Reminder: ‘Beyond Amazing Gospel Tour’ to Perform at McGregor Hall

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

The “Beyond Amazing Tour: A Gospel Music All-Star Event” will perform at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson on Friday, November 8, 2019, at 7 p.m.

This tour is already being described as one of the biggest and most powerful tours in the history of Gospel music!

The McGregor Hall stage will feature a parade of Gospel music stars on one spectacular evening, including Brian Free and Assurance, Karen Peck and New River, Joseph Habedank, Emily Ann Roberts, and a McGregor Hall favorite, Victoria Huggins.

Tickets may be purchased by:

DROP-IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

U.S. Department of Justice

Department of Justice Awards NC More Than $165 Million In Public Safety Funding

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The Department of Justice announced awards of more than $165 million to support public safety efforts in the state of North Carolina. The funding from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) will support violent crime reduction, opioid/substance abuse reduction efforts, school safety, victim services, transitional housing for domestic violence victims, law enforcement activities, mental health, and juvenile justice.

“The Department of Justice is very pleased to provide these critical public safety resources not only to local law enforcement agencies throughout North Carolina, but also to state-level agencies for the benefit of all North Carolinians,” said Director Phil Keith. “This funding will secure schools and protect kids from crime and violence across the state, and help to combat the scourge of deadly drugs running rampant in our communities.”

“Helping to protect North Carolinians—and all Americans—is job number one for the Department of Justice and the Office of Justice Programs,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “I’m proud to make these resources available to the brave crime-fighters, compassionate service providers and dedicated criminal and juvenile justice professionals who work so hard, day in and day out, to safeguard the communities of this great state.”

COPS Office Director Phil Keith made the announcement in Raleigh on Friday morning along with Governor Roy Cooper, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina Matthew G.T. Martin and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Director Bob Schurmeier.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety received approximately $2.9 million from the COPS Office for investigating illicit activities related to heroin distribution and methamphetamine trafficking, and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) was the only state-level agency to receive funding to improve school security through the 2019 COPS School Violence Prevention Program.

Additional school safety funding was provided to both the North Carolina SBI and DPI through OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance for behavioral threat assessments and the enhancement of the North Carolina State School Safety Center.

“North Carolina law enforcement will be better able to keep our communities safe and stop drug traffickers with this vital funding,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Federal support for local expertise is the right way to fight the opioid epidemic and to protect our schools. These grants will go a long way in making sure North Carolinians live in safe communities.”

“Supporting law enforcement at every level and all across the State of North Carolina goes to the heart of the mission of the U.S. Department of Justice,” said Mr. Higdon.  And these grants provide much needed resources and funding to law enforcement agencies as they work to protect our communities from violence, drug trafficking and any others who threaten our safety and security.”

“The grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Justice represent a significant investment in support of law enforcement and public safety in North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Matt Martin.  “We are particularly pleased that grants in the Middle District will support school safety programs, the fight against opioid addiction, and the coordinated efforts under way to reduce gun violence from Durham to Winston-Salem and Rockingham County to Cabarrus County.  These are critical priorities of all three U.S. Attorneys; to borrow an apt adage: we are putting our money where our mouth is.”

“These grants will allow SBI agents across North Carolina to more effectively partner with our police departments and sheriff’s offices to continue the fight against the opioid epidemic,” said SBI Director Bob Schurmeier.  “Families in our state have suffered enormous pain and loss, and we grieve with them.  We will use these resources to go after the cartels, traffickers and dealers and bring them to justice. We are grateful to the COPS Office and the US Department of Justice for their support of North Carolina and the State Bureau of Investigation.”

A full list of COPS awards is available online at https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants. OJP awards, organized under specific grant programs, are available online at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/OJPAwardData.htm.

For OVW awards, visit https://www.justice.gov/ovw/awards.

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage located at https://justice.gov/usao-ednc. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC

‘File of Life’ Pouches Help Make Seconds Count

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Medical emergencies can happen at any time, and when they do, confusion can often be a result. That’s why the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging, in partnership with the Granville County Senior Center, emergency responders, businesses and faith-based organizations, is sponsoring the local “File of Life” project to help make seconds count.

