The Local Skinny! N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn Says $10M For Water Plant Expansion Is Spent

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N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn said House Bill 74, signed into law last week by Gov. Josh Stein, is not anticipated to have any impact on the $10 million that had been reappropriated away from the City of Oxford as part of the Kerr Lake Regional Water expansion.

“That money has been distributed and contractors have been paid,” Cohn told WIZS News Monday morning. “That money no longer exists.”

Cohn learned in early March that the bill contained language that would “claw back” money that had been appropriated to the City of Oxford in 2023 to expand the water plant. The project is underway, and once complete, will increase capacity to up to 20 million gallons a day.

“The facts are that the city of Oxford, through the water authority, applied for reimbursement to DEQ. DEQ evaluated that reimbursement request, just like they would any other reimbursement request, and they issued the final payment,” Cohn explained. “So that money has been distributed and the contractors working at Kerr Lake Regional Water plant have been paid – at least they’ve been paid using the funds allocated by the General Assembly.”

You can’t spend money twice, and Cohn said he is unsure what will happen next, but he added “the law is on our side.” The money was originally allocated in 2023 by the N.C. General Assembly for the regional water expansion project.

“That project is underway and they followed all the proper protocols and procedures for executing the work and getting reimbursement as required,” he said.

Cohn said when he learned that there was an attempt to reallocate the funding, he said he recommended that they needed to request reimbursement and follow the process given.

“At no point did I ask DEQ or anyone to circumvent or expedite anything,” Cohn explained, adding that he “simply asked the regional water authority and the city of oxford to go ahead and put in for reimbursement before this became law.”

In House Bill 74, South Granville Water and Sewer Authority was appropriated $3 million for an expansion project of its own, and Cohn said he fully supports those efforts. The other $7 million was to have been used in Franklin County and a couple of other counties, for similar projects.

“We have the opportunity to do something right now with this budget,” he said, referring to the fact that legislators are in the middle of creating the state’s budget. But he said he didn’t want to be in a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

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NCDOT

NCDOT: $2.3M Contract Awarded To Improve 18 Miles Of Granville County Roadways

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— from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $2.3 million contract to Sunrock Industries, LLC to enhance more than 18 miles of roadway across Granville County.

The project will focus on improvements to seven sections of secondary roads, including:

  • Old N.C. 75 from the bridge over Ledge Creek to Providence Road
  • Lawrence Road from Horseshoe Road to the Wake/Granville County line
  • Thad Carey Road at Old N.C. 75
  • Joe Pruitt Road from Graham Hobgood Road to Cornwall Road
  • Bodie Currin Road from Graham Hobgood Road to Cornwall Road
  • Cornwall Road from Joe Pruitt Road to U.S. 158
  • John Watkins Road from Oak Hill Road to Cornwall Road

The scope of the work includes milling, resurfacing, shoulder reconstruction, and curb replacement. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring, with completion anticipated by late fall 2026.

‘Got To Be NC Festival’ Kicks Off May 16 For A Weekend Of Fun, Ag-Related Activities

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— from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences

North Carolina’s No. 1 industry — agriculture — will be on display along with a colorful lineup of tractors, N.C. food and beverage products, and plenty of family-friendly activities when the Got to Be NC Festival returns to the State Fairgrounds May 16-18 in Raleigh.

In addition, this free event features a daily tractor parade at 1 p.m., carnival rides and games, a butterfly barn, kids’ activities, dairy milking classes, a pig birthing exhibit, antique farm equipment, an N.C. Craft Beer Garden and N.C. Craft Cocktail Garden, an antique tractor pull, fair food and music.

The Got to Be NC Pavilion will feature nearly 100 North Carolina food and beverage vendors showcasing some of North Carolina’s tastiest products. Visitors can sample and shop the Pavilion for their favorite items. Admission to the Pavilion is $3.

Daily grounds entertainment includes the King BMX Stunt Show, the Kenya Safari Acrobats, a puppet show, herding dog demonstrations with Quack Pack USA, demonstrations with K-9 officers with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and Boomer’s Farm Truck that offers photo opportunities for youngsters and the young at heart.

The Got to Be NC Music Stage will feature a variety of music throughout the weekend including, country, rock, R&B, jazz, folk, Latin and Americana. Check the Got to Be NC website for the concert lineup.

On Saturday, May 17, the Carolina Pig Jig will feature more than 20 chapters of Masons in a BBQ competition to benefit the Masonic Homes for Children at Oxford and Central Children’s Home. BBQ and fixings will be served to the public beginning at 11 a.m, following judging. Stretchy pants are definitely recommended for this all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet. Tickets are $20 for ages 11 and older, $10 for youth 5 to 10 years old, and free for kids 4 and under.

Also on Saturday, catch the antique tractor pull from 2 to 8 p.m. in the N.C. Education Lottery Grandstand.

On Sunday, enjoy a gospel performance by The Master’s Men a capella group during the Heritage Church Service at 10:30 a.m.

