Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

Warren Residents Can Apply For Help Paying Heating Bills

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Eligible Warren County residents can apply to get help with heating bills again this winter from a state assistance program. Applicants who received a payment last year are automatically entered into this year’s round of disbursements, according to information from the Warren County manager’s office.

Families that applied for and received a one-time payment from the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to help with heating costs last year don’t have to re-apply for the same help this year – those recipients should receive notices this month which asks for any relevant changes to the household. Changes may be submitted to the local Department of Social Services, but if everything is the same as last year, no action is required, Duncan noted.

The recipient will be informed that an automated LIEAP payment has been made, according to was given to them.

Households not included in the target population will be able to apply following the regular LIEAP application policy that runs from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31, and is designated for disabled individuals who receive services through the

Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) OR for households with a person age 60 and above.

These households are eligible in the month of December or until funds are exhausted. Applications for general public will be taken from January 1, 2023 through March 31 or until funds are used up.

Applicants must provide certain information to determine eligibility, including a photo ID and household financial information. Find the complete list of documents at wizs.com.

Please bring the following information to determine eligibility:

 

  • Photo Identification
  • Mail or document showing current address (rental agreement, utility bill, etc.)
  • Information about your household’s income. If anyone works, bring wage stubs for the month prior to the month you visit the agency. Bring letter from Social Security Administration to confirm benefits or a statement that shows direct deposit.
  • Recent statement for savings or checking accounts.
  • Name, date of birth & social security card or numbers for each household member.
  • A bill from your primary source of heat (used the MOST, to heat your home). Households that heat with wood/kerosene, will not have a bill to submit. Heating source bill-If the bill is not in applicant’s name, the applicant must provide a written statement from the person whose name the bill is in (must be 18 & older), stating that the applicant is responsible for payment of the heating expense.

 

 

If you or someone you know is not physically able to come to the agency to apply, that person may provide a trusted individual (representative) with a written statement authorizing that representative to apply for LIEAP on their behalf. A contact number for the applicant must be provided and all necessary documentation must be provided.

The program is being administered by Warren County DSS, located at 307 N. Main Street

Warrenton, NC 27589.

Call the Warren County DSS office at 252.257.5000 to learn more.

Meat Conference Dec. 6 In Rocky Mount

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The Northeast District Local Meats Conference will be held in Rocky Mount, NC on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The conference is designed for individuals interesting in creating or expanding a local meat marketing business.

The conference will begin at 9 a.m. at the East Carolina Livestock Arena, located at 1175 Kingsboro Rd. in Rocky Mount.

Some of the topics that will be discussed include N.C. Department of Agriculture meat handlers’ licensing, as well as rules and regulations, labeling claims and laws about meat sales.

In addition, there will be information about carcass evaluation, and planning, marketing and pricing.

Lunch will be included. Pre-register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northeast-district-local-meats-conference-tickets-419613434077

 

Warren County EMS To Receive AED Devices As Part Of Duke Clinical Trial Study

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You’ve probably walked right past an AED and never even noticed it – they are small devices, usually mounted on a wall, that can literally save the life of someone in cardiac arrest.

Warren County Emergency Services is getting 10 AEDs – automated external defibrillators – on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

A team from Duke University’s RACE CARS program is heading to Warrenton Wednesay morning to make the presentation.

Warren County has been highlighted for its “outstanding work with cardiac arrest survival,” according to information from Charla Duncan.

Chief Joel Bartholomew and Capt. Chris Tucker are just a couple of local officials who will be on hand at 9:30 a.m.
The emergency services headquarters is located at 890 U.S. 158 Bypass in Warrenton.

RACE CARS is an acronym that stands for Randomized Cluster Evaluation of Cardiac Arrest Systems and Warren County is taking part in the trial study to test the implementation of community interventions to improve survival for people with cardiac arrest.

See more about the program here: https://racecarstrial.org/

Warren County’s Duncan Among 20 “Trailblazers” Honored For Work In Small Towns

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Warren County’s Community and Economic Development Director, Charla Duncan has been named a “trailblazer” by Business North Carolina magazine.

Duncan is among a group of 20 young leaders identified in the October issue of the magazine for their efforts in improving some of the state’s smaller cities.

“On behalf of the county, I would like to congratulate Ms. Duncan on this well-deserved recognition. We are looking forward to her continuing to help us move forward into a bright future ahead for Warren County,” said County Manager Vincent Jones, in a press statement announcing the honor.

This award focuses on identifying and recognizing thriving business owners and professionals under the age of 40 who work in N.C. cities and towns that have fewer than 100,000 residents.

The magazine received nominations through July 15, 2022 for leaders who were under the age of 40 as of June 30, 2022.  Nominations included short statements supporting these influential business leaders, citing key accomplishments in the last two years and basic biographical information including age, title, hometown, and number of years spent in their current community.

Duncan’s profile, where she shares her perspective, is featured in the October edition of the magazine. She served as interim director for about seven months before the Warren Board of Commissioners appointed her to fill the job in April 2021.

