Alamance County Government will begin implementing the Facility Use Policy for the Historic Courthouse at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020. These guidelines were developed to further support and encourage the free expression of ideas within a safe and protected environment.
Due to the location of the Historic Courthouse and the logistical multi-agency challenges it represents, a permitting process is now required for large, organized gatherings. The permit will allow groups to reserve space on the Historic Courthouse grounds exclusively for their use. This process will guarantee the organized gathering will have priority and access to the areas surrounding the courthouse while allowing time for government agencies to plan and coordinate a strategy to ensure the freedom of expression of those attending.
While large, organized gatherings require notice to the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, small, spontaneous gatherings do not require a permit. However, without a permit, a gathering will not have exclusive rights to use the Historic Courthouse grounds.
Alamance County Government and the Alamance Sheriff’s Office are committed to supporting and protecting the rights of freedom of expression for all, and the Facility Use Policy for the Historic Courthouse will provide a safe space to exercise those rights.
Alamance County Government and the Alamance County Court System will implement basic COVID-19 health screenings for all visitors entering any Alamance courthouse facility beginning Monday, August 10 at 8:00 a.m.
Entry screening is one additional public health measure that Alamance County Government can use to help protect visitors and staff from spreading the novel coronavirus. Along with answering basic health screening questions, visitors will have their temperatures taken and will be given a mask (if needed) upon entering the Historic Courthouse (1 SE Court Square, Graham, NC), Alamance Civil Courts (124 W Elm St, Graham, NC), and the J.B. Allen Courthouse (212 W Elm St, Graham, NC). All visitors are also asked to observe social distancing by keeping at least six feet between themselves and others.
Utilizing guidance received from our local public health department, Alamance County Government and the Alamance County Judicial System will continue to take proactive preparedness precautions in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please visit www.alamance-nc.com/covid19/ to view the screening questions.
The Alamance County Tax Office is pleased to announce the August 17th opening of a drive-through service at 378 Harden Street in Burlington (formerly Medicap Pharmacy). While no walk-in payments may be accepted at this location, drive-through customers may pay with cash or check. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are also accepted with a 2.5% convenience fee. The drive-through will be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, beginning August 17th.
Walk-in payments will still be accepted at the county office at 124 West Elm Street in Graham. Due to COVID-19 safety measures, capacity for walk-ins is greatly reduced and wait times may be longer than usual. The Tax Office encourages citizens to pay via mail, drive-through, dropbox, or online to avoid long wait times.
The Alamance County Inspections Department is excited to announce the first participant in the Alamance Fire Sprinkler Incentive Program! Concept Builders of Burlington is pleased to take advantage of the program with a home they are building at 1025 Soapstone Trail in Snow Camp.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Home fire sprinklers can dramatically reduce the heat, flames, and smoke produced in a fire. Properly installed and maintained fire sprinklers help save lives.”
To encourage home fire sprinkler installations, the Alamance County Inspections Department created the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Program in order to promote public safety, raise awareness of the benefits of home fire sprinkler systems, and help defray the cost of their installation in new homes. This program discounts the cost of a new home permit by 50% when a non-required home fire sprinkler system is installed. There is also no fee charged for the plan review or permit for the sprinkler system itself.
The Inspections Department wishes to promote public awareness of this important safety feature via our incentive program. Per the NFPA, United States fire departments responded to an estimated 1,318,500 fires in 2018. These fires resulted in 3,655 civilian fire fatalities and 15,200 civilian fire injuries; most or all of these could have been prevented if homes were protected by a residential fire sprinkler system. Fire sprinklers are required by law in all new residential construction in places like California, Maryland and Washington DC. The hope is that residents will become more informed about this important safety feature.
Please be advised that Century Link/AT&T is experiencing outages that affect 911 service for residents in the Gibsonville area. Some residents are unable to use their landline or internet service phone to call 911.
Alamance County urges customers in this area to use a cell phone or find alternate options to contact the Alamance County Communications Center (911) in case of emergency.
Century Link/AT&T is currently unable to give estimates for time of repair, but staff are working to restore service as quickly as possible.
Alamance County will continue to provide updates as new information is received.
Alamance County Government officials were puzzled by Governor Cooper’s comments regarding ACE Speedway during the media update on Tuesday, May 26, since no one from the Governor’s office has reached out directly to the county, even after the county requested guidance and input. Local governments across North Carolina have asked repeatedly to have a voice in how the COVID restrictions impact their communities. However, those requests have not been addressed.