Festival gate hours are Friday, noon to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Building and exhibit hours are Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Carnival hours are Friday noon to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Carnival hours may extend one hour depending on attendance.

Troxler Encourages Horse Owners To Vaccinate Equines Against Mosquito-Borne Disease

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–information courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Agriculture

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging equine owners to have their animals vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus. 

 

“Mosquito-breeding season in North Carolina lasts from spring until the first frost and horses are at risk if not properly vaccinated,” Troxler said. “EEE is fatal 90 percent of the time in horses and WNV has a fatality rate of 30 percent. However, both diseases are preventable by vaccination.” 

 

So far this year we have had no cases of EEE or WNV, but last year there were five cases of EEE and two cases of West Nile Virus, Troxler added. 

 

State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin recommends that equine owners talk to their veterinarians about an effective vaccination protocol to protect horses from mosquito-borne diseases. The combination vaccination initially requires multiple injections for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. 

 

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans, and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

 

Symptoms of EEE include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for symptoms to appear. 

Symptoms of WNV include fever, weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, impaired vision, head pressing, seizures and aimless wandering.  

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying these diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit these viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact. 

 

Equine care also includes keeping up to date on equine infectious anemia (EIA) testing, commonly referred to as the Coggins test. “It’s also a great time to make sure your animal is current on its rabies vaccination,” Troxler said. “We have had a positive case of rabies in livestock already this year. All livestock are naturally curious animals, which puts them at risk for a bite if a rabid animal gets through their fence line.” 

City of Oxford

Celebrate Local Artists May 8 At Oxford City Hall Art Exhibition Opening

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Check out a variety of works by local artists during a celebration of arts Thursday evening at the Oxford Art Exhibition Opening Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Presented by the City of Oxford and Granville Arts, the event features an Art Talk, gallery tour and live performances, according to information from Oxford’s city communications specialist Sabrina Richards.

The exhibition is located on the second floor of Oxford City Hall, 300 Williamsboro St. and will be up for viewing through July.

Visit https://oxfordncarts.org/ to learn more about Oxford Arts.

 

Oxford Armory Farmers Market Launches Saturday, May 3

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Oxford will launch a new farmers market Saturday morning on the grounds of the National Guard Armory, 105 W. Spring St.

Aptly named, the Oxford Armory Farmers Market will feature local fruits, meats, vegetables and other products from local farmers and artisans.

Beginning Saturday, May 3, the market will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October.

In 2020, a needs assessment was conducted by the N. C. Cooperative Extension. This assessment revealed a greater need for local agricultural producers to be able to get their products into the hands of local consumers, increasing the consumption of locally grown nutrient-dense products. As a result of the needs assessment, the Advisory Leadership Council began discussions with community stakeholders and realized that a larger market, with more availability for local agricultural producers, would be the solution to meet this need.

The Oxford Armory Farmers Market can accommodate more than 60 vendors, all offering locally sourced products as well as space for food trucks and special events in conjunction with the municipalities that are all a part of Granville County.

The existing Oxford Farmers Market located at the corner of McClanahan and Lanier streets in downtown Oxford will continue to operate every Saturday and it kicks off its season on Saturday, May 3 as well. This market operates from 7 a.m. to 12 noon.

Vendor applications for the Oxford Armory Farmers Market are still being accepted. Find details at https://granville.ces.ncsu.edu/oxford-armory-farmers-market or find OxfordArmory FarmersMarket on Facebook.

VGCC Logo

Richmond Fed Reserve Bank President Scheduled As Keynote Speaker At VGCC Graduation

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–– information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Tom Barkin, president of the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at Vance-Granville Community College May 16 commencement ceremony.

The commencement begins at 6 p.m. on the grounds of the Main Campus in Henderson. The community is invited to attend, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel. Several hundred students are expected to be graduated, having completed requirements over the past year.

Since 2018, Barkin has been the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond which serves the District of Columbia and five states, including North Carolina.

Barkin serves on the Fed’s chief monetary policy body, the Federal Open Market Committee and is also responsible for the Richmond Fed’s bank supervision and the Federal Reserve’s technology organization. He is “on the ground” continually in the Fed’s Fifth District, which covers South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. His engagement in the region has brought real attention to areas facing economic challenges.

Prior to joining the Richmond Fed, Barkin was a senior partner and CFO at McKinsey & Company, a worldwide management consulting firm, where he also oversaw McKinsey’s offices in the southern United States. He earned his bachelor’s, MBA, and law degrees from Harvard University.

Visit www.vgcc.edu to learn more.

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The Local Skinny! Job Fair Coming to VGCC

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More than 50 employers are expected to attend Vance-Granville Community College’s Spring Graduate Career Fair Thursday, and organizers are excited to see how the networking will take place between those who are looking to fill positions and those who may fit the bill.

With graduation just a few weeks away, VGCC Director of Career Services & Experiential Learning Dr. Krystal Foxx said representatives from nonprofits, government agencies, manufacturing, industry are just some of the employers that will be present at the career fair, which takes place in the VGCC Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Thursday, Apr. 24.

