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Granville Selects Open Broadband, LLC to Expand Internet Access

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County has joined neighboring Vance and Franklin Counties, through an initiative of the Kerr-Tar Council of Governments, to improve internet connectivity and availability issues throughout the county.

This past June, the Granville County Board of Commissioners approved a seven-year contract with Open Broadband LLC to expand services of fixed-wireless broadband internet service into unserved and underserved areas of the county.

“Applying for jobs, access to medical records, access to student coursework and online banking all require good internet infrastructure,” said Open Broadband CEO Alan Fitzpatrick. “Affordable internet options also help address the ‘digital divide.’ We believe everyone should have access to home broadband internet service.”

In August of 2018, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG) led a joint broadband enhancement Request for Proposal (RFP) for the tri-county region, with each county to implement its own contract and strategy.

In Granville County, the installation process will begin in the northwest portion, which is currently the most unserved area. The county is currently in the planning and research phase of how the wireless routers will be placed. As the service expands, more areas will be selected to be included as deployment continues.

“During the RFP process, we identified sectors of the county where broadband is in most demand,” explains County Manager Mike Felts. “Over the course of this project, we will be addressing the entire county, but want to make sure we’re starting in areas that are currently unserved so that everyone will have access to high-speed internet.”

Open Broadband is now accepting waitlist signups for enhanced services that range from 25 to 50 Mbps speeds. In certain areas, 100 to 1,000 Mbps speeds can be offered. Those on the waitlist will receive regular updates on the progress of the network build and will be contacted once service is made available in their area.

Granville County residents interested in being included on the waitlist should visit the Open Broadband website at https://openbb.net/granvilleco/ or call 919-205-5400 if internet access is not available.

Those interested in this initiative are also encouraged to attend a series of community information meetings, which are now being scheduled. The first meeting will be held on September 10 at 7 p.m., with a location to be determined. More information about these meetings will be announced when available and can be found at https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/county-commissioners/broadband-initiative/.

Open Broadband, LLC is currently working with 18 other counties within North Carolina to provide hybrid fiber and fixed wireless solutions for broadband services, along with providing gigabit fiber or fixed wireless internet to residential and business customers.

Engineers of the North Carolina-based company will also identify existing assets to install their equipment (for example, water towers, communication towers, church steeples, silos, etc.).

Open Broadband’s customer support service is based in Wilson, NC.

“We are pleased to be awarded the contract with Granville County to bring service to those in need,” said Fitzpatrick.

For more details about this project, please contact Charla Duncan, Management Analyst, at 919-693-5240 or charla.duncan@granvillecounty.org.

U.S. Department of Justice

US Attorney’s Office Partners With AARP & FBI on Elder Justice Initiative

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina partnered with the FBI and AARP to promote the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative by conducting outreach and educating older adults about the latest scams so they do not fall victim. Approximately 2,500 seniors in the Eastern District dialed-in to an interactive telephone town hall to learn about the latest financial scams affecting seniors.

The Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative aims to combat the financial exploitation of our senior citizens by expanding efforts to investigate and prosecute financial scams that target seniors, educate older adults on how to identify scams and avoid getting ripped off by scammers and promote greater coordination with law enforcement partners.

According to statistics collected by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center victims lost $2.71 billion dollars to fraud in 2018, and victims over the age of 60 lost $649,227,724.

Some examples of financial fraud targeting seniors discussed during the telephone town hall were:

• Affinity Fraud – in which the scammer pretends to have some connection to the senior or a basis for establishing trust, such as being a member of the same cultural, racial, ethnic, or religious community.

• Prize Scam – also known as “lottery scam” in which the scammer claims you won a prize or lottery money but you have to pay a “processing fee” or taxes before you can claim the prize.

• Grandparent Scam – where the scammer convinces seniors that their grandchild is in trouble and needs money to pay rent, bills, unexpected car repairs, or even money for bail.

• Tech Support Scam – in which seniors may be surfing the internet and a pop-up appears claiming the computer is infected with a virus and is designed to get access to your computer.

