Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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Governor’s Newest Order Prohibits Utility Disconnections in the Wake of COVID-19

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

On Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper announced another step to help families by prohibiting utilities from disconnecting people who are unable to pay during this pandemic. The Order applies to electric, gas, water and wastewater services for the next 60 days.

The Order directs utilities to give residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills and prohibits them from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payment.

Telecommunication companies that provide phone, cable and internet services are strongly urged to follow these same rules.

“This action is particularly important since tomorrow is the first of the month, and I know that’s a date many families fear when they can’t make ends meet,” said Governor Cooper. “These protections will help families stay in their homes and keep vital services like electricity, water, and communications going as we Stay at Home.”

Additionally, the Order encourages banks not to charge customers for overdraft fees, late fees and other penalties. Landlords are strongly encouraged in the Order to follow the spirit of Chief Justice Cheri Beasley’s Order and delay any evictions that are already entered in the court system.

Governor Cooper was joined by Attorney General Josh Stein to announce the order and he thanked companies that have already voluntarily announced policies to prevent shutoffs, including Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, AT&T, and local electric co-ops, among many others. Today’s Order follows the Governor’s Stay At Home order, which is in effect until April 29.

The Council of State concurred with the Order.

Read the full Order here.

Read an FAQ about the Order here.

Henderson Optimist Club Accepting Applications for $6K in College Scholarships

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-Information courtesy the Henderson Optimist Club

The Henderson Optimist Club is offering two $3,000 college scholarships for high school seniors who live in Vance County.  Scholarships are given annually in memory of deceased club members.

Interested? Please contact your school guidance counselor and go online to www.henderson-optimist.org and click on the “Scholarships” tab.

Download all of the scholarship pdf files and complete the nine-page application form. Completed applications must be turned in to the front desk of the Henderson Family YMCA no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Please note that June 10 is an extension of the original deadline due to the current national health crisis. Applications cannot be accepted after the deadline.

Memorial Scholarship Requirements:

  • Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who are a resident of Vance County.
  • Applicants must have attained at least a 2.5 grade point average combined in the junior and senior years of high school.
  • Applicants must have documentation to show an equivalency score of a 2.5 grade point average upon completion of the GED examination.
  • Applicants must furnish the following documentation to the scholarship committee:
    -Official transcript from high school
    -GED Examination score (if applicable)
    -Acceptance letter from the university, college, trade school or institute of higher learning he or she plans to attend.
  • Applicant must complete and obtain signatures from the following:
    -Current guidance counselor or other assigned administrator
    -Community member
    -Employer, or if not employed, a current high school teacher of the student’s choice.
  • Applicant must completely answer each question on the application and must submit all other documentation requested.

Timely submission of the scholarship renewal application (for those who have previously received a scholarship) and requested documentation is the sole responsibility of the recipient of the scholarship. Receipt of renewal applications after July 15 will void the scholarship. For the scholarship renewal form, click here.

Get Ready for Another Virtual ‘Body Blast’ Workout!

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent

Don’t let the gyms being closed stop you from working out and staying healthy! Join Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks staff on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at 10 a.m. for a Facebook Live “Body Blast” workout led by VJ Hunt.

Body Blast is a 45-minute high energy, high impact group circuit training, focusing on all the problem areas.

Please like H-V Rec. and Parks on Facebook (Henderson-Vance) and join us for this free virtual workout!

VGCC Assists Local Health Facilities in the Fight Against Coronavirus

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College recently donated a variety of personal protective equipment to assist area healthcare facilities in reducing the spread of the Coronavirus. Donated items included 3,500 medical gloves, 60 medical gowns, 120 medical masks and 75 medical masks with shields.

The donation is a part of an ongoing partnership between Vance-Granville Community College and area healthcare facilities in working to improve the health of our community.

As word of the national shortage of medical gloves, gowns and masks became public, Vance-Granville Community College President Rachael Desmarais, with the support of the North Carolina Community College System, began exploring all aspects of making the donation of PPE to local healthcare facilities. Dr. Desmarais realized the positive impact the donation would make on our local medical community and made the offer of medical supplies to Maria Parham Health and Granville Health Systems.

