Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Vance Co. Schools: Remote Learning, Breakfast/Lunch, COVID-19 Updates

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools continues to maintain communication between the Department of Public Instruction, Governor Cooper’s office and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. We are working diligently to ensure we are meeting the needs of our students while adhering to the executive orders in place.

Calendar & Spring Break
All Vance County Schools will be closed for students from March 16 – March 27 in accordance with the Governor’s mandate. Spring Break will be adjusted in the calendar to take place March 30 – April 3.

Meals
Vance County Schools will provide meal packages beginning Tuesday, March 17. For the first couple of days, parents/caregivers/siblings may pick up two days worth of meal units, which includes two breakfasts and two lunches, at no charge for students. This is available for all school-aged children in Vance County, including public, private and charter schools.

Meals will be available at the following locations: Aycock Elementary, New Hope Elementary, EM Rollins Elementary, Zeb Vance Elementary, Vance County Middle and Vance County High.

Hours of operation will be from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Teaching & Learning
Remote learning and online instruction will begin Thursday, March 19. Learning packets will be available at your child’s school for all elementary and middle school students.

High School students enrolled in English 4, Biology and Advanced Functions will also have packets available at the high school. Packets can be picked up on Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or on Thursday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. They will also be available on the Vance County Schools website.

Students at STEM, Advance Academy and Early College High School should continue their online instruction. Additional learning packets for other subjects will become available at a later date.

Electronic Devices
School-owned devices will be available to high school seniors. Deployment of computers will be on Tuesday, March 17 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 18 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Vance County High School. A schedule for device deployments for additional grades will be available at a later date.

Remote Learning Resources
Additional information and instructional resources will be made available on our webpage.

Staff Schedule
Monday, March 16 – Wednesday, March 18 will be mandatory workdays for staff.
Thursday, March 19 – Friday, March 27 will be flexible workdays for staff, with more information coming from district leaders.

We reserve the right to bring staff in on flex days as district leaders deem necessary.

We will continue to keep our families updated with information as it becomes available. This situation remains very fluid and ever-changing. We commit to you that we are working hard to meet the needs of our students and our community. Continue to follow the latest information on our website at www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

It is our intent to have staff in every school and our district office to answer questions from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday
through Friday. We appreciate your patience as we continue to work through this unprecedented situation.

MPH Further Restricts Visitation, Limits the Number of Open Entrances

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-Information courtesy Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors. We are continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking the necessary steps to ensure we are fully prepared to care for patients, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with our local and state health departments.

In keeping with our commitment to public safety and security, we are implementing the following policies, effective immediately:

Maria Parham Health is eliminating all visitor hours, with the exception of the following:

• One visitor for obstetrical patients
• Two visitors for pediatric patients
• One caregiver if necessary, for emergency department patients

No other visitors will be allowed at this time without approval from Administration. This includes outpatient treatment.

Effective Tuesday, March 17, we are limiting the number of open entrances at the hospital to include the emergency department entrance, the front entrance, and the cancer center entrance. The emergency department entrance will be open 24 hours per day. The front entrance will remain open from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.

At our Franklin facility, the emergency department and 20-bed behavioral health entrances will be open.

Staff will screen and log all staff, providers, and visitors at the designated entrances.

Please note, we have not limited or restricted services at this time.

These measures are in place to protect our facility and our community. Please know that our providers and clinical teams are well-trained and prepared to manage outbreaks of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Please be reassured that our number one priority is the health and well-being of our community – and that includes you. We are prepared to manage an outbreak of respiratory illness, and we encourage you to follow the guidance above and stay tuned to updates from the CDC to help protect you and your loved ones. Keeping our community healthy is a community effort, and we are committed to doing everything we can to keep our community healthy today and for generations to come.

For more information and to stay abreast of the latest updates on COVID-19, you can visit https://www.mariaparham.com/coronavirus-covid-19-preparedne… and www.cdc.gov.

