Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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Jail Health Care Provider Bails, County Looking For Options

 

Vance County commissioners approved a recommendation Monday to pay almost $100,000 to a Charlotte-based urgent care company to provide two weeks’ worth of health care services at the county detention center after the company that had the contract to provide care terminated its agreement with the jail.

Sheriff Curtis Brame told WIZS News on Tuesday that he was not present at the meeting, originally scheduled to discuss in closed session an economic development project.

Brame did not elaborate on the reason that Southern Health Partners terminated the contract and stopped providing services to detainees at the jail on Friday, Oct. 14.

“We just didn’t see eye-to-eye on certain things and they made the decision to leave,” he said in a telephone interview.

Southern Health Partners gave a two-week notice, which set in motion a search for a new provider, according to information that County Manager Jordan McMillen gave in his report to the board on Monday.

Three of the four companies that were contacted declined the offer, but a fourth, StarMed, agreed to step in on a short-term basis. The bill for the first week was $52,000 and the bill for the second week is $40,000.

The jail health care item was added to the agenda late Friday, Oct. 21, according to McMillen, when the county got the bill for the second week of service.

“The health department was instrumental in identifying StarMed…and health department nurses were critical in filling the gap over the first weekend until the transition was made,” McMillen wrote in his report.

StarMed has expressed interest in continuing its contract for an additional 60 days, but McMillen said cost is an issue.

“We are continuing to look for a long-term solution which will require the need for a local physician to oversee the program as well as nurses to work in the jail,” he stated.

The county is responsible for funding, but it is the sheriff who oversees the jail and requirements related to secure, provide and maintain health care at the jail, McMillen said.

The money to pay StarMed would come from the county’s fund balance, the report stated.

Commissioners also approved authorizing the county manager to approve additional contracts up to the next 60 days.

Dale Folwell

Folwell Announces One-Month “Bump” In State Employees’ Retirement Benefits

School systems across the state are offering bonuses of all sorts to attract and retain educators. The Social Security Administration recently announced a bump of more than 8 percent in the amount it pays to folks who receive benefits.

And today, there’s some good news from State Treasurer Dale Folwell that should put smiles on the faces of benefit recipients of retired state employees – they’re getting a supplement, too.

It’s only this month, but it’s a 4 percent bump, and Folwell issued a press release today that coincides with the day that those payments are issued. Retired employees of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, as well as the  Consolidated Judicial Retirement System, Legislative Retirement System and the Local and Governmental Employees’ Retirement System should see a little extra in their monthly benefits, Folwell said in a written statement.

“When retired state employees and teachers check their bank accounts or open their mail, they will find an additional 4 percent of their annual benefit included with this month’s payment,” Folwell stated.

“The TSERS, CJRS and LRS payments were appropriated by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Roy Cooper. The LGERS payment will come from retirement funds. The LGERS one-time supplement was approved by the LGERS Board on Jan. 27 following my recommendation and is in line with the funding policy. We were able to provide the LGERS benefit without increasing the rates we charge to cities and counties across the state,” Folwell continued.

“While payments starting in November will return to the levels they would have been without the supplemental increase, the October payment will include a much-needed boost for those who served the citizens of North Carolina as we see rising costs in everyday expenses.

I want to thank the General Assembly, retirement boards, North Carolina League of Municipalities, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and staff for recognizing a need and providing those that taught, protected or otherwise served the citizens of North Carolina a timely increase to the October benefit,” the statement concluded.

Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Ranked Among Best For Maternity Care

 – Information courtesy of Donna Young, Maria Parham Health coordinator of marketing & communication

 

Maria Parham Health has been named to Money Magazine and The Leapfrog Group’s inaugural list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The rankings are intended to help expecting parents make educated decisions about which hospitals consistently deliver the safest, highest value care for patients and excellence in maternity experiences. Out of more than 2,200 hospitals surveyed, Maria Parham Health was one of 259 hospitals nationwide to earn the first-time honor.

“Maria Parham Health is honored to be among the inaugural list of top hospitals to receive this honor,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer of Maria Parham Health. “Our hard-working team of physicians, midwives, nurses, respiratory therapists and staff goes above and beyond every day to provide the best possible experience for mothers, babies and their families, and this is well-deserved recognition.”

