Dr. Tony Cozart Receives Order Of The Long Leaf Pine

information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Granville County Commissioner Dr. Tony Cozart was recognized for his decades of service to his county Monday, Oct. 7 when he was presented with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Rep. Frank Sossamon provided remarks about Cozart’s career as an educator, minister and public servant during the presentation, held during the regular monthly meeting of the Granville commissioners.

According to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood, Cozart was first elected to the Granville County Board of Commissioners in 1989 and has now served nine consecutive terms representing District 4, with his most recent term beginning in December 2020. Cozart received this distinction not just for his service on the Granville County Board of Commissioners, but also his years of service as an educator, a principal, executive director of Franklin Granville Vance Smart Start, Pastor of Cooks Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity board of directors, Masonic Home for Children board of directors, commissioner of Central Children’s Home church basketball league, moderator of the United Shiloh Missionary Baptist Association, and many other achievements that have served this county and North Carolina.

“Being a county commissioner is one thing that has never grown old for me,” said Cozart. “Growing up, I learned hard work in the tobacco fields and working as a bag boy at 7-11. To my fellow members of the board of commissioners, you are like family to me, and I am grateful to all of you. I had wonderful parents; and God gave me a wonderful wife, wonderful children, and grandchildren that have stolen my heart. I love this county and have enjoyed all these years of service.”

TownTalk: N.C. Court Of Appeals Seat 12 Contest

The following is part of WIZS’s continuing coverage of the upcoming general election on Nov. 5. In-person early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 17 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2.

Carolyn Thompson

The N.C. Court of Appeals is the second-highest court in the state, and as the name implies, the 15 judges that make up the court sit on three-member panels to review lower court rulings.

Judge Carolyn J. Thompson was appointed to Seat 12 in September 2023 by Gov. Roy Cooper, and she’s on the ballot in the upcoming election to retain that seat.

The State Supreme Court is the highest court in the state, but the majority of cases are determined by the court of appeals and go no further, Thompson explained.

Opinions coming from the appeals court impact the entire state, she said. “It’s a last resort for a lot of cases,” she added. “We are an error-correcting court,” she said.

The judicial races are statewide races and the judges serve 8-year terms.

She said she’s the best candidate for the job because she has extensive legal and judicial experience, and she’s “already there, doing the hard work for all of North Carolina… I uphold the law and the Constitution equally – it doesn’t matter your ZIP code or your background.”

She suffered a narrow defeat in 2022 in her bid for a seat on the court of appeals, and before her most recent reappointment to the appellate court, spent about nine months as deputy commissioner of the N.C. Industrial Commission, which she described as a quasi-judicial role that hears workers’ compensation issues and cases of tort claims from incarcerated people.

Over the past year, Thompson said she’s written 96 opinions for cases she and her fellow judges on the panel have heard.

The panels get about 30 cases per month, and Thompson said she’s required to author at least eight. Her 27 years of experience on both sides of the bench, Thompson said, gives her knowledge of criminal, domestic and civil cases. “You can only do that kind of work when you’ve been experienced in it,” she said.

There’s no room for partisan politics in the decisions made by the appellate court. “We never even know party affiliations…we just see issues that need answers,” she said.

Although state law requires judicial candidates to list their party affiliation, Thompson, a Democrat, said she doesn’t allow political rhetoric to interfere with her work on the appellate court.

“We have to stay independent,” she said. “We are an independent branch of government.”

With her roots working for women and children in domestic court, Thompson said she’s a longtime advocate for survivors of domestic violence.

“I can’t serve in that capacity any more because I’m now a judge ruling in cases…once you become a judge you can’t practice law any more.”

Thompson, a licensed and ordained minister, is the author of “Abigail’s Veil: A Domestic Violence Handbook for Clergy and Church Leaders.

She gives credits to her family for helping her stay focused. She’s a wife, a mom and a grandmother, and those roles are as important to her as her role as judge.

“They keep me centered,” she said. “They keep me focused on why it’s important to fight for justice.”

Visit https://judgecarolynthompson.com/ to learn more about the candidate and visit https://www.nccourts.gov/ to read some of her opinions and find a livestream link to the hearings.

Tom Murry

Tom Murry describes himself as a conservative who believes that the original words of the Constitution mean what they say.

Murry is a candidate for Seat 12 of the N.C. Court of Appeals, a seat currently held by Judge Carolyn Thompson. Thompson was appointed in September 2023 to that seat, and state law requires that she be elected to keep it.

As her challenger, Murry said his experience as an attorney and an assistant district attorney – as well as time spent on the Morrisville Town Council and in the N.C. House – would help him in his role as appellate court judge.

“I understand the three branches of government,” Murry said. “I think I can stay in my lane as a judge.”