Vance Co. Republican Headquarters Grand Opening Postponed

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-Information courtesy Dwight Frazier and Jimmy Barrier, Vance Co. Republican Party

The Vance County GOP Headquarters Grand Opening, originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2020, has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns. According to Dwight Frazier, chairman of the Vance County Republican Party, the new date will be announced as soon as possible, with the end of April being the most likely possibility.

The headquarters is located at 1750 Parham Street at the Corbitt Properties (located at the junction of Corbitt Road and Parham Street, just beyond BB&T Bank.) This will be the site for promotional election items such as signs, bumper stickers, etc., as well as a designated place to register to vote in the upcoming November 2020 election.

West End Baptist

West End Baptist’s 220 Fundraiser Still on For This Evening; Take Outs Welcome

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-Information courtesy Jerry Parrish, West End Baptist Church

The Baptist Men of West End Baptist Church in Henderson’s Fish Fry Fundraiser at 220 Seafood Restaurant is still scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2020, from 4 until 7 p.m.

Trout, coleslaw, french fries and hushpuppies will be available for $8 per plate. Plates are available for eat-in or take out. Beverage provided with eat-in meals only.

Those who are not comfortable eating inside due to current health concerns are welcome to take out.

All proceeds will be used to support local ministries, including ACTS, Lifeline Ministries, Rebuilding Hope, GRACE Ministries and many others.

Your support of this fundraiser is greatly appreciated.

Maria Parham Health

COVID-19: What Maria Parham Health is Doing and What You Can Do

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-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

It probably feels as if coronavirus – or as it is officially known, COVID-19 – is all anyone is talking about these days.

As COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses like the seasonal flu continue to spread across the U.S., you also may feel a certain level of concern over how this disease could affect you or your loved ones, or if your local healthcare provider is prepared to respond to any local cases that may arise. That’s certainly understandable and natural. We want to provide you with essential information outlining what we are doing to stay prepared and offer you guidance on what you can do to help protect yourself, your family and our community.

What we are doing

Maria Parham Health is committed to providing the highest quality care and ensuring the safety of our patients, employees, providers, volunteers and visitors at all times. While COVID-19 is new, effectively responding to other infectious diseases is not. We have tested processes and plans in place to respond to situations involving infectious disease year-round. Here is what we are doing to stay ready and effectively respond to COVID-19:

  • We continue to work closely with the Vance County Health Department/North Carolina Health Department and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure that we are prepared with appropriate plans to detect, protect and respond should anyone in our community contract or be exposed to COVID-19.
  • We have a robust emergency operations plan in place and are reviewing and proactively completing a number of preparation checklists out of an abundance of caution.
  • We have hand hygiene products easily accessible throughout our facility, and we also installed sneeze screens.
  • We are screening patients in our emergency department, inpatient units and outpatient clinics based on CDC guidance.
  • Staff treating a potential COVID-19 case are provided with all appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent exposure.
  • Patients with respiratory or COVID-19-related symptoms are immediately provided masks to wear to help prevent exposure to others.
  • In the event that we identify a potential COVID-19 case, we will follow all CDC guidelines for placing that individual in isolation for their care and for the protection of other patients, employees and visitors.
  • We have implemented visitor restrictions at our facility as follows:
  1. Only one visitor per patient at all times:  Limiting the number of visitors per patient will help control the spread of the illness
  2. Children under 12 not allowed on hospital visits:  Since children are more likely to get sick and spread the flu, our staff will only allow children under 12 to visit patients in special cases.
  3. Visitor Check-in/Check-out:  All visitors will be required to check in and check out when visiting patients at Maria Parham Health until further notice. Please sign-in/sign-out with the appropriate staff at point of entry.

These measures are in place to protect our facility and our community. Please know that our providers and clinical teams are well-trained and prepared to manage outbreaks of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses.

