Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Vance’s Reported COVID-19 Cases Drop By Half In Last Week

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Vance County’s new COVID-19 cases dropped by half in the last week, with 24 new cases being reported in the 7-day period that ended Mar. 4, according to information from Granville Vance Public Health.

That reduction puts the county’s percent positivity rate at 5.3 percent, lowering it from high transmission to substantial transmission.

Granville County’s community transmission rate remains in the high category, with 4.7 percent positivity and 65 new cases in the same 7-day period. The state’s percent positive rate is slightly lower than either Vance or Granville at 4.3 percent.

Total cases of COVID-19 in Vance total 11,763 and Granville cases total 14,105. There have been no new deaths reported in the last week; total deaths across the health district are 223, with 112 in Vance County and 111 in Granville County.

A total of 60 percent of the population in Vance County over the age of 5 have gotten at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or the single-shot J & J. In Granville County, that figure is 65 percent. Both counties fall below the statewide average of 71 percent who are fully vaccinated.

GVPH Director Lisa Harrison stated in the update that North Carolina has begun to move to monitoring weekly trends rather than daily data points.

“The NC DHHS data dashboard is shifting into a model where individuals can check in with the data track once a week and make decisions about their own risk and determine whether they need to add layers of protection, such as masking indoors or avoiding crowds,” Harrison said.

As restrictions ease and mask mandates Iifted, Harrison said it is important to remember that the risk for infection remains.

It’s important to remember that COVID-19 is still with us even though we are reaching less risky phases across our community and state. It is okay to choose to wear masks even when the risks have diminished – please remember there are those who may be especially vulnerable to illness,” she said.

Visit https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/25/health/cdc-covid-metrics-mask-guidance/index.html to learn more.

Filing Period Ends For May 17 Primary

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The filing period for the May 17 primary election ended at noon today, and several candidates filed the necessary paperwork before the deadline, according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan

Randy Oxendine, a Democrat, filed for the District 2 seat on the Vance County Board of Education, a seat currently held by his wife, Darlynn Oxendine.

Republican Jonathan Collier added his name to the list of candidates for the office of Vance County Sheriff. Collier faces Patrick Bailey in the Republican primary race. Incumbent Curtis Brame and Sterlin Walker will be on the Democrat ballot for sheriff in the primary.

William Earl Purvis filed for Henderson City Council Ward Seat 2 At Large and will challenge incumbent William Burnette for the seat.

The City Ward 1 at large incumbent Sara Coffey has filed for re-election and faces opposition from Clementine Hunter, who also has filed for the seat.

Amanda Burnette, a Democrat, filed to run for Clerk of Superior Court. She faces incumbent Henry Gupton in that race.

In neighboring Granville County, a field of three Democrats and three Republicans are vying for the job of sheriff.

Democrats Keith Daniel, Robert D. Fountain, Jr. and Ronald M. Smith, Sr. have filed. Republicans Vance Johnson, Robert Morris and Clinton Owens also have filed.

In the race for Board of Education District 5, Samantha Harris and Danielle Hayes will vie for the seat. And in District 7, incumbent David Richardson faces Taylor Frederick for the seat.

Bradley Oldenburg, (R) has filed for Granville County Commissioner in District 2. He joins Rob Williford II, (D), who had previously filed.

In the newly created NC Senate District 18, four candidates have tossed their names into the ring: Republican Dimitry Slabyak filed in December, before the filing was suspended; Republican E.C. Sykes of Raleigh filed Feb. 28, Libertarian Ryan Brown of Creedmoor filed on Mar. 1 and Democrat Mary Wills Bode of Oxford filed Mar. 2.

Vance County Logo

Candidates Must File By Noon Friday For May 17 Primary

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There are several contested races so far for the upcoming May 17 primary elections in Vance County, and prospective candidates have until noon on Friday to file.

Incumbent Sheriff Curtis Brame has filed for re-election. Brame, a Democrat, faces Sterlin Walker, also a Democrat, in the primary.

The winner will face Republican Patrick Bailey, who also has filed, if no other candidate files in the next couple of days.

Incumbent Terry Garrison (D) faces newcomer Frank Sossamon, a Republican, for the NC House 32 seat.

In the Vance County Board of Education races, incumbent Gloria White has filed for re-election in District 1; Democrat Omega T. Perry has filed for the District 2 seat. Incumbent Margaret Ellis has not filed yet; Incumbent Democrat Ruth Hartness has filed for re-election in District 7; nobody has filed for the District 2 seat, currently held by Darlynn Oxendine.

