NC Coop Extension to Offer Free Trip to Buster Sykes Farm

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

The best way to master the art and science of pruning fruit trees is to observe the proper technique from an expert. NC Cooperative Extension will provide that opportunity on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, through a field trip to the Buster Sykes Farm in Alamance County.

The Buster Sykes Farm contains a 300 plant orchard with apples, peaches, pears, plums, pawpaws, blackberries, grapes, figs and much more. Operated by the Alamance County Extension Center, it is meticulously maintained according to specifications developed by NCSU horticulturists. For anyone wanting to raise fruit crops, whether in the backyard or on a small farm, there is simply no better place in Piedmont North Carolina to learn about proper pruning and maintenance practices. Instruction will be provided by Mark Daniely, the Alamance County Extension Director who supervises the orchard.

There is no charge to participate, and transportation is provided. The trip will depart from the Warren County Center of NC Cooperative Extension at 7:45 a.m., returning around 2:45 p.m. There will be additional pick up points in Henderson and Oxford. Space is limited and registration is required.

For complete details and to register, call 252-257-3640 or visit https://go.ncsu.edu/fruitprunetour.

Oxford Prep’s Kamarion Moore Commits to NC State School of Engineering

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-Press Release, Oxford Preparatory School

Kamarion Moore, a senior at Oxford Preparatory School, has committed to attend the School of Engineering at North Carolina State University. Kam is the son of JC and Keneica Moore from Oxford, NC. He plans to major in materials engineering while at State.

During his time at Oxford Prep, Kam has earned a number of academic distinctions including being named marshal, earning membership in Beta Club and a Director’s List recipient every quarter.

Kam is a leader in athletics as well and was selected to attend the NC Athletic Leadership Conference. He is a talented soccer player and also ran cross country while at Oxford Prep.

Kamarion Moore, a senior at Oxford Preparatory School, has committed to attend the School of Engineering at North Carolina State University. (OPS photo)

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Crews Working to Restore Power to Local Area

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-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

After yesterday’s tornados and torrential rain, we had a one-two punch today with early morning wind gusts causing additional damage. The saturated ground and heavy winds have resulted in hundreds of downed power lines, broken poles and snapped trees.

At this time, we have more than 4,000 Duke Energy crews working to restore power throughout the region with additional teams from the Midwest (300) and off system resources (180) from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Delaware and Virginia to bolster our restoration efforts.

While we are focused on restoring as many customers as quickly as possible, it’s important to note that, for employee safety, Duke Energy line technicians cannot perform elevated work in bucket trucks when winds (sustained or gusts) are above 30 miles per hour. Rest assured, however, we will work until every customer is restored.

As of 2 p.m. on Friday, February 7, there are approximately 60,000 customers without power across the state. In our region, the following counties have significant outages:

Franklin – 5,715

Nash – 2,417

Granville – 1,873

Person – 726

Until the winds completely subside, we expect these numbers to continue to fluctuate. For the most current update and further detail, please visit our outage map.

We understand our customers are anxious to have their power restored. Please encourage anyone who is experiencing an outage to report it. We have several options to do so:

  • Use the Duke Energy mobile app – Download the Duke Energy App from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play
  • Visit https://duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.
  • Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).
  • Call the automated outage-reporting system at DEP: 800.419.6356 or DEC: 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766)

Finally, please be cautious if you venture out:

  • Stay away from downed lines and any storm debris that could conceal downed power lines.
  • Report hazardous situations/lines down at 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766).
  • Never drive through standing water.
  • Take care around our crews: The “move over” law requires drivers to move over one lane when two or more lanes are available in each direction to make way for emergency responders, tow trucks, DOT incident management assistance patrols, and roadside work crews, such as utility crews. On roads with only one traffic lane in each direction, drivers must slow down and be prepared to stop. Violators could face fines.

