Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Community Partners of Hope

April 2 Event To Honor Staff, Volunteers Of Local Men’s Shelter

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The public is invited to join Community Partners of Hope, Inc. Saturday as it spotlights the efforts of staff and volunteers of the men’s shelter during an “end of season” gathering.

The program is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with coffee and light refreshments in the parish hall of First Presbyterian Church, according to Dr. Ron Cava, senior minister at the First Baptist Church in Henderson and Community Partners of Hope board member.

The First Presbyterian Church is located at 222 Young St., Henderson. Although the event will be held upstairs from the shelter area, attendees are asked to enter from Young Street.

“No matter what level support you have provided, we hope you will join us (as) we honor our staff and volunteers, provide an update on our services, introduce our board members, kick off the new fundraiser and share prayers for the community and the world,” according to information received at WIZS News.

Currently, the shelter operates from November through March. But if Cava and his colleagues have their way, the 365 Dream Team campaign can help to expand the time that the shelter is open.

“We’re looking for backers to sustain a year-round operation,” Cava said in a telephone interview. Cava alluded to the story of the widow’s mite and said any pledge is acceptable.

“I appreciate the people who have deep pockets,” he said, “but what really makes the world go ‘round…is a dollar at a time.”

Through pledges and contributions, Cava said he hoped that the men’s shelter would be able to operate all year.

See how you can help online at www.cp-hope.org.

 

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Farmers Market Kicks Off Season With Apr. 23 Spring Fling

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will kick off the 2022 growing and selling season with Spring Fling on Saturday, April 23.

Market Manager Pat Ayscue said the event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will mark the official opening of the 2022 market season.

Vendors and producers will be on site with a variety of hand-crafted and homegrown items for sale.

Ayscue said the farmers market regular hours will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays following Spring Fling until Wednesday, June 1, when the market is open two days each week during the summer. The summer hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ayscue said there are several Twilight Markets planned as well: Tuesday, June 28, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25 from 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Other dates include:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 17 – mid-week market ends
  • Saturday, Nov. 19 – Handcrafted Holiday Market, 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 17 – final sale day for 2022

 

Find and follow Vance Regional Farmers Market on Facebook to stay up-to-date on events and schedules or phone 252.438.8188.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

The Local Skinny! Voting On Public Health Assesement Ends March 31st

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Public health professionals have been on the front lines for more than two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. From vaccine clinics to sharing information about community spread, it seemed like Granville Vance Public Health was always working to prevent new cases of the Delta variant, then the more pervasive Omicron.

More than likely, fighting a global pandemic was not one of the top three priorities listed on the most recent GVPH Community Health Assessment. And yet, it quickly became a priority and has remained so over the past couple of years.

GVPH Director Lisa Harrison invites all adults who live in Granville or Vance counties to take a very brief survey as her agency finishes up another community health assessment – a year-long process to identify priorities on which to focus energy and funding. The survey ends Thursday, March 31.

The community health assessment team already has conducted surveys, held focus group sessions and analyzed data trends to generate a list of priority areas for the two counties.

“Please take a moment to look at the top list of priorities that have emerged in this process and vote on your own top ones,” Harrison said in her weekly email update. “We are eager to continue our work in communicable disease prevention and also, in developing programs, interventions, partnerships and services that address our top health priorities in Granville and Vance counties.”

Before you vote, you may want to watch a 12-minute video overview of the data: https://go.unc.edu/GVPriorities-DataSummary

Click here to vote: https://go.unc.edu/GVPriorities2022

GVPH has offices in Henderson, 115 Charles Rollins Rd. behind Maria Parham Health and in Oxford 1032 College St., near Granville Health System.

Visit www.gvph.org to learn more.

CLICK PLAY!

 

Union Chapel UMC In Kittrell To Hold Fundraisers

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Easter is right around the corner and Union Chapel United Methodist Church in Kittrell is cooking Boston Butts and having a bake sale – just in time for your holiday lunch or dinner.

Contact Edward Woodlief, president of the Union Chapel Methodist Men’s group, at 252.767.4044 to place your order before Tuesday, April 12. Proceeds benefit the men’s group of the church.

The butts average between 8-10 pounds each and will be cooked and ready for pickup on Friday, April 15 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the church parking lot. The church is located at 6535 Raleigh Road (US Hwy 1 Business South) in Kittrell. Cost is $30.

