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Public Notices

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.

 

NC Forest Service uses fire to protect Hampstead from fire

HAMPSTEAD – On Monday, Feb. 15, a fire was reported at a debris landfill located on Running Deer Trail near Hampstead and Holly Shelter Game Land. Upon arrival, fire officials discovered that the 25- to 30-foot landfill consisting of woody debris and soil, approximately four acres in size, was burning despite several inches of rainfall during the previous few days. Despite future rainfall, this debris pile is expected to continue burning for months. Due to the composition and volume of the pile currently on fire, extinguishing the landfill is not feasible as it would pose unnecessary risk for personnel and equipment. Currently, the primary concern is proximity of this fire to Holly Shelter Game Land, the town of Hampstead, and associated communities. The traditional higher winds and lower relative humidity common to this area during spring could allow embers from the landfill to ignite the game land or wooded areas near Hampstead, areas already impacted by several historic wildfires.

N.C. Forest Service personnel used recent periods of wet weather to plan a burnout operation intended to eliminate woody fuels separating the landfill fire from areas of concern. On Feb. 24, the N.C. Forest Service, assisted by Pender County Emergency Management and Pender EMS and Fire, successfully burned 153 acres, now cold, to establish a firebreak. The landfill fire continues to burn and for how long will be determined by weather conditions. Rain will cause the fire to burn slower, extending the burn period while extended dry weather could result in acceleration.

Smoke from the landfill fire is a concern associated with wind direction, specifically winds coming from the west, north and east. Residents and travelers in the area could be impacted by smoke, and in the interest of safety, may need to allow for extra travel time or find alternate routes. The landfill fire and surrounding areas will continue to be monitored locally until the fire is no longer a threat. Smoke advisories may be issued before forecast smoke affects populated areas or roadways.

Flooding update, Feb. 25, 2021

The rivers in Pender County are continuing to drop across the county. More state roads include Shaw Hwy are back open. The Black River has dropped less than a foot to 9.21 feet since Monday. The Northeast Cape Fear River has dropped a little more than 2.5 feet since Monday. The Northeast Cape Fear River is still in moderate flood stage and will be until late tomorrow evening.
The weather forecast for Friday and into next week is a front will bring more rain to the area and possibly slowing the rate the river levels are dropping.
However, some roads remain impacted by flooding.
Roadways, as of 3 p.m., Feb. 25, that are known to be affected by flooding include:
• 2356-3276 block of the Old Maple Hill Rd
• 1600-3700 block Croomsbridge Rd
• 0-735 River Bend Drive
• All of River Birch Rd
• All of Bear Run Rd
• Riverview Drive along the river
• 485-510 block River Trail
• 500-5100 block Heading Bluff Road
• Patriots Hall Drive past the Ranger Station
• All of Caldonia Creek Rd
• 100-849 block Old Blake House Road
• Old Savanah Road 100 Yards west of Van Eden Rd (Wash Out)
• Juniper Lane at the turn
• Whitestocking Rd near Chorley Drive
• Whitestocking Rd at Mack Williams
• Lower end of Sandy Bend Rd
• 800 block to the end on Carl Meeks Rd
• 100 block to the end on Patriots Watch
• Lower end of White Tail Lane
• 300 block of Battleground Rd
• Morgan Road 200 yards north of the bridge
• 700 block to the end of Pinkney Rd
• 500 block to the end of Old Ramsey Rd
• All of Cape Fear Drive
• All of Thoroughfare Rd
• Bethel Church Rd

Sign up today for SKYWARN and Weather Safety Training

2021 Virtual SKYWARN Training Sessions
Sign up today for SKYWARN and Weather Safety Training.
Pender County Fire Marshal Tommy Batson urged residents to sign up for the free classes now to help and assist Emergency Management. We need more eyes in the sky during bad weather events! Sign up today!
Basic SKYWARN & Weather Safety Presentations
Advanced SKYWARN Training
Thursday April 1, 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Gov. Roy Cooper announces easing of COVID-19 restrictions as North Carolina trends stabilize

Key indicators used to guide decisions throughout pandemic show state’s trends are moving in the right direction

RALEIGH: As North Carolina’s numbers continue to show improvement and vaccine distribution increases, Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the state will carefully ease some of its COVID-19 restrictions. Executive Order No. 195 will take effect February 26th at 5 pm and will expire March 26th at 5 pm.

“Today’s action is a show of confidence and trust, but we must remain cautious. People are losing their loved ones each day,” said Governor Cooper. “We must keep up our guard. Many of us are weary, but we cannot let the weariness win. Now is the time to put our strength and resilience to work so that we can continue to turn the corner and get through this.”

“Keep wearing a mask, waiting 6 feet apart, and washing your hands. We’ve seen in the past how fragile progress can be, so we need to keep protecting each other while we get everyone a spot to get their shot,” said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.

Today’s Executive Order lifts the Modified Stay at Home Order requiring people to stay at home and businesses to close to the public between 10 pm and 5 am. The number of people who may gather indoors will increase from 10 to 25, while 50 remains the limit for outdoors. The curfew on the sale of alcohol for onsite consumption will be moved from 9 pm to 11 pm. Some businesses, including bars and amusement parks, will now be open for patrons indoors as they adhere to new occupancy restrictions. Many businesses, venues and arenas will have increased occupancy both indoors and outdoors.

Executive Order No. 195 has two general categories of occupancy restrictions: 30% capacity and 50% capacity. Because indoor spaces have a higher risk of spread for COVID-19, indoor facilities in the 30%-occupancy category may not exceed two hundred fifty (250) people per indoor room or indoor space.

30% Capacity Limit (may not exceed 250-persons in indoor spaces)
• Bars
• Meeting, Reception, and Conference Spaces
• Lounges (including tobacco) and Night Clubs
• Indoor areas of Amusement Parks
• Movie Theatres
• Entertainment facilities (e.g., bingo parlors, gaming establishments)
• Sports Arenas and Fields*
• Venues*

Indoor event venues with more than 5,000 seats may be excepted from the 250 person limit if they follow additional safety measures up to 15% capacity.
50% Capacity Limit
• Restaurants
• Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries
• Fitness and Physical Activity Facilities (e.g., gyms, bowling alleys, rock climbing facilities)
• Pools
• Museums and Aquariums
• Retailers
• Outdoor areas of Amusement Parks
• Salons, Personal Care, Tattoo Parlors

Safety protocols such as masks, social distancing and frequent handwashing will continue to be important as people adjust to the new order, health officials said.

Today marks the first day of eligibility for teachers to receive vaccination as the state begins to expand access to group 3 essential workers. Due to manufacturers’ shipping delays caused by inclement weather, DHHS continues to work with providers to administer both last week’s shipment and this week’s shipment this week and continue to exhaust first dose supply before next week’s shipment arrives.

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.

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 716,610 downloads of the exposure notification app, SlowCOVIDNC.

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

Read Executive Order No. 195.

Read Frequently Asked Questions.

View the slides from today’s briefing.

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