Granville County Library System

Berea Library Patrons Can Check Out N.C. Arboretum ecoEXPLORE Kits

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-Information courtesy of the Granville Library System

The Granville County Library System, in partnership with the North Carolina Arboretum, will now offer ecoEXPLORE discovery kits for patrons to check out. These backpack-based kits include binoculars, a camera, a bird call, a magnifying glass, and more to encourage science and nature exploration through participation at https://www.ecoexplore.net/

Participants earn badges as they gain knowledge about the environment and the creatures that live nearby while earning prizes for exploration.  The kits, designed for children ages 5-13, promote “citizen science” and getting kids outdoors.

The discovery kits will be available to check out at the Berea Branch Library, located at 1211 U.S. Hwy 158, north of Oxford. It’s best to call the library in advance – 919.693.1231 – to make sure kits are available for checkout.

In addition to this program, the Berea Branch Library has also been designated as an ecoEXPLORE hotspot and will be establishing a wildlife viewing area and pollinator -friendly garden for patrons to use and explore. A volunteer workday will be held Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon to install the garden.

Volunteers can sign up by calling the library or filling out the form at https://tinyurl.com/garden-help-signup.

Also, as part of the ecoEXPLORE program, the library will be hosting an “All About Owls” event on Thursday,  Aug. 18, at 5:30 p.m. A naturalist will present information about ornithology (the study of birds) and provide more information about the ecoEXPLORE program.

For more information about this exciting addition to the services offered at the Berea library, call 919-693-1231 during its hours of operation: Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Thursdays 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Henderson Police Arrest 2 On Drug Charges

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Two people are in the local jail facing drug charges after Henderson police served a narcotic search warrant.

Officers with the Henderson Police Department served warrants at a residence on Beacon Avenue in response to several drug complaints, according to a press release from Chief Marcus Barrow posted Thursday on social media.

Robert Archie, Jr., 43, and Chanyille Davis, 36, were arrested, each charged with one count of possession of cocaine, one count of maintaining a dwelling place for a controlled substance and one count of possession of stolen goods.

Seized from the residence was an undisclosed amount of cocaine, drug manufacturing equipment and a television.

Both Archie and Davis were placed under $21,000.00 secured bonds and were remanded to Vance County Detention by Magistrate Small-Bowens.

Take Kerr-Tar COG Survey By Aug. 19 To Weigh In On Economic Development

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The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is asking for help from all those who live or work in the region – Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin, Person – as it gathers information to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

The CEDS team has created an online survey that is open now through Aug. 19 which seeks input about the region’s strengths, challenges and opportunities. Data from the survey will be used to inform policymakers across the regions about what is going well, what needs improvement and ways to guide focus areas over the next five years.

Anyone who lives, works or has an interest in the Kerr-Tar region is encouraged to take part in the online survey.

In addition to the survey, the Kerr-Tar COG has scheduled in-person meetings to gather comments and opinions. The Vance, Franklin and Warren meetings were held earlier this week, and the Granville and Person meetings will be held on Tuesday, July 26, according to iformation on the Kerr-Tar COG webpage. The Granville meeting will be held at the Granville County Convention & Expo Center, 4185 U.S. Hwy. 15 in Oxford between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon; the Person County meeting will be held in the Person County office building auditorium, 304 S. Morgan St., Roxboro between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Visit https://www.kerrtarcog.org/ to access a link to the survey, or simply click the link here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/survey-taken/?sm=fOW9Nqb_2BYpcyo73LmBCJHylTUVcNu_2BdTkwHeMJJTE7uFIIVtxeK2Pr3Zt_2BS2TjVcmEgkHM4BUUAyp0bavgB9TMZlZl_2BfCFp0WhBOvhzEAn8_3D

Keep Pets’ Safety In Mind – Never Leave Them In Vehicles

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  -information courtesy of American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region

The excessive heat that has been reported all across the country is not to be taken lightly, and the American Red Cross urges everyone to take precautions to avoid dangerous – and sometimes deadly – situations.

Pet owners are especially encouraged to keep their pets’ best interests at heart by never leaving them in vehicles, even for just a few minutes while running errands.

“It’s critical that you don’t leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes,” said Barry Porter, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region. “The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees in minutes, even with the windows cracked open.”

The advice for humans is to stay inside and out of the heat, if possible, and to stay hydrated to prevent medical emergencies like heat stroke. The same is true for pets – keep them inside, out of the heat, and make sure they have access to cool, fresh water all day long, according to advice from the Red Cross.