From High School Dropout to First-Generation College Graduate, Through VGCC

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

“I was 16, and I was done.” That is how Samantha Huffman recalls thinking back in 2004. She was “done” with education, in her mind. Feeling depressed and awkward at her high school, Huffman dropped out. “I had nothing to look forward to when it came to school, so what was the point?” she said. “It’s not like I was going to go to college. I couldn’t afford it. No one in my family had made it through high school, much less gone further.”

Samantha Huffman poses in her cap and gown at Meredith College. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

Sixteen years later, Huffman actually has gone further, with a pair of college degrees to her name, thanks to her experience at Vance-Granville Community College.

The story of how she went from high school dropout to college graduate essentially starts with a tragedy, Huffman said. “In 2011, my world was turned upside down,” she reflected. “I lost my best friend, who was also my cousin and my confidant, in a car accident where she was hit head-on and killed instantly. She believed in me and pushed me to do better. At that moment, I made a promise in her memory to change.”

The sort of change she intended to make required education in order to obtain more than what she called “dead-end” jobs. One day in 2012, Huffman heard that Vance-Granville Community College offered night and online class options to prepare for the GED High School Equivalency diploma. “I went, signed up, and took the pre-test,” she said. “I passed the pre-test, and the teacher looked me dead in my eyes and asked me what in the world I was doing there. I did not test like a person with only a 10th-grade education.”

With a level of natural ability that surprised her, Huffman quickly completed her studies and obtained her high school diploma by passing the required test. “My first thought was, ‘Well, that was easy,’” she recalled. “I almost immediately signed up for college classes at VGCC.”

She took her time because she was working two jobs and raising a child while going to school. Finally, in 2016, she graduated from VGCC with an Associate in Arts degree, as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and a senator in the Student Government Association.

Soon, Huffman transferred her community college credits into Meredith College, with approximately half her tuition covered by scholarships. In December of 2018, she graduated from the four-year college with a bachelor’s degree in English. Now, she works full-time in a job in which she uses her communication skills to create marketing and promotional materials to increase her company’s client base.

“For anyone who thinks school is too hard or takes too much of a commitment, I urge you to walk into any VGCC campus and talk to an advisor,” Huffman said. “They will coach you, mentor you, comfort you, and guide you through schooling that anyone can do and help you achieve any goal you set your mind to completing.”

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Announces Feb. Events Sure to Educate, Entertain!

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-Press Release, Granville County Government 

NEED ASSISTANCE WITH TAXES? If you are a senior age 60+ and a Granville County resident, representatives of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program are now available at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Volunteers will be on hand from 5 until 8 p.m. each Thursday until April 9 for this free assistance program. Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, contact the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford at 919-693-1930.

LINE DANCING IS BACK at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Classes are offered each Saturday during the month of February through the Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program and are scheduled for 10 and 11 a.m. You don’t have to be a “senior” to participate! Contact Marilyn Howard, CLL Coordinator, at 919-693-1930 for registration or for more details.

BEGINNING COMPUTER SKILLS CLASSES are being offered at the Richard H. Thornton Library. On Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m., participants can learn how to convert files to PDF, how to search for and personalize files, and more. Seats are limited to five participants. Registration is required. Call 919-693-1121 for more details.

LEARN TO REPAIR YOUR OWN JEWELRY with instructor Linda Strother as a Jewelry Repair class is offered at the Granville County Senior Center. The session is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10 at 1:30 p.m. and is one of many classes offered through the Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program. Contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for details.

BEEN MARRIED FOR 50 YEARS OR MORE? Join the fun on Feb. 12 as the Granville County Senior Center partners with the Granville County Library System to present the “Not-So-Newlywed” Game. Eight local couples will compete for prizes as they see how much they know about their spouse. If interested in participating, contact Angela Wright at 919-693-1930. This event is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m.

A CRICUT WORKSHOP will be held at each branch of the Granville County Library System as participants (age 18+) learn to make their own leather earrings. Sessions will be held at the South Branch Library in Creedmoor (Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.), at the Stovall Library (Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.), at the Thornton Library (Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.) and the Berea Branch (Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.) Supplies will be provided and registration is not required. Contact your nearest local library for details.

TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS can enjoy “Night Time Story Time” at the Thornton Library on Feb. 12. Starting at 5 p.m., little ones will be read popular children’s books to prepare for bedtime. For more details, contact Children’s Librarian Amy Carlson at 919-693-1121.

VALENTINE’S DAY IS ON THE WAY! A Cookie Decorating Class will be held at the South Branch Library at 4 p.m. on Feb. 12. Make a sweet treat for this special day. Fun for the whole family! The South Branch Library is located at 1550 South Campus Drive in Creedmoor. Contact Penelope Mason for details at 919-528-1752.

ARE YOU A WOODLAND OWNER? Learn how to manage your property from planning to harvest with a series of workshops presented by N.C. Cooperative Extension and the North Carolina Forest Service. Topics include planning, regeneration, tree management practices and final harvest. Registration is required for these four sessions, scheduled for Feb. 13, May 14, Aug. 15 and Nov. 12 in various locations in Granville and Vance Counties. Contact the Granville County Cooperative Extension office at 919-603-1350 to learn more. All workshops are scheduled for 7 p.m.

MEET LIBBY, THE NEW MOBILE APP FROM OVERDRIVE. Learn how to borrow books and e-Audio books with Libby, your library on the go! On Thursday, Feb. 13, an informative session will be offered at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford to help library patrons make the most of today’s technology. Registration is not required and basic device skill is recommended. The Richard H. Thornton Library is located at 210 Main Street and the session will be held at 10 a.m.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 2020 CENSUS can be answered in a Feb. 19 program provided by Census Representative Kathy Dunton. Dunton will be available at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford at 11 a.m. for a discussion of why the Census is important, how data results are used and other pertinent information about this once-every-decade event. On March 25, Dunton will return to assist anyone needing help completing the questionnaire. Call the Senior Center at 919-693-1930 for details.

Raccoon Found in Butner Area Tests Positive for Rabies

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Granville County Animal Control was notified on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, of a suspicious raccoon in Twin Circles, Butner. The animal was tested for rabies, with positive results just reported.

Animal Control Officers have been working to notify residents in that area and the surrounding vicinity and offer a reminder that the best method to protect your pets from rabies is to have them vaccinated and to keep their shots current. North Carolina law also mandates that all owned dogs, cats and ferrets over four months of age should be vaccinated.

The Granville County Animal Shelter, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, provides vaccinations for dogs and cats Monday through Friday of each week from noon until 4:30 p.m. The cost is only $6 per animal. Please call the Shelter at 919-693-6749 with any questions.

NC State Board of Elections

Friday Marks Deadline to Register to Vote in Primary Election

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-Press Release, North Carolina State Board of Elections

The State Board of Elections is reminding residents that the deadline to register to vote in North Carolina in the 2020 primary election is Friday, February 7.

For more information about registering, visit ncsbe.gov/Voters/Registering-to-Vote.

Individuals who miss the regular voter registration deadline may still register and vote at any one-stop early voting site in their county during the early voting period, February 13-29. To see the early voting sites in your county, go here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/ossite/

At an early voting site, registered voters may update their address, but not their party affiliation. Registered voters who wish to change their party affiliation must do so by February 7.

 For more information about same-day registration, visit ncsbe.gov/Voting-Options/One-Stop-Early-Voting.

“The State Board encourages every eligible North Carolina resident to make sure they’re registered before the primary election,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “This includes making any changes, such as address and party affiliation.”

 To confirm your registration status, use the State Board’s voter lookup tool.

To register, individuals must meet certain qualifications and complete a North Carolina Voter Registration Application in English or Spanish. Applications are available at the state and county boards of elections, public libraries, public high schools, college admissions offices and many state agencies.

Once completed, the applicant must sign the form, and mail it or return it in-person to their county board of elections. Voters who are already registered may update their information by submitting a voter registration form by email, fax, mail, or in-person to their county board of elections.

