Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

H-V Rec. & Parks to Hold Mother’s Day Poetry Contest

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

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department is sponsoring a Mother’s Day Poetry Contest. Participants should submit one original poem about mothers and/or Mother’s Day by email to tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

The winner of the poetry contest will receive a Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks goodie bag and will be announced on Facebook Live on Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m.

For more information, please contact Tara Goolsby at (252) 438.3948 or tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us.

State Will Not Provide COVID-19 Testing Directly to Prison, Parole Employees

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-Press Release, NC Department of State Treasurer

State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, and the State Health Plan (Plan) announced that they are no longer seeking a direct testing solution with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) regarding testing of corrections officers and other employees at the state’s correctional institutions over the next few weeks.

Announced on April 22, the Plan had sought to provide direct testing at DPS facilities after Treasurer Folwell had secured more than 20,000 COVID-19 tests. However, logistical and personnel concerns from DPS will prevent direct testing. Therefore, Treasurer Folwell has told Mako Medical, and any other test providers that were going to provide tests, they can release the tests designated to support the program.

“We’re disappointed that we could not work out the details on how to go directly to the facilities outside of the fence to test,” said Treasurer Folwell. “However, we fully understand the dilemma of the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice.”

The vast majority of DPS employees are members of the Plan. Last month, the Plan announced that it is waiving the cost of treatment for members diagnosed with COVID-19, including associated deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. The Plan previously announced that it was also covering the cost associated with the testing of COVID-19.

The member cost-share waiver for COVID-19 related treatments is effective immediately through June 1, 2020, at which time the Plan will continue to re-evaluate this and other measures. The Plan is taking this action to help ensure that members receive the COVID-19 testing and treatment they need when they need it.

“Unlike other state agencies, DPS has unique safety and operational hurdles that could not be overcome by the State Health Plan’s desire to directly test these state employees,” added Treasurer Folwell. “We know that the leadership at ACJJ wants to act as quickly as possible and their concern for the welfare of their employees is tantamount. In fact, ACJJ has recently procured, paid for and administered tests at one of its 54 facilities.”

State Health Plan Executive Director Dee Jones added that the Plan is ready to assist when a viable testing method that meets DPS’s requirements is available. However, she highly encouraged any State Health Plan member who is exhibiting symptoms to see their Primary Care Physician.

The State Health Plan, a division of the Department of State Treasurer, provides health care coverage to more than 727,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, current and former lawmakers, state university and community college personnel, and their dependents.

Economic Impact Payments May Require Additional Steps; Deadline TODAY!

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veterans Affairs benefits, have qualifying children under the age of 17, and didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, you may need to take extra steps to register to have $500 per child added to the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment you’ll receive this year.

The deadline to register with the IRS is TODAY, May 5, 2020.

Visit the IRS website for more information: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

For a short video with tips for using the IRS website (e.g., the information you’ll need to complete the online application): https://app.vyond.com/videos/cf708ddd-11da-4fbd-8653-2fc13b8a0424

The application requires an email address, so if you need help creating an account, see these simple instructions to create an e-mail account via Google: https://app.vyond.com/videos/1f24fb37-ef7f-4ad3-b123-d75f11373b25

Vance County Animal Shelter Cleared; All Inhabitants Find Homes

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Vance County Animal Services Chief Frankie Nobles appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Nobles was pleased to announce a first in his over 10 years of service with the Vance County Animal Shelter – a complete clearing by either rescue, fostering or adoption of all animals this past weekend.

“It’s never been completely empty since I’ve been here,” said Nobles. “We are excited. We got every animal to a home, and it was an amazing weekend.”

Nobles said it was a combination of the hard work of shelter staff and volunteer organizations, and fewer animals being taken in during COVID-19 restrictions, that made this possible.

You can listen to the interview here from WIZS Radio.

The shelter is currently responding to emergency calls only, such as injured or aggressive animals, and has used some of the downtime for needed shelter maintenance.

“We’ve worked so hard to get to the point of clearing the shelter. When COVID-19 happened, that was our time to catch up and get ahead of the ballgame. It’s getting to be summertime, and that’s when we see most of our animals coming in,” Nobles said.

