Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

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First Case of COVID-19 Confirmed in Warren County

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

An individual was tested for COVID-19 on Monday, March 30 and confirmation of a positive COVID-19 test result was received at the Warren County Health Department on Friday, April 3. The individual is currently receiving medical care at an inpatient facility. To protect privacy, no additional information about the individual will be shared by the health department.

“Given the spread of COVID-19 across North Carolina and in our region, we are not surprised to receive our first case,” stated Dr. Margaret Brake, Warren County Health Director.

Warren County Health Department’s Communicable Disease staff is working at this time to conduct contact tracing to make sure everyone who came into close contact with this individual is quarantined. Close contact is anyone who was within six feet of the individual for 10 minutes or more.

Contacts of individuals who are confirmed positive for COVID-19 will be given information about isolation and quarantine and asked to monitor symptoms. Due to the limited supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and test kits across the state and nation, Warren County residents should not seek testing for Coronavirus unless they have symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing, shortness of breath) or have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive. State guidance continues to require those symptoms to be present in order to send in a sample for testing. Residents who are sick should call their doctor before going to the office, hospital or urgent care.

While this illness is not severe for most people and they can recover at home, it can be really serious for others. Individuals who have a higher risk for complications are those 65 years and older; have chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma; weakened immune systems; pregnant women and infants.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, at this time there are no approved treatments and no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. However, there are known methods to reduce and slow the spread of infection. Individuals can practice everyday prevention measures like frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, disinfecting surfaces, and covering coughs and sneezes.

Community-based interventions can also slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes measures collectively known as “social distancing.” Social distancing measures aim to reduce the frequency of contact and increase the physical distance between persons, thereby reducing the risks of person-to-person transmission. Implementation of these measures can slow the spread of this disease.

“Residents are advised to comply with Governor Cooper’s Stay at Home Order, only going out for essential needs. We urge you to stay home to save lives,” says Dr. Margaret Brake, Warren County Health Director.

For more information on COVID-19 and preventive measures you can take, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html or the NC Department of Health and Human Services website: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina.

Residents can also call the Warren County COVID-19 Information Line at 252-257-7132, Monday– Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or visit the Warren County Government website at https://www.warrencountync.com/712/COVID-19-Resources.

No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Reported in Warren Co. to Date

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-Information courtesy Warren County Health Department

As of early afternoon on April 2, 2020, Warren County does NOT have any confirmed cases of COVID-19.

This does not mean the county is free from harm; every Warren County resident should heed Governor Roy Cooper’s Stay at Home Executive Order and only leave home for essential activities.

Wash your hands, maintain 6-feet of distance from other people and please stay home if you are sick. As we know, not everyone who is experiencing symptoms has been tested, and it is possible for someone to carry the virus and be an asymptomatic carrier (this means they do not show symptoms).

Have health-related questions about COVID-19? Call the Warren County Health Department at 252-257-6000.

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Warren Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet April 6 With Procedural Adjustments

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

The Warren County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular meeting on Monday, April 6, 2020, at 6 p.m. at the Warren County Armory Civic Center; however, adjustments will be made in regular procedure in accordance with the Governor’s Stay at Home Executive order.

Mitigation efforts are made in compliance with state law and as a means to keep citizens, officials, and staff safe.

The public will not physically be in attendance at the Warren County Board of Commissioners meeting on April 6. The meeting will be live-streamed on Facebook via the County’s Facebook page @WarrenCountyNCOfficial; video footage of the meeting will be linked via the County’s website the following day.

The public can make submissions for public comment via email at WCGOV@warrencountync.gov. Members of the public are limited to one submission per person; each submission is limited to 350 words. The deadline for submissions is Monday, April 6, at 3 p.m. Submissions made after this time will not be read aloud by the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners at the meeting.

For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at 252-257-3115 or visit www.warrencountync.com.

Warren Co. Schools to Offer Free Meal Service Pickup at WCHS April 6-9

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-Information courtesy Warren County Schools

The Warren County School’s Child Nutrition Department will have Meal Service Pickup at only ONE site during the week of Spring Break April 6 – 9, 2020.

Meals may be picked up at Warren County High School on Monday, April 6 – Thursday, April 9 from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

ALL sites will be CLOSED Friday, April 10 and Monday, April 13.

