Tag Archive for: #warrencountynews

Drought? What Drought? WIZS Listening Area Removed From ‘Abnormally Dry’ Status

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Given the recent downpours, showers and afternoon and evening thunderstorms, the WIZS listening area no longer is in the “abnormally dry” status posted by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council.

Just last week, most of the state was experiencing some level of drought conditions, according to NCDROUGHT.ORG, but since then, that level has decreased, thanks to substantial rainfall. Only five counties remain in severe drought, with 30 counties still in moderate drought and 47 others in the abnormally dry category.

Rainfall totals vary widely across the four counties, with some areas reporting 1-inch, 2-inch, even 5-inch totals just in the last week.

The rain has been a welcome sight for farmers with crops in the field. Hopefully, corn and bean crops in the southeastern portion of the state have gotten some relief as well.

KTCOG Hosting Family Caregiver Conference Aug. 6; Focus On Dementia Care

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The Kerr Tar Family Caregiver Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6 and registration is now open for family caregivers and professionals who are interested in learning about caring for individuals with dementia.

The half-day conference begins at 9 a.m. with check-in, breakfast and networking at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center Auditorium.

The conference is presented by Dementia Alliance of North Carolina. Melanie Bunn, a registered nurse and dementia care specialist with the alliance, is one of the speakers along with Michael Patterson, KTCOG’s family caregiver specialist.

Family caregivers can register for $10; professional caregivers register for $25 and have the opportunity to earn three continuing education unit credits.

Visit www.DementiaNC.org/2024Henderson to register online or contact Lisa Levine  at 919.832.3732 to register by phone. Walk-in registrations are welcome on the day of the conference.

Visit www.kerrtarcog.org to find out about all the programs and services the KTCOG provides across Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person counties.

Officials Monitoring Possible NC Impact Following July 6 South Hill Fire

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UPDATED July 19, 1:30 p.m.

 

information from the office of Interim Warren County Manager Crystal Smith

The Virginia Department of Health  is lifting portions of the recreational water and fish consumption advisories issued in response to the July 6 chemical storage facility fire in South Hill. The portion of the advisory being lifted is for a section of the Meherrin River that starts at Route 138 (Union Mill Road) flowing Southeast through the Town of Lawrenceville and the City of Emporia to the North Carolina state line.

The advisory is being lifted for this section of river because the presence of chemicals is no longer at levels that pose a health risk, according to information from the office of Interim Warren County Manager Crystal Smith. The concentrations of chemicals in the waterways have diluted due to recent rainfall as it has traveled downstream. Advisories still remain in place for Mountain Creek, Dockery Creek, Roanoke River to Lake Gaston.

For additional updates visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/2024-regional-news-releases/vdh-lifts-portion-of-recreational-water-fish-consumption-advisories-for-meherrin-river/

Warren County Health Department and Emergency Management are participating in daily briefings with state and local officials from Virginia and North Carolina and will continue to monitor this incident and provide relevant updates as they become available.

 

 

information courtesy of Warren County and N.C. Dept. of Environmental Quality

The Warren County Health Department continues to monitor the possible downstream effects of the July 6 fire at a chemical storage facility in South Hill, VA.

The warehouse held a large quantity of agricultural chemicals, and runoff from the firefighting efforts has entered several water systems in southern Virginia, including the Meherrin River from its confluence with Mountain Creek, and the Miles and Dockery Creeks, upstream of the Roanoke River.

At this time, there is no immediate danger to the North Carolina public or to those near Lake Gaston. There is no timeline, however, on when – or if – contaminants will reach Lake Gaston or North Carolina in measurable concentrations.

The Virginia Department of Health has issued a recreational swimming and fish consumption advisory until further notice for surface waters, including the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers, that extend to the North Carolina-Virginia border and local health officials have been in contact with the appropriate local, North Carolina and Virginia authorities monitoring the progress of this event for any potential impact to Warren County, according to information from the office of Interim County Manager Crystal Smith.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality are testing the affected waterways routinely and reporting those results to WCHD and partner agencies, Smith said in a press release.

