Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Crossroads Christian School

Sports Talk 12/01/20: Crossroads Christian Temporarily Halts Basketball Season

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With questions surrounding mask requirements for student-athletes and health concerns, the Crossroads Christian School Colts have temporarily halted the men’s basketball season.

CCS Athletic Director Scottie Richardson said the decision was based solely on what is right for the players. “The decision came down to the health of our student-athletes, period,” said Richardson. “We just don’t have enough information on the status of playing a sport like basketball and wearing masks. Instead of just allowing it without doing our due diligence of understanding the risks involved with how it couples with asthma, breathing issues, heart issues from birth, etc., we decided to pause the sport for two weeks.”

Richardson further explained that several players have inhalers, are diabetic or have other underlying health issues that could potentially make playing sports in a mask more difficult.

In guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the wearing of masks during athletic activities, Richardson said the agency recognizes that “masks may be challenging for players (especially younger players) to wear while playing sports” and “masks should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious.”

The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) recently announced plans for officials to extend timeouts, quarter breaks and halftime to allow for additional recovery time for playing in masks.

Basketball activities are expected to resume at CCS on Monday, December 7, 2020, with the team spending the first week back on the court in shooting drills, walk-through drills, etc.

According to Richardson, games and full-speed practices will remain paused until more information is gathered from the NCISAA and NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Games canceled for COVID issues or concerns are counted as “no contests.”

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH COVID Update: Increase in Active Cases, Outbreaks at Long-Term Care Facilities

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

GVPH provided the following update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of November 30, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Vance County

Total Cases: 1,748
Active Cases: 535

Total Cases in Community: 1,569
Active Cases: 486
Cases Off-Isolation: 1,063

Total Cases at Long-Term Care Facilities: 179
Active Cases: 49
Cases Off-Isolation: 94

There is currently an outbreak at Senior Citizens Home.

Total Hospitalized with COVID-19: 26

Total Deaths: 56
Community: 20
Pelican Nursing Home: 14
Kerr Lake Nursing Home: 12
Senior Citizens Home: 10

Unfortunately, another death has been reported associated with the outbreak at Senior Citizens. A 93-year-old female passed away on Nov. 28.

Granville County

Total Cases: 2,547
Active Cases: 330

Total Cases in Community: 1,808
Active Cases: 296
Cases Off-Isolation: 1,503

Total Cases at Federal Prison: 530
Active Cases: 4
Cases Off-Isolation: 504

Total Cases at Long-Term Care Facilities: 209
Active Cases: 30
Cases Off-Isolation: 153

There are currently outbreaks at Universal Health Care, Murdoch Development Center, Granville House, RHA Health Services – Stem and Polk Correctional Institution.

Total Hospitalized with COVID-19: 6

Total Deaths: 57
Community: 9
Central Regional: 1
Granville House: 2
Murdoch Development Center: 2
Universal Health Care: 21
Federal Prison: 22

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

Please visit GVPH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard (click here) for tables and graphs that are updated daily.

Holiday Crafty Kids

Youth Invited to HVRPD’s Holiday Craft Workshop

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Join the Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks Department for a holiday craft workshop for youth on Monday, December 21, 2020, at 6 p.m. at the Aycock Recreation Center.

Participants ages 4 to 8 will take part in crafts that are age-appropriate and holiday-themed. This event will be open to the first 12 participants to register. The cost is $5 per participant, and the registration deadline is Thursday, December 17, 2020.

You can register online at https://hvrpd.recdesk.com/ or at the Aycock Recreation Center.

Each participant must have an adult over the age of 18 with them at all times to help them with the crafts. Only the participant and one guardian will be allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Participants over the age of 5 and guardians are required to wear a mask at all times.

For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at (252) 438-3160 (lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us).

Charles Boyd

Town Talk 11/24/20: Charles Boyd Talks Car Business, Growing Up in Vance County

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Guest host Brandon Boyd interviewed someone near and dear to his own heart for Tuesday’s segment of Town Talk, his father Charles Henry Boyd. Many in the community may know Charles as the owner of Charles Boyd Chevrolet Buick GMC in Henderson.

Born in Henderson in 1949, Charles, with the exception of his years in college, has called Vance County home all of his life. “Henderson has always been home,” he said. “It’s been a great life. Vance County has been so very good to us; a great place to live and to work.”

A child in the 50s and a teenager in the 60s, Charles said he has many memories of good times spent with his three brothers, family and friends. “I have memories of going downtown, going to the Embassy and going to the Stevenson Theatre. You could take about 15 cents to spend your evening and have a great time.”

Interested in cars since he was old enough to remember, Charles said he spent his younger years going with his father and brothers to tobacco warehouses to prospect vehicles, and later working after school “polishing cars, cleaning hubcaps and washing engines” at the used car lot.

