Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

NCDOT

Resurfacing Projects Awarded for Vance, Franklin and Warren Counties

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-Press Release, N.C. Department of Transportation

Thanks to five new contracts awarded by the N.C. Department of Transportation, totaling more than $17 million, nearly 120 miles of area roadway will be resurfaced.

  • Under a $3.5 million contract, Carolina Sunrock of Raleigh will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 17.7 miles of state-maintained roads throughout Durham County.
  • Under a $2.8 million contract, Carolina Sunrock will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 29.7 miles of state-maintained roads throughout Franklin County.
  • Under a $3.8 million contract, Carolina Sunrock will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 29.4 miles of state-maintained roads throughout Vance and Warren counties.
  • Under a $3 million contract, Carolina Sunrock will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 11.6 miles of state-maintained roads throughout western Wake County.
  • Under a $4.1 million contract, Fred Smith Company of Raleigh will mill and resurface pavement and improve shoulders along 30.4 miles of state-maintained roads throughout southern Wake County.

This work can start as soon as March 15, 2021, with most of the projects completed before the unofficial end of the paving season in mid-November, and all roads done by the end of July 2022.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

Paul McKenzie - NACAA

Paul McKenzie, Ag. Extension Agent, Receives Distinguished Service Award

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-Press Release, National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA)

Paul McKenzie received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA) during the 2020 Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference. McKenzie was one of several honorees who represented the top two percent of the membership selected by their peers and the Director of Extension.

Paul McKenzie received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA) during the 2020 Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference. (Photo courtesy NACAA)

McKenzie has served over twenty years as an agricultural extension agent in four different counties, the last eleven years as an area agent serving Vance and Warren counties. In that capacity, McKenzie has implemented a comprehensive education program serving farmers, gardeners, woodland owners and licensed/certified pesticide applicators.

He oversees a Master Gardener volunteer program consisting of almost forty volunteers that contribute well over 1,000 hours of service to the community each year. In addition to gardening workshops, youth education projects, and informative newsletters, the Master Gardeners have implemented various educational gardening projects. The most recent and ambitious is a pollinator habitat garden at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

McKenzie was also instrumental in the campaign to raise grant money for the construction of the Vance County Regional Farmers Market and continues to support it through training and technical assistance for produce farmers and other vendors.

For several years, McKenzie has partnered with the local offices of the NC Forest Service to conduct educational workshops for woodland owners so they can make better management decisions that benefit wildlife, timber production, natural resources, and profitability.

Educational workshops, seminars and tours are a key component of his educational efforts, and he is involved in implementing dozens each year on topics such as pesticide safety, timber harvesting, high tunnel production, alternative crops, vegetable gardening and more. These well-run events have strong attendance, positive reviews and many repeat customers.

McKenzie is well-respected among co-workers both locally, regionally and across the state, having been called to serve as a mentor for several early-career Extension Agents. Through his good work and commitment to serve, he has fostered strong relationships with many partner agencies, including Farm Service Agency, Soil & Water District, the Small Business Center at Vance-Granville Community College and others.

Farmers and gardeners alike rely on Paul to provide accurate and reliable advice regarding garden problems, pondweeds, crop production, pest management and more.

Green Rural Redevelopment (GRRO)

Warren COVID-19 Testing & Resource Distribution Event – Oct. 30

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-Press Release, Green Rural Redevelopment, Inc. 

On Friday, October 30, 2020, a COVID-19 community testing and resource distribution event will be held from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Warren County Armory Civic Center located at 501 US Highway 158 Business East in Warrenton.

As of the end of September, Warren County is seeing a 1.8% rate of COVID-19 infections among the residents. This is a high rate of infections, and in our rural community, the impact is enormous. This day-long event brings FREE, safe COVID-19 testing, free groceries for families and free personal protection equipment (PPE) to the residents of Warren County.

Broadening its commitment to the health and well-being of Warren County, GRRO’s Healing Hearts @ Home Program formed a community health initiative partnership with other organizations and agencies serving the county: Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, Duke Health, Warren County Public Health, Groundwater Solutions, Inc. (Genesis Project), Warren County and the Warren County Branch of the NAACP.

To further help people impacted by the Coronavirus, Warren County residents who get tested at the event will also receive free groceries, PPE and access to a wide range of support services. Testing and distributions will be provided through drive-up service, with minimal or no-contact, in accordance with all precautions recommended for the prevention of the spread of the virus.

Warren County Logo

Warren County Releases First FY 2021 Budget Book

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Annually, the Warren County Manager’s Office works with the Finance Department to present a balanced budget that is then approved by the Warren County Board of Commissioners. The annual budget is then posted to the county’s website, which is a practice mandated by state statute but is also a best practice for organization transparency and public education.

For the FY 21 budget, Warren County has worked to create a budget book that puts the annual budget into a narrative framework with accompanying visuals. Instead of only presenting the ledger sheets to the public along with the budget message, Warren County has put those numbers into a broader context of county strategic development.

The FY 21 budget book is located at warrencountync.com on the Finance Department page.

For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at (252) 257-3115.

Rabies Alert

Skunk Tests Positive for Rabies in Warren County

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

A skunk that was taken on October 12, 2020, from Warren Plains Road in Warren County has tested positive for rabies at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health. The skunk was killed by the citizen’s dog. The dog’s rabies vaccination had expired, and the dog is currently under observation.

Dogs and cats not current on their rabies vaccination that come into contact with a rabid animal have very few options. One option is quarantining the animal for a period of up to six months at the owner’s expense; the second option is euthanizing the pet.

