Getting Property, Emergency Plans Ready For 2025 Hurricane Season, Which Begins Sunday, June 1

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Topping this year’s list of unwanted guests between June and December include Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter – those are names designated for the first four named hurricanes of the 2025 season, which officially begins Sunday, June 1.

It’s not too soon to think about ways to protect your property to reduce potential damage in the event a hurricane or its after-effects cause problems.

Western North Carolina is still dealing with the aftermath of destruction caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene last fall.

And the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting an “above-normal” season.

With that in mind, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association suggests that homeowners review insurance policies to make sure you can financially weather a storm.

“Natural disasters in recent years have caused billions of dollars in damages, which is a key reason why insurance costs have risen,” says Michael Richmond-Crum, senior director of personal lines at APCIA. “To help make insurance more affordable and available long-term, it is critical to increase the resiliency of homes and communities and reduce costly damage from severe weather. Many insurers offer premium discounts for certain steps that homeowners take to reduce the potential for damage from a storm. Discounts vary by company, so talk to your insurer or agent to see what discounts are available.”

The following steps are low-cost ways homeowners can strengthen their property for hurricane season:

  • Start by checking around your home or business and trimming back any nearby branches or trees, especially ones that hang over or close to your home.
  • Inspect the roof and repair any loose or damaged shingles.
  • Secure loose gutters and seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors to prevent water intrusion.
  • Installing a wind-rated garage door or hurricane shutters and upgrading the home to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s FORTIFIEDconstruction standard are additional measures to consider.

In recent years, costs to repair and rebuild homes and businesses after a natural disaster have risen significantly. In the last five years, the cost of construction labor has increased 36.3 percent while the cost of building materials are up 42.7 percent.

“As part of your hurricane season prep, take time to review your insurance policy and verify with your insurer or agent that your coverage is keeping pace with these cost increases,” added Richmond-Crum.

When reviewing your insurance policy, consider the following:

  • Carefully review your policy limits and deductible (i.e., the amount you will pay out of pocket if you have a claim), and make adjustments, if needed, to ensure you have an appropriate amount of coverage to recover if your property is damaged. Raising your deductible is one way to potentially lower your premium, but make sure you can afford the higher deductible and understand that any damage that falls below the deductible will be out of pocket.
  • Ask if your policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value. Actual cash value takes depreciation into account and replacement cost is the amount necessary to rebuild your home with materials of like kind and quality up to policy limits.
  • Consider adding key additional coverages, such as automatic inflation guard, extended replacement cost, and building code/ordinance coverage.
  • Evaluate your need for flood insurance.Flood damage is typically not covered under a standard homeowners policy. Flood insurance is available as a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or the private market.

Other steps to take to prepare for hurricane season:

  • Make a home inventory using your cell phone to take pictures and videos of your home and your home’s contents.
  • Gather copies of your home, auto, and flood insurance policies and keep them in a safe, accessible place.
  • Save your insurer’s contact info to your phone’s contacts so you can easily and quickly start the claims process if your home is damaged.
  • If your insurer has an app available, download it on to your phone for easy access to policy information.

For the record, in addition to Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter, the following names will be used if needed for the 2025 hurricane season:

Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy.

TownTalk: Granville County Tourism Ramps Up

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Granville County is bustin’ at the seams with springtime events designed to get families out and about, from Quittin’ Time in downtown Oxford on Thursday evenings, live music in Bullock and a Memorial Day wreath-laying service at Butner Gazebo Park on Monday, May 26.

Angela Allen, now a decade in as the county’s Tourism director, said these are just a few of opportunities available in the coming weeks to keep folks entertained and connected with the community.

In her early days in the job, she said springtime events were much fewer. “All I had was the Easter Bunny,” she joked on WIZS’s TownTalk segment Wednesday. “Spring is springing all over the place,” she said.

The RedBird Theater is bringing Eureka Day to the city hall auditorium Saturday, May 24. The show, which begins at 7:30 p.m., combines comedy and drama to reveal how a progressive private school deals with making tough decisions about a measles outbreak and more divisive issues. There’s a link to purchase tickets at www.visitgranvillenc.com.

Crokinole, anyone? How about disc golf? Oxford has clubs for both. Crokinole – pronounced CROW (like the bird) kuh nole – is a game played on a round tabletop board. The goal is to flick a small disc into the hole in the board’s center, sort of like shuffleboard, Allen explained.