Three Vance County commissioners have filed for re-election – Gordon Wilder in District 3, Dan Brummitt in District 4 and Tommy Hester in District 7. Wilder, a Democrat, faces opposition by Sean Alston, also a Democrat. Brummitt and Hester, both Republicans, currently have no opposition.

The City Ward 1 at large incumbent Sara Coffey has filed for re-election and faces oppostition from Clementine Hunter, who also has filed for the seat.

City Ward 2 at large incumbent William Burnette has filed, as have incumbents Garry Daeke in City Ward 3 and Ola Thorpe-Cooper in City Ward 4.

Incumbent Cassandra Neal (D) has filed for re-election to the Register of Deeds and incumbent Henry Gupton (D) has filed for re-election to Clerk of Superior Court.

The filing period ends at noon on Friday, setting the stage for the upcoming primary on May 17 and the general election on Nov. 8.

 

HPD Detains Two Suspects In Catalytic Converter Theft

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The Henderson Police Department on Sunday morning followed up on an alert from Granville County that resulted in the detention of two suspects.

A BOLO (be on the lookout) alert was issued by Granville County about 9:30 a.m. Sunday in reference to a blue and white truck occupied by a white male and a white female, according to HPD social media post. The post continued by stating that the couple had been seen removing converters from disabled vehicles along I-85 in the area.

A police officer who had remembered seeing an abandoned vehicle along the northbound lanes of the interstate between exits 212 and 213 drove back to the location and spotted the suspect vehicle.

The officer “engaged the two suspects and noticed a catalytic converter in the bed of the suspects’ truck, partially covered by a tarp,” the post stated.

The two were transferred to the custody of Granville and the truck was towed.

NC MedAssist

NC MedAssist Distributing OTC Meds In Oxford Mar. 11

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NC MedAssist is coming to Oxford next week to give away an assortment of over-the-counter medications including pain relief products, as well as cold and flu medicines, allergy pills and children’s medication.

The distribution will take place on Friday, March 11 – rain or shine – from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the campus of the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., according to information from the non-profit based in Charlotte. Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is bringing the event to the area.

Registration is not required, but you may pre-register at www.medassist.org/mobile and pick up your order on the day of the event.

Items also may be picked up for a family member or friend.

All North Carolina residents over the age of 18 are welcome to pick up medications; there are no income or ID requirements.

NC MedAssist is a non-profit pharmacy that provides access to prescription medications to the uninsured and also provides free over-the-counter medications to anyone in need through its Mobile Free Pharmacy events.

Learn more at www.medassist.org.

Vance County Logo

Filing Period Set To Reopen Thursday For May 17 Primary

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Candidates who wish to file for local offices will be able to do so beginning  day after tomorrow – Feb. 24 – at 8 a.m., according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

The filing period resumes Thursday after a months-long delay following a State Supreme Court ruling on newly drawn district maps.

Any candidate who has already filed does not need to re-file, Vaughan said.

Candidates may file for the office of sheriff, the register of deeds, clerk of court and county commissioners’ seats in Districts 3,4 and 7. Candidates running for N.C. Senate and N.C. House of Representatives will file at their county boards of elections as well, Vaughan said.

Board of Education seats in districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 will be voted on in the next election, as will City Council Wards 3 and 4, at-large seats in Wards 1 and 2, and seats in the NC House and NC Senate.

The primary is scheduled for May 17, 2022.

Following is the list of filing fees:

  • Sheriff – $720.60
  • Register of Deeds – $529.56
  • Clerk of Court – $998
  • County Commissioners – $98.72
  • Board of Education – $42
  • City of Henderson – $10
  • NC House and NC Senate – $140

Make checks payable to Vance County Board of Elections.

COVID-19 Rates Continue To Drop In Vance, Granville

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COVID-19 cases continue to recede in Vance and Granville counties, and there have been no new deaths reported in the past week, according to information from Granville Vance Public Health.

Trends are decreasing, lowering the risk of infection, according to Lisa Harrison, GVPH director. Harrison also notes that there have been improvements in hospital capacity.

There have been 79 new cases reported in Vance County in the 7 days ending Friday, Feb. 18. The percent positivity rate is 12.9 percent; in Granville County, 164 new cases were reported in the same period for a percent positivity rate of 11.6 percent.

A total of 11,658 cases have been reported in Vance and 13,888 cases have been reported in Granville.

