Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Vance County Primary Election Results

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The Vance County portion of the May 17, 2022 primary saw final, unofficial results in less than two hours after the polls closed at 7:30 p.m. and two challengers in the winners column.

Not a situation of being too close to call but indeed a situation of being very close was Sean Alston’s 270 votes to Gordon Wilder’s 260 votes for Vance County Board of Commissioners District 3.

After learning of Alston’s victory, the incumbent candidate Wilder told WIZS News when asked about a recount, “I think it would be wise to do so.”

As there is no Republican challenger in November for this County Commissioners seat, the primary outcome is in effect the election.

As for the City of Henderson Alderman At-Large 2nd Ward, incumbent William T. Burnette was unseated by challenger Lamont Noel. Noel earned 765 votes to Burnette’s 632. That’s close enough for a recount according to elections officials, but when asked Burnette said to WIZS News, “With Mr. Noel winning 45 percent of the votes, I don’t think a recount is necessary.”

As the City election is a non-partisan, municipal election, it too is the election despite otherwise being at the same time as the primary.

Incumbent candidate and Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame will be able to continue to seek office in the general election after defeating challenger Sterlin Walker in the Democratic primary. Brame earned 3,232 votes to Walker’s 867.

Brame will be challenged in November by Republican Patrick Bailey who defeated Jonathan Collier. The Bailey and Collier totals were 760 and 433 respectively.

The other closely contested race was for Vance County Clerk of Superior Court. In the Democratic primary, incumbent Henry Gupton received 2,138 votes while challenger Amanda Burnette received 1,930. As there is no Republican challenger, it is a successful re-election bid for Gupton.

The other contested Henderson City Council seat was for Alderman At-Large 1st Ward where incumbent Sara Coffey defeated challenger Clementine Hunter 1,416 to 246.

Otherwise, in purely local Vance County races, Garry Daeke was unopposed for City of Henderson Alderman 3rd Ward and received 257 votes, and Ola Thorpe-Cooper was unopposed for the City of Henderson Alderman 4th Ward seat. She received 310 votes.

West End Baptist

West End Baptist Church To Host 3-Day Yard Sale May 18-20

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The Baptist Men’s group of West End Baptist Church is hosting a huge three-day yard sale this week. Jerry Parrish invites the community to come join the fun and check out all the items for sale on Wednesday through Friday, May 18-20.

The yard sale will be held at the church, located at 619 Dabney Dr. and will start each day at 7 a.m.

Among the items for sale are a large selection of golf clubs, working vacuum cleaners, a working refrigerator, an assortment of Halloween and Christmas items, as well as yard tools, weed eaters, chain saws, a couple of riding lawnmowers and even a paddle boat.

All proceeds will go to support local and state ministries including ACTS, Rebuilding Hope, Lifeline Ministries, Baptist On Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and GRACE Ministries.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Local COVID-19 Cases On The Rise

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COVID-19 cases are on the rise across much of North Carolina, and Vance and Granville counties are no exception.

According to information extracted from the COVID-19 dashboard Granville-Vance Public Health website, the number of new weekly positive cases is on the uptick in both counties.

The most recent numbers are for May 7, with 42 cases – 2 of which are reinfections – for Vance County. That is an increase over the 26 cases reported as of April 30.

In Granville County, the May 7 number was 95, with 7 being reinfections. The April 30 number had been 75, according to the dashboard statistics.

In both counties, the number of new cases dropped to single digits in early April, but have since seen increases. Cases in both counties peaked in mid-January, with 865 cases in Vance and 1,155 cases in Granville.

Total cases since March 2020 are 11,936 in Vance and 14,536 in Granville, with deaths from COVID-19 standing at 122 in Vance and 115 in Granville.

With mask requirements now optional in many places and people gathering and congregating with less regard for social distancing, the risk for contracting COVID-19 may also increase.

If you do experience symptoms, you should get tested. And if the results come back positive for COVID-19, health professionals advise to self-isolate for 10 days.

Visit http://www.gvdhd.org/ to learn more.

 

Online Meeting May 19 To Talk About Business Recovery Grants

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The N.C. Department of Revenue has scheduled an online information session next week to help businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic apply for Business Recovery Grant money.

The session will be held Thursday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to noon and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the grant’s Phase 2, according to Sheri Jones, VGCC Small Business Center Director. “The state is eager to distribute these funds to eligible businesses so I would encourage anyone who was in business during the pandemic to take a look at the criteria and apply – it is much broader and covers more business types in this phase, Jones said.