The local club normally has Open Nights on Thursdays at Tobacco Wood Brewing Co. for anyone interested in learning more about the game, but Allen said it’s on pause for now because of Quittin’ Time. Check out their Facebook page to find out more.

Here’s a quick rundown of upcoming events in and around Granville County:

  • Thursday evenings in May and June: Quittin’ Time – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Oxford. Stroll from spot to spot and enjoy specialty cocktails and small plates, as well as live music and art exhibits. Get a “passport,” scan a QR code over the course of Quittin’ Time and have a chance to win prizes at the end of the nine-week run.
  • TWBC has paired brunch with local music and an open stage for others to perform. Brunch runs June through August. Email taproom@tobaccowood.co to sign up for your time on stage.
  • There’s a new farmers market in Oxford called the Oxford Armory Farmers Market to go along with the existing market on McClanahan Street across from the Oxford Police Department and the market in downtown Creedmoor. The new market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is set up on the grounds of the Armory at Linden Avenue and Spring Street with a wreath-laying ceremony to observe Memorial Day. The park is located at 416 Central Ave.
  • The Town of Butner continues a tradition Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m. with a wreath laying ceremony at Butner Gazebo Park, located at 416 Central Ave.
  • “Live After Six in the Stix” returns to Williamson’s Country Store and Grill in Bullock on June 5. Bring your lawnchairs and your dancin’ shoes, because JB and the Get Down Browns will perform. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Tammy and Rod Williamson will have the grill fired up and the drink coolers stocked for you. The admission is free.
  • Saturday, June 14 is a shaping up to be busy – Oxford’s Juneteenth celebration takes place at Wall and Hunt streets from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and The Barn at Vino is hosting a beach music festival from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • The annual Bee Jubilee and Food Truck Rodeo takes over the Granville Expo Center on Saturday, June 28 for a day of food, fun and all things “bee.”

Read more details at these and other events taking place in Granville County at www.visitgranvillenc.com

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The Local Skinny! N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn Says $10M For Water Plant Expansion Is Spent

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N.C. Rep. Bryan Cohn said House Bill 74, signed into law last week by Gov. Josh Stein, is not anticipated to have any impact on the $10 million that had been reappropriated away from the City of Oxford as part of the Kerr Lake Regional Water expansion.

“That money has been distributed and contractors have been paid,” Cohn told WIZS News Monday morning. “That money no longer exists.”

Cohn learned in early March that the bill contained language that would “claw back” money that had been appropriated to the City of Oxford in 2023 to expand the water plant. The project is underway, and once complete, will increase capacity to up to 20 million gallons a day.

“The facts are that the city of Oxford, through the water authority, applied for reimbursement to DEQ. DEQ evaluated that reimbursement request, just like they would any other reimbursement request, and they issued the final payment,” Cohn explained. “So that money has been distributed and the contractors working at Kerr Lake Regional Water plant have been paid – at least they’ve been paid using the funds allocated by the General Assembly.”

You can’t spend money twice, and Cohn said he is unsure what will happen next, but he added “the law is on our side.” The money was originally allocated in 2023 by the N.C. General Assembly for the regional water expansion project.

“That project is underway and they followed all the proper protocols and procedures for executing the work and getting reimbursement as required,” he said.

Cohn said when he learned that there was an attempt to reallocate the funding, he said he recommended that they needed to request reimbursement and follow the process given.

“At no point did I ask DEQ or anyone to circumvent or expedite anything,” Cohn explained, adding that he “simply asked the regional water authority and the city of oxford to go ahead and put in for reimbursement before this became law.”

In House Bill 74, South Granville Water and Sewer Authority was appropriated $3 million for an expansion project of its own, and Cohn said he fully supports those efforts. The other $7 million was to have been used in Franklin County and a couple of other counties, for similar projects.

“We have the opportunity to do something right now with this budget,” he said, referring to the fact that legislators are in the middle of creating the state’s budget. But he said he didn’t want to be in a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

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NCDOT

NCDOT: $2.3M Contract Awarded To Improve 18 Miles Of Granville County Roadways

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— from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $2.3 million contract to Sunrock Industries, LLC to enhance more than 18 miles of roadway across Granville County.

