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All unvaccinated employees and citizens
BOC enacts mask mandate for county offices By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Acting on recommendation from the Pender County Health Department, Commissioners voted to require masks in county offices for all unvaccinated individuals, both county employees and residents visiting the offices. “In light of the recent increase
in COVID cases, and hospitalizations, we are requesting the board consider a mask mandate for all unvaccinated employees as well as the public entering our buildings,” said Pender County Manager Chad McEwen. Commissioner David Piepmeyer restated the mandate saying “we are going to mandate masks except for the exemption you are vaccinated
Pender COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increase Recent death reported
and provide proof of that vaccination.” McEwen agreeded with Piepmeyer’s statement. If the employee’s job interacts with the public out of county offices, masks will continue to be required unless vaccinated. Unvaccinated employees working outside offices and not in close proximity to others will not have to wear a mask.
“We are trying to have some common sense about this, but we are under a lot of pressure to have something,” said Commissioner David Williams. “This is not making people get vaccinated.” Commissioner Jackie Newton said the county has a responsibility to citizens to provide continuity of service. “Surrounding counties have man-
dated all employees wear masks. We are not going that far yet. If you have chosen to be vaccinated and protect yourself and others, then we are not going to require you to wear a mask,” Newton said. Nothing was discussed as to requiring citizens entering county offices to provide proof of vaccination in order to go without a mask.
Buses are back Monday
By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher A 57-year-old Pender County resident has died from COVID-19 complications as the number of hospitalizations from the virus increases. A total of 74 individuals have died in Pender County from the virus, with 17 of those deaths occurring in the Burgaw prison unit. Pender County continues to have a much lower death rate than surrounding counties and the number of cases. “I think that is because of the efforts of our staff at the Health Department,” said Pender County Health and Human Services Director Carolyn Moser.
The patient who recently died had other serious health issues that contributed to the situation. Moser says some of the hospitalizations are patients who received the vaccine. “The vaccine is not 100 percent effective. You should take extra precautions even though you may have been vaccinated. That has always been the case,” Moser said. “We do
Continued on page 2A
Staff photosby Andy Pettigrew
School buses will be back on Pender County roads Monday as classes begin for traditional school year students Aug. 23.
Sept. 18 Cape Fear Community College Day in Burgaw By Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writer The Town of Burgaw and Pender County Commissioners have declared Sep.18 as Cape Fear Community College Day. In celebration, CFCC is hosting Cape Fear Community College Day- Industry Inspires on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Cape Fear Community College’s Burgaw Center. This free, public event will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and will feature a performance by The Embers from noon to 2 p.m. Children’s events will include a bouncy
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house and a touch-a-truck event with 25 trucks on display. Complimentary food will be provided by Mema’s Chick’n and Ribs. “What an honor for Sept. 18, 2021, to be proclaimed Cape Fear Community College Day by the Town of Burgaw!” said CFCC President Jim Morton. “Our roots are strong in Pender County, and we plan to expand our reach. Cape Fear Community College is committed to providing exceptional educational and job training opportunities to the people of Burgaw and Pender County. We invite everyone to come out and celebrate Cape Fear Com-
munity College day on September 18. Families can learn more about what’s available at CFCC, and enjoy great food, child-friendly events, and the fellowship of the Burgaw community.” “With the latest expansion of the CFCC Burgaw Center and of the programs there, we wanted to engage the community, businesses, and alumni in the Burgaw/Pender County area to share all that the College has to offer,” said Shane Fernando, Vice President of Advancement and the Arts at CFCC. During the event, CFCC will offer live demonstrations and tours
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of the facilities, including the Welding Lab and the HVAC Lab. Attendees can visit the diesel facility and learn more about the Nurse Aide program. Tammie Parris, Director of Pender County - Economic Workforce and Development, explained that CFCC’s Burgaw Center offers a
Continued on page 2A CFCC Director of Pender County-Economic Workforce and Development Tammie Parris holds the proclamation from the Town of Burgaw.
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Horses dead from EEE By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
Two horses in a Rocky Point neighborhood have died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The horses were located in a neighborhood east of Interstate 40. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a very rare, but serious and often fatal infection that causes encephalitis. EEE is a mosquito-borne illness that is fatal in horses, and has a 30 percent fatality rate in humans. People with EEE who survive have ongoing neurologic problems. “We have taken the mosquito trucks out and sprayed in that area,” said Pender County Health and Human Services Director Carolyn Moser. “We are really encouraging horse owners to get their animals vaccinated. It’s a fatal disease. This disease is around and we need to make sure the animals are vaccinated.”
Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, August 19, 2021, Page 2A
Pender County Arrest Report Information in this report is taken from the Pender County Sheriff’s Department Weekly Intake Report, which is responsible for the content. The report is public record. An arrest or charge does not always result in a conviction in court.
