March 2020

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Most County Government Services Available to Citizens During Stay at Home Order

Catawba County Government will continue to provide essential services to citizens during the Governor’s statewide Stay at Home Order. Where possible, county government offices are conducting business by phone and online to enable citizens to stay at home and prevent unnecessary public contact. Social distancing practices have been implemented to minimize contact when in-person business takes place. Citizens are encouraged to… View More

Catawba County Operational Changes

During the Governor’s reopening plan, Catawba County Government will continue to provide essential services to citizens. Where possible, county government offices are conducting business by phone and online to enable citizens to stay at home and limit public contact. Social distancing practices have been implemented to minimize contact when in-person business takes place. We encourage all citizens to help protect… View More

Statement by Catawba County Commissioner Randy Isenhower regarding Governor Cooper’s statewide Stay at Home Executive Order

As Chairman of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, county staff and I had a conference call with the mayors and managers of our municipalities, The Chamber and the Economic Development Corporation shortly after the Governor issued his statewide Stay at Home Order Friday. I can assure you all local governments in Catawba County are cooperating with the directions as set out in the Governor’s Order. We are also working together… View More

Business Guidance: North Carolina Stay at Home Order

With the release of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s Stay at Home Order, effective March 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., local businesses may have questions about whether or not the Order applies to them. Businesses are advised to consult the Executive Order to determine if they are considered an Essential Business and allowed to remain open. Businesses excluded from the list of Essential Businesses and Operations in the Stay at Home Order may… View More

FAQ: Statewide Stay-at-Home Order

With Governor Roy Cooper's announcement of Executive Order 121 which mandates a Statewide Stay-at-Home order effective Monday, March 30th at 5pm, it naturally brings up questions about how daily life and business will be impacted. The state has provided an FAQ document to help address common questions. You can read it… View More

Statewide Stay at Home Ordered

Governor Roy Cooper has announced a Statewide Stay-at-Home order beginning Monday, March 30th at 5:00pm. Read the Executive Order… View More

One New Case of COVID-19 Identified in Catawba County

One new case of COVID-19 has been identified in Catawba County, bringing the county’s current total case count to 10. Public Health is working to identify close contacts who may be affected and is advising them on appropriate monitoring and testing on a case-by-case basis. Close contact is defined as being within approximately 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for 10 minutes or longer, according to the CDC. Public… View More

Republic Services COVID-19 Update

Residential Curb-side Pickup Republic Services has made the continuation of curb-side pickup a priority and there are currently no plans to change this service during the Covid-19 pandemic. If the situation changes, Republic will work with Catawba County well in advance of implementing any household waste collection changes. Residential ON-Call Bulk Item and Yard Waste Pickup The first… View More

Five New Cases of COVID-19 Identified in Catawba County

Five new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Catawba County, bringing the county’s current total of cases to nine. Catawba County Public Health received the positive test results overnight and immediately began investigating. Two people are close contacts of known cases. Two are hospitalized, two are isolated at home, and one has recovered. Public Health is working to identify close contacts who may be affected and is… View More

County Landfill Operational Changes

The Catawba County Landfill and five county Convenience Centers are open and operating on a normal schedule. In observance of social distancing recommendations, the Catawba County Landfill is making the following temporary changes to its operations: Landfill offices will be closed to the public. A phone number will be posted at all office access doors. Visitors may call the number to get in touch with an employee for directions… View More

Mulch Giveaway at Catawba County Landfill

Catawba County Utilities & Engineering is giving away free mulch on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Mulch will be available from March 30-April 4 at the Blackburn Landfill, which is located at 4017 Rock Ford Road in Newton. Hours for picking up mulch are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00-11:30 a.m. To get mulch, vehicles must check in at the landfill scale house where an… View More

Foster/Adoption Online Information Meeting

Family Builders of Catawba Valley invites anyone interested in fostering or adopting a child to attend the online resource family information meeting from 6:00-7:30 PM Tuesday, April 14th. The meeting will be held via Zoom Video Conference online and interested parties must pre-register by emailing mburns@catawbacountync.gov… View More

