Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Avian Influenza Still A Threat To Local Poultry

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Poultry owners are being encouraged to step up biosecurity measures due to the continued threat of a highly contagious bird influenza responsible for more than 100 bird deaths since mid-January.

State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin said poultry owners from backyard chickens to commercial facilities should be aware that High Path Avian Influenza continues to be a concern in the state. He said poultry should stay indoors if possible.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, along with the United States Department of Agriculture and the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission has been tracking the highly pathogenic Eurasian H5 avian influenza first identified in January in wild waterfowl in our state.

“Since Jan. 16, more than 100 wild birds have tested positive for HPAI in North Carolina,” Martin said. “The wild waterfowl that tested positive in our state are still wintering in the Carolinas. HPAI has also been confirmed in 17 commercial poultry farms across seven states and 10 backyard/independent flocks in seven states. These positive cases in domestic poultry flocks in other states continue to rise, which is concerning. North Carolina has not had a case of HPAI in domestic poultry.”

This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is dangerous to other birds, including commercial and backyard flocks of poultry.

If your birds are sick or dying, report it right away to your local veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division, 919.707.3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System 919.733.3986.

If you have questions about migratory birds, hunting, or wild waterfowl found dead on your property, visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s website at www.ncwildlife.org.

Pre-K, Kindergarten Registration Event Mar. 22 At L.B. Yancey

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Parents with children ready to enter kindergarten or pre-kindergarten in the 2022-23 school year have an opportunity to complete the registration process next week at L.B. Yancey Elementary School.

The registration event will be held on Tuesday, Mar. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Perry Memorial Library Pop-Up Library will be on site as well, providing stories about the lovable Pet the Cat, according to information from Vance County Schools’ Director of Communication and Marketing Aarika Sandlin.

Children will enjoy listening to some of Pete the Cat’s stories, and there will be free hotdogs, chips and juice for all, plus karaoke, parachute games and much more.

The rain date is Tuesday, Mar. 29, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

MAKO Medical Kicks in $10K To Help Fund Vance Ed Foundation Grants For Teachers

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MAKO Medical has donated $10,000 to the Vance County Public School Foundation to support a grant program for funding in 2022-23.  But the North Carolina-based medical lab has taken it one step further and issued a challenge to the community: They will match dollar-for-dollar all future donations from area businesses and individuals up to $10,000.

The grant is called Learning that Extends Actual Performance – or LEAP, for short.

Teachers in Vance County Public Schools can submit project applications beginning Mar. 25. A committee will evaluate the applications and award the grants to recipients at the August teacher Convocation, according to a press statement from VCS Director of Communication and Marketing Aarika Sandlin.

Josh Arant, MAKO Medical’s chief operating officer, said helping classroom teachers is a great way to invest in the community.

“The past two years have been hard on students, teachers and their families,” Arant said in a press statement. “We want to help support our educators and inspire innovation in Vance County. I hope other individuals and companies will join us.”

Five educators received grants in 2021 to support projects aimed at enriching students’ classroom experience, Sandlin stated.

VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett praised MAKO for its generosity. “We are so grateful for the financial support and the confidence that MAKO has in the work we are doing in Vance County Schools,” Bennett said.

“Every dollar donated will support the experiences and engaging opportunities our teachers will design and share with our students. MAKO has again demonstrated their amazing support for this community,” she continued.

The foundation will provide an additional $10,000, bringing the total – so far – to $20,000 to fund the grants for next year.

Donations as part of the MAKO Match challenge – with “MAKO Match” in the memo line – can be sent to the following address:

Vance County Schools Public School Foundation

P.O. Box 2956

Henderson, NC 27536

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County Broadband Expansion Possible If Grants Come Through

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners heard a report from the Technology Committee at its Mar. 7 meeting and entered into a memorandum of understanding with CenturyLink to approve authorizing up to $750,000 in funding to expand broadband capacity across the county.

This action is contingent on a grant application by CenturyLink to get money from the NC GREAT grant partnership. GREAT stands for Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology.

The memorandum of understanding with CenturyLink would create a partnership that would commit the county to provide 10 percent of the overall project cost – up to $750,000 in ARPA funding – to allow for the addition of approximately 110 miles of fiber lines installed in the county that would be available to 2,261 premises across the county.

The Technology Committee was made aware that $380 million is available for the next round of grant funding; applications are being accepted through April 4, 2022. CenturyLink is scheduled to submit an application before this April deadline.

This county’s contribution would come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and it would only be contributed if CenturyLink’s grant application is accepted, according to information from the commissioners’ agenda.

Local governments are not eligible to apply for GREAT grants, but they may partner with internet service providers that have an interest in expanding coverage. The maximum grant amount per applicant is $4 million and the maximum amount per county is $8 million.

Charter/Spectrum recently received funding from the federal Rural Digital Opportunities Fund (RDOF), which will allow for broadband improvements in parts of the county over the next few years, the agenda information stated.

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New COVID-19 Cases Drop In Vance, Granville

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For the first time in months, Vance and Granville counties COVID-19 percent positive rates have dropped to the “low” level. There have been no new deaths reported in the last few weeks in either county.

Vance reported 17 new cases over the past week, and Granville reported 27, according to the weekly update from Granville Vance Public Health.

Those numbers represent a 3.4 percent positivity rate for Vance County and a 3.0 percent positivity rate in Granville.

No new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the last two weeks from the Granville buildings of the Federal Prison in Butner, NC.

There have been 14,118 cases of COVID-19 in Granville County and 11,783 cases of COVID-19 in Vance County for a total of 25,901 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.

“We have reached a number of milestones in the COVID-19 pandemic as we have rounded out year two and are all collectively hopeful that no more variants of concern are around the corner,” said GVPH Director Lisa Harrison.

As mask restrictions loosen, Harrison said health professionals and others will continue to pay close attention to the level of disease in the population and to make sure the public remains healthy and safe from communicable disease.

“For those in public health, the epidemic curve (in this case, the pandemic curve) shows us a visual picture of what we have been through together,” Harrison said.

 

 

 

H-V Industrial Park Gets $761,040 Grant From U.S. Dept. Of Commerce For Infrastructure Improvements

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Vance County has been awarded more than $760,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to support business growth in the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park.

The announcement was made today (Tuesday, Mar. 8) by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The EDA grant totals $761,040 and will promote job creation through roadway and sewer upgrades necessary for business expansion, according to a press statement. The grant will be matched with $190,260 in state investment and is expected to create 50 jobs and generate $3.2 million in private investment.

“This infrastructure grant is a big win for Vance County and the continued growth of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park,” said U.S. Sen Thom Tillis. “I was proud to advocate for this award on their behalf, and I want to thank Vance County Commissioner Tommy Hester and Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments Executive Director Diane Cox for their partnership as we worked together to create more jobs in rural North Carolina.”

Congressman G.K. Butterfield, who represents Vance County, said the money will benefit the five counties the Kerr-Tar COG represents. “I am very pleased with the Economic Development Administration’s decision to invest in Vance County,” he said. “This grant award is well deserved and will provide needed funding for infrastructure improvements that will support business and job growth at the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park,” he added.

Included in the press statement were remarks by N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper. “We can build a stronger future for all by making smart investments in roads, water systems and other infrastructure,” Cooper said.  “Vance County is a great place to live, work and raise a family, and this grant will help make necessary improvements and create more jobs.”

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.

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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.