Alamance County Government has repeatedly reached out to Governor Cooper and NCDHHS for guidance in how to assist ACE Speedway to operate in a safe manner.
Alamance County sent a letter to the Governor on April 20, requesting that a regional approach to reopening be considered and that local governments participate in decision making. The County has not received a direct response to its letter.
On May 11, 2020, Alamance County Government officials, Jason Turner of ACE Speedway, and Matt Gross, the Assistant Secretary for Government Affairs at the NC Department of Health and Human Services, participated in a conference call, discussing how ACE Speedway could safely operate during Phase 2. Mr. Gross stated that it was not known whether Phase 2 would begin on May 22 and that it was not known what capacity businesses such as ACE Speedway could expect, but it would likely be between 25-50% of fire code. A document entitled, “Precaution Requirements for ACE Speedway” was developed through collaboration between NCDHHS, the Alamance County Health Department, and ACE Speedway. Jason Turner assured Alamance County on multiple occasions that he intended to follow the recommended protocols at ACE Speedway.
After reviewing Executive Order 141 on Wednesday, May 20, Alamance County had questions about its applicability and enforcement. On Thursday, May 21, at 9:00 a.m., Alamance County Government officials, Robert Turner of ACE Speedway, and Matt Gross of DHHS participated in a conference call. Mr. Gross was made aware of Alamance County’s concerns and questions. He stated that, not being an attorney, he could not advise the county, and he promised to forward the county’s concerns to the Governor’s staff and that someone would get back to the county. Alamance County has yet to hear directly from anyone with the Governor’s staff, NCDHHS, or anyone else in State government.
The health and safety of its residents continues to be the highest priority of Alamance County. Alamance County has investigated the precautions taken last Saturday night at ACE Speedway, and has verified the following: 2550 spectators on a 50 acre property (approximately 50% of fire capacity); rosters for contact tracing were provided; 10 feet distance between each car in the pit area; recommended masks and 6 feet social distancing in pit area; multiple hand sanitizer stations provided; precaution signage; Plexiglas partitions where appropriate; marks of 6 feet of spacing in lines and high traffic areas; one-way arrows for traffic through the restrooms; public announcements every 30 minutes to remind spectators to social distance and wash hands; restrooms and other public areas sanitized regularly; and limits on the number of people in the infield and outfield.
Upon learning that ACE Speedway intends to reopen on May 23, Alamance County has decided not to prohibit its reopening during Phase 2 of Governor Cooper’s plan to reopen North Carolina.
Over the past month, ACE Speedway has communicated extensively with the Alamance County Department of Public Health regarding recommended precautions in an effort to reduce potential exposures. ACE plans to implement several precautions, including screening attendees and providing rosters to the Health Department to facilitate contact tracing, in the event it is needed. In addition, ACE will maintain 10 feet distance between each car in the pit area, recommend masks for crews and 6 feet social distancing in the pit area, provide alcohol hand sanitizer solution at multiple areas (minimum of 10 stations) on infield premises, and provide precaution signage at the entrance, bathrooms, tech shed, and fuel and tire areas. Areas will be marked off in the grandstands to support social distancing. Bathrooms will be disinfected regularly and high touch areas will be disinfected every hour. Special precautions will be taken when dropping off wheels to be mounted and picked up and at fuel drop off. Plexiglas partitions have been installed where needed. The number of persons in the infield and outfield have been limited.
County Attorney Clyde Albright said, “The Exemptions listed in Section 4 of Executive Order 141 include activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights, which include the right to peaceably assemble. This exemption retroactively applies to earlier Executive Orders. Significantly, the Governor’s language in the Exemption has changed from ‘order’ to ‘strongly urges’. The Governor recognizes that he may only urge people engaged in exercising First Amendment rights to practice social distancing and other disease control measures. He cannot Constitutionally limit the number of people who can peaceably assemble under the First Amendment. The Temporary Restraining Order
issued last Friday by United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, in the lawsuit Berean et al versus Governor Roy A. Cooper, held that the earlier Executive Orders violate the freedom to attend worship services protected by the First Amendment. Because the right to peaceably assemble is also a First Amendment right, if Alamance County were to attempt to restrict the operation of a business not otherwise restricted by Executive Order 141 then such action may itself be in violation of the First Amendment.”
Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson stated, “When I took my oath of office, I swore to uphold the United States Constitution. I will not enforce an unconstitutional law. Upon hearing the opinion of the County Attorney, I do not intend to stop ACE Speedway from opening on Saturday, May 23.”
All Alamance County residents are strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations to promote social distancing and reduce transmission, including maintaining at least six feet from other individuals, wearing a face mask, using hand sanitizer, frequently washing hands, and remaining home if sick. Alamance County is committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents, while recognizing that Americans have freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Meals on Wheels received a grant that allows them to provide temporary service for seniors affected by the Coronavirus. This benefits seniors age 60 and older in Alamance County that are no longer leaving home as they usually would, due to Covid-19.
If you or someone you know is in need of home delivered meals during this time, please give them a call at 336-228-8815.
BURLINGTON, N.C.– Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area opens to the public on May 22, 2020. The Pine Hill Trailhead is the first phase of development in the new park and includes 3.5 miles of trail. Hikers will enjoy rolling piedmont hills, abundant creeks and streams, and some of the best views in Alamance County.
Due to current social distancing requirements surrounding COVID-19, the park is open by reservation only. Visitors can secure a reservation at the park by visiting alamance.recdesk.com. Reservations are available to groups of 10 or less in 3-hour time slots during which they will have exclusive access to the park.
Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area is located at: 5075 Bass Mountain Rd, Snow Camp, NC 27349. For more information, visit www.alamanceparks.com.
About Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area
Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area is located 8 miles south of the City of Graham in the Cane Creek Mountains Range, a Piedmont Monadnock range. The mountain range comprises the largest State Natural Heritage Area and the largest area of undisturbed woodland in Alamance County. The property contains four miles of streams and supports Piedmont Monadnock Forest, Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forests, as well as low elevation seeps. The area contains plants and animals found nowhere else in Alamance County and is home to the highest peak in North Carolina east of Greensboro at 987 feet.
Upon completion, the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area will total over 1,000 acres. The development of the park will continue over the next several years.
The Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area is a partnership between The Conservation Fund, Piedmont Land Conservancy, and Alamance Parks. Funding support has been received from Clean Water Management Trust Fund, North Carolina Recreational Trails Program, North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and private donors.
BURLINGTON – Alamance County Health Department has identified an outbreak at the skilled nursing facility Peak Resources in Graham. Currently, two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the facility. Both confirmed cases are among the staff. There have been no cases identified in residents at this time. NC DHHS defines an outbreak as two confirmed cases within a facility.
“We remain dedicated to the well-being and safety of our residents and employees,” said Jeff Cochran, Administrator at Peak Resources Alamance. “Protecting the health of those we care for and the community we service remains our highest priority. We are making every effort to ensure we stop the spread of the Coronavirus within our facility. We are extremely proud of our staff members and their rapid and diligent response in handling a very unique and difficult situation.”
Cochran further stated, “Since late January, we have been closely following the guidelines established by the CDC, CMS, NC Department of Health and Human Services, and the NC Division of Public Health. We will remain in active communication with the local and state health officials to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps,” stated Mr. Cochran.
The Health Department will deploy public health staff to the facility on May 13 to collect specimen for testing for all residents at the facility.
Additionally, the health department will deploy public health staff to collect specimen for all facility staff on May 14.
“Peak Resources has been in contact with our staff for several weeks now receiving technical assistance, consulting on guidance, implementing precautions and taking steps to help prevent illness in the facility,” stated Health Director Stacie Saunders. “It is unfortunate that the facility has experienced two cases among its staff. We commend Peak Resources for promptly notifying the health department of risks and proactively working with our health department to collect specimen for testing from asymptomatic residents and staff in order to help prevent further spread.”
Alamance County Health Department identified its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 20. Since that time, a total of 183 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the community. Of those confirmed cases, 90 have been released from isolation and 85 remain active and in isolation. Included in the remaining active cases, ten are receiving care at a hospital. Sadly, there have been eight COVID-19 related deaths.
“We continue to see newly confirmed cases in our general population, as well. As collection and testing access increases in our area, we are likely to identify more cases,” states Health Director Stacie Saunders. “It is important to use the precautions like washing your hands, wearing face coverings, and keeping your distance from others in order to protect yourself and also those you care about.”
Media Partners: Questions regarding the facility should be directed to Jeff Cochran at jcochran@peakresourcesinc.com.