The project will focus on improvements to seven sections of secondary roads, including:

  • Old N.C. 75 from the bridge over Ledge Creek to Providence Road
  • Lawrence Road from Horseshoe Road to the Wake/Granville County line
  • Thad Carey Road at Old N.C. 75
  • Joe Pruitt Road from Graham Hobgood Road to Cornwall Road
  • Bodie Currin Road from Graham Hobgood Road to Cornwall Road
  • Cornwall Road from Joe Pruitt Road to U.S. 158
  • John Watkins Road from Oak Hill Road to Cornwall Road

The scope of the work includes milling, resurfacing, shoulder reconstruction, and curb replacement. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring, with completion anticipated by late fall 2026.

‘Got To Be NC Festival’ Kicks Off May 16 For A Weekend Of Fun, Ag-Related Activities

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— from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences

North Carolina’s No. 1 industry — agriculture — will be on display along with a colorful lineup of tractors, N.C. food and beverage products, and plenty of family-friendly activities when the Got to Be NC Festival returns to the State Fairgrounds May 16-18 in Raleigh.

In addition, this free event features a daily tractor parade at 1 p.m., carnival rides and games, a butterfly barn, kids’ activities, dairy milking classes, a pig birthing exhibit, antique farm equipment, an N.C. Craft Beer Garden and N.C. Craft Cocktail Garden, an antique tractor pull, fair food and music.

The Got to Be NC Pavilion will feature nearly 100 North Carolina food and beverage vendors showcasing some of North Carolina’s tastiest products. Visitors can sample and shop the Pavilion for their favorite items. Admission to the Pavilion is $3.

Daily grounds entertainment includes the King BMX Stunt Show, the Kenya Safari Acrobats, a puppet show, herding dog demonstrations with Quack Pack USA, demonstrations with K-9 officers with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and Boomer’s Farm Truck that offers photo opportunities for youngsters and the young at heart.

The Got to Be NC Music Stage will feature a variety of music throughout the weekend including, country, rock, R&B, jazz, folk, Latin and Americana. Check the Got to Be NC website for the concert lineup.

On Saturday, May 17, the Carolina Pig Jig will feature more than 20 chapters of Masons in a BBQ competition to benefit the Masonic Homes for Children at Oxford and Central Children’s Home. BBQ and fixings will be served to the public beginning at 11 a.m, following judging. Stretchy pants are definitely recommended for this all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet. Tickets are $20 for ages 11 and older, $10 for youth 5 to 10 years old, and free for kids 4 and under.

Also on Saturday, catch the antique tractor pull from 2 to 8 p.m. in the N.C. Education Lottery Grandstand.

On Sunday, enjoy a gospel performance by The Master’s Men a capella group during the Heritage Church Service at 10:30 a.m.

Festival gate hours are Friday, noon to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Building and exhibit hours are Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Carnival hours are Friday noon to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Carnival hours may extend one hour depending on attendance.

Troxler Encourages Horse Owners To Vaccinate Equines Against Mosquito-Borne Disease

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–information courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Agriculture

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging equine owners to have their animals vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Virus. 

 

“Mosquito-breeding season in North Carolina lasts from spring until the first frost and horses are at risk if not properly vaccinated,” Troxler said. “EEE is fatal 90 percent of the time in horses and WNV has a fatality rate of 30 percent. However, both diseases are preventable by vaccination.” 

 

So far this year we have had no cases of EEE or WNV, but last year there were five cases of EEE and two cases of West Nile Virus, Troxler added. 

 

State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin recommends that equine owners talk to their veterinarians about an effective vaccination protocol to protect horses from mosquito-borne diseases. The combination vaccination initially requires multiple injections for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. 

 

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans, and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

 

Symptoms of EEE include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for symptoms to appear. 

Symptoms of WNV include fever, weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, impaired vision, head pressing, seizures and aimless wandering.  

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying these diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit these viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact. 

 

Equine care also includes keeping up to date on equine infectious anemia (EIA) testing, commonly referred to as the Coggins test. “It’s also a great time to make sure your animal is current on its rabies vaccination,” Troxler said. “We have had a positive case of rabies in livestock already this year. All livestock are naturally curious animals, which puts them at risk for a bite if a rabid animal gets through their fence line.” 

City of Oxford

Celebrate Local Artists May 8 At Oxford City Hall Art Exhibition Opening

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Check out a variety of works by local artists during a celebration of arts Thursday evening at the Oxford Art Exhibition Opening Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Presented by the City of Oxford and Granville Arts, the event features an Art Talk, gallery tour and live performances, according to information from Oxford’s city communications specialist Sabrina Richards.

