Local News - WIZS

VGCC Vice President Appointed to Black Entrepreneurship Council

September 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Dr. Jerry Edmonds, III, a vice president at Vance-Granville Community College, is among 25 individuals recently appointed to serve on the inaugural North Carolina Black Entrepreneurship Council (NC BEC).

NC IDEA, a Durham-based private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic empowerment in North Carolina, formed the council to serve the entrepreneurial aspirations and economic potential of North Carolina’s Black community.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to work with such an accomplished team of North Carolina entrepreneurs, educators and community leaders,” Edmonds said. “Collectively, we have the opportunity to provide valuable mentorship and access to capital through the NC Black Entrepreneurship Council. This important work aligns with that of VGCC in educating students for the workforce of tomorrow while promoting entrepreneurship as an important career option in an ever-changing workplace.”

“We are encouraged and humbled that our announcement of the Council drew an overwhelming response from accomplished individuals, affirming community support for this vital work,” said Thom Ruhe, CEO and President of NC IDEA. “The Council will focus on economically empowering Black people with entrepreneurship, thereby combating economic inequality that perpetuates racial disparities,” Ruhe added.

The NC BEC will help guide the NC IDEA Foundation in its programmatic and grant making ambitions in furtherance of North Carolina’s Black community. Council members will work closely with the Foundation to identify, recommend and support partners and programs with the expressed purpose of elevating Black Entrepreneurship in North Carolina. Service on the Council will also include input on the Foundation’s funding decisions, specifically grants awarded to partner organizations through the NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM program.

A resident of Henderson, Edmonds has served as Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Engagement at VGCC since 2019. He oversees training programs that respond to community needs and prepare students for workforce success, including apprenticeship programs, and economic development support for the region. In addition, Edmonds leads the development of partnerships with businesses and government agencies and coordinates outreach and marketing for the entire college.

Edmonds previously served as Dean of Workforce and Economic Development at Halifax Community College. Prior to his role as Dean, he served as the Small Business Center Director at Halifax Community College, from 2014 until 2017. Edmonds worked for International Business Machines (IBM) and Johnson and Johnson in the private sector before entering the higher education field, earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with an emphasis on Marketing, from Marshall University and his Master of Science degree in Human Services Management from Springfield College. He recently received his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership from Wisconsin-based Edgewood College.

“We are proud of Dr. Edmonds’ appointment to the NC BEC, as it provides yet another avenue for VGCC to be a catalyst in supporting strong communities where everyone can experience a fulfilling quality of life,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of the community college. “Indeed, Dr. Edmonds is uniquely qualified to make an important contribution to this council, as he is one of the few members who represents an area that includes the rural ‘Tier 1’ counties that often have the most acute needs.”

N.C. Residents Urged to Return 2020 Census Forms or Risk Loss of Federal Funds

September 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Office of NC State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA

State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, is encouraging North Carolinians to complete their 2020 Census Bureau forms to ensure the state receives its proper share of hundreds of billions of federal dollars.

Federal funding distributions to the state and local governments are critical for everything from education and housing to public works projects and roads.

“Many local governments and utilities are struggling, especially in rural areas, and the economic lockdowns in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic have made their situations worse,” Treasurer Folwell said. The Local Government Commission housed in the Department of State Treasurer has been working to help those towns, cities, counties and municipal utilities at risk of failure and state takeover of their finances.

“If we don’t all do our part to ensure the census count is thorough and accurate, we will forfeit North Carolina’s fair share of money that could be a lifeline to those at-risk governments,” Treasurer Folwell said.

The census is constitutionally mandated to occur every 10 years. As of Sept. 1, North Carolina had a 77.1% household response. There were only eight states with lower counts. The U.S. rate was 84.1%. If you haven’t done so yet, you can fill out your census form by phone (844-330-2020), by mailing back the paper questionnaires that were sent to households, or online.

The population count determines how the 435 congressional seats are divided among the states, and how state legislative districts are drawn up. But many people are unaware that the census data are used by planners and policymakers when they are considering the need for highway planning and construction, hospitals, schools and other public works investments.

