The Local Skinny! N.C. House District 32 Contest

/by

Incumbent N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon has until noon tomorrow – Tuesday, Nov. 19 – to put the wheels in motion to call for a recount in the contest to retain his District 32 seat.

Both Vance and Granville’s boards of elections completed the canvass on Friday, Nov. 15 to certify results of the Nov. 5 general election, including the District 32 race, in which challenger Bryan Cohn holds a 233-vote lead over the incumbent Sossamon.

The N.C. State Board of Elections website lists vote totals as 21,213 for Cohn, a Democrat, and 20,980 for the Republican Sossamon. Cohn won handily in Vance County, taking 60.55 percent of the vote to Sossamon’s 37.26 percent; Sossamon won among Granville County voters by a 52.67 percent to 44.53 percent margin.

State law states that a recount can occur in non-statewide contests where the margin of victory is 1 percent or less of total votes cast. The 233-vote margin is .53 of 1 percent of the total vote.

“In contests under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Elections (including General Assembly seats in which the district lies in more than one county), the recount demand must be in writing and received by the State Board of Elections no later than noon on Tuesday, Nov. 19,” according to the state board of elections website.

There has been no indication about whether Sossamon will make a recount request.

The District 32 race is one of two key contests yet to be decided – the other is District 25 in Nash County – which will determine whether Republican keep their supermajority in the N.C. House.

Click Play!

Granville County Library System

Granville Library System Gets $10,000 From Anonymous Benefactor

/by

– information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

The Granville County Library System recently received a $10,000 donation to support children’s programming.

The donor, who wants to remain anonymous, designated the gift for projects aimed at improving children’s reading abilities in creative ways with a  primary focus on the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, but with potential to impact other library branches  across the county, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

The money will be used for projects that the library system otherwise could not afford, including innovative reading programs, literacy support and educational initiatives that inspire young readers.

“We are incredibly fortunate to receive this support,” said Thornton Branch Children’s Librarian Amy Carlson. “This donation will allow us to create impactful programs that foster a love of reading and learning among children. We look forward to using these funds to expand the library’s community reach and resources in meaningful ways.”

The Granville County Library System will begin planning and implementing new initiatives with these funds by helping children develop stronger reading skills and a lasting connection to literacy. Further updates on the use of this donation will be shared with the community at a later date.

Visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/ to learn more about the programs and services the library system offers.

 

 

3 GCPS Elementary Schools Earn Kudos In US News And World Report Ranking Program

/by

Three elementary schools in the southern end of Granville County have earned “Best Elementary Schools” badges from U.S. News and World Report, according to Granville County Public Schools Public Information Officer Courtney Currin.

Butner-Stem Elementary, Tar River Elementary and Wilton Elementary each placed among the top 40 percent of public elementary schools in North Carolina.

According to the US News and World Report, “the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students.”

GCPS Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne echoed that sentiment in praise of the school staffs, stating they “do everything they can to ensure their students succeed. Because of this and the students’ hard work, the students of those schools thrive. It’s exciting that their hard work and accomplishments are recognized.”

The rankings are based on students who scored at proficient or above proficient levels on math and reading state assessments, “while accounting for student background and achievement in core subjects,” according to information from the national publication.

 

 

TownTalk: The Barefoot Movement Headlines Hurricane Relief Concert At SGHS

/by

The Barefoot Movement’s Noah Wall and Tommy Norris have a deep connection to western North Carolina and east Tennessee, just over the Blue Ridge Mountains. They were dating and in a band when Norris was a student at Western Carolina and Noah was at East Tennessee State, and the two would meet in Asheville for a date night or band-related events.

But they also have connections to Granville County – both are 2006 graduates of South Granville High School in Creedmoor, and when Wall felt the urge to do something to help folks who lost so much in the devastation and flooding brought by Hurricane Helene, she turned to that high school and the choral department.

The result:  a hurricane relief concert on Friday, Nov. 22 featuring a couple of local groups as well as the bluegrass sound of The Barefoot Movement. The concert is sponsored by the South Granville Choral Association.

Tickets are $15 and are on sale now for the concert, which kicks off at 7 p.m.

First up is GrassStreet Bluegrass band, followed by the popular Granville County Southern Rock band Bryan’s Hill.

Wall said she has “zero ego” in being called the headline group, but she’ll take the stage with her fiddle and her husband – (Norris, if you didn’t know) – mandolin in hand, to finish out the concert.

“I wish I could just donate a million dollars,” Wall said on Tuesday’s TownTalk segment with WIZS’s Bill Harris. She said she has been moved by what the folks in the mountains have been going through, so she set about doing what she knows best. “I have my music and I know how to put on a concert,” she explained. The rest fell into place fairly easily.

