Registration for Preschool Academy, After School Program opens July 15

Preschool Academy
Preschool Academy is the perfect in-person classroom for your little one. Our curriculum-based learning uses age-appropriate activities to each students ages 3-5-years-old numbers, letters, colors, rhythm and science. Based on the weekly theme, students will partake in a wide variety of activities each day. The program includes academic enrichment and socialization opportunities. Snack is provided.

Visit the Orange County website to learn more.

After School
Orange County Recreation Division also offers an After School Program that provides enrichment learning, including physical activity and fitness, homework assistance, STEAM-based activities in the areas of science, engineering, art, music and much more. Transportation provided from Central, Pathways, and River Park Elementary Schools.

Priority registration is given to returning students. For August/September enrollment, open spaces will be filled first-come, first-served, beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 15.

Click here for more information.

Orange County receives 4th positive rabies test of 2022

Orange County Animal Services has received its fourth positive rabies test result of the year, according to the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health. This incident involved a skunk and occurred in Hillsborough. For more information about rabies in Orange County and other areas in NC, visit The North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services.

This case originated on Wednesday, June 29, when a Hillsborough resident discovered a skunk in an area with her livestock. Animal Control was contacted and they removed the skunk for rabies testing.

The resident’s dog and livestock had exposure to the skunk. A veterinarian from the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services will evaluate the livestock. Because the dog had a rabies vaccination, he is able to receive a booster rabies vaccination within the required window. When there is “a reasonable suspicion of exposure,” a dog, cat, or ferret with a valid vaccination history must receive a booster shot within 96 hours (four days). By contrast, an unvaccinated cat or dog must either be euthanized or quarantined for a period up to four months (or six months for a ferret).

Please make sure your pets are current on their rabies vaccinations. It is important for the health of your family and your pets. Rabies is a fatal viral infection. Your veterinarian is the best source of information on vaccinations for your pet.

In North Carolina and other areas, rabies is commonly found in raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, wolves, groundhogs and beavers. A host species of rabies in our own region and others is the bat. Of the few cases of rabies in humans in our country in recent years, most have been traced to bats. If there is any possibility of exposure from a bat, it is critical that citizens immediately contact their animal control program. If an incident involving a bat – or other rabies vector, such as a raccoon or skunk – should occur outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer can be reached right away through Emergency Communications (9-1-1).

For more information, you may review the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention. You may also visit http://www.orangecountync.gov/307/Rabies.

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant –– Applications Now Open for FY22-23 Funding

The application period for Orange County’s Community Climate Action Grant is now open for FY22-23. The process for soliciting and selecting projects to receive funding is being conducted through a formal grant program. The deadline to apply is Aug. 19.

An estimated $275,075 in funding will be provided to support expansion of climate change mitigation and resilience projects that build on Orange County’s long history of sustainable actions. An additional $275,075 in funding will be set aside to fund applications submitted under this grant program from either of Orange County’s two public school districts.

Details on grant eligibility, scoring and application materials are available at the grant program website: www.orangecountync.gov/CCAGP.

Subscribe to Orange County Climate Connection newsletter

The Orange County Climate Connection is a new quarterly sustainability newsletter highlighting the ways we are “greening” Orange. Each issue will spotlight County and community-wide sustainability projects aimed at combating climate change and making a positive difference in our community.

Click here to subscribe.

Board reauthorizes Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program for FY 23, eases eligibility requirements

The Orange County Board of Commissioners has reauthorized the Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program, a 2021 pilot program that provided grants to homeowners for assistance in paying property taxes.

“I’m pleased to see this is continuing,” said Renee Price, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. “The immediate concern is how we keep people in their homes. How do we preserve our neighborhoods, especially our historic neighborhoods? We want to keep those neighborhoods together.”

The program started as a way to help lower-income property owners whose properties increased because of the 2020 revaluation that saw values in some areas rise significantly. For FY 2021-22, the board designated $250,000 of ARPA funds, but the program received only 91 successful applications and awarded $16,364 of relief.

