Tag Archive for: #towntalk

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

TownTalk 2-8-21 Lisa Harrison, Granville Vance Public Health director

/by

Lisa Harrison, health director for Granville Vance Public Health was on Town Talk Monday and provided an update on current COVID-19 vaccination deployment throughout the two counties.

In addition to staying on top of the medical side of the vaccination rollout, Harrison and her team have had deep-dive lessons into the basics of supply and demand. And right now, there is more demand than supply.

Harrison said it is important that the community understand that vaccine continues to be available, but once the doses come in, it is imperative that they be administered as quickly as possible. There have been several mass vaccination clinics in the two counties, she said. But those clinics are set up only when large doses come in to the health department. The two counties administer, on average, 160 doses per county per day in the daily clinics that the health department operates.

To hear Lisa Harrison on TownTalk, click play.  Written story continues below.

The mass drive-in clinics, some held on hospital or school campuses in the local area, require cooperation across agencies, Harrison said. For example, the Jan. 25 clinic set up at Maria Parham Medical Center was organized because Harrison learned “sort of last-minute” that 975 extra doses of the Phizer vaccine would be headed to Maria Parham – for immediate use. “We don’t want to waste a single dose,” she said.

Harrison and the team sprang into action upon learning of the vaccine shipment. “It takes a lot of partners and a lot of energy to do that well,” she said. From hospital staff to EMS, law enforcement, and nurses from Vance County Schools, the health department was able to orchestrate the coordinated effort. We didn’t have a lot of lead time to put it all together, but we’re really proud of our partners for working together to make that happen.

Generally, there’s a 6-hour window for a mass clinic like the Jan. 25 event, she said, because of the need to keep the vaccine adequately refrigerated.

“We were lucky we got 975 extra (doses) not originally allocated,” Harrison said. The shipments are based on population, she said, but the local health officials had done such a good job of getting the vaccines in peoples’ arms, they were able to show they could use more.

Simply put, the vaccines create a way for our bodies to recognize the COVID-19 virus, which leads to our bodies being able to identify and fight off the virus if or when a person is exposed to the real thing.

The Phizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses given three and four weeks apart, respectively, and her team has enlisted the aid of key community leaders to help with outreach, especially into underrepresented segments of the population. If there happens to be extra doses at a clinic, these community leaders have a way to get the word out to ensure that all doses will be used.

That being said, Harrison explained that if there are extra doses at a Dose 1 clinic, a network of community leaders has been identified to help get the word out. Reaching out to key community leaders, she said, helps “to ensure an equitable distribution of vaccine (to those) who may not have the ability to access the hotline. This community outreach approach to public health is vital to get people on our list who otherwise are having a hard time. Visit gvph.org or phone the COVID-19 hotline at 252.295.1503 to learn how to register for the vaccine.

Graphic prepared by Granville Vance Public Health. Shows vaccine distribution as of February 5, 2021.

Each shipment of vaccine is identified as a Dose 1 or Dose 2. She said she wants to reassure the community about Dose 2 availability. “We always have Dose 2 for every Dose 1,” she said. But that second dose is only used for second doses. It’s all about supply management, she said. “We’re just extremely careful” with those second doses. “We only pull up into syringes the exact number of doses of people we have appointments for and are coming (to get their booster),” she said. Any extra doses from the Dose 2 shipment are better used by other health care providers who may be short of vaccine for some reason.

While the logistics may seem complicated, Harrison noted that the last thing she and her team want to do is call a client to cancel an appointment because of insufficient vaccine.

“If we have 800 vaccines for the week,” she said, we’ll open up 800 appointments. When those are filled, we won’t take any more appointments until we get more vaccine.

“We’re getting rid of (the vaccine) as quickly as we receive it, but we don’t receive enough to have a full clinic 5 days a week in both locations,” Harrison said. If the weekly shipment contains 200 or 400 doses, she said, those can be administered in the regular clinics the health department operates.

