Monday, April 27, 2020
Monday, April 20, 2020
Friday, April 17, 2020
Thursday, April 16, 2020
“Drive-In” Church Services and Guidance for Church Leaders
Abingdon
Police Department
For
Immediate Release
“Drive-In”
Church Services and Guidance for Church Leaders
With
the newfound idea of drive-in church services during the pandemic, the Abingdon
Police Department has started receiving several inquiries about regulations for
these types of services. The Executive Order, issued, by the Governor of
Virginia, does not prohibit worship or worship services. However, it does place
limitations on the number of people in attendance at one time. Here are a few recommendations
to follow during drive-in services:
- Attendees may travel to their
place of worship, park in the parking lot, and listen to the religious
message while remaining in their vehicles.
- It is recommended that
immediate family/members of the same household occupy the same vehicle.
- If attendees must have their
car windows down to hear the service, there should be at least six feet
of space between parked vehicles, preferably more.
- Participants must remain in
their vehicle at all times, except as necessary to visit a restroom.
- Try to keep the entire
service to an hour or less in order to prevent people from needing to
exit their vehicle.
- If an attendee must exit
their vehicle, they need to maintain social distancing from those
coordinating the service.
- There must be no more than 10
individuals leading the religious ceremony or functioning outside of the
church in support of the religious ceremony.
- Any objects used for
collecting monetary offerings shall not be passed from attendee to
attendee but may be offered to attendees in a vehicle as long as the
object stays in the possession of the person assisting with
collection.
- Appropriate measures should be
taken for the safety of those functioning outside of the cars.
- Please do not allow vehicles
to block streets or sidewalks.
- Faith communities should also
adhere to any noise ordinances.
Specific
guidance for religious leaders can be found at these two links:
During these uncertain times, it is great
for religious organizations to be creative and resourceful. Churches rethinking
their service delivery, through internet-based services or drive-in services,
are great ways to continue their ministry work until we can all meet again in
church buildings. Take this time at home to plan your menu for the first church
luncheon when all this is over because we are going to eat our body weight in
chicken, mac and cheese, and lemon pound cake.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
P-u-r-r-fectly Sensible Stimulus Information
Abingdon
Police Department
Contact: Tenille Montgomery, Community Relations
Coordinator
Phone:
276-492-1557
For Immediate
Release
P-u-r-r-fectly
Sensible Stimulus Information
Hey, all you cool cats and kittens. In a few weeks, COVID-19 economic impact
payments will be on their way. Before
you make plans to buy a tiger and open an exotic zoo with your stimulus money,
there are a few things that you need to remember.
Most Americans will receive their stimulus payment by
direct deposit. Those without bank accounts, who qualify, will receive a paper
check through the mail.
Before you agree to purchase that new tiger, remember
that there are low-life hyenas who will try to get you to sign over your check
to them or get you to “verify” your filing information to steal your money. The
scavengers of the human world can use your personal information to file false
tax returns, open credit accounts in your name, and make your life a jungle of
confusion. Because of these buzzards, everyone receiving a COVID-19 economic
impact payment is at risk.
As the COVID-19 related economic impact payments are
issued, please remember:
- The
IRS will deposit your payment into the direct deposit account you
previously provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a
paper check).
- The IRS will NOT call and ask you to verify your payment details.
- Do
NOT give your bank account, debit account, or PayPal account information
to anyone - even if someone claims it’s necessary to get your check.
It’s a scam.
- If
you receive a call, do NOT engage these coyotes, even if you want to tell
them that you know it’s a scam. Just hang up.
- If
you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by
sending personal identifying information or clicking on links, delete
these texts and emails. Do NOT click on any links in those texts or
emails.
- If you receive a “check” in the mail now, it’s a scam. It will take the Treasury a few more weeks to mail out the COVID-19 economic impact payments.
- If
you receive a “check” for an odd amount (especially one with cents), or a
check that requires you to verify the check online or by calling a number,
it’s a scam.
- Remember, the federal government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get a legitimate benefit. No fees. No charges. Anyone who asks for an up-front payment for a promised benefit is a scammer and a worthless ball of slime.