What you can do

It’s easy to feel helpless when faced with a barrage of news reports and social media updates regarding COVID-19. The good news is that there are some key steps you can take to help protect you and your loved ones and help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:

  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Staying home when you are sick
  • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces, including your phone, computer, remote controls and doorknobs
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
  • Using an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available (Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty)
  • Practicing social distancing behaviors, including working from home, avoiding public gatherings and unnecessary travel, and maintaining a distance of approximately six feet from others when possible.

What to do if you are experiencing symptoms

First and foremost – if you are having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or go directly to the Emergency Room. If possible, notify the dispatch agent that your emergency involves symptoms possibly related to COVID-19.

For non-emergency needs, if you need medical attention due to respiratory illness symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and plan to visit our hospital, your primary care provider or an urgent clinic, please call ahead before you go and let them know that you are experiencing symptoms that may possibly be related to COVID-19. This will allow providers to properly prepare for your visit and take the necessary precautions to keep others from being infected or exposed.

Please be reassured that our number one priority is the health and well-being of our community – and that includes you. We are prepared to manage an outbreak of respiratory illness, and we encourage you to follow the guidance above and stay tuned to updates from the CDC to help protect you and your loved ones. Keeping our community healthy is a community effort, and we are committed to doing everything we can to keep our community healthy today and for generations to come.

For more information and to stay abreast of the latest updates on COVID-19, you can visit https://www.mariaparham.com/coronavirus-covid-19-preparedness-information and www.cdc.gov. 

Christopher Arendall Arrested for Attempted Murder in Dec. Shooting Incidents

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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

On Thursday, March 12, 2020, Christopher Arendall, age 28, was arrested in Fayetteville, North Carolina for the shootings that occurred on December 25, 2019, at 2840 US 158 Bypass in Henderson and on December 16, 2019, at 137 Sombrero Lane in Henderson.

Christopher Arendall (FCSO photo)

Arendall was charged with one count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury, two counts of Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, two counts Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, one count of Attempted Murder and Burglary/Breaking & Entering.

Arendall was picked up from the Cumberland County Detention Center on Friday, March 13, 2020, and transported to the Vance County Detention Center and placed under a $890,000.00 bond.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

G-V Public Health Recommends Canceling, Modifying Events of 100+ People

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville Vance Public Health

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Granville Vance Public Health recommends that organizers of events that draw more than 100 people cancel, postpone, or modify these events, or offer online streaming services beginning March 13, 2020, until further notice. These events include large gatherings where people are in close contact (less than 6 feet), such as concerts, conferences, sporting events, faith-based events and other large gatherings.

Organizations that gather up to 100 people should create an emergency plan and prepare for COVID-19 in their communities by taking the following steps:

  • Consider alternative options to gathering large groups of people, such as streaming video of the event or having patrons participate online.
  • Instruct participants to stay home if they are sick.
  • Encourage people who are at a higher risk for complications from COVID-19, including people over 65 and those with pre-existing medical conditions, to consult with their doctor before attending.
  • Have hygiene supplies available for employees and participants, including hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, tissues, and lined trash cans.
  • Promote behaviors that prevent the spread COVID-19 among participants and employees using the enclosed resources.
  • During and after the event, disinfect frequently-touched surfaces with a cleaning agent that is effective against coronaviruses.
  • Decrease close contact between attendees at the event. For example, place seats farther apart or reduce the number of attendees.

Please let us know if you would like additional educational information for distribution or you may access these materials online through the CDC website here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html or through the NC DHHS website here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/materials-and

 The local risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low; however, we still encourage you to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 and any other flu-like illness by taking the following steps:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not available, use a generous amount of hand sanitizer which is at least 60% alcohol on all surfaces of the hands and wrists.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Stay away from sick people.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces – especially ones that are frequently touched – using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
  • Stay home if you’re sick and don’t send sick children to school or childcare.
  • High-risk individuals should avoid large gatherings such as concerts, church services, and sporting events.

As questions and concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19) increase across North Carolina, we’d like to encourage the promotion of the statewide Coronavirus Helpline (1-866-462-3821) for the public, which is answered 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.

