Leave a comment Posted on October 29, 2017May 17, 2020 Donations

Send All Donations To The DCN News Blog Online TV Through PayPal And Other

I do what I do out of pocket attending meetings videoing and taking photos making them public for folk who do not attend for whatever reason. It takes funds to do what I do.

I video a variety of things from meetings, banquets, sporting events, funerals and other. I post my videos on YouTube where you can access them at anytime that is convenient for you.

I also take photos and post them on my Facebook page and make them available for others to see. If someone do not have a Facebook page they can still view the photos.

It takes funds to to travel places and then it takes funds for equipment.

You have 3 options that you can send donations, Cash App, PayPal or send via USPS.

I have a Cash App and a PayPal account that you can send money from your phone.

Also you can send donations to: Curmilus Dancy II P.O. Box 1391 Pinetops, NC 27864.

Thanking you in advance.

Now Stroll down the Blog to read some good and powerful information!

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Leave a comment Posted on May 29, 2020 George Floyd, Minneapolis, Police Brutality

Floyd was "non-responsive" for nearly 3 minutes before officer took knee off his neck, complaint says

The Political Agitator’s response: I will be damn. Okay underlying health issues. So what in the hell does that have to do with Floyd taking a knee to the neck? Hell that is what we are hearing about the Coronavirus that folk with underlying health conditions are the most vulnerable. So we are told to take precautions by wearing a mask and other in order to attempt to keep from contracting the virus. So what in the hell kind of precautions can we take to keep from getting killed by the police during ignant behavior during a traffic stop, a simple arrest and other? But did Floyd deserve being arrested over $20.00? Hell if I had been an officer I would have taken care of the $20.00 and said don’t do it again. But what happened to Protect and Serve?

The combined effect of George Floyd being restrained by the police, along with his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system, “likely contributed to his death,” according to the criminal complaint for former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.

Floyd had underlying health conditions, including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease, the complaint said, citing a preliminary autopsy conducted by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total, and 2 minutes and 53 seconds after Floyd was unresponsive, the complaint said.

The complaint noted that police are trained that this type of restraint with a subject in a “prone position is inherently dangerous.”

Floyd’s autopsy also found “no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation.” (Read more)

Leave a comment Posted on May 29, 2020May 29, 2020 Law enforcement, North Carolina

Law Enforcement Agencies Denounce The Behavior Of The Killing Of George Floyd Who Has Ties To North Carolina

Thank you NC LEAs for stepping up and publicly denouncing this nonsense.
But what is your track record have you lived up to what you are denouncing in your towns, cities and counties?
Click On Photo To Watch Video

Leave a comment Posted on May 29, 2020 Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners

Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners June 2020 Meeting Agenda

AGENDA

REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY

JUNE 1, 2020 AT 7:00 P.M.

IN THE CARMON AUDITORIUM

TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

******************************************************************************

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER.

2. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.

3. PRAYER.

4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL.

May 4, 2020

5. PUBLIC HEARINGS.

1. A public hearing is called to order to receive citizen comments and questions

relative to the proposed fiscal year 2020-2021 Edgecombe County budget. (Attachment #1)

a. Public Hearing called to order.

b. Reading of public notice by Mr. Peters.

c. Comments by Mr. Evans.

d. Call for public comment. (Public should state name and address for public

record.)

e. Adjourn public hearing.

f. Consideration of meeting date to approve fiscal year 2020-2021 Budget.

(Recommended action: Set date for budget approval.)

2. A public hearing is called to order to received citizen comments and questions

relative to a rezoning request from Brandon Deal. (Attachment #2)

a. Public hearing called to order.

b. Reading of public notice by Mr. Peters.

c. Comments by Mr. Evans.

d. Call for public comments.

f. Consideration of approval of rezoning request.

(Recommended action: The Planning Board forwarded this request with a favorable recommendation.)

6. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT.

A. Carol Allen-White, Clerk of Court, Judge Walter Godwin, and Judge Wayne

Boyette regarding a request for improvements at the courthouse.

B. Ginell Rogers, Executive Director/CEO of NEED, Inc. to present application for

CARES Act funding. (Attachment #3)

7. PUBLIC PETITIONS.

8. OTHER BUSINESS:

A. Consideration of approval of budget amendments. (Attachment #4)

(Recommended action: Approve budget amendments as presented.)