The revised program will be based on the homeowners’ income and age and will no longer be restricted to properties that saw a tax increase due to the revaluation. The board again designated $250,000 for the program in FY 22-23 and directed staff to develop a policy that prioritizes applicants based on age, length of time lived in the home and the homeowner’s tax burden (percentage of annual income needed to pay property tax bill) should demand exceed available funds.

The board approved several changes to boost participation, including reducing the requirement to have owned and lived in the home from 10 years to five years. According to data compiled by the Orange County Tax Office and the Orange County Housing Department, this would potentially increase the number of eligible properties by more than double.

OC Arts Commission offers many camps, classes for youth

We want ALL youth to be able enjoy the benefits of self expression, regardless of financial standing. Please complete our Youth Scholarship Application if you need financial assistance. Check back often, as more classes and camps are added. All camps take place in our classroom at the Eno Arts Mill. (NOTE: Vault Theater’s Musical Theater Camp will take place in our classroom and at the Expedition School next door).

Creative Writing Workshop for Aspiring Writers with Ruben Watson
Wednesdays, July 6-27
6-7 p.m.
Ages 8-14
$80

Guitar & Vox Rocks Songwriting Camp with James Easteppe & Mary DeFir
July 5-8 | Ages 6-10 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
August 1-5 | Ages 15-18 | 1:30-5:30 p.m.
$100 per person

Musical Theatre Summer Camp with Vault Theater
July 11-July 15
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ages 7-15
$275 per person

World Music Drumming Camp with Greg Whitt of Drum for Change
July 25-29 | 9 a.m. - Noon
Ages 8-10
$200

Watercolor Camp with Ryann Carey
July 18-22 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
August 8-12 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ages 12+
$100

Camp Crafty Diva: Fiber Arts for Kids with Michelle Spaulding
July 18-22
1:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Ages 8+
$100

Click here for more information and to register.

Orange County Aging Department Speakers Bureau

Orange County to host “Welcome to Medicare” seminars

The Orange County Department on Aging and the NC Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) has partnered with the Orange County Public Library to host free “Welcome to Medicare” seminars.

The seminar topics will introduce Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage, Part D Prescription Drug Coverage, Medicare Supplement Insurance, and programs to assist with Medicare costs.

The seminars are free and open to the public. However, space is limited so participants are encouraged to register in advance.
Seminar Dates and Times

Wednesday, July 13, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Online Class using Zoom
Register at www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare101_july
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Monday, August 15, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Orange County Public Library
137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough NC
Register at 919-245-2015 by Friday, August 12

In addition, certified counselors are available to meet with you individually, in-person or virtually via Zoom, to explain the basics of Medicare. Book an appointment online or call 919-245-4274.

Department on Aging accepting nominations for 2022 Direct Care Worker Awards

Orange County Department on Aging and the community group, Senior Health Advocacy and Resource Partners of Orange County (SHARP), will host the eighth annual SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards.

Nominations will be accepted from June 15 – Sept. 15, 2022. A recognition ceremony will be held for award winners on Thursday, Nov. 3.

This event is in honor of Direct Care Workers (nurse aides, personal care aides, companion caregivers, etc.) who affect their clients’ lives on a daily basis and make a difference in the Orange County community.

“Direct care workers provide crucial hands-on care to our older adults. They are frontline heroes quietly meeting the daily needs of their clients,” said Janice Tyler, director of Orange County Department on Aging. “We want them to know that they are valued and essential to our community; deserving of our support and praise.”

In recognition of the outstanding service provided by direct care workers, the Department on Aging and SHARP will present awards in the following categories: Client Impact, Longevity, Leadership, Going the Extra Mile, and Rising Star. One person will be chosen as the “Direct Care Worker of the Year.”

To be eligible, direct care workers must have served clients in Orange County within the past year. Each person may be nominated in two categories. Nominees must have provided direct care to clients and have at least six consecutive months of service in the past year.

For more information about the awards and to nominate a direct care worker, please complete the online or downloadable nomination form at: www.orangecountync.gov/SHARPAwards.

www.orangecountync.gov