Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

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Online 911 Telecommunicator Program A New Option For VGCC Students

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Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

 

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) has teamed up with Richmond Community College to offer a new 911 telecommunications program to residents of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.

The two community colleges recently signed an agreement which allows VGCC students to enroll in RichmondCC’s online associate degree program in 911 Communications & Operations. VGCC students will complete a majority of the core courses and the work-based learning portion of the program through RichmondCC while completing other general education requirements at VGCC.

“VGCC is pleased to partner with Richmond Community College to offer the 911 operator degree. Collaborations like these allow us to offer needed training and credentials to our community while being fiscally responsible,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais.

The online degree program provides a pathway for individuals who are interested in starting a career in this field, as well as providing skills enhancement for those already working as 911 telecommunicators.

The college curriculum program was developed when the NC 911 Board reached out to RichmondCC about a need for standardization in training 911 telecommunicators, plus a need to help elevate this career field. The college worked closely with the NC 911 Board and the NC Department of Information Technology to construct the online program.

“We appreciate Vance-Granville coming on board in this collaborative career training partnership to give 911 telecommunicators, who are true public servants, better educational opportunities and career growth,” said Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RichmondCC. “We look forward to working with our neighbors in the Piedmont.”

Unique in the state of North Carolina, RichmondCC’s 911 Communications & Operations program welcomed its first class of students during the fall 2023 semester.

 

RichmondCC has been reaching out to other community colleges in the state to make the 911 telecommunications program and its resources available to more students. VGCC is the fourth NC community college to create such a partnership with RichmondCC; Bladen Community College, Gaston College, and Stanly Community College will also be extending the program to their students.

Richmond County is located near the South Carolina border; RichmondCC’s main campus is located in Hamlet, located roughly between Fayetteville and Charlotte.

For more information about the online 911 Communications & Operations associate degree, call RichmondCC at 910.410.1700. For more information about VGCC, visit https://www.vgcc.edu/.

Upcoming Blood Drives To Support American Red Cross

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The American Red Cross needs donors to sign up to give blood to help meet their goal of 10,000 weekly blood and platelet donations. To sweeten the pot, all donors who come out between Oct. 21 and Nov. 9 will get a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant of their choice. Donors also will be automatically entered to wins a $5,000 gift card; one winner will be chosen at random each week during Oct. 21-Nov. 7, Red Cross officials said. See details at RedCrossBlood.org/Lunch.

As cold and flu season quickly approaches, the Red Cross reminds donors that they can still give blood or platelets after receiving a flu vaccine, as long as they are feeling healthy and well on the day of their donation. Likewise, there is no deferral or wait time for those receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Donors have been stepping up lately, which is good, but demand continues to outpace donations and the Red Cross has several upcoming blood drives in the four-county area.

Upcoming events are noted below:

 

Henderson

10/23/2023: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Henderson Family YMCA, 380 Ruin Creek Rd.

11/7/2023: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Maria Parham Health, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.

11/7/2023: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Vance Granville Community College, 200 Community College Rd.

11/8/2023: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Kerr Vance Academy, 700 Vance Academy Rd.

 

Stem

10/31/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Granville Central High School, 2043 Sanders Rd.

 

Louisburg

10/21/2023: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd.

 

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  

Chamber Businesses Can Nominate Students For ‘Spotlight’ Recognition Through Oct. 31

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee continues its initiative to recognize local students who are involved with Chamber businesses – whether through volunteerism or as a paid employee.Nominations are due by Oct. 31 to the Chamber office.

To be eligible, students must be Granville County residents or attend one of the following schools: Granville Central High School, J.F. Webb High School, South Granville High School, Oxford Preparatory School, Falls Lake Academy, Granville Early College, Granville Academy, or Phoenix Academy.
Nominating a Granville County student who works for your organization will not only spotlight them, but your business as well. Once a spotlight student is chosen, the Chamber will notify your business.
The selected student will be asked to submit a short bio to be included in information that will be included in the public announcement. In addition, these students will be recognized at our Annual Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Every student who is nominated will have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship that will be awarded in June 2024 from the Chamber.
Submit nominations to cynthia@granville-chamber.com.
Find the nomination form at the following link here.