One local organization is offering help to the community with getting registered for the vaccine. Lucette Mercer, deputy director of Green Rural Redevelopment Inc. (GRRO) told WIZS Monday that the organization has 30 community health workers who can assist people getting registered online for COVID-19 vaccines.

In addition to Granville and Vance counties, GRRO also serves Warren, Franklin, Nash, Wake, Durham and Pitt counties. These community health workers have remote online access and can help with online registrations. Call 252.430.7999 for more information.

TownTalk 2-4-21: Genealogy & History With Shannon Christmas and Mark Pace

/by

The way Shannon Christmas sees it, the reason genealogists should use new-fangled science in conjunction with old-fangled documentary research to complete their family tree is simple: DNA does not lie, he said. Sometimes, people do.

Christmas spoke with Bill Harris and Mark Pace on Thursday’s Town Talk about how genetic testing can confirm family histories that often are passed down through man-made documents. But DNA can also throw genealogists a curve ball, he said, when test results don’t match up to what family members have known, or been told, for years.

The noted genetic genealogist paid a return visit to Town Talk and encouraged all levels of genealogists to really understand the value of both science and old-fashioned research to have as complete a family tree as possible. “We have a real problem now,” Christmas said, that individuals think that “all they need to do to learn about their family history is just to take a DNA test and nothing else.” DNA test results can yield information about previously-unknown branches of a family tree, but documentary research – combing through court records or family papers, for example – “can provide the same sort of shocking info, the same sort of revelation,” Christmas said. It is important, he added, to do both of them together when working to fill in the family tree.

Click Play for this edition of TownTalk…

A DNA test is “a great resource for confirming one’s own ancestry and also for extending your family tree,” he said. Knowing the different types of tests and their particular strength is helpful, too, he added. Autosomal DNA testing and X-chromosome DNA testing are used to predict relationships and assign kinship, he said. Sometimes, a family tree’s branches are gnarly, such as when families have double-first cousins or half siblings. That’s when genealogical DNA tests can help. The Y DNA is passed from father to son, and mitochondrial DNA, which males and females both have, is only passed down from mothers.

Christmas decided to delve into his own ancestral lineage when his nephews were born.

“In 2009, I recognized that my position within my family had changed. I was no longer the oldest member of the youngest generation,” he explained. “I became an uncle and I wanted to document my family’s history for the next generation – For my nephews – and their children. “ Although that was his prime motivation, he confessed: “I also enjoy the intellectual stimulation that comes from doing genealogy and genetic genealogy in particular.”

Here’s just a snippet of what he’s learned about Erasmus Christmas, his paternal 2x great-grandfather: He was born enslaved in 1830 in Warren County. Through the family’s oral history, he had been told that his biological father was also the slave owner and his mother was an enslaved woman on the plantation. “DNA was able to provide evidence that supported the oral history,” Christmas said. Y-DNA test results showed that he, indeed, had traits that were of European origin. “That was a crucial piece of information that confirmed the oral history; in addition, the autosomal DNA matched me to other descendants of the slave owner’s parents.

He predicts the future of DNA testing will come to include complete genomic mapping, which, in addition to artificial intelligence and automation, can help speed up the whole process. More cataloging of more DNA segments is one thing, Christmas said, but “artificial intelligence is, well artificial.” No algorithm in the world can take the place of the human eye when it comes to noticing errors, he said. Genealogists must continue to do research manually and continue “to vet every source and every record” for accuracy.

For now, Christmas said, “it’s more important to get your DNA into each of the autosomal DNA databases. There might be a relative in one database and not in the others, and those relatives might have the answers you’re looking for.”

Take the case of King Richard III, for example. The British monarch’s remains were positively identified in 2013 using DNA from living descendants. The king died in 1485. That’s 528 years, folks.