The exhibition is located on the second floor of Oxford City Hall, 300 Williamsboro St. and will be up for viewing through July.

Visit https://oxfordncarts.org/ to learn more about Oxford Arts.

 

Oxford Armory Farmers Market Launches Saturday, May 3

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Oxford will launch a new farmers market Saturday morning on the grounds of the National Guard Armory, 105 W. Spring St.

Aptly named, the Oxford Armory Farmers Market will feature local fruits, meats, vegetables and other products from local farmers and artisans.

Beginning Saturday, May 3, the market will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October.

In 2020, a needs assessment was conducted by the N. C. Cooperative Extension. This assessment revealed a greater need for local agricultural producers to be able to get their products into the hands of local consumers, increasing the consumption of locally grown nutrient-dense products. As a result of the needs assessment, the Advisory Leadership Council began discussions with community stakeholders and realized that a larger market, with more availability for local agricultural producers, would be the solution to meet this need.

The Oxford Armory Farmers Market can accommodate more than 60 vendors, all offering locally sourced products as well as space for food trucks and special events in conjunction with the municipalities that are all a part of Granville County.

The existing Oxford Farmers Market located at the corner of McClanahan and Lanier streets in downtown Oxford will continue to operate every Saturday and it kicks off its season on Saturday, May 3 as well. This market operates from 7 a.m. to 12 noon.

Vendor applications for the Oxford Armory Farmers Market are still being accepted. Find details at https://granville.ces.ncsu.edu/oxford-armory-farmers-market or find OxfordArmory FarmersMarket on Facebook.

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Richmond Fed Reserve Bank President Scheduled As Keynote Speaker At VGCC Graduation

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–– information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Tom Barkin, president of the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at Vance-Granville Community College May 16 commencement ceremony.

The commencement begins at 6 p.m. on the grounds of the Main Campus in Henderson. The community is invited to attend, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel. Several hundred students are expected to be graduated, having completed requirements over the past year.

Since 2018, Barkin has been the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond which serves the District of Columbia and five states, including North Carolina.

Barkin serves on the Fed’s chief monetary policy body, the Federal Open Market Committee and is also responsible for the Richmond Fed’s bank supervision and the Federal Reserve’s technology organization. He is “on the ground” continually in the Fed’s Fifth District, which covers South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. His engagement in the region has brought real attention to areas facing economic challenges.

Prior to joining the Richmond Fed, Barkin was a senior partner and CFO at McKinsey & Company, a worldwide management consulting firm, where he also oversaw McKinsey’s offices in the southern United States. He earned his bachelor’s, MBA, and law degrees from Harvard University.

Visit www.vgcc.edu to learn more.

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The Local Skinny! Job Fair Coming to VGCC

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More than 50 employers are expected to attend Vance-Granville Community College’s Spring Graduate Career Fair Thursday, and organizers are excited to see how the networking will take place between those who are looking to fill positions and those who may fit the bill.

With graduation just a few weeks away, VGCC Director of Career Services & Experiential Learning Dr. Krystal Foxx said representatives from nonprofits, government agencies, manufacturing, industry are just some of the employers that will be present at the career fair, which takes place in the VGCC Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Thursday, Apr. 24.

“As we consider the economic impact, we consider that now, more than ever, employers are looking to grow their work forces and expand, this is a great opportunity for any job seeker,” Foxx said. “Come out and see what’s available.”

VGCC Career Development Specialist Lorene Allen said planning for the career fair is a months-long process, including preparing students for what to expect on the actual day of the event.

Organizers had a Career Impact Day last week and had different people come to campus to help coach students on resume writing and share strategies about how to conduct themselves when speaking with a prospective employer.

The Dress for Success mobile boutique came, too, and students were able to get free outfits.

VGCC has a Career Clothing closet as well, and it will be open this week for students to come choose an appropriate interview outfit.

The career fair isn’t just for students, however. The public is welcome to attend. There is an online registration, but participants can register on site, too.

The first 100 to register in advance will get a swag bag filled with goodies and freebies.

Employers and vendors who participate in the career fair are invited to a luncheon at the conclusion of the event from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Contact Foxx at foxxk@vgcc.edu to sign up for that.

Employers should reach out to careerservices@vgcc.edu or phone 252.738.3466 to register. Visit the career services website to learn about all services at: Career Services Page. Visit VGCC Spring Career Fair 2025 | Handshake

 

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