• Romance Scam – which scammers start an online romantic relationship and lull victims into believing they need funds for a visit to the U.S. or some other purpose.

Some tips shared with the participants on how to avoid falling victim to a financial scam were:

• Don’t share personal information with anyone you don’t know.

• Don’t pay a fee for a prize or lottery winning.

• Don’t click on pop-up ads or messages.

• Delete phishing emails and ignore harassing phone calls.

• Don’t send gift cards, checks, money orders, wire money, or give your bank account information to a stranger.

• Don’t fall for a high-pressure sales pitch or a lucrative business deal.

• If a scammer approaches you, take the time to talk to a friend or family member.

• Keep in mind that if you send money once, you’ll be a target for life.

• Remember, it’s not rude to say, “NO.”

• A good rule of thumb is, if it’s too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.

Robert J. Higdon, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, notes “the elderly are some of the most vulnerable people in our society and we are committed to arming them with the proper knowledge to recognize the signs of financial fraud schemes so they will not become a victim. This is a priority of the Department of Justice and of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.”

For more information about DOJ’s efforts to prevent and combat elder abuse, please visit the Elder Justice Website at https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877- FTC-HELP.

You can also contact the Victim Connect Hotline between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 1- 855-4VICTIM (1-855-4842846), or contact the Elder Justice Coordinator at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina at (919) 856-4530.

State Cabinet Secretary Visits VGCC

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College welcomed a member of Governor Roy Cooper’s cabinet, Department of Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders, to the college’s Main Campus on July 18.

During her visit, Secretary Sanders discussed the recently-released “Status of Women in North Carolina Health & Wellness” report, commissioned by the Council for Women & Youth Involvement. The Council is a division of the Department of Administration.

Vance-Granville Community College welcomed a member of Governor Roy Cooper’s cabinet, Department of Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders, to the college’s Main Campus on July 18. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

The report is the second in a series of four publications that provide data and policy recommendations to improve the status of North Carolina women in several key areas. The first report in the series, “The Status of Women in North Carolina: Employment & Earnings,” was released in 2018. The third report will focus on factors related to women’s economic security and economic opportunity, and the fourth on women’s political participation.

The series aims to serve as a resource that may be used to make data-driven decisions about how to shape public policies, prioritize investments, and set programmatic goals to improve the lives of women and families.

Governor Cooper appointed Sanders as Secretary of the N.C. Department of Administration on January 12, 2017. A native of Belhaven, N.C., Sanders brings to the Cooper administration experience in both management and leadership. She is a seasoned pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive who has held the role as vice president of manufacturing and general manager of Biogen’s largest and most advanced manufacturing facility in Research Triangle Park.

Sanders holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from N.C. State University and a Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer University. As a native North Carolinian, wife and mother of twin daughters, she is passionate about improving the status of women in the state. Some of her work includes creating a Women’s Innovation Network at Biogen.

As Sanders puts it, “Improving the status of women in North Carolina is not just a woman’s issue. This is a family, poverty and economic issue.”

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Granville Co. Board of Election Releases Candidate Names

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-Information courtesy Tonya C. Burnette, CERA, Elections Director, Granville County

Filing for the Town of Butner, City of Creedmoor, City of Oxford, Town of Stem and Town of Stovall ended on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 12 p.m. The election date is Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

Office Position: Mayor – Town of Butner    

Name: Terry Turner

Residential Address: 613 25th Street, Butner, NC 27509

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-575-9263

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: Yes

Email: tturner2@nc.rr.com

Date of Filing: July 5, 2019

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Office Position: Mayor – Town of Butner    

Name: Vicky Hicks Daniels

Residential Address: 301 7th Street, Butner, NC 27509

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-599-0782

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: vicky.hicks8@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 18, 2019

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Office Position: Town Council Member – Town of Butner

Name: William E. (Bill) McKellar, Jr.