When he was a law student at Campbell University, he said he got to see a three-judge panel in action. And, as a prosecutor for the 11th Prosecutorial District, he had a case that was appealed – and affirmed – by the very court that he now seeks to join.

Murry said half of the cases that come to the N.C. Court of Appeals are criminal cases, and he said his time as a prosecutor will help him if he is elected. He has experience working in the courtroom and working with local law enforcement.

State law requires that judicial candidates’ party affiliations be included on ballots, but Murry said there’s no place for partisan politics in the courtroom.

“I’m going to be listed as a Republican on the ballot,” Murry said, but as a judge, he will wear a black robe. Like the camouflage he dons on National Guard Drill Weekends, the robe is neither blue nor red, he said.

“When judges issue rulings based on their political views it undermines the public’s trust in our courts. It’s extremely concerning to me. There are other branches of government that are responsible for policy and making the law. Judges need to be restrained and focused on the issues at hand, not how they want them to be,” Murry said.

“I believe that Lady Justice has a blindfold for a reason,” he said, adding that he will administer the law “without favor, delay or denial…same facts, same law, same outcome – that’s equal protection under the law and that’s what we’re called to do.”

Visit https://www.jointom.com/ to learn more.

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Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools Considers More Consolidation, School Closures

The Granville County Board of Education has scheduled two public hearings on Monday, Oct 21 to hear from the community about closing two more schools in the Granville County Public Schools district and consolidating high schools and middle schools in the southern part of the county.

The public hearings will be held in the gymnasium of Granville Central High School, located at 2043 Sanders Rd, Stem.

Members of the public may sign up in person beginning at 5 p.m. on the date of the hearings.

The first public hearing begins at 6 p.m. and will be on the proposed closing of Granville Central and reassigning that school’s students to South Granville High and J.F. Webb High, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin.

As soon as the first public hearing concludes, a second public hearing will take place about closing both Butner-Stem Middle and G.C. Hawley Middle and reassigning the students from both campuses to one middle school on the campus of the current Granville Central High.

Granville Central High opened in the 2007-08 school year to ease overcrowding at the other two high schools. It served 9th and 10th grades that year.

Since 2019, Granville County Public Schools has closed Joe Toler-Oak Hill Elementary School in the northern part of the county, as well as Mary Potter Middle School in Oxford, G.C. Hawley Middle School and Creedmoor Elementary, although the campus of the former Creedmoor Elementary is in its second year as the new home of Hawley Middle School.

Learn more at https://www.gcs.k12.nc.us/

Chamber’s Annual Cluck ‘N Shuck Coming To Granville Expo Center Nov. 1

Get your tickets now for the annual Cluck ‘N Shuck!

The name may sound a little funny, but when it comes to the what’s on the menu, nothing beats the annual fundraiser the Granville County Chamber of Commerce puts on.

This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1 at the Granville County Convention & Expo Center. Tickets are $55 a person.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 6 p.m., according to information from Chamber Executive Director Cynthia Ratliff.

Granville Health System is the event’s presenting sponsor, and Ratliff said other sponsorship opportunities are available. To learn more, call the Chamber office at 919.693.6125 or visit the event page at https://granville-chamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/4904 

The menu features steamed oysters, fried chicken, shrimp and fish, along with an array of side dishes, all catered by Leon Nixon Catering.

Next Door Radio will provide music through the evening. Dinner will be served from 6 p.m. until 7:30 and adult beverages will be available.

This year’s gathering will take 4185 US Highway 15 South Oxford, NC 27565.

Purchase tickets online at https://granville-chamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/4904. Non-members are welcome to join and can reserve tickets on the site using their email.

Families Living Violence Free

TownTalk: Families Living Violence Free Hosts Info Events Wednesday In Creedmoor, Oxford

Families Living Violence Free is taking its message into the community this week, with pop-up outreach programs in Creedmoor and Oxford.

FLVF Advocate Erica Romero invites the community to stop by their tent at Southern States, 301 N. Main St., Creedmoor Wednesday, Oct 9, between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 23, the tent will be in front of the Hub on Main, 100 Main St., also between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Since 1989, when first designated as Domestic Violence Awareness month, October has been a time to remember victims of domestic violence and to honor and acknowledge survivors.

The FLVF outreach event is one way to bring information to people who may be looking for ways to leave an abusive household or relationship. Nationally, there have been gains in reducing domestic violence, it is estimated that an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute.

Millions of people across the country live in fear within their own homes – fear for their own safety and for the safety of their children.

In addition to the events in Creedmoor and Oxford, FLVF is planning to visit Stem on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Visit www.flvf.org later to learn where that event will take place.

The 24/7 crisis hotline is 919.693.5700. Spanish speakers can call 919.690.0888.