Virginia DEQ reports that the chemical plume is moving slowly, and that as of July 15, 2024, there is no indication that the chemical plume has made its way to Lake Gaston or any other waterway in Warren County.

The N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services has recommended that local health departments in the impacted areas issue recreational water advisories mirroring those in Virginia. The need for and timing of those advisories will depend on available data. NCDEQ is monitoring for potential impacts, staff plan to conduct additional water sampling once the wastewaters are believed to reach North Carolina waterbodies. If you discover any water sheens, odors, discolored vegetation or dead wildlife in the potentially impacted areas, please contact your NCDEQ regional office, or call 1.877.623.6748. Fish kill activity can also be reported on the NCDEQ website.

NCDHHS is working with officials in Virginia to determine what the potential health impacts could be from this incident. This information will inform any future protective actions that may be needed in North Carolina.

The NC DHHS Communicable Disease Branch has begun syndromic surveillance of Warren, Halifax, and Northampton County hospitals. This effort, mirroring Virginia’s Department of Health, is focusing on tracking symptoms including eye and skin irritation, allergic skin reactions, drowsiness or dizziness, respiratory irritation, nausea, and loss of consciousness reported in emergency departments.

Anyone who has been in the affected waterways and is experiencing these symptoms is asked to seek medical care and notify their practitioners of the waterbody exposure.

If you notice any plumes, sheens or fish kills in these waterways avoid contact with these waters and report these conditions to 1.877.623.6748.

Warren County Health Department will continue to update citizens as the incident progresses.

For more information related to the incident, please visit www.deq.virginia.gov.

Fish consumption and recreation advisories have been issued for Dockery Creek and Miles Creek to its confluence with the Roanoke River and Lake Gaston, as well as the Meherrin River to the North Carolina state line.

North Carolina updates will be posted to a NCDEQ website located here.

VADEQ has established a website with information on their response located on their website here.

Warren County Pool Welcomes Swimmers

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The Magnolia Ernest Recreational Pool opened this past weekend to provide pool-goers with a refreshing way to beat the summer heat through Labor Day.

The fee for the pool is $1 per session, county officials said. Visit https://warrencountync.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/MERP-Park-4  or call the pool office at 252.456.2141 for more information.

The schedule is as follows:

 

This week (July 15-20) the pool is open Tuesday – Friday  from 12 noon – 5 p.m. and Saturday from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

From July 22 – Sept. 2, pool hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays  from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 noon – 6 p.m.

The schedule is subject to change,

The Magnolia Ernest Recreational Complex is located at 1620 Soul City Blvd., Manson.

Warren County Funding Cycle For Non-Profits Open Through Aug. 30

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Warren County has opened the application process for its FY 2025 non-profit grant funding cycle. The budget allocates $50,000 for this program. The grant program will accept applications until Friday, Aug. 30.  Interested organizations are encouraged to apply.

Warren County adopted its current funding for local non-profit agencies policy in 2014. Funded services through this program must be equally available to all residents.

For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at 252.257.3115 or visit https://www.warrencountync.com/.

 

Distinguished Alumni Award Due To VGCC Foundation Board By Aug. 31

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The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation board is seeking nominations for its third annual Distinguished Alumni award. Nominations are due by Aug. 31.

Throughout its 55-year history, VGCC has served the citizens of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, preparing them for careers and further secondary education in dozens of certificate and curriculum programs.

Many alumni of VGCC have gone on to make significant impact in their communities and careers. Two years ago, the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation began recognizing one outstanding VGCC alumnus each year with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes and honors outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to their community, college or career. Mara Shelton was the 2022 recipient; Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley was honored in 2023.

Alumni who have completed a diploma or degree program at VGCC are eligible for the award. Current VGCC Foundation Board members are not eligible. Selection will be based on the following criteria:

  • Exhibits outstanding leadership and character
  • Achieved significant accomplishments in career area
  • Exhibits outstanding service to the community
  • Supports VGCC in some capacity

Visit www.vgcc.edu/foundation to complete the nomination form or request one via email at foundation@vgcc.edu. Please note that nominees remain nominated for three years after the receipt of their nomination.

