Senator Thom Tillis Visits Vance County High School

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina was welcomed to Vance County High School by students and school administrators during the afternoon of May 30.

He spent quite a bit of time in the school’s media center meeting with students from the high school and the Early College High School. Those students who met with him are Student Council leaders from the two schools.

He also met with Ruby Zuniga Trejo of STEM Early High, and Xavier Wilson of Vance County High, both of whom won the Student Spotlight award this school year.

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, center, presents a U.S. Flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to students at Vance County High School. (VCS photo)

Sen. Tillis and his staff in Washington, D.C., will serve as hosts during part of an all-day trip that all 16 Student Spotlight award winners from our schools will participate in on June 19, as they travel with their parents to our nation’s capital.

Jesus Rodriguez and Rosolind Williams, both students at Vance County High School and members of the Air Force Junior ROTC, accepted the U.S. Flag from Sen. Tillis.

Principal Kristian Herring of STEM Early High presented the senator with a STEM Sharks t-shirt and Principal Rey Horner of Vance County High presented him with a Vance Vipers hat and framed banner from the Vipers’ basketball conference championship.  

Sen. Tillis also visited the school’s Vance Virtual lab and spent some time at one of the 20 digital learning stations to experience the three-dimensional software used by students in their studies of science, health, geography and more.   

Vance County Logo

Vance Commissioners to Hear on Proposed Budget, Senior Center Relocation

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, June 3, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson. The Invocation will be given by Pastor Rhonda Pulley, South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church.

Agenda items:

1. Public Comments (for those registered to speak by 5:45 p.m. – each speaker is limited to five minutes)

2. Budget Hearing FY 2019-20 Economic Development Appropriations

3. Budget Hearing FY 2019-20 Proposed Budget

4. Water District Board

a. Public Hearing – FY 2019-2020 Water Budget

b. Monthly Operations Report

5. Committee Reports and Recommendations

a. Properties Committee – Eaton Johnson Renovation – Architect Contract, Inclusion of Senior Center

b. Public Safety Committee – Fire Contracts, Fire Association Concerns

6. Finance Director’s Report

a. Surplus Property

b. Fiscal Year-End Closeout Authorization

c. Reimbursement Resolution – New DSS and Senior Center Facility

7. County Manager’s Report

a. Fireworks Permit – City of Henderson

b. Henderson Vance Industrial Park Phase 3 – Land Swap

c. County Zoning in Middleburg Town Limits

d. Volunteer Fire Department Contracts

8. Consent Agenda Items

a. Budget Transfers

b. Tax Refunds and Releases

c. Monthly Reports

d. Minutes

9. Miscellaneous

a. Appointments

b. Voting Delegate and Alternate – NACo Annual Conference

10. Closed Session

a. Legal Matter

b. Economic Development Matter

Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

Granville County Principal Named N.C. School Hero

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-Press Release, NC Education Lottery

Michael Allen, principal at Joe Toler-Oak Hill Elementary School in Oxford, is known for always going above and beyond for his students. He helps to create a safe, nurturing school environment where every single child feels special.

Allen is rarely in his office. He can usually be found in the cafeteria serving food, or at the gym leading a game with the students. Whether he’s giving out gifts as Santa for Christmas or greeting each student at the drop-off area, Allen always finds a way to bring joy to his students.

Michael Allen (shown holding checks), principal at Joe Toler-Oak Hill Elementary School, was selected as one of the 10 winners of the Education Lottery’s School Heroes program. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

“Mr. Allen is an outstanding N.C. School Hero,” said Trina Vaughan, a parent at the school. “He is an unselfish, compassionate individual who cares very deeply about the youth in our community.”

Allen’s dedication to his job and his school led to his selection as one of the 10 winners of the Education Lottery’s School Heroes program.

“I feel honored and humbled. I don’t think I do any more than anyone else,” said Allen. “This is what I do. I’m here for the kids. If we make it hard for the kids to come to school and enjoy school, we’re not doing our jobs. I hope we will continue doing what’s good for the children.”

The North Carolina Education Lottery created the N.C. School Heroes program to showcase the positive impacts teachers, principals, and other school workers have in public schools every day. From 6,000 nominations, ten heroes were chosen with each receiving a $10,000 award and $10,000 for their school.

Students and teachers filled the bleachers in the school’s gym, opening the presentation with the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, they cheered and applauded as their hero received his award.

“There are thousands of heroes like Michael Allen doing amazing work in our public schools,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians, school resource officers, all make a big difference for our students every day. We’re glad our School Heroes program shines a spotlight on their great work.”

Money raised by the lottery assists many of those School Heroes, including $386 million this year that supports the work of school support staff such as office assistants and custodians. Additional money will help build and repair schools, support the N.C. Pre-K program for “at-risk” four-year-olds, provide college scholarships and grants based on financial need and help meet school transportation needs.

For details on how funds made a difference in Granville County, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com.

Larry Leach Named Rebuilding Hope’s June Spotlight Volunteer

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

“I am the drywall mudder of choice,” says Larry Leach with a grin. “When the drywall goes up, I get the call to come and tape and mud.” Larry began offering his services to Rebuilding Hope, Inc. several years ago.

After retiring from IBM with 30 years of service and 15 years as a contractor for the company, “I was looking for a way to use my time and experience to improve the houses of Henderson,” said the St. Louis, Missouri native. “Seeing so many houses in need of attention made me sad.”

