Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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Henderson Residents Still Responsible for Water Bill During Disconnect Suspension

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-Information courtesy The City of Henderson

In response to the expanding COVID-19 public health emergency, the City of Henderson will suspend all water account disconnects due to non-payment of utility bills.

During this time, we want to ensure that all Henderson customers have access to clean drinking water and wastewater services. We will continue to monitor guidance from public health agencies and provide updates on this policy moving forward.

Payment of your account balance is still your responsibility and your account will continue to be billed as normal.

Even though the water will not be disconnected for non-payment during the next 30 days, you are still responsible for your account balance and any water used during this suspension time.

We encourage all customers to avoid paying bills in person and to utilize alternate payment methods, including by mail, our online portal, drop box, or by calling 866-270-5612.

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VGCC Declares March 16-20 Spring Break; Courses Resume Online Next Week

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-Information courtesy Vance-Granville Community College

VGCC will be moving Spring Break to Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20 to allow the college time to transition to mostly online instruction for the next several weeks in support of our Governor’s directive to practice more social distancing to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

This means there will be no credit/curriculum classes from March 16 – March 20.

The only exception to that is clinicals and apprenticeships which will continue as scheduled unless otherwise noted by your college contact. Credit/curriculum courses will resume Monday, March 23 in an online or hybrid format. More details are available on the College website.

Students are asked to please continue to check their email and the College COVID 19 web page for more updates, as the situation is changing rapidly.

VGCC Connects Students to Careers in Biotech

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

With the biotechnology industry booming in North Carolina, Vance-Granville Community College is offering a number of training program options, while focusing on helping students land jobs and, if they choose, transfer to partnering universities.

Students (from left) Tony Williams, Enrique Rodriguez-Jimenez and Denise Marrow practice skills in the biotech lab at VGCC’s Franklin Campus. (VGCC photo)

“According to NCBIO and the N.C. Biotechnology Center, thousands of new jobs in biotech and life sciences are coming to central North Carolina in the next few years,” said Stewart Lyon, who heads VGCC’s Biotech programs, based at the college’s Franklin County Campus. “Vance-Granville can help you enter a rewarding career in biotech or pharmaceutical manufacturing or a science lab position in as little as six months.”

In Bioprocess Technology, the college offers a certificate, which can be completed in six months; a diploma program, which takes about one year, and the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree. All these options are eligible for federal financial aid to qualified students. In addition, there is a BioWork Process Technician continuing education course offered periodically, in a format that takes less than one semester to complete.

Lyon, who has experience in the biotechnology industry and was VGCC’s Faculty Member of the Year for 2018-19, provides students not only with education but also resources and connections to obtain employment. In addition to emailing leads on job opportunities to a distribution list containing current and former students, Lyon is planning special events.

“We’re holding a resume event for current and former students of VGCC’s Biotechnology programs at the Franklin Campus on Monday, March 23, from 5:30 – 8 p.m.,” he said. “A biotech resume expert will visit from the NC BioNetwork to help students cater their resumes for entry into the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.”

Then, on April 16, current and former students are invited to attend a special career fair at the N.C. Biotechnology Center in the Research Triangle Park. Only students who participate in the March 23 resume clinic can attend the career fair.

The growing biotech field encompasses a wide variety of employers, including companies that are on the front lines of developing tests and treatments for diseases. Everything from pharmaceutical manufacturing to research, testing and medical labs, agricultural feedstock and industrial biosciences businesses are included in the broad sector, which are represented in the Triangle as well as VGCC’s service area.

“We have students and alumni employed at several companies in the area, including Novozymes in Franklinton, Grifols in Clayton, Isolera Extracts in Oxford, Revlon in Oxford, and Scientific Calibration in Cary,” Lyon said. To increase his students’ knowledge of the industry, he regularly takes them on field trips to some of these locations.

Lyon also points out that students have options to continue their education beyond VGCC, particularly through new transfer opportunities. Graduates with the Bioprocess Technology degree may transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program at North Carolina Central University.

“A summer internship is available at NCCU’s research labs, which gives students professional experience and can count for credit toward the VGCC degree,” Lyon added.

NCCU also offers master’s degrees in both Drug Discovery and Biomanufacturing, and a Ph.D. program is under development. Since VGCC’s Bioprocess Technology certificate is also a Career & College Promise (CCP) option for current high school students, the partnership with NCCU means that a pathway from high school training through advanced graduate degrees is possible.

Meanwhile, through the new “Pirate Promise” program, students from VGCC can transfer to East Carolina University to complete a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology, with a concentration in Bioprocess Manufacturing. ECU’s degree can be completed entirely online or in-person.

Anyone interested in learning more about studying biotechnology at VGCC is invited to visit the Franklin Campus open house on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. until noon. The campus is located at 8100 N.C. 56, just west of Louisburg.

For more information on VGCC’s biotech programs, contact Mr. Lyon at lyons@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3632.

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Chamber Provides Coronavirus Info.; Members Have ‘Ample’ Supplies for Public

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

We are all experiencing unprecedented circumstances with the coronavirus outbreak. Our Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce staff is available to help find the resources you need, research the information you want and help get important information out about your business.

The CDC issued new guidance last night recommending that for the next eight weeks, organizers should consider canceling or postponing in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the US:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html

We also wanted to make sure you knew about the North Carolina Chamber’s Coronavirus Resource Guide on their website https://ncchamber.com/coronavirus-resource-guide/

The US Chamber has also launched a Coronavirus Response Toolkit:

https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus-response-toolkit

The Vance County Public School System – information on meal pick-up and distance learning:

https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=5479&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=3300&PageID=1

We have heard from our Chamber member ServPro, commercial cleaning service covering Vance County and surrounding counties. Their cleaning services use the EPA designated hospital-grade disinfectant that the CDC is recommending. You can contact owner Melissa Paul at (252) 433-0005 for more information.

Henderson Fruit and Produce has an ample supply of toilet paper, latex gloves, and spray disinfectant at this time. Lowes Home Improvement has an ample supply of bottled water and paper towels.

We will be making announcements and posting information to the Chamber’s Facebook page.  Be sure to stay in touch by liking our FB page.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

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.