Harry Mills, economic development director in Granville County, called Duncan “a real rising star” in the area of economic development in North Carolina. Mills told WIZS News Friday that he loved Duncan’s passion for what she does and her compassion for people and her community. “She is a real trailblazer,” he added.

Find the article here: Trailblazers: 20 young leaders focused on improving the state’s smaller cities – Business North Carolina (businessnc.com)

Warren County Getting Slice Of $17.5M Grant To Establish High-Speed Internet Connections

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Warren County residents are going to reap the benefits of part of $17.5 million in grant funding to create high-speed internet connections for thousands of its residents.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released information Thursday stating that AccessOn Networks Inc. is getting the money to connect residents, businesses, farms and educational facilities in Warren and Halifax counties in North Carolina as part of $759 million in loans and grants awarded in the third funding round of the federal ReConnect Program.

The company will make high-speed internet service affordable by participating in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs, according to a USDA press release. This project will serve socially vulnerable communities in Halifax and Warren counties and people in the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal Statistical Area.

“People living in rural towns across the nation need high-speed internet to run their businesses, go to school and connect with their loved ones,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA partners with small towns, local utilities and cooperatives, and private companies to increase access to high-speed internet so people in rural America have the opportunity to build brighter futures. Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is committed to making sure that people, no matter where they live, have access to high-speed internet. That’s how you grow the economy – not just in rural communities, but across the nation.”

To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must serve an area that does not have access to service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download) and 20 Mbps (upload). The applicant must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service with speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in its proposed service area.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.

Dale Folwell

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

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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.

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

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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.

Warren Cooperative Extension Hosting Forestry Field Day Nov. 18

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A free workshop is being offered next month in Warren County to help owners of woodland property learn about programs to help them manage their investments.

The Forestry Field Day will be held on Friday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Buck Springs Park, located at 217 Nathaniel Macon Dr., Littleton.

Warren County Cooperative Extension Agent Matthew Place said there will be indoor and outdoor instruction and participants will get updates on everything from forest pests and tax issues to timber valuation, cost share programs and managing beaver damage.

Lunch will be provided for all who register.

Contact Matthew Place at 252.257.3640 or email at mbplace@ncsu.edu

To register, visit https://go.ncsu.edu/warrenforestry2022.

NC State Board of Elections

State Board Of Elections Offers Reminders About Voter Registration Process

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-information courtesy of the N.C. State Board of Elections

Elections officials say the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election is next Friday, Oct. 14.

Individuals who miss that deadline, however, may register and vote at the same time during the one-stop early voting period, which begins Oct. 20 and ends Nov. 5.  County-by-county early voting sites and schedules are available at the State Board of Elections’ One-Stop Early Voting Site Search.

To register, eligible individuals have the following options:

If an application is received after the deadline, it will be timely if it is postmarked on or before Oct. 14. If the postmark is missing or unclear, the application will be processed if it is received in the mail no later than 20 days before the election. Otherwise, the application will not be processed until after the election.

If submitted by fax or email, the application must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 14, and a hard copy of the document must be delivered to the county board office by 20 days before the election.

“We encourage all eligible individuals to register to vote and make their voice heard in 2022,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “It’s easy, and there’s still time, either through the regular process or at any one-stop early voting location in your county.”

North Carolina residents may not register to vote on Election Day, unless they become eligible after the Oct.14 registration deadline due to becoming a U.S. citizen or having their rights restored following a felony conviction.

Seventeen-year-olds who will be 18 years old by the general election on Nov. 8 are eligible to register and vote.

To register to vote, a person must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen;
  • Live in the county of his/her registration, and have lived there for at least 30 days before the date of the election;
  • Be at least 18 years old or will be by the date of the general election. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds may preregister to vote; AND
  • Not be in jail or prison for a felony conviction.

Updating Your Voter Registration

Voters who need to update their existing voter registration may use the DMV website or a regular voter registration application to do so.

Those with a North Carolina driver’s license or other DMV identification may update their residential or mailing address and party affiliation through the DMV online service, but may not change their name through that service.

If using the paper application to update a registration, it must be signed and mailed to the voter’s county board of elections by Oct. 14. Updates to name, address (if within the county), and party affiliation must be signed, but can be provided by fax or email to your county board of elections. If a voter is using the paper form to update their residential address to a new county, they must return the paper form by mail or in person.

Registered voters may also update an existing registration at a one-stop early voting site during the early voting period.

See more Voter Registration Resources in North Carolina.

Warren Parks and Rec To Offer Parents’ Night Out On Oct. 28

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Warren County Parks and Recreation is hosting a parents’ night out on Friday, Oct. 28.

Youth ages 6-12 will enjoy organized games, crafts, movie, and more at the Warren County Senior Center located at 435 W. Franklin St. in Warrenton.

Pizza and drinks will be provided as dinner for the youth that attend. Registration is $5 per child and the event is from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Space is limited and the deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 14.

Register at the parks and recreation office Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. or online at https://www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation

The office is located at 113 Wilcox St., Warrenton.

For more information or register, please visit https://www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation or call the Parks and Recreation office at 252.257.2272.