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-Press Release, NCDA&CS
John and Linda Sigmon of Granville County have been recognized with the North Carolina Forest Service’s “Outstanding Woodland Steward Award” for the Piedmont region for 2019. The award was announced in August through the N.C. Forest Stewardship program.
The N.C. Forest Stewardship program is a cooperative effort, with participants receiving recognition for achievements in promoting total forest resource management. Landowners receive technical assistance in developing a stewardship management plan that is based on the property owner’s objectives, with activities being scheduled to enhance the forest for wildlife, soil and water quality, timber production, recreational opportunities and natural beauty.
Pictured with the Sigmons (center) are County Ranger Rob Montague and Les Hunter, Forest Stewardship Coordinator. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
As supporters of the program since 1994, the Sigmons are considered to be “model stewards” of land management in North Carolina. While Mr. Sigmon credits the couple’s success in land management to the greater conservation and forestry community, the committee who selected the Sigmons for this award attributes the accomplishment to the Sigmons themselves, who have served as the workhorses, inspiration and dedication behind the property.
The Sigmon property has been in the family for multiple generations. Today, the land supports cropland, pasture, native pollinator habitat, wildlife food plots, multiple ponds and forestland. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sigmon are said to demonstrate great respect for the land they own, striving to balance their management in a sustainable manner.
More information on the N.C. Forest Service and the Forest Stewardship Program is available at www.ncforestservice.gov, or those interested may contact the Granville County office of the North Carolina Forest Service at 919-693-3154.
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Press Release, Granville County Government
On Saturday, September 28, the Richard H. Thornton Library will host a showing of the documentary “Landscapes of the Heart: The Elizabeth Spencer Story.” The 58-minute film is a project of the Southern Documentary Fund, a non-profit arts organization which undertakes projects made in or about the American South.
Elizabeth Spencer has penned nine novels, eight collections of short stories, a non-fiction memoir and a play. Her latest work is a collection of short stories called “Starting Over,” which was published in 2013 and was the recipient of the 2013 Rea Award for the Short Story. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
This particular film, as seen on UNC Television, offers a perspective on class, race and the changing role of women, examined through the lens of a prize-winning American writer.
Elizabeth Spencer was reared on a Mississippi plantation during the depression era. Born in Carrollton, Mississippi, she graduated from Belhaven College in Jackson, MS, later earning her master’s degree in literature from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.
After a short teaching career, she accepted a position with the “Nashville Tennessean,” but soon left the newspaper industry to return to teaching, this time at the University of Mississippi. Her first book, “Fire in the Morning,” was published in 1948. In 1953, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, leaving for Italy to pursue writing full-time.
After marriage, she moved to Canada in 1956, where she taught creative writing at Concordia University. Thirty years later, the couple relocated to Chapel Hill, NC, where Spencer continued to teach. Now in her 90s, she still resides in Chapel Hill.
In all, Spencer has penned nine novels, eight collections of short stories, a non-fiction memoir and a play. Her latest work is a collection of short stories called “Starting Over,” which was published in 2013 and was the recipient of the 2013 Rea Award for the Short Story. The award, sponsored by the Dungannon Foundation, is given annually to a living U.S. or Canadian writer who has made a significant contribution to the discipline of the short story form.
In addition to this honor, Spencer is also the recipient of the O. Henry Prize for short fiction, the Award of Merit Medal for the Short Story, the J. William Corrington Award for fiction and the William Faulkner Medal for Literary Excellence, among many others.
“A writer who is not writing is like a useless piece of furniture,” she says, “ready for the attic.”
Spencer’s 1997 work “Landscapes of the Heart” is a memoir that serves as the title of the documentary to be shown this weekend. Through the film, viewers will learn Spencer’s unique family story, and how tackling the important issues she used as inspiration for her writing set her at odds with her father, a deeply religious and politically conservative Mississippi planter and entrepreneur.