To find the address of your local board of elections, use the county board lookup tool: vt.ncsbe.gov/BOEInfo/.

Prospective voters must meet the following qualifications to register to vote:

  • Be a U.S. citizen;
  • Have been a resident of North Carolina, the county, and precinct for 30 days before the election;
  • Be at least 18 years old; 17-year-olds may register and vote in a primary election if they will be 18 at the time of the general election; and 
  • Not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction (including probation or parole). (Citizenship and voting rights are automatically restored upon completion of the sentence. No special document is needed.)

Note: Voters are not required to show photo ID for the March 2020 primary election. In a December 31 order, a federal district court blocked North Carolina’s voter photo ID requirement from taking effect. The injunction will remain in place until further order of the court.

Town Talk 02/05/20

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Reminder: Registration Deadline for Focus 20/20 is Feb. 13

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-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments announces Focus 20/20, a Regional Economic Development Summit to be held at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson on February 20, 2020. The summit kicks off at 9:30 a.m.

Keynote speaker for the event is Doug Griffiths, author of the bestselling book, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community. Doug works with communities across the US and Canada to identify and overcome challenges that prohibit their ability to become thriving, sustainable, and desirable.

Other featured speakers for the Summit include ● Dr. Michael Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist at North Carolina State University ● Hillary Sherman, NC Economic Development Representative, US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration ● Thom Ruhe, President & CEO, NC IDEA ● Jennifer Lantz, Executive Director, Wilson Economic Development Council ● Dr. Jenni Harris, Executive Director of Business Services, North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions ● Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Continuing Education and College & Career Readiness, Vance-Granville Community College ● Dr. Pamela G. Senegal, President, Piedmont Community College ● Judy Bradsher, M.Ed., Director, CTE Programs/GEAR UP Liaison, Person County Schools ● Rhonda L. High, Customized Training Director, Halifax Community College.

“This Summit is a timely and relevant event for citizens who seek to learn more about the advantages and challenges of preparing their communities for economic development success. It will provide best practices and examples that can be applied locally.” -Diane Cox, Executive Director, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments.

Summit presentations will focus on the following: ● Setting the Stage for Economic Development in Your Community ● Advancing Entrepreneurship ● Talent Development-Best Practice Workforce Initiatives ● 13 Ways to Kill Your Community – lessons on what really makes the difference between a prospering community and a failing one.

The event is complimentary, but registration is required and limited to the first 400 registrants. If you are interested in attending, please register at www.kerrtarcog.org. The deadline for registration is February 13, 2020.

Granville Vendors Invited to Participate in 2020 ‘Brides on Wheels’

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County vendors are invited to participate in the 2020 “Brides on Wheels” Bridal Tour and Vendor Show, scheduled for April 19. Brides planning a 2020-2021 wedding will be taking a scenic tour on the “Bridal Bus” to learn more about wedding locations and resources available to help plan the “perfect” event.

Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.

The day includes a stop at four wedding/reception venues, as well as early access to a brand new venue, The Orpheum at Oxford, located in downtown Oxford. Florists, photographers, caterers, event planners, disc jockeys, rental companies, etc. will be set up to welcome the new brides at this venue throughout the bridal tour – to display a variety of wedding service options.

Vendors interested in participating in this show – a special feature of the “Brides on Wheels” Bridal Tour – are requested to register by Feb. 15. Space is limited, with first priority being given to Granville-based vendors. After Feb. 15, vendors outside of Granville County will be able to sign up to participate, depending on space limitations and availability.

Sponsorships for the Vendor Show are also available, as well as opportunities to distribute items to future bridal couples in “goodie bags” that will be given out to all who participate in the Bridal Tour.

For more information about the Bridal Tour, contact Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen by phone at 919-693-6125 or by email at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

Brides who would like to save a seat on the “Brides on Wheels” limo-style tour bus can register at https://granvillebows2020.eventbrite.com.