The deadline for registration in the Veterans Parade is now Thursday, October 17, 2019.
The parade honors our county’s veterans who gave so much in service to their country. The deadline is now extended to give as many people and groups as possible the chance to take part. All Alamance County veterans are invited to march or ride in the parade. Anyone who wishes to march in the parade in support of veterans i also invited to take part.
Anyone who wishes to join in the parade can register by contacting the Veterans Services Office. Visit the Veterans Services website at https://www.alamance-nc.com/veterans to register. You can also call (336) 570-2361 or (336) 570-6764, or visit the office at 201 West Elm Street in Graham.
“We invite all our residents to attend the parade. We want to show our support for our wonderful veterans,” says Tammy Crawford, Veterans Services Director.
The 6th Annual Veterans Day Parade will take place in Downtown Graham beginning at 10 A.M. on Saturday, November 9. Following the parade, there will be an event with food, crafts, and live entertainment.
For further information, please contact Tammy Crawford, Alamance County Veterans Services Director, at Tammy.Crawford@alamance-nc.com.
Join the Haw River Trail and the community of Saxapahaw for our Annual Trailathlon, a Haw River Trail fundraiser. This multi-sport adventure brings together families and athletes of all abilities and skill levels to enjoy the natural recreation opportunities of the Haw River corridor. The race starts with a two-mile round trip paddle on Saxapahaw Lake, followed by a six-mile rolling countryside bike ride, and finishes with a 5K trail run on a new section of trail.
The race is untimed and is intended to draw appreciation for the Haw River Trail, the Haw River, and surrounding communities. But don’t let that deter you from racing your friends and family to the finish line! All proceeds support the Haw River Trail’s new Saxapahaw Island Park.
For more information and to register, visit alamanceparks.com or call 336-229-2410.
BURLINGTON- Three additional cases have tested positive for mumps, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to six.
“We continue to implement our local public health response which has included up to this point offering vaccinations to the university population, identifying individuals with possible symptoms and supporting the university in increasing awareness”, says Alamance County Health Director Stacie Saunders. “We are grateful for Elon’s quick communication with our health department and their continued proactive participation in the response.”
Throughout the month of October the health department will work with the university to offer MMR vaccinations to Elon students, faculty, and staff at Student Health Services by appointment. Vaccination appointments can be made by calling 336-278-7230 during operational hours. Between the open clinics held on campus and vaccinations given at Student Health Services, nearly 800 individuals have received an additional dose of MMR vaccine, which further reduces the risk of contracting mumps and is recommended by health officials in a situation like the one we are experiencing.
Students exhibiting symptoms or those with medical concerns should contact the Student Health Center at 336-278-7230. Faculty and staff with medical questions should contact their primary care provider or the Faculty & Staff Wellness Clinic at 336-278-5569. Community members may call their primary care provider or the Alamance County Health Department at 336-516-7715 to speak with a public health nurse.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend two doses of the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps and complications caused by the disease. The recommended two doses of the vaccine provides approximately 88 percent protection against infection. According to the CDC, mumps outbreaks can still occur in highly vaccinated U.S. communities, particularly in close-contact settings like college campuses. High vaccination coverage helps limit the size, duration, and spread of mumps outbreaks. Elon enforces the State of North Carolina requirement that all incoming students provide evidence of two vaccinations against mumps or proof of immunity against mumps. Nearly all students at Elon have had both of their mumps vaccines, which are administered as a combination vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as part of the childhood recommended vaccines.
With the upcoming spring launch of the 2020 Census, Chair Amy Scott Galey of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners has convened a 2020 Census Executive Committee. This committee made up of community leaders will help lead the charge in ensuring that all Alamance County residents are counted in order to maximize both federal representation and federal dollars. The first meeting will take place at Impact Alamance (133 E. Davis St., Burlington) on Thursday, October 10, 2019, at 9am. Special guest Cara Townsend, regional coordinator for the North Carolina 2020 Census, will present how census information is used and its benefits to the local community.
“Billions of dollars in federal funding as well as congressional seats are tied to census numbers, and it is vital that North Carolina is accurately represented.” said Chair Galey. “Community participation is crucial in the effort to count each resident living in the county. Our goal is to proactively develop solutions to increase our 2010 census participation rate of 78% as each person counted brings in $1,623 dollars of federal funding per year for ten years.”
Members of the County’s 2020 Census Executive Committee are:
Ian Baltutis, Mayor for City of Burlington
Dr. Bruce Benson, Superintendent of Alamance-Burlington School System
Buddy Boggs, Mayor for Town of Haw River
Dr. Connie Book, President of Elon University
Phil Bowers, Executive Director of Sustainable Alamance
Tony Foriest, Former State Senator and Community Leader
Amy Scott Galey, Chair of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners
Allen Gant, Jr., Chair of Glen Raven Inc.
Dr. Algie Gatewood, President of Alamance Community College
Tracey Grayzer, President of Impact Alamance
Ed Hooks, Mayor Pro-Tem for City of Mebane
F.D. Hornaday, President of Knit-Wear Fabrics, Inc.
Jane Iseley, Iseley Farms
Martha Krall, Alamance Alliance for Families and Children in North Carolina
Heidi Norwick, President of United Way
Carrie Theall, Executive Director of Alamance Partnership for Children
Michael Trollinger, Council Member for the Town of Green Level
Health Department and Elon University partnering to address illness
BURLINGTON- Alamance County Health Department received notification on September 23 of a single confirmed case of mumps in a student who attends of Elon University. At this time, the cause of the infection is unknown and no other cases have been identified. The individual had previously received age-appropriate MMR vaccinations.