“Businesses and corporations rely on census data when choosing where to locate factories and headquarters, offices and stores. Developers review census figures to determine where to build new homes and subdivisions,” Treasurer Folwell said. “All of those activities and growth generate tax revenue and jobs, which are the lifeblood of local and state economies, and help them to meet budgetary needs to serve their communities.”

Many local public utilities and services in North Carolina are in disrepair or in need of funds. Census data are used to allocate federal funds to water and waste disposal systems for rural communities, emergency community and water assistance grants, assistance grants to firefighters and rural business enterprise grants. Local governments incorporate census numbers into public safety and emergency preparedness policies.

The decennial population count also is used in allocating unemployment insurance and Community Development Block Grants. As the nation faces the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is instructive to note that epidemiologists and public health officials rely on demographic details from the census to track disease outbreaks, improve health and more.

The publication “Uses of Census Bureau Data in Federal Funds Distribution” offers an overview of how states can benefit from accurate census figures.

Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Hold Regular Monthly Meeting Tues., Sept. 8

September 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy the County of Granville

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet remotely by Zoom conference call on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 7 p.m. for the regularly scheduled meeting.

In order to adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting may be accessed by utilizing the link and/or phone number included below.

Public comments will be accepted in written format and must be received by September 8 at 12 p.m. by mail to P.O. Box 906, Oxford, NC 27565 or email at grancomrs@granvillecounty.org

To Join Zoom Meeting:

https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/j/95601911408?pwd=SWhwVW5yeTRSRndCYTUrdERJRHVrUT09

Meeting ID: 956 0191 1408

Passcode: 593969

Dial by your location

877 853 5247 US Toll-free

888 788 0099 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 956 0191 1408

Find your local number: https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/u/acrItghDaB

Agenda Items Include:

Consent Agenda

1. Contingency Summary

2. Budget Amendment #1

3. Minutes

4. Refunds – Releases and Write-offs for July 2020

Introductions, Recognitions and Presentations

5. Introduction of Human Resources Director and Assistant County Manager

Public Comments

6. Public Comments

Tax Matters

7. Department of Revenue Recommendation

Emergency Services Matters

8. Resolution of Adoption of EOP Rewrite

Solid Waste Matters

9. Environmental Programs Annual Engineering Agreement

Surplus Property

10. Surplus Vehicles

Purchasing

11. Emergency Communications – Netclock Purchase

12. Emergency Communications – Radio Maintenance Contract

13. Granville County Law Enforcement & Detention Center Service Contract – Preventative Maintenance of HVAC Systems

14. Granville County Law Enforcement & Detention Center Service Contract – Landscaping Maintenance

15. Granville County Law Enforcement & Detention Center Owner Requested Changes

16. Granville County MSW Landfill – Oxford Scale House New Construction

17. Granville Vance Health Department Renovation & Alterations

Appointments

18. Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ Advisory Council on Aging

County Manager’s Report

19. Information Item – Census

20. Emergency Response Program

County Attorney’s Report

21. Property Acquisition

22. District 5 Vacancy

Presentations by County Board Members

23. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

24. Any Other Matters

To view meeting agendas and minutes for the Granville Co. Board of Commissioners, click here.

Join N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Weekly Online Garden Chat

September 4, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension

The local offices of N.C. Cooperative Extension will host a weekly online Garden Chat beginning Thursday, September 10, 2020. The public is invited to join Master Gardener℠ volunteers from the surrounding area each Thursday afternoon for a fun and engaging conversation about timely garden topics.

Each session begins at 2 p.m. and will feature an informative presentation on subjects such as plants for fall color, sustainable landscaping, selecting groundcovers and fighting fire ants. Seasonal gardening tips and helpful web resources will also be shared.

These interactive sessions will last about 45 minutes and will include time for participants to get questions answered about their own gardening challenges. The Garden Chats are hosted by the Master Gardener volunteers of Warren, Vance, Granville and Person Counties.

Registration is required to obtain access to these online sessions, and complete details are posted at http://go.ncsu.edu/mastergardenerchat or by calling (252) 438-8188 or (919) 603-1350.