Nobles explained such a feat would not be possible without volunteer organizations such as the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society of Henderson, NC. “We joke around here and call ourselves the dream team just because we are a big team of people that work well together, and it works like a dream.”

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

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

14 COVID-19 Deaths, 254 Confirmed Cases in Granville, Vance Health District

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of May 4, 2020, there are 144 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 110 cases in Vance County, and 11,848 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

There are two outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district – one at Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC and one at Pelican Health Nursing Home in Henderson, NC.

Of the total positive cases in each county, 87 in Granville County are associated with the prison and 47 in Vance County are associated with the nursing home.

Of the 57 community-based cases in Granville County, 34 have been released from isolation and 46 of the 87 cases at the prisons have been released from isolation.

Of the 110 cases in Vance, 19 have been released from isolation and 6 are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 14 deaths in the health district – 8 in Vance County and 6 with the Bureau of Prisons in Granville County.

GVPH updates its website daily with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

Maria Parham Health

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

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-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health announced today that it is taking the appropriate steps to safely resume some elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures that were previously rescheduled out of an abundance of caution amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The decision to reschedule procedures when clinically appropriate was made in accordance with federal and state guidance and aimed to help preserve critical resources in the event of a surge of COVID-19 patients in the community.

Today, current projections indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region, which means less strain on healthcare resources.

“Resuming these important services is an essential component of meeting our community’s health needs and advancing our mission of Making Communities Healthier,” said Bert Beard, Chief Executive Officer of Maria Parham Health. “As this work gradually gets underway in our hospital again, we remain committed to conserving critical supplies, being vigilant in our fight against COVID-19, and ensuring that our facility is a safe place for all patients, providers and employees.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria Parham Health has continued to carefully follow guidance from federal, state and local officials, monitor the prevalence of the virus in the community, and evaluate supplies and resources – including personal protective equipment like masks, gowns, gloves and goggles.

The decisions about which procedures can safely move forward will be made only after assessing a comprehensive pre-operative checklist and evaluating potential risks. The hospital will initially focus on scheduling patients with more time-sensitive health needs, and those decisions will be made in partnership with the attending physician/surgeon/proceduralist. Patients who are scheduled and approved for procedures must meet specific requirements, including passing standard COVID-19 screenings.

Surgical patients also will be asked to practice “safer at home” behaviors for seven days prior to their procedure to minimize potential exposure; check their temperature twice a day during this 7-day period and report temperatures over 100°F to their provider; and undergo testing for COVID-19.

Patients awaiting information about their previously postponed procedure can expect to hear from their provider or provider’s office to discuss rescheduling at the appropriate time.

Maria Parham Health will continue to screen and mask everyone who enters the facility and maintain a zero-visitor protocol for the foreseeable future. These important measures have had a positive impact on ensuring a safe environment, and they also are aligned with the federal government’s guidelines.

Additionally, the facility has implemented new processes and procedures to further protect the health of patients, providers and employees. Visit mariaparham.com to learn more.

As a reminder, if you are having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or go directly to the Emergency Room. If possible, tell the dispatch agent if your emergency involves symptoms possibly related to COVID-19.

Vance County Logo

Vance County’s Recent Committee Reports & Recommendations

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-Information courtesy Vance County Government

Properties Committee – Eaton Johnson Bidding Schedule

The committee (Brummitt[C], Taylor & Wilder) met on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, to discuss the bidding schedule for the Eaton Johnson renovation and whether bids should be released as discussed at the board meeting last month. Two of the three
committee members recommended proceeding forward with bidding in light of the good bidding environment.

The DSS director was present and mentioned that roughly 40% of their clients have embraced the use of phone and virtual meetings during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, although federal and state requirements necessitate in-person meetings for a good portion of the work in DSS. The DSS director mentioned that the volume of individuals needing assistance and
visiting the department will increase significantly once normal operations return.

Recommendation: Proceed forward with the bidding process for Eaton-Johnson renovation and set a public hearing for the June 1, 2020, board meeting as required by the LGC for project financing.

