Warrenton Presbyterian Church Endows VGCC Scholarship

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— VGCC press release

To the glory of God, Warrenton Presbyterian Church recently endowed a scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College, and the historic congregation is making history again with the size of its gift. By donating $60,000 to the VGCC Endowment Fund, the church has established this scholarship at the “Presidential Excellence Award” level, the highest at the college. That means that future student recipients will receive a scholarship of $3,000 per year to cover tuition, books and fees at the college. This will be just the second VGCC scholarship at that level.

Rev. Candice White, who pastors the church, said that the scholarship was envisioned after the session had explored how best to address social justice issues on the local level and looked to the community college for a possible partnership.

In awarding the new scholarship, preference will be given to students from Warren County, students of color, and students with significant financial need.

White added “the church membership understands the importance of an education – the difference it can make in a person’s life.” “However, for so many, the cost of pursuing education beyond high school is not possible. And in this case, that is where Warrenton Presbyterian Church comes in – we have been ‘blessed to be a blessing’ to young women and men of color and need for many years to come.”

The church is housed in a building that was built by Jacob Holt in the mid-1800’s on North Main Street in Warrenton’s historic district.

“We are grateful to Rev. White and the members of Warrenton Presbyterian Church for supporting education in this special way,” said Eddie Ferguson, VGCC’s endowment fund director. “After a year in which students and our community have been impacted by the pandemic, the church’s generous gift is a source of tremendous encouragement and joy to us all.”

“This new scholarship will help generations of students to achieve their dreams and will carry on Warrenton Presbyterian Church’s long history of service,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the president of VGCC.

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,700 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News 2-4-21 Noon

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TownTalk 2-4-21: Genealogy & History With Shannon Christmas and Mark Pace

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The way Shannon Christmas sees it, the reason genealogists should use new-fangled science in conjunction with old-fangled documentary research to complete their family tree is simple: DNA does not lie, he said. Sometimes, people do.

Christmas spoke with Bill Harris and Mark Pace on Thursday’s Town Talk about how genetic testing can confirm family histories that often are passed down through man-made documents. But DNA can also throw genealogists a curve ball, he said, when test results don’t match up to what family members have known, or been told, for years.

The noted genetic genealogist paid a return visit to Town Talk and encouraged all levels of genealogists to really understand the value of both science and old-fashioned research to have as complete a family tree as possible. “We have a real problem now,” Christmas said, that individuals think that “all they need to do to learn about their family history is just to take a DNA test and nothing else.” DNA test results can yield information about previously-unknown branches of a family tree, but documentary research – combing through court records or family papers, for example – “can provide the same sort of shocking info, the same sort of revelation,” Christmas said. It is important, he added, to do both of them together when working to fill in the family tree.

Click Play for this edition of TownTalk…

A DNA test is “a great resource for confirming one’s own ancestry and also for extending your family tree,” he said. Knowing the different types of tests and their particular strength is helpful, too, he added. Autosomal DNA testing and X-chromosome DNA testing are used to predict relationships and assign kinship, he said. Sometimes, a family tree’s branches are gnarly, such as when families have double-first cousins or half siblings. That’s when genealogical DNA tests can help. The Y DNA is passed from father to son, and mitochondrial DNA, which males and females both have, is only passed down from mothers.

Christmas decided to delve into his own ancestral lineage when his nephews were born.

“In 2009, I recognized that my position within my family had changed. I was no longer the oldest member of the youngest generation,” he explained. “I became an uncle and I wanted to document my family’s history for the next generation – For my nephews – and their children. “ Although that was his prime motivation, he confessed: “I also enjoy the intellectual stimulation that comes from doing genealogy and genetic genealogy in particular.”

Here’s just a snippet of what he’s learned about Erasmus Christmas, his paternal 2x great-grandfather: He was born enslaved in 1830 in Warren County. Through the family’s oral history, he had been told that his biological father was also the slave owner and his mother was an enslaved woman on the plantation. “DNA was able to provide evidence that supported the oral history,” Christmas said. Y-DNA test results showed that he, indeed, had traits that were of European origin. “That was a crucial piece of information that confirmed the oral history; in addition, the autosomal DNA matched me to other descendants of the slave owner’s parents.