Health Director Stacie Saunders stated, “We are working with our university and state public health partners to identify those who may have had contact with the confirmed case and will provide assessment and additional vaccine, as needed.”
Mumps is a viral illness best known for causing parotitis, a swelling of the salivary glands below the ears and above the jaw. Other common symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. The virus is spread through close contact, like kissing, drinking after someone else, coughing or sneezing.
Students who are exhibiting symptoms consistent with mumps should make an appointment with Elon Student Health Services. Appointments can be made by calling 336-278-7230. Members of the community who are concerned about symptoms are encouraged to contact their primary health care providers or urgent care. Community members may also call the Alamance County Health Department at 336-516-7715 to speak with a public health nurse.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend two doses of the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps and complications caused by the disease. The recommended two doses of the vaccine provides approximately 88 percent protection against infection. According to the CDC, mumps outbreaks can still occur in highly vaccinated U.S. communities, particularly in close-contact settings like college campuses. High vaccination coverage helps limit the size, duration, and spread of mumps outbreaks. Elon enforces the State of North Carolina requirement that all incoming students provide evidence of two vaccinations against mumps or proof of immunity against mumps. Nearly all students at Elon have had both of their mumps vaccines, which are administered as a combination vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as part of the childhood recommended vaccines.
Alamance County has not had a confirmed case of mumps in the last 10 years.
Join us for a beautiful Trail Run along the banks of the Haw River to benefit Special Olympics of Alamance County. This out and back course will give you a tour of the Sellers Falls section of the Haw River and Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The run will start and end in Red Slide Park in the shadows of the historic Cone Denim Mill.
SOAC serves 400 adult and youth athletes with developmental disabilities and provides year-round athletic competition in 13 sports. Participants are provided the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy at all levels – all at no cost.
Mark a place on your calendar for this exciting event benefiting an outstanding organization! Registration ends on October 19, 2019. For more information, and to register, please visit the link below or call 336-570-6760.
The Veterans Pension Facts and Fiction, hosted by the Alamance County Veterans Services, will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, from 9am-11am at Impact Alamance (133 East Davis Street, Burlington).
This program will provide information about eligible benefits for veterans or surviving spouses of veterans in need of care.
Contact Guil Johnson, Trails & Open Space Coordinator Alamance Parks (Alamance County Recreation and Parks Department) Phone: 336.229.2380 Email: guil.johnson@alamance-nc.com
Alamance Parks has acquired a third land tract in the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area. The Henderson-Dixon-Steele tract totals 152.5 acres bringing the total land acquired for the natural area to approximately 620 acres. This property once hosted the Pioneer Camp, a popular summer camp for area children in the 1950s and 60s. The acquisition was made possible by a 2017 grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Additional support was provided by The Conservation Fund, Piedmont Land Conservancy, and Alamance Parks.
The Cane Creek Mountains are located 8 miles south of the City of Graham and comprise the largest State Natural Heritage Area in Alamance County. The mountain range is also home to the highest peak in North Carolina east of Greensboro. Development of the park will protect the resources of this area while allowing for recreational and educational use of the property. Ultimately, Alamance Parks hopes to develop between 10-15 miles of trail network through the Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area properties. Upon completion, the Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area will be among the largest county parks in the state.
Development of the park began in 2019. A grant from the North Carolina Recreational Trails Program provided funding support for the first trailhead and trails of the park which are expected to open in 2020. Development of the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area will continue for several years.
Will White, will serve as Alamance County’s 4-H Youth Voice Delegate at the 2019 NC Association of County Commissioner’s Annual Conference. Youth Voice brings together teens from 4-H and the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Carolina. The annual event offers sessions on Friday and Saturday of the conference to help youth gain a better understanding of what their county governments do and the role of their County Commissioners as the governing body for their counties. The youths have the opportunity to connect with their county officials during the Youth Voice Breakfast on Saturday morning.
In order to qualify to attend the conference, the Youth Delegates must speak at a Board of County Commissioners meeting and submit a photo of themselves with their Board of Commissioners. Mr. White met his requirement when he spoke at the August 19thregular meeting and posed alongside County Commissioners.
The Alamance County Voluntary Agricultural District Board (AVAD) will be accepting applications for the Purchase of Development Rights, Alamance County Farmland Preservation Program Sept. 3rd – Sept. 30, 2019. The applications can be picked up or emailed from the Alamance Soil and Water Office starting September 3rd, 2019.
Applications must be returned to the Alamance SWCD Office at 209 N Graham Hopedale Road, Burlington, NC 27217, beginning Sept. 3rd with a deadline of Sept. 30, 2019 @ 5:00PM.
The NC Dept. of Agriculture and Community Services Farmland Preservation Trust Fund anticipates having funding statewide to fund applications in the 2019-2020 cycle. The Alamance County VAD Board will select the top applicants from the applications received based on the ranking system. North Carolina leads the Southeast in lost farmland and Family farms. This funding is made available to encourage Farmland Preservation and protection.
If you have any questions about the program or to request an application, please contact the Alamance County Soil and Water Conservation District Office @ 336-290-0380.
Brad Moore, Alamance Soil and Water Conservation District Administrator 336-290-0380 brad.moore@alamance-nc.com
Farmland Preservation Purchase of Development Rights Applications Now Being Accepted Sept. 3rd thru Sept. 30th Entry deadline is Sept. 30, 2019