VGCC Advances the Virtual Classroom through Proven Faculty Development

September 3, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) have partnered to advance the success and equitable outcomes for students in VGCC’s four-county service area. The college is the first community college in North Carolina to partner with ACUE to offer its nationally-recognized faculty development program in evidence-based teaching practices for online instruction.

Numerous and independently validated efficacy studies confirm that students are more engaged, learn more, and complete courses in greater numbers—more equitably with their peers—when taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty.

In September, about 75 VGCC faculty will begin their professional learning experience in ACUE’s microcredential courses in Designing Student-Centered Courses, Promoting Active Learning Online, and Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Online Learning Environment—enhancing the college’s teaching and learning efforts.

“In these ACUE microcredential courses, faculty will experience a proven learning design that not only provides foundational knowledge but also enables faculty to have an immediate impact on their virtual classrooms by implementing, reflecting upon and refining evidence-based teaching practices based on peer and expert feedback,” said Petra Kohlmann, partnership director, ACUE.

Faculty who satisfy course requirements will earn microcredential credit toward ACUE’s Certificate in Effective College Instruction, which is the only nationally-recognized college teaching credential endorsed by the American Council on Education.

“We are pleased to begin this partnership with ACUE and view this as an investment in our faculty to the ultimate benefit to our students. VGCC is committed to supporting excellent teaching and learning for the benefit of all students, and research has demonstrated the implementation of evidence-based teaching practices can improve student achievement and close equity gaps,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of VGCC.

“As VGCC faculty members and co-facilitators of the ACUE courses that will be offered this fall, we look forward to strengthening our educational practices with what we will be learning. It is beneficial for us as faculty to continuously learn and grow and these courses are great opportunities for doing this. Students will benefit from what we learn because we will be implementing specific strategies in our online classes both this semester and for future semesters. The overall goal is for every student to have an exceptional educational experience at VGCC,” said Dr. Erica Jastrow, department chair of nursing/co-facilitator and Tammy Ball, online retention specialist and instructor of medical office administration at VGCC.

“The quality of online instruction is critical to the success of our student population. Our college has amazingly talented faculty who believe in quality teaching, learning, student success, and equity. We are pleased that our new partnership with ACUE will help us to build upon the transformative student success work being done at the college by faculty and staff,” said Dr. Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement and success at VGCC.

GVPH Offers Pre-Diabetes Screening, New Diabetes Prevention Class

September 3, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

Granville Vance Public Health will kick off its Diabetes Prevention Program with a pre-diabetes screener and Diabetes Prevention class on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.

The new Diabetes Prevention class will be held at Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford, NC. The class will be limited to ten to ensure social distancing guidelines are met. For those uncomfortable with attending in person, a virtual option will be offered.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. To determine if you are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes and qualify for the class, take the pre-diabetes screener at https://.surveymonkey.com/r/3VPHQK2.

For more information on GVPH’s Diabetes Prevention Program, please contact regional coordinator and lifestyle coach Ashton Johnson at (919) 690-2114 or ajohnson@gvdhd.org.

Downtown Oxford Candy Stroll Canceled; City Recommends No Neighborhood Trick-or-Treat

September 3, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy the City of Oxford

In light of current COVID-19 conditions, the anticipated Halloween Spooktacular Candy Stroll, hosted by the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Commission, has been canceled for 2020.

Additionally, the City of Oxford is recommending the “community-wide/neighborhood” Halloween candy distribution not take place for 2020.

If you have any questions, please call (919) 603-1164.

Animal Shelter Partners With ‘Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com’

September 2, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County Animal Management announces a newly-formed partnership that will provide a safe and structured way to match pets with new homes. “Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com” is a free service to help guide pet owners through the adoption process when they can no longer keep or care for their pets.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic comes a whole new set of challenges regarding pets,” said Granville County Animal Management Director Matthew Katz. “There are families with emergency needs such as having to move, care for sick loved ones and other issues that have changed their daily lives. This online resource will allow those who need assistance to select the best potential adopters for the pets they care about.”