He predicts the future of DNA testing will come to include complete genomic mapping, which, in addition to artificial intelligence and automation, can help speed up the whole process. More cataloging of more DNA segments is one thing, Christmas said, but “artificial intelligence is, well artificial.” No algorithm in the world can take the place of the human eye when it comes to noticing errors, he said. Genealogists must continue to do research manually and continue “to vet every source and every record” for accuracy.

For now, Christmas said, “it’s more important to get your DNA into each of the autosomal DNA databases. There might be a relative in one database and not in the others, and those relatives might have the answers you’re looking for.”

Take the case of King Richard III, for example. The British monarch’s remains were positively identified in 2013 using DNA from living descendants. The king died in 1485. That’s 528 years, folks.

NC SBI

SBI Special Investigations Unit Investigating Shooting of Suspect Involving Agent After Hours-Long Standoff

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— press release

At approximately 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, special agents from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s (SBI) Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force along with deputies from the Granville County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve an arrest warrant and search warrant at a residence located at 3147 Cannady Mill Road, Franklinton, North Carolina, in Granville County.  The arrest warrant was for:  1st degree statutory sex offense (1 count); 1st degree sexual exploitation of a minor (4 counts); disseminating obscenities to a minor (1 count).  The search warrant was for the production of child pornography.

Upon arrival, the suspect named in the arrest warrant, who was armed, retreated into the home.  The Franklin County SWAT, Wake Forest Police SWAT and SBI Special Response Team were called to assist with taking the suspect into custody.

After an 18-hours long standoff, at approximately 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, the suspect approached the door entrance from inside the home, armed with a long gun.  An SBI agent fired a shot striking the suspect.  The suspect was pronounced deceased on the scene.  The SBI’s Special Investigations Unit is now investigating and pursuant to standard operating procedure, the SBI agent has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The SBI always seeks to preserve life and to use the minimum amount of force necessary.  Rarely, there are those occasions where the use of deadly force is exercised by our agents.  As with every officer involved  shooting the case will be fully investigated and reviewed with the District Attorney.

Names of the suspect and agent will be released at a later time.

Virtual Hiring Event Tuesday, Feb. 9th, Sunrock

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According to information obtained from the Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments and NC Works, Carolina Sunrock will hold a virtual hiring event Tuesday, February 9th.

It will start at 11 a.m. To register, go online to events.kerrtarworks.com.

You are invited to join in for this virtual hiring event at Carolina Sunrock. Jobs opportunities are included for equipment operators, CDL A and CDL B drivers, pipe and grading foreman as well as others.

Call 919.693.2686 for more information or email joseph.jung@ncworks.gov or lonnda.brothers@ncworks.gov.

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk 2-2-21

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Hosts Trey Snide and Ron Noel discuss local sports including South Granville’s weekend basketball game, the name change for the Burlington Sock Puppets in Minor League Baseball. They also spoke with Brian Howard, Varsity Women’s Head Basketball Coach at Vance Charter about their upcoming game against Falls Lake. Howard says “our team has grown a lot over the past couple of weeks.” He also said the team is almost 100% healthwise. During the show, Jy’lik Davis, of Vance Charter, was named WIZS player of the week after his performance in Vance Charter’s win over Oxford Prep.

 

City of Oxford Executive Assistant Blair Organizes Masonic Home Donations

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The community has an opportunity to show a little love to two Granville children’s homes in February. Donations chosen from the homes’ wish lists are being accepted through Feb. 24, according to an employee of the City of Oxford who is organizing the event.

Alyssa Blair devised the plan to support Central Children’s Home and the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford. Blair has organized similar events for other groups and wanted to do something to help these two organizations.

There is a dropbox for donations located just inside the front door at Oxford City Hall, 300 Williamsboro St.

Each home created a wish list that includes basic household items such as dish cloths, batteries, bath towels, among other items.

