Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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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.

NC Governor Logo

‘Some Indicators Moving in Right Direction, Others Not’ in Decision to Ease COVID-19 Restrictions

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen shared an update on where North Carolina stands in the fight against COVID-19 and urged North Carolinians not to let their guard down.

“North Carolinians have made tremendous sacrifices and it is making a difference,” said Governor Cooper. “We remain hopeful that the trends will be stable enough to move into Phase 1 next week.”

“We need to keep up the actions that will slow the spread of the virus. The good news is that we know we can do this. If we stay home now to protect our loved ones and our communities, we can put ourselves on a path to begin easing restrictions and moving forward as planned,” said Dr. Cohen.

As of today, North Carolina has 10,509 lab-confirmed cases, 546 people in the hospital, and 378 deaths due to COVID-19.

Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen updated on where North Carolina stands on the following key metrics:

  • Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days
  • Currently, North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is level over past 14 days but has been on an uptick over the past seven days.
  • Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days
  • Currently, North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases over the last 14 days cases is still increasing.
  • Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days
  • Currently, North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive over the last 14 days is decreasing.
  • Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days
  • Currently, North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations over the last 14 days is largely level.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:

  • Increase in Laboratory Testing.
  • North Carolina has surpassed 4,000 tests for the last 6 of 9 days with 6,000 tests reported yesterday.
  • Increase in Tracing Capability.
  • NC DHHS announced the Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative, a new partnership with Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) and the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) to double the state’s current contact tracing capabilities. The Collaborative has started recruiting for these positions.
  • Availability of Personal Protective Equipment.
  • The state has a 30-day supply of most personal protective equipment, except for gowns and N95 masks.

“We need everyone to continue following the Stay At Home order right now so that we can move to the next phases of easing restrictions. Complacency could risk lives and undo these plans,” added Governor Cooper.

Volunteer Hospital Gown Project Continues in Face of Local COVID-19 Surge

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A message from Amy Starr Russell, Associate Minister, First Baptist Church:

Last week we were excited to receive the news that MPH was well stocked with gowns. We felt that our project was reaching a natural conclusion and that we could wrap up our work this week. However, that decision was made with the caveat that we would reassess should there be a surge in our area. Unfortunately, that surge came this past weekend.

With the outbreak at Pelican Health, the need is greater than ever for our local healthcare workers.

We have committed to work for three more weeks or 1,500 more gowns, whichever comes first. We need your help and our community’s help to reach this goal and meet this need.

Beginning on Monday, May 4, 2020, we will resume our regular shifts of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekly with evening shifts on Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. All shifts are currently at McGregor Hall (201 Breckenridge – entrance at the corner of Wyche and Winder Streets in downtown Henderson).

If you are able to help, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0449afad2fa7fb6-protective2

Volunteers are required to sign up online before participating.

All volunteers 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All volunteers will be screened upon arrival and must have a temperature below 100, no symptoms, and no known exposure to COVID-19 (including no known exposure by anyone in their household). Please bring a mask and scissors with you.

We are asking that all volunteers isolate as much as possible for the sake of each person who comes to give their time. All volunteers are required to wear masks, wash hands frequently throughout their shift and maintain social distance.

With the beginning of this second phase, our financial need has also increased. If you would like to make a donation toward this project, go to this website: https://engage.suran.com/fbchenderson/s/give/new-gift and choose “COVID-19 Protective Medical Gown Project.”

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., May 4

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

Please be informed that the 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, Henderson, with a few changes.

In order to protect the public and County staff while complying with the Governor’s order limiting gatherings, public access into the meeting room will be very limited. An onsite viewing area with limited capacity will be established for the public who attend the meeting.

For those making public comments, signups must be received on May 4 between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m., as usual. Speakers will be allowed into the room as space allows.

Invocation by Chairman Gordon Wilder

1. Public Comments (for those registered to speak by 5:45 p.m. – speakers are limited to five minutes)

2. Board of Equalization and Review
– Anthony Peace – 1001 Health Center Road Henderson, NC Parcel: 0093 03017
– Kenneth Stevenson, Prestigious Housing – 389 Americal Road Henderson, NC Parcel: 0216 03008

3. Appointment – Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent – School System COVID-19 Response Update

4. Water District Board
a. Monthly Operations Report

5. Committee Reports and Recommendations
a. Properties Committee
– Eaton Johnson – Bidding Schedule
– Addressing Ordinance Appeal – Vance Academy Road
b. Human Resources Committee
– Resolution Amending Personnel Policies Relative to COVID-19

6. Finance Director’s Report
a. Surplus Property
b. CIP Summary
c. Finance Agreement – Regions

7. County Attorney’s Report
a. REO Properties – Bid Acceptance
– 416 Harriett Street – Parcel 0094 04024
– W. Chavis Road Lot – Parcel 0479 01018

8. County Manager’s Report
a. Lease Extension – Alliance Rehabilitation Center
b. Fireworks Permit – Tourism
c. Special Called Meeting – June 15, 2020
d. Presentation of FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget

9. Consent Agenda Items
a. Budget Amendment and Transfers
b. Tax Refunds and Releases
c. Monthly Reports
d. Minutes

10. Miscellaneous
a. Appointments

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

Reduced Vance Co. Fire Ratings in Effect Today = Savings to Homeowners

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A Message from Vance County Fire Marshal Keith Duncan:

Attention Vance County Homeowners:

Recently, all Vance County fire departments undertook a ratings inspection. Due to their tireless efforts and the community’s support, they were able to reduce their district ratings. What this means is, homeowners may see a significant reduction in their homeowners’ insurance policy cost.