The deadline to apply is June 1.
To register for Thursday’s online session, go to:  NC DOR Business Recovery Grant – Program Overview & Common FAQs
The N.C. General Assembly passed the legislation and Gov. Roy Cooper signed it into law in March. The BRG issues awards of up to $500,000 to eligible North Carolina businesses that suffered substantial economic loss during the pandemic.
Two types of grants are available through the program:

  • A hospitality grant is available to an eligible arts, entertainment or recreation business,
    as well as an eligible accommodation or food service business such as a hotel, restaurant or bar (NAICS code 71 and 72).
  • A reimbursement grant is available to an eligible business not classified in NAICS Code
    71 and 72.

For Phase 2, the law was changed to make more businesses eligible for a grant. A business that received other COVID-19 relief may now be eligible for a grant in Phase 2.
Visit https://www.ncdor.gov/business-recovery-grant for more information and to apply.

Mail Carriers’ ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Event May 14

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Postal carriers deliver all sorts of mail to boxes near and far every day. But there’s a special-delivery postcard that found its way into area mailboxes recently to promote the “Stamp Out Hunger” campaign, which takes place the second Saturday in May.

That day is THIS Saturday, May 14.

The request is simple: Leave healthy, non-perishable food items by your mailbox and the person who delivers your mail will pick up your donation.

Since 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers, along with various national partners, has worked to collect food items that are donated to local food pantries.

Visit www.stampouthungerfooddrive.us to learn more.

Perry Memorial Library

Friends Of Perry Library Meeting Monday, May 16

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The Friends of the Perry Memorial invites you to attend the annual meeting on Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m.

The group exists to support the library in its mission to provide the best collection, programs and service to the community in and around Henderson.

Among the agenda items are planning for summer and fall activities, including the next book sale. The group also will be electing board members.

The meeting will be held in the Farm Bureau Room at the library, located at 205 Breckenridge St.

For more information, contact friendsofperrymemoriallibrary@gmail.com

 

Country Snacks Mfg. Named Vance Co. Small Business Of The Year

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Country Snacks Manufacturing was named Vance County Small Business of the Year Wednesday by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

The business, founded in 2000 by Dwight Frazier and now run by daughter Angie Jacobs, makes a variety of snacks like pork rinds and pork skins in bags with the familiar Carolina Country Snack logo.

In presenting the award, Ronald Bennett, chairperson of the Henderson-Vance Chamber, told the group of about 40 that the company started out with a few employees and has grown to about 35. A partnership with Wise Foods has meant the crunchy snack foods have a much wider distribution now. “And it all started right here in Henderson,” Bennett said.

Upon accepting the award, Jacobs said she is proud to live in Henderson. “We love where we live,” she said. “We’re very thankful for this award and we appreciate it.”

Three other Chambers were represented at Wednesday’s event and announced their Small Business winners as well. The luncheon was held at Henderson Country Club.

Granville County Chamber Executive Director Lauren Roberson awarded Randall Huff of Huff Consulting LLC the Small Business of the Year for Granville County. In accepting the award, Huff said his business’s open house was in August 2021, and the reception from the community was a welcoming one.

“We’re in the right place to be able to help people in the right way,” he said. “We look forward to being a pillar in the community for a long time.”

In Franklin County, the Small Business of the Year went to Cook Shack Catering LLC and REMAX Premier Realty is the winner in Person County.

Representatives of the N.C. Rural Center were the guest speakers at the awards luncheon. Miles Kirksey and Tori Keeton shared updates about the role small businesses play in the economy and what that means for rural areas.

Kirksey said Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties have seen the most growth in new small businesses in 2020-21: Vance County has seen a 110 percent growth in new businesses, with Warren coming in at 91 percent, followed by Granville with 89 percent, Person with 86 percent and Franklin with 80 percent.

“I’m excited to see the growth of these five counties,” Kirksey said, adding that the more rural counties should be mindful of the benefits they can offer.

“Rural is not just a place,” Kirksey said. “It’s a way of life.”

Third Suspect Arrested In Apr. 29 Shooting Death Of Henderson Man

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A third person has been charged in connection with the shooting death late last month of a Henderson man.

Police Chief Marcus Barrow said Jamarius Hakeem Smith, 21, of Stem in Granville County was arrested without incident on Monday. Smith is currently being held at the Vance County Detention Center pending court proceedings, Barrow said in a written statement to WIZS News Tuesday.

James E. Mellon, 27, of 465 Powell St., died of a single gunshot wound on April 29.

