Emergency Department entrance. All other entry points will be closed until further notice.
  • Zero Visitor Policy: Maria Parham Health is eliminating all visitor hours, with the exception of the following:
  • One visitor for obstetrical patients
  • Two visitors for pediatric patients
  • One caregiver if necessary, for emergency department patients
    • No other visitors will be allowed at this time without approval from Administration. This includes outpatient treatment.
  • Screening Process: All patients, visitors and staff entering the facility will be screened with questions regarding respiratory symptoms and travel history, per CDC recommendations. Patients with symptoms will immediately be provided masks and managed per CDC guidelines. Based on the screening, visitors may also be asked to take their temperature, speak further with someone, or come back at a later date. Screening will occur upon every entry.

PLEASE NOTE, WE HAVE NOT LIMITED OR RESTRICTED SERVICES AT THIS TIME.

We know that these increased precautions may seem concerning. We do not want to cause alarm, but we do want to send a clear message to our community that we are prepared, responding appropriately and remain committed to protecting the well-being of our patients, visitors, employees and community.

These increased safety measures do NOT mean that you cannot access the hospital or your providers. Please seek medical care as needed. And if you are concerned you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, call your provider in advance of going to his or her office. Of course, if you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Maria Parham Health values the trust our community places in us, and we appreciate your understanding as we shift our visitation policies during this time.

For details about our COVID-19 response, please visit mariaparham.com.

Franklin County Schools

Franklin Co. Schools Releases Schedule for Homework, Meal Pickups

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-Information courtesy Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools is closed due to the Coronavirus through at least Friday, March 27, 2020. However, parents/guardians and students will have to opportunity to pick up homework, essential personal items, and meals following the schedule below.

FCS and your student’s schools will make every effort to keep you informed of additional information, as well as any updates and changes to these schedules as soon as possible upon determining those details.

Homework Packets: Tuesday, March 17, 3 to 6 p.m., at Schools

Because many Franklin County Schools’ students do not have access to the Internet and electronic devices, printed homework packets will be available for pick up on Tuesday, March 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the student’s school. Parents and guardians should be on alert for specific details about this procedure directly from your school principal.

Additionally, electronic and web-based learning materials are also being made available. Those details will also be communicated from school principals and district personnel as soon as possible.

Essential Personal Items: Tuesday, March 17, 3 to 6 p.m., at Schools

Students will be able to retrieve any essential personal belongings from their schools, such as medications or other essential items, during the Tuesday, March 17 timeframe. If a student needs access sooner, they should make arrangements with their school’s administration.

Meals: Begins Wednesday, March 18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,  at BHS, FES, LHS, YES

FCS’ Nutritional Services will provide meal packages that include breakfast, lunch and a snack for students. Those meal packages will be available for pickup Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday, March 18 and continuing through Friday, March 27 at the following locations:

  • Bunn High School
  • Franklinton Elementary School
  • Louisburg High School
  • Youngsville Elementary School

MPH Further Restricts Visitation, Limits the Number of Open Entrances

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-Information courtesy Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments.

In keeping with our commitment to public safety and security, we are implementing the following policies, effective immediately:

Maria Parham Health is eliminating all visitor hours, with the exception of the following:

• One visitor for obstetrical patients
• Two visitors for pediatric patients
• One caregiver if necessary, for emergency department patients

No other visitors will be allowed at this time without approval from Administration. This includes outpatient treatment.

Effective Tuesday, March 17, we are limiting the number of open entrances at the hospital to include the emergency department entrance, the front entrance, and the cancer center entrance. The emergency department entrance will be open 24 hours per day. The front entrance will remain open from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.

At our Franklin facility, the emergency department and 20-bed behavioral health entrances will be open.

Staff will screen and log all staff, providers, and visitors at the designated entrances.

Please note, we have not limited or restricted services at this time.

These measures are in place to protect our facility and our community. Please know that our providers and clinical teams are well-trained and prepared to manage outbreaks of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Please be reassured that our number one priority is the health and well-being of our community – and that includes you. We are prepared to manage an outbreak of respiratory illness, and we encourage you to follow the guidance above and stay tuned to updates from the CDC to help protect you and your loved ones. Keeping our community healthy is a community effort, and we are committed to doing everything we can to keep our community healthy today and for generations to come.

For more information and to stay abreast of the latest updates on COVID-19, you can visit https://www.mariaparham.com/coronavirus-covid-19-preparedne… and www.cdc.gov.

