[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6677404,"mediaKeyId","2217245-99300f38e95613b9f7665569454b5ab3","parentId",2217245,"title","Wilson County commissioners approve renovation, set public hearing on rescue-squad franchise and clear other routine business","audioSeconds",2948,"startMs",2948000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217245-99300f38e95613b9f7665569454b5ab3&start=2948&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217245-99300f38e95613b9f7665569454b5ab3/thumbnail_2948000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6677404/Wilson-County/North-Carolina/Wilson-County-commissioners-approve-renovation-set-public-hearing-on-rescue-squad-franchise-and-clear-other-routine-business","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677404-0b0e4c9f53b75407b4a46501a916407b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774894161&Signature=HdqIGYrGFxRfJzB90WgZ-oVT1f56lw9BXywOFyBxpU89uAcq29vi5BZQ6F50YAFe~qZaF7ykLHCuK6m6d-Wgm73KDzCD1Jcg7J0CKbBPtXGWLgY6jc8r8OhkDCSVAe2jDFLt9LItccbHt1Xr3w5SQ9LV~3qCoi~A2F~fhnyLauxkKsdE~3ZihnBCGZ-mYsYrKb560YLdUMdM0yzznIvLcnAFwrSf1LNRwgRCd6vHnjWVYtsmDRKufZTud5-RNDa9dMTZgCvoGb6He0om1kiKjIkSOsgLCras6nDzERA8qiY2MHGZfnVb0sbSGdsI-jRnj5136n0sEqnIeyn~4yaonw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wilson County","date","2025-02-03T18:57:00Z","article","The Wilson County Board of Commissioners approved several administrative and capital measures in its February 2025 meeting, including a $220,000 renovation for a county building to house GIS and information-technology staff, and called a public hearing on March 3, 2025, to consider renewal of the franchise for the Wilson County Rescue Squad.

The board also approved a resolution declaring the county’s intent to reimburse itself for capital expenditures from the proceeds of future tax-exempt obligations, approved January 2025 tax refunds in excess of $100 as presented, and declared a 2013 emergency medical services vehicle surplus.

Why it matters: The approved renovation is intended to create dedicated office space for county GIS and IT services and is planned to be run by the county maintenance department as general contractor. The reimbursement-resolution will allow county officials to use bond or tax-exempt financing in the future and later reimburse capital spending if counsel and bond counsel determine eligibility.

What the board acted on

- Call for public hearing on Wilson County Rescue Squad franchise renewal: The board voted to call a public hearing for March 3, 2025, after Emergency Medical Services Director Michael Cobb said the rescue squad had applied to renew the ordinance-based franchise and that state law requires presentation of the ordinance two months in a row and a public hearing. Outcome: motion carried to call the hearing.

- Blaylock Building renovation, $220,000: County engineer Rajesh Tewari requested $220,000 to renovate the Blaylock Building to create five offices, storage, an IT room, a kitchen and a break room to house GIS and IT staff. County maintenance will act as general contractor and the board approved the project. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution to reimburse capital expenditures: Finance Director Angel Andrew presented a resolution declaring the county’s intent to reimburse itself for capital expenditures from the proceeds of certain tax-exempt obligations; the board approved the resolution. Outcome: approved. The board noted that final determinations about what qualifies will be made by bond counsel and attorneys.

- January 2025 refunds in excess of $100: Tax Administrator Crawford Bolton presented the list of refunds and the board approved them as presented. Outcome: approved.

- Surplus of EMS vehicle: The board declared a 2013 diesel EMS vehicle (145,671 miles) surplus. Outcome: approved.

Formal actions and record: The meeting used the standard \"all those in favor say aye\" voting procedure; votes were recorded as carried by voice vote. The meeting minutes and routine financial reports were also received and entered into the record.

What’s next: The public hearing on the Wilson County Rescue Squad franchise renewal is scheduled for March 3, 2025; other actions will proceed through county administration and, as noted, bond counsel review where applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wilson County - Board of Commissioners - Feb 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wilson County Board of Commissioners approved several administrative and capital measures in its February 2025 meeting, including a $220,000 renovation for a county building to house GIS and IT and a March 3 public hearing on renewal of the Wilson County Rescue Squad franchise.","taxTitle","Wilson County, North Carolina","taxId",54700,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677389,"Wilson County commissioners honor 4‑H members for state and national awards",134,299000,433000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217245-99300f38e95613b9f7665569454b5ab3&start=299&end=433","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217245-99300f38e95613b9f7665569454b5ab3/thumbnail_299000.jpg","/articles/6677389/Wilson-County/North-Carolina/Wilson-County-commissioners-honor-4H-members-for-state-and-national-awards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677389-63784ffa2fba14a7caee23b47457e354/orig.mp4?Expires=1774894161&Signature=mF7RXMfA8K3OMLm0JPQVYchXFx3Zomf2u--5G8fTwxRg~-9hKsEhdmbBCOHMruVRgIpMxCLI8qwC5KtBlhDBLtQ65NJhJPYcEoiKcB-y9XQHUUOKytDxtcfSfNjNxmrfB~dMDhs6pF0s10CZR4-OPf5xim49HLHb3JjUFe5wxUalxftlU8b8-RBfp9fa~P60I3KHEKGTx4FAttk4GtY1wFJHsdZmxGSP8UKe3yL-m8aZW0zRI9U9arApnrAvlu-mrHYVZLDJc4-QwXd9YSYjO4~EPkmQSjHuVxqG3XfiRZZMTisp7cqIUtq6ixVoVIPvD5ysfy1x9HdVsceZ2SyQGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wilson County Board of Commissioners recognized local 4‑H members and their leaders for statewide and national awards during its February meeting.