TownTalk 2-3-21: Hon. Henry L. Gupton, Vance County Clerk of Court

/by

WHAT AN IMMENSELY ENJOYABLE SHOW WITH VANCE COUNTY CLERK OF COURT THE HON. HENRY L. GUPTON.  FROM HIS BEGINNINGS AS A VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF IN 1986, TO HIS CIVIC DUTIES AS A MAGISTRATE, TO HELPING MANY A VANCE COUNTY RESIDENT AT HIS/HER MOST VUNERABLE MOMENTS, TO HANDLING MILLIONS IN FINANCES EACH YEAR, HENRY GUPTON IS WHO’S HERE FOR YOU IN VANCE COUNTY.  AND NOT JUST GUPTON, BUT HIS STAFF AND ALL THE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS INSIDE THE VANCE COUNTY COURTHOUSE EACH DAY. THANK YOU MR. GUPTON!  YES SIR, YOU ARE ESSENTIAL AND MORE AS IS EACH OF YOU IN THE NC COURTS. — John C. Rose

Please enjoy our interview from TownTalk by clicking play…as well as our write up below…

The Hon. Henry L. Gupton takes his job seriously, without a doubt. But the Vance County Clerk of Court also values the importance of making personal connections, whether it’s with the courthouse employees, his staff or the people who come to his office for help.

Town Talk host John C. Rose checked in with Gupton, on Tuesday, and the interview aired Wednesday. Gupton talked about his love for working in and with the Vance County community, which began in 1986. Gupton was a deputy sheriff and then became a magistrate in 1993. He became clerk of court in 2017, filling the seat vacated b

y Deborah W. Finch’s retirement. He was elected for the first time in 2018.

“It’s just a passion for me,” Gupton said. “I enjoy serving people and helping people. Everything I’ve done in my career, I’ve felt like at some point, I have made a difference in someone’s life,” he added. “To me, that’s what Henry Gupton and the clerk of court’s office is all about.”

The clerk of court’s office is the record keeper for the entire court system in Vance County, Gupton explained. From wills and estates to small-claims and superior and district court cases, Gupton and his staff are charged with maintaining all documents filed at the courthouse.

And he is afforded the title “the Honorable” because he is an ex oficio judge as his job pertains to probating wills.

The way he sees it, he and his office must “do everything we can to help our citizens – that’s what my office is here for and that’s what we try to do on a daily basis,” he added. When people come to him during an emotional time, after the death of a relative or loved one, it’s important to Gupton to just listen.

“I give them a moment to sit down and cry and just let their feelings out because they’re at a very vulnerable moment… and then do what we have to do to have them move forward in life,” he said.

Restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the courthouse operations a bit, but Gupton said the courthouse operations were only disrupted for half a day. He expects to hold the first jury trial on Mar. 1 – practicing social distancing, of course. He and the courthouse staff must make sure that they are “taking care of our citizens who will be on jury, and our other citizens and the public. At this moment, courthouse staffs are in the Phase 3 category to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Although some form of court is held every day in Vance County, the local courthouse faces serious backlogs, just like other courts across the state. “We’re doing what our North Carolina General Statutes say –  we’re keeping the courts open and keeping them running for business, serving our citizens,” Gupton said.

With lots of sanitizing between court sessions, he added. “The courthouse (staff) is doing a fantastic job,” Gupton said.

The clerk’s office has come through with flying colors two state audits – not a single deficiency, Gupton said. “It’s a great feeling,” he said, responding to a question about the audit. “My hat’s off to all of my staff. I have a wonderful staff in this office. And that lets me and the public know what a great job we do – as a team – in our office.“

TownTalk 1-28-21 Misty Bailey, Her Strength and a BBQ Fundraiser

/by

Family and friends of Misty and William Bailey are working together to host a barbecue plate fundraiser on Feb. 6 to help the Baileys with medical bills. You might say they’re mighty good-hearted people, helping a young woman whose own heart is giving her some trouble.

The Baileys recall the exact day her heart problems escalated to the current diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis – it was Nov. 18, 2019, Misty said on Thursday’s Town Talk. She had experienced some heart issues before then, (she knew she was in AFib and had arrhythmia) but the November 2019 event has taken her heart condition to a whole different level.