“As we consider the economic impact, we consider that now, more than ever, employers are looking to grow their work forces and expand, this is a great opportunity for any job seeker,” Foxx said. “Come out and see what’s available.”

VGCC Career Development Specialist Lorene Allen said planning for the career fair is a months-long process, including preparing students for what to expect on the actual day of the event.

Organizers had a Career Impact Day last week and had different people come to campus to help coach students on resume writing and share strategies about how to conduct themselves when speaking with a prospective employer.

The Dress for Success mobile boutique came, too, and students were able to get free outfits.

VGCC has a Career Clothing closet as well, and it will be open this week for students to come choose an appropriate interview outfit.

The career fair isn’t just for students, however. The public is welcome to attend. There is an online registration, but participants can register on site, too.

The first 100 to register in advance will get a swag bag filled with goodies and freebies.

Employers and vendors who participate in the career fair are invited to a luncheon at the conclusion of the event from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Contact Foxx at foxxk@vgcc.edu to sign up for that.

Employers should reach out to careerservices@vgcc.edu or phone 252.738.3466 to register. Visit the career services website to learn about all services at: Career Services Page. Visit VGCC Spring Career Fair 2025 | Handshake

 

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NC Taxpayers Have Until May 1 To File Taxes

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Taxpayers in North Carolina have a slight reprieve this year – the deadline to file state and federal taxes has been extended to May 1, giving individuals and businesses an extra couple of weeks to file.

Because of the devastation created by Hurricane Helen and Tropical Storm Debby last year, the Internal Revenue Service extended the deadline to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

Following the disaster declaration issued by FEMA, individuals and households that reside or have a business in the entire state qualify for tax relief.

Affected taxpayers with returns and payments with due dates postponed until Feb. 3, 2025, due to Tropical Storm Debby in North Carolina (NC-2024-07) will also now have until May 1, 2025, to file and/or pay.

The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after Sept. 25, 2024, and before May 1, 2025, are granted additional time to file through May 1, 2025. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until May 1, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

The May 1, 2025, filing deadline applies to:

  • Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2023 return due to run out on Oct. 15, 2024. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2023 returns were due on April 15, 2024, those payments are not eligible for this relief.
  • Calendar-year corporations whose 2023 extensions run out on Oct. 15, 2024.

The May 1, 2025, deadline also applies to any payment normally due during this period, including the quarterly estimated tax payments due on Jan. 15 and April 15, 2025. The May 1, 2025, deadline also applies to the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2024, and Jan. 31, and April 30, 2025. In addition, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Sept. 25, 2024, and before Oct. 10, 2024, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by Oct. 10, 2024.

If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. But affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area should call the IRS disaster hotline at 866.562.5227 to request this tax relief. Tax preparers located in the disaster area with clients located outside the disaster area can choose to use the Bulk requests from practitioners for disaster relief option, described on www.IRS.gov.

 

Variety Wholesalers Launches First Wave Of Big Lots! Reopenings

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Henderson-based Variety Wholesalers is opening – or re-opening – on Thursday nine Big Lots! stores following a strategic acquisition of 219 of the retail stores across the South.

Variety Wholesalers, a leading discount retailer known for its “treasure hunt shopping experience, closeouts and unbeatable bargains,” plans to open more stores in the eastern market throughout May and June, according to information provided by the company.

The Big Lots! stores have been remodeled and will feature a large selection of closeout deals and new merchandise categories, including electronics and apparel.

Included in this first wave of re-openings is a store in Asheboro; the other stores are located in Roanoke, VA, Mount Sterling, KY, Metairie, LA, Tupelo, MS, Pearl, MS, Clarksville, TN, Gallatin, TN and Dickson, TN.

‘We’re thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life by offering more deals than ever, lots of famous brands and a new apparel department for the entire family,” said Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers. “We’re opening stores quickly so we can serve the community. We know the stores won’t be perfect to start, but each week we’ll add more new products as we build towards the grand opening celebration in the fall. Every time a customer visits Big Lots! we want them to find something new and exciting!”

Variety Wholesalers will reopen the remaining acquired locations in subsequent waves, with approximately 55 stores in the second wave opening on Thursday, May 1. The remaining stores will open through early June and lead up to a grand opening celebration that will take place across all stores this fall. BigLots.com and Big Lots! social media channels will feature more news and updates on store announcements.

Variety Wholesalers’ acquisition of Big Lots! stores marks a significant expansion for the company, further solidifying its position as a leading discount retailer. The company’s portfolio includes well-known brands such as Roses, Roses Express and Maxway.

In addition to the initial nine locations, Variety Wholesalers plans to reopen Big Lots! stores in North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia, among other states.

Variety Wholesalers is committed to providing customers with a wide selection of merchandise, including apparel, famous brands, home décor, health and beauty items, closeouts, seasonal products and more all at unbeatable prices.