Social Services Encourages Residents to Apply for Medicaid, SNAP Benefits Online

In light of current social distancing recommendations, Catawba County Social Services reminds residents that online applications are available for Food and Nutrition Services (formerly Food Stamps) and Medical Assistance (Medicaid and NC Health Choice or CHIP). Applications can be found online at ePass.nc.gov. Additionally, residents may request applications by mail, e-mail or fax by calling (828) 695-6326. To return a completed… View More

Three New Cases of COVID-19 Identified in Catawba County

Three new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Catawba County, bringing the county’s current total of cases to four. Catawba County Public Health received the positive test results Monday morning and immediately began investigating. Two cases are from contact with known cases elsewhere. The cause of the third is still under investigation. All three individuals are isolated at home and are doing well. Public Health is… View More

Positive Case of COVID-19 Announced in Catawba County

A person living in Catawba County has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The patient is hospitalized and is doing well in isolation. How the person acquired the infection is being investigated. “We are conducting a thorough contact investigation to mitigate potential community spread,” said Catawba County Public Health Director Jennifer McCracken. “We are working to identify close contacts who may be affected. We… View More

Catawba County Innovates to Offer Library Services While Facilities Are Closed

With community health and wellbeing at top of mind, the Catawba County Library is finding new ways to serve the community while library facilities are closed due to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation. The Main Library in Newton (115 West C Street) and the Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library (9154 Sherrills Ford Road, Terrell) will offer Curbside Pickup Service beginning Monday, March 23, between 10 am and 4… View More

Catawba County Declares Countywide State of Emergency

Catawba County Board Chair Randy Isenhower declared a State of Emergency in Catawba County at 8:00 a.m. March 18, 2020, due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration covers the entire area of Catawba County and was made by and with the consent of all municipalities within Catawba County. “Although there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Catawba County, significant impacts are occurring and are… View More

Catawba County Libraries Closed Until Further Notice

Effective at close of business Tuesday, March 17, all Catawba County Library locations will be closed until further notice. Due dates and book holds will be automatically extended and no late fees will be accrued. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of the many digital services available through the Library website… View More

Library Programs and Meeting Room Use Temporarily Suspended

In light of the rapidly changing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation, effective Tuesday March 17, all Catawba County Library programs and meeting room use will be suspended until further notice. Catawba County Library is committed to the health and safety of our customers, community, and our staff. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding during this time. Please stay tuned to the library's website and… View More

Changes to Senior Nutrition Services' Programs

Catawba County Meals on Wheels has temporarily modified its delivery schedule to help protect the health of its clients. Starting Monday, March 16, clients will receive five frozen meals every Monday and check-in phone calls every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. New referrals to the program are being placed on a waiting list until regular operations resume. This schedule will remain in operation until further notice. As previously… View More

Catawba County Seniors Morning Out Sites to Close Temporarily

Due to current guidance regarding gatherings for high-risk individuals, Catawba County Senior Nutrition Services is temporarily closing all Catawba County Seniors Morning Out (SMO) sites effective Monday, March 16. The March 17 gospel concert featuring Billy Ramseur has been cancelled. During this time, all SMO participants will still have the ability to receive meals and will receive daily phone calls from Senior Nutrition Services… View More

The Suffrage Centennial Begins

As the library marks the centennial of women’s suffrage in the United States, it’s honoring the milestone by sharing the rich history of past efforts to secure the right to vote, and it’s exploring concepts of equal rights, fairness, and democracy. In mid-March, a variety of programs will begin to tell the fascinating story and invite the community’s participation in the six-month-long celebration. Children will get an… View More

Catawba Lands Conservancy

Are you familiar with the Catawba Lands Conservancy? How about the Carolina Thread Trail? Our upcoming library program will introduce both the agency and the trail, allowing the public to have a better sense of how lands are being preserved for future generations and how conservation fits into the region’s increasing pace of… View More

Making Elephant Toothpaste

Have you seen an elephant’s toothpaste? If not, be ready to be amazed. It’s as big as you’d imagine and quite easy to make! Children are invited to our hands-on STEAM program, where we’ll use simple materials to explore scientific concepts like chemical reactions, biological agents, catalysts, and surface tension. We’ll start with hydrogen peroxide and then manipulate it with dry yeast and dishwashing liquid to… View More