The church’s “Women of Joy” group will sponsor a bake sale during the pickup times so stop by a pick up a favorite cake, pie. Call Alice Braswell at 252.492.0882 by April 12 to make a special request for a baked item. of Union Chapel United Methodist Church will also
Proceeds from the bake sale will benefit “Women of Joy.”

 

VGCC’s 38th Annual Golf Tournament May 9-10; Register Now!

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Registration is underway for the 38th annual Vance-Granville Community College golf tournament. Golfers interested in signing up to play need to swing into action before the April 15 deadline.

The VGCC Foundation Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, May 9-10, at the Henderson Country Club.  Gupton Services, Inc. of Henderson will serve as the event’s presenting sponsor.

The tournament is a primary fundraiser for the VGCC Foundation, according to a press statement from VGCC’s Jerry Edmonds III, vice president of Workforce & Community Engagement.

All proceeds from the tournament are used to fund student scholarships and to support the mission of the college.

The golf tournament provides resources for VGCC’s efforts to remove barriers to education as it enhances and expands ways to address need-based aid for students and promote equitable outcomes for all learners, said Tanya Weary, executive director of the VGCC Foundation.

But the tournament also provides an opportunity for golfers and non-golfers alike to come together and demonstrate their support of VGCC and its impact on the broader community.

VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais said she welcomes the opportunity to interact with all those who come out to play or watch. “We look forward to fellowshipping with our golf friends and thank you for your support of the VGCC mission,” Desmarais said.

The golf tournament will be held over two afternoons. Golfers who want to register in teams are asked to do so on the event’s website https://www.vgcc.edu/golf. Entry fee includes lunch, a golfer swag bag and a cookout at the end of each day.

There also are sponsorship opportunities available for businesses looking to promote their brand and support a worthy cause. Donations may be made via the event website or by emailing  foundation@vgcc.edu.

Presenting sponsor Gupton Services is a local HVAC, roofing and building automation systems company that traces its origins back to 1921, when C.P. Tanner established a sheet metal-working plant in Henderson.  Tanner Roofing became Owen Gupton Roofing and in 2019, Henderson native Greg Etheridge became its owner and president.

“As a local small business, we are happy to take a leadership role in the community and to support Vance-Granville Community College,” Etheridge said.  “If you look at the research, the benefits of postsecondary education and skills training to both the individual and our community are enormous.  The VGCC Foundation helps make education affordable and accessible to this region, and we must encourage that, in order to promote economic mobility and job security for our citizens.”

VGCC continues to be a source of economic growth because it provides an educated and skilled workforce that improves the quality of life for individual students and the community.  Careers in HVAC, electronics engineering, mechatronics, welding and auto mechanics are just a few areas in high demand.

Whether just entering the job market or making a career change, VGCC helps students along their career paths as they develop the skills needed to fill jobs in high-demand areas.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19 Cases Continue Downward Trend In Vance, Granville

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New cases of COVID-19 continue to decline in Vance and Granville counties over the past week, and Granville Vance Public Health Director Lisa Harrison said that while this is good news for the community, it’s important to pay close attention to what’s happening outside the community – even on other continents – to remain vigilant about safety precautions.

Vance County reported 10 new cases in the 7-day period ending Mar. 18; Granville reported 16 new cases in that same time frame. Both counties are in the low category for percent positivity – 2.7 percent for Vance and 1.7 percent for Granville, according to information from GVPH.

Both counties are now below the state’s percent positive rate of 2.3 percent.

There have been 14,173 cases of COVID-19 in Granville County and 11,809 cases of COVID-19 in Vance County for a total of 25,982 across the health district.

Granville County has documented 111 deaths as a result of COVID-19 and Vance County has a total of 112 deaths for a total of 223 deaths across the health district.

“It is true that we are in a much better and much different place than we have been during the pandemic,” Harrison said. “It is also true the pandemic is not over. Never underestimate the power of data, of your public health teams, health care provider teams, education support teams, and in general, where many of us turn often: Faith, Hope, and Love. Whatever the future brings, we have the courage and the tools to navigate it,” she said.