Residential Address: 605 20th Street, Butner, NC 27509

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-575-4283

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: Yes

Email: wmckellarjr@nc.rr.com

Date of Filing: July 17, 2019

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Office Position: Town Council Member – Town of Butner

Name: Vickie L. Smoak

Residential Address: 407 East F Street, Butner, NC 27509

Mailing Address: PO Box 641, Butner NC 27509

Telephone Number:  Not Provided

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: Yes

Email: Vickie.smoak@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 17, 2019

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Office Position: Town Council Member – Town of Butner

Name: Linda R. Jordon

Residential Address: 304 12th Street, Butner, NC 27509

Mailing Address:  (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number:  919-651-1973

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: lindarjordon@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 19, 2019

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Office Position: Mayor – City of Creedmoor

Name: Bobby Wheeler

Residential Address: 607 Forrest Lane, Creedmoor, NC 27522

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: Not Provided

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: Yes

Email: rwheeler5@aol.com

Date of Filing: July 9, 2019

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Office Position: Mayor – City of Creedmoor

Name: Amor Agdeppa

Residential Address: 815 North Main Street, Creedmoor, NC 27522

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-808-0585

Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Email: tammygagdeppa@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 15, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Creedmoor

Name: Ernie Anderson

Residential Address: 601 Hawley School Road, Creedmoor, NC 27522

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 636-288-2495

Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: Yes

Email: eanderson21@nc.rr.com

Date of Filing: July 5, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Creedmoor

 Name: Kechia Brustmeyer-Brown

Residential Address: 729 Forrest Lane, Creedmoor, NC 27522

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: Not provided

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: kechiabb@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 8, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Creedmoor

Name: Robert Way

Residential Address: 1837 Fillmore Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-201-9270

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: safetyofficercfd@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 16, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Creedmoor

Name: Herman B. Wilkerson

Residential Address: 211 South Main Street, Creedmoor, NC 27522

Mailing Address: PO Box 231, Creedmoor NC 27522

Telephone Number: 919-528-4317

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: Yes

Email: Not provided

Date of Filing: July 17, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Creedmoor

Name: Archer Wilkins

Residential Address: 2111 Westbourne Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: Not Provided

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: Yes

Email:electrevwilkins@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 18, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Creedmoor

 Name: Ed Mims

Residential Address: 2204 Regent Ct., Creedmoor NC 27522

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-529-4223

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: coloneledmims@yahoo.com

Date of Filing: July 18, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Creedmoor

 Name: Georgana Marie Kicinski

Residential Address: 310 Whitehall Drive, Creedmoor NC 27522

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-451-0311

Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Email: kicinskig@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 19, 2019

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 Office Position: Mayor – City of Oxford

 Name: Larry Thomas

Residential Address: 207 E Front Street, Oxford, NC  27565

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-603-0467

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: lpthomasoxford@me.com

Date of Filing: July 11, 2019 

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Office Position: Mayor – City of Oxford

Name: Jackie Sergent

Residential Address: 114 High Street, Oxford, NC  27565

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-690-1865

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: Yes

Email: jackie.sergent@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 12, 2019

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Office Position: Mayor – City of Oxford

Name: Calvin (CJ) Harris, Jr.

Residential Address: 210 New College Street, Oxford, NC  27565

Mailing Address: PO Box 355, Oxford, NC 27565

Telephone Number: 919-939-3058

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: calvinharrisjr1@yahoo.com

Date of Filing: July 19, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Oxford

Name: John Tovey

Residential Address: 114 Saddletree Road, Oxford, NC  27565

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 517-294-4194

Party Affiliation: Unaffiliated

Incumbent: No

Email: fly2john@hotmail.com

Date of Filing: July 5, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Oxford

Name: Ron Bullock

Residential Address: 304 Tranquil Dr., Oxford, NC 27565

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-693-7923

Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: Yes

Email: bullock304@centurylink.net

Date of Filing: July 8, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Oxford

Name: Justin Paynter

Residential Address: 110 Greenfield Circle, Oxford, NC 27565

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-389-1052

Party Affiliation: Unaffiliated

Incumbent: No

Email: justin.paynter@me.com

Date of Filing: July 9, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Oxford

Name: Teresa Gilreath

Residential Address: 915 Williamsboro Street, Oxford, NC  27565

Mailing Address: PO Box 1661, Oxford, NC 27565

Telephone Number: Not Provided

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: vktsgilr@nc.rr.com

Date of Filing: July 15, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Oxford

Name: Michael M. Hunt, Sr.

