KARTS In Line For Grant Money To Help Expand, Improve Services

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The Kerr Area Regional Transit system is scheduled to get part of more than $10 million in federal grant money that is being awarded across the state to help expand on-demand services for those who need help with transportation.

State transportation officials say the federal grant award –  $10.4 million in total – will be used in up to 11 communities across the state and has the potential to benefit thousands of individuals.

“More than one million people in North Carolina live in a household without a car or have other barriers limiting their access to reliable transportation,” said Ryan Brumfield, director of the Division of Integrated Mobility, a unit in the N.C. Department of Transportation. “By expanding on-demand transit services, we take an important step to remove barriers for these individuals. Having a more robust network of multimodal services will connect people to the jobs, educational opportunities, appointments and shopping they need for their daily lives.”

KARTS operates in Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties. Call to make a trip requests Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

KARTS vehicles also transport passengers to major medical facilities nearby, including Wake Forest, Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill during the week. Service requests for the following day are taken until 1 p.m. or as capacity allows.

Passengers can arrange to use the rural, public transportation service to go shopping, to get to work, keep medical appointments and more. Visit http://www.kartsnc.com/ to learn more or phone 252.438.2573.

The award comes to the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Integrated Mobility Division from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rural Surface Transportation Grant, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

In addition to KARTs, Tar River Transit and Wave Transit in Wilmington also will get a cut of the money. Money will be distributed to similar type services in Alamance, McDowell, Johnston, Randolph and Rockingham counties, as well as in the towns of Sanford, Salisbury and Wilson.

The funding will pay for advanced transit scheduling software deployment and, in some communities, third-party contracts for vehicles and drivers to support the new on-demand services.

The Integrated Mobility Division applied for the funds to expand on-demand transit, in part, because of the success of prior on-demand transit deployments in North Carolina, including the Wilson RIDE service. That service has garnered national attention for its success and positive impacts.

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Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Check garden hand tools clean, sharpen, sand handles, apply linseed oil to protect from rust
  • Download a copy of the Central NC Vegetable Planting Calendar so you can stay on schedule through the upcoming growing season.
  • Order vegetable seed asap some varieties have already sold out.
  • Continue to monitor soil moisture of anything you planted this fall (turf, trees, shrubs, pansies, etc.)
  • Spread aged compost on your garden
  • Learn more about exotic invasive plants and insects such as spotted lanternfly and do your part to prevent their spread.
  • Have pictures of garden equipment with serial numbers for insurance purposes. Ex Fire or theft.
  • Plan a visit to the State Farmers Market in Raleigh.
  • Construct a small greenhouse to be able to grow plants next year.
  • Make your 2023 gardening resolutions.

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Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen Recognized For “Outside The Box” Thinking

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Just name the event: whether it’s strawberry picking around Mother’s Day, a drive-through Christmas lights display, the annual hot sauce festival or a kiln-opening at a local art gallery/artist’s workshop, Angela Allen can tell you about it.

All about it.

On paper, it’s Allen’s job to know about such events – she’s the Granville County’s Tourism Development Authority, after all.

But Allen takes that knowledge and kicks it up a few notches, which has earned her recognition during a tourism and local marketing conference held recently in Asheville.

“Angela has brought a big heart, lots of laughter, and so much courage and excitement into every room, virtual or in-person, over the last two years,” said Sarah Benoit, one of the founders and organizers of the DIY Tourism and Marketing Conference.

Allen was recognized for her work promoting Granville County as a tourism destination and her use of innovative community building to create a tangible impact in how current and future visitors view the county and what it has to offer.

Benoit said Allen’s “positive energy, intention to build community, and ability to think outside the box during times of change” help her stand out among tourism officials.

“We are truly grateful she is part of our extended community and deeply appreciate how she shares ideas and uplifts everyone around her,” Benoit added.

The DIY Tourism and Local Marketing Conference is held annually in Asheville and led by co-founders Benoit, Chris Cavanaugh and Justin Belleme. This year the conference organizers decided to recognize three tourism organizations for their work and impact in the communities they serve across the southeast region.

Allen shared the spotlight with Jessica Icenhour Roberts with Mt. Airy Tourism Development Authority and Tami Reist and Angie Pierce from the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association.

For more information about the DIY Tourism and Local Marketing Conference, please visit their website:  https://diytourismmarketing.com/.

Visit the Tourism Development Authority website for more information about events taking place across the county: www.visitgranvillenc.com.