Beginning Wednesday, Mar. 23, the DHHS dashboard summary will reflect how the state’s health offiicials are continuing to keep a close watch on COVID-19 trends in the state. The following seven metrics will be used, with less emphasis of the percentage of positive tests:

 

  • Wastewater surveillance, which can detect COVID
  • Emergency department reports of people coming in with COVID-like illnesses
  • Hospital admission numbers
  • Case trends
  • Booster shot rates
  • Prevalence of variants
  • Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on community spread in the states.

This change is being made because so many people are testing themselves at home and not necessarily reporting results to DHHS, Harrison said.

She added information on a recent increase in cases and hospitalizations in the United Kingdom and  other European countries. There are several possible reasons for this increase, Harrison noted: the more transmissible BA.2 Omicron variants, more people gathering more often without masks and waning immunity from vaccination or previous infection.

State public health and political leaders held a press conference on Thursday, Mar. 17 and the main points of the press conference were:

  • We can look forward with the belief that the worst of this pandemic is behind us and it’s also important to take stock at how far we have come.
  • There are COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, testing supplies, and improved infrastructure to help people make choices as they live amid the virus.
  • Now we turn the page on the pandemic to a new phase – “one of individual responsibility, preparedness, and prosperity.”

“While COVID is now a threat we can manage, it has not disappeared,” NC DHSS Secretary Kody Kinsley said. “We will remain vigilant and we will work to equip you with the information and tools you need to make choices that are best for you and your family.”

Four principles will guide the DHHS response, Kinsley said, to “ensure a fast and fair response that improves the health, safety and well-being of all North Carolinians.”

The guiding principles are:

  • Empowering individuals to make informed decisions for themselves and their families
  • Maintaining health system capacity
  • Collaborating with local partners
  • Prioritizing equity in access to vaccines, treatments and other tools, as well as crucial information

Stay up-to-date by visiting https://gvph.org/

Vance County Sheriff's Office

One Arrested On Drug Charges By Vance Sheriff’s Narcotics Division

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A man was arrested on drug charges Friday during a traffic stop in the Townsville community, according to Vance Sheriff Curtis R. Brame.

In a press statement to WIZS News, Brame said

Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division conducted a motor vehicle stop for traffic violations and detected the odor of marijuana.

Further investigation led to the seizure of a small amount of marijuana and crack cocaine.

Frederick Harris, 54, was arrested on one count of

felony possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, (Crack Cocaine) and one count of simple possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substances, (Marijuana).

An unsecured bond of $10,000 was set and Harris was scheduled to appear in court today (Monday, Mar. 21).

Sheriff: Toddler Dies In Weekend Accident

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A toddler has died after being hit by a moving vehicle, according to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Curtis R. Brame said in a press release that the accident occurred on Saturday, Mar. 19. Deputies responded to a call at 6:04 p.m. to 1320 Railroad St.

An 18-month-old was transported to Maria Parham Medical Center by Vance County EMS, and died as a result of injuries received in the accident.

Brame said the North Carolina Highway Patrol is assisting in the investigation because a motor vehicle was involved in the child’s death.

No further details are available at this time.

 

 

Schools Survey Seeks Input From Community As Part Of Strategic Planning

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There’s still one day left to help Vance County Schools as school officials plan for the next few years.

Members of the community are being asked to complete a survey to share opinions and information as they begin creating a strategic roadmap for 2022-2025, according to information from VCS Director of Communication and Marketing Aarika Sandlin.

The information from the surveys will help guide school officials with the planning  process, Sandlin said.

The survey will be open until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 22.

There’s a link to the survey on the Vance County Schools website, https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/ or find the link here:

https://forms.gle/LQuo7s5TW7dzpk4a8

Vance GOP

Vance GOP Convention Mar. 22

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The Vance County Republican Party will hold its annual convention on Tuesday, Mar. 22.

The convention will be held in the Family Life Center of South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, 905 American Rd., Henderson, according to information from local GOP Chairman Jimmy Barrier.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be available. The convention kicks off with precinct meetings at 6:30 p.m., followed by a business session at 7 p.m.

On the agenda to speak at the convention will be GOP district and state dignitaries and many candidates running for seats at the local, district and state level in the May 17 primary election.

Guests are welcome to attend the convention, Barrier said, but only county residents who were registered Republicans on or before Jan. 31, 2022 may take part in voting on convention issues.