B. Consideration of approval of revision to FY-20 JCPC Funding Plan.

(Attachment #5)

(Recommended action: Approve plan as presented.)

C. Consideration of approval of update to ADA Grievance Procedure. (Attachment

#6)

(Recommended action: Approve update as presented.)

D. Consideration of approval of application from Edgecombe Schools for Public

Schools Capital Fund. (Attachment #7)

(Recommended action: Approve application as presented.)

E. Consideration of approval of contract to collect taxes for the Town of Pinetops.

(Attachment #8)

(Recommended action: Approve contract as presented.)

F. Consideration of approval contract amendment for H. G. Reynolds. (Attachment

#9)

(Recommended action: Approve as presented.)

G. Consideration of approval of a permit for fireworks display in the Town of

Tarboro.

(Attachment #10)

(Recommended Action: Approve as presented.)

H. Consideration of approval of an amendment to the Coronavirus Relief Fund.

(Attachment # 11)

(Recommended action: Approve amendment as presented.)

I. Consideration of approval of Utility Payment Plan Terms and Agreement.

(Attachment #12)

(Recommended action: Approve as presented.)

9. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

10. CONTRACTS FOR REVIEW/APPROVAL.

11. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIEW.

A. Water Services.

B. Financial Summary report.

C. Hurricane recovery update.

12. MANAGER’S REPORT.

A. Update on grant application from CloudWyze for broadband expansion.

B. 2020 Census update.

C. Workforce Development Indicators.

D. COVID-19 update.

E. Letter from NC Conference of the United Methodist Church.

13. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT.

14. ATTORNEY’S REPORT.

15. CLOSED SESSION.

A. Economic Development. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(4)]

B. Personnel. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(6)]

16. RECESS MEETING UNTIL JUNE 22, 2020 AT 10:00 A.M.

Leave a comment Posted on May 29, 2020 Rep. Shelly Willingham

Rep. Shelly Willingham Newsletter May 29, 2020

LEGISLATIVE LANE – COVID-19

Friday May 29, 2020

The Honorable Shelly Willingham

..At YOUR Service!..…

300 N Salisbury Street

Legislative Office Building

Suite 513

Raleigh, NC 27603

shelly.willingham@ncleg.net

(919) 715-3024 (O)

(919) 754-3224 (F)

DISTRICT 23

Edgecombe & Martin

‌

COVID-19 Elections Bill Passes NC House

A compromise elections bill with good and bad provisions (and omissions) passed overwhelmingly in the NC House yesterday. I voted YES. HB 1169 now goes to the State Senate for its consideration.

COVID-19 illustrates the need for voters to have a number of safe options to cast a vote: a voter-friendly vote by mail system, in-person Early Voting with numerous sites and extended hours, and in-person Election Day voting that is not crowded.Here is a breakdown of what is in the bill and what is not.

What HB 1169 Does

· Allows you to request an absentee ballot with your cell phone through a new online portal;

· Lowers the witness requirement to cast an absentee ballot from two to one;

· Invests funds for more and larger early voting sites, more weekend hours, and PPE for voting sites;

· Makes it easier for counties to recruit poll workers;

· Improves procedures for election officials and voters to track an absentee ballot;

· Prevents the 2020 election from being a mail-in ballot ONLY election;

· Allows the use of a public assistance photo ID (more on this below).

What HB 1169 Does Not Do

· Make Election Day a holiday to encourage voting and poll worker volunteering;

· Provide for postage-paid mail-in absentee ballots;

· Make it harder to vote early or by mail-in ballot.

What’s the Deal with Photo ID?

North Carolina’s constitution requires a photo ID to vote, but the details are left to the legislature. Lame duck Republican legislators who lost in the 2018 election used a Christmas 2018 special session to push through laws that allowed some photo IDs to count, but prevented other photo IDs from being used for voting.

State and federal courts have stepped into say the legislature’s decision to bless some IDs and ban others was unconstitutional. So, right now, there is no requirement to show a photo ID for the 2020 election and that is highly unlikely to change before November.

Whenever the photo ID requirement is implemented, HB 1169 includes a provision to allow public assistance IDs to count for voting purposes. This was one of the issues fought about in court, but many other issues remain for the courts to resolve.

What Else Should We Do to Help Voters?

