Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

Dear Friend:

Here’s today’s update:


  • The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released a Partner COVID-19 Testing Toolkit for organizations seeking to host community testing events. The comprehensive toolkit comes in response to widespread interest among North Carolina organizations such as community-based organizations, churches and nonprofits. The toolkit will help organizations plan and implement community testing events.  View it here.

  • The CDC has a page of resources of information for young people aged 15-21 on how COVID-19 affects them and steps they can take to keep themselves and their families safe. View it here.

  • Wayne County Public Schools has released a Frequently Asked Questions document that lays out its protocols in the event that individuals who have been on a school campus test positive for COVID-19. View it here.


  • An update on Hurricane Isaias debris removal in Brunswick County: “Residents in the unincorporated areas of Brunswick County should prepare now for the collection of their vegetative debris from Hurricane Isaias. Residents will need to place their debris in in the right-of-way of their property no later than the evening of Sunday, Aug. 30."
  • "Crews will make one pass across the county and could arrive in any area as early as Monday. Any vegetative debris that is not on the right-of-way by Sunday evening will not be collected."
  • For more information, see the county’s website here.

For today’s good news story, I’m highlighting the resilency of our restaurants in our coastal communities, which have endured both a pandemic and severe weather this year but are still serving customers and supporting their employees. The Star News took a look at some of these restaurants in Brunswick County and the challenges they face. Let’s support all of our local businesses during this tough time while making sure to take the appropriate precautions to stay healthy!  

As always, stay tuned to Coronavirus.gov and the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ website for the latest on the outbreak. And please feel free to send good news stories our way to highlight in this newsletter by replying to this e-mail.  

Sincerely,

David Rouzer

Tuesday, August 25th, 2020

Dear Friend:

Here’s today’s update:

  • New Hanover County Regional Medical Center has announced modified visitor restrictions first implemented in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Beginning Tuesday, August 25, NHRMC will allow hospitalized patients to identify one person over the age of 18 who may visit the patient between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The designated person will be the only permitted visitor for the duration of the patient’s stay. Anyone who is over 65, pregnant, or immunocompromised is discouraged from visiting.
  • Visitors will be screened at designated entrances, and anyone with symptoms associated with COVID-19 may not enter. All visitors will be required to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth, wash hands often and practice social distancing by staying six feet away from others while at NHRMC.
  • More information for restrictions at specific facilities is available at the NHRMC website here.

  • Columbus County Schools announced yesterday that it has decided to begin in-person learning for Grades Four and Five starting on Monday, August 31st. The school system reports:
  • "This decision was made after evaluating the ability to meet safety guidelines with additional students, as well as the ability to meet the educational needs of in-person students. We also recognize the difficulty for some parents to find childcare during the school day. This is only for students whose parents did not request 100% virtual. All parents who requested 100% virtual will remain at home. Schools will be posting further instructions."
  • Visit the Columbus County Schools website for more information.

  • The St. Stan’s Polish Festival in Castle Hayne, normally held the 1st Saturday in November, has been cancelledHowever, organizers will be having a frozen food sale beginning in December for those that always enjoy the festival’s food. Thanks to newsletter reader Debbie for bringing this to our attention!

  • As we approach peak hurricane season, the IRS is reminding residents to take steps to secure their important documents in the event of a severe storm. Original documents such as tax returns, birth certificates, deeds, titles and insurance policies should be stored inside waterproof containers in a secure space. More info from the IRS with additional tips here.

  • Another reminder from the IRS: unemployment compensation income is considered taxableMany Americans are receiving unemployment benefits, many for the first time, and the IRS is reminding taxpayers that they can have tax withheld on that income now to avoid having to pay tax on it when they file federal income taxes next year. More information here.

For today’s good news story, I’m highlighting Deeper Life Church Ministries in Goldsboro, which will be hosting “Groceries on Us” for about 200 families on Sunday, August 30 from 1 to 3pm (or until food runs out).  It’s a perfect example of how people of faith are coming together to help those in need put food on their tables in this challenging time. 


As always, stay tuned to Coronavirus.gov and the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ website for the latest on the outbreak. And please feel free to send good news stories our way to highlight in this newsletter by replying to this e-mail.  

Sincerely,

David Rouzer


For the latest COVID-19 Updates and Archived information from the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, please CLICK HERE
(If on a cell devise, Click Events and then click on COVID-19 updates)


1121 N. Lake Park Blvd.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
910-458-8434
www.PleasureIslandNC.org
Greg@PleasureIslandNC.org