Franklin County Logo

Franklin County Government Makes Operational Adjustments

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Franklin County Government is taking precautionary measures by making the following operational changes in light of Corona Virus concerns:

Department of Aging
Louisburg and Franklinton Senior Centers are closed to the public for all classes, events, activities and congregate meals until further notice. Adult Day Care and Meals On Wheels will operate on normal schedule. Please call the center if you wish to purchase Ensure or Glucerna. The Louisburg Senior Center number is (919) 496-1131. The Franklinton Senior Center can be reached at (919) 496-5611.

Library
The number of attendees at meetings in meeting rooms will be limited to 10 persons (including the person organizing the meeting) at Franklinton, Youngsville and Bunn Libraries. Library patrons who have scheduled the Justice Street Annex in Louisburg will be limited to no more than 18 persons for the larger space in that building and no more than six persons in the conference room at one time.

Library programming for children is canceled indefinitely.

Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation programs and events are suspended until April 6, 2020. Any further modifications will be communicated to participants in a timely manner. Parks & Recreation facilities are open for public use. Reservations for picnic shelters and ballfield rentals are still being accepted. The department is asking everyone to follow the Governor’s
recommendations for gatherings including:

• Avoid being closer than six feet (or three feet at a minimum) for longer than 10 minutes with anyone, especially those who may be ill.
• No gathering of more than 75 people.

Additional Information Resources

Franklin County Corona Virus COVID-19 Joint Information Center (JIC)
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(919) 496-8113 (Franklin-County-Specific Virus Information)
Franklin County residents may also choose to email their questions/concerns to CoronaVirus@franklincountync.us.
https://www.franklincountync.us/services/health

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-northcarolina.

Franklin County Logo

Franklin County Responds to Coronavirus Concerns

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-Press Release, Franklin County Government

Effective March 11, 2020, and in consultation with the Franklin County Emergency Management Services, Sherriff’s Department, County Administration and the Louisburg Police Department, the Franklin County Health Department is opening the Franklin County Coronavirus & COVID-19 Joint Information Center (COVID-19 JIC) Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Purpose: This JIC will serve as the place for residents, businesses and other agencies to obtain timely, accurate, reliable and actionable Franklin County-specific information regarding the coronavirus and COVID-19 within Franklin County.  The Franklin County Health Department combines information from our regular updates with Federal and State Agencies, together with our local resources, to provide you and/or your organization with the best Franklin County-specific information available.

Local Virus Questions: If you want reliable information, please call: (919) 496 – 8113.

As more people become concerned about the coronavirus, it is vitally important to ensure that everyone has the most up-to-date, accurate and reliable information possible. The Franklin County Health Department, with our local communicable disease professionals and our epidemiology team, has been working with State and Federal Officials to ensure everyone in Franklin County receives properly vetted, accurate and actionable regional and local information regarding the coronavirus.

For the most up-to-date information on the virus, please use the NCDHHS website: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina.

Please note that there are currently NO confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus (that causes COVID-19) in Franklin County. The Franklin County Health Department will keep our residents apprised of the situation as soon as accurate, reliable and actionable information becomes available.

Increased Available Testing: As the Novel Coronavirus continues to spread, and with relaxed testing guidelines and increasing numbers of test kits available, there will be individuals today who now meet the criteria for testing, who just a week ago did not. That will increase the number of people being tested, which is welcome news. However, increased testing is just one part of our prevention efforts.

Time of Year: Given the time of year, there are many illnesses that are at their peak in late February and early March in our area (i.e. influenza, strep, etc.), whose symptoms mimic COVID-19. As a result, many individuals who are sick with a variety of other ailments (i.e. flu) will now be able to “rule-out” coronavirus given these new standards and increased testing capabilities. Given that the modes of transmission for these other ailments are similar to the Novel Coronavirus, precautions already being used (given this time of year) to protect you from these other ailments will also protect you from COVID-19.

When More Actionable Information Becomes Available, We Will Get the Word Out: The Franklin County Health Department is in close contact with state and federal officials, our local hospital, Maria Parham Franklin, and all other Franklin County Healthcare providers, daycare centers, schools and other governmental agencies, to keep everyone updated with the most current information regarding the virus’ spread, and what we can do to protect ourselves.

As soon as there is any information available that the public, healthcare providers and/or other governmental agencies will need to enhance their own safety, we will get the information to you as soon as possible.

