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Voi. LXIX, No. 38 Published in historic Edenton... The South's prettiest town.____ Singte Copies 50g
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West Nile Virus is detected in Chowan County
BY HELEN K. OUTLAND
Staff Writer
Reports from the Albemarle
Regional Health Services indi
cate there have been no veri
fied human deaths or cases di
rectly related to West Nile Vi
rus in North Carolina. The vi
rus has spread throughout the
eastern seaboard and some
cases have been reported in
mid-west states such as Wyo
ming and Colorado.
As of August 22,18 birds in
nine counties have tested posi
tive for the virus. A press re
lease from the State Labora
tory of Public Health and Pub
lic Health Pest Management
on Monday afternoon added
ten more counties, including
Chowan County, to that list. A
dead crow found on Indian
Trail Road in Chowan County
tested positive for West Nile
virus. Experts are still stress
ing common sense precau
tions, and are encouraging citi
zens not to overreact.
According to Walker Ray
burn, Environmental Health
Specialist and Vector Control
Coordinator there are several
factors to take into consider
ation when dealing with West
Nile or Eastern Equine En
cephalitis. First of all, the West
Nile virus is not known to pass
directly from birds to humans,
but is transmitted to humans
when a mosquito bites an in
fected bird and then bites a
Standing water in fields, around homes and barns, or along roadsides create the per
fect breeding invironments for mosquitos. Homeowners are advised to check for areas
of standing water in their yards that may draw mosquitos as well. (H. Outland photo)
human.
“The major mosquito that is
tormenting people right now is
the Rice Field mosquito,” said
Rayburn. “Experts are not
sure that this mosquito
spreads the West Nile Virus,
and if it is involved in the
spread of Eastern Equine, it is
inefficient.” Rayburn has
looked for evidence of the Rice
Field mosquitoes feeding on
birds and has found none. The
Rice Field mosquito is a short
lived variety and normally
does not survive the two or
three weeks it takes to pick up
the West Nile bug. It thrives in
dirt-bottomed ditches, muddy
tire tracks, and wet fields. Ex
perts are also addressing the
issue as to whether or not the
Rice Field mosquito spreads
Equine Encephalitis as it re
lates to a recent case. Rayburn
goes on to say that their office
is still waiting for confirma
tion from the Arnes, Iowa lab
that the pony in Pasqoutank
County, reported to have died
from West Nile, actually died
from West Nile disease.
“With more evidence of the
virus in birds, residents
should take steps to prevent
mosquito bites, “says State
Health Director Dr. Leah
Devlin in a recent press re
lease. “But, people shouldn’t
overreact. In general West Nile •
virus usually causes only mild
disease and most people who
are exposed to the virus never
even become sick.”
See VIRUS On Page 6-A
Rabies clinic
set for Sept. 21st
Chowan County residents who need to have their dogs
and cats vaccinated for protection against rabies are urged
to bring them to a Rabies Clinic to be held Saturday, Sept.
21, from 1-3 p.m. at the Chowan/Gates/Perquimans Animal
Shelter, 138 Icaria Road, Tyner.
There will be a charge of $5 for each shot administered.
Please be sure to have your animals restrained. Cats
should be brought in carriers, and dogs should be on a
leash. Pet owners are responsible for keeping their animals
under control while at the clinic.
Anyone having questions may call the Animal Shelter at
(252) 221-8514.
New foundation
head on the job
Chowan Regional Health
Care Foundation has named
Helena Szczesny of Edenton as
its new Executive Director.
.*- I !■
Helena Szczesny
“We are very fortunate to
have someone as capable and
committed as Helena to guide
our growth and development”
states Pierce Lawling, Chair
man of the Foundation. “Hel
ena has managed budgets and
organizations with a much
larger magnitude than ours.
She has come forward in the
spirit of service to the commu
nity to help us make our Foun
dation a leader in our commu
nity and region.”
Helena holds a Bachelor’s
Degree and has more than 20
years professional experience
in program development,
business, management, mar
keting, and information man
See JOB On Page 6-A
Mayor Roland Vaughan signs a proclamation declaring
Sept. 17-23 Constitution Week here. Looking on is Beth Tay
lor, Regent, Edenton Tea Party Chapter, National Society
Daughters of the American Revolution. (See story on 6-A)
Local schools"
test scores up
Edenton-Chowan Schools
continue to improve, accord
ing to the state ABCs account
ability standards results re
leased Thursday by the NC
Department of Public Instruc
tion.
Chowan Middle School was
recognized under the stan
dards as a School of Distinc
tion, the second-highest status
possible.
“Of course, we’re pleased,”
said CMS Principal Brenda
Winborne. "Educating our stu
dents is a team effort that in
volves every employee on the
Chowan campus. The stu
dents, staff and teachers are
all to be congratulated for their
efforts.”
Each of the county’s eligible
schools increased their per
centage of students scoring at
or above a Level III on the
state’s. four-point End-of
Grade and End-of-Course test
achievement scales.
“Edenton-Chowan Schools
continue to make strides to
ward excellence,” said Supt.
Allan T. Smith. “We believe
students can meet high expec
tations, and our students.con
tinue to prove us correct.”
The ABCs system of ac
countability, begun in 1996,
measures individual schools’
growth and performance over
the course of a year. End-of
See SCORES On Page 6-A
Cycle Speedway
season opening
Get ready for some extreme
family fun next Saturday, Sept.
28, as Cycle Speedway returns
to Earnhardt Field (across
from Edenton Motors on N.
Broad St.) beginning at noon.
Live music, race car dis
plays, remote control race cars
from South Moonlight Speed
way, games, a petting zoo, and
much more will be open to the
public throughout the day and
night.
All ages are encouraged to
bring out their bikes and race
next weekend’s events; regis
tration forms are available at
the Edenton-Chowan Recre
ation Department (482-8595)
and from Cycle Speedway (482
7989). Admission to the event
is absolutely free, so come out
for some great fun in Edenton.
“Coca-Cola Presents Cycle
Speedway” at Earnhardt Field
is the largest event of the sea
son for Cycle Speedway, a bi
cycle racetrack for all ages lo
cated in Edenton. “Last year’s
event drew over 500 people,”
said Brian White, organizer.
“This year’s larger and im
proved event promises to be
the best yet. Attractions and
music for all ages will make
the show even more special for
everyone.”
All ages are needed to par
ticipate; all you need is a bi
cycle and helmet. There are
eight classes for the event. For
more info, call 482-7989.
Mill owner addresses Rotarians
Frank Lea, left, president of the morning Rotary Club, greets Dr. Thomas Wilson at last
Wednesday's meeting. Dr. Wilson, owner of the Edenton Cotton Mill, was on hand to
discuss plans for the site and an open house set for Sept. 19. (See story on page 6-A)
Special
insert
in paper
Readers will find a
special insert in this
week’s edition of the
newspaper, The Chowan
County Fair Book.
Among the special items
in the book are a schedule
of planned fair events,
profiles of the entertain
ers, and details on a kids’
coloring contest.
Also included will be
advertisements from area
businesses supporting the
Chowan County Fair,
which takes place at the
American Legion Fair
grounds in Edenton in
October.
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