The award will be presented during the annual the VGCC Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Sept. 26.

Warren County Seeks Members To Form New Tourism Development Authority

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The Warren County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to establish a Warren County Tourism Development Authority.

State and local statutes require establishing a TDA to oversee revenue generated by the newly levied 5 percent occupancy tax on short-term lodging.

The occupancy tax is not a property tax; rather, it is similar to sales tax, in that it is passed on to visitors and occupants of short-term rental lodging facilities. While the tax is collected by the Warren County Finance Office, the established TDA board is the sole entity that oversees how revenues are spent.

Revenue must be spent on tourism and marketing and tourism-related infrastructure.

Individuals interested in participating should complete a statement of interest before Aug. 9. The form

can be found on the www.warrencountync.com website or by visiting https://www.warrencountync.com/FormCenter/County-Commissioners-9/Statement-of-Interest-to-Serve-on-the-Wa-79

The TDA composition includes:

  • One (1) Town of Macon representative recommended by the Town of Macon’s Board of Commissioners to be appointed to a three-year term.
  • One (1) Town of Norlina representative recommended by the Town of Norlina’s Board of Commissioners to be appointed to a three-year term.
  • One (1) Town of Warrenton representative recommended by the Town of Warrenton’s Board of Commissioners to be appointed to a three-year term.
  • One (1) representative recommended by the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce to be appointed to a three-year term; this representative should be staff of the Chamber, or a member of the Chamber’s board that is also a Warren County-based business owner.
  • The Director of Warren County Community and Economic Development (CED). The CED Director’s term is not limited to the number of years.
  • One (1) short-term rental owner to be appointed to a two-year term; this membership position is intended to be filled by a property owner renting out a private residence as a short-term rental.
  • One (1) Warren County hotel, motel, or bed-and-breakfast operator to be appointed to a two-year term; in the absence of such a business, this member can be a private residence short-term rental owner.
  • One (1) Warren County tourism-related business owner to be appointed to a two-year term.

For more information on the Warren County occupancy tax, visit https://www.warrencountync.com/876/Occupancy-Tax-5.

Contact Paula Pulley, clerk to the Board of Commissioners, at paulapulley@warrencountync.gov or call 252.257.3115 to learn more about serving on the county’s boards and commissions.

Warren Industrial Site Project Gets Golden LEAF Funding

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Warren County was recently awarded $42,500 from the Golden LEAF Foundation that will be used for the county’s Hwy 1 Industrial Site.

The Warren County grant is one of 10 projects totaling more than $4.4 million in grant funds.

“The need for industrial sites, especially in rural areas, is no longer a luxury but a necessity to meet demand,” said Ralph Strayhorn, Golden LEAF Board Chair. “We are excited to see how these projects will help prepare counties for new and expanding companies in North Carolina.”

Warren County Community and Economic Development Director Charla Duncan said the award will fund due diligence documentation used in marketing the site and recruiting interested companies. Due diligence includes completing a threatened and endangered species report; an initial historical, archaeological & cultural resource review; and a buildable area summary map, among other tasks.

“Having due diligence documentation in-hand increases our site competitiveness because it cuts down on the length of time a business needs to determine if a location is suitable for their company,” explained Duncan. “We are thankful to Golden LEAF for awarding us the funding to increase our Hwy 1 Industrial Site’s competitiveness by limiting the amount of time an interested company can get to market.”

The SITE Program offers resources to help communities identify potential sites for economic development, provides funding to complete due diligence on publicly controlled sites, and provides funding to extend public utilities to publicly controlled sites or to conduct clearing and rough grading of publicly owned sites. The three phases of the SITE Program are Identification, Due Diligence, and Development.

Since 1999, Golden LEAF has funded 2,280 projects totaling $1.3 billion supporting the mission of advancing economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities.

For more information about the Hwy 1 Industrial Site, email Charla Duncan, Director of Warren County Community and Economic Development, at charladuncan@warrencountync.gov.