- Finally, you can’t buy a tiger, lion, or any other exotic animal with your stimulus check. They are illegal to possess in Virginia.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Temporary Shutdown of Access Points on the Virginia Creeper Trail -Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary
Shutdown of Access Points on the Virginia Creeper Trail
Frequently
Asked Questions
1. Why is the Creeper
Trail temporarily shut down?
· The
Creeper Trail is an outdoor recreation destination for many people from outside
our communities. Current COVID-19 case tracking shows that asymptomatic COVID-19
positive visitors are a leading source of new infections in communities and,
though most nearby states are under stay-at-home orders, many were still
visiting the trail. (For more
information, see Governor Northam’s state-at-home order of March 30 or similar
orders from your home state).
· User
density increases:
o
There were weekly increases of trail users
since social distancing recommendations were made, which resulted in decreasing
social distancing practices.
o
As the Easter holidays approached, there
was a significant uptick of inquiries about the Creeper Trail from out-of-area
visitors. Virginia is under a stay-at-home order as of March 30.
o
As a result of temporary shutdowns of many
other outdoor recreation venues in the area, visitors were being funneled onto
the Creeper Trail, further increasing current and projected use.
o
Based on long-term trends and historical
data, trail usage greatly increases as warm weather approaches.
· Modeling
shows COVID-19 cases increasing in southwest Virginia between now and early to mid-May
when the projected peak will be reached. Town and EMS officials are concerned
that even the normal rate of accidents on the trail requiring EMS’s limited
staff and equipment could over-burden the system, diverting needed resources
away from responding to urgent health needs in our communities.
· Within
the Creeper Trail footprint, we have large elderly populations who are most
at-risk for developing complications and dying from the coronavirus and we have
to protect them.
2. Who does the temporary
shutdown impact?
· The
temporary shutdown of access points along the Creeper Trail applies to everyone.
3. Will the trail be monitored?
· There
will be periodic monitoring along the trail.
4. Are bathrooms and all other trail
facilities open or closed?
· All
bathrooms, interpretive centers, Welcome and Visitor Centers, picnic shelters
and other facilities are currently closed.
5. I just want to ride my bike and not
walk in a group. Can I just go out and ride alone?
· No…all
access points on the Creeper Trail are temporarily shut down.
6. Can I fish along the river?
·
Fishing spots may be accessed by crossing
the trail where necessary but cannot be accessed through normal entry/access
points that are currently shut down.
7. Will trail maintenance continue?
· Regular
maintenance has been temporarily halted on the US Forest Service section of the
trail. Periodic maintenance will continue on the Abingdon to Damascus section
as needed.
8. Since the Appalachian Trail and the
Creeper Trail run together, why isn’t the Appalachian Trail closed?
· Trailhead
facilities and access points to the Appalachian Trail, including parking lots
dedicated to the AT, remain temporarily shut down as well.
9. When will the trail be reopened?
· Over
the coming weeks, we will be evaluating the status of the trail regularly. The decision
to reopen will be based on recommendations and orders issued by the
Commonwealth, the federal government, and the CDC as well as our local
officials and agencies.
10. Who should I contact with questions
about the temporary shutdown of access points along the trail?
·
Call the Virginia Creeper Trail
Conservancy at 804-334-5853. Please do NOT call 9-1-1!
Why have the access points to the Virginia Creeper Trail been closed?
Why have the access points to the Virginia Creeper
Trail been closed?
·
User density increases:
o
Weekly increases of trail users since
social distancing recommendations were made, which has resulted in decreasing
social distancing practices
o
As the Easter holidays approached, there
was a significant uptick in inquiries about the VCT from out-of-area visitors. See
above.
o
As a result of closures of many other
outdoor recreation venues, visitors were being funneled onto the Creeper Trail
further increasing current and projected use
o
Based on long-term trends and historical
data, trail usage greatly increases as warm weather approaches
·
Modeling shows COVID-19 cases increasing
in SWVA between now and mid-May when the projected peak will be reached. Town
and EMS officials are concerned that even the normal rate of accidents on the
trail requiring EMS’s limited staff and equipment could over-burden the system,
diverting needed resources away from responding to urgent health needs in our
communities
·
Within the Creeper Trail footprint, we
have large elderly populations who are most at-risk for developing
complications and dying from the coronavirus and we have to protect them
*Please
direct further questions to the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy at
804-334-5853.
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