Brandon Boyd (left) and Charles Boyd (right) pictured with one of their classic cars.

“Me and my three brothers, Maurice, Glenn and Jerry, have always had a passion for cars,” said Charles. “My father started off in farming and then went into the used car business.”

That passion continues today with Charles and his brothers collecting classic cars. “We collect cars, which is a great pastime, and we share the thrills in finding these cars and reselling them,” Charles stated. “We try to find cars that have been stored, that don’t have many miles; we like originality. It’s an enjoyment when you find something and think there’s not another one like it in the world. It’s not what you end up with; it’s the chase of finding something.”

Charles continued, “The car business has been a great part of my life. It’s been good to me and my family. Vance County has supported us in so many ways. We try to give everybody a fair and honest deal. My dad was known for being honest and looking out for customers, and that’s what we try to do.”

After starting out at Boyd Auto Sales on Garnett Street and selling his first used car at 11, Charles rented an available used car lot on Raleigh Road upon graduating Atlantic Christian College. According to Charles, rent was $75 a month, and the lot had no bathroom or running water.

“Today, we have a facility that’s state-of-the-art; we’ve come a long way,” Charles said. “It’s not what we’ve done, but what Vance County has done for us.”

Charles Boyd Chevrolet Buick GMC is located at 250 Ruin Creek Road in Henderson, NC.

To hear the interview with Charles and Brandon in its entirety, including more on growing up in Henderson and the car business, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Vance County Courthouse

Vance County District Court Sessions Canceled Through Dec. 3

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-Information courtesy the Hon. Henry L. Gupton

Chief District Court Judge John Davis has ordered that all sessions of Vance County court which include the following: District Criminal, District Civil and District Juvenile be canceled for Monday, November 30, Tuesday, December 1, and Thursday, December 3, 2020.

The Vance County Courthouse will remain open on the aforementioned days; however; court will not be in session.

Miss NC Christmas Spectacular

McGregor Hall to Host Miss North Carolina Virtual Christmas Spectacular

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

Welcome in the holiday season with McGregor Hall and the Miss North Carolina Scholarship Organization! McGregor Hall is thrilled to be the host venue and streaming sponsor for a Virtual Christmas Spectacular Show on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at 7 p.m.

The show will feature the reigning Miss North Carolina, Alexandra Badgett, and Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen, Karlee Sanderford; Former Miss North Carolinas and Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teens from years past; and 10 current local Miss and Outstanding Teen candidates vying for the state crown in 2021.

Purchase a $25 ticket reservation (click here) to receive an exclusive viewing link to tune in virtually on December 12 in the comfort and safety of your home. This Christmas Spectacular will be streamed across the state (and nation) for all ages to enjoy.

The event will be pre-recorded, following all state and health protocols, at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson, North Carolina. Performers will be recorded individually to ensure personal safety in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Perry Memorial Library

Perry Memorial Library Returns to Curbside Pickup Only

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-Information courtesy Perry Memorial Library 

Perry Memorial Library will offer curbside pickup only effective November 24, 2020, until further notice. Curbside pick up of holds is available Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Visit library.perrylibrary.org or call (252) 438-3316 to place holds. Books can be returned at the outside book drop.

3 W's

GVPH Addresses Increase in COVID Cases, State’s New Alert System

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-Press Release, Granville Vance Public Health

UPDATE: Granville Vance Public Health is really proud of our communities in their collective efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We know so many people and agencies are working hard. A better economy depends on keeping everyone safe and healthy. We are grateful for our continued partnerships with individual citizens, businesses, and organizations that make our communities better. Thank you!

We must keep practicing those 3 W’s – washing our hands, waiting six feet apart, and wearing a mask – and as tired as we all are of this virus, it’s time to double down on these behaviors, not let up. In this “land of the free and home of the brave,” we want EVERYONE to be around in 2021 to celebrate holidays together and to pursue life, liberty and happiness individually.

Public health is not about restricting freedoms, it’s about preserving life and quality of life so we can enjoy more of those freedoms in the future. THANK YOU for being with us in this community effort.

Although the number of active cases in our counties had been trending downward over the past few months, our data have quickly begun trending in the wrong direction again. Unfortunately, we have set numerous records this week for the number of new cases and deaths in North Carolina and the United States.

As of November 23, we have 255 active cases of COVID-19 in Granville County and have recorded 56 deaths over the course of the pandemic response. In Vance County, we have 414 active COVID-19 cases and 54 deaths.

Community spread of COVID-19 in both Granville and Vance Counties is increasing. If you are looking at the state of North Carolina’s data dashboard and notice the new COVID-19 County Alert System, you will see that the alerts for Granville and Vance Counties changed color today. Granville turned from yellow to orange on the map and Vance turned from orange to red.