Granville DSS Director Named; Swearing-In Ceremony Oct. 16 at 4 P.M.

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The Granville County Board of Social Services has announced that LaToya Davenport Toussaint has been selected to be the director of the Granville County Department of Social Services. Toussaint will be formally appointed and sworn in at a special meeting of the Board of Social Services at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center on Monday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m., and then introduced to the county commissioners on the same day at 7 p.m.

Toussaint brings more than 17 years of experience in human services in North Carolina and Florida, where she has worked in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, Toussaint was the senior deputy director of Health and Human Services in Wake County,  where she oversaw administration and operations. Before that, she worked for several years in Florida as human services administrator with Broward County, near Miami.

“I am excited and truly honored to be selected as the next Granville County director of Social Services,” Toussaint said. “I can’t wait to work alongside our dedicated and talented Social Services staff, board of Social

Services, county manager, and the board of county commissioners to support Granville County and the Department of Social Services. I’m excited to be a part of a caring and engaged Granville community.”

Toussaint is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a dual master’s degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.  She recently relocated to North Carolina in 2022 with her husband, Kertus, along with their eight-month-old son Austin. In her spare time, she loves to travel internationally and create new and exciting memories as a first-time mom.

“We could not be more thrilled to have LaToya come to Granville County as our new director of Social Services,” said Board of Social Services Chair and County Commissioner Sue Hinman. “She brings so much experience to this position from her time in Florida and Wake County and we know that she is the perfect person to lead this department into the future.”

Toussaint began her career in child welfare as a case manager for the Florida Department of Children and Families, working directly with children who were victims of abuse and neglect and managing various programs for community-based care agencies in foster care and adoption. Toussaint’s time in Florida allowed her to collaborate with agencies across the state along with a diverse group of community providers. She also served on local and statewide committees and work groups that continue to influence decision making across Florida.

She has been a National Peer Reviewer with Council on Accreditation since 2018, was recognized by Nonprofits First of Palm Beach County as a Rising Leader in 2016 and honored on Legacy Magazines’ 40 Under 40 list of recognized professionals from across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties in 2017.

TownTalk: October Events In Granville County

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It’s a good thing October has 31 days – any shorter, and Granville County wouldn’t be able to fit in all the activities that are planned throughout the county.

Just try to keep up with Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen as she darts from Oxford to Creedmoor to Butner to promote and attend events all through the month.

There are two ongoing weekly events that happen on Wednesdays in Oxford, Allen told WIZS’s Bill Harris on Monday’s TownTalk. Verdigris Vibe is a chance to enjoy live music from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Oxford Oaks Distillery. If you’d rather sing than listen, head over to The Orpheum on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. for karaoke night.

“These are a chance to get out and about in the middle of the week,” Allen said.

 

Here’s a list of some upcoming events happening across Granville County this month:

  • Granville Little Theater performs the Neil Simon play “Rumors.” Play runs Oct. 13-15 and Oct. 20-22, with evening performances at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. each weekend. GLT – rumors. Neil simon play.
  • Granville Haunt Farm is open on Fridays and Saturdays in October, delighting guests by the carload. Be prepared for a mix of spooky and scary entertainment, as costumed ghouls and characters from iconic movies come to life during the drive-thru experience.
  • Haunt farm. Spooky, scary.
  • Dixon Farm Pumpkin Patch, located on Hwy. 15 south of the I-85 interchange, offers a wonderland of fall activities for children of all ages! The $15 entry includes a pumpkin, as well as access to a giant corn pile, petting zoo, outdoor games and much more. The farm is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • The Orpheum is teaming up with Granville Little Theater for a “live action screening” of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26 and midnight showings on Nov. 4 and Nov. 10. Get the VIP ticket for a swag bag of props – you’ll be glad you did!
  • Pint-sized ghosts and goblins can trick-or-treat in Oxford and Creedmoor on Halloween. Take the candy stroll beginning at 3 p.m. in downtown Oxford, then head to downtown Creedmoor for trick-or-treating from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For a complete list of upcoming activities, check out https://visitgranvillenc.com/.