The high school auditorium has a stage, a sound system and is a comfortable place for a concert. “It ultimately worked out great,” Wall said. All proceeds from the concert will go to Baptist on Mission, which has had teams of people on the ground helping in the disaster zone. They also have a specific Hurricane Helene Relief Fund, so Wall is confident the money will get to where it can be of most use.

Next week’s concert playlist may be a little different from what audiences hear when they’re on tour across the country, Wall said, hinting at what may be in store.

“It won’t be traditional bluegrass, necessarily,” said. “We may cover Ozzy Osborne, but we’ll do it with fiddle and mandolin.”

What it will be, she said, is fun. And she hopes all three bands play to a sold-out house.

“Its’ going to be a great night,” Wall said. “I just felt like I had to do something…just looking at pictures I’ve seen of Asheville, (recovery is) going to take a long time and they need our help.”

Find a link to ticket sales at https://www.thebarefootmovementofficial.com/  or find a link at https://onthestage.com/search 

CLICK PLAY!

 

NC Coop Extension

Free Soil Samples End Nov. 26; Submit Samples Now To Avoid $4 Fee Per Sample

/by

The time for getting free soil samples from The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab is almost over – it’s about to hit its busy season, but growers and homeowners have until Tuesday, Nov. 26 to squeak in under the wire before the fee of $4 per sample begins.

“Accurate lime and fertilizer recommendations are critical to producing healthy plants and crops and to avoid unnecessary expenses and protect our natural resources,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Recommendations that come from soil testing lets you know exactly what you need to add for optimal production. When it comes to fertilization needs, don’t guess, test.”

Peak-season fees are implemented annually to encourage growers to submit samples early, which helps spread out the testing time frame and to invest in equipment and temporary staff to decrease turnaround times. This year, the peak laboratory season starts Nov. 27 and runs through March 31, 2025.

Samples must physically arrive on the Agronomic Services’ loading dock no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, to avoid that $4 per sample fee.

“This year the Agronomic Services Division is renewing its efforts to improve operational efficiency and optimize our customer service. To help in this mission, growers are asked to pay particular attention to the submission process,” said Dr. Don Edralin, soil testing section chief. “Small details matter when you consider that the Soil Testing Lab processes about 300,000 samples annually.”

Soil samples submitted without adequate grower, consultant, and/or sample information will not proceed through the lab but will be set aside.  This information is essential to associate samples with the correct existing client account or to establish a new unique client account. Samples will be held for at least five days, and an attempt will be made to obtain the missing information. Due to limited storage space, samples cannot be held indefinitely.

To avoid samples ending up in the “holding area,” simply follow the instructions listed below. In doing so, you will help the Soil Testing Lab be more efficient, and in turn, avoid unnecessary delays in sample processing.

  1. Only use soil sample boxes provided by NCDA&CS. Soil sample boxes and submission forms are provided at local county Cooperative Extension Centers and at the Agronomic Services Division, 4300 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. Fill the soil box to the red line found on the outside of the box. Required information on the box includes the client’s name, address and sample ID.
  2. With your samples, send a completed soil submission form. Needed information includes client’s name with their full address and a crop code which is critical for plant-specific recommendations. The list of codes is found on the second page of the sample submission form. Since soil test results are emailed to clients, it is extremely important that a valid email address is provided. Additionally, providing a current phone number is highly encouraged as it is helpful for faster contact if there is an issue with soil sample submission. For convenience, a fillable soil submission form for routine homeowner samples can be found at https://www.ncagr.gov/media/3727/open.
  3. Make sure that information listed on your soil submission form matches what is on your sample boxes.
  4. Save a copy/photo of your sample submission form for your records.
  5. Ensure that sample boxes are packed securely inside a sturdy shipper to avoid damage during transport. Do not use padded mailing envelopes. For faster delivery, private carriers such as UPS or FedEx deliver directly to the Agronomic building rather than an off-site mail center that USPS is required to use. Some Cooperative County Extension offices collect samples from homeowners for delivery to the division; clients are encouraged to make sure that delivery meets their intended expectations and needs.
  6. If you have access to a computer and printer, use the online data entry feature on PALS (www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pals) to ensure the most accurate delivery of sample information to the lab but enclose a copy of the submission form with soil sample boxes.

N.C. House Of Representatives District 32 Election Result 2024

/by

UPDATE: Thursday, Nov 7

The N.C. House District 32 race is one of several tight contests that played out across the state during Tuesday’s election. And although Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn ended the night with 182 more votes than incumbent Frank Sossamon, it remains unclear whether there will be call for a recount.