Introducing the film will be producer Sharon Swanson, who will be available to answer questions in a follow-up discussion. The presentation will begin at 2 p.m.
Founded in 2002, the Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) is based in Durham and covers a diverse spectrum of topics – civil rights, the environment, history and the arts. Projects undertaken are used as tools for social change, education and community development. Since its founding, the SDF has sponsored more than 100 independent documentaries and has 77 active ones on the roster.
The Richard H. Thornton Library is located at 210 Main Street in Oxford and is one of four branches of the Granville County Library System. For more details about this event, contact Stefani Perry at 919-693-1121.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Granville-County-Library-System.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-09-24 16:56:472019-09-24 16:56:47Granville Co. Library System to Present Documentary Film ‘Landscapes of the Heart’
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Statement from James C. Wrenn, Jr., Granville County Attorney:
Today I filed a petition to remove Sheriff Brindell B. Wilkins, Jr. as Sheriff of Granville County.
Immediately following the filing of the petition, a consent order was entered with the consent of Sheriff Wilkins and his counsel suspending him from office and staying further action on the petition for removal pending the disposition of the criminal charges contained in the indictments against him.
Until the appointment by the Granville County Board of Commissioners of some person to fill the temporary vacancy created by the suspension, Chief Deputy Sherwood Boyd shall perform all the duties of the sheriff.
Statement from Thomas C. Manning, Manning Law Firm PLLC, Attorney for Sheriff Brindell Wilkins:
Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins has consented to a court order suspending him from his duties pending resolution of charges contained in two indictments.
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman is prosecuting the cases, having agreed to undertake the investigation when Granville County District Attorney Michael Waters had to step aside from the investigation due to a conflict of interest.
Sheriff Wilkins denies the allegations of wrongdoing and has agreed to the suspension while he prepares for trial.
A Granville County jury will hear and decide the case. Sheriff Wilkins looks forward to exoneration and resumption of his duties. In the meantime, he will prepare for trial and farm.
For more information on Sheriff Wilkin’s indictments, please click the WIZS post below:
Abdul Sm Rasheed of Henderson recently took the oath of office for another term as a member of the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees.
He is the retired president/CEO of the N.C. Community Development Initiative and currently serves on the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority board. He has also been a trustee of his alma mater, Elizabeth City State University.
Rasheed was reappointed to the board for a four-year term by the Vance County Board of Education.
The Board of Trustees has 12 voting members, with some appointed by the Governor of North Carolina and some by the county commissioners and the boards of education of Vance and Granville counties.
From left, retired District Court Judge Randolph Baskerville administers the oath of office to VGCC Trustee Abdul Sm Rasheed, alongside Rasheed’s granddaughter, Jada Lewis; and wife, Marolyn Rasheed (holding granddaughter Lenox Rasheed). (VGCC photo)
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With over 2,250 tickets/ducks sold, the Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start’s 10th Annual Ducky Derby fundraiser in downtown Henderson, held Saturday, Sept. 21, was a sellout event.
“We had a record turnout, approximately 500 people this year,” said F-G-V Development Coordinator Garry Daeke. “The race was lined with people all the way to the finish line! With Baby Shark and Paw Patrol performing, along with the appearance of the Chick-fil-A cow and great weather, children had a great time.”
Children and parents alike eagerly cheered on the ducks as they raced down the Garnett Street “river” towards the Orange Street finish line.
Winners of the race included:
1st Place – $1000, Davina Inman, Granville County
2nd Place – Chick-fil-A for a Year, Tracy Boyd, Henderson
3rd Place – $250 Gas Card, Mary Williams, Louisburg
Last Duck – $100, Ellen Lindsey
As an additional prize this year, F-G-V offered one lucky duck a month free of childcare (up to $1,000 value) available to any ticket buyer who had a child in childcare. Domenick Hicks-Smith, from St. Paul’s Presbyterian Childcare in Louisburg won the prize.