And just like humans, animal also can suffer heat stroke. Animals can suffer heat stroke in warmer weather. Dogs especially vulnerable are those breeds with short noses or snouts – think boxers and bulldogs – as well as overweight animals, or those with an extremely thick coat or who have been diagnosed with other upper respiratory problems.

Some of the signs of heat stroke to watch for:

  • Heavy panting and inability to calm down, even when lying down
  • Brick-red gum color
  • Fast pulse rate
  • Unable to get up

If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian immediately as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

RESOURCES Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app for step-by-step instructions for first aid emergencies, toxic substances, a pet profile for storing tag ID, photo and medical information, early warning signs for when to contact a veterinarian and an animal hospital locator. You can find it in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross, texting GETPET to 90999 for a link to download the app or going to redcross.org/apps.

You can also take the Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid online course so that you’ll know what to do in an emergency until veterinary care is available. Access the course on your desktop or tablet and go through the content at your own pace.

The interactive course includes:

  • How to determine a pet’s normal vital signs so owners can notice if there are any irregularities
  • Step-by-step instructions and visual aids for what to do if a pet is choking, needs CPR, has a wound, or is having a seizure; and information on preventative care, health and tips for a pet’s well-being.

Find more information about pets and their safety during warm weather here.

Granville County Sheriff

Granville Deputy Cleared Following Officer-Involved Shooting

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A Granville County Sheriff’s deputy has been cleared in connection with an officer-involved shooting incident that left one man dead in February 2022.

District Attorney Michael D. Waters released a 7-page report Tuesday stating that “there is no legal basis for pursuing criminal prosecution in this matter.”

Sheriff’s deputies were called to a domestic disturbance at a home on Reavis Road on the afternoon of Feb. 9. Makari Jamel Smith had been at the home, but had left, armed with a shotgun. He later returned to the home, and law enforcement officials from the sheriff’s department and the town of Stovall were present as the situation unfolded.

According to the report from the District Attorney’s office, “the single most important piece of evidence” is the video footage that captured the interaction between the deputy and Smith. After some back-and-forth dialogue between the two, Smith raised the shotgun and shot at the deputy. The deputy fired three shots in response.

The report stated that deputies at the scene properly collected and secured the deputy’s gun and body-worn camera.

In his conclusion, Waters said the events leading to Smith’s death”should reinforce the need for continuing efforts of law enforcement to find more effective avenues to help defuse volatile situations that may arise during a mental health crisis.”

The Local Skinny! Around Old Granville: Place Names In Warren And Franklin Counties

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In a continuing discussion of local communities with odd names or curious origins, Bill Harris and Mark Pace Thursday again shone the spotlight on Franklin and Warren counties in the Around Old Granville segment of The Local Skinny!

Harris had been studying a 1911 map that Rand McNally had published and tested Pace’s knowledge about communities, some of which would no longer make the cut to be included in current maps of the area.

There’s Union Hill, for one, which was in the vicinity of Rocky Ford down in Franklin County. It had a post office from around 1834-38, Pace said.

Then there’s Brookston, named for the Brooks family, which originally was in Warren County but got redrawn at some point into what is now Vance County.

Jack, in Warren County near Littleton, was named for Jack Johnson, postmaster for the short-lived post office there. It’s just one of numerous areas that sported the first names of prominent or affluent people of the day, Pace said.

He mentioned others, including Margaret, Catesville and Drewry.

Have you ever heard of Lumdsen, an area between the Tar River bridge and Kittrell in Vance County? Pace said his research has turned up no family with that surname in Census records, but he said the name could have come from someone who worked for the railroad that came through the area.

In cases where there were no stations for the trains to stop, “people would literally tie a white handkerchief to a tree” to indicate that the conductor needed to stop and pick up passengers. The area known as Lumsden could have been named to honor a rail official, he added.

Shocco Springs in Warren County had a post office from the early 1830’s to 1866. This area became known as Lickskillet, an amusing name for an area that, before the Civil War, counted among its residents some of the most prominent and affluent families around.

Communities sometimes got named by wealthy landowners that lived nearby, like Odell in Warren County – named by the Alston family as an homage to the family castle in England.

But oftentimes, it was a post office in a particular area that helped communities get their names.

One spot in Warren County was Mountain View, Pace said. Situated between Macon and Vaughan, the Riggan family provided a half dozen or so of Mountain View’s postmasters between 1879 and 1929.

At one time, there were 32 post offices sprinkled throughout Warren County. This would have been before the introduction of rural free delivery, when people had to go to a central spot to pick up their mail. Often, that local spot was inside a country store, he added.

Franklinton has one the oldest, continually used post offices in the area, Pace noted.