The top three wild animals testing positive for rabies in North Carolina continue to be the raccoon (number one), the skunk and the fox. The cat continues to surpass other domestic animals, such as the dog and livestock, in testing positive for rabies.

The feeding and keeping of stray and other unvaccinated cats presents a health risk to our communities and the animals themselves; this practice should be halted and is discouraged. The disposal of food scraps in yards and wooded areas attracts animals and is unsanitary. Residents are encouraged to dispose of food scraps by composting or placing scraps in covered rubbish containers to avoid attracting animals.

North Carolina law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets that are four months of age and older should be kept current on their rabies vaccination. Failure to vaccinate pets is a violation of state law and local ordinance and owners can face fines and criminal charges.

The Warren County Animal Control Department offers one-year rabies vaccinations. Vaccinations are available Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. for $5 each at the Animal Ark. Appointments can be made by calling the shelter at (252) 257-6137.

NC DOT

Federal Grant Will Fund Missing Link on Southeast Rail Corridor

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-Press Release, N.C. Department of Transportation

The N.C Department of Transportation has received a $47.5 million federal grant to purchase the S-Line rail corridor between Raleigh and Ridgeway in Warren County.

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded this grant to the department’s Rail Division as part of the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. This investment into the Southeast Corridor will provide better connections between rural and urban communities while also spurring new economic development opportunities.

In addition, the corridor will help offer improved freight services and will trim up to 1.5 hours off passenger rail services between Raleigh, Virginia and D.C.

“A modernized freight and passenger rail network will connect the Southeast while spurring new economic development opportunities,” said Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette.

In 1992, the U.S. Department of Transportation named the Southeast Corridor as one of the first five federally designated higher-speed rail corridors in the country. The corridor is a network of passenger and freight rail that runs from Washington, D.C. to Jacksonville, Fla., encompassing D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

Warren Co. Memorial Library

Warren County Memorial Library Reopens

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-Information courtesy Warren County Memorial Library

The Warren County Memorial Library reopened to this public this week. Hours are currently Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Book/resource browsing, copying, printing and faxing are available inside. No contact pickup is still provided.

Restrooms and computers will be unavailable for use from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. to allow for cleaning.

Guests are asked to wear face covers and practice social distancing.

Farm Business Webinar Series

Cooperative Extension to Hold Four-Part Farm Business Webinar Series

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-Information courtesy Warren County Cooperative Extension

Franklin and Warren County Cooperative Extension will host a four-part Farm Business Webinar Series for interested participants.

Sessions Include:

  • September 24, 2020 – Farm Estates with Andrew Branan
  • October 1, 2020 – Present Use Values with Mark Megalos
  • October 8, 2020 – Record-Keeping/Quickbooks with Nate Converse
  • October 15, 2020 – Risk Management with Rodrick Rejesus

All meetings begin at 10 a.m. To register, go to www.nccefarmbusiness.eventbrite.com. Once registered, the link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed to you.

NC MedAssist Warrenton Giveaway

Free OTC Medicine Giveaway at Warrenton Armory Sept. 17

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy NC MedAssist

NC MedAssist is offering a free over-the-counter medicine drive-thru event at the Warrenton Armory on Thursday, September 17, 2020, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Armory is located at 501 US 158 Business East in Warrenton, NC.

The event is held in collaboration with the Warren County Health Department and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medication. No identification is required. Face masks are required to participate.

Available over-the-counter items include cold/cough medicine, pain relief, vitamins, children’s medicine and more.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Click here to order your medication online prior to picking up at the event.

Warren County Logo

Warren County Tops State in 2019 Tourism Expenditures Growth

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Domestic visitors to and within Warren County spent $31 million in 2019, an increase of 16.6% from 2018 ($26.65 million); this growth rate is the highest the county has seen going all the way back to 1990. This growth was the highest increase seen in all 100 counties in North Carolina from 2018 to 2019.

The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

“We, as residents, know that Warren County is a special place; it’s great to see that being recognized by visitors as well,” said Charla Duncan, Economic Development Director (Interim). “It’s encouraging to know that our existing businesses are feeling a positive impact from our tourism draw, and we hope that potential businesses can look at this growth and see the value of operating in Warren County.”

2019 state tax revenue generated in Warren County totaled $1.13 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. Approximately $2.75 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses. This translates into about $194 in tax savings per resident in Warren County.

Visitors to North Carolina set a record for spending in 2019. The $26.7 billion in total spending represented an increase of 5.6 percent from 2018.

These statistics are from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2019,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by the U.S. Travel Association.

“The numbers confirm the strength of North Carolina’s tourism industry as an anchor of economic development,” said Wit Tuttell, director of Visit North Carolina. “As the No. 6 state in the country for overnight visitation, we can attribute our success to the natural beauty and authenticity that visitors experience, and to a passionate effort to inform and inspire travelers. The money they spend benefits everyone by sustaining jobs and reducing our residents’ tax burden.”

 Statewide highlights include:

  • State tax receipts as a result of visitor spending rose 5.0 percent to more than $1.3 billion in 2019.
  • Visitors spend more than $73 million per day in North Carolina. That spending adds $5.92 million per day to state and local tax revenues (about $3.7 million in state taxes and $2.2 million in local taxes).
  • The travel and tourism industry directly employees more than 235,000 North Carolinians.
  • Each North Carolina household saves on average $551 in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state.