All proceeds from the Ducky Derby are used to fund Smart Start programs.
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-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce
The Granville County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring their ninth annual fall seafood event – “CLUCK ‘N SHUCK,” to be held Friday, October 25, 2019, from 5:30 until 8 p.m. at The Red Barn – Golf Course Road, off Lake Devin Road, in Oxford.
Caterer Leon Nixon’s dinner menu offerings include steamed oysters, fried shrimp, fried fish, fried chicken tenders, slaw, buttered potatoes, hushpuppies, tea, Pepsi-Cola products and cold beverages.
The event will be held at the venue – The Red Barn – where it has been held the past six years. This location provides an incredible setting for those desiring to eat on the decks overlooking Lake Devin. Inside seating on the ground floor of The Red Barn is also available.
Advanced ticket sales – $40 per person or two tickets for $75 – includes all-you-can-eat on the premises.
As this is a limited ticket event, those wishing to attend are encouraged to purchase tickets early from one of the Chamber’s offices – 124 Hillsboro Street in Oxford (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.) 919.693.6125 or the South Office – 1598 NC Hwy 56, between Butner and Creedmoor (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thursdays) 919.528.4994.
A limited number of event t-shirts are also available at the Chamber’s offices for $5 each.
Event sponsors are: Duke Energy, Creedmoor Forest Products, Inc., Express Employment Professionals, Granville Health System, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Roxboro, Plastic Ingenuity, Union Bank, SERVPRO of Franklin-Vance and Granville, Carolina Sunrock, Granville County Farm Bureau/Jason Jones, Granville Insurance Agency, Inc., Shalag Nonwovens, The Pegram Agency/Nationwide, Touchstone Bank, Vino Oasi, Long Beverage, Butner-Creedmoor News, Oxford Public Ledger, The Daily Dispatch, US 98.3FM and WIZS 100.1FM 1450AM.
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-Information courtesy Granville County Government
Voters who reside in the Town of Stem should note that starting with the Nov. 5, 2019 election, the voting precinct has changed for all future elections. The new voting site will be Granville Central High School, located at 2043 Sanders Road in Stem. This site has changed from the Stem Fire Station.
On Aug. 14, 2018, the Town of Stovall adopted a resolution to rescind the previous resolution that authorized Absentee Voting for municipal elections. All voting which occurs prior to Election Day is considered Absentee Voting under North Carolina law. This includes Absentee By Mail and One-Stop Early Voting.
Due to this resolution, starting in 2019, ballots for future Town of Stovall Municipal Elections will only be available to voters on Election Day. Effective with the Nov. 5, 2019, Municipal Election, voters who reside in the Town of Stovall can only vote at their precinct on Election Day. They cannot vote by mail or at a One-Stop site.
In addition, the precinct for Stovall voters is being changed for all future elections, starting with the Nov. 5, 2019, Municipal Election. Voters will no longer vote at Stovall-Shaw Elementary School. but will now vote at the Stovall Library Conference Room, located at 300 Main Street in Stovall.
Any questions should be directed to the Granville County Board of Elections at 919-693-2515.
“KING MICHAEL: A Spectacular Tribute to the King of Pop” will be performed at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, this Saturday, September 28, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.
From early moments with his brothers to his stratospheric rise to become “the greatest entertainer of all time,” this sensational tribute will include all Michael Jackson’s most popular songs.
Performed by a LIVE band, dancers, and backup singers, this stunning spectacle will bring to life the energy and charisma for which KING MICHAEL was so famous.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/King-Michael-Tribute.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-09-23 16:54:192019-09-23 16:54:19Reminder: McGregor Hall to Present ‘KING MICHAEL’ This Sat.
Vance-Granville Community College recently brought together students, faculty, staff and community members to mark the 50th anniversary of the college, with festivities on all four of its campuses. The original charter for the college, then known as Vance County Technical Institute, was issued on Sept. 4, 1969.
