Entries by Laura Gabel

The Local Skinny! Involving Churches In Mental Health Education

A bill introduced by Rep. Frank Sossamon that would get the faith community invested and involved in tackling mental health issues has passed the House in an almost unanimous vote, leaving passage by the Senate and then the governor’s signature before it can become law. Sossamon said a pilot program is all set to be […]

SportsTalk: Alston Signs With South Carolina

Taeshawn Alston has one more season to suit up in the green and white uniform as a Vance County Viper before he trades those colors for the garnet and black of the University of South Carolina. As of Tuesday, Alston has committed to play football for the SEC school located in Columbia, SC. Alston and […]

Vance County Commissioners Approve $57M Budget, 10-Cent Tax Increase

Vance County commissioners approved a 10-cent tax increase and a $57 million budget Monday, June 24 at 4 p.m. The special called meeting lasted about 15 minutes, and adoption of the budget was the first order of business. The budget was approved 4-2, with Board Chair Dan Brummitt and Tommy Hester casting no votes. Commissioner […]

TownTalk: Does Vance County Know Where Its Money Is?

Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry has confirmed that there is an open investigation into the practices of the county’s former finance director after a recent audit found deficiencies in financial processes that involves $1.1 million in county funds. The audit presented at the June 3 Board of Commissioners meeting revealed that the former finance […]

TownTalk: Juneteenth and July 4th, Vance Tourism

July 4 falls on a Thursday this year, which makes for a long weekend just right for vacationers and campers to enjoy a few extra days in and around Kerr Lake. We’ll turn our attention to the skies around Satterwhite Point on Saturday, July 6 for the annual fireworks show, but come early and enjoy […]

TownTalk: Around Old Granville: Architects

Lovers of historical architecture could come up with the analogy that if Old Granville County – what is now the four-county area that includes Vance, Warren, Franklin and Granville counties – were an art museum, then all the lovely homes that dot the towns, cities and countryside certainly are works of art to be admired […]

North Carolina Teacher Retention – NCAE

Teacher pay and a moratorium on private school vouchers are two of the tangible issues that the president of the North Carolina Association of Educators has on her radar. But Tamika Walker-Kelly also is calling on legislators to join her as she and other public school advocates seek to restore a culture of respect for […]

TownTalk: 8th Annual Bee Jubilee June 22 At Granville Expo Center

The Granville County Beekeepers Association’s 8th annual Bee Jubilee happens Saturday, June 22 and will feature a variety of workshops and demonstrations designed for those with lots of experience handling those honey-producing insects all the way down to folks who want their gardens to be pollinator-friendly havens. “North Carolina really does love their pollinators,” said […]

TownTalk: Fire Association Advocates For Keeping 8.9-Cent Fire Tax Level

Watkins Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Link, speaking to Vance County Commissioners during the Monday budget work session in his capacity as president of the county firefighters association, asked for the county’s fire tax to stay at its current level of 8.9 cents. Commissioners are considering a $57 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which […]