Oxford Logo

Tickets to be Issued for U-Turns, Semi-Circle Turns in Downtown Oxford

-Press Release, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford is reminding the citizens of Oxford that on February 13, 2018, the Oxford Board of Commissioners voted to make the following changes to Chapter 20 Section 56 of the Traffic Ordinance for the City of Oxford’s Code of Ordinances.

§ 20-56 Paragraph A – No driver shall make a semicircular turn or U-turn at the intersection of Spring and Main Street, nor shall a driver make a U-turn or semi-circle turn to reverse direction or to park on the opposite side of the street within the business district.

To aid the citizens of Oxford in recalling this change in Oxford’s ordinance, the Board has decided that from Wednesday, May 15 through June 30, 2019, the Oxford Police Department will only issue warning tickets.

If you have any questions, please contact the Oxford Police Department at 919-693-3161 or the City Clerk’s office at 919-603-1100.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Ag. Commissioner Troxler: ‘Farmers Should Prepare for Hurricane Season’

-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler’s annual plea for farmers to prepare for hurricane season is especially poignant this year in light of Hurricane Florence’s destruction in 2018.

“So many of us are still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Florence. This storm has been a disastrous reminder of just how important it is to have an emergency plan for your farm, food company or agribusiness,” Troxler said. “Take precautions, think through your plan now and discuss it with your employees and family.”

Scientists at N.C. State University are predicting 13 to 16 named storms in the Atlantic basin this year, which is the average as of recent years. Of those storms, five to seven could become hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs June 1 to Nov. 30.

Planning helps farmers protect their families, workers, equipment and buildings, Troxler said. “Livestock operations should maintain emergency plans that address power needs and on-site feed capabilities,” he said. “Also, identify places to relocate animals from low-lying areas. We need farmers to take these precautions to reduce animal losses from the storm.”

Farmers and businesses should review insurance policies to ensure they have proper coverage, including wind, hail, flood and catastrophic coverage if necessary. Some coverage takes 30 days to go into effect.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a website, www.ncagr.gov/disaster, with links and resources for different types of agribusinesses to plan and recover from a disaster. A Farm Emergency Plan Template is available on the site to help organize information that is needed after a disaster.

Rodrick Allison to Perform ‘A Laugh With Dad’ at Spring St. Missionary Baptist

-Information courtesy Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church

The Mens Ministry of Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church present A Laugh with Dad” as provided by Rodrick Allison (aka Rod of God) on Sunday, June 16, 2019, at 11 a.m.

For over 17 years, Allison has performed his signature style of clean comedy nationally and internationally, leaving countless audiences filled with laughter.

He has performed with legendary recording artists such as Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Tye Tribbett, Kelly Price, Kim Burrell, Tramaine Hawkins and numerous other artists.

Rod is known as the “attorney by day and comedian by night” entertainer because he is also a lawyer. When he’s not performing he can be found providing legal services in his private law practice and in the courts of North Carolina.

Throughout his comedic career, he has remained committed to his mission of proving “you can be funny without being vulgar, and be a Christian without losing your sense of humor.”

Bring Dad for an afternoon of fellowship and entertainment. Spring Street Missionary Baptist is located at 511 Orange Street in Henderson.

News 06/04/19

HFD Participates in ‘Smoke Alarm Saturday;’ 9V Battery Donations Needed

Fire departments across North Carolina participated in the 2nd annual “Smoke Alarm Saturday” campaign on June 1, 2019.

“Smoke Alarm Saturday” is North Carolina’s one-day, statewide, smoke alarm canvassing event aimed at highlighting the importance of functional smoke alarms and fire safety.

The event, held on behalf of Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey and the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), was created in response to a recent increase in fire deaths in the state. According to a press release issued by Causey’s office, 134 North Carolinians lost their lives in fire-related incidents in 2018, making it one of the deadliest years on record.

Members of the Henderson Fire Department assist with the 2019 “Smoke Alarm Saturday” event. (Photo courtesy Capt. Lee Edmonds)

According to Captain Lee Edmonds with the Henderson Fire Department, approximately 75 counties – including Vance – participated in Saturday’s event. Last year, 60 counties assisted with the installation of over 4,000 alarms in homes across the state.

The one-day canvassing event brought national media attention to NC, emphasizing the awareness that working smoke alarms do save lives, according to the OSFM.

While Edmonds said his group was glad to assist with this year’s event, door-to-door canvassing has been performed by the Henderson Fire Department for the past 10 years. In 2009, after a Vance County family tragically lost several of their children in a house fire, former fire chief Danny Wilkerson began an annual smoke detector inspection for City of Henderson residents.

The inspection, which begins anew each November following Fire Prevention Month in October, is free of charge to City residents. “We put new batteries in smoke detectors, replace old smoke detectors and install smoke detectors in places that did not previously have them during these campaigns,” said Edmonds.

To assist with this year’s smoke detector campaign, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Vance Class of 2019 will hold a battery drive through Friday, June 28, 2019. Donations of new 9 volt batteries are needed.

To donate batteries, look for the red box marked “Battery Drop Spot” at the following locations: City Hall (Henderson), Vance County Tax Office, Maria Parham Health (front desk of the main lobby), L.B. Yancey Elementary School, Vance-Granville Community College (Building 1, front lobby), Charles Boyd Chevrolet of Henderson, Vance County Department of Social Services and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

With questions on battery donations, please contact McKinley Perkinson at (252) 436-1402 or Evelyn Harris at (252) 738-3254.