Residential Address: 109 Gregory Place, Oxford, NC  27565

Mailing Address: PO Box 213, Oxford, NC 27565

Telephone Number: 919-704-4396

Party Affiliation: Unaffiliated

Incumbent: No

Email: huntforthecity@aol.com

Date of Filing: July 15, 2019

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Office Position: City Commissioner – City of Oxford 

Name: Kenneth Moss

Residential Address: 810 Goshen Street, Oxford, NC  27565

Mailing Address: 207 West College Street, Oxford, NC 27565

Telephone Number: 984-514-5571

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: Not provided

Date of Filing: July 17, 2019

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Office Position: Mayor – Town of Stem

 Name: Casey Dover

Residential Address: 312 Coachmans Trail, Stem, NC 27581

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-695-6833

Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: Yes

Email: cdover66@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 12, 2019

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Office Position: Town Commissioner – Town of Stem

 Name: Dave Pavlus (4-year term)

Residential Address: 210 Sunset Street, Stem, NC 27581

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-964-9175

Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: Appointed in 2018 (unexpired term ending in 2021 but now running for 4-year term seat)

Email: djpavlus@aol.com

Date of Filing: July 12, 2019

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Office Position: Town Commissioner – Town of Stem

Name: Lonnie Cole Sr. (unexpired 2-year term)

Residential Address: 209 Old 75 Hwy N, Stem, NC 27581

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: Not provided

Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Email: Not provided

Date of Filing: July 12, 2019

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Office Position: Town Commissioner – Town of Stem

Name: Kenneth C. McLamb (4-year term)

Residential Address: 207 Sunset Street, Stem, NC 27581

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 919-724-3334

Party Affiliation: Unaffiliated

Incumbent: Appointed in 2018 (unexpired term ending in 2019)

Email: Kenneth.mclamb@stemnc.org

Date of Filing: July 15, 2019

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Office Position: Town Commissioner – Town of Stem

Name: Kevin C. Easter

Residential Address: 206 Sunset Street, Stem, NC 27581

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: Not Provided

Party Affiliation: Unaffiliated

Incumbent: No for an unexpired 2-year term but incumbent for a 4-year term ending in 2019

Email: kevin.easter@stemnc.org

Date of Filing: July 16, 2019

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Office Position: Town Commissioner – Town of Stem

Name: Frank N. Shelton III (unexpired 2-year term)

Residential Address: 102 Dundee Place, Stem, NC 27581

Mailing Address: (Same as Residential Address)

Telephone Number: 865-394-5937

Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Email: voteFrankNShelton@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 18, 2019

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Office Position: Mayor – Town of Stovall (This contest is not up until 2021.)

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Office Position: Town Commissioner – Town of Stovall

Name: Dale Hughes

Residential Address: 310 Main Street, Stovall, NC 27582

Mailing Address: PO Box 3, Stovall NC 27582

Telephone Number: 919-482-9065

Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Email: glenn.dalehughesjr@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 5, 2019

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Office Position: Town Commissioner – Town of Stovall

Name: Mike Williford

Residential Address: 306 Main Street, Stovall, NC 27582

Mailing Address: PO Box 382, Stovall, NC 27582

Telephone Number: Not provided

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: Yes

Email: willifordmichael@yahoo.com

Date of Filing: July 8, 2019

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Office Position: Town Commissioner – Town of Stovall

Name: Ricky Sneed, Sr.

Residential Address: 406 Oak Street, Stovall, NC 27582

Mailing Address: PO Box 58, Stovall, NC 27582

Telephone Number: 919-691-2888

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: Yes

Email: sneed.ricky@yahoo.com

Date of Filing: July 18, 2019

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Office Position: Town Commