Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

Kerr-Tar to Hold Public Open House for Division Needs Transportation Projects

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-Information courtesy Stephanie A. Harmon, Regional Planner, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

The public is invited to an open house on Thursday, November 15, to express their opinions on the Division Needs transportation projects in Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, and Warren Counties being considered for inclusion in the NCDOT 2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is a 10-year plan that identifies funding for projects throughout North Carolina and schedules them for construction.

The Kerr-Tar Regional Transportation Planning Organization (KTRPO) will hold an informal open house on Thursday, November 15 at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ office, 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson, NC from 5 to 7 p.m. Residents will be able to view all potential projects and provide feedback. KTRPO staff will be present to answer any questions and address any concerns.

For those unable to attend the open house, the projects are available for review on the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ website: https://www.kerrtarcog.org/. Comments may be submitted via email to info@kerrtarcog.org. Please include P5 Division Needs Projects Comments in the subject line.

For more information, please contact (252) 436-2040, sharmon@kerrtarcog.org.

NC Navigators to Help North Carolinians Enroll in Health Insurance Plans

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-Press Release, Legal Aid of NC, NC Navigator Consortium 

NC navigators are here to help North Carolinians enroll in affordable, comprehensive health insurance plans on HealthCare.gov during the Affordable Care Act’s sixth open-enrollment period, which starts today and runs through Dec. 15, 2018.

Throughout open enrollment, North Carolina consumers can call 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free) or visit ncnavigator.net to schedule a free, confidential, in-person appointment with a certified NC navigator in their area.

NC navigators are trained to help consumers enroll in coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov, the online storefront that consumers can visit to browse and enroll in affordable, comprehensive health insurance plans.

NC navigators can help consumers understand the details of the plans available on HealthCare.gov, complete the enrollment process and determine their eligibility for financial assistance. Last year, nine in 10 North Carolinians who enrolled in coverage on HealthCare.gov received financial assistance.

During this open enrollment period, NC navigators will help consumers understand the differences between the comprehensive plans available on HealthCare.gov and the new alternative plans, known as short-term, limited-duration (STLD) insurance, or association plans, which provide less coverage and patient protections than HealthCare.gov plans.

Every insurance plan available on HealthCare.gov provides comprehensive, year-round coverage that includes essential benefits like prescription drugs, hospital visits, mental health care, maternity care, doctor visits and more. HealthCare.gov plans also include important patient protections, including one that prohibits insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. HealthCare.gov plans automatically renew every year, so consumers do not experience gaps in coverage.

The alternative plans, which are not available on HealthCare.gov, do not necessarily provide year-round coverage; do not have to cover essential health benefits like prescription drugs, hospital visits, mental health care, maternity care and doctor visits; allow insurers to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions; and do not automatically renew, which could leave consumers with gaps in coverage.

“HealthCare.gov is the only place to get quality, affordable health insurance that covers everything you need,” Mark Van Arnam, co-director of the NC Navigator Consortium, said. “Navigators are here to help North Carolinians understand all their options and find the plan that best meets their needs and fits their budget.”

“We want consumers to know that financial assistance is still available,” Eunice Lee-Ahn, co-director of the Consortium, said. “Most North Carolinians enrolled in a HealthCare.gov plan get financial help that lowers their monthly cost to about the same as a cell phone. Navigators can help consumers determine if they are eligible for financial assistance and sign up for it as part of the enrollment process.”

North Carolinians who are already enrolled in a HealthCare.gov plan will automatically get re-enrolled in 2019 coverage, but navigators are urging consumers to check back in to see if a more suitable plan is available. Rates have dropped in some areas, so consumers might be able to find a plan that offers equivalent or better coverage for cheaper.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Vance Co. Board of Education’s Nov. Meeting Rescheduled

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-Information courtesy Terri Hedrick, Public Information Officer, Vance County Schools

The Vance County Board of Education meeting originally scheduled for Monday, November 5, 2018, has been rescheduled to Monday, November 19.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the school system’s Administrative Services Center at 1724 Graham Avenue in Henderson.

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., Nov. 5

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

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, November 5, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson. The Invocation will be given by Pastor Bobby Fletcher, First United Methodist Church.

Agenda items:

Committee Reports and Recommendations:

a. Properties Committee

– Property Listing Review

– REO Property Offer

– Former People’s Country Store

– Engineering Agreement – HVIP Phase III

– Animal Shelter – Onsite Spay and Neuter Services

b. Public Safety Committee

– Open Burning Regulations

– Rapid Entry Systems

– Fire Commission Presentation – Proposal for Reorganizing Fire Services

Finance Director’s Report

a. Surplus Property

b. Lottery Fund Applications

County Manager’s Report

a. Grant Agreement – Rural Ready Sites

b. Resolution – Acquisition & Assignment of Kittrell Water Association System

Water District Board

a. Staff Report – Kittrell Water System Consolidation

b. Monthly Operations Report

Consent Agenda Items

a. Budget Amendment

b. Tax Refunds and Releases

c. Ambulance Charge-Offs

d. Monthly Reports

e. Minutes

Miscellaneous

a. Appointments

b. Voting Delegate – Legislative Goals Conference

Closed Session

a. Legal Matters

b. Property Transaction

The agenda for the November meeting may be viewed in its entirety on the Vance County website.

 

Vance Co. United Way Holding Coat Drive for Local School Children

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-Information courtesy Heidi Owen, Nationwide

Vance County United Way is holding a coat drive for local school children. Please drop gently used or new coats at one of the following donation sites:

  • Century 21 – Dabney Drive
  • Maria Parham Health – Information Desk, Front Entrance
  • Nationwide – Ruin Creek Road
  • Woodforest Bank – Walmart

Please drop coats off by Thursday, November 15 for distribution by Thanksgiving to Vance County Schools.

Dr. Anthony Jackson Talks School Consolidation Success, State of the Schools

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Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Vance County Schools, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the success of the school consolidation process and his recent State of the Schools address.

Jackson began the show by thanking the community for the support the school system received throughout the entire consolidation process for Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School.

“From the day the school board made the decision to consolidate the schools to the opening of school, we had approximately 120 days,” said Jackson. “I’m so proud of this community, our students, our parents and our staff for the work that they did during that period of time to get us to what we like to call ‘the launch.'”

According to Jackson, the launch of the newly consolidated schools in August went smoothly and was a great start to the 2018-19 school year.

“What we have seen since is what we hoped would come to fruition – a community coming together. I was at the football game a few nights ago and it was a joy to see the number of kids on our sidelines participating and the number of parents in the stands,” Jackson said.

State of the Schools Address

In Jackson’s recent address to the public, he announced that the majority of the system’s 15 schools showed marked improvement during the previous school year. “When I arrived in Vance County, nine schools were designated as low-performing. This year, I’m pleased to announce that 11 of our 15 schools met or exceeded growth and received a school performance grade of a C or better.”

Jackson credits this success to a number of factors including a shift towards focusing on the best way to reach and teach each individual student. “We focus on high student achievement by figuring out how best to teach every child – not just the low or high performers. Every single child deserves the best education,” said Jackson.

Other factors, according to Jackson, include making the environment as safe as possible so teaching and learning can take place, hiring and retaining high-quality educators and being efficient with resources.

“We change mindsets about what we can do in this community and if we work together, we can accomplish our goals.”

To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here.

National Weather Service

Severe Weather Predicted for Thursday Evening, All Day Friday

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-Information and weather charts courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations 

According to the National Weather Service, there is a marginal risk for severe weather Thursday evening through Friday evening.

Severe weather may include isolated thunderstorms that develop late tonight and toward daybreak on Friday across the Coastal Plain and the eastern Piedmont. A strong to severe storm is possible with a primary threat of wind gusts in excess of 50 MPH, which may produce downed trees and power outages.

Pantry Shelves ‘Dangerously Low’ at ACTS of Henderson!

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-Information courtesy the ACTS of Henderson Facebook page 

ACTS of Henderson needs your help! We are dangerously low on a number of items. Without these, we may have to limit the amount of food boxes given out to those in need. Please consider donating canned soups, canned peas, yams, greens, carrots & mixed vegetables, boxed cereal, canned fruit and smaller sized jars of peanut butter & jelly.

Donations may be dropped off weekdays between 7:45 a.m. and 3 p.m., and possibly at other times if you call and let us know – (252) 492-8231. ACTS is located at 305 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.

Your help would be appreciated a great deal!

Young Men to Hear From Experts on Goal Setting, Empowerment at ‘I Rise Summit’

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-Information and flyer courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

Reach One Teach One, Inc. will host an “I Rise Summit” for young men ages 13 and over on Sunday, November 25, 2018, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson. Dinner will be served.

Young men attending this free event will hear from subject-matter experts on goal setting, overcoming life obstacles and what empowerment means in 2018.

For more information, please contact Anthony Garnes at (919) 398-5219 or email reachoneteachone252@gmail.com.

U.S. Department of Justice

2018 Eastern District Election Officer Appointed

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Robin Pendergraft, Chief of the Criminal Division will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general elections. AUSA Pendergraft has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of any complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” said United Staes Attorney Higdon. “The Department of Justice is dedicated to protecting the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise may exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt the voting process are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Higdon stated that AUSA/DEO Pendergraft will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 919-856-4530.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The Raleigh FBI field office can be reached by the public at 919-380-4500.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or by complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

United States Attorney Higdon said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on twitter @USAO_EDNC.