The medications, the regular visits to the hospital, all are adding up, and that is why their friends and family have stepped up with the idea of a fundraiser. The event will be held at Kerr Lake Country Club from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 each; the goal is to sell 1,000 tickets.

Tickets are available now and will be available at the event, said Amy Bowling, Misty’s sister-in-law, who is spearheading this effort. T-shirts are available for sale as well, Bowling said. Visit the Facebook page “Fight For Misty” to learn more.

“It’s a really rare disease,” Misty told Town Talk host John C. Rose. The disease is treatable, but it has no cure. Since her diagnosis just more than a year ago, Misty has been hospitalized five times – two of those hospitalizations were 4-5 days each in ICU. She has a pacemaker now to help keep her heart in rhythm. Her most recent stay was in December, where doctors performed an ablation to help the arrhythmia caused by inflammation in her heart.

People diagnosed with sarcoidosis have tiny collections of inflammatory cells called granulomas that affect proper function of the affected organ. In Misty’s case, it is her heart that has the granulomas.

“The doctors at Duke are amazing.” Misty said. And I am grateful for everything they have done for me and continue to do.” Ultimately, she may need a heart transplant, she said.

Since her diagnosis, Misty said she has learned to be grateful for every little thing. It’s so important, she said, “to do what you can when you can.” On those days she really doesn’t feel like getting out of the bed, she gets up anyway. “I have to,” she said, “while I can.”

Misty expects to begin visits to the hospital every 4-6 weeks to receive infusions, which doctors hope will help reduce inflammation as well. “There are some days that I am just so tired,” Misty said, but husband William “is right there, my extra set of hands and feet,” she said. The couple has five children, and she credits William’s support for making all the difference.

Family, friends and the community have been supportive as well. William’s employers, the City of Henderson and Food Lion, “have both been behind me every step of the way,” he said. February 6 is going to be a good day, William said. “It’s gonna be a long day,” he added with a chuckle. “As we learn more and as we do more, our hearts are behind finding a cure,” he said.

According to Bowling, Mike Humphries and members of the Gela Hunt Club in Granville County are helping with the fundraiser, and Doug Puckett is cooking. The plate will include barbecue, cole slaw, potato salad, bread and assorted desserts.

Misty said she plans to be at the fundraiser, providing moral support for everyone working to make it a success. “I’ll be there to show my appreciation,” she said. “Friends, family, the community have really been good to us.”

For the audio story on TownTalk, click play…

Town Talk Logo

TownTalk 2-2-21 Litter

/by

Host John C. Rose and callers discussed the ongoing litter problem in Vance County. The Vance County Commissioners’ Planning and Environmental Committee met about Roadside Litter on January 25th with Dept. of Transportation Maintenance Engineer Frank Carpenter, Sheriff Curtis Brame and Vance County Appearance Commission Chair Terri Hedrick to discuss the issue of roadside litter. In 2020, almost $397,000 was spent on roadside and debris clean up in Vance County. Carpenter also explained that the roadside cleanup budget has also been reduced and is over budget for the current fiscal year which impacts the frequency of future litter cleanups. The committee stated this was unacceptable and considered the idea of lobbying the state for additional funding. Several other ideas were also discussed during the meeting including shutting down a gravel portion of Ross Mill Road where illegal dumping has become a problem, and targeted enforcement by the Sheriff’s Office among other ideas.

For complete details and full audio click play.

 

Town Talk Logo

TownTalk 1-26-21 Shooting Incident Results In Death Of Horse

/by

Host John C. Rose discusses a shooting incident that occurred in Henderson resulting in the death of a horse.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

American Flag

Presidential Inauguration Day TownTalk 1-20-21

/by

Click to Listen to WIZS TownTalk Audio.