Current Status: There are numerous people across our region being monitored and/or tested for this virus. At this point in time, we have NO confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 in Franklin County. IF there were individuals who presented with symptoms that indicated the need for testing, all healthcare providers are aware of the protocols to implement in order to protect their staff and the public (i.e. quarantine and isolation procedures) while they test and treat anyone suspected of having the virus.

EMS staff and other first responders should already be practicing the same set of cleaning and personal protection measures designed to keep them safe from flu (given it is peak flu season), and those same measures will keep them safe from the novel coronavirus.

What Can You Do: Given the virus has been confirmed in Wake County, and will likely spread to surrounding counties at some point, everyone should practice personal protection measures to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe:

  • avoid touching your face (including eyes, mouth, nose and ears);
  • Wash your hands frequently & thoroughly (front & back) with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds AND if available, use hand sanitizers frequently;
  • cough/sneeze into your elbow/arm, and avoid any physical contact greetings (i.e. no handshakes, etc.);
  • avoid others if you’re sick;
  • stay home from work/school and don’t visit anyone (especially older adults & children and those with chronic conditions) if you’re sick;
  • If over the age of 60 and/or suffering from a chronic health condition, avoid large public gatherings (issued by CDC on 3-7-19);
  • Avoid being closer than 6 feet (or 3 feet at a minimum) for longer than 10 minutes with anyone, especially those who may be ill;
  • All agencies and businesses have been advised to practice their enhanced cleaning and personal protection protocols, as is normal practice for this time of year (given it is peak flu season).

Bottom line: The virus has not reached Franklin County yet, but it will likely be here eventually. Prepare yourself by practicing the steps above, and you can minimize the risk to your family and friends.

For additional information, please call the Franklin County Coronavirus COVID-19 Joint Information Center at 919-496-8113 or visit https://www.franklincountync.us/services/health.

Maria Parham Franklin Celebrates Newly Expanded Behavioral Health Facility

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-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health, part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Thursday, February 20, 2020, to celebrate its newly expanded behavioral health facility at Maria Parham Franklin. Representatives from the hospital and Duke LifePoint Healthcare joined community leaders, elected officials, health care providers and other supporters to celebrate the completion of the project.

“This project has been a true partnership since the beginning, and I am grateful for our many partners – including Duke LifePoint Healthcare, as well as local, state and non-profit organizations for contributing their time and resources to expanding services at Maria Parham Franklin,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “Since opening our doors, this facility has provided care to thousands of patients, and we are so honored to continue serving the health needs of this community.”

Since October 2018, the hospital has operated its Maria Parham Franklin location, which provides 24/7 emergency care, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services and a 13-bed inpatient geriatric behavioral health unit for adults 55 years and older. Spanning 14,900 square feet, the new 20-bed adult behavioral health unit adjoins the current facility and will serve patients 18 years and older.

“As Franklin County continues to advance and grow, a strong foundation for healthcare is critical for our long-term success,” said Sidney E. Dunston, Franklin County commissioner and chairman of the Commissioner’s Hospital Committee. “We are proud to be restoring critically needed healthcare services back to our community, while also adding new jobs and opportunities for growth.”

The expansion project cost for construction and equipment totaled more than $10 million. With both phases of the Maria Parham Franklin project now complete, the capital investment totals more than $16 million and was made possible by Duke LifePoint Healthcare, The Dorothea Dix Hospital Property Fund, The Golden Leaf Foundation and the North Carolina Department of Commerce through the North Carolina Community Development Block Grant.

“Access to high-quality behavioral health services is a growing need for communities across our nation, and Duke LifePoint Healthcare is proud to have been a part of restoring these essential health services to this region,” said Harry Phillips, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Duke LifePoint Healthcare. “This project underscores our commitment to engage patients and people, lead quality innovation and advance knowledge to improve health in the communities we serve.”

FCSO: Vehicle Stop Leads to Drug Arrest of Elm City Man

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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

On March 5, 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group arrested and charged Barrett Tyler Powell, of Elm City, NC, with multiple drug offenses.

The arrest was the result of a vehicle stop conducted by the Community Action Team (CAT) where felony amounts of marijuana and THC Isolates were found. Information gathered during the arrest led law enforcement officers to a storage unit in Wilson, NC, where US Currency and additional THC Isolates were discovered.

On March 5, 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group arrested and charged Barrett Tyler Powell, of Elm City, NC, with multiple drug offenses. (FCSO photo)

Sheriff Kent Winstead stated, “Our drug enforcement initiatives continue to be focused on finding and arresting individuals that choose to push illegal drugs in our communities. We are thankful to our partners outside of Franklin County who assisted us in this case.” 