Protecting the right to vote and promoting voter participation are critical for our democracy. While the bill that passed this week is a good first step, there are other steps we can take such as the ones in HB 1184. HB 1184 was filed this week, but has yet to receive a hearing. It would make it easier to register to vote by extending the deadline by 14 days, expand options to submit absentee ballot request forms, provide pre-paid postage for absentee ballot forms, promote the counting of all absentee ballots, make 2020 Election Day a paid state holiday, and provide for drive-thru voting at early voting sites if necessary because of COVID-19 or another infectious disease outbreak.

Legislature Votes to Reopen Bars on NC’s Highest Day for Hospitalizations and Deaths

Legislative leaders used emergency rules to push through in one day HB 536, a bill that would override Governor Cooper’s Executive Orders and local rules to re-open bars across the state immediately. The bill passed 65 to 53 and I voted NO.

North Carolina recently entered the “Safer at Home” Phase Two of our COVID-19 response. Public health officials did not allow bars to open due to concerns about crowded conditions, alcohol and a lack of social distancing. HB 536 would override the judgment of public health officials, Governor Cooper and limit the ability of towns, cities, and counties to apply local restrictions. The bill now goes to Governor Cooper for a possible veto.

Update on COVID-19 Case Count

According to the Department of Health and Human Service’s official count as of May 29, North Carolina has 26,448 cases. There are 680 people hospitalized with COVID-19 with 859 confirmed deaths.

You can visit the state’s COVID-19 dashboard to see how we are doing on the important benchmarks we need to meet to ease stay-at-home restrictions and see demographic data, zip code counts, and other info:

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc

Where You Can Get Tested for COVID-19

North Carolinians can now go online to find a testing site on the DHHS website. The list will be updated regularly as testing sites may shift in the coming weeks. There are more than 200 sample site locations in 54 North Carolina counties, some at no cost to the test taker. Doctors and clinicians may also do in-office testing.

STAY Home, Healthy and Hopeful!

PHASE II REMINDER: The virus is still circulating, and there’s no cure or vaccine yet, so people still need to be cautious. People should remember the 3 W’s when they leave home:

1. Wear a face covering

2. Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds at a time

3. Wait 6 feet apart from other people

Source: NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

Austin Todd Matthews Named to Spring 2020 Dean’s List at Mars Hill University

Austin Todd Matthews of Rocky Mount is among 382 Mars Hill University students named on the Honor Roll of the Academic Dean at the end of the spring 2020 semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 on a minimum of 12 semester hours, and carry no grade below a C.

Luke Eichmann Named to Dean’s List at Bob Jones University

Luke Eichmann, a Freshman Culinary Arts major of Tarboro, was among over 850 Bob Jones University students named to the Spring 2020 Dean’s List. The Dean’s List recognizes students who earn a 3.00-3.74 grade point average during the semester.

Jacqueline Routhier of Rocky Mount made the Slippery Rock University Dean’s List.

Slippery Rock University has announced its dean’s list for the spring 2020 semester. The dean’s list consists of SRU undergraduate students who earned an adjusted semester grade-point average of 3.5 or higher, based on a schedule of at least 12 newly attempted and earned credits.

Co-Sponsored Legislation

· H1178: Brake for Our Future Act of 2020.

· H1180: Sam’s Law.

· H1181: Certain Appropriations For Education/COVID.

· H1182: Funds For Educational Entities/COVID.

· H1184: Ensure Safer Voting for 2020 Elections.

· H1188: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Benefit Increase/COVID-19.

· H1190: UNC-TV/At-Home Learning Initiative.

· H1191: ECU Brody School of Medicine Funds.

· H1192: Student Health Collaborative Pilot.

· H1196: COVID-19 Tests and Personal Protective Equipment for Congregate Living/Funds.

· H1197: Appropriate Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Funds/2020 Elections.

· H1200: Foreclosure Prevention Grants/Rental and Utility Assistance.

· H1201: Local Meat Processors Grant Program.

· H1203: Ensure Healthy Schools/COVID-19.

· H1204: Statewide Telepsychiatry Program/Funds.

· H1205: Expedited State Leasing-Broadband.

· H1206: Student Mental Health Well-Being/COVID-19.

· H1207: Save Our Courts.

· H1208: Workforce Housing Loan Program/Funds.

· H1210: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funds for Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, Inc. (TROSA).

