Eastern N.C. Roundup

Published on June 10, 2005

Fayetteville hospital may go private
A plan to convert the public Cape Fear Valley Health System into a private, nonprofit center is under consideration by hospital trustees, the Fayetteville Observer reported June 2.

Hospital officials support the idea, have hosted public forums to explain the change and have met with doctors.

A draft agreement for converting the hospital is set for presentation June 29. Cumberland County, which owns the hospital system, must sign off on the plan.

Community colleges receive endowments
Four community colleges received $100,000 each from GlaxoSmithKline, the Rocky Mount Telegram reported May 31.

Nash Community College in Rocky Mount, Johnston Community College in Smithfield, Vance-Granville Community College in Henderson and Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh received funding. They will establish GlaxoSmithKline Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Children’s Miracle Network nets $1.5 million
Contributions of more than $1.5 million came in by phone over a two-day televised broadcast for Children’s Hospital in Greenville, the Daily Reflector reported June 6.

The funds were raised during the annual Children's Miracle Network Celebration. The event marked its 20th anniversary this year.

Donations will support plans for a special germ-free children’s intensive care unit known as KISSU, or Kids Immunosuppressed Special Unit, at the hospital, part of University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina based in Greenville.

Tarboro Rotary aids tsunami stricken
The Tarboro Rotary Club raised more than $8,000 to provide tsunami victims shelter, the Rocky Mount Telegram reported June 2.

Each box will provide housing and includes a three-room tent, sleeping bags, water purification tablets, cooking stove and utensils. The materials remain the property of the recipient waiting for permanent housing. The boxes cost $900 apiece.

Paddle trail opens
The Crystal Coast Canoe and Kayak Club, in conjunction with National Trails Day, celebrated the opening of the upper White Oak River paddle trail before attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the campground in Maysville, the New Bern Sun Journal reported June 6.

It marked end of a seven-year effort by the White Oak River Advisory Board, the Friends of the Upper White Oak River and Jones County, along with a $70,000 grant from the N.C. Division of Water Resources to cut a trail through the waters.

Naming policy set
Trustees at Wayne Community College have set guidelines for naming campus buildings, the Goldsboro News-Argus reported June 1.

Building names should recognize significant service or a financial contribution of at least $1 million to the college, trustees said.

Trustees will receive recommendations at one meeting and decide at the next to provide time for community comments.

Women’s shelter to relocate
A safe haven for women in Elizabeth City for 16 years is up for sale, the Elizabeth City Daily Advance reported June 1.

The Hope House shelter for women fleeing abusive homes is too small to serve the need, officials said. It is listed for sale for $289,000.

About 365 women were turned away last year from the home because of insufficient space. The organization has a capital campaign of $1.3 million to purchase and outfit an new location by October.

Greenville redevelopment moves forward
Much of downtown Greenville, including the predominately black western quadrant, is closer to redevelopment, the Daily Reflector reported May 25.

The city’s redevelopment commission recommended moving ahead with a plan to revitalize 900 acres from ECU’s campus west. Officials hope to increase home ownership, remove substandard housing and foster economic development. It is funded in part by $10 million in bonds approved by referendum in November.

The controversial plan has worried some residents who are concerned about changes to their homes and business district, namely Martin Luther King Drive. The city council must approve the plan.

Gateway campaign gets boost
Sprint has contributed $15,000 to the Carolina’s Gateway Partnership for economic development, the Rocky Mount Telegram reported June 3.

The gift counts toward the group’s investment campaign that aims to raise $3 million by 2009.

Commitments total $1.8 million to $2 million. The effort marks the group’s third five-year capital campaign. Sprint has contributed $150,000 to the partnership since its inception in 1995.

Fayetteville homes shut doors
Two group homes and a driving-while-impaired program will close following action by the Cumberland County Mental Health board, the Fayetteville Observer reported June 2.

Their move reflects state efforts to transfer mental health services from government to the private sector by 2007. The county will be responsible for psychiatric care only.

Pamlico group seeks new leader
The Pamlico County Committee of 100 is seeking a new leader, the New Bern Sun Journal reported June 3. The nonprofit group pursues aesthetic and economic development projects.

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