To qualify for the honor, eligible hospitals were required to carry an A or B letter grade on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assessment for spring 2022. Hospitals also were required to meet specific criteria and achieve national standards related to:

  • Early Elective Deliveries
  • Cesarean Birth
  • Episiotomy
  • DVT (deep vein thrombosis) Prophylaxis
  • Bilirubin Screening
  • High-Risk Deliveries (only applies to hospitals electively admitting high-risk deliveries)

For more information about the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care rankings,

visit https://money.com/methodology-best-hospitals-for-maternity-care/

Local Firefighters Awarded For Rescue In January House Fire

Firefighters with the Henderson Fire Department were honored Monday afternoon for their role in saving a woman’s life in a January house fire.

NC Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey called each man up to receive the SAVE Award for their efforts, during which Capt. Joshua Bolton received second- and third-degree burns when he entered the house to look for a woman believed to be trapped inside.

“It’s an honor for me to be here today,” Causey told the group of more than 25 family, friends, city staff and firefighters assembled at Fire Station 2 in downtown Henderson.

He called the team of firefighters “daily heroes” who put their own safety at risk each time they respond to a fire call.

The only people who receive this award are those who have helped to save a life.

After the ceremony, Fire Chief Steve Cordell said it is “an honor and a privilege to see these men…be rewarded” for their efforts back in January. “I can’t think of a better group to be associated with,” Cordell added.

Mike Causey (L) gives Steve Cordell (R) a pat on the back and thumbs up

Before Causey called the men up to receive their awards, Assistant Chief Curtis Tyndall recounted the events that occurred on that January evening. Upon hearing that there was one person still in the home, Bolton went into the fully engulfed structure but was unable to locate the victim. Departments 1 and 2 responded to the call, and it was a team effort that resulted in location of the victim, who lay unconscious in front of a recliner in the living room of the single-family home.

Firefighters were able to rescue the woman, who was taken to hospital.

“Capt. Bolton attempted to rescue a trapped victim inside of a burning structure despite the threat of personal injury and attempted to find the trapped victim inside the home,” Tyndall said in his account…(his) split-second decision to sear the rear of the structure without regard to his own personal safety allowed his crew to continue the search and locate the victim where he left off. His decision to enter the structure before the application of water was made for the purpose of protecting the victim from deadly steam that would have been created by the application of water,” Tyndall continued.

In addition to Bolton, Causey presented SAVE awards to:

  • Master firefighter Zack Short
  • Firefighter Devin Sherrod
  • Firefighter William Ramos
  • Firefighter William Breedlove
  • Kyle Holtzman
  • Battallion Chief Tim Twisdale
  • Master firefighter Ren Watkins Hale
  • Captain William Boyd
  • Engineer Dylan Dickerson
  • Master firefighter Trenton Clark
  • Firefighter Jeffrey Pane Watson

Burgess Stepping Down From Chamber In December

What candidate would be able to satisfy – exceed, even – the qualifications for a job description that could read something like this:

Enthusiastic, motivated individual needed for full-time position. Work includes night meetings, weekend catchup and early morning events. Constant desire to make improvements in the community. People-person skills a must.

That wouldn’t be the easiest job to fill, but that’s just what Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce leaders are faced with, following the announcement that President Michele Burgess is retiring at year’s end.

Burgess possesses all those qualifications, and then some. And though she said she will miss the people she’s had the pleasure to work alongside since July 2019, she said she looks forward to having more family time – especially with two young grandchildren.

She spoke with WIZS News Friday about her previous Chamber experience – all with the local office. You see, this is her third time back. She previously held the job in the mid-1980’s and then again in the mid-1990’s.

“When it’s your hometown, you’re so passionate about it,” Burgess said. She returned in 2019 with the idea that it would be a short-term role. She said the Chamber underwent a bit of a restructure “to try to make it work a little bit better. And we were on this big roll,” she continued. Until COVID-19.

Members sought advice from Chamber officials about how to follow pandemic protocols, she said. “I feel like we did a really good job” of answering questions and keeping businesses and employees safe.

The pandemic has changed the way many organizations operate, and the Chamber is no exception. Burgess said today’s businesses may need different things from their Chamber membership, such as virtual meetings and networking events that target particular professions.

“It’s just a different world,” Burgess said.

When she leaves the office at the end of December, she said she leaves on a good note – the Chamber is functioning at a high level, and Burgess said she feels comfortable stepping down at this time.

Current Chamber Board Chair Ronald Bennett was on the board when Burgess was selected to lead the chamber most recently.

“She’s one that has her job at heart and the people at heart,” Bennett said by phone Thursday. “I can’t say enough good about what all she’s done,” he added.

A search committee is already formed to look for her successor, Bennett noted, adding that the board would be looking for additional volunteers to serve on this committee as well.