The new ratings will go into effect on Friday, May 1, 2020. I encourage you to contact your insurance provider and confirm with them the rating decrease. Thanks again for your continued support, as we strive to better serve the citizens of Vance County.

As previously reported on WIZS News, the new ratings are as follows:

Kittrell Fire District = 6

Golden Belt Fire District = 5

Drewry Fire District = 5

Cokesbury Fire District = 5

Townsville Fire District = 6

Watkins Fire District = 6

Hicksboro Fire District = 6

The Bearpond Fire Department and Epsom Fire Department are on a different schedule and have been previously inspected. The Bearpond rating is currently a 5 for residents within 1,000 feet of a hydrant. Epsom, a border department shared with Franklin County, is also currently ranked at a 5.

The previously mentioned ratings apply to County fire districts and departments and are not to be confused with the City of Henderson that currently has an ISO rating of 2.

If you have any questions, please contact the Vance County Fire Marshal’s Office at (252) 738-2091.

NC Dept of Agriculture

NC Dept. of Agriculture: State’s Food Supply is Safe

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and N.C. Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding held a joint media availability on Wednesday to discuss the importance of agriculture and agribusiness, President Trump’s executive order of the Defense Production Act for meat processors, the food supply and North Carolina’s important role in meeting consumer demand in the face of COVID-19.

“Agriculture, agribusiness and their workers are essential to our well-being as a nation. This industry is our food supply,” said Troxler. “The workers in the field, those working in processing plants, driving trucks and at grocery stores and farmers markets are on the front line and play a critical role.”

COVID-19 has created challenges across agriculture as it has for all sectors of the economy.

Dairy producers have had to dump milk, wholesale vendors to restaurants have had to completely change their business model, and food processors are working with staff shortages, PPE supply issues and delivery challenges.

“This is unusual and unprecedented times,” said Harding. “We appreciate our farmers, plant workers and grocery store workers for continuing to do their job. We also appreciate President Trump’s executive order of the Defense Production Act for meat processors.”

Three key take-aways from the press conference:

  • Meat-processing facilities are critical.

Shutting down or slowing production at meat processing plants would create a backlog all the way to the farm. It would be devastating to the farm economy and could lead to disruptions in the food supply. At this point, no North Carolina food processing facilities are closed. The N.C. Department of Agriculture has been actively engaged with Emergency Management, Public Health, the CDC and other agencies to help develop guidance for meat processing facilities to ensure the safety of workers. These guidelines were distributed to 3,200 food manufacturing facilities across the state.

  • The food supply is safe.

COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness. According to the CDC, coronaviruses are generally spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. This includes people who are in close contact with each other. There is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. Consumers can remain confident in our food supply.

Federal and state meat and poultry inspectors remain in processing plants and continue to ensure safe meat handling practices. Produce farmers are taking proactive steps on their farms to protect the public and their workers.  The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has worked with farmers, grocers and processing facilities to help get food products directly to consumers, an example of this assistance includes truckload sales of bulk chicken products.

  • There is not a food shortage.

Consumers could continue to see a shortage in the selection of products at the grocery stores. For example, the stores could have more whole chickens instead of more highly processed cut-up or boneless chicken. Local farmers and farmers markets are other sources of meat products.

“Farmers are working hard to keep the public fed,” Troxler said. “We need them to continue to produce. Let’s do our part by supporting our growers, by buying local and by sharing the message our food supply is safe.”

NCDHHS

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program to Assist Local Families

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

North Carolina has received approval from the USDA to initiate a new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. This program will assist families who have been impacted by school closings, due to COVID-19, in purchasing food for their children.

Those who are eligible include:

  • School-age children who currently receive free or reduced lunch;
  • Children receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits; and
  • Non-FNS households.

P-EBT benefits will be issued from the Department of Public Instruction this week (week of April 27, 2020) for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) households and the week of May 4, 2020, for non-FNS households. This new program is in addition to other services that families may already be participating in.

There is no application process to receive P-EBT benefits. For those already receiving FNS services, benefits will be automatically placed on the family’s EBT card. Non-FNS households will receive an explanatory letter in the mail from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and will be issued a new P-EBT card, which will be a plain white card with either the parents’ names or the child’s name. The back of the card will display EBT information. These cards will be useable for 365 days.

Families will be able to use the P-EBT card to purchase food items at EBT-authorized retailers, including most major grocery stores, and are encouraged to continue utilizing feeding programs and local school and community sites. To find local meal sites, participants can text FOODNC to 877-877. The service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.

For more information, program participants may call the EBT call center at 1-888-622-7328, download the ebtEDGE mobile app at www.ebtedgemobile.com, or go to the NCDHHS website at https://www.ncdhhs.gov.