When first responders arrive at an emergency scene, they usually have no information about the person in need. Does the patient have prior medical conditions or allergies? Are they on medication? How are family members to be contacted? “File of Life” can provide easy and convenient access to information that will help answer these questions, allowing emergency teams to quickly begin the best possible treatment, notify loved ones and pass information on to awaiting physicians in the emergency room.

Since 1995, more than 5,000 communities across the country have implemented a “File of Life” program, gaining the support of national and state civic organizations such as the American Red Cross, the National Council on Aging and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

These information cards – in the form of refrigerator magnet pouches and personal-sized sleeves for wallets, purses or glove boxes – are now available locally through the Granville County Senior Center, the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, Granville County Emergency Services and the Creedmoor Police Department, as well as the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging in Henderson.

Limited sponsorship opportunities are also available to local organizations who would like their name/logo on the front of the information card. If interested, contact Nancy Francis, Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging Director, at 252-436-2040.

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet Nov. 4

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, November 4, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.

Agenda items include:

Consent Agenda

1. Contingency Summary

2. Minutes

3. Resolution of Notice to Reduce Salary of Elected Official

Introductions, Recognitions and Presentations

4. Recognition of Service – Luanne O. Cox

5. Presentation – NC Education Lottery

Public Comments

6. Public Comments

Solid Waste Matters

7. Landfill Scale and Scale House

Purchasing

8. Granville County Law Enforcement Center Detention Furnishings

Appointments

9. Granville County Human Relations Commission

10. Granville County Economic Development Advisory Board

11. South Granville Water & Sewer Authority

County Manager’s Report

12. County Manager’s Report

County Attorney’s Report

13. County Attorney’s Report

Presentations by County Board Members

14. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

15. Any Other Matters

To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here. 

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Hold Regular Monthly Meeting

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, November 4, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The Board will also meet in a Closed Session with the Board’s attorney in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 on this evening.

To view the agenda for this meeting, please click here.

VGCC to Offer Enrollment Night on November 19

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College will hold an Enrollment Night on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, from 5 until 7 p.m., at all four of its campuses.

VGCC staff members will be available during those hours to provide information on the enrollment process, academic programs, student support services and financial aid. Advisors will be available to help students register for Spring classes.

Students may visit any campus beginning November 4 to register for Spring Semester. Classes for the Spring 16-week and first 8-week terms start on Monday, January 13, 2020, and a 12-week term starts on Tuesday, February 11.

VGCC’s Main Campus is located at 200 Community College Road, Henderson (Exit 209 on Interstate 85 about midway between Henderson and Oxford).

The Franklin County Campus is located at 8100 N.C. 56., Louisburg (just west of Louisburg).

South Campus is located at 1547 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor (off of N.C. 56, between Creedmoor and Butner).

The Warren County Campus is located at 210 West Ridgeway Street (U.S. 158 Business) in Warrenton.

For more information on enrolling, call (252) 738-3234 or visit any VGCC campus.

Brides on Wheels (BOWs) Interest Meeting Scheduled

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

An interest meeting for local wedding vendors is scheduled for Sunday, November 10 from 1 until 5 p.m. through the Granville County Tourism Development Authority (TDA). Participants will have an opportunity to network as they learn more about the annual “Brides on Wheels” (BOWs) tour, now entering its third season.

Previous Brides on Wheels participants tour Granville County. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

The meeting will include a visit to a new wedding venue in Oxford, Shadowing Oaks, located on John Watkins Road. Those in attendance can sample refreshments from area wedding vendors, with a presentation scheduled for 3 p.m. to share information about the BOWs tour which will take place next spring.

Also discussed will be another marketing opportunity, participation in the “Forever Bridal Show” in Raleigh, scheduled for January 2020.