To learn more about the Golden LEAF Foundation, visit https://goldenleaf.org/

NC Forest Service

N.C. Forest Service Set To Begin Annual Tree Seedling Sale

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 – information courtesy of the N.C. Forest Service

The N.C. Forest Service will begin accepting orders Monday, July 1, for its annual tree seedling sale. With an average annual production of 16 million seedlings, the NCFS Nursery Program produces enough native and genetically improved tree seedlings to plant roughly 30,000 acres of land, equivalent to nearly 23,000 football fields, each year.

“Having healthy trees and forests provides many benefits to our state, including helping to clean our air and water and sequestering carbon,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “I encourage residents to take advantage of the high-quality trees produced through the North Carolina Forest Service nursery program. Seedlings go quick so you’ll want to purchase them early.”

Quality conifer and hardwood seedlings are available for purchase in a range of quantities. Genetically improved stock is available for Fraser fir, loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, Eastern white pine and Virginia pine. These seedlings offer better volume growth, tree form, disease resistance, straightness, and other characteristics needed to produce beautiful Christmas trees, healthy woodlands and quality forest products.

Customers interested in learning more about specific tree species and available inventory can speak with NCFS Nursery staff, as well as reference the ordering website or seedling catalogs.

There are several options for purchasing seedlings:

  • Tree seedlings can be ordered from the online seedling store at buynctrees.com.
  • Tree seedlings can also be ordered by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337) or 919-731-7988.
  • Tree seedlings can be ordered using the order form in our FY24-25 Nursery Seedling Catalog. Complete the form and mail to Seedling Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
  • A user-friendly online catalog will soon beavailable at https://www.ncforestservice.gov/nursery/NurseryandTreeImprovement.htm. Seedling catalogs will also be available at local NCFS offices beginning in July. Within the catalog, landowners can find information about the types of tree species, quantities and cost to order. Each species description includes information about ideal planting locations and whether a species is typically used to benefit wildlife, restore forest habitats or as marketable timber.
  • Accepted methods of payment are check, money order, Mastercard and Visa.

Most containerized seedlings are available and used October through March while most bare root seedlings are available and used January through March. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 13 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for a charge. Seedling orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery near Crossnore.

For information on planting trees, customers are encouraged to contact their local NCFS county ranger.

Rob Montague serves Vance and Granville counties. The office is located at 911 Hillsboro St., Oxford. Phone 919.693.3154 or email Vance.ncfs@ncagr.gov

Learn more at www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.

American Flag

TownTalk: Wise Community To Celebrate 4th Of July

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Everything’s all set for the 23rd edition of the Wise July 4 Independence Day parade and festival. Mary Ann Perkinson, one of the organizers, said participants can enjoy live music, children’s activities and food and craft vendors after the parade passes by, but she’s not spilling the beans about the parade – “You’ll have to come see what they are – we’re not going to tell all of our secrets,” Perkinson said on Thursday’s TownTalk.

Bring a chair so you can sit under the shade of the trees in the church yard or under the pavilion at Wise Baptist Church, she said. Feature Attraction will be performing during the festival, which begins as soon as the last parade entry passes by.

They’re still taking entries, so anyone with a pretty, shiny car to show off or a wagon pulling grandchildren is welcome to phone Gary Paynter 252.438.0574. (No motorcycles or four-wheelers, she said.)

The parade begins at 10 a.m., so entrants need to be lined up earlier than that just across U.S. 1 from Bruce Parkinson’s home, Perkinson said. The parade route will follow U.S. 1 and will end right at the old school at Wise Baptist Church.

There’s plenty of parking there for people, and Perkinson said she and other organizers figure there will be upwards of 5,000 people who stop in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The parade and festival got its start in 2000, and since then, they’ve only missed one year. Yep, one parade was sidelined because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There will be different foods for sale, including homemade ice cream in flavors like peach, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla.

“It’s just a fun day for everybody,” Perkinson said. Organizing it is “a lot of work, but we do it because we love our community and we hope people will come.”

For more information about parade entry, vendor space or the car show please contact Gary Paynter at 252.438.0574, Danielle Edgerton at 252.204.2605 or Mike McCray at 919.604.3081.

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