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SMALLTOWNGIRL Leslie Beachboard describes a family dealing with COViD-19. A4 GRACE&TRUTH Pastor Webb Hoggard says people should look to Jesus. A7 OPINION William Rowell discusses the way "we talk.” A4 Volume 124: No. 5 Bcrtic 980 S. Academy St. Ahoskie,NC 27910 Ledeer-Advance ^ Thursday ■ February 3,2022 Heating & Air Conditioning 252209.0223 «p (X ^ ASKEWVILLE ^ AULANDER ♦ COLERAIN ^ KELFOR'D 4- LEWISTON WOODVILLE > MERRY HILL 4 POWELLSVILLE 4 ROXOBEL 4 WINDSOR Greg Atkins declares candidacy for sheriff 3-term sheriff, 1-term commissioner cites experience THADD WHITE Group Editor The race for Bertie County Sheriff took a twist Thesday morn ing. Retired Sheriff and current Ber tie County Commissioner Greg At kins announced he has decided to enter the race. “Fve lived in Bertie County my whole life and served with the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office for most of my adult life, including 12 years as sheriff,” Atkins said. “When you are with an agency that long, it becomes part of you.” Atkins, who had originally filed to seek re-election to a second term as Bertie County Commis sioner, said his history as sheriff prompted him to enter the fray. “The office of sheriff is the pri mary source of public safety,” he said. “The safety and security of the people of. Bertie County de pend on it. “When a person enters the of fice of sheriff, they need to go in completely prepared. It isn’t a sit uation where you can take office and then start figuring out what to do next,” he continued. “A mis take can really be too costly.” Two other candidates have al ready announced their intention to seek office. They include dep uties Timothy Hardy and Tyrone Ruffin. Atkins said he has no ani mosity for the men or their candi dacy, but feels he offers a different set of credentials. “I believe that the two men who are candidates for sheriff are very good people, and I consider them friends, but I’m very concerned they are not prepared yet for the office of sheriff,” Atkins said. “I felt people needed another choice - someone who knows the job, what it involves and how to carry it out.” Atkins said he will campaign on his record. “The people of this coimty know me and know what kind of See ATKINS, A3 A.+ CONTRIBUTED PHOTO From left: Dr. Jenni Corn, Director of Research and Evaluation, NCDPI, Office of Learning Recovery; Dr. Michael Mayer, NCDPI, Office of Learning Recovery; Linda Bulluck, Chief Academic Officer, Bertie Co Schools; Dr. Otis L. Smaiiwood, Superintendent, Bertie County Schoois; and Dr. Lynne Barbour, NCDPI, Deputy Director, Office of Learning Recovery. BCS, DPI laud summer program WiNOSOR - On Jan. 5, the Office of Learning Recovery, an office within the N.C. Department of Public Instruc tion, presented to the State Board of Education with their district partners from Bertie County Public Schools. Together they shared findings from the 2021 summer school extension program. The presentation highlight ed successes, challenges and recom mendations for future summer pro grams that best support the students of North Carolina as they continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandem ic. Bertie County Schools Superinten dent Dr. Otis Smallwood and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Linda Bulluck had the opportunity to showcase their summer program. Camp Lit. This pro gram spanned grades K-12 and pro vided multiple learning recovery and acceleration opportunities to over 330 students. Some highlights of the summer program included 236 credits earned, 67 credits recovered and 10 students graduated as a result of participating in the summer program. In addition to the dedicated 50 teadrers and staff that worked this sununer Bertie County leveraged community partnerships, including East Carolina University Dental Clin ic, N.C. Museum of Art and the Bertie County ’YMCA to name a few. NCDPI Deputy Director Lynne Barbour said, “It was an honor to have Bertie County Schools and the northeast Region represented at this high-profile meeting. We were impressed with the level of teacher and staff commitment in designing a welcoming and safe environment for students. 'They infused the Camp lit theme throughout the instruction, enrichment activities and classroom environment.” Summer 2022 looks to be as ‘lit’ as 2021 with district leadership partner ing with the Office of Learning Recov ery to develop smaller, more intensive programs including summer bridge academies for students in grades K-12 and workforce-aligned career acceler ator camps for students in middle and high school. COVID-19 claims two more lives in Bertie County LESLIE BEACHBOARD Managing Editor WINDSOR - COVID-19 re lated complications has claimed the lives of two more Bertie County resi dents. The COVID-19 positive case count, facility out- bi£ate,,ah4 fatalities are still high in Bertie Coimty and throughout the region due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. TTie Albemarle Region al Health Services (ARHS) provided an update with its weekly surveillance report on Friday, Jan. 28 showing the updated information on vaccines, active cases, fatal ities and facility outbreaks. The report includes Ber tie County, and seven other counties, which are part of ARHS, including Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. According to Albemarle Regional Health Services Director R. Battle Betts, Jr., MPA., this will be the last surveillance report issued with the active COVID-19 cases and vaccine totals. Albemarle Regional Health Services will continue to re port facility outbreaks and COVID-19 related deaths in a weekly update format, along with otiier pertinent information. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been the goal of Albemarle Regional Health Services to provide See DEATHS, A3 Free pharmacy coming to Bertie TYLER NEWMAN Staff Writer NC MedAssist’s mobile free pharmacy is coming to Bertie and Chowan coun ties on Feb. 11 and Feb. 18. The mobile firee phar macy provides individuals and families who are low income with firee over-the- counter medicine. NC Me- dAssist collaborates with community partners to or ganize fiee events through out the state. Individuals receive items that include, but are not limited to pain relief, cold, cough and flu medicine, allergy and digestive medi cations, vitamins and even medicines for children. The primary purpose of this event is to identify partici pants that may qualify for the free prescription phar macy program. If a person does not or cannot sign up for the events online, a pre-made bag of over the counter See MOBILE, A3 Sheriff John Holley encourages Super Bowl safety plans LESLIE BEACHBOARD Managing Editor Americans love a good party, and Super Bowl LVI is one of the most anticipated. Super Bowl LVI is on Sunday, February 13. To keep drivers and partygoers safe on the roads, the U.S. Department of Transpor tation’s National Highway In this edition 'Traffic Safety Administra tion (NHTSA) is teaming up with Bertie County Sheriff John Holley to remind foot ball fans everywhere that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. ' Whether it’s heading out to a restaurant or a Super Bowl party, if the night in volves drinking alcohol, make sure there are plans for a designated driver so everyone arrives home safe ly at the night’s end. “We want our communi ty members to eryoy Super Bowl festivities, but we also want responsible drivers on the road,” said Holley. “If you are planning to be away from home during the Super Bowl, make a game plan to ensure you don’t find your self without a designated driver If you need one. If you’re hosting a party, make sure you take care of your designated drivers. Remind your friends and family: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.” Never drive drunk Whether attending a par ty, hosting one or going out to a bar, keep safety at the forefront of the night. When it’s time to leave, make sure the designated driver is actually sober. If he or she has decided to drink, call a sober ride. I If driving, remember that sober driving isn’t the only law that should be followed: Make sure everyone includ ing the driver wears their seat belts. Bonus Points for the Des ignated Drivers TTie night’s designated driver is the real MVP. No matter what, do not drink alcohol — people are rely ing on the designated driver. If attending a party or at a bar, ei\joy the food, the com pany and the non-alcoholic See SAFETY, A3 (jOOD morning, Donna Barnard Of lUlNDSOR Thank YOU TOR subscrihnc;! Find us on Facebook www.bertieledgeradvance.com Church & Faith Ay Classified A6 Obituaries .- Ai Opinion A4 Sports A5 0 11711 35906 6
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