Addressing Ordinance Appeal – Vance Academy Road

The committee discussed an appeal to the county’s addressing ordinance from a citizen for property along Vance Academy Road. The citizen plans to add a residence to the family farm and due to there being more than two homes along the same drive, the county’s addressing ordinance requires the path to be named and all addresses along the path to be re-addressed.

The ordinance allows the board of commissioners to hear and decide on appeals and waivers to the requirement. The citizen/property owner has appealed the request due to the difficulty in re-addressing their current address as it is the address
of record for 16 franchised businesses, more than 20 other businesses as well as registrations and licenses with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The committee discussed the request and recommended granting the appeal to allow one additional residence to be constructed located off of the existing paved drive.

Recommendation: Grant the appeal from the addressing ordinance administrator’s determination and allow one additional home to be added to the paved drive that contains residences with addresses of 560 and 580 Vance Academy Road, and to encourage the property owners to adequately post the location of these addresses along the paved drive.

Human Resources Committee – Resolution Amending Personnel Policies Relative to COVID-19

The committee (Faines[C], Wilder & Taylor) met on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, to review a resolution ratifying the Families
First Coronavirus Response Act. The committee reviewed the act last month and recommended approval of the local policy amendment consistent with the act this month.

The act and associated policy extend the criteria for employees qualifying for family medical leave, provides emergency paid sick leave to employees and defines emergency responder positions that are essential and excluded from portions of the policy.

The emergency paid sick leave provides up to 80 hours of paid sick leave and is available to all employees for the following
qualifying reasons:

1. The employee is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19; or
2. The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19; or
3. The employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis.

Non-emergency responder classified employees are also eligible for emergency paid sick leave for the following additional reasons:
4. The employee is caring for an individual subject to an order described in #1 or self-quarantine as described in #2; or
5. The employee is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19.

Recommendation: Approve resolution amending personnel policies to include the COVID-19 Policy and the COVID-19 Policy for Emergency Paid Sick Leave Emergency Responders.

The next Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2020, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street in Henderson, NC.

H-V Rec. & Parks: Free ‘Paint With DP’ Online Session, Chance to Win Gift Card

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

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks will host a FREE “Paint With DP” Facebook live session on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at 3 p.m. Tune in to the Henderson-Vance Athletics Facebook page to participate or just watch.

Once the painting session is completed, participants can submit a picture of their masterpiece. The best painting will receive a $25 gift card.

For more information, please contact Darius “DP” Pitt at (252) 438-3408 or dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us

VCS Invites Community to ‘Be the Light’ in Celebration of High School Seniors

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools is inviting the community to help us celebrate our seniors on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at 8 p.m. by turning on your porch light for 20 minutes.

Also, at 8 p.m., tune in to the district’s Facebook, Twitter or website for a special message to the Class of 2020.

We are Vance County Strong!

Boys and Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs Offering Free, Hot Meals to All Children Ages 5-18

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Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina (BGCNCNC) Chair of the Board Tanya Evans and President and CEO Donyell “DJ” Jones appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Evans and Jones were excited to announce that the Boys and Girls Clubs have resumed the distribution of hot, free meals to club members and\or any child between the ages of 5-18. Families are encouraged to drive through and pick up meals without getting out of their vehicles.

Meals are provided Monday – Friday from 4:30 until 6 p.m. at the following locations:

  • Granville Club – 105 West St. in Oxford, NC
  • Vance Club – 212 N. Clark St. in Henderson, NC
  • Roanoke Rapids Club – 116 W 3rd St. in Roanoke Rapids, NC

Volunteers are needed to assist with the distribution of prepackaged dinners. If you are able to assist, please send the following information to Jones at djones@bgcncnc.com:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Days/times that you can volunteer
  • Desired club location where you can serve (Henderson, Oxford or Halifax)

To ensure the safety of all participants, volunteers should bring a mask (scarf, bandana, or wrap) that will cover the nose and mouth. Gloves will be provided on-site. If you are sick, not feeling well or have been exposed to someone that is sick or not feeling well, please refrain from volunteering.

Beginning with the second week of service, the BGCNCNC will be distributing educational/activity kits for members during meal distribution. There will be opportunities for volunteers to assist with creating packets for distribution at that time.

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