“We want to ensure that the BOWs tour grows and will be a successful event for venues and wedding vendors in Granville and surrounding areas,” said Angela Allen, TDA Director. “This meeting will not only offer a chance to network with other vendors but is a great way to learn more about avenues for marketing and for showcasing Granville County as a choice wedding location.”

Those interested in participating in this meeting should contact Director Allen by November 4 at 919-693-6125 or at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

Jerry Edmonds

VGCC Names Edmonds to Lead Workforce and Community Engagement

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

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Jerry E. Edmonds, III, was recently named Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Engagement at Vance-Granville Community College. In this new position, he will oversee training programs that respond to community needs and prepare students for workforce success, including apprenticeship programs, and support economic development for the region.

In addition, Edmonds will lead the development of partnerships with businesses and government agencies, and coordinate outreach and marketing for the entire college.

Jerry Edmonds, VP of Workforce and Community Engagement. (VGCC photo)

“With the combination of private sector and community college experience that Jerry brings to our college, we look forward to his leadership enhancing VGCC’s ability to serve our communities and build a job-ready workforce,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the college president.

Edmonds most recently 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. In 2016, Edmonds was a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) award recipient. In addition, he achieved North Carolina Community College System level three certification, in recognition of the highest level of Small Business Center Network proficiency.

Before entering the higher education field, Edmonds held a variety of executive leadership positions within Johnson & Johnson and IBM, where he was the recipient of numerous training, recruitment, marketing and leadership awards.

Edmonds earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with an emphasis on Marketing, from Marshall University in 1985 and his Master of Science degree in Human Services Management from Springfield College in 2001. He is currently working toward a doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin.

Edmonds is active on a variety of community boards including Working Landscapes, a non-profit agricultural organization based in Warrenton; the North Carolina Community College System Workforce Development Leadership Council; and the Roanoke Rapids chapter of Rotary International, where he served as President from 2017 – 2018 and as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

“The role of Vance-Granville Community College, and specifically the department of workforce and community engagement, is to educate and train students to perform well in existing and future jobs in our service area and beyond,” Edmonds said. “I am excited to join such a talented team of faculty, staff and administrators dedicated to student success and advancement.”

Weather Forecast Prompts Date Change for Downtown Oxford Trick-or-Treating

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-Information courtesy Mary Yount, Downtown Development Director, Oxford

Due to the amount of rain expected via weather forecasts, Downtown Oxford leadership has moved the day for the Spooktacular Candy Stroll trick-or-treat event to Friday, November 1, 2019, from 3:30 – 5 p.m.

Trick-or-treat was originally scheduled for Thursday, October 31.

Children ages 12 and under only and in costume, please!

Town Talk 10/30/19: Tourism Director Talks Halloween Fun in Granville

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Angela Allen, director of the Granville County Tourism Development Authority, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss Halloween happenings in the area.

“We are going out of October and heading into November with a bang,” Allen said. Halloween events include:

  • Downtown Oxford’s Spooktacular Candy Stroll trick-or-treat event Friday, November 1, 2019, from 3:30 – 5 p.m. Trick-or-treat was moved from its original date of Thursday, October 31 due to rainy weather forecasts.
  • Downtown Creedmoor Trick-or-Treating will be held Thursday, October 31 from 6 until 8 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Creedmoor Police Department and downtown merchants.
  • Covenant Life Church will hold Trunk-or-Treat at Butner Athletic Park from 6 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 31. The park is located at 1105 West B Street in Butner, NC. This event is open to the public.
  • The Granville Haunt Farm will be open on Halloween from dusk until 9:30 p.m. Activities include a corn maze, haunted trail, zombie paintball and an escape room. This weekend is the last weekend of the season. The farm is located at 4534 US-15 in Oxford, NC.

These are just a few of the many Halloween activities taking place in Granville County. With inclement weather forecasted, it is recommended that you check to see if events have been rescheduled or canceled before heading out tomorrow.

For more information on Granville County events, please visit www.visitgranvillenc.com.

To hear Allen’s interview in its entirety, including information on upcoming November events, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.