Larry Leach named Rebuilding Hope’s June 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)

“I wanted to volunteer at some organization doing repairs and improvements to homes in Henderson.”

Larry said he watched the progress of RHI’s fundraising for the Coca-Cola building, and after it was purchased in 2017 he stopped in to explore the opportunities – one of which turned out to be finishing drywall.

“The other thing that honestly just comes naturally was the unpacking of the stuff moved from the old [RHI] location on North Oliver Drive,” he said.

Larry unpacked and determined where to store plumbing and electrical supplies, screws, nuts, bolts, nails, roofing, paint, tools, office supplies, and even some kitchen items.

“Since then we have received boxes from organizations and individuals, and I dig into them and do my best at locating a place for the stuff,” he said.

Larry’s volunteering doesn’t stop at RHI.

“I am involved with GRRO (Green Rural Redevelopment Organization), a nonprofit organization that is revitalizing the landscape in Henderson by converting empty city-owned lots in the middle of the city into gardens,” Larry said.

“My wife Belinda and I manage one of these gardens and offer up the produce to various food bank organizations. We’ve planted a variety of seeds and also have installed some patio swings.”

Larry and Belinda also volunteer at Second Thursday packing food boxes for distribution, providing fresh produce to the citizens of Vance County.

Leisure time finds Larry enjoying yard work, home improvement and repairs, reading, walking his dogs and vegetable gardening.

Larry and Belinda have been married for 19 years and between them have five children and seven grandchildren.

Granville County Logo

Granville Commissioners to Hear on Proposed Budget – June 3

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, June 3, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.

Agenda items include:

Consent Agenda

1. Contingency Summary

2. Budget Amendment #7

Recognitions and Presentations

3. Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Update

Public Comments

4. Public Comments

Public Hearings

5. Land Development Code Text Amendment

Animal Management Matters

6. County Ordinance – Chapter 11: Animals – Proposed Revisions

Grant Matters

7. JCPC County Plan for FY 2019-2020

Appointments

8. Oxford Planning Board – Extraterritorial Member

9. Kerr-Tar Regional Economic Development Commission – Triangle North Board

County Manager’s Report

10. DHHS Memorandum of Understanding

11. ABC Resolution Request

County Attorney’s Report

12. Interlocal Agreement Between Creedmoor and Granville County – 122 Pecan Street

Budget Matters

13. FY 2019-2020 Budget

Presentations by County Board Members

14. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

15. Any Other Matters

Closed Session

16. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) – Attorney-Client Matter

17. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4) – Economic Development

To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here. 

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education to Meet Mon., June 3

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, June 3, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The board will also meet in a Closed Session for a consultation with the Board’s attorney and Personnel/Attorney-Client Privileges in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 on this evening.

To find a copy of the agenda for the meeting, please use the following link: https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/gcsd/Board.nsf/Public

National Weather Service

NWS – Severe Weather Possible – 5/31/19

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Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect Until 11:00 p.m. – click here

According to the latest National Weather Service briefing – click here – there is an enhanced risk for severe weather this afternoon and evening.

  • The threat of severe weather is increasing across central NC. The greatest threat is from Durham and Southern Pines south and east.
  • Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. The strongest storms will produce damaging wind gusts, hail, and heavy rain.
  • Timing: This afternoon and evening.
  • Locations: All of Central North Carolina.

The NWS graphic shows the WIZS Radio coverage area is under a Level 2 out of possible 5 or “Slight” risk.  Areas just to the south are at Level 3 or “Enhanced.”

Town Talk 05/31/19

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News 05/31/19

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Vance Co. Relay for Life Set for Downtown Henderson – Sat., June 22

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Jess Richards, community development manager with the American Cancer Society, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss Vance County’s upcoming Relay for Life event in downtown Henderson.

Richards invited the entire community to join the annual event on Saturday, June 22, 2019, from 4:30 until 9 p.m. on Breckenridge Street.

Relay for Life is a culmination of months of hard work by local volunteers and the efforts of numerous community fundraisers including golf tournaments, fun days and food plate sales.

In addition to food vendors, merchants, music, and a kid’s play area, participants are sure to appreciate the emotion of one of the main draws of Relay – the survivor’s lap.

“Cancer survivors walk one lap to kick off Relay for Life, with their caregivers joining them for the second lap,” said Richards. “It’s a very emotional, uplifting and wonderful thing to see and cheer on.”

Local sponsors for the event include Maria Parham Health, Aldi, Sunrock, Superior Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT, Ninja Realty and Fred’s Towing & Transport.

Many other organizations have provided “in-kind” donations of their services such as golf carts for event volunteers and security courtesy of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and Henderson Police Department.

Richards said the Relay for Life event would not be possible without the generous assistance of sponsors, in-kind donors and fundraisers.

According to Richards, of the money raised for the American Cancer Society, 79% goes to research while the remaining 21% goes to staffing. “We hope by the end of the year to get that figure to 80/20,” said Richards. “Please know that the American Cancer Society is really working hard to find a cure.”

To register for Vance County’s Relay for Life, or for additional information, please visit the website (click here) or call 1-800-227-2345.

The next – and last – planning meeting for the 2019 event will be held on Thursday, June 13 in the auditorium of Maria Parham Health in Henderson. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. for teams and 7 p.m. for all others.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Jess Richards in its entirety, click here.