· H1211: Tax Benefits for Paycheck Protection Program Loan – Internal Revenue Code

· H1212: NC Teacher Support Program Funds.

· H1213: DMV/Waive Road Test/Parent/Guardian Liability.

· H1214: Department of Health and Human Services Revisions.

· H1217: Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Historically Minority Serving Institution (HMSI) Funds/Doctoral Program/Teaching Fellows.

· H1218: The Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders (VIPER) Tower Hardware Upgrades (Fund).

· H1222: Various State Capital Appropriations.

· H1223: Additional Funds for Exceptional Children/COVID-19.

· H1224: Pandemic Emergency Assistance: Restaurants/Lodging.

· H1225: Education and Transportation Bond Act of 2020.

· H1227: Ensure Awareness of Assistance Programs/COVID.

· H1228: Satellite Broadband Grants.

· H1229: Unemployment Insurance Program Integrity/Temp. ABAWD Time Waivers.

REMINDER TO COMPLETE CENSUS 2020

2020 House Committee Assignments

· Alcoholic Beverage Control

· Appropriations

· Appropriations-Transportation

· Congressional Redistricting

· Disaster Relief

· Economic Development & Global Engagement

· Elections and Ethics Law

· House Select Committee on COVID-19 (REMOTE ONLY with Public Access via www.ncleg.gov, Click Audio and Committee Room 1228 LB)

· Insurance

· Residential Planning and Permitting

· Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House

· State and Local Government

Leave a comment Posted on May 29, 2020 Congressman G. K. Butterfield, Congressman G.K. Butterfield - 01

News From Representative G. K. Butterfield NC

News from Representative Butterfield

Friends,
It is an honor to serve as your representative for North Carolina’s First Congressional District. I am committed to being a strong advocate for my constituents, working to improve lives by proposing impactful legislative initiatives, prioritizing constituent services and expanding opportunities. This newsletter serves to provide you with up-to-date information on Congressional work in our district and on Capitol Hill. From the courtroom to Congress, I have always fought for equality and opportunity; and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you in Congress to continue that fight.
Sincerely,

“The measure of a country’s greatness is its ability to retain compassion in times of crisis.”
― Thurgood Marshall

Butterfield Introduces Legislation on Broadband Connectivity & Public Health Privacy

Supporting Broadband Connectivity for College Students in Need

On May 13, 2020, Congressman Butterfield joined Representatives Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Doris Matsui (CA-6), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Marcia Fudge (OH-11), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At-Large), and Alma S. Adams (NC-12) in introducing legislation to establish a new program to support college students who are unable to participate in distance learning.
The Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act provides $1 billion to colleges and universities to pay for at-home internet connections for students in need. Higher education institutions can use the funding to pay for routers, modems, wi-fi hotspots, tablets, or laptops, as well as monthly broadband service for students. Funding would be prioritized for historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions, as well as rural-serving institutions. Institutions receiving funding must prioritize students eligible for need-based financial aid such as Pell Grants or means-tested social safety net programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid.

Protecting Privacy and Data Security Rights for Health Information

As tech companies and public health agencies deploy contact tracing apps and digital monitoring tools to fight the spread of COVID-19, On May 15, 2020, Congressman Butterfield joined U.S. Representatives Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), and Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) along with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mark Warner (D-VA), in introducing the Public Health Emergency Privacy Act to set strong and enforceable privacy and data security rights for health information.
According to a recent poll, more than half of Americans would not use a contact tracing app and similar tools because of privacy concerns. The bicameral Public Health Emergency Privacy Act would protect Americans who use this kind of technology during the pandemic and safeguard civil liberties. Strengthened public trust will empower health authorities and medical experts to leverage new health data and apps to fight COVID-19.

COVID-19 Resources /IRS Tax Updates/Census 2020

For up-to-date information on frequently asked questions, federal resources and North Carolina specific information, you can visit my website here.
Stay informed, stay engaged and be prepared. We are in this together.

The IRS is delivering COVID 19 tax tips to help taxpayers understand the relief available under the CARES Act and other recent legislation. You can find these tips at IRS.gov/newsroom/irs-tax-tips. Below are the tips delivered in May.
Economic Impact Payment FAQs updated on IRS.gov

-COVID Tax Tip 2020-62, May 27, 2020
Millions of people will get their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card

-COVID Tax Tip 2020-61, May 26, 2020

Haven’t filled out the 2020 Census yet? Want to help your community access resources for hospitals, schools, and infrastructure?
You can respond to the 2020 Census now at my2020census.gov, by phone, or by completing the paper form mailed to your address.