WIZS Your Community Voice – 100.1 FM / 1450 AM

Pair of Pleased TownTalk Callers Receive 1st Shot

/by

The logistics involved in rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations are complicated, to say the least. But area agencies are getting high marks from residents who have gotten their first dose. A couple of satisfied vaccine recipients phoned in to Town Talk Tuesday and told host John C. Rose about their experience.

In addition to the local health departments in Vance and Granville counties, Maria Parham Hospital and Vance Family Medicine in Henderson are giving vaccinations, as is Granville Health System in Oxford by appointment only.

A Granville County resident phoned in to report her experience getting her vaccine on Sunday afternoon at Granville Health System. “It was one of the best organized things have ever done,” Jean said. “We went in, they checked our name off, we got the shot,” she said, adding that they waited the required 15 minutes or so to make sure there were no reactions to the vaccine. “The shot did not hurt at all,” Jean said, adding that she has experienced no soreness at all at the site of the injection.

CLICK PLAY TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE CALLERS SAID

She spoke highly of the overall experience, and she expressed her gratitude to all the workers at the drive-up event. “They were doing a fantastic job,” she said. “We didn’t even have to get out of our car.”

The whole process was easy, Jean said, from start to finish. Cars filed in to the medical park adjacent to the hospital campus and then pulled in to the hospital parking lot to wait for 15 minutes after the vaccination, to make sure those who got the vaccine didn’t experience an adverse reaction. “I’m not a very good waiter,” Jean confessed, “but I didn’t even have to think about it, it was just a good medical experience.”

Another caller phoned in to express her pleasure with the experience she had in Vance County. Jane received her shot at the Vance health department. After being registered a couple of weeks ago, she got a call back for an appointment. “I was expecting to have a full parking lot, wait in line outside, the whole bit,” she told John C. Rose during Tuesday’s Town Talk. “I walked right in, there was no problem parking…I waited a few minutes, they gave me a shot,” she explained. The needle, she said, happily, was smaller and shorter than what she had seen on television. She described normal soreness at the site of the vaccination, like if she had gotten a flu shot. “I haven’t had any problems since,” she said.

“I was very happy to get my shot,” Jane said, adding that other family members living in other states also have gotten their vaccinations. “If you have the chance to get the shot,” she said, “go ahead and get it.”

Register to get the vaccine at www.gvph.org or call the local COVID hotline 252.295.1503 to learn more.

TownTalk 1-19-21: MLK Virtual Celebration VGCC Jan 26

/by

The public is invited to join a virtual panel discussion next week that will focus on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event will be hosted by the Vance-Granville Community College Men’s Achievement Academy, with the support of Rho Beta Lambda of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., according to Dr. Jeffrey Allen, VGCC Dean of Student Retention and Success.

Allen appeared on Tuesday’s Town Talk with John C. Rose and gave details about the upcoming event, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Visit www.vgcc.edu to find a link to register for the Zoom panel discussion.

“We feel like we have assembled a great wealth of knowledge to discuss the life and legacy of Dr. King,” he said during an interview recorded earlier Tuesday morning.

Panelists include Dr. Jim Harper, Chair of the History Department at North Carolina Central University; Dr. Doris T. Williams, retired professor and VGCC Board of Trustees member; Rev. Dr. William T. Ramey, retired educator, pastor and VGCC Board of Trustees member; Judge Adam Keith, Vance County District Court judge; and Sara Bell, instructor of Humanities at VGCC. N.C. Rep. G.K. Butterfield also will give remarks, Allen said.

Although honoring the legacy of the slain Civil Rights leader is a large part of what the panel will discuss, he expects that the panelists also will challenge the attendees, “really pushing them to live the legacy of Dr. King,” he said. “The whole goal is we want to be informative, we want to empower people; and the other piece is we want to inspire people to continue to bring change,” he added.

Click play for Dr. Jeffrey Allen on TownTalk.  Story continues below…

Empowering people to unite and to be a force for change are ideals King strived for, Allen said. “It’s our job now as citizens to carry his legacy, moving forward, so we can continue to fight the fight for civil rights for all,” he added.