Granville Senior Services Director Kathy May Receives Order Of The Long Leaf Pine

information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Granville County Senior Services Director Kathy May was recognized for her decades of service to Granville County and the state of North Carolina when she was named as one of the newest recipients of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award last week. State Sen. Mary Wills Bode presented the award to May on behalf of Gov. Roy Cooper during a surprise ceremony on Sept. 25 at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the highest civilian honor awarded by the North Carolina Governor’s Office.  Established in 1963 by Gov. Terry Sanford, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the state and to their communities through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.

Recipients become honorary North Carolina ambassadors and their names and award dates are recorded on a roster maintained by The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society.

Assistant Senior Services Director Angela Wright spoke during the ceremony about May’s accomplishments since she arrived on the scene in 1987. Now approaching her 38th year as Senior Services director, May has led the department through significant changes over the years.

In 1987, Senior Services was located in the former Orange Street School, and because renovations were being made to the building to ultimately house the Department of Social Services, there were no dedicated facilities for senior activities beyond basic services like congregate meals in Oxford and Creedmoor. Under May’s leadership, the Senior Services Department has expanded to a true county-wide service model that includes continuing education, fitness classes, technology training, Medicare enrollment assistance, housing improvements, and so much more at three locations throughout the county.

As of 2024, the Oxford location has relocated a second time to the current facility on Lanier Street and sites have been established in Creedmoor and Stovall in partnership with those local municipalities providing many of the same services to northern and southern areas of the county. Work is currently underway on a major expansion  in downtown Stovall for a new North Granville Senior Center, scheduled to be complete in 2025.

TownTalk: MHCO Homecoming Oct. 11-13

The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford has been in the business of caring for children for more than 150 years. Coming off last year’s sesquicentennial celebration, MHCO Administrator said Year 151 shines just as brightly as last year.

“It’s been an incredible journey and it’s just getting started,” Otis said on Thursday’s TownTalk.

Alumni, Shriners, pit masters and more will converge on the historic campus next weekend for the annual Homecoming, which runs Oct. 11-13.

“This whole event is (a way) for the home to say ‘thank you’,” Otis said. Thank you to the community, thank you to alumni, Shriners and all the people who support the mission of the home.

Things kick off on Friday, Oct. 11 about 5 p.m. when the barbecue team get organized for the next day’s featured food. One team travels from Delaware each year to support MHCO, Otis said.

The community is invited to come out and mingle and then stay to hear music by Brightest Light, which takes the stage about 6 p.m.

Come back early the next day, Otis said, because everything kicks off about 10 a.m. There will be amusement rides for the kids – free of charge – and then the anticipated parade begins at 11 a.m.

This year’s parade route is different, so anyone who wants to watch needs to park on the MHCO campus and find a space along the main campus drive area – the parade will NOT take place on College Street, he noted.

He encourages parade watchers to bring a chair. There will be parking attendants and golf cart shuttles for those who need a ride from their cars to the middle of campus.

The barbecue pit opens at the conclusion of the parade and folks can sample meats and sides from the teams who’ve been cooking and preparing for hours.

“You give us a donation, we’ll give you a plate,” Otis explained.

Other activities include tours through the museum galleries at Cobb Center and one of the residential cottages, too. Cory Luetjen & the Traveling Blues Band performs in the afternoon and the day’s activities will conclude about 3 p.m.

There are so many things to see and experience during the course of the weekend’s activities, which Otis said is the result of a lot of work and preparation from staff and residents alike.

“Having the kids involved is an experience for them,” he said. They can enjoy all the fun of the weekend, but they can also take pride that they helped get things ready.

Just like the Shriners Hospital, the children’s home provides care for children without asking families to pay for anything, Otis explained.

Donations of any kind – from school supplies and money to fund a weekend excursion to remembering MHCO in your estate – Otis said it’s all put to good use to help provide children with the tools they need to be successful – in school, in their career and in life.

Otis said he’s always interested in hearing from married couples who think they want to be cottage parents.

Visit https://mhc-oxford.org/ to learn more.

 

TownTalk: Granville County Gears Up for Fall

Take a sip of that pumpkin spice latte, a bite from that pumpkin spice doughnut or a whiff of that pumpkin spice air freshener – fall is in the air and that means all things pumpkin in and around Granville County.

Just ask Granville Tourism Authority Director Angela Allen: She’s on a mission to celebrate pumpkins and everything else that goes along with fall, whether it’s the Granville Haunt Farm, glass pumpkins at Cedar Creek Gallery and everything in between.

The Granville Haunt Farm kicks off its 2024 Horror Safari season this weekend – purchase tickets in advance for Friday or Saturdays throughout October at https://www.granvillehauntfarm.com/.

Allen said the spooky fun gets started right around dark and continues through until the last tickets are sold at the 11 p.m. time slot.

