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Public Notices

Trends continue to stabilize as COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opens for some members of Group 4

People with high-risk medical conditions or who live in certain congregate settings now eligible for vaccination

RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. gave an update on the state’s current data, trends and vaccination progress. Today also marks the opening of vaccine eligibility for people who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk for severe illness or who live in certain congregate settings.

“With more students in the classroom and millions of people receiving vaccines, there is hope on the horizon,” said Governor Cooper. “But with this virus and its variants continuing to spread, it is too early to let our guard down.”

North Carolina continues to focus on distributing vaccines quickly and equitably. To date, the state has administered over 3.4 million doses. 25.7 percent of those 18 and up is at least partially vaccinated, and 16.5 percent of those 18 and up have been fully vaccinated.

The state is also seeing progress in its continued efforts to emphasize equity in vaccine distribution. Today, the CDC released a report that puts North Carolina among the top ten states in the nation for equitable vaccine distribution.

“We are committed to using every lever we have to ensure that historically marginalized populations can easily access a COVID-19 vaccine – that includes how we allocate vaccines, who we allocate vaccines to, which events we can support, where we deploy state resources, and who we engage on the ground to help address barriers like transportation and internet access,” said Secretary Cohen.

Gov. Cooper and Sec. Cohen also discussed state health officials’ ongoing efforts to monitor the presence of COVID-19 variants and stressed the importance of continuing with safety precautions across the state. Recent data shows an increase in these more contagious variants among those infected in North Carolina. People should continue to protect themselves and those around them by practicing the Three Ws—wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, and wash hands often.

Dr. Cohen also provided an update on North Carolina’s data and trends.

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days
• North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is decreasing.

Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days
• North Carolina’s trajectory of cases is decreasing, however, with new, more contagious variants in the state, we need to keep our guard up.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days
• North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is decreasing.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days
• North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is decreasing.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.
Testing
• Testing is widely available across the state.

Tracing Capability
• There have been more than 790,406 downloads of the exposure notification app, SlowCOVIDNC.

Personal Protective Equipment
• North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.

View the slides from today’s briefing.

 

Multiple cemeteries found on Hampstead parcel

PENDER COUNTY – Last week the Pender County Planning staff was made aware of land clearing activities occurring on a parcel of land in Hampstead and multiple cemeteries were located on site as well.

“Our staff received a “preliminary plat” application for a residential subdivision for this property months ago, but it is currently pending at this time,” said Travis Henley, Pender County Planning and Community Development Director. “Pender County has not issued approval of the preliminary plat for this site, which is required prior to commencement of any land development activities. Therefore, the property is in violation of the Unified Development Ordinance.”

Henley noted that Pender County has through the years attempted to document cemeteries across the County, and this list is continuously updated as new cemeteries are found and documented.

“One cemetery on-site had been previously documented by the County, but planning staff were alerted to another that was not,” said Henley. “Staff immediately reached out to the surveyor and put the surveyor in contact with the local citizen to determine the exact location of the additional markers.

Per conversations with the surveyor and the applicant, the location of these markers has been documented.

Additionally, the applicant had additional surveyors on-site Monday, March 15, to attempt to determine the presence of any additional unmarked graves.

The planning staff anticipate receiving the results of this survey in the coming days.

Pender County’s planning staff engaged local historians as well as partners at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, North Carolina Department of Cultural and Natural Resources, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to further verify compliance with all applicable historical and environmental rules, including but not limited to all rules regarding cemeteries. This is in addition to previous work through the Technical Review Committee.

“The county will work with these partners and the applicant to ensure all cemeteries and graves are documented and preserved throughout the development process,” said Henley. “This includes ensuring that all grave locations and protective measures are documented on all submitted plats and that compliance is achieved with all appropriate local, state, and federal regulations in accordance with the Unified Development Ordinance and all other applicable standards, as we do with all projects submitted to this Office.”

Site work shall not be permitted to continue until a preliminary plat that meets all applicable standards, coupled with all relevant permits and approvals from outside agencies, is approved by Pender County. The county has not in any way permitted or allowed site work to occur on this parcel at this time. In addition to communicating directly with the applicant to cease all work, Pender County will be using all appropriate remedies in accordance with Article 13 ‘Enforcement and Penalties’ of the Pender County Unified Development Ordinance to rectify this situation.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments available online or by phone NOW for Thursday in Hampstead

PENDER COUNTY – COVID-19 Vaccination appointments are NOW being accepted for Thursday, March 18, at the Hampstead Annex, 15060 US Hwy. 17.