 

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Fox Pond Shelter Renamed For Local Hero Eddie Hicks In July 29 Dedication

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The Eddie J. Hicks Shelter dedication ceremony will take place next Friday, July 29 at 11 a.m.

Currently known simply as Shelter #1 at Fox Pond Park, the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department will officially rename the shelter in honor of one of Vance County’s most memorable athletes who also has served his native Vance County for more than 30 years.

Hicks excelled in sports and caught the eye of college scouts while playing football at Vance Senior High School. He graduated in 1975 and earned a football scholarship play at East Carolina University. Hicks still holds the ECU record for longest rushing yard play – 95 yards. He went on to play professional ball with the New York Giants.

He was inducted into the East Carolina University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.Hicks has worked with the recreation and parks department for many years and is a dedicated employee who takes pride in his work. He oversees the adult and youth community service programs and is an active community leader and youth advocate.

The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony.

Contact Director Kendrick Vann at kendrickvann@henderson.nc.gov or 252.431.6093.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Farmers Market Loaded With Local Produce From Yellow Squash To Purple Hulls

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Venture out to the Vance Regional Farmers Market and you’re likely to hear “I need some peas, enough for supper,” or “Have you got a peck of pickling cukes?” Market Manager Pat Ayscue said the farmers who bring their produce and other goods to the market each week are prepared to fill orders small or large.

So whether it’s local vine-ripened tomatoes, butterbeans, sweet corn or purple hull peas you’re looking for, you’ll be sure to find them at the farmers market, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the summer.

And what’s better than freshly-dug new potatoes, snaps, zucchini, squash and bell peppers for creating a healthy summer meal?

Not into doing the canning or pickling yourself? No problem! Ayscue said canned tomatoes, pickles and jellies are in good supply.

In addition to the fresh produce, the market has a variety of handcrafted items created by local artisans.

The farmers market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. off Beckford Drive in Henderson.

TownTalk: Granville Tourism Prepares For A Busy Intro To Fall

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Summer may be a time to slow down and enjoy family vacations, outdoor activities or chill out with a good book in the air conditioning, but Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen invites everyone to come out to the streets of Oxford and Creedmoor for several upcoming events.

On Saturday, Aug. 6, head over to Old Warehouse Square just off College Street in downtown Oxford for a “Back to School Bash.” There will be a bounce house, fairy hair, vendors and food trucks on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Allen told WIZS’s Bill Harris Thursday on Town Talk. There will be a school bus on hand to accept school supplies and donations, and Allen said the goal is to fill that bus with items that can be used in classrooms across the county.

Numerous downtown merchants will have collection bins for donating school supplies for students and teachers in advance of the event, and folks are invited to make donations, Allen added.

By early August, grownup and children alike are “getting ready to get their mindset back to school,” Allen said, so a fun family event is just the thing for preparing to return to the classroom.

The Back to School Bash coincides with the annual Sidewalk Sale in downtown Oxford, which happens on Friday, Aug. 5.

If bluegrass music is more your jam, check out Music on Main in downtown Oxford on Friday, Aug. 12. The Grass Street Band will perform from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. “It’s a great time to get out on the streets in downtown Oxford…grab some to-go and bring your lawn chair,” Allen said.

The Creedmoor Music Festival is returning after a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Allen said it is “definitely back, bigger and better.” The festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 17 in downtown Creedmoor. Music lovers will enjoy seven different performances on two stages throughout the event, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Allen said there’s a variety of genres represented, from rock and R&B, to Bluegrass and sounds of the ‘60s by band The British Invaders. Add to that mix more than 100 food and craft vendors, and the 29th annual Creedmoor Music Festival will have something for everyone. Find Creedmoor Music Festival 2022 on Facebook or visit https://www.cityofcreedmoor.org/ for updates on when the different groups will perform.

The final concert of the Alive After Five series will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29 in downtown Oxford from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Little John parking lot just off Main Street. The group Spare Change will perform.

And wedged in between all the musical performances is the 16th annual Hot Sauce Contest and Festival. The event, held on the second Saturday in September, falls on Saturday, Sept. 10 and Oxford is gearing up for another influx of visitors to sample the latest hot sauces and mingle downtown for a day of fun and food.

The Embers with Craig Woolard and Crush are among the musical guests scheduled to appear on the Main Stage, as well as numerous other local artists on the regional stage.

The classic car show, always a crowd favorite, will showcase cars for participants to view.

The kids’ area returns with lots of activities like inflatables, crafts and face painting to keep the little ones happy.

There’s a new scavenger hunt planned, which gives participants the chance to win a gift basket filled with hot sauces and other items from downtown merchants.

Check out all the activities planned at a new website, https://nchotsaucecontestandfestival.com/

 

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