Central Children’s Home: (https://www.oxfordnc.org/Central%20Children’s%20Home%20Wish%20List.pdf)

MHCO at: (https://mhc-oxford.org/current-needs-2/?fbclid=IwAR0PRQSvCMrIf-MeMOaKIxpI1yPl_S0COfqzAdc1PVHUGQd91lJS32PuRVU)

“Alyssa said she wanted to do another drive and this is the first one for the year,” said MHCO administrator Kevin Otis. 2020 was a tough year and 2021, Otis told WIZS, is looking like it is going to be rough, too. “She asked ‘what better way to spread love and joy…(than) to help others,’” he added.

“We are humbled and honored to share the love and joy from the community with Central Children’s Home,” Otis said, and reiterated that his residents really do need the items on their wish list.

Otis said houseparents and children have a case of cabin fever because of pandemic restrictions, but the “Kids are doing great in school thanks to all the support and encouragement from our houseparents and tutors.”

About 20 employees have received their first COVID-19 vaccination, he said. “Once we can get all our direct care staff vaccinated, we will be able to mingle more on campus, take in admissions more readily, and provide support services in person and directly with the children.  It’s been a lot.  We feel blessed and appreciate everyone’ prayers,” he added.

Contact Alyssa Blair at 919.693.1102 for more information about donating to this event.

TownTalk 2-3-21: Hon. Henry L. Gupton, Vance County Clerk of Court

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WHAT AN IMMENSELY ENJOYABLE SHOW WITH VANCE COUNTY CLERK OF COURT THE HON. HENRY L. GUPTON.  FROM HIS BEGINNINGS AS A VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF IN 1986, TO HIS CIVIC DUTIES AS A MAGISTRATE, TO HELPING MANY A VANCE COUNTY RESIDENT AT HIS/HER MOST VUNERABLE MOMENTS, TO HANDLING MILLIONS IN FINANCES EACH YEAR, HENRY GUPTON IS WHO’S HERE FOR YOU IN VANCE COUNTY.  AND NOT JUST GUPTON, BUT HIS STAFF AND ALL THE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS INSIDE THE VANCE COUNTY COURTHOUSE EACH DAY. THANK YOU MR. GUPTON!  YES SIR, YOU ARE ESSENTIAL AND MORE AS IS EACH OF YOU IN THE NC COURTS. — John C. Rose

Please enjoy our interview from TownTalk by clicking play…as well as our write up below…

The Hon. Henry L. Gupton takes his job seriously, without a doubt. But the Vance County Clerk of Court also values the importance of making personal connections, whether it’s with the courthouse employees, his staff or the people who come to his office for help.

Town Talk host John C. Rose checked in with Gupton, on Tuesday, and the interview aired Wednesday. Gupton talked about his love for working in and with the Vance County community, which began in 1986. Gupton was a deputy sheriff and then became a magistrate in 1993. He became clerk of court in 2017, filling the seat vacated b

y Deborah W. Finch’s retirement. He was elected for the first time in 2018.

“It’s just a passion for me,” Gupton said. “I enjoy serving people and helping people. Everything I’ve done in my career, I’ve felt like at some point, I have made a difference in someone’s life,” he added. “To me, that’s what Henry Gupton and the clerk of court’s office is all about.”

The clerk of court’s office is the record keeper for the entire court system in Vance County, Gupton explained. From wills and estates to small-claims and superior and district court cases, Gupton and his staff are charged with maintaining all documents filed at the courthouse.

And he is afforded the title “the Honorable” because he is an ex oficio judge as his job pertains to probating wills.

The way he sees it, he and his office must “do everything we can to help our citizens – that’s what my office is here for and that’s what we try to do on a daily basis,” he added. When people come to him during an emotional time, after the death of a relative or loved one, it’s important to Gupton to just listen.

“I give them a moment to sit down and cry and just let their feelings out because they’re at a very vulnerable moment… and then do what we have to do to have them move forward in life,” he said.

Restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the courthouse operations a bit, but Gupton said the courthouse operations were only disrupted for half a day. He expects to hold the first jury trial on Mar. 1 – practicing social distancing, of course. He and the courthouse staff must make sure that they are “taking care of our citizens who will be on jury, and our other citizens and the public. At this moment, courthouse staffs are in the Phase 3 category to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Although some form of court is held every day in Vance County, the local courthouse faces serious backlogs, just like other courts across the state. “We’re doing what our North Carolina General Statutes say –  we’re keeping the courts open and keeping them running for business, serving our citizens,” Gupton said.

With lots of sanitizing between court sessions, he added. “The courthouse (staff) is doing a fantastic job,” Gupton said.

The clerk’s office has come through with flying colors two state audits – not a single deficiency, Gupton said. “It’s a great feeling,” he said, responding to a question about the audit. “My hat’s off to all of my staff. I have a wonderful staff in this office. And that lets me and the public know what a great job we do – as a team – in our office.“

Local News Audio

WIZS Local News Audio 2-3-21 Noon

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TownTalk 1-28-21 Misty Bailey, Her Strength and a BBQ Fundraiser

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Family and friends of Misty and William Bailey are working together to host a barbecue plate fundraiser on Feb. 6 to help the Baileys with medical bills. You might say they’re mighty good-hearted people, helping a young woman whose own heart is giving her some trouble.

The Baileys recall the exact day her heart problems escalated to the current diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis – it was Nov. 18, 2019, Misty said on Thursday’s Town Talk. She had experienced some heart issues before then, (she knew she was in AFib and had arrhythmia) but the November 2019 event has taken her heart condition to a whole different level.

The medications, the regular visits to the hospital, all are adding up, and that is why their friends and family have stepped up with the idea of a fundraiser. The event will be held at Kerr Lake Country Club from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 each; the goal is to sell 1,000 tickets.

Tickets are available now and will be available at the event, said Amy Bowling, Misty’s sister-in-law, who is spearheading this effort. T-shirts are available for sale as well, Bowling said. Visit the Facebook page “Fight For Misty” to learn more.

“It’s a really rare disease,” Misty told Town Talk host John C. Rose. The disease is treatable, but it has no cure. Since her diagnosis just more than a year ago, Misty has been hospitalized five times – two of those hospitalizations were 4-5 days each in ICU. She has a pacemaker now to help keep her heart in rhythm. Her most recent stay was in December, where doctors performed an ablation to help the arrhythmia caused by inflammation in her heart.

People diagnosed with sarcoidosis have tiny collections of inflammatory cells called granulomas that affect proper function of the affected organ. In Misty’s case, it is her heart that has the granulomas.

“The doctors at Duke are amazing.” Misty said. And I am grateful for everything they have done for me and continue to do.” Ultimately, she may need a heart transplant, she said.

Since her diagnosis, Misty said she has learned to be grateful for every little thing. It’s so important, she said, “to do what you can when you can.” On those days she really doesn’t feel like getting out of the bed, she gets up anyway. “I have to,” she said, “while I can.”

Misty expects to begin visits to the hospital every 4-6 weeks to receive infusions, which doctors hope will help reduce inflammation as well. “There are some days that I am just so tired,” Misty said, but husband William “is right there, my extra set of hands and feet,” she said. The couple has five children, and she credits William’s support for making all the difference.

Family, friends and the community have been supportive as well. William’s employers, the City of Henderson and Food Lion, “have both been behind me every step of the way,” he said. February 6 is going to be a good day, William said. “It’s gonna be a long day,” he added with a chuckle. “As we learn more and as we do more, our hearts are behind finding a cure,” he said.

According to Bowling, Mike Humphries and members of the Gela Hunt Club in Granville County are helping with the fundraiser, and Doug Puckett is cooking. The plate will include barbecue, cole slaw, potato salad, bread and assorted desserts.

Misty said she plans to be at the fundraiser, providing moral support for everyone working to make it a success. “I’ll be there to show my appreciation,” she said. “Friends, family, the community have really been good to us.”

For the audio story on TownTalk, click play…