Servant leadership is another of King’s ideals that Allen wants to emphasize.

“This is a great opportunity for us just to remind ourselves of his legacy of social justice and service to others and civil rights for all…(to) refresh our memory to go out and be empowered and inspired to do great things in our community,” Allen said.

This graphic and the cover graphic courtesy of VGCC.

Students in the Men’s Achievement Academy at VGCC experience servant leadership, Allen noted. The mentoring program is in its second year and, although it targets first-year students and minority males, it is open to any male who wants to be a part of the program.

The feedback so far has been positive, he said. “They love the program, they love participating, even in this virtual environment, they really appreciate the support that their mentors have given them during this pandemic,” Allen said.

Allen and his team plan and support a variety of initiatives, all designed to support students be successful in college. They oversee tutoring, academic advising and academic support, as well as counseling, student activities and athletics. “The college has done an excellent job…to support students and we’re continuously working and looking at thing that support student achievement.,” he said.

Register for the event at:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aaujgLAHTHOqt07ZAcIKeg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For more information, contact Dr. Jeffrey Allen at allenjl@vgcc.edu.

(This is not a paid advertisement.)

Town Talk Logo

TownTalk 1-18-21: MLK Day of Service, Marcia Allen and Vance Dem Party

/by

Members of the Vance County Democratic Party and other local officials braved cool, breezy conditions Monday to demonstrate servant leadership by collecting non-perishable food items for two agencies.

Marcia Allen, chair of the Vance County Democratic Party, said the group sponsored the event in conjunction with the National Day of Service as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. All donated items will be given to Area Christians Together in Service (ACTS) and The Help Center of Vance County, Allen said during Monday’s Town Talk with John C. Rose.

“That’s our goal –   to let our community know that we care,” she said. “We have to care about each other. It doesn’t matter what your affiliation is… as a party, we care about each other, and we want to help as much as we can,” she explained.

These two agencies were chosen, Allen said, because they are receiving a lot of clients at this time. She recently toured the ACTS storage center and noted that “their cupboards are getting a little bare.” ACTS also serves lunch daily. Their efforts to fight food insecurity, as well as those of The Help Center, are worthy recipients of the food drive. “We want to make sure they at least have something on the shelves to share with the community,” Allen said.

Click play to hear TownTalk.  Story continues below…

Didn’t make it to drop off a donation of food during the Monday drive? No problem. Allen said donations can be dropped off at Shear Magic, 1224 Dabney Drive and Angela Thornton, first vice-chair of the Vance County Democratic Party, will accept them any day except Monday, when the salon is closed.

Vance Sheriff Curtis Brame participated in the event, held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Perry Memorial Library. “It’s a great day,” he said, “and truly an honor to see different organizations, different denominations, people gathering peacefully, as Dr. Martin Luther King wanted us to,” Brame said. The food drive is a great cause, he added, as a way to honor the King legacy.

Henry L. Gupton, Vance County Clerk of Superior Court, agreed. “We don’t mind being in the cold for what we’re doing today,” he said. “Any day is a good day to serve,” Gupton said.

Recalling Dr. King’s message that everyone can be great because everyone can serve, Allen said that the work done to help in the community transcends political parties and other differences.  “If we look at each other as family, then we’re going to be kind, and cordial and helpful toward each other.”

The King holiday has been celebrated on the third Monday in January since its inception in 1986. The slain civil rights leader’s philosophy of peaceful protest and servant leadership remains relevant today, Allen said. “We should have that at the forefront of our being. We are here to serve – to serve each other.” And, she added, she will “still have this servant mentality tomorrow,” even though the holiday has passed.

Allen encouraged other Democrats to become active in the local party, noting that there are openings at the local precinct level. Contact Allen at vancedemocrat@gmail.com. The local party is planning to host monthly community projects as one way to increase service at the community level, she said.