Norman Harrell, Cooperative Extension director, introduced extension staff Allison Matthews, Kenyatta Dixon and 4‑H program associate Antonio Lucas and presented proclamations and awards to youth who had achieved state and national recognition.

Why it matters: The 4‑H program provides youth education and leadership development in agriculture, STEM and civic skills. The county’s recognition highlights sustained participation in state fairs, national competitions and leadership events that connect young residents to skills and potential college or career opportunities.

Awards and recognitions mentioned in the presentation included:

- Presentations and project record books: Molly Bailey, gold state medalist in fruits and vegetables; Ruby Bailey, gold state medalist in environmental science; Rachel Thomason, gold state medalist in small and companion animals; Jacob Thomason, silver in forestry and wildlife; Avery Bizet, gold in animal science and citizenship and civic education.

- North Carolina State Fair livestock awards: Riley Balance (grand champion and reserve champion market-barrel titles in different categories); Lillian Griffin (reserve champion purebred junior breeding gilt); Kate Hennett (reserve grand champion Simmental junior beef heifer) and Ross Hennett (grand champion junior beef heifer, Shorthorn and Shorthorn Plus division, represented by Kate); William Messer (champion purebred breeding gilt and reserve champion in heavyweight junior market-barrel categories); others listed included Jimmy Murray, Jackson Pipkin, Ruby Ann Pipkin, Anna Claire Sullivan and Lucas Turner for various placings.

- National 4‑H Space Camp: Wood Vick attended and received the Right Stuff Award; Zakiya Dixon, Janiyah Dixon and Jayla Dixon also participated.

- National 4‑H shooting sports and livestock judging successes: Participants included Rachel Thomason, Jacob Thomason, Victoria Stewart, Blake Ingledove, Joseph Smith, Emma Lam and Sophie Ward among others on teams that placed at national events.

Cooperative Extension staff invited 4‑H members and their families forward for photographs and the board publicly congratulated the youth.

What’s next: Extension will distribute photographs and continue 4‑H programming; the board recorded the proclamations and appreciation in the minutes.","Cooperative Extension Director Norman Harrell and 4‑H staff presented proclamations and recognized county youth for state- and national-level achievements in livestock, presentations, archery and space-camp programs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677394,"N.C. Forest Service briefs Wilson County on tornado, hurricane and search-and-rescue support; outlines forest-management services",485,1121000,1606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217245-99300f38e95613b9f7665569454b5ab3&start=1121&end=1606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217245-99300f38e95613b9f7665569454b5ab3/thumbnail_1121000.jpg","/articles/6677394/Wilson-County/North-Carolina/NC-Forest-Service-briefs-Wilson-County-on-tornado-hurricane-and-search-and-rescue-support-outlines-forest-management-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677394-7d8045e22b049e9565f431b3edc1915c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774894161&Signature=MKCZ~ZpcCS6F2pbbKfG5lSrQiHLQxAlQdXjIn9Bv2M6Jh7jsJY7FxhsTmrHaSEKHC03WT~B2nKzrfHSt6LA3XigIEM73FUELFn7JC~zxys64vlm1wGVLqHzRoiSVsVMvV06THiwJxPYA1IrHAc9OaQdJ9ZVDjHYPq~4CfkZfdKMjR-oD50s5SkVHE~uNM4Smf50oVy38FWMXNJaIqSRkxnRDJQHxt0l3lbMzVoiLQ2vABAvkAry7p1khJbKQHibCtRKH3r7JDaoKsffgGs~duAqgdmbbADWphaRA6qGqqhCwPHVmefw3Ng3MiVqJmbyOn8R0p7NyyoYToK1ObgdtHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heather Newsome, assistant forest fire equipment operator with the North Carolina Forest Service, briefed the commissioners on the agency’s role in emergency response and routine forest management across Wilson County.

\"We actually aid in all things from natural disasters to manmade incidents, fires, accidents,\" Newsome said, describing work after recent tornadoes and hurricanes, including chainsaw crews clearing roadways and bulldozer crews constructing temporary bridges for isolated residents.

Why it matters: The county relies on the Forest Service for incident response, search-and-rescue support and ongoing forest-health programs that include cost-share assistance, timber-stand improvement, insect and disease recommendations, and water-quality monitoring for logging operations.

Details presented:

- Disaster response: Newsome described deployment to hurricane-impacted areas, saw crews, search-and-rescue missions and heavy equipment operations. The Forest Service provided crew rotations and sent six trucks that haul 2,000 gallons each of nonpotable water to support communities without plumbing or electricity.