•Jahi Atkinson (1994) 906 Malabys Church Dr. Apt 102 Knightdale. Assault on a female. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Gustavio Bacca (2002) 828 St. Johns Church Rd. Hampstead. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. additional hold for NC Dept. of Public Safety Division of Community Corrections. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Heather Bland (1986) 140 Dogwood Lane Rocky Point. Possession of Methamphetamine. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Nathan Branch (2001) 3990 NC Hwy. 117 Lot 110 Burgaw. Statutory Rape, statutory sex offense, indecent liberties, probation violation (two counts). Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Benjamin Buentello Jr. (1990) 151 Morin Rd. Burgaw. Driving while license revoked, driving while impaired. Arrest by NC Highway Patrol. •Elexis Buentello (1991) 710 W. Wilmington St. Burgaw. Driving while impaired, injury to real property, probation violation. Arrest by Bail Bondsman. •Kenneth Chasten III (1989) 4317 US Hwy 117 South Rose Hill. Driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, driving left of center, failure to burn headlights, resisting arrest/hinder and delay officer. Arrest by NC Highway Patrol. •Kenneth Edgell (1966) 3595 Fennell Town Rd. Rocky Point. Violation of domestic protection order. Arrest by Burgaw Police Department. •Aaron Ennis (1988) 607 E. Coston Rd. Burgaw. Driving while license revoked, speeding, probation violation. Arrest by NC Probation Officer. •Robert Godin (1981) 246 Wilmington Hwy. Jacksonville. Probation violation (four counts). Arrest by NC Probation Officer. •Gary Gunderson (1983) 374 Peanut Road Hampstead. Assault on a female. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Jose Hernandez-Lopez (2000) 305 Interstate Loop Rocky Point. Driving while impaired, consume alcohol 20 years old, failure to maintain lane control. Arrest by NC Highway Patrol. •Kenneth Johnson (1965) 87 Stag Park Rd. Burgaw. Driving while impaired. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Courtney Kirkham (1993) 154 Old Whitfield Rd. Hampstead. Misdemeanor child abuse, second degree trespassing, misdemeanor breaking and entering. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Juanita Locklear (1977) 2405 Dawson Cabin Rd. Apt. Lot 5 Jacksonville. Deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to maufacture, sell, deliver methamphetamine, sell methamphetamine, maintain dwelling/vehicle/place for controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia. •Jeri Meadows (1969) 1135 Watts Landing Road Hampstead. Shoplifting/concealment of goods, possession of drug paraphernalia. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Mark Merritt (1958) 203 Long Leaf Drive Hampstead. Assault on a female (two counts), simple assault. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Randall Naylor (1981) 1430 NC Hwy. 210W. Hampstead. Damage to personal property, resisting arrest/hinder and delay
COVID Continued from page 1A have some in the hospital that have been vaccinated, but it is individuals that have other high-risk medical conditions. Ninety percent of those hospitalized are not vaccinated.” All of COVID-19 cases in Pender County are the Delta variant, according to Moser. “It is as contagious as chicken pox, much more virulent than the original strain,” Moser said. New Hanover Re gional Medical Center is not performing elective surgeries, and have converted some of their recovery rooms to COVID-19 rooms. The hospital has also upfitted one floor for reverse isolation rooms for COVID patients. “They are as high with their admissions as they were in January. Our numbers in the county are running as high as January, the peak of the virus. We are averaging about 40 new cases a day. Schools have quite a few students out, but most cases are in the 25 to 49year-old range,” Moser said. Moser says the good news
CFCC Continued from page 1A variety of programs and certifications that lead to well-paid employment opportunities. Students can receive industry recognized credentials such as OSHA 10 and forklift certification. “Cape Fear Community College has so much to offer Pender County residents. We have top-quality programs and our instructors have the
is the number of individuals receiving the vaccine at the Health Department has increased. “I think we are seeing people that have been hesitant that are finally coming in and getting the vaccine. We are giving 150 to 200 vaccines a week, which is good,” said Moser. “It’s frustrating when you go on the state website and see we have a low vaccination rate, but that is for the entire population. Ages 12 and younger can’t get the vaccine.” Currently, Pender County is reporting a 52 percent vaccination rate for county residents 18 and older. The Moderna vaccine is showing an actual effective rate of 76 percent nationwide. The Pfizer vaccine is 46 percent effective. Moser says the guidelines from health officials remain the same. “Wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, and wear a mask in crowds, even if you have had the vaccine,” said Moser. “And get vaccinated. When people don’t get vaccinated and don’t practice the three W’s, we see a lot of illness.”
officer. Arrest by Pender County Sheriff ’s Office. •Jerome Pigford Jr. (1990) 2433 Herring Rd. Rose Hill. Assault on a female, assault on a child under 12, misdemeanor larceny. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •James Wood (1979) 120 Stag Dr. Hampstead. Assault on a female. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office. •Joshua Wood (1985) 6746 Horse Branch Rd. Willard. Felony breaking/entering, misdemeanor larceny. Arrest by PC Sheriff ’s Office.
Pender EMS and Fire Report Aug. 8-14 Pender EMS Report Total number of Patient Contacts: 306 Calls per Station Burgaw Station 1 51 Sloop Point Station 14 37 Hampstead Station 16 43 Surf City Station 23 36 Topsail Beach Station 4 26 Union Station 5 26 Rocky Point Station 7 46 Atkinson Station 9 35 Maple Hill Station 13 4 Scott Hill Station 18 0 Hwy 421 S. Station 29 2 East Side Medic 6 0 Type of Calls Cancelled: 41 Refusals: 110 Stand by: 4 Transported: 139 Treated/released: 12 Fire Department Reports Total Calls: 34 Calls per Station Rescue Station 1 Burgaw 0 Fire Station 13 Maple Hill 9 Fire Station 14 Sloop Point 6 Fire Station 16 Hampstead 3 Fire Station 18 Scotts Hill 7 Fire Station 21 Long Creek 2 Fire Station 29 Hwy 421 South 2 EMS St. 4 Topsail Beach 0 Station 17 Penderlea 2 Station 28 Island Creek 3 Fire Call Type Summary Fire 1 Motor Vehicle Crash 4 Search and Rescue 1 Service Calls 3 EMS First Response 18 Cancelled 7 Ocean Rescue 0
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expertise and background to provide the most up-to-date content for our students. Our courses focus on short-term training and licensing that creates long-term value for our community,” said Parris. “We are excited to have everyone learn all about what CFCC has to offer.” CFCC Burgaw Center is located at 100 Industrial Dr. in Burgaw. To learn more or sponsor this event, visit cfcc. edu/cfcc-day.
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