Burgess praised the Chamber board for all the support it has given her over the last few years and said she would miss those relationships. “When you have real strong leaders, you’re real thankful,” she said.

Burgess said she will continue to participate in different ways to help her community after she retires.

“I’m still going to be in the Chamber, still going to volunteer and participate,” Burgess  said.

Just maybe between visits to see the grandchildren.

 

 

Trick or Treat

Sheriff: Trick-Or-Treat With Safety In Mind

Everyone has a role in protecting those costumed trick-or-treaters that soon will be walking along streets and in neighborhoods in search of candy to fill their Halloween sacks.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame reminds motorists who will be driving along those same streets and in those same neighborhoods to keep a watchful eye out for pedestrians. And he has some advice for parents as well, as they prepare costumes and accompany their children trick-or-treating.

“Halloween is a fun time in Vance County,” Brame said in a press statement with a long list of suggestions for holiday revelers. “But let’s make it a safe time as well.  The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes.“

The Sheriff reminds all Vance County residents to follow these tips for a safe Halloween:

Drivers should be especially careful as they enter and exit driveways, especially after the sun has gone down.

All children under age 12 should be with a responsible older youth or adult and children should always remain in groups while trick-or-treating. Wait until you get home to eat any treats, and only stop at homes that are well-lit. Never enter the home or apartment of a stranger.

Below is the sheriff’s complete list of suggestions and advice for a safe and fun Halloween:

Motorists:

  • Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
  • Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
  • Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
  • At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Parents:

  • While on the prowl for treats, make sure an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising children under 12.
  • Check the sex offender registry at www.NCSBI.gov when planning your child’s trick-or-treat route. You can view maps that pinpoint registered offenders’ addresses in your neighborhood and sign up to get email alerts when an offender moves nearby.
  • Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow.  Know the names of older children’s companions.
  • Make sure older kids trick-or-treat in a group.
  • Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
  • Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger’s home.
  • Establish a return time.
  • Tell your youngsters not to eat any treats until they return home.
  • Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
  • All children need to know their home telephone number and how to call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.
  • Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name, address, and telephone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

Technology Tips:

  • Make sure any older children who are trick-or-treating alone have a fully charged cellphone to carry with them.
  • Be sure to check your children’s cellphones and turn tracking features off on cellphone mobile applications not solely accessed by parents so strangers will not be able to access your children’s location.
  • Parents of children who have cell phones may consider having children turn on a mobile tracking application such as Find My Friends or Life360 that allow only individuals selected by parents to safely track their whereabouts.
  • Parents of children who do not have a cell phone may consider allowing children to wear or carry a Bluetooth tracking device with controlled access to your child’s location.
  • Remind your children not to wear headphones or earbuds so they can hear cars approaching on the road.
  • Know when witches and superheroes are outside your front door by using a motion-activated doorbell or mounted cameras like Ring or Nest to notify you of their presence.
  • Also consider using motion sensor lighting around your home to keep trick-or- treaters safe and help alert you when ghosts and goblins are approaching.

Costume Design:

  • Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
  • Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
  • Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard.
  • Make sure that shoes fit well to prevent trips and falls.
  • Be safe and be seen. If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible.

Face Design:

  • Do not use masks as they can obstruct a child’s vision.  Use facial make-up instead.
  • When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled “Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,” “Laboratory Tested,” “Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics,” or “Non-Toxic.” Follow manufacturer’s instruction for application.
  • If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.

Accessories:

  • If your child dresses up as a pirate, ninja or in any other costume that includes accessories like knives and sword, be sure accessories are made from cardboard or flexible materials.  Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
  • Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
  • Carrying flashlights with fresh batteries will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
  • If children are carrying cell phones, remind them of the flashlight feature available on most smart phones.

While Trick-or-Treating:

  • Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
  • While everyone is excited for candy, make sure children walk instead of run from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
  • Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
  • Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, if there are no sidewalks.

Treats:

  • Give children an early meal before going out.
  • Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
  • Wash fruit and slice it into small pieces.
  • Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or partially wrapped or has a strange odor, color, or texture.

 

Homeowners/Decorations:

  • Keep candles and jack o’ lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.
  • Remove obstacles from lawns, steps, and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.
  • Keep candles and jack o’ lanterns away from curtains, decorations, and other combustibles that could catch fire.

Don’t let ghosts and spirits in by leaving your home unattended.

MPH Trunk or Treat Friday, Oct. 28

Maria Parham Health is holding a drive-through Trunk or Treat next Friday, Oct.28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the main campus on Ruin Creek Road in Henderson.