“Vance-Granville Community College healthcare students train at area healthcare facilities on a year-round basis. Therefore, we feel a special obligation to share the resources of the community college with our medical community at every possible opportunity. It just so happens that in this instance, our donation has the opportunity to make an immediate impact on public safety,” Dr. Desmarais stated.

Dr. Desmarais and Vance-Granville Community College remain true to the community college mission of service to our community, especially during these uncertain and rapidly changing times. We commend our brave healthcare professionals as they work tirelessly to care for the ill and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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Town Talk 03/31/20: VGCC Small Business Director Discusses SBA Loans, Webinars

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Sheri Jones, director of the Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) Small Business Center, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

U.S. Small Business Administration Loans

In discussing the various ways the VGCC Small Business Center is working with local businesses during the current health crisis, including assistance with loan applications, Jones emphasized that time is of the essence.

“The best advice I can give is to go ahead and apply now; don’t wait,” Jones stated. “People are applying and getting approved, but this situation is unprecedented. We don’t know how long the funds will hold out and how many are going to apply.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses in all states and territories that are suffering economic injury as a result of the virus.

Terms for these Economic Injury Disaster Loans range from 15 to 30 years and the total loan amount is considered on a case-by-case basis. According to Jones, for-profit businesses will pay 3.75% interest, while non-profits will pay 2.75%.

“These loans are available directly through the Treasury Department with no third-party lender involved,” explained Jones. “Most businesses are eligible to apply.”

According to the SBA’s website, the disaster loans may be used for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid due to the disaster’s impact.

VGCC Small Business Center’s “Coronavirus Business Ready” Webinars

In an effort to further support local businesses and offer encouragement, the VGCC Small Business Center has scheduled a series of free, live webinars entitled “Coronavirus Business Ready – Protecting Your Small Business.”

Each part addresses various areas of concern that all businesses are currently facing. The remaining webinars include:

Keeping Customers & Employees Safe During Unsettling Times –

April 2, 2 – 3 p.m. (Register)

Promoting Your Business & Products During a Crisis –

April 4, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Register)

Ideas to Keep Cash Flowing During a Pandemic Shutdown –

April 7, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Register)

How to Manage Employees as Coronavirus Spreads –

April 9, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Register)

Business Planning & Strategizing as a Coronavirus Antidote –

April 14, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Register)

Communicating With Customers & Employees in Light of COVID-19 –

April 16, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Register)

Participants must register at least two days prior to each session with a valid email address in order to receive the webinar login information. After registering, the link will be sent approximately 24 hours before the event, and a reminder email will also be sent approximately an hour prior to the start time.

For more information on assistance for small businesses, please email Sheri Jones at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu, visit the VGCC Small Business Center website at www.vgcc.edu/coned/small-business-center/ or visit the Facebook site at www.facebook.com/vgccsmallbusinesscenter/.

To hear the interview with Jones in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

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Governor Signs Executive Order to Get Equipment to Healthcare Workers, Schools

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 122 to help schools and local governments access state surplus property to help bridge gaps during the response to COVID-19. The Order also provides transfer or donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) that state government may have and not need.

“This crisis has created hardships for so many, but this Executive Order can help students and local governments with the equipment they need,” said Governor Cooper. “This order helps speed more personal protection equipment to frontline healthcare workers. In addition, it allows local governments and students to get other equipment they may need.”

By request, surplus property including computers owned by the state may be requested by governments and school districts, and the state will supply them to try to bridge the digital divide during school closures.

The Order went into effect Monday. Read the full order here.

Make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which includes daily updates on positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

H-V Emergency Operations

Reported COVID-19 Cases Hold Steady in Vance; Stay at Home Order Goes Into Effect

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Brian Short, Director of H-V Emergency Operations

Today, there are no local changes from the previous situation report. However, as we move further into the Coronavirus worldwide pandemic, please keep in mind this continues to be a very fluid situation and the information provided and included could change at any time.

The confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to increase throughout the state, nation and, in fact, the world. We continue to coordinate with public health agencies, Maria Parham Health, Department of Social Services, State Emergency Management and our local emergency services response partners. We are communicating several times daily in an attempt to gauge their needs and be as proactive in meeting those needs as we can be.

Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 121, advising North Carolina residents to stay at home goes into effect at 5 p.m. today. This is an attempt to reduce the number of individuals being infected with the COVID-19 virus in our state.

With the issuance of this order, we have now seen a significant increase in calls into the 911 center with general questions regarding the order and to what extent individuals are permitted to move around now that it is in place. 911 personnel are not equipped to answer questions of this nature nor is it their responsibility to do so.

We are asking residents NOT to call 911 for any general questions pertaining to the Coronavirus. As always, 911 is for emergencies only. Calling 911 for general questions and other non-emergency reasons could actually delay help for someone with a true emergency.

211 has established a hotline for this purpose, and we ask that our citizens contact their local physician or take advantage of the hotline if they have medical-related questions. There is also a toll-free Coronavirus hotline manned by trained individuals that can answer questions that you may have. The number is 888-892-1162.

You may also visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services website at the following link: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina

As of the creation of this situation report, Vance County has three (3) positive cases of the Coronavirus. All individuals continue to be isolated at home and our local health department is actively conducting contact tracing to determine the level of exposure to others. At this time, we are not implementing any changes to our current response posture nor are we altering our recommendations to the general public. 

Testing is ongoing through both Maria Parham Health, our local Health Department and private institutions. There are currently 1,307 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in North Carolina and thus far six (6) deaths. Please visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus statistics page at the following link to stay current on the number of cases in our state: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc

Personal protective equipment (PPE) continues to be very scarce as global competition for the same supplies is occurring. Responders and health care providers are being encouraged to reuse PPE, in particular, masks as often as possible to ensure that we hold on to our supplies for as long as possible. Once they run out, they could be out for an extended period of time.

We continue to wait for previously submitted requests for PPE and related resources to State EM to be filled and we are hopeful that they will be very soon.

Vance County and the City of Henderson continue to operate under a local State of Emergency. Being under a local state of emergency allows implementing certain emergency protective measures if or when they should become necessary.

The Emergency Operations Center is currently not activated, however, our Emergency Management staff is closely monitoring the situation across the country and at home on a continuous basis.

The 911 Telecommunicators are asking additional Coronavirus screening questions on all medical-related calls and will continue to do so until it is no longer needed. Our Backup 911 center remains prepped and ready to be occupied if needed.

This week, a number of area churches will be participating in Spring Break Meal Pickup in cooperation with Vance County Schools. This will occur on Tuesday, March 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Both the Henderson Police Department and Vance County Sheriff’s Office are now responding to non-emergency calls via telephone but are still responding as they always have to emergency calls.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Henderson Family YMCA is offering emergency child care for essential employees. You may inquire as to the details on their website at www.hendersonymca.org.

We continue to encourage our citizens as they shop for groceries and other related items to please shop smart. Our local convenience stores and grocery stores and working hard to restock their shelves and, for the most part, items are available for them to do so, however, we have to allow them to do that. That means using good shopping practices and buying only what you need for yourself and your family. The fact that the governor has issued a Stay at Home Order does not mean that individuals are not allowed to leave their homes to shop for groceries.

We are strongly encouraging our citizens to continue to observe the social distancing parameters and closing orders being issued by the Governor and suggested by our local and state public health agencies.

Our office will continue to monitor this event very closely and will continue to issue informational releases as the situation develops.

McKoon, E.O. Young Principal, Completes Distinguished Leadership Program

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-Press Release, NCPAPA

Marylaura McKoon, principal of E. O. Young Elementary School, recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a year-long leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association and sponsored by the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD.)

Pictured left to right: Dr. Thomas Williams, Interim Exec. Director — Public School Forum, Marylaura McKoon, principal of E. O. Young Elementary School, and Dr. Shirley Prince, Executive Director, NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association. (Photo courtesy VCS)

The Distinguished Leadership in Practice Program (DLP) uses a non-traditional professional development model that is aligned to the performance evaluation standards adopted by the State Board of Education for North Carolina’s school leaders. This unique cohort-based program is designed to limit principals’ time away from their schools by allowing them to attend face-to-face sessions once every other month while accessing on-line assignments, materials and coaching in between face-to-face sessions.