World Poetry Day 2020

World Poetry Day is celebrated each year on March 21 and seeks to honor the diversity of languages across the planet, along with their own individual cadences, intonations, and vocabulary. World Poetry Day also reminds us that the human condition is common to all people and that our experiences often find their clearest expression in the economy and grace of poetry. First proclaimed as a day of observance in Paris in 1999, the… View More

This Week at Your Library [Mar14-Mar21]

MAIN IN NEWTON 828.465.8665 CHILDREN / TEENS / FAMILIES Tiny to Two: Ready to Learn Storytime Mondays at 10 am A sweet, 20-minute storytime featuring rhymes, bounces, sensory play, and singing. Playtime follows. Ideal for newborns to age 2, but all are… View More

Technology Classes [Mar14-Mar21]

SOUTHWEST 828.466.6818 Career Development: Online Job Applications Wednesday, March 18 at 4 pm Online applications are a common practice when you're applying for jobs these days. This class will show you how to get started and offer tips about information and online tools you'll need to complete an application. ST.… View More

Educated: The Wrap-Up

This month, the library and Catawba Valley Community College wrap up their collaboration of the community read Educated, author Tara Westover’s memoir about breaking with her family’s beliefs in order to pursue a formal education. Raised as an End-of-Days survivalist in Idaho, Westover lived in an environment where doctors, public schools, and the federal government were strongly… View More

STEAM: Code with Dash

Technology drives so much of daily life that it’s becoming more and more important for young people to understand its principles and applications. To help that cause, the library is offering a coding workshop through its STEAM Explorers series. The seminar is intended to help youngsters feel comfortable with the way computers ‘think’ and operate so that they’re able to write simple programs using standard… View More

Discover the Art of Embroidery

Whether you’re drawn to embroidery for its granny-chic appeal or for its history and beauty as one of the preeminent needlecrafts, you undoubtedly have an appreciation for the intricacy of its stitches and the colorful artistry that goes into its creation. If you consider yourself a seasoned practitioner or just a casual fan, you’ll want to join us for the next installment of our Craftsman Collaborative series. Local… View More

Celebrating Pi(e)

Why settle for one festive event when you can have two?! Join us at the library to observe International Pi Day (π is the symbol that represents the circumference of a circle) in two different ways. First, we’ll celebrate the math part of the homophone (pronounced the same, different meaning), and then we’ll shift gears to focus on dessert! On the sweet side, we’re asking attendees to bring copies of their favorite pie… View More

This Week at Your Library [Mar07-Mar14]

MAIN IN NEWTON 828.465.8665 CHILDREN / TEENS / FAMILIES Tiny to Two: Ready to Learn Storytime Mondays at 10 am A sweet, 20-minute storytime featuring rhymes, bounces, sensory play, and singing. Playtime follows. Ideal for newborns to age 2, but all are… View More

Technology Classes [Mar07-Mar14]

MAIN IN NEWTON 828.465.8665 WorkLife Wednesday: Resumé Tune-up Wednesday, March 11 from 10 am-2 pm Need to create a resumé from scratch or update one you already have? Book a 30-minute, individual session by calling 828.465.8665. ST. STEPHENS 828.466.6821 Drop-in… View More

Emergency Services Summer Academy

Catawba County Emergency Services Summer Academy July 27- July 31, 2020 9 am - 4 pm Catawba County Emergency Services Building 100 Government Drive, Newton Catawba County Emergency Services is hosting the 3rd Summer Academy! An interactive overview of Emergency Services in Catawba County including EMS, Emergency Management,… View More

March Is Severe Weather Awareness Month

Are you StormReady®? March is Severe Weather Awareness Month because of the variety of hazards that Spring weather systems can bring. We have already seen wild swings in our weather during January and February, everything from heavy rains, flooding, powerful wind gust, a few days of wintery mix and even tornadoes in surrounding counties. Catawba County is recognized by the National Weather Service (NWS) as… View More