Learn About Resources Offered By Infinite Possibilities, Inc. At Jan. 10 Info Session

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The public is invited to a community information session on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Baskerville Funeral Home chapel to learn more about resources that are available through Infinite Possibilities, Inc.

Baskerville Funeral Home is located at 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson. The hourlong information session begins at 6 p.m.

Infinite Possibilities, Inc. is a nonprofit agency that serves Vance and Warren counties in numerous ways, including providing advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Other services include a 24/7 hotline, court advocacy, community and youth education, emergency shelter placement and medical advocacy.

Infinite Possibilities has offices in Henderson and Warrenton. Call the Henderson office at 252.431.1926. The Warren County office number is 252. 257.1044.

Careers In Conservation Scholarship Application Open Through Feb. 1

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College students interested in natural resource management can apply for scholarships through the N.C. Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation

Applications to the Careers in Conservation Scholarship Program can be made until Feb. 1, 2023, it’s open to students currently studying or who plan to seek a degree in natural resource management or closely related field of study at a college, university or community college, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

The program’s goal is to increase the number of qualified people committed  to working in the field of natural resource management, thereby supporting the mission of soil and water conservation districts. Recipients will receive $1,000 per school year and must reapply each year for consideration.

This past year, two Granville County residents, Austin Carroll and Susan Huff, received scholarships from the foundation. Both are currently enrolled at N.C. State University. Huff is pursuing a degree in Poultry Science and Carroll is in the Crops and Soil Science program.

Scholarship awards will be announced in April 2023.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of recommendation from their Soil and Water Conservation District Board or staff members. For more information, please contact the Granville County Soil and Water office at 919.693.4603.

Apply here: https://ncsoilwater.org/programs/careers-in-conservation scholarship-program/.

City of Henderson Logo

TownTalk: Signs of Positive Growth

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King’s Daughters Park is not the largest park in the area, and it doesn’t have all the amenities as other recreation areas, but what it does have is what is known in the real estate world as a critical asset: Location, location, location.

City officials are looking at ways to increase the park’s boundaries as plans continue to progress for the West End Urban Redevelopment Area (URA).

The Henderson City Council approved a recommendation from city staff to acquire three vacant properties near the park that, if successful, would add to the overall footprint of the park, located on Montgomery Street. Having access to green space promotes public health while preserving the characteristics of the park.

“We’ve got some negotiating to do,” City Manager Terrell Blackmon told WIZS News Tuesday. But the council gave staff permission to move forward to try to buy the vacant properties and refurbish the park as part of the overall redevelopment plan, Blackmon explained.

One of the three property owners has been contacted, but Blackmon said the city is still in the process of contacting the other two.

As plans for the West End URA continue to take shape, the idea is to bring a mixture of rental homes and private residences to the area, while developing business and recreation opportunities within walking distance of where people live.

The URA and other opportunities for redevelopment are part of the city’s overall strategic plan, as well as employee retention.

Blackmon said succession planning plays a role in recruiting and retaining city employees, and it’s one of the points contained in the strategic plan.

The city also approved a new entry-level planning technician position in the development services division, made necessary when the current zoning administrator was promoted to the vacant position of community development manager.

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U.S. Department of Justice

Law Enforcement Officers Training Teaches How To De-Escalate, Defuse Situations For Safety

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The ongoing training that law enforcement officers participate in helps them evaluate situations and when they should use strategies that will reduce the need for force and to keep a situation from getting out of hand. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the N.C. Justice Academy have provided day-long de-escalation, use of force and community engagement training to more than 200 federal, state and local law enforcement officers in the Eastern District of North Carolina between May and October.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael Easley said the training is part of his office’s Civil Rights Initiative. The training “gives law enforcement the tools, tactics and best practices to defuse and de-escalate situations by mitigating the need for or use of force,” Easley said in press statement.

These de-escalation techniques can help to reduce injuries and preserve the safety of law enforcement officers and the public, Easley said.

“In addition to providing training for dealing with ‘in the moment’ situations, the agenda also focused on the benefits of ongoing community engagement by law enforcement to build long-term, sustainable community trust. Taking the time to listen, learn and gain perspective creates a basis for developing collaborative solutions that make our communities safer,” he said.

 Training sessions were offered in Raleigh, Greenville, Castle Hayne, Ahoskie and Fayetteville and  included sessions on addressing use of force incidents, a review of civil rights laws and hate crimes, and best practices in community policing. The community engagement section was led by N.C. Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie Buffaloe.

The training is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Civil Rights Initiative which includes community outreach and engagement designed to increase awareness of existing civil rights protections and how to spot and avoid civil rights violations.