POST Voice Thursday, August 29, 2019
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Proposed sale of NHRMC could impact Pender Memorial Hospital By Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writer Editor’s Note: Pender Memorial Hospital is owned by Pender County, but is operated under an agreement with New Hanover Regional Medical Center.) In an effort to evaluate how New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) can best serve area residents in the future, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners will consider a resolution to
explore new ownership opportunities for NHRMC at its Sept. 3 meeting. NHRMC is a county-owned health system that was founded in 1967. To date, it has been self-sustaining and has not received any county tax dollars for its operations. The decision on whether to consider new ownership is the result of changes in the healthcare industry. Removing barriers to care for a growing population, lowering healthcare costs and growing the level and scope of care are some of
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“I want to make sure that our organization remains strong and that New Hanover remains strong, as they’ve been for 52 years.� Pender Memorial Hospital President Ruth Glaser
the challenges that are leading more health systems to explore creative solutions. If the Resolution of Intent to Sell is approved at the upcoming meeting, county and hospital lead-
ers will explore whether a larger healthcare system could support NHRMC in
adapting to changes in the industry. Pender Memorial Hospital President President Ruth Glaser explained that while NHRMC is owned by New Hanover County, this decision is much bigger than that. “It affects the region and it affects Pender County,� began Glaser. “I truly believe that this organization, NHRMC, and the commissioners understand that. At least 50 percent of the patients that NHRMC takes care of come from across the region, not just from
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School buses are back Pender hosts three MST birthday hikes
By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
Burgaw, Currie, Surf City
From Staff Reports Pender County is celebrating the birthday of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) with three familyfriendly hikes in Burgaw, Currie, and Surf City. Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew “We are pleased Pender Hundreds of school buses hit the road Tuesday in Pender County as a new school year began. More County will play host to than 9,000 students returned to classrooms across the county and motorists saw the familiar yellow three birthday hikes this buses on the road. year,â€? said Tammy Proctor, Pender County tourism director. “Each hike is diverse and fun for all ages.â€? The hike in Burgaw, which will be led by Cody From Staff Reports tion is to be expected dur- receiving or discharging to and from school.â€? Suggs, Burgaw Parks and As Pender County stu- ing the morning and after- passengers. Motorists are encourRecreation director, will The driver of any other aged to follow the provided dents begin the school noon commute. Troopers begin at the Historic Train year this week, the State statewide will increase vehicle that approaches suggestions during mornDepot and traverse the OsHighway Patrol is request- their focus in and around the school bus from any ing and afternoon travel: good Trail. The hike is s0LAN AHEAD FOR POTENing the public to keep safe school zones, monitor- direction on the same approximately 1-mile. The travel a top priority. In ing driver behavior both street, highway, or public tial delays between the trailMowers is paved. The hike Push Mowers • Lawn Tractors • Zero Turn Pender County, school before and after school. vehicular area shall bring hours of 6-8 a.m. and 2-4 begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, Trimmers & Chainsaws buses drive more than Emphasis will also be that other vehicle to a p.m. Sept. 7. s.EVER PASS A STOPPED 800 miles each school day placed on ensuring motor- full stop and shall remain In Currie at the Moores school bus under any cirtransporting thousands of ists stop for school buses stopped. Creek National Battlefield, children. as troopers will ride on “The primary focus of cumstance hike the historic site of s2EDUCE SPEEDS WHEN Across the state, more various buses during their every student across our North Carolina first Pastate should be on educa- approaching school zones than 14,000 school buses respective routes. triots’ victory. Cross the s!VOID DRIVING DISTRACTwill be hitting the roadAccording to state law, tion,â€? said Colonel Glenn Moores Creek Bridge and ed ways, transporting more motorists are required to McNeill Jr., commander of view the only monument than 790,000 children to stop when a school bus is the State Highway Patrol. s"E MINDFUL OF SCHOOL dedicated to the women of displaying its mechanical “Our mission is simple; bus stops along chosen and from school. the Revolutionary War. The With this in mind, mo- stop signal or flashing ensure that focus does routes majority of the approxitorists are encouraged to red lights and the bus is not waiver due to safety mate 1-mile trail is paved. concerns while traveling plan for delays as conges- stopped for the purpose of Continued on page 9A
After a relatively quiet period of tropical activity, several systems have formed as the peak of the hurricane season approaches. A tropical depression formed off the coast of North Carolina this week, but the system did little to the Pender County coast, besides increasing wave action and rip current risks. But following the destruction created by Hurricane Florence last September, many Pender County residents are unsettled at the mention of any possible tropical activity. The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is the first week of September. Forecasters updated their earlier season prediction to say this year could be a back-loaded season, with more storms later in September and October. Emerg ency of ficials urge residents to remain watchful and prepared for a storm. Pender County EM Director Tom Collins said one of the most important issues in preparation for a storm is being ready to leave if evacuation is necessary. The severe flooding with Florence forced people to leave their homes that were not prepared for an evacuation. Tips for being prepared for a hurricane can be found at www.redcross.org.
New Hanover County. It’s obviously a growing region and it’s not just New Hanover County that’s growing, but the service region.� When Pender Memorial Hospital began its affiliation with NHRMC 20 years ago, the conversation was similar to what is happening today in New Hanover County and the surrounding region. At the time there was a lot of concern that the hospital would
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School begins, troopers urge safety
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