- Search and rescue and aviation assets: The speaker said the Forest Service uses aircraft for patrol and response and maintains four helicopters and six small airplanes available for patrol and support.

- Case example: Newsome described a deployment to Burnsville where crews built a bridge enabling seven houses to leave for the first time in over a week.

- Daily services and programs: The Forest Service offers site preparation, planting, timber-stand improvement, insect and disease inspections, and cost-share programs. The agency also provides trainings — for example, chainsaw safety for Department of Transportation and volunteer fire departments — and participates in community education programs.

Board interaction: Commissioners thanked the Forest Service representatives for the work and asked about an upcoming open house; Newsome said the agency would hold an open house in spring with the date to be announced.

What’s next: The Forest Service will continue incident response as needed and provide public-education and outreach events in Wilson County; commissioners welcomed additional notices of training and events.","Representatives from the North Carolina Forest Service described the agency’s role in disaster response, search and rescue and daily forest-management work, including debris clearing after tornadoes, hauling nonpotable water during hurricane response and providing education and cost-share programs for landowners.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677399,"Wilson County child-fatality review: 14 cases reviewed, firearms safety identified as a system problem; county to receive state funds",308,1639000,1947000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217245-99300f38e95613b9f7665569454b5ab3&start=1639&end=1947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217245-99300f38e95613b9f7665569454b5ab3/thumbnail_1639000.jpg","/articles/6677399/Wilson-County/North-Carolina/Wilson-County-child-fatality-review-14-cases-reviewed-firearms-safety-identified-as-a-system-problem-county-to-receive-state-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677399-63ac4d32727cf1d1a3ef9be5edff7cf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774894161&Signature=E8PRQcqTunBG3Cp6ZJ8IUCQXOALb6ohMS-Izgn3qOLCTrtOkXmet8cqNcoNkBI3zd2iu11DvHO4LEqQ6gFcrgVOlLX944WixuVZ2eLN9AqLSs4qnzMFKqfr-PlaWbHxjp~2xSdmjZ8kmgFT6czPdglFIvEfHUomncIFSf5AVuwEmOjU1flnYET4XfXP0~yVBYHEgEu~VdYdlY3AwdVAP9Abe-Z9SJHGa8Lo8qKD51qBBmYm38TZeDYMdf2MqjZbpbdAslYWX7ZHI93LQ1NAeZTVFUQh8-P~R4wNeOZK2brjRP8Sj0C5-66kBl5coX-mfsUK6fQlxUNARtZEKQ4dF7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Dixon, director of nursing for the Wilson County Health Department, told the Board of Commissioners that the county’s child fatality review team reviewed 13 child deaths from 2023 and one carryover case from 2022, for a total of 14 cases.

\"We identified 2 system problems,\" Dixon said, adding that the team recommended more firearm-safety awareness and education and proposed attending additional community events, distributing gun locks at events and researching state laws for potential changes. Dixon said the state has changed the law and now provides each county funding based on the five-year child-fatality rate; Wilson County will receive $2,495 under that formula.

Why it matters: The review determines causes and possible system remedies after child deaths. The team identified firearm storage and safety as a recurring system problem and is taking outreach steps, including distributing donated gun locks at community events. The county also plans to use state funds for prevention materials and possibly staffing.

Key findings presented by Dixon:

- Cases reviewed: 14 total (13 from calendar year 2023, 1 carryover from 2022).
- Causes of death breakdown given in the meeting: six perinatal conditions, three illnesses, two poisonings, one homicide, one suicide and one undetermined cause (medical examiner unable to determine).
- Age distribution: nine cases under age 1; two aged 5–9; one aged 10–14; two aged 15–17.
- Race and gender: Dixon reported eight Black, three Hispanic and three White decedents; four were male and 10 female.

Dixon told the board the two system problems identified were a need for more firearm-safety awareness and education; the team plans to attend community events, distribute gun locks and research legal changes. She said gun locks were donated by a suicide-prevention coordinator at ECU Health and that the county partnered with Safe Kids to distribute locks and safety information.

Board response and data limits: Commissioners asked how Wilson County compares with similar counties statewide; Dixon said she did not have a county-by-county ranking available but described Wilson County as \"very low compared to other counties\" without providing comparative numbers. She also said medical-record collection can be difficult when deliveries or care occurred outside Wilson County and some facilities did not provide records after multiple requests.

What’s next: The child fatality team will continue outreach and distribution of gun locks at community events, produce educational materials and use state funds for prevention and possibly staffing if money remains after purchasing supplies.","Wilson County Health Department Director of Nursing Jennifer Dixon presented the child fatality review team's 2023 report: 13 deaths from 2023 plus one carryover, two system problems identified including firearm-safety gaps, and the county will receive $2,495 in state funding tied to a new funding formula.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wilson County commissioners approve renovation, set public hearing on rescue-squad franchise and clear other routine business

Wilson County commissioners honor 4‑H members for state and national awards

N.C. Forest Service briefs Wilson County on tornado, hurricane and search-and-rescue support; outlines forest-management services

Wilson County child-fatality review: 14 cases reviewed, firearms safety identified as a system problem; county to receive state funds