The Franklin County Special Operations Group was assisted in this investigation by the Wilson Police Department, Nash County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. 

Barrett Tyler Powell was placed in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $60,000 secured bond. 

Barrett Tyler Powell, age 28, 5145 Overbrook DriveElm City, NC 27822 

Charges: Felony Possession of Marijuana Possess with the Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Felony Possession of THC Isolate, Maintain a Vehicle for the purpose of Selling a Controlled Substance. 

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

U.S. Department of Justice

Heroin, Firearm Convictions Get Jackson 13+ Years In Federal Prison

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced MICHAEL JERMAINE JACKSON, 35, of Spring Hope to 160 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

JACKSON was named in a four-count Indictment filed on April 4, 2019, charging him with possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, marijuana and CBD Oil UK, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of distributing a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On October 15, 2019, JACKSON pled guilty to that charge.

According to the investigation, in September 2018, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of JACKSON. A confidential informant provided information that JACKSON was selling narcotics, including heroin, from his residence on Wiley Road in Spring Hope, North Carolina.

After a series of controlled purchases of heroin and crack cocaine from JACKSON at his residence, FCSO executed a search warrant of JACKSON’S residence where they found quantities of heroin containing fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, marijuana, drug distribution paraphernalia, a firearm and ammunition. JACKSON had just been released from a state prison sentence six months prior to the execution of the search warrant.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017, the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case is also part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

The investigation of this matter was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case for the government.

U.S. Department of Justice

Kittrell Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years on Drug, Gun Charges

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, sentenced PRESTON OBRYAN MILES, 35, of Kittrell to 78 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

MILES was named in a two-count Indictment on July 10, 2019, charging him with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On November 1, 2019, he pled guilty to the Indictment.

According to the investigation, on Saturday, July 21, 2018, a Franklinton Police Department officer was on patrol near NC 56 in Franklinton, North Carolina, when he saw a black Toyota Camry with heavily tinted windows. As he began following the Camry, he could smell marijuana, and he noticed that the smell diminished when he switched lanes away from the car. The officer ran the tag and also found that the registered owner had an expired license.

The officer initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was identified as MILES. The smell of marijuana was strong, and the officer spotted several partially smoked marijuana cigarettes inside the car. Backup arrived and officers searched the car. They noticed that the carpet liner in the trunk was not attached on the edges. In the space between the carpet liner and the frame of the car, officers found a plastic bag containing a cardboard box, which itself contained two bricks of heroin—approximately 100 single-dose bags. The box also contained two loose bindles of 10 bags each, a plastic baggie of approximately 3 grams of raw heroin, and tools of the drug trade, including a wooden stamp with a Mercedes symbol, a bag of small rubber bands, and scotch tape. Further back between the carpet liner and side of the car, officers found a black FN 5.7x28mm pistol.

Officers later reviewed communications from jail, in which MILES, in discussing his car, directed a woman to get items out of “the head” and stated that “I got a brick in the head.”  On July 26, 2018, law enforcement obtained a search warrant to re-search the car. They found a digital scale hidden in a hole in the bottom of the passenger seat headrest, and behind the scale, they found a brick of heroin and a plastic bag of cocaine. Using a camera to search deeper into the area between the carper liner and the passenger side of the car, officers located a second handgun, a Smith & Wesson revolver.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Since 2017, the United States Department of Justice has reinvigorated the PSN program and has targeted violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

That effort has been implemented through the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices in those communities on a sustained basis to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

The Franklinton Police Department, State Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jake D. Pugh represented the government.

Strickland Charged With 27 Counts of Exploiting Elderly Relative

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-Press Release, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

On June 6, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a tip regarding a female elderly person being exploited for financial gain by a relative of the victim. After an extensive in-depth investigation by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, Kevin Anthony Strickland was charged with 27 counts of Exploit Disabled/Elder Trust. 

Kevin Anthony Strickland (FCSO photo)

Kevin Anthony Strickland was located in Tennessee and was extradited to Franklin County where he was formally charged and received a secured bond of $350,000.

This matter remains under investigation and no further information will be released at this time. If anyone should have any additional information pertaining to this investigation, please call Detective Ashley Camp at 919-340-4312. 

Kevin Anthony Strickland, 45-years-old

3140 Bennett Road

Cookeville, TN 38506