Local elections officials still have to review provisional ballots, which must be verified before they are counted and added to the official results.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles said the provisional ballot meeting will take place in Vance County Thursday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.

According to information released earlier Thursday by the N.C. State Board of Elections, Vance County had a total of 163 provisional ballots cast – 141 on Nov. 5 and 22 during the early voting period.

In Granville County, a total of 417 provisional ballots were cast – 380 on Nov. 5 and 37 during the early voting period.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools To Shutter Three More Schools In Consolidation Efforts

/by

-information courtesy of GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin

The Granville County Board of Education voted earlier this week to close three more schools – Granville Central High School, Hawley Middle School and Butner-Stem Middle School. Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, the current Granville Central High School students will move to J.F. Webb or South Granville, making room for the middle school students to attend classes at high school-turned middle school campus in Stem.

The new name of the school is Granville Central Middle School.

The school board also approved new attendance zones for the district’s traditional middle and high schools.

The school board will have a work session on Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to discuss topics including:

  • The creation of a student reassignment plan for middle and high school students based on new attendance zones;
  • The creation of a staffing reassignment plan at the affected schools (Butner-Stem Middle, G.C. Hawley Middle, Granville Central High School, J.F. Webb High School, and South Granville High School) that includes a timeline for staff notification;
  • The implementation of new high school and middle school attendance zones; and
  • The development of a facility transition plan with specific tasks for the renovation of facilities and relocation of furniture, equipment, and supplies.

19th Annual Turkey Trot For ACIM Nov. 28

/by

It’s almost time for the 19th annual Turkey Trot in downtown Oxford to benefit Area Congregations in Ministry, the local food bank in Granville County.

This fun run/walk is held on Thanksgiving morning – Thursday, Nov. 28 – and sends participants along a 2-mile route along College Street to the campus of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford and back to Oxford United Methodist Church, the event organizer.

Admission is at two cans of food or other non-perishable item for ACIM. Monetary donations also will be accepted.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in front of Oxford United Methodist Church, with welcoming remarks shortly before the 9 a.m. start.

Families are encouraged to participate and everyone is welcome! Push little ones in strollers, bring your dogs on leashes and dress up in your favorite costume to add some holiday flair.

Granville Parks And Rec Mini-Grants For 2025-26 Application Period Begins Dec. 1

/by

-Information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

The Granville County Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee will begin accepting 2025-26 mini-grant applications on Dec. 1, 2024,  through January 31, 2025.

Eligible entities include Granville County local government entities that do not have an established recreation department or staff, as well as registered 501(c)(3) non-profit  organizations located within the county, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. The maximum grant amount for the local government entities is $20,000; maximum funding available for nonprofits is $10,000.

The grants will be used to facilitate the development and support of active and passive recreation and leisure activities for county residents. “The funding helps further the County’s reach in providing recreational amenities to a broad spectrum of residents, particularly in areas of the county that are underserved or those that have not received prior funding,” stated Deputy County Manager Korena Weichel. “The Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee is grateful to the county board of commissioners for continuing to provide  funding for this important program over the past several years.”

Projects previously funded include playground equipment at Jack Day Community Park in Stem, facility improvements at South Granville High School in Creedmoor, a picnic shelter at the Grassy Creek Community Center and benches for the Butner Community Association. Signs are erected at project sites to inform residents  that their county tax dollars helped provide the amenities.

Review and download program guidelines and application at  https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/recreation/recreation-grant/ Printed copies may also be obtained from the Granville County Planning Office located at 122 Williamsboro St., Oxford.

All applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2025. Complete submission requirements and instructions are included in the program guidelines.

To learn more about this grant opportunity, contact Deputy County Manager Korena Weichel at 919.603.1366 or email korena.weichel@granvillecounty.org.

 

NCDOT

Eight-Month Detour Begins Monday As Bridge Replacement Begins On Ed Harris Road

/by

A section of Ed Harris Road in Granville County will be closed beginning next week as a contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation replaces a bridge.

The bridge over Tabbs Creek, which was built in 1955, will close Nov. 4 for demolition and replacement, according to NCDOT spokesperson Kim Deaner.

The new structure, part of a $1 million project, will be wider and taller to better withstand future flooding. Construction is expected to take about eight months.

During the closure, drivers will detour onto Dorsey Road, N.C. 158, and Watkins Road to reconnect with Ed Harris Road.

Drivers should plan for longer commutes and use caution when traveling near the work zone.