Raccoon Found on Currin Rd. Tests Positive for Rabies

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-Information courtesy Vance Co. Animal Services

Vance County Animal Services responded to a call on March 12, 2020, in reference to a possibly rabid raccoon in the 300 block of Currin Road in Henderson. The raccoon was sent off for testing and has tested positive for rabies.

At this time, Animal Services is asking residents to please make sure that all dogs and cats are up-to-date on their rabies vaccines. Even if your pet is up-to-date, a booster vaccine is recommended if you live on or near Currin Road.

The Vance County Animal Shelter offers rabies vaccines for $5. Hours of operation are Monday 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; and Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Vance Co. Schools Announces Procedure Changes Due to Coronavirus Risk

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Over the past few days, Vance County Schools has been in close dialogue with the Health Department and can confirm that at the time of this writing there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 or Coronavirus in Vance County.

As such, our efforts will continue to be focused on prevention and following best practices to keep students and staff healthy. These include:

  • Regular, thorough cleaning in our buildings
  • Frequent hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer
  • Respecting personal space

Also, we ask that all students and staff who have cold or flu-like symptoms to stay home until fever-free for 24 hours and seek medical care as needed. These efforts will promote healthy school environments for everyone. Consistent with guidance from the Granville Vance Health Department, we are implementing the following:

School Closure: Currently, there are no plans to close schools. Should this change, we will alert you via our standard communications procedures (ConnectED, Twitter, Facebook, District Website).

Field Trips & Travel: Out of an abundance of caution, all field trips will be suspended for the next four weeks, effective immediately. We will attempt to reschedule these events at a later date if possible. While we make no promises, for those trips that may have involved fees or deposits, we will do our best to work with the companies to secure refunds and/or credits as allowed, given the uniqueness of the situation. We are also suspending all non-essential work-related travel for Vance County Schools staff, including professional development workshops and conferences.

School Events & Visitors: All school-based events that draw crowds will be evaluated by the district to determine the best scenario, as we gain an understanding of COVID-19 and its progression. We are also monitoring our volunteers and visitors on all campuses to reduce potential exposure to our students and staff.

Athletics: The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors decided to suspend all interscholastic athletics beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020, through Monday, April 6, 2020. This means that all workouts, practices, games and skill development sessions for all middle and high school athletics in the state of North Carolina must be suspended. The NCHSAA will continue to assess the situation with COVID-19 to determine the next steps and we will keep our community informed of new information.

This situation is very fluid and we will continue to post updates on our website at www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

Facility Rentals: All facility rentals for Vance County Schools will be canceled until further notice. This allows us to keep our schools disinfected, ensuring the safety of our students and staff. If you have a rental scheduled you will be contacted by the district on the next steps.

Proactive Steps: As previously shared, our custodians, maintenance and transportation are continuing to proactively disinfect frequently surfaces and buses. We will also continue sanitizing our buildings and provide hand sanitizing stations throughout every building in the district.

We realize these cancellations and changes will come as disappointments to many, but please understand our Vance County Schools family is of the utmost importance – and is what drives our decisions as we work to keep everyone safe.

We hope you will join us in taking precautions to keep our students, staff and schools healthy so we can continue educating our students. We will keep you posted with additional updates as needed.

NCHSAA

NCHSAA: Basketball State Championships, Interscholastic Athletics Suspended

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-Press Release, NCHSAA

Due to the threat from COVID-19, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has made the decision to postpone the 2020 Men’s and Women’s Basketball State Championships indefinitely.

“As much as we would like this opportunity for our student-athletes, coaches, and their communities, we know that ultimately any decision we make must err on the side of caution,” said Commissioner Que Tucker.

The Board of Directors also moved to suspend interscholastic athletics beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020, through at least Monday, April 6, 2020. The NCHSAA Board of Directors will assess this situation regularly over the next few weeks. This includes all workouts, skill development, practices and contests.