The process is simple, Katz explains, with four easy steps:

Pet owners create a profile to have their pets posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com;
Applications of potential adopters will be made available for review;
The Rehome team will help guide pet owners through the process of setting up safe and pressure-free meetings with the applicants they choose, and
An adoption contract, provided through Rehome, will finalize and protect the transfer of pet ownership.

“This is a simpler and much safer option for everyone involved,” Katz adds. “The best setting for a pet to be adopted is from their own home.”

Not only will this partnership assist pet owners with rehoming their pets, but it will also help reduce the number of animals surrendered to the Granville County Animal Shelter, which has adjusted its operating hours and guidelines for public visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Shelter, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, has limited space as it makes plans to move to its new facility on New Commerce Drive later this month. The online resource will continue to be available even after the transition as residents continue to face new challenges.

This online rehoming service is available at no charge through Adopt-a-Pet.com. A link to this resource is available through the Granville County Government website at www.granvillecounty.org.

To learn more about this pet re-homing resource, please contact the Granville County Animal Shelter at (919) 693-6749.

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

‘Open for Business’ Loan Opportunity Available for Small Businesses Affected by COVID

September 2, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

Many small and local businesses in the Kerr-Tar Region have been negatively affected by COVID-19. In an effort to provide support to those businesses, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is rolling out the Open for Business Loan Program.

This loan program is designed to help small to medium size businesses recover from the economic effects of this pandemic.

The Open for Business Loan is a non-forgivable interest-free loan, ranging from $10,000 – $100,000. Eligible borrowers are small to medium size (1-99 employees) businesses who have been in business for at least 12 months and must be located in Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance or Warren counties.

Documentation providing evidence of a loss of revenue since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is required. All loans will require a personal guarantee and additional collateral. Funds can only be used for working capital and/or equipment and require an application fee of $200. Standard loan terms of 5 to 10 years.

The Open for Business Loan Program is locally administered and funded by the US Department of Commerce and Economic Development Administration with funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

To apply, visit www.kerrtarcog.org and click on the “Open for Business Loan” tab. Applications are available on the Kerr-Tar COG website at www.kerrtarcog.org or by calling Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments at (252) 436-2040. Applications should be completed as soon as possible as funding is limited.

Sheriff Noblin Offers Tips for Safe Labor Day Holiday

September 2, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

With the approach of the Labor Day weekend, Granville County Sheriff Charles R. Noblin, Jr. asks all residents to join him in making this Labor Day holiday a safe one.

Traditionally during the Labor Day holiday, our highways experience one of the highest traffic flows of the year as families travel for the three-day weekend. The Sheriff reminds everyone to follow these safe driving tips when on the road:

Always shift attention every few seconds, constantly scanning the road ahead and behind. Never stare blankly ahead or fix your gaze on one point on the road.
When passing a vehicle, always glance at the ground beside the front wheel of the car you intend to pass. That way, you will know instantly if the car is about to veer, giving you an extra few seconds to respond.
Also when passing, pull out into the opposite lane of traffic while you are still well behind the car in front. This should give you some time and space to build up speed, and will enable you to pull back into your own lane, should the need arise.
Never cut abruptly out of your lane into the opposite lane. Always signal your intentions with your brake lights, turn signals, horn and/or headlights so that other drivers will see you well before you change course.
Always “aim high” in steering, glancing frequently at points well ahead. Not only will this help in steering, but will also help check the position of vehicles in front, as well as oncoming traffic.
Never follow too close. Remember that, as speed increases, it takes substantially longer to stop. Also, remember that it’s good to have an extra cushion of space in front if you are being tailgated, on a slippery road, or in low visibility conditions.

“I would like to remind all drivers to also practice the ‘Golden Rule’ when driving,” Sheriff Noblin said. “Be courteous and tolerant of other drivers. Let’s make this Labor Day weekend a safe one on our roads.”

The Granville County Sheriff’s Office is now open in their new location at 525 New Commerce Drive in Oxford, in the newly-constructed Law Enforcement Center. For any questions or for more information, their phone number remains the same at (919) 693-3213, or you can send emails to granville.sheriff@granvillecounty.org.