 

 

Masonic Home for Children

Celebrate 150 Years With Masonic Home For Children In Oxford Saturday, Oct. 14

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One hundred fifty years ago, in 1873, Mark Twain hadn’t written Tom Sawyer yet. That novel was published in 1876. The first Kentucky Derby wasn’t run until 1875. In 1873, this country’s Civil War had been over for less than a decade.

A century and a half later – 2023 – the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford celebrates its sesquicentennial and has planned special events to commemorate the occasion during the 11th annual Masonic Homecoming Festival.

The homecoming festival is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14.

The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m., followed by activities including games and activities for children, as well as tours of the campus and facilities.

The Shrine and Community parade kicks off at 11 a.m. and there will be a food truck rodeo, so come hungry and ready to enjoy some delicious food.

The BBQ contest also begins at 11 a.m. and there will be amusement rides and music starting at 12 noon.

Visit MHC-OXFORD.ORG for a complete listing of events and programs scheduled.

Expanded Granville DSS Board Seeks Two Additional Members

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Information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Granville County needs to fill two new positions on the Granville County Board of Social Services. The two seats were added after the Granville board of commissioners submitted a request to the N.C. Social Services Commission to expand the local board from three members to five. One position will be appointed by the Granville County Board of Commissioners and the N.C .Social Services Commission will appoint an individual to fill the other seat.

“It is critical that we recruit stellar applicants for both of these positions,” said Commissioner Sue Hinman, who also chairs the local Social Services board. “The Board of Social Services is critical, Hinman said. We can’t have a well-functioning county without a well-functioning Department of Social Services,” she said.

The Board of Social Services typically meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday at the Oxford Social Services Office, located at 410 W. Spring St. Board members are required to be citizens of Granville County, advocate for Social Services staff and clients, attend required training and continuing education courses, and come prepared to each monthly meeting. Board members are also expected to study and maintain a copy of the UNC School of Government publication “Serving on the County Board of Social Services.” Find the document here: https://www.sog.unc.edu/publications/reports/serving-county-board-social-services.

To apply for the Board of Social Services seat that will be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, fill  out the application found here https://www.granvillecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BOC-Application-PDF2023.pdf and submit to Debra Weary, Clerk to the Board of  Commissioners, by email at debra.weary@granvillecounty.org, in person at the County Administration Office  located at 104 Belle St., Oxford, or by mail to P.O. Box 906 Oxford, NC 27565 to the attention of Debra Weary.

 

Nomination forms for the state-appointed seat can be found here:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/media/14051/download?attachment.

To learn more about the state appointment process, contact Paris Penny at 919.527.7527 or paris.penny@dhhs.nc.gov.

Mail completed applications for this seat by Nov. 2, 2023 to:

Paris Penny

NC Social Services Commission

2444 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-2444

Triangle North Businesss Park Future Home Of VGCC Training Facility

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It’s been a few years in the making, but a contingent of local officials joined Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and others Wednesday afternoon to celebrate a facility – yet to be built – that will support future training needs for existing and prospective industry.

VGCC is getting $11.5 million in the newly passed state budget, and N.C. Rep Frank Sossamon (R-Dist. 32) provided key support in getting the funding for his district, which in cludes Vance and most of Granville counties. Sossamon was  among those present Wednesday at the Triangle North Industrial Park, located in Granville County off U.S. 158 near I-85.

According to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel, 15 acres on the campus of the business park have been set aside for construction of the facility, the result of a collaboration among Granville County Economic Development, Kerr-Tar Council of Governments and the Triangle North board.

In her remarks at the event, Desmarais said the Triangle North Business Park represents a true collaboration among a cross-section of agencies, and it’s something that attracted her to the area. “I saw collaboration that I hadn’t seen before,” she said. “Today’s announcement is very important, for the people of Granville County and Vance County and the entire service area” the college supports.

No dates have been released for when work will begin, but this could well be the first to locate in the park. That fits in with Desmarais’s vision for VGCC to be a catalyst to build strong communities.

“Workforce development plus economic development equals regional prosperity,” Desmarais said.

The facility will support industry training needs in the areas of industrial maintenance, mechatronics, electronics, welding, and fabrication; serve as an advanced manufacturing company recruitment benefit; and support collaborative high school and college career and technical education partnerships. An investment of this magnitude will send a powerful message to current and future manufacturing stakeholders that our region values the manufacturing sector, supports growth and innovation, and increases employee value.