NC Dept of Agriculture

NC Dept. of Agriculture Issues Notice for Essential Food and Agriculture Employees

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences is taking preventative measures to help farmers, agribusinesses, and food workers in the event that the state of North Carolina issues a shelter-in-place order. At this time, the state of North Carolina does not have a shelter-in-place order in effect, although several North Carolina counties are issuing their own local orders.

Steve Troxler, NC Commissioner of Agriculture, is providing a notice to be used by employees performing essential job functions in the area of food preparation and distribution and agriculture. The purpose is to ensure that workers in agriculture and food systems are not impeded as more COVID-19 response restrictions are adopted. It is vital, in this time of emergency, to allow our agricultural-related industries to move freely to keep our food system functioning.

“Many agriculture-related companies in Warren County, from farmers and timber companies to food packaging manufacturers, will be able to continue operations as more COVID-19 restrictions are adopted,” advised Stacy Woodhouse, Director of Warren County EDC.

The notice identifies individuals as being employed in one of the US Department of Homeland Security’s 16 critical industries for national security.

The Department of Homeland Security defines food and agriculture workers as:

  • Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail that sells food and beverage products
  • Restaurant carry-out and quick-serve food operations – Carry-out and delivery food employees
  • Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging
  • Farm workers to include those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically
  • Farm workers and support service workers to include those who field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs
  • Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution, including warehouse workers, vendor-managed inventory controllers and blockchain managers
  • Workers supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operation from wholesale to retail
  • Company cafeterias – in-plant cafeterias used to feed employees
  • Workers in food testing labs in private industries and in institutions of higher education
  • Workers essential for assistance programs and government payments
  • Employees of companies engaged in the production of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agricultural industry, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids
  • Animal agriculture workers to include those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.; transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; transportation of deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants and associated regulatory and government workforce
  • Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper and other wood products
  • Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution
  • Agricultural workers supporting the green industry to include nursery operations, garden centers, landscape companies critical to the environmental and physical living conditions necessary in our communities. (NCDA&CS addition)

Commissioner Troxler is encouraging workers to keep a copy of the notice with them as they travel. “As our local farming community continues to work in the new norm, your local Cooperative Extension is available to assist with educational assistance, resources, and information,” stated Crystal M. Smith, County Extension Director.

The notice can be obtained by contacting the Warren County Economic Development office at 252-257-3114 or by email at StacyWoodhouse@WarrenCountyNC.gov.

The notice can also be obtained by contacting Warren County Cooperative Extension at 252-257-3640. This notice is also available at https://www.warrencountync.com/736/Business-Community-Resources.

For more information, you may also contact Tim Ivey, Agribusiness Developer, of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, at 919-707-3117 or email tim.ivey@ncagr.gov.

Warren County Animal Control Awarded $3K Grant for Spay and Neuter Program

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

The Warren County Animal Control is pleased to announce that the department has been awarded a grant from the Petco Foundation in the amount of $3,000 for the Spay and Neuter Program.

This grant will be used for the following:

  • Any Warren County resident who surrenders a litter of puppies or kittens can have the mother of that litter spayed for free;
  • Free spay or neuter for lost animals reclaimed from the shelter in lieu of fees associated with redemption;
  • Free spay or neuter for trap-neuter-release of feral and unowned cats

These funds will help to reduce the number of unwanted animals in Warren County and to reduce the number of animals impounded at the Animal Ark.

For more information, contact Warren County Animal Control at 252-257-6137.

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Warren Co. Urges Businesses to Research COVID-19 Assistance Resources

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Many businesses across Warren County, the state, and the country have been affected by the regulations and preventative measures surrounding the COVID-19 virus. It is important for businesses to take advantage of the resources being made available by the state and federal government, as well as other organizations in a timely manner.

If you require assistance, Warren County Economic Development can help. For more information, contact Stacy Woodhouse, Economic Development Commission Director, at 252-257-3114 or by emailing StacyWoodhouse@WarrenCountync.gov.

The following are some of the assistance programs available to businesses:

SBA Disaster Assistance Loan (SBA)

Loans up to $25,000 do not require collateral. Note that the SBA website is crashing regularly during business hours due to increased traffic; businesses are encouraged to apply from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. during off-peak hours. https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index

N.C. Division of Employment Security

If you have lost your job or been laid off, file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. New changes to the state’s unemployment system have occurred due to the current impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus in North Carolina. COVID-19 specific information can be found at https://des.nc.gov/need-help/covid-19-information. This website has information for both employers and people seeking unemployment benefits. The NC Division of Employment Security can also be reached at 888.737.0259.