North Carolina has established the COVID-19 County Alert System to give individuals, businesses, community organizations, and public officials another tool to understand how their county is faring and to make decisions about actions to slow the spread of the virus. The COVID19 County Alert System uses metrics informed by the White House Coronavirus Task Force and North Carolina’s key metrics to categorize counties into three tiers:

1. Yellow: Significant Community Spread

2. Orange: Substantial Community Spread

3. Red: Critical Community Spread

Because no one metric provides a complete picture, the COVID-19 County Alert System uses a combination of three metrics: case rate, the percent of tests that are positive, and hospital impact within the county.” More about the alert system online here: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/county-alert-system.

As we move into the holiday season, we have the power to prevent more spread and more death. In considering how you’d like to celebrate with family, remember that any scenario in which people gather poses a risk for COVID-19 transmissions.

Getting together with others will always pose some risk. Therefore, we encourage you to consider hosting virtual events. Zoom has announced it will be lifting the 40-minute limit from midnight ET on Nov. 26 through 6 a.m. ET on Nov. 27 to enable easier virtual connections with loved ones.

If you do choose to gather in-person, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has provided the following suggestions for reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19:

• Consider getting tested for COVID-19 3 to 4 days prior to travel or attending family gatherings.

• Do not host or attend a gathering if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have been told by the local health department to quarantine or isolate, or if you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

• Consider asking all guests to avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering.

• Practice the 3 Ws during the gathering: Wear a face covering, Wait six feet apart from others, and Wash your hands regularly.

• Arrange space so people from different households can stay distant (at least 6 feet apart) and plan activities where social distancing can be maintained. If you take your mask off to eat or drink, make sure you are 6 feet from others when you do so.

• Outdoor activities are preferred over indoor because it is easier to stay apart and there is more wind and air to help reduce the spread of the virus. However, even in outdoor settings, the more people that interact, the greater the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

• Gatherings should not exceed current mass gathering limits in North Carolina which are 10 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.

• Even with smaller gatherings, it is still very possible for the virus to spread, so when deciding how many people to invite, consider the amount of space you have and the ability to maintain social distancing.

• As difficult as it may be, try to limit physical contact and substitute waves and air kisses for handshakes and hugs.

• Limit the number of people handling or serving food. If serving food, have one person serve all food so that multiple people are not handling serving utensils. Encourage guests to bring their own food and drinks and use disposable utensils and dishes.

• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces, such as door handles, sink handles, and bathroom surfaces.

• People at high risk of complications for COVID-19 (e.g., people over 65 years of age or with underlying chronic conditions) should avoid social gatherings. Consider having a virtual option for individuals that are at higher risk to join safely from their homes. If they do attend, ensure the 3Ws are strictly practiced.

• Anyone who develops COVID-19 within 48 hours after attending a gathering should notify other attendees as soon as possible regarding the potential exposure.

We cannot stress enough that just because we are tired of the virus and done with it, it is far from being done with us. Coronavirus can easily transfer through microscopic respiratory droplets, and it’s hard to always know the source and avoid it, especially when we’re around others or inside. Another tricky thing about this virus is that some people who do not feel bad and do not have symptoms yet can be spreading Coronavirus – this makes the mask wearing and distancing so very important.

Please remember – every action you take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in a given setting, whether at the grocery store, in your workplace, or at a family gathering, adds up to make it harder for the virus to transmit from person to person. And, the more we can reduce the spread, the more lives we can save. We want to gather again for the holidays next year, so let’s do all we can to preserve our health this year.

NC Governor Logo

Cooper Issues Additional COVID Safety Measures; Vance Co. Moves to ‘Critical’ Alert Level

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper today issued additional COVID-19 safety measures to tighten mask requirements and enforcement as cases continue to rise rapidly in North Carolina and across the country. Executive Order No. 180 goes into effect on Wednesday, November 25 and runs through Friday, December 11.

“I have a stark warning for North Carolinians today: We are in danger,” Governor Cooper said. “This is a pivotal moment in our fight against the coronavirus. Our actions now will determine the fate of many.”

In addition to extending Phase 3 capacity limits and safety requirements, the Order tightens the existing statewide mask requirement – making it clear that everyone needs to wear a mask whenever they are with someone who is not from the same household. The Order also adds the mask requirement to several additional settings including any public indoor space even when maintaining 6 feet of distance; gyms even when exercising; all schools public and private; and all public or private transportation when traveling with people outside of the household.

The Order also requires large retail businesses with more than 15,000 square feet to have an employee stationed near entrances ensuring mask-wearing and implementing occupancy limits for patrons who enter.

Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, updated North Carolina’s COVID-19 County Alert System map due to the rapid rise in cases and hospitalization over the past week. Since introducing the system last week, ten more counties (including Vance) have moved into the red category indicating critical community spread. There are now 20 red counties and 42 orange counties. Read the update to see where each county stands and how the system was designed.

WIZS Note: Since last week, Vance County’s COVID Alert Level has been elevated from orange or “substantial” spread to red or “critical” spread. As of today’s update, Vance County is showing a 14-day case rate per 100,000 of 577.1, a 14-day percent positive rate of 10.4% and a moderate hospital impact. 

“The coming weeks will be a true test of our resolve to do what it takes to keep people from getting sick, to save lives, and to make sure that if you need hospital care whether it’s for a heart attack or a car accident or COVID-19, you can get it,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan spoke at today’s press conference to discuss what the city of Greensboro is doing to step up enforcement of existing, strong statewide safety rules. State officials have encouraged local governments to take action to require compliance and help lower COVID-19 numbers.

Dr. Cohen also provided an update on North Carolina’s data and trends.

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is increasing.

Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of cases is increasing.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is increasing slightly.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is increasing.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.

Testing

  • Testing capacity is high.

Tracing Capability

  • The state is continuing to hire contact tracers to bolster the efforts of local health departments.
  • There have been more than 430,000 downloads of the exposure notification app, SlowCOVIDNC.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.

Read Executive Order 180.

Read a Frequently Asked Questions document about the Order.

Read the slides from today’s briefing.

H-V Chamber Logo

H-V Chamber of Commerce Announces Nominated Board Members

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce board of directors has nominated the following individuals to serve a three-year term on the Chamber’s 18 member board (plus 7 ex-officio members). The term will begin January 1, 2021, and end December 31, 2023.

Dr. Levy Brown – Vance-Granville Community College (re-appointed to a second term)

Tanya Evans – Duke Energy (re-appointed to a second term)

Angie Jacobs – Country Snacks Manufacturing (re-appointed to a second term)

Dr. Abidan Shah – Clearview Baptist Church (new appointment to a three-year term)

Margier White – State Farm Insurance (new appointment to a three-year term)

Nancy Wykle – The Daily Dispatch (re-appointed to a second term)

By-Laws

Article IV: Board of Directors

Section 1: Composition of Board. The Board of Directors shall be composed of eighteen (18) members (not including ex-officio members), Six (6) of whom shall be elected each year to serve for three (3) years, or until their successors are elected and have qualified.

The following persons shall be ex-officio member of the Board of Directors: The Chair of the Vance County Board of County Commissioners or a member of the Board appointed by the Chair; the Mayor of the City of Henderson or a member of the Henderson City Council appointed by the Mayor; the Director of the Economic Development Commission; the Director of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission; the Superintendent of the Vance County Public School System; the President of Vance-Granville Community College; and the CEO of Maria Parham Health.

Section 3: Nominations and Candidates. The election of new directors shall be completed before the last day of December each year. A Nominating Committee of not less than five (5) members shall be appointed by the Chair in October each year at least thirty (30) days prior to the election of new members of the Board of Directors. The duty of this Nominating Committee shall be to nominate from the members of the Chamber, or the legal representatives of such member or members, a slate of six (6) candidates to fill the annual three-year term vacancies.

The Nominating Committee shall endeavor to assure a reasonable balance of representatives on the Board of Directors from the membership of the Chamber. A member of the Nominating Committee must interview each of the candidates selected prior to placing their name on the ballot and secure their pledge to serve faithfully if elected as director. Said Committee shall file a list of nominees recommended with the President not later than twenty (20) days before the election. No board member who has served two consecutive three (3) year terms is eligible for election for a third term. A period of one (1) year must lapse before eligibility is restored.

Section 4: Notice of Nominations. The President shall mail to all members of the Chamber of Commerce in good standing a list of the nominees recommended by the Nominating Committee.

Section 5: Nominations from Membership. The membership of the Chamber shall have the opportunity of placing additional names in nomination by presenting at the Chamber office a petition of nominations signed by at least ten (10) members of the Chamber. Such petitions must be filed within ten (10) days of the mailing of the Nominating Committee’s report.

Section 6: Election. If nominations are received from the membership within the ten (10) day period, a ballot bearing names of all nominees will be issued to the membership for vote. The ballots must be returned to the Chamber of Commerce office within fifteen (15) days of the mailing of said ballots. The number of nominees with the highest votes equal to the number of directors needed shall be declared elected. Directors need not be elected by a majority vote. Each member shall have only one vote. If no additional nominations are forthcoming from the membership within ten (10) days of the date which the original slate is mailed, the slate proposed by the Nominating Committee will be considered elected by acclamation.