VGCC Board of Trustees Chair Danny Wright and VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais cut the “birthday cake” on the college’s Main Campus to celebrate the institution’s fiftieth anniversary. (VGCC photo)
During the week of the actual anniversary, celebratory ceremonies featuring speakers and refreshments were held on each campus: the Warren County Campus on Sept. 3, Main Campus (in Vance County) on Sept. 4, South Campus (in Granville County) on Sept. 5, and the Franklin County Campus on Sept. 6.
In addition, Main Campus hosted an anniversary ‘bash’ on Sept. 4 with the band, “Liquid Pleasure,” performing, and food trucks on hand.
“We are grateful to everyone who attended our 50th anniversary events, and to the citizens and businesses who made contributions to support this celebration,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of VGCC. “We have reflected on the educational opportunities that this college has provided to Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, while we have also looked forward to the next 50 years of shining the light of education in service to our communities.”
The “Liquid Pleasure” band performs in front of the gazebo on VGCC’s Main Campus during the 50th anniversary ‘bash.’ (VGCC photo)
Guest speakers at the anniversary events included Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen; Franklin County Manager Angela L. Harris; Devon Suitt, a VGCC alumnus and Granville Early College High School graduate; Zelodis Jay, chair of the Granville County Board of Commissioners; Gary Massenburg, a VGCC alumnus and Warren Early College High School graduate; and Tare “T” Davis, chair of the Warren County Board of Commissioners.
Two VGCC staff members who are also alumni of the college made remarks, as well. Amy O’Geary, director of student success, spoke at Main Campus. “As a graduate and longtime employee, Vance-Granville Community College has been a part of my life for over 30 years,” O’Geary said. “This college guided me in my career path and has allowed me the opportunity to do what I truly love: help students reach their own potential.”
O’Geary recalled that after graduating from VGCC, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. “I quickly realized that I was not cut out for a career in sales; however, I can sell one thing,” she said. “I can ‘sell’ Vance-Granville Community College, because I believe in our mission and what we have done for this community for 50 years!”
Devon Suitt speaks during a celebration of VGCC’s 50th anniversary at the college’s South Campus. He is currently a social work investigator and a graduate student at North Carolina Central University. (VGCC photo)
Julie Jones, the college’s distance education coordinator, spoke at the Franklin Campus. That was where she first became a student, as a single mother who had recently lost her job due to company downsizing. At the time, Jones had been out of school for 17 years.
“The counselor at the time saw that I was anxious about starting back to school,” she recalled. “She was very encouraging and got me set up with my program of study and first classes. That is when I took my first computer course and knew I wanted a career working in I.T. My first computer instructor had enough confidence in my ability to do well that he asked me to apply for the part-time position of Open Computer Lab Technician. I started to believe in myself and gained the confidence that I could actually make it through college.”
Julie Jones (standing) speaks during a celebration of VGCC’s fiftieth anniversary held at the college’s Franklin County Campus. Seated, from left, are VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC Board of Trustees Chair Danny Wright, VGCC Franklin County Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May and Franklin County Manager Angela Harris. (VGCC photo)
Jones excelled in her academics and, after graduation, became a full-time employee in the campus computer lab. She would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, as well.
“What I found at VGCC was a home and a supportive family,” Jones said. “Without the encouragement I found along the way, I would not be where I am today.”
The September events capped off a series of activities throughout the year that helped celebrate 50 years of excellence, including a Dinner Theater in April; the 35th annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament in May, commencement exercises for VGCC’s 50th graduating class in May, and the formal inauguration of President Desmarais in August.
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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools
NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS
The Granville County Board of Education will meet on Monday, September 23, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.
The purpose of the meeting will be to receive and discuss information regarding long-range facility planning, the School Improvement Plan timeline and student and school performance.
The Board will also meet in closed session pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-381.11(a)(1), (3) and (6) to discuss confidential matters and consult the Board attorney.
To view the agenda for this meeting, please click here.
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