In the Bureau of Federal Prisons in Butner, there were 3 Granville County inmates whose positive test results were reported to the local health department this week (57 cases have been reported during the 30-day period). There are no new cases among staff to report.

Donate To Cooperative Extension Food Drive To Create Meal Bags For Up To 10 Families

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The Vance County center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension is hosting a food drive in advance of the 36th annual Small Farms Week, which will be observed March 21-26, 2022. The statewide event, presented by Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T, recognizes the contributions of small farmers across the state’s 100 counties.

The Vance food drive will continue until March 11, but this year’s format looks a little different. Instead of a general collection of canned goods and nonperishables, county staff will collect nonperishable ingredients for a family meal. Each extension office will be putting together meal bags for up to 10 families of four to five people. The Vance County center office will be collecting items for salmon burgers and sweet potato oven fries. Please see the flyer for ingredients needed to fill our meal bags.

Here is a list of items being collected:

  • Low-sodium sweet potatoes
  • Canola oil
  • 75-oz. can pink or red salmon
  • Green onions
  • Red bell pepper
  • Saltine-style crackers, unsalted tops
  • Lemon juice
  • Eggs
  • Plain low-fat yogurt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Cooking spray
  • Whole-wheat buns
  • Bibb lettuce
  • Tomatoes
  • Lemon pepper seasoning blend

All food collected through the food drive will be donated to ACTS (Area Christians Together in Service). Anyone interested in donating to this food drive can bring items to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Vance County Center office at 305 Young Street in Henderson.

For more information, please call 252-438-8188 or contact Nitasha Kearney, EFNEP Educator at ndkearney@ncat.edu or Wayne Rowland at dwrowlan@ncat.edu.

Thank you in advance for donating to those in hunger in Vance County.

Got To Be NC Festival Set For May 20-22 At State Fairgrounds

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Planning is underway for the 2022 Got to Be NC Festival and registration is open now for commercial vendors and homegrown marketplace vendors to participate in the three-day event coming up in May.

The annual event will be held at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh from May 20-22. It will feature food, wine and beer from across the state, according to information from the N.C. Department of Agriculture.

The festival also will feature one of the largest displays of antique tractors and farm equipment in the Southeast, and organizers are looking for tractor collectors and clubs to be part of the event. Plans include a daily tractor parade through the fairgrounds for tractors in working order. Participation is free and open to individuals and clubs, but pre-registration is required. Contact Pat Short at 336.706.9796 to register or for questions. National farm broadcaster Max Armstrong will be on hand to announce the Sunday, May 22, tractor parade lineup.

Food concessionaires, commercial vendors and organizations interested in exhibiting at the festival have until March 1 to complete their application at ncstatefair.org. For more information, contact Letrice Midgett, commercial space administrator, at 919-839-4502 or email at Letrice.Midgett@ncagr.gov or phone her at 919.839.4502.

April 1 is the deadline for North Carolina-based food and beverage companies to register for the festival. Prospective vendors must be members of the Got to Be NC marketing program. Got to Be NC program members should contact Sherry Barefoot at sherry.barefoot@ncagr.gov with questions.

Registration forms and vendor applications for the Homegrown Marketplace are available at https://gottobenc.com/event/gtbnc-festival/.

Petco Coming To Henderson

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Petco, a nationally known pet supply retailer, is building a new store in Henderson.

Land was purchased on US 158 beside Superior Chrysler from Ruin Creek Properites, and the Henderson Board of Adjustment approved a special-use permit request at its meeting Tuesday, Feb. 1.

No word on when construction will be completed, but Ruxton Bobbitt, acting chair of the board of adjustment, told WIZS News today (Friday) that the store would employ up to 10 people when it opens.

Brandon Boyd, representing Ruin Creek Properties, told WIZS News that he and his family sold the property for the new business. “Petco has purchased a portion of the former Rose Oil property,” he said. “We are happy to have them in Henderson, we’re happy for the location they chose and the employment opportunities.”

Boyd said a company representing Petco reached out to the Boyd family and Ruin Creek Properties to ask if they would be interested in selling. The parcel that was sold is located beside the Superior Chrysler dealership.

Bobbitt said the board approved construction of a 15,000-quare foot building. A private road will be put in between US 158 and Dabney Road, he said.

The new store will be located across US 158 from the Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society building, which Brandon Boyd and his family established 10 years ago.

Boyd said the family really had no idea which big box retailer was interested in the property until the request for a zoning hearing was filed.

“It made it a really nice fit,” he said.

Petco has about 1,500 stores nationwide and offers pet essentials from food to grooming services.