Rashaun Hunt and Jada Peace, both 21 years old, face charges in connection with the death. They were remanded to the Vance County Detention Facility pending initial court appearances.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact the police department via Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925, by using the P3 app, by calling the police department at 252.438.4141, or by Facebook or Instagram.
Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards of up to $2,000 for information assisting in criminal cases.

Upcoming Blood Drives Scheduled; Make An Appointment To Give

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-information courtesy of the American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina

 The school year is almost over, and it’s about time for afternoons at the pool and family road trips. While summer means fun for many of us, it’s business as usual in hospitals across the country. The need for blood doesn’t take a break, and it’s critical that donors take time to give blood or platelets to ensure a strong blood supply in the coming months.

In thanks for helping boost the blood supply, all who come to give through May 19, 2022, will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice and will also be automatically entered to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps eight. Details are available at rcblood.org/camper. Those who come to give May 20-31 will receive an exclusive 20-ounce Red Cross aluminum water bottle and customizable sticker set, while supplies last, according to Cally Edwards, regional communications director for the Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina.

Upcoming blood drive schedule by county:

Vance

Henderson

5/18/2022: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Maria Parham Medical Center, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.

5/19/2022: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.

Granville

Creedmoor

5/27/2022: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Creedmoor United Methodist Church, 214 Park Ave.

Warren

Macon

5/20/2022: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Macon Baptist Church, 159 Church St.

How to donate blood

Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

 

 

 

‘Project Give It A Shot’ Works To Educate, Improve Vaccination Rates

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Project Give It A Shot kicked off in Vance County on Thursday as a way to educate people about the benefits of being vaccinated against COVID-19.

The project is not another spinoff from state or federal programs; rather, it’s more of a grass-roots effort from a group of high school and college students who are on a mission to help medically underserved areas try to reach that goal of achieving herd immunity.

Their first stop was at the Henderson office of Granville-Vance Public Health. Three volunteers stationed themselves in the clinic lobby for several hours in hopes of informing clients about the science behind the vaccines and the importance of being vaccinated.

Aanya Sachdeva, a senior at Cary Academy, and Rishi Desni, soon-to-be-graduate of ECU, were joined by local high school senior Justin Gregory. Gregory is set to graduate from Vance County Early College in a few weeks. He heard about the project and reached out to become a volunteer.

“It will allow me to see what it’d be like to work in the area of public health,” Gregory said of becoming a volunteer. He said there are others he knows who may be interested in being trained, too.

From left, Aanya Sachdeva, Rishi Desni and Justin Gregory

What began with volunteers mostly in the Wake County area has branched out in sort of a “phase 2” plan, which means the group will fan out into more rural counties like Vance.

Sachdeva told WIZS News Thursday that she and other volunteers are available to answer questions and to talk about the vaccine to help others gain understanding.

“We want to make it as easy as possible,” she said, for someone to get the vaccine. Sometimes, that means eliminating barriers.

For people without a way to get to a vaccination clinic, Sachdeva said the volunteers have arranged Uber rides. In Vance County, it could mean making an appointment with KARTS. For others who are uncertain about the safety of the vaccines, volunteers can take the time to try to explain in greater detail about how messenger RNA vaccines work. Their information is available in Spanish, also.

Desni, the ECU senior, said sometimes all it takes is patience.

“It’s not like it’s a one, two, three, you’re done” process, he said. As one of the project volunteers, he said taking the time with those who have questions or doubts is a key first step.

Desni said he will continue working as a volunteer after he graduates and hopes to raise awareness and get more shots in arms in counties including Wilson, Wayne and Edgecombe – all closer to him in the Greenville area. Volunteers will continue their work in Vance and spread out into Granville, Warren and Franklin as well.

According to DHHS COVID-19 dashboard data, Vance County has a 57 percent vaccination rate – well below the 70 percent herd immunity goal and below the overall state rate of 62 percent. The more urban counties of Wake, Durham and Orange all enjoy vaccination rates higher than 70 percent, so that’s one reason the Give It A Shot project shifted focus to counties outside the Triangle area.

At first, demand for vaccine exceeded supply. But that has shifted and now the challenge is not availability of the vaccine but having those unvaccinated individuals gaining access to clinics that have plenty of vaccines.

Some people who have interacted with Project Give It A Shot have said they didn’t know how to register to get a vaccine; others said they needed help finding a location. The support from the project volunteers has resulted in 945 vaccinated people, according to its website. And they’re not finished yet.

“Getting the remainder of our population to agree to getting the vaccine will require innovative thinking and building a sense of trust with a world of misinformation. That’s where we come in,” according to a written statement from Project Give It A Shot.

Want to learn more? Visit www.projectgiveitashot.com.

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