VCHS’s Medical Academy Honors Nurse Aide Graduates

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Nurse aide graduates from Vance Medical Academy at Vance County High School were honored during the evening of May 29, 2019, at their pinning ceremony. 

All seven graduates have completed their studies and nurse aide training to qualify for the certified nursing assistant exam. 

Nurse aide graduates recite their professional pledge. They include, from left, Jenna Dement, Nancy Duran, Shirley Lopez-Alor, Lidia Morales Vital, Dayon Thornton, Emily Valenzuela Valdiolivar and Dyamond Williams. (VCS photo)

The graduates include: Jenna Dement, who will attend Wake Technical Community College to pursue an associate degree in Early Childhood Education; Nancy Duran to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College; Shirley Lopez-Alor to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College; Lidia Morales Vital to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College; Dayon Thornton to attend N.C. Central University to pursue a degree in nursing or animal science; Emily Valenzuela Valdiolivar to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College; and Dyamond Williams to pursue a nursing degree at Vance-Granville Community College. 

Jenna Dement (left) is pinned during the ceremony by Rebecca Davis, Health Science instructor in the Vance Medical Academy. (VCS photo)

Each of the graduates received a lapel pin and framed certificate in recognition of their achievements. Their pins were presented by Rebecca Harris, a registered nurse and their instructor in the Vance Medical Academy. 

During the event, the new graduates also participated in a candle lighting ceremony and recited the “Nurse Aide Pledge.” The pledge reads, “I solemnly pledge to uphold the standards of care with which I have been trained and to apply high moral and ethical value to my daily tasks. I further pledge that I will safeguard the confidentiality, respect and dignity of my patients and work only in the best interest of those committed to my care.”

City of Oxford Operating New Street Sweeper; Offers Yard Waste Reminders

-Information courtesy the City of Oxford’s E-Newsletter

The City of Oxford recently placed a new street sweeper into service. Citizens and visitors to Oxford will once again see the City’s streets clean and free of debris. The new sweeper will continue to follow the route previously established by the City of Oxford.

A Friendly Reminder Regarding Yard Waste

All grass, leaves, hedge trimmings and small items should be bagged, boxed or containerized in some manner, with the exception of city leaf collection when they can be placed at the curbside during the city’s designated leaf season: Mid-October through Mid-January.

  • Limbs should not exceed 4 feet in length.
  • Yard waste should not exceed 200 lbs. per week. Where brush is in excess of 2 inches in diameter, please cut into 2-3 feet lengths. NO stumps will be picked up.
  • Brush and limbs are to be tied or bundled. If not, please stack all ends the same way in a neat pile. Each bundle should not exceed 50 lbs.
  • All leaves, grass, hedge trimmings and small items should be bagged, boxed or containerized in some manner and should not exceed 50 lbs.
  • Leaves may be left loose (un-bagged), at the curb, during leaf season: Mid-October through Mid-January for collection by the City.
  • Do not blow mowed grass into the street. This can clog storm drains and add nitrogen and phosphorous to creeks.

Do not park your vehicles on, in front of, or near leaves. The crews need to be able to easily reach the leaves for pick up. Please do not place leaves in the street, block drainage basins, or drainage ditches. Leaves must be within 8-10 feet of the street for collection.

Please visit the City of Oxford’s website (click here) to identify which day of the week your yard/brush debris, garbage and recycling are collected.

If you have any questions, please contact Oxford’s Public Works Department at (919) 603-1151.

Reminder: Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers to Perform This Sunday!

-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

The McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will feature The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Show starts at 2 p.m.

A Part of the Music at McGregor Series

The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers, founded in 1998 by Joel F. Reed, promote choral artistry by modeling the highest quality choral standard and performing a breadth of literature, including music from the southern Appalachian region.

The McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will feature The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Show starts at 2 p.m. (Photo courtesy the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center)

The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers are currently 25 singers who rehearse monthly in preparation for the ensemble’s performances. Many of the members are professional musicians, working in public and private schools, colleges and churches. Others are professionals from the business and medical communities who reside in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and are, for the most part, alumni and retired faculty of Mars Hill University.

The ensemble has performed regularly in the North and South Carolina areas including conferences of North Carolina American Choral Directors Association and National Association for Music Education.

Tickets may be purchased by:

DROP IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Vance County Logo

Time Change for Vance Commissioners’ Budget Work Session

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

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold a budget work session on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at 4 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, 122 Young Street in Henderson.

Please note this a time change from the previously scheduled 6 p.m. meeting.

Go ‘In the Wild’ at Blessed Hope Baptist’s Vacation Bible School

-Information courtesy Lauren Elliott, Blessed Hope Baptist Church 

Blessed Hope Baptist Church will hold Vacation Bible School from 6 until 9 p.m. nightly Sunday, June 9 – Thursday, June 13, 2019. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. each evening.

There will be classes, crafts, missions and recreation for ages 4 – adults. Bring the whole family and join us as we go “In the Wild.”

Blessed Hope Baptist is located at 741 Dabney Road in Henderson, NC.