Legislative Updates

On May 28, 2020, the House passed. H.R. 7010 – Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020.

This bill amends the Paycheck Protection Program to modify eligibility requirements for loan forgiveness and defers payroll taxes. Specifically, it increases the current limitation on funds from the loan being used on nonpayroll expenses (such as rent, utilities, mortgage interest) from 25 to 40% and increases the loan repayment period from 2 to 5 years. The bill passed the House 417-1.

On May 15, 2020, the House adopted H.Res. 965 – Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for official remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus, and for other purposes.
This resolution temporarily implements remote voting by proxy on the floor, authorizes official remote committee proceedings during the pandemic emergency, and tasks the House Administration Committee with studying and then certifying when there is operable and secure technology to facilitate remote voting in the House. The resolution was adopted 217-189.
On May 15, 2020, the House passed H.R. 6800 – The Heroes Act
The Heroes Act meets the challenge facing our essential workers by providing nearly $1 trillion to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments who employ Americans providing vital services. The bill establishes a Heroes’ Fund to provide hazard pay to frontline workers who have risked their lives doing their jobs during the pandemic. It also protects workers by requiring OSHA to establish strong workplace safety standards.
The Heroes Act meets the public health challenge by providing $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing, and isolation measures. It ensures coronavirus treatment is free, provides $100 billion for health care providers, and preserving health coverage for the unemployed and uninsured.
The Heroes Act meets the economic challenge by providing an additional round of Economic Impact Payments of $1,200 per family member and up to $6,000 per household, protects jobs through an enhanced employee retention tax credit, strengthens the Paycheck Protection Program, and extends robust unemployment benefits. The bill passed the House 208-199.
*Congressman Butterfield voted in favor of the above legislation.

Constituent Success Stories

Support for our Service Members

A service member suffered an injury during National Guard duty and was dealing with significant hardship due to burdensome medical bills. To avoid the repercussions of having medical bills go into collections, the service member was paying out-of-pocket, but reached out to my office for help with future bills. Through research, outreach and consistent communication, my office was able to connect the service member with support for future medical payments, and now the service member is eligible for reimbursement of what was paid out-of-pocket as well!

Advocating for our Veterans

My staff is working with a homeless veteran who was having issues getting in touch with VA social workers and getting services from them. My staff got the veteran out of his car and into a hotel room. They helped the veteran find and apply for an apartment that accepts VA housing vouchers. They got the veteran’s service records so the veteran could apply for VA benefits, and the veteran recently applied for a job at a local retail store. My staff will continue to work with the veteran until a job and permanent housing is secured.

Congratulations!

“To the class of 2020, you’re graduating at a tough time, but I believe in my heart that better days are coming. It may take some time, but I hope you can hang in there and keep believing. I am very proud of you all—and you all should be proud of this momentous achievement in your life. Soar high and follow your dreams. The best is yet to come. Congratulations on your graduation!”

34 Students Named to NC Governor’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program.

Thirty-four students, representing six public and private institutions from across North Carolina, have been named to internships through the North Carolina Governor’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program. The purpose of the program is to connect students matriculating at North Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the state’s Fortune 500 companies. The internships also provide participating institutions with the opportunity to develop long-term partnerships with critical industry allies. The participating institutions are Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina Central University, N.C. A&T State University, St. Augustine’s University and Winston-Salem State University.

For a full list of internship recipients, as well as the participating schools and corporations click here.

Service Academy Appointments

I am proud to announce Service Academy appointees from NC-01! These two young men will be part of the phenomenal class of 2024.

-James Baker -Garrett Johnson

JAMES R. BAKER – United States Military Academy, West Point

Elm City, NC – Wilson County
Parents: Melissa & James Baker
School: Homeschool + Nash Community College

GARRETT R. JOHNSON – United States Naval Academy

Wilson, NC – Wilson County
Parents: Wayne & Heather Johnson
School: James Baxter Hunt High School

2020 Art Competition Winner!

A winner has been selected for the 2020 Art Competition! The winner is Sylvie Kay from the Durham School of the Arts. Her artwork is titled, “She Leaves.”

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.
Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.