This free, completely drive-thru event is open to the public – children will remain in vehicles and hospital team members will distribute candy and treats through open car windows to ensure a safe Halloween experience.

Vehicles should enter the hospital campus via the Ruin Creek Road entrance and follow the signs to the back parking lot. MPH organizers invite other community groups to join in the fun, too.

Any civic, local government or church group that wants to participate by decorating a vehicle trunk and pass out treats should contact Ashley Downing before Tuesday, Oct. 25 at ashley.downing@lpnt.net.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Farmers Market Announces Holiday Market Nov. 19

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will host its annual Handcrafted Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 19, and shoppers can get a jump on the gift-giving season. The holiday market hours are from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Market Manager Pat Ayscue said this week’s frost gives a sweet flavor to those hardy leafy greens that are bound to be plentiful at the regular Saturday market – “stop by and put a smile on a local farmer’s face,” Ayscue said.

The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Producers and vendors are pulling out all the stops for the Nov. 19 market, which will feature fresh seasonal produce and locally raised beef, pork and chicken.

Additional items include local honey, as well as a variety of handcrafted items such as soaps, candles, quilts, glassware, woodcrafts, artwork, wreaths and jewelry.

“Mark your calendar for this special day and we look forward to seeing you there,” Ayscue said.

VGCC Takes Top Awards At National Conference

-Information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College received two awards totaling $60,000 at a national conference held recently in Boston.

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship named VGCC as the 2022  Heather Van Sickle Entrepreneurial College of the Year, which is accompanied by a $50,000 award. The award is part of NACCE’s “Pitch for the Foundations,” a new initiative created to support community colleges and their foundations in providing transformational opportunities. In this competition, Tanya Weary, executive director of The VGCC Foundation, Sheri Jones, associate director of The VGCC Foundation, and Kenneth Wilson, grants administrator, made a presentation that won the prize (tied for the largest amount given to any competitor this year) for the VGCC Red Tails Drone aviation program. This program has provided training in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, commonly known as “drones”), particularly through a summer camp for area high school students. This camp taught students how to play a team sport called “Drone Soccer” as part of a team nicknamed the “Red Tails.”

Another VGCC group participated in NACCE’s “Pitch for the Trades” competition. This competition featured teams of community college faculty from across the country, who “pitched” their creative ideas for incorporating entrepreneurship into workforce training programs to a panel of judges. Led by Dean of Business & Applied Technologies Stephanie Tolbert and Grants Administrator Kenneth Wilson, VGCC’s presentation won $10,000 to support expansion of the Welding Technology program. The judges encouraged VGCC to continue working on this project and pitch it again next year.

Both pitch competitions were presented by NACCE in partnership with the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation.

Topping off those big wins, VGCC was then recognized as the 2022 Entrepreneurial College of the Year. Chris Whaley, the president of Roane State Community College in Tennessee and chair-elect of the NACCE Board of Directors, presented the award, noting VGCC’s rural population and that this competitive award is given to a college that makes a difference in the ecosystem of a community.

In a statement about VGCC’s selection for that honor, NACCE saluted the leadership of President Rachel Desmarais, Ph.D., who has steadily expanded the college’s entrepreneurial initiatives. In 2021, President Desmarais signed NACCE’s Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge (PFEP), committing the college to five action steps designed to create economic vitality through entrepreneurship.

In addition to the Drone program, the college has hosted an innovative entrepreneurship youth camp called “Be a ‘Trep” (short for entrepreneur) for area middle school students, opened the VGCC Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center at the college’s South Campus, established a Student Entrepreneurship Club, and offered an Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program.

“Through innovative events hosted by Vance-Granville’s Small Business Center and other entrepreneurial programming, the college has demonstrated its commitment to promoting entrepreneurship throughout the region it serves,” said Rebecca Corbin, president of the Cary-based NACCE.  “It is a pleasure to recognize this outstanding college, which was selected by an independent judging panel, as the winner of NACCE’s 2022 Entrepreneurial College of the Year Award.”

Desmarais congratulated the team involved, along with the entire VGCC faculty and staff for adopting an entrepreneurial mindset.

“We could not be prouder of the VGCC Vanguards for making a big ‘splash’ at the NACCE conference, and for embracing entrepreneurship both inside and outside the classroom,” Desmarais said. “Entrepreneurship is an important way to promote both student success and our region’s economic development. It is also related to the innovative, outside-the-box thinking that we have incorporated into how we address challenges and how we offer education and training programs for the community.”