Abdul Rasheed, vice-chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees, talked about the impact the facility will have on the community.

“Doing this kind of investment begins to shape the kind of jobs, the kind of salaries, the kind of quality of life that we want for ourselves,” Rasheed said. “And that is very, very exciting to me.”

Granville County Board of Commissioners Chairman Russ May echoed sentiments from other speakers. This state funding makes possible the “beginning of some really great things for this community,” May said. “This is a start for much bigger and greater things for Granville and for Vance counties,” he said.

Additional construction funding will come from Granville County and from VGCC’s Board of Trustees.

TownTalk: Masonic Home For Children’s Homecoming Oct. 14

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The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford Homecoming gets underway next weekend and organizers have planned plenty of activities for the community to enjoy.

Gene Purvis is vocational counselor for MHCO and he said the homecoming festivities give alumni a chance to come back to campus for a visit, but it’s also a time for others to tour the campus while enjoying live music, crafts, food and more.

The fun begins in earnest on Friday, Oct. 13, Purvis said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, with a charity golf tournament that alumni sponsor each year. That tournament will be held at South Granville County Club, he noted.

Later that day, as the barbecue teams begin setup for Saturday’s competition, Purvis said the grounds will be open for a “yard party,” a little food and a little music to ease into the next day’s full schedule of events.

“Saturday is the Big Day,” Purvis said. The opening ceremony kicks things off Saturday at 9 a.m., then it’s time to enjoy activities, carnival rides for the kids and a marketplace filled with handcrafted items created by the children who reside in the cottages on campus.

By 11 a.m., though, you should find a good spot along College Street or along the campus’s main driveway to get the best view for the Community and Shrine Parade.

Other main attractions include the two bands scheduled to perform, Purvis said.

At 12:30 p.m., the band 20 Ride takes the stage, followed by Nationwide Coverage from 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

One of the vocalists of this Nashville, TN band is Oxford native Marsha Hancock Matthai, Purvis added.

The children’s home has been in operation for 150 years, and over the years, Purvis estimated that close to 11,000 children have spent time at the residential facility – some for a short time and others for much longer periods.

The home operates almost completely on private donations. “We are almost 100 percent dependent upon donations to keep the programs going here,” Purvis said. “It’s imperative that people do reach out and support in various charitable ways – through items or funds.”

View the full schedule of the Oct. 14 events at

https://mhc-oxford.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Copy-of-MHF-Schedule-of-Events-2023.pdf

CLICK PLAY!

 

Granville County Library System

Granville Libraries Boast Increased Traffic Across All Four Branches

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Information courtesy of Granville Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

The Granville County Library System reports that more than 139,000 people have come through the doors of its four branches this year, which represents an increase of more than 33 percent from the previous year.

Those visitors have come for a variety of reasons – from registering for a library card and checking out books and other materials to attending programs and using the computers.

Patrons have checked out 88,779 materials – a 17 percent increase from last year. There was a 14 percent jump in the number of children’s books that were checked out and library card registrations went up 17 percent over last year, according to information from Granville County Library System Director Will Robinson.

“These statistics help tell the story about how critical the library is for Granville County residents,” Robinson said.

Access to technology continued to be a major draw to all GCLS branches as public computer use increased by 35 percent.

All GCLS branches saw lots of programming activity and attendance throughout the year by hosting a total of 682 programs. Adult programming saw the largest boost this year with a more than 100% increase from 21-22. Attendance was strong at all library programs with an average of 19 people attending each activity.

“We have seen a particularly high demand for in-person programs and services and these stats show that all our branches are busy and thriving,” Robinson said, handing credit to the hard work of library staff to provide a safe and welcoming environment along with programs and services that library users want. “We believe the programs and services that GCLS offers provide a strong return on investment from the funding we receive from Granville County taxpayers, the State Library of North Carolina, and our other state and federal granting agencies,” Robinson said.

For more information about services and programs offered by the Granville County Library system, visit the library website at https://granville.lib.nc.us/. Or visit any of the four branches: Richard H. Thornton (210 Main Street, Oxford), South (1550 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor), Stovall (300 Main Street, Stovall), and Berea (1211 US Highway 158, Oxford).