Granville Haunt Farm is located at 4534 U.S. Hwy 15 South, about one mile from I-85 Exit 202 at Hwy 15 just outside Oxford.

Just up the road is Dixon Farms, located at 3025 Dixon Farm Rd., which celebrate pumpkins in a more traditional style. They’ll be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. For a $15 admission price, you’ll get to take home a pumpkin and enjoy all kinds of entertainment for children and adults alike, including a corn pile, general store and more!

Allen said Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor is all set to have folks wander through a pumpkin patch of a different sort – the whole front of the gallery is filled with beautiful glass pumpkins created by local artisans.

The gallery is open seven days a week. Visit https://cedarcreekgallery.com/ to learn more.

This coming weekend, come out to the Lord Granville Harvest Show in Butner to see all kinds of farm implements, wander among local vendors and sample lots of good food, including homemade ice cream and sherbet.

There will be an antique tractor show, live demonstrations and a cake baking contest – a little something for everyone.

Admission is $5.

To learn about all the events upcoming in Granville County, visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/.

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American Red Cross: October Blood Drives In The Area

According to the American Red Cross, only three out of 100 Americans donate blood. With the blood supply still at critical levels, every single donation is key to making sure all patients relying on lifesaving transfusions, including car accident victims and those living with sickle cell disease, get the care they need.

The Red Cross needs blood donations and platelet donations. Find an upcoming blood drive near you at

RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Those who come to give Oct. 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Treat.

Here’s a list of upcoming blood drives in the four-county area:

Vance County:

  • Thursday, Oct. 3 – 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.
  • Monday, Oct. 21 – 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Henderson Family YMCA, 380 Ruin Creek Rd.
  • Monday, Nov. 4 – 12 noon to 5:30 p.m. – South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, 905 Americal Rd.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 12 – 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Dr. 130-6 p.m.

Granville County:

  • Saturday, Sept. 28 – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., New Grassy Creek Missionary Baptist Church, 8182 Cornwall Rd., Oxford
  • Friday, Oct. 11 – 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Ernest F. Hart American Legion Post 90, 914 Williamsboro St., Oxford

Warren County:

  • Saturday, Oct. 5 – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School, 130 Haliwa Saponi Trail, Warrenton

Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ to learn more.

Families Living Violence Free

TownTalk: Families Living Violence Free To Hold Quarter Auction

Families Living Violence Free is based in Granville County, but Executive Director Amy Langston said the nonprofit agency is just a phone call away – 24/7 – for individuals who find themselves in need of help because of domestic violence or sexual assault.

Although their physical location is on the campus of Central Children’s Home in Oxford, Langston said they are available for anyone in and around Vance County as well.

Langston said the trained staff and volunteers bring distinct skill sets to their roles with the organization, which celebrated its 20-year anniversary in May. But what they all share, she added, is a passion for helping the community and the drive and compassion to serve those who find themselves in difficult situations.

Although they do get grants that help provide emergency services like shelter, food and relocation, Langston said FLVF relies on the community for support, too.

The FLVF annual Quarter Auction is coming up Friday, Oct. 4 at Carlee Farms in Granville County, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy an evening while knowing that the proceeds go to help the organization.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6:15 and the auction starts at 7 p.m., Langston said. A $25 ticket will get you dinner and a bidding paddle; remember to bring your rolls of quarters, as well as some extra money to shop with a host of vendors that will be on hand.

There will be a silent auction taking place that evening, and a 50/50 raffle, too.

“It is fun, but we know the cause” that we’re supporting, Langston said. Sponsorships are available for the event – Bronze for $50, Silver for $100 and Gold for $200 and up.

“All the support we receive will help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault,” Langston said.

Call 919.693.3579 to purchase a ticket. A special unlimited bid paddle is available for $50, but Langston said there will be a limited number for sale, and tickets are going fast.

Proceeds from fundraisers like the Quarter Auction help support FLVF efforts, which not only involves helping people in crisis but also includes educating the community.

Staff members complete 20 hours of intense training, Langston said, and the numerous volunteers undergo similar training, all to ensure clients’ safety and confidentiality.

Langston said she hopes to continue sponsoring community workshops like one held last week to share information about human trafficking.

“We had a full house,” Langston said, adding that details about future workshops would be forthcoming.

Volunteer applications are available at www.flvf.org or at the office, located at 211 Antioch Dr. Oxford. Volunteers help with donations, accompany clients to court for support, help at community events and more. There are two part-time staff openings – a youth advocate position and an outreach advocate position, Langston said.

“We’re growing and we hope to have more full-time positions,” she said.

If you are in crisis as a result of domestic violence or sexual assault, call the crisis line at FLVF at 919.693.5700. Spanish speakers can call 919.690.0888.

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