http://www.catawbacountync.gov The latest information, alerts, and news about Catawba County Government in Newton, North Carolina USA en-us 2008, Catawba County Government DAVE@catawbacountync.gov webmaster@catawbacountync.gov 8/29/2008 8/29/2008 7:12:35 PM New_rss.asp http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 10 Catawba County Offices will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2008 for the Labor Day holiday. Baker's Mountain Park and Riverbend Park will be open on their regular schedules. Please Choose,Please Choose,Please Choose Dave Hardin 8/29/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/eller.asp John K. Eller, IV, who is currently Director of Social Services in Cabarrus County, North Carolina and has over nine years of experience in social services administration in western and central North Carolina, has been named Catawba County’s next Social Services Director. Eller will succeed Bobby Boyd, who is scheduled to retire on November 1, 2008. Eller will be responsible for overseeing the provision of services to families and children in areas including adult assistance, child care support, day care support, family and children services, food assistance, child abuse prevention, Work First assistance and more. He will supervise a staff of 407 in an agency that has a fiscal year 2008-2009 budget of $42,663,609 News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/eller.asp Dave Hardin 8/28/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/commish/agendas/boc090208.asp The agenda for the next meeting of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 9:30 a.m., at the 1924 Courthouse at 30 N. College Avenue is Newton, is now available. News Release,FYI,Public Notice http://www.catawbacountync.gov/commish/agendas/boc090208.asp Dave Hardin 8/28/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/ikerdret.asp Judy Ikerd, who has served as Catawba County’s Budget Manager since 1989 and has worked for the County for nearly twenty-nine years, has announced plans to retire, effective December 31, 2008. Ikerd is recognized by peers and supervisors for her dedication to a very exacting job and her outstanding performance of those duties, even in times when the County was challenged by the loss of significant funding from other levels of government. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/ikerdret.asp Dave Hardin 8/28/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/lib814.pdf If you prefer large-print books, Catawba County Library System has you covered. In July the system added some 30 new titles to address needs of the visually impaired as well as adults who prefer to read while exercising. Large-print books are more costly than the standard versions and limited titles are available. The county library strives to maintain an up-to-date selection of books that will appeal to a variety of large print customers. News Release,Public Notice,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/lib814.pdf Tammy Wilson 8/14/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/childcarecred08.pdf Catawba County Public Health’s Early Childhood Support Team (ECST) staff are recognizing 37 local child care centers that successfully completed all necessary requirements to receive the Catawba County Child Care Health & Safety Credential for 2007-2008. This is the fifth year in which this credentialing program has been offered to child care centers. Public Notice,News Release,FYI http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/childcarecred08.pdf Tracey Paul 7/31/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/yaussy.asp As Emergency Management Coordinator, Karyn Yaussy will be responsible for updating and maintaining Catawba County’s Emergency Plans. She will also be a part of the County’s response teams to any naturally occurring emergency or event, as well as events related to human activity, such as those involving hazardous materials. She will be one of several members of the County’s Emergency Services staff involved in public outreach, occasionally speaking to community groups on emergency preparedness topics and will also research grants available from the state and federal governments and submit grant applications for the County for funds that can be used for new equipment and to cover the costs of planning exercises News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/yaussy.asp Dave Hardin 7/25/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/deweyharris.asp During an 18 year career in local and state government, Dewey Harris has been a leader in virtually the entire range of governmental services, from administration to budget and finance to emergency services, human services, and technology. He will soon be bringing that experience to Catawba County Government as one of its two Assistant County Managers. Harris, who is presently serving as Interim Assistant City Manager in Wilmington, North Carolina, and has served as Director of Wilmington’s Community Services Department since 2002, has been named one of two Assistant County Managers in Catawba County. He will begin his new duties on August 25, 2008. News Release,FYI,Official Statement http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/deweyharris.asp Dave Hardin 7/22/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/biodiesel.asp University staff and students will work at a biodiesel fuel testing facility to assist the County in producing biodiesel fuel from its EcoComplex and locally grown crops, and assist emerging biodiesel fuel producers in western North Carolina. A building will be constructed to house the research and the County's White Goods Freon recovery operation. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/biodiesel.asp Dave Hardin 7/22/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/summerreadupdate.pdf Branch managers of the Catawba County Library System report about 1,000 children and youth have signed up for Summer Reading since June 2. The program, focused on the themes “Catch the Reading Bug” and “Metamorphosis @ Your Library,” encourages reading when school is not in session. Participants log reading time to be eligible for prizes. Sign-ups continue through July as library programming is planned each week. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/summerreadupdate.pdf Tammy Wilson 7/9/2008 http://www.newtonnc.gov/news/default.asp?key=912 The City of Newton has removed mandatory water restrictions, after putting them back in place on July 7, 2008, and is again requesting voluntary conservation. Public Notice,News Release,FYI http://www.newtonnc.gov/news/default.asp?key=912 Gary Herman, City of Newton 7/9/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/wellrules7108.pdf State rules regarding well inspections will change on July 1, 2008. Catawba County has had well rules in effect since 2001, so the Environmental Health Division is well positioned to assume the responsibilities required under the new rules. There should be little change for well contractors who have worked in Catawba County since 2001. Public Notice,News Release,FYI http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/wellrules7108.pdf Ed Rivers 6/30/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/TFEfees7108.pdf Beginning July 1, 2008, Catawba County Public Health and other local health departments in North Carolina will begin to collect permit fees from vendors who are issued temporary food establishment (TFE) permits at fairs, festivals, carnivals, and similar gatherings. The fee will be $50. Permits will be in effect for the length of the fair, festival or other event, up to 15 days. Previously, these vendors were required to obtain permits, but were charged no fee. Public Notice,News Release,FYI http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/TFEfees7108.pdf Ed Rivers 6/30/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/peedscholars08.pdf In May of this year, three students applied for, and will receive, scholarships from the Gretchen Peed Scholarship Fund. John Mallett, 2008 valedictorian of the Newton-Conover Health Science High School has been accepted to Brigham Young University and will receive $500 toward his tuition. Alescia Caldwell will receive $500 and has been accepted at Pensacola Christian College. Kellie Auton will receive $250 and will be attending Western Piedmont Community College. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/peedscholars08.pdf Valerie Huffman 6/26/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/wepner.pdf On June 17, Anne Abernathy Wepner, Chair of the Catawba County Board of Social Service, presided over her last meeting of the Board. Appointed to the Board in July of 2002, she served for six years, two consecutive 3-year terms, which is the maximum amount of time that an individual can serve. Wepner has served as Chair of the Board since July of 2003. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/wepner.pdf Valerie Huffman 6/26/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Boydret.pdf Bobby Boyd has been recognized on the local, state and national level as a visionary in the field of Social Work. Since 2000, he has steered the agency through a time when the community’s dramatic economic downturn brought about an increased need for the services the agency provides. He's been credited with leading his staff ably through these difficult times in a focused and steady manner, remaining firm in his commitment to efficiency, respect for customers, and commitment to excellence.  News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Boydret.pdf Valerie Huffman 6/19/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/bradleyret.asp Debbie Bradley is being recognized and thanked for leading the effort to make the County’s Personnel Office more customer service oriented, playing an important role in helping the entire County government in a renewed emphasis in customer service, creating new programs to promote a healthier workforce, and using new technologies over her tenure so that the Personnel Office works more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly way. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/bradleyret.asp Dave Hardin 6/18/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/NACo08.asp Two Catawba County programs, one that is developing an EcoComplex in and around the Blackburn Landfill that is turning the landfill into a resource recovery and “green” research facility and one that expedited the process of moving child welfare cases through the court system, have been named winners of 2008 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/NACo08.asp Dave Hardin 6/17/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/libstory08.pdf Richard Griffin, Youth Services librarian, will begin weekly story times for young children beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 9, a time when many working families can visit the library together and enjoy stories with their young children. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/libstory08.pdf Tammy Wilson 6/5/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/budget/08-09/budgetmain.asp The budget holds the County property tax rate stable at 53.5 cents per $100 of property value, as promised with the passage of the 1/4 cent sales tax. It funds debt payments for the current four year cycle of facility needs for the three public school systems and Catawba Valley Community College; needed water and sewer projects; additional public safety positions in law enforcement, EMS, 911 Communications Center and Animal Services, and the expansion of operating hours at County parks. Public Notice,News Release,FYI http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/budget/08-09/budgetmain.asp Dave Hardin 6/5/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/529lib.pdf If you’re looking for a good book to read, ask library staff. Those at Catawba County Library recently offered their picks of newer titles to take to the beach this summer. Among the selections are both novels and non-fiction titles. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/529lib.pdf Tammy Wilson 5/29/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/sf-fire.asp Sherrills Ford Fire and Rescue and Catawba County officials have developed plans for Sherrills Ford Fire to serve the entire area of Catawba County previously served by the Denver Fire Department. The plans follow a May 19, 2008 letter, in which Denver Fire Chief James Flynn informed Catawba County that the Denver Fire Department will end a contract to provide fire service to portions of southeastern Catawba County on June 30, 2008. “Public safety and service to our citizens is and always has been our foremost concern,” Weldon said. “With the opening of a new base on Slanting Bridge Road earlier this year, Sherrills Ford Fire and Rescue will provide 1 to 3 minutes faster response times and better fire insurance ratings to the eastern section of the district currently served by the Denver Fire Department. We have continually asked the Denver Fire Department to continue serving the western and central portions of the district at a fire tax rate of 3.89 cents. The response of the Denver Fire Department, thus far, has been to insist on an 8.92 cent fire tax rate. Catawba County cannot justify a doubling of the fire tax rate to our citizens in that area from the present 3.89 cents to an 8.92 cent fire tax rate, nor can Catawba County justify its citizens paying a disproportionate share of the Denver fire budget .” News Release,FYI,Public Notice http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/sf-fire.asp Dave Hardin 5/28/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/recycle2nd.asp Catawba County rose to second place among North Carolina counties in the amount of material recycled, per person, during fiscal year 2007, according to data just released by the North Carolina Division of Waste Management. The first county in the state to offer curbside recycling countywide back in 1991, Catawba has consistently ranked in the top five statewide in recycling since that date. Now, in part due to an innovative EcoComplex that is turning the County’s Blackburn Landfill into a resource recovery facility, Catawba County’s per capita recovery of recyclable material has risen significantly. Dare County continues to lead the state in recycling, with 941.63 pounds of material recovered, per person, in fiscal year 2007. Catawba County reported 713.89 pounds recovered, per person, substantially higher than the 475.64 pounds recovered in fiscal year 2006, when Catawba ranked third in the state. Camden County ranked third for 2007 with 426.73 pounds recovered, followed by Buncombe County with 422.80 pounds recovered and Pitt County with 415.54 pounds recovered. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/recycle2nd.asp Dave Hardin 5/19/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/shelterhours.asp The Catawba County Animal Shelter will expand its operating hours, beginning on May 28, 2008. The shelter will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays, to give more citizens convenient times to visit the shelter and consider the adoption of animals. News Release,FYI,Public Notice http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/shelterhours.asp Dave Hardin 4/29/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/libsurvey.pdf Area residents are pleased with the Catawba County Library System, according to a recent customer service survey. Results from the annual poll show that virtually all of the 813 patrons who took the survey rated the library service as good or excellent. The high marks reflect an ongoing perception of the County system as evidenced in surveys for about 16 years. The survey allows the library to gather formal responses from patrons from mid-February to mid-March. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/libsurvey.pdf Tammy Wilson 4/21/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/HKYwater4308.pdf The City of Hickory has modifed water restrictions to allow the watering of lawns once a week and washing of cars twice a month. These relaxed restrictions apply to water customers in Hickory, Conover, Claremont, Town of Catawba, Brookford, Long View, Maiden, and Mountain View and Sherrills Ford areas of Catawba County. Official Statement,Public Notice,News Release http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/HKYwater4308.pdf Mandy Pitts, City of Hickory 4/3/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/friendsdonations.pdf Spring cleaning? Don’t forget the library! Friends groups associated with Catawba County Library System welcome used books as well as audio/visual materials in good condition. Those include CDs and DVDs as well as audio or videotapes. A few titles may be added to the library collection as appropriate, but most will benefit books sales conducted by Friends of the Library. Proceeds from those efforts support such projects as author visits, children’s workshops and purchase of library materials. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/friendsdonations.pdf Tammy Wilson 4/3/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/taxlink08.pdf Catawba County’s Animal Care and Control Division has completed a transition to the use of lethal injections for the majority of cases when the Animal Shelter must euthanize an animal. The County made this transition as of February 4, 2008, prior to a decision by the North Carolina Board of Agriculture on February 13 that will set standards for the use of carbon monoxide gas chambers, but did not call for the discontinuation of the use of gas chambers by 2012 as had been anticipated. County officials have been planning for several months for the transition from the use of a gas chamber to lethal injection, which has been recognized as a more humane method for euthanizing animals. Staff in the County’s Animal Care and Control Division will use carbon monoxide gas only in cases where the health and safety of staff would be threatened by direct contact with an animal. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/taxlink08.pdf Dave Hardin 2/21/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/burnban2-08.asp All outdoor burning is currently banned in Catawba County, following a new outdoor burning ban put in place across the State of North Carolina by Governor Michael Easley on February 14. The ban enacted by the state prohibits outdoor burning in all areas other than within 100 feet of a dwelling. Catawba County Fire Marshal David Pruitt has the authority, as do all fire marshals across the state, to extend the ban to within 100 feet of a dwelling. Because of the continuing drought conditions in our area, Pruitt has declared a ban on all outdoor burning in Catawba County. “After talking with local Forestry Services officials, I have concluded that the safest decision is to enact a total burning ban in Catawba County,” Pruitt said. “Even though we have received more rainfall since December than we got last fall, our area is already two inches behind average for rainfall in 2008. The decision to enact the local option for the fullest burning ban means there is to be no outdoor burning at all until the Governor cancels the current statewide ban.” Pruitt said the ban is unlikely to be lifted until the area receives significant rainfall. Citizens can help keep Catawba County safe by watching for hazardous fire situations and calling if 9-1-1 if dangerous conditions exist. Pruitt says another good safety measure is to avoid keeping lit cigarettes inside vehicles. Official Statement,Public Notice,News Release http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/burnban2-08.asp Dave Hardin 2/19/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/budaw06-07.asp For the nineteenth straight year, Catawba County’s Budget Office has been recognized by its peers for producing a budget document which is easy to read and understand. The County Budget Office has won the 2007 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Budget Manager Judy Ikerd and Budget Analysts Jennifer Mace and Katrina Hawkins were presented with the honor at the February 4, 2008 meeting of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/budaw06-07.asp Dave Hardin 2/5/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Griffin.pdf The Catawba County Library System has named a new Youth Services Librarian. Richard Griffin, Jr. of Hickory, who recently earned a Masters Degree in Library Science, will be involved with community outreach and programming for children and youth through age 18, and assist with posting youth information on the library's website. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Griffin.pdf Tammy Wilson 2/4/2008 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/blatche.asp John Blatche, who has served as Chief of Animal Control in Guilford County, North Carolina for the last three years and worked in animal services in the United States Coast Guard, will soon be bringing his experience to Catawba County. Blatche has been named Catawba County’s new Animal Services Manager. He will begin his new duties on January 2, 2008. Blatche will oversee the services provided by Catawba County Animal Services which, under the Catawba County Code and North Carolina law, are to define and prohibit the abuse of animals; protect citizens and other animals from rabies transmitted by unconfined, uncontrolled or unvaccinated dogs, cats or other animals; regulate animals that may be a nuisance; and regulate, restrict or prohibit the keeping of wild or exotic animals. He will supervise a staff of eight. News Release,FYI,Public Notice http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/blatche.asp Dave Hardin 12/28/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Immunization07.pdf Catawba County Public Health is recognizing all child care centers that are 100% in compliance with immunization laws. "Based on the results of our 2007 Immunization Audit, 90% of childcare centers are in full or 100% compliance, an impressive achievement,” said Catawba County Public Health Director, Doug Urland. A list of the centers that are 100% in compliance is now available at www.catawbacountync.gov. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Immunization07.pdf Maria Reese 12/20/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/audit07.asp Catawba County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2007 shows the County continued to deliver services in a sound fiscal manner. Paula Hodges, a partner of Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A., told the Catawba County Board of Commissioners’ that the County is in "good financial condition" at the Board’s meeting on December 17. Hodges said the County received a “clean” audit opinion for this fiscal year and that their firm was pleased with the County’s internal control structure. News Release,Public Notice,FYI http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/audit07.asp Dave Hardin 12/18/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/planning/ParksMaster/default.asp The Catawba County Board of Commissioners has approved a Parks Master Plan, which will guide the County in future development of its parks system and programs. The plan follows two years of study and public outreach by a Parks Focus Group, comprised of a cross-section of citizens from different backgrounds and geographic areas of the county. News Release,FYI,Public Notice http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/planning/ParksMaster/default.asp Dave Hardin 12/18/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/carpenter.asp Jeff Carpenter, a North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Agent who specializes in livestock and agriculture, was recently named winner of the Catawba County Outstanding Contributor To Agriculture Award. Carpenter, whose basic responsibilities include providing assistance and educational programs on beef cattle, sheep, horses and 4-H livestock in Catawba, Lincoln and Gaston counties, received the award at the annual Farm-City Week banquet. The award is sponsored by the Hickory Kiwanis Club. Carpenter was praised by several persons who nominated him for his outstanding service, including assistance to young persons in the 4-H program. He was especially noted for working to help area beef and dairy farmers face the exceptional drought conditions currently in the southeast region of the United States. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/carpenter.asp Dave Hardin 12/14/2007 http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/carolinas-drought-info.asp Due to cooler temperatures, lower evaporation rates and conservation efforts, Stage 4 drought triggers have been delayed. Previous estimates indicated the triggers would be met between mid December 2007 and mid January 2008. Now those triggers are not expected until sometime in February. Stage 4 does not mean the remaining supply of water in the basin is depleted. Rather, tougher water restrictions will be needed at that time. Public Notice,Official Statement,News Release http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/carolinas-drought-info.asp Duke Energy 12/11/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/FOLaw07.pdf Friends of Catawba County Library has received state recognition for outstanding service to the library and community. Friends President Wayne Brinegar of Catawba accepted the 2007 Frances B. Reid Award honorable mention at the annual meeting Nov. 3 in Mooresville. The event marked the second time in three years that the local Friends group has been honored by Friends of N.C. Public Libraries. The local Friends group is a support resource and community liaison for the library system. The volunteers support literacy through author readings and other programming for adults and children. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/FOLaw07.pdf Tammy Wilson 11/15/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Zostavax.pdf Catawba County Public Health announces the availability of the Zostavax vaccine for the public. Zostavax is used for adults 60 years of age or older to prevent shingles (also known as zoster). At least 1 million people a year in the United States get shingles, most commonly in people over 60 years of age. Zostavax works by helping the immune system protect a person from getting shingles, and the associated pain and other serious complications. <br/> Shingles is a rash that is usually on one side of the body. The rash usually lasts up to 30 days. In some cases, person receiving the Zostavax vaccine may still have singles; however, Zostavax may help prevent the nerve pain that can follow shingles in some people. News Release,FYI,Public Notice http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Zostavax.pdf Maria Reese 11/5/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/e-newssavvy.asp Catawba County E-News, a twice monthly e-mail newsletter with information about Catawba County and the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, has won a 2007 Silver Circle Award from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA). Catawba County E-News was named the second best e-newsletter in the U.S., among cities and counties with a population of 1.4 million and fewer people. The e-newsletter also won an Award of Excellence from the National Association of County Information Officers earlier in 2007. <br/> Anyone interested in receiving the twice-monthly newsletter by e-mail may subscribe at the County's web site at www.catawbacountync.gov. Those interested in subscribing should look for a link labeled "Subscribe To Our Newsletter" on the right hand side of the page. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/e-newssavvy.asp Dave Hardin 10/31/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/newinspect.pdf Catawba County Public Health is focusing its restaurant and food service establishment inspections on those establishments with the highest potential risk, and those with violations more likely to contribute to food-borne illness, following a recent change in the State’s rules governing the sanitation of food service establishments. <br/> Local health departments began assessing facilities using the new process, which changes the frequency of inspections, on August 1, 2007. Each food service establishment will be evaluated and assigned a risk category, developed by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Health's Food Protection Branch, and based on the type of food and amount of food preparation conducted in the facility. Those in the highest category will be inspected more frequently. News Release,FYI,Public Notice http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/newinspect.pdf Maria Reese 10/30/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Jenningswin.pdf Diane Jennings of the Catawba County Library System was recently lauded for promotional work for the countywide BIG Read. <br><br> Jennings work won Best of Show-First Prize in the Bibliographies/Booklists category of the association's annual competition. She designed a brochure to help patrons find books similar to the 2007 BIG Read selection, The Color of Water. <br/> Jennings’ entry was judged on content, originality, design, format and effectiveness. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Jenningswin.pdf Tammy Wilson 10/29/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/dssbestpractices.pdf The Catawba County Department of Social Services recently won two Best Practices Award from the NC Association of County Social Services Directors for an innovative program created to ensure that court-ordered paternity testing takes place in a timely and convenient manner, and for advancements in staff and leadership development. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/dssbestpractices.pdf Valerie Huffman 10/26/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/glaxoaward.pdf A cooperative project involving Catawba County, its three public school districts and Catawba Valley Medical Center, which has increased the number of school nurses serving students in Catawba County, has been honored with a GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Recognition Award. <br/>. The GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Recognition Awards are designed to showcase exceptional and innovative programs that improve the lives of North Carolina’s children. This year’s awards focused on outstanding collaborative programs that affect the health of children, with a special emphasis on unique strategies for prevention and management of chronic conditions that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority children and youth. The awards also spotlight programs that combat childhood obesity, promote healthy pregnancies, and treat asthma or teen depression. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/glaxoaward.pdf Maria Reese 10/24/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/eoy07.asp All Catawba County Government employees provide services to the public. But while some are well known in the community because their work brings them into frequent contact with the public, many more County employees are better known among County staff. Hundreds work every day to provide services needed to make all of the County's departments, and the County government as a whole, better. <br/> One group of employees that fit this description is the Catawba County Technology Department. In the 21st century, no government can function well without excellent technical support, particularly in the realm of computers and computer-based technologies. Rick Cook, Network Administrator for Catawba County’s Technology Department, was named the County’s 2007 Employee of Year on October 23 for “exemplary leadership, support and guidance on the implementation of three major technology projects this year.” News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/eoy07.asp Dave Hardin 10/24/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/team07.asp Catawba County’s strong focus on technology was recognized at the County's annual Employee Recognition Dinner on October 23 through this year’s Catawba County Team Award. The award was presented to a team that helped plan for, budget, install and implement a new Community Alert System being used to inform citizens about emergencies, by phone, e-mail and/or text messages. <br/> Cell phones may not be automatically included in the data base used for the Community Alert System, since cell phone users have the freedom to change their numbers in many cases. Citizens may register their phone numbers and e-mail address through the Catawba County web site at www.catawbacountync.gov/alert News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/team07.asp Dave Hardin 10/24/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Libfacts.pdf What’s worth over $5.7 million and free to all Catawba County residents? <br/> If you guessed the collection of Catawba County Library, you’re correct. <br/>The library system, founded more than 75 years ago in Newton, serves the lion's share of the county's residents with seven locations. Officially, the system has some 64,500 registered borrowers—or 58% of the estimated 112,000 people living outside Hickory. These borrowers may check out books, magazines, videos or CDs at one of seven locations: Main Library in Newton, Conover, Claremont, Maiden, Sherrills Ford, Southwest or St. Stephens branches. Patrons may also download materials from the library website, http://www.catawbacountync.gov/library/. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Libfacts.pdf Tammy Wilson 10/22/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Hkystage3.pdf The City of Hickory officially declared Stage 3 drought , as the drought conditions continue to get worse throughout the Catawba River Basin. Duke Energy and several other water suppliers in the region declared a Stage 3 drought last week. On October 1, the City of Hickory, and water suppliers along the Upper Catawba River Basin mandated more stringent mandatory water use restrictions which reflect an official Stage 3 with the desired result of 10 to 20 percent reduction in water use. City of Hickory Public Utilities continues to request that all customers cut back in all ways possible to help the system reach the desired reductions. Alert,Public Notice,News Release http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Hkystage3.pdf Mandy Pitts, City of Hickory 10/19/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Newtonwaterrestrictions.pdf The City of Newton has enacted some mandatory water restrictions for its water customers, which will take effect at 8 a.m. on Monday, October 22. Mandatory restrictions enacted by the City of Hickory apply to water customers in Hickory, Conover, Claremont, Town of Catawba, Brookford, Long View, Maiden, and Mountain View and Sherrills Ford areas of Catawba County. Official Statement,News Release,Alert http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/Newtonwaterrestrictions.pdf Gary Herman, City of Newton 10/18/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/sheriffnaco.asp Catawba County Sheriff L. David Huffman has been reappointed to the National Association of Counties (NACo) Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee by NACo President Eric Coleman. Sheriff Huffman was nominated for the committee by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and will serve for the next nine months. Huffman has now served on this committee for thirty years. The Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee focuses on all matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning; law enforcement; courts; corrections; homeland security; community crime prevention; juvenile justice and delinquency prevention; emergency management; fire prevention and control; and civil disturbances. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/sheriffnaco.asp Dave Hardin 10/10/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/youthcouncil.asp The Catawba County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution at its meeting on October 1, 2007 to authorize the creation of a Catawba County Youth Council. Development of the council will provide an organized method for greater youth involvement in public policy and decision-making. The cities of Hickory and Newton already have organized youth councils. Members meet regularly, serve on local city boards, attend city meetings, and conduct projects to benefit their respective cities. Membership is restricted to youth living in those respective city limits. Although the Catawba County Youth Council will concentrate on county issues, there will be many opportunities for collaboration with the municipal youth councils. Members of the Catawba County Youth Council will be recommended by individual schools across the county. Changes in the knowledge and attitude of these young people toward civic involvement will be measured by a Civic Engagement and Attitude survey developed by North Carolina State University Extension specialists. News Release,Public Notice,FYI http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/youthcouncil.asp Dave Hardin 10/2/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/ftz.pdf The first site in a Hickory Metro Foreign Trade Zone has been established. The zone sites in Catawba, Alexander, Burke and Caldwell Counties are expected to make the region more competitive in attracting new businesses. News Release,FYI,Public Notice http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/ftz.pdf Dave Hardin 9/29/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/McCracken.pdf Jennifer McCracken, RN, BSN, who has nine years of experience in program administration and mid-level management at Catawba County Public Health, has been named the department’s new Health Services Manager. She is responsible for overseeing all clinical and community health services including: WIC, Adult Health, Prenatal, Post Partum Newborn Home Visiting Program, Translator services, Maternity Care Coordination, Child Service Coordination, Immunization program, Dental Health Education, Health Check, School Health, Early Childhood Support Team, School Health, Adolescent Health, and Child Health programs. Other duties include project management, budgetary planning, clinic marketing, clinic management, implementing changes in standards and procedures and recommending budgetary and personnel changes. News Release,FYI,Official Statement http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/McCracken.pdf Tracey Paul 9/12/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/fredpres07.pdf Fred Miller, Catawba County's Extension Director, was recently elected President of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) . Miller is the first and only agent from North Carolina ever elected to serve as Association President. Miller said that, as a part of his responsibilities, he and other North Carolina Cooperative Extension Agents are planning to host the 2008 Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/fredpres07.pdf Dave Hardin 9/7/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/sheriffcom.pdf Catawba County Sheriff David Huffman has been invited to continue his service as chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Committee of the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA), by Association President, Craig Webre. Huffman will also serve as Vice-Chairman of the NSA Nominating Committee and as a member of the Association’s Legislative Affairs Committee. The Association’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Committee examines biological, chemical and other terrorism threats, and coordinates with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to combat terrorist activity. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/sheriffcom.pdf Dave Hardin 9/7/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/libsurvey.pdf Patrons of Catawba County Library continue to give the system high marks when it comes to customer service. The annual survey conducted earlier this year shows 95% of respondents rated the county library as good to excellent as they have for the past 15 years or so. The survey is one way the library gathers formal responses from residents. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/libsurvey.pdf Tammy Wilson 8/28/2007 http://www.catawbaedc.org/HELPWEB.htm The Catawba County Economic Development Corporation has created an Existing Industry Helpweb, to assist existing industries in solving "business headaches", so they can concentrate on their processes. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbaedc.org/HELPWEB.htm Dave Hardin 8/3/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/dispense.pdf The Catawba County Public Health Department was the host agency for a North Carolina Public Health Preparedness and Response Mass Dispensing Exercise on June 20th at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, via a directive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, requires every local public health agency to have a plan for dispensing medications to the public and to test the plan. In an emergency situation, medications would be dispensed to the public for the purpose of preventing and treating disease. Over 100 participants and volunteers drove golf carts to exercise the dispensing of medications to the general public in a “drive through” format. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/dispense.pdf Maria Reese 7/2/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/conlibexpand.pdf Business hours for the Conover Branch of the Catawba County Library will be adjusted beginning July 1 to better serve customers' needs. The branch will be open from 9 am to 6 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from noon to 8 pm on Tuesdays. Sunday hours remain from 2-6 pm. The facility is closed on Fridays, Saturdays and county holidays. News Release,FYI,Official Statement http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/conlibexpand.pdf Dave Hardin 6/27/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/memorial.asp Catawba County has dedicated a Public Safety Officers Memorial, to honor those who gave their lives in the line of duty in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical service and rescue. News Release,FYI,Public Notice http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/memorial.asp Dave Hardin 6/21/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/cassignup.asp Catawba County Government is finalizing installation of a Community Alert System (CAS) that will be used to inform citizens about emergencies, by phone, e-mail and/or text messages. The system is expected to be in operation in July. County officials are encouraging citizens who wish to receive these emergency notifications to be sure their phone numbers and e-mail addresses are in the system, because cell phones are not automatically included in the phone data base the County acquired for the system. You may sign up for the system at www.catawbacountync.gov. Please Choose,Please Choose,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/cassignup.asp Dave Hardin 6/21/2007 http://www.p2pays.org/news/press_releases/051707.pdf Catawba County has moved up in State rankings of the amount of material being recycled, per person! Catawba now ranks third among the 100 North Carolina counties and was singled out for recognition by the State, in part for its planning for a new Eco Complex. Congratulations to all Catawba County citizens and businesses who are recycling! News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.p2pays.org/news/press_releases/051707.pdf Dave Hardin 5/22/2007 http://www.catawbalivingroom.com/ The Catawba County Chamber of Commerce has created a new web site with information designed for persons thinking of relocating to Catawba County. The web site's address is http://www.catawbalivingroom.com. FYI,News Release,Please Choose http://www.catawbalivingroom.com/ Dave Hardin 5/11/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/shf/amberalert.asp The Catawba County Sheriff's Office has added a page to its web site through which citizens may subscribe to receive wireless Amber Alert notifications. Information regarding Amber Alerts, which have helped to safely recover more than 300 children by distributing information about missing and possibly abducted children nationwide, will be sent as text messages to cell phones of those who sign up. Please Choose,Please Choose,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/shf/amberalert.asp Dave Hardin 1/25/2007 http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/fluprep.pdf Being prepared for a disaster is still very much about being ready for flooding, ice storms or other kinds of natural disaster. But it's now about much more, including being prepared for the rare possibility of a flu pandemic that has been so much reported in the news in recent months. The Catawba County Health Department has provided some information on how to be better prepared for this type of situation. News Release,FYI,Please Choose http://www.catawbacountync.gov/events/fluprep.pdf Dave Hardin 10/3/2006