Starting March 17 vaccinations are available to Group 4 which includes anyone 16-64 years old with one or more high-risk medical conditions for severe disease from COVID-19, people living in close group settings, and essential workers. Frontline essential workers are people who must be in-person at their place of work and work in one of these eight essential sectors: critical manufacturing, education, essential goods, food and agriculture, government and community services, health care and public health, public safety, and transportation.
Citizens under the age of 64 with one or more high-risk medical conditions, essential workers, residents ages 65 and older, and health care workers may schedule an appointment online on the county’s website, pendercountync.gov, and click on the red banner across the screen. The Pender County website is best viewed in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox and NOT Internet Explorer.
Citizens without the ability to make an appointment online can call 910-663-4200 for assistance.
There is limited vaccine available.
If citizens miss this opportunity to be vaccinated, continue to monitor the county’s website, Pender County’s Facebook page, and the local news for future vaccine appointments.

Vaccinations are available to essential workers who meet the Group 3 priority criteria. Frontline essential workers are people who must be in-person at their place of work and work in one of these eight essential sectors: critical manufacturing, education, essential goods, food and agriculture, government and community services, health care and public health, public safety, and transportation.

Essential workers, residents ages 65 and older, and health care workers may schedule an appointment online on the county’s website, pendercountync.gov, and click on the red banner across the screen.  The Pender County website is best viewed in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox and NOT Internet Explorer.

Citizens without the ability to make an appointment online can call 910-663-4200 for assistance.

There is limited vaccine available.

If citizens miss this opportunity to be vaccinated, continue to monitor the county’s website, Pender County’s Facebook page, and the local news for future vaccine appointments.

 

COVID-19 vaccination appointments available online or by phone NOW for Tuesday in Burgaw

PENDER COUNTY – COVID-19 Vaccination appointments are NOW being accepted for Tuesday, March 16, at the Pender County Health Department, 803 S. Walker St. in Burgaw.

Vaccinations are available to essential workers who meet the Group 3 priority criteria. Frontline essential workers are people who must be in-person at their place of work and work in one of these eight essential sectors: critical manufacturing, education, essential goods, food and agriculture, government and community services, health care and public health, public safety and transportation.

Essential workers, residents ages 65 and older, and health care workers may schedule an appointment online on the county’s website, pendercountync.gov, and click on the red banner across the screen.  The Pender County website is best viewed in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox and NOT Internet Explorer.

Citizens without the ability to make an appointment online can call 910-663-4200 for assistance.

There is limited vaccine available.

If citizens miss this opportunity to be vaccinated, continue to monitor the county’s website, Pender County’s Facebook page, and the local news for future vaccine appointments.

Pender County seeks input on Streets Plan

Document would play a major role in shaping community connectivity as new development occurs.

PENDER COUNTY – Pender County is updating the 2016 Collector Street Plan to account for feedback received over the plan’s lifetime and respond to changing infrastructure needs as the county grows.

The updated plan will include requirements for new development to construct roadways meeting specific design criteria at key intervals in the southern and eastern portions of the county in addition to providing policy recommendations for future County action.

“This plan will help ensure transportation infrastructure keeps pace with Pender County’s growing population through clear standards for new development,” explained Travis Henley, Pender County’s Planning and Community Development Director. “State and federal data have consistently ranked Pender County as one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina.”

Public input is a key part of the update process, with an online survey available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PenderCountyStreetsPlan Members of the public who are concerned about transportation infrastructure in southern and eastern Pender County are strongly encouraged to respond.

This project is made possible through a partnership with the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization and WSP Consulting, who are assisting with the planning process.

 

Library meeting room dedicated to former Library Director Mike Taylor

BURGAW – Pender County Library had the honor to dedicate the public meeting room at the Main Library in Burgaw to Mike Taylor, who served as library director of Pender County Library from 1985 to 2020. The Pender County Board of Commissioners approved the Library Board of Trustees’ request in December that the meeting room be named in Taylor’s honor and that a portrait of Taylor be displayed at the library.

The Friends of Pender County Library provided the funding for the new sign for the room, a plaque honoring the room dedication, and a pen-and-ink portrait of Taylor created by local artist Mitchell Henderson. The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit that raises funds to supplement county and state funding for the library and that advocates on behalf of the library.

In attendance at the March 3 dedication ceremony were Taylor, Library Board of Trustees Chair Liz Piacenza, Friends of Pender County Library President Irene Baker, Assistant County Manager Allen Vann, Burgaw Mayor Pete Cowan, Interim Library Director Allen Phillips-Bell, Hampstead Branch Manager Karen Burkett, Library Circulation Supervisor Misty Barnes, and the portrait artist Mitchell Henderson.

During the dedication, Taylor spoke of how humbled he is by the rare honor of having the meeting room dedicated to him, and how he is indebted to the Library Trustees and the Friends of the Library for their long-standing support. Vann took the opportunity to express what a pleasure it had been to work with Taylor, to wish Taylor all the best in his retirement, and to thank everyone present for their support of the library system.