Early Voting For Nov. 8 Election Kicks Off Thursday, Oct. 20

North Carolina’s in-person early voting period begins Thursday, Oct. 20, and ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.

There are two early voting locations in Vance County, three in Granville, one in Warren and four in Franklin, according to information from the N.C. State Board of Elections.

In-person early voting accounted for 65 percent of the votes cast in the 2020 election. There are 359 early voting sites open across the state, up 17 percent from the 307 sites for the 2018 midterm elections.

“The 100 county boards of elections have spent months preparing for the start of in-person voting for the important 2022 general election,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “The bipartisan election officials who work in each early voting site are prepared for a smooth voting process and to ensure the ballots of all eligible voters are counted.”

 

Below is a list by county of the early voting sites:

Vance County:

·      Andrea Harris Henderson Operations Center, 900 S. Beckford Dr., Henderson

·      Aycock Rec Complex, 307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson

Granville County:

·      Oxford Public Works Building, 127 Penn Ave., Oxford

·      South Branch Library, 1550 South Campus Dr., Creedmoor

·      Tar River Elementary School, 2642 Philo White Rd., Franklinton

Warren County:

·      Warren County Board of Elections Office, 309 N. Main St., Warrenton

Franklin County:

·      Franklin Plaza Service (County Training Room, 279 S. Bickett Blvd., Suite 102, Louisburg

·      Franklinton Lions Club, 205 S. Chavis St., Franklinton

·      Sheriff Substation, 382 NC 98 W, Bunn

·      Youngsville Public Library Meeting Room, 218 US-1 Alt., Youngsville

 

For more information about early voting, please visit Vote Early in Person.

The State Board offers the following 10 tips for early voters:

1.    Voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. For sites and hours in all 100 counties, use the One-Stop Early Voting Sites search tool. Also see One-Stop Voting Sites for the November 8, 2022 Election (PDF).

2.    Sample ballots for the primary election are available through the Voter Search tool. For more information on candidates for the N.C. Supreme Court and N.C. Court of Appeals, see the State Board’s Judicial Voter Guide 2022: Midterm General Election. The State Board does not provide information about candidates for other contests, but some media outlets and advocacy groups do. Many candidates also have websites and social media accounts. Knowing your candidate choices in advance and being familiar with the ballot will help your voting experience go more smoothly.

3.    Individuals who missed the regular voter registration deadline on October 14 may register and vote at the same time during the early voting period. Same-day registrants must attest to their eligibility and provide proof of where they live. For more information, visit Register in Person During Early Voting. This is the only option for individuals who missed the regular registration deadline to be able to register and vote in the general election.

4.    When you check in to vote at an early voting site, you may update your name or address within the same county, if necessary.

5.    Voters who receive an absentee ballot by mail may deliver their completed ballot to an election official at an early voting site in their county. Ballots will be kept securely and delivered to the county board of elections for processing. For more information on returning absentee-by-mail ballots, see Detailed Instructions to Vote By Mail.

6.    Voters who requested an absentee-by-mail ballot but have not yet returned it may choose instead to vote in person during the early voting period or on Election Day, November 8. Voters may discard the by-mail ballot and do not need to bring it to a voting site.

7.    Under state law, all early votes – by mail and in person – are considered absentee votes because they are cast “absent” of Election Day. You can see that your early vote counted in the “Your Absentee Ballot” section of the Voter Search database. Type in your first and last names to pull up your voter record. Scroll down to the “Your Absentee Ballot: By Mail or Early Voting” section. Once your ballot is received by your county board of elections, “Absentee Status” will show “VALID RETURN,” the “Return Method” will be “IN PERSON” and your “Return Status” will be “ACCEPTED.” Your ballot status also will show up in the “Voter History” section of your voter record as soon as your county completes the post-election process of compiling the information on who has been recorded as having voted during the election through the various voting methods. This may take a couple of weeks or longer.

8.    The State Board asks that all voters respect the rights of others to participate in the election. Intimidating any voter is a crime. Voters who feel harassed or intimidated should notify an election official immediately.

9.    Voters at one-stop early voting sites are entitled to the same assistance as voters at a voting place on Election Day. Curbside voting is available for eligible individuals at all early voting sites. For more information, visit Curbside Voting.

10. North Carolina law prohibits photographing or videotaping voted ballots. Voters may use electronic devices in the voting booth to access a slate card or candidate information, provided they don’t use the devices to communicate with anyone or take photographs of their ballot.