Facebook Small Business Grants

Facebook has a small business grants program. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants.

NC Rapid Recovery Loans

The North Carolina COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending program supports North Carolina small businesses and family farms as they recover from the economic impact of COVID-19. This loan helps small businesses bridge the gap between when crisis strikes and when federal loans, insurance payouts, and other relief funds are approved, or businesses have time to recover. These funds are provided by the Golden Leaf Foundation. For more information, visit https://ncrapidrecovery.org/.

Federal Income Tax Extension

The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service have announced that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations, and other non-corporate tax filers, as well as those who pay self-employment tax. For more information, visit https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus.

NC Income Tax Filing

The deadline for filing NC Income Tax has been extended from April 15 to July 15, 2020. For more information, visit https://www.ncdor.gov/home/ncdor-actions-covid-19.

Warren Co. Partners with Loaves & Fishes Ministries to Offer Food Pickup

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-Press Release, Warren County Government 

Citizens of Warren County and around the world have found themselves in an unprecedented position with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of you have inquired about ways to help your neighbors right here in your home community of Warren County.

Warren County government is partnering with Warrenton-based non-profit, Loaves & Fishes Ministries, to help facilitate neighbors helping neighbors and ensuring all of our residents have access to food options during this difficult time.

Food and monetary donations can be dropped off at Loaves & Fishes, located at 538 W. Ridgeway Street in Warrenton, NC (behind the Health Department), on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. All donations will be accepted.

If you, your organization, or business is interested in providing volunteer services for the Loaves & Fishes Ministries food bank, please call Warren County Emergency Services at 252-257-1191. All volunteers for Loaves & Fishes will be coordinated through Emergency Services. At this time, no more than 12 volunteers are needed per day.

Loaves & Fishes is currently available to all members of the public for food pick-up on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

For more information, call Loaves & Fishes at 252-257-1160 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. You can also call the site manager, Rosa Jones, at 252-431-4445. Loaves & Fishes Ministries is on Facebook @lfmwarrenton.

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Warren County Announces Operation Updates

-Press Release, Warren County Government

The following county agencies will be altering their public operations until further notice:

Health Department – Effective March 23, the Warren County Health Department will see visitors by appointment only (Health and Environmental Health). Customers will be asked screening questions prior to coming in for appointments. To make a medical appointment, please call (252) 257-1185.

Environmental Health customers should call (252) 257-1538. Visitors will only be allowed to bring one additional person with them to appointments.

The Warren County Health Department is canceling two community events that were scheduled during public health week. They are the Annual Health Fair (April 7, Armory) and the Child Health Celebration (April 8, Health Department).

Planning & Zoning/Code Enforcement – Planning & Zoning and Code Enforcement will conduct appointments as needed. Staff will be available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Customers seeking permits are asked to contact staff at 252-213-4253. Inspectors will continue to conduct inspections.

To reach Planning & Zoning and Code Enforcement, call 252-213-4253. You can also email KenKrulik@warrencountync.gov.

Public Utilities – Warren County Public Utilities customers are asked to pay their bills online, over the phone, or via the drop box on the side of the building (please include acct# and/or address on envelope).

Public Utilities staff will still be on-site and will continue to take calls at 252-257-3645 and new services via fax 252-257-3979. To pay online with a credit or debit card, please use the jurisdiction code 3966 (convenience fees still apply). Online payments can be made at https://www.warrencountync.com/131/Online-Payments.

To make payments with debit or credit over the phone, customers can call 1-800-272-9829 (jurisdiction code 3966; convenience fees still apply). Customers wishing to avoid convenience fees should use the on-site drop box located at Public Utilities (712 US Hwy 158 Business, Warrenton).

Social Services – Social Services will operate on a regular schedule. Residents should call Social Services with questions and mail in recertifications. Residents are also encouraged to use the drop box. All visitors to the building will be screened prior to entrance. For more information, contact Social Services at 252-257-2202.