Invasive Zebra Mussel found in NC pet store – here’s how you can help

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, along with wildlife agencies across the country, is urging pet and aquarium stores as well as aquarium owners to remove and safely dispose of any moss ball plant designed for aquariums, after invasive zebra mussels were discovered inside the products labeled as “Marimo Moss Ball Plant Grab & Go” and “Mini Mariom Moss Balls” (see packaging: Pic 1; Pic 2; Pic 3).
 
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, along with wildlife agencies across the country, is urging pet and aquarium stores as well as aquarium owners to remove and safely dispose of any moss ball plant designed for aquariums, after invasive zebra mussels were discovered inside the products labeled as “Marimo Moss Ball Plant Grab & Go” and “Mini Mariom Moss Balls” (see packaging: Pic 1; Pic 2; Pic 3).
 
In addition to being illegal to possess in North Carolina, zebra mussels clog pipelines used for water filtration, render beaches unusable, and damage boats. They also negatively impact aquatic ecosystems by harming native organisms.
 
Zebra mussels have been confirmed in moss balls sold at retailers in North Carolina, including PetSmart. If you have purchased moss balls within the past month, please follow the instructions below about how to properly destroy them and clean your aquariums. Known packaging reads ‘Marimo Moss Ball Plant Grab & Go’ and ‘Mini Marimo Moss Balls’, but there are likely more brands that contain the mussels. An overabundance of caution is suggested if you’ve purchases ANY moss balls recently.
 
Any aquarium owner who has purchased moss balls should dispose of it immediately and carefully by:
• Placing them in a plastic bag and freezing them overnight; or,
• Boiling them or soaking them overnight in a bleach solution (one cup bleach per gallon of water).
 
After freezing or boiling, moss balls should be bagged and disposed of in the trash. Living moss balls or untreated water should not be disposed of in any location where they can reach sewage systems or streams or lakes.
 
To treat your aquarium:
• Remove fish and apply the bleach solution and let it sit for at least one hour before disposing of the water down the sink or toilet.
• Disinfect filters, gravels, and structures as described above and dispose of water down the sink or toilet.
 
Learn more by reading the Wildlife Commission’s Frequently Asked Questions about Zebra Mussels flier.
• Remove fish and apply the bleach solution and let it sit for at least one hour before disposing of the water down the sink or toilet.

Pender County is requesting proposals from experienced and qualified contractors to provide debris monitoring services, RFP # 200303-101

Pender County is requesting proposals from experienced and qualified contractors to provide debris monitoring services in the event of a hurricane or other natural or man-made disaster within the area where debris removal services are utilized.  The County intends to enter into three (3) contracts: one with a “Primary” contractor, a “Secondary” contractor and a “Tertiary” Contractor at no immediate or annual cost to Pender County.  Contractors will be required to provide Debris Monitoring Services “as needed” in compliance with Federal and State guidelines.

The award of a contract under this solicitation will be paid with federal funding.  Funding is contingent upon compliance with all terms and conditions of funding award.  All prospective contractors shall comply with all applicable federal laws, regulations, executive orders, FEMA requirements and the terms and conditions of the funding award.  In addition, contractors providing submittals shall be responsible for complying with state law and local ordinances.

Attached you will find the full Request for Proposals # 200303-101 which identifies the services to be undertaken.

In order to be considered, all proposals must be submitted in writing no later than 2:00 PM (EST) on March 30, 2021.  Contractors mailing proposal packages should allow delivery time to ensure timely receipt of their proposal.  The responsibility for getting the proposal to the Pender County Finance Department on or before the specified time and date is solely and strictly the responsibility of the proposing contractor.  The County will in no way be responsible for delays caused by any occurrence.  Proposals may be hand carried or mailed to:

Pender County Finance, Attention: Trisha Newton, Purchasing Agent, PO Box 1578 or 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC  28425

Phone: (910) 259-1281, Email:  tnewton@pendercountync.gov

Hours of Operation:  8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday

COVID-19 vaccination appointments available online or by phone NOW

PENDER COUNTY – COVID-19 Vaccination appointments are NOW being accepted for Tuesday, March 2, at the Pender County Health Department, 803 S. Walker St. in Burgaw. Appointments can also be made for Thursday, March 4, at the Hampstead Annex, 15060 US Hwy. 17.

Citizens ages 65 and older and health care workers may schedule an appointment online on the county’s website, pendercountync.gov, and click on the red banner across the screen.

Citizens without the ability to make an appointment online can call 910-663-4200 for assistance.

There is limited vaccine available.

If citizens miss this opportunity to be vaccinated, continue to monitor the county’s website, Pender County’s Facebook page, and the local news for future vaccine appointments.

 

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