Principals engage in a series of authentic activities throughout the year-long experience that are designed to build the capacity of their schools and their own capacity as “Distinguished” school leaders.

“The leadership of the school principal is by far one of the most important factors in school quality. By completing this very rigorous program, our DLP graduates have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement by working to improve their leadership skills as they simultaneously improve their schools. We are proud to include them in the ranks of successful DLP completers,” said Dr. Shirley Prince, NCPAPA Executive Director.

This program is offered in Chapel Hill and serves principals in all eight regions of the state.

The North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA), in existence since 1976, is the preeminent organization and state voice for principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders. NCPAPA represents 5,000+ members from across the state and serves as the state’s principal affiliate of the N.C. Association of School Administrators (NCASA), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Participants recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a year-long leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association and sponsored by the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD.) (Photo courtesy VCS)

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Texting Tool Available to Access Local Free Meal Sites for NC Children

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper announced last week that parents who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.

After entering their address, parents will receive a text with the location and serving times for nearby pick-up and drive-thru free meal sites while schools are closed. Sites have been set up across the state for families with children ages 18 and younger, including preschool children, who rely on free and reduced-price meals at school.

“School closings mean no meals for some of our most vulnerable children. Now families have an easier way to find food during these times of financial stress,” Governor Cooper said.

Parents can also call 2-1-1 to speak with an operator who will help them locate meal sites in their community. The 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services are provided in English, Spanish and many other languages.

Additionally, No Kid Hungry has created a map of local school sites, community organizations and food assistance programs across North Carolina where families can access food. The interactive map can be viewed at nokidhungrync.org/covid19/ and is updated daily.

The Governor’s North Carolina COVID-19 Education and Nutrition Working Group, co-chaired by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), worked in partnership with state and community organizations such as No Kid Hungry to set up the texting program.

School sites and community organizations providing food are experiencing a high demand for services and rely on dedicated volunteers to provide meals. NCDHHS and NCDPI ask that people who are not at high-risk for severe illness associated with COVID-19 sign up to volunteer to prepare meals. Those interested in volunteering should call their local school district office, community organization or visit volunteernc.org.

For more information and additional guidance on regulations and recommendations related to the health threat from COVID-19, please visit the NCDHHS website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus and CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

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Governor Announces First COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Will be Paid This Week

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

On Sunday, Governor Roy Cooper announced that the first payments for the unemployment claims related to coronavirus will begin going out this week. The Division of Employment Security has received an unprecedented number of unemployment insurance claims since Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 118 on March 17.

In the past two weeks, approximately 270,000 claims have been filed, with most of them related to COVID-19. For comparison, the state received about 7,500 claims in the first two weeks of March, before the order was issued.

“Thousands of workers have lost jobs, but their bills don’t stop. My administration is working overtime to get unemployment checks out now. We’ll keep pushing every day for more state and federal help to save our workers and their families,” said Governor Cooper.

On Saturday, the Governor directed the Division of Employment Security to begin implementing the unemployment insurance provisions of the federal CARES Act. The Division of Employment of Security expects to receive guidance from the federal government later this week about how to implement the changes, including the change that allows for an additional $600 in unemployment benefits. The state expects those payments to begin approximately two weeks after that guidance is provided.

Workers applying for benefits must complete their weekly certifications in order to receive unemployment insurance payments. The weekly certification is a series of ‘yes or no’ questions that help determine a person’s eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits each week. If a person does not complete a weekly certification, they will not receive a payment for that week.

The weekly certification must be completed through the individual’s online account at des.nc.gov.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS

For general questions about unemployment benefits in North Carolina during the COVID-19 crisis, contact the Division of Employment Security.

For more information and additional guidance on regulations and recommendations related to the health threat from COVID-19, please visit the NCDHHS website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus and CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.