Detention Center – The Warren County Detention Center has suspended all visitation requests; attorneys must get prior approval to visit their client. Weekly religious visits from clergy have been suspended. The Detention Center lobby area is limited to official business only. Each incoming detainee will be properly screened upon arrival and extra hygiene supplies have been distributed to detainees.

Cooperative Extension – Warren County Cooperative Extension will maintain regular office hours. The following Cooperative Extension events have been canceled: Master Gardener Spring Symposium (3/28), Five County Beef Tour (3/28), NC State Day of Giving (3/25), Teen Court (3/26), Small Farms Week (3/23 to 3/27).

The 4H Poultry Show and Sale is postponed till further notice. For more information, contact Cooperative Extension at 252-257-3640.

Parks and Recreation – Spring sports practice and all events at the Warren County Recreation Complex are suspended until further notice. The John Graham Gym is currently closed through April 6. Anyone needing to communicate with Parks and Recreation staff should first call 252-257-2272.

Effective March 23, the Parks and Recreation employees will be on-site and will answer phone calls and emails.

Tax Office – Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, the tax office will be closed to the public (appointments as necessary) until further notice from the County. All collections staff will report as normal and assist taxpayers with phone, online or telephonic payment of tax bills. All assessment staff will report as normal to assist taxpayers via phone, or email. Operations will continue as normal via phone, email, scan, fax and mail.

The Tax Office can be reached at 252-257-4158.

Veteran Services – Veteran Services has suspended in-person meetings. Clients submitting documentation can email or fax documents into the office. Interviews will take place over the telephone. To contact Veteran Services, please call 252-257-3385.

Animal Control – Effective March 23, kennel walk-throughs will be limited. Animals will be brought outside to the playground to have a one-on-one meeting with interested adopters. Potential adopters are referred to the shelter’s Facebook page @WarrenCountyAnimalArk. Visitors will not be allowed beyond the adoption rooms. Rabies vaccinations will stop until further notice.

Animal Control will be available Monday- Friday from 8:30 a.m to. 5 p.m. and on-call during weekends.

Register of Deeds – Effective March 23, public access to the Register of Deeds will be limited. There will be a drop box by the door so that documents can be dropped off for recording. This box will be checked frequently throughout the day. If customers need a Plat Map recorded, please call the Register of Deeds at 252-257-3265 to let staff know. Map and payment will be taken at the door. Customers will wait in the hallway while map is recorded.

The public is strongly encouraged to request certified copies of birth, death and marriage licenses by calling 252-257-3265, or go to www.warrenrod.org to complete an application and bring with them. To obtain a Marriage License, Renew Notary, and file military discharge, please call 252-257-3265 for further instructions.

Landfill/Transfer Station and Convenience Sites – The transfer station/landfill will be open normal hours (7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and convenience sites will operate on the regular schedule. Landfill customers should pick-up envelopes in the breezeway of Public Utilities and submit payments via the Public Utilities drop box on the side of the building. For more information, contact Public Works at 252-257-1948.

Finance – The Warren County Finance Office is closed to the public. Staff will be on-site to handle operations. The public should use the drop box as needed.

Soil and Water, Economic Development, and the County Manager’s Office will operate on a regular schedule. The public is encouraged to call before stopping in.

In addition to precautionary measures set in place by federal and state health agencies, all departments have been advised to implement a screening assessment prior to conducting face-to-face appointments. This includes asking visitors if they have a fever, are coughing, have shortness of breath, have recently traveled to high-risk areas, and if they have been in close contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19.

Warren County will be monitoring updates and advisories and will conduct weekly assessments to all changes in operations.

Updated information related to COVID-19 is posted online and on the Warren County Facebook page @WarrenCountyNCOfficial. For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at 252-
257-3115 Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or visit www.warrencountync.com.

The Warren County COVID-19 Information Line is 252-257-7132 (operated Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Warren Co. Health Department Closed Friday for Maintenance

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

The Warren County Health Department and Planning/Code Enforcement Offices will be closed on Friday, March 20, 2020, for building repairs and maintenance and will reopen on Monday, March 23, 2020, at 8:30 a.m.

Citizens may still contact Health Department staff if they need general information by calling (252) 213-2845. Citizens may contact Planning/Code Enforcement at (252) 213-4253.

For questions or concerns related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please call (252) 213-0266.

If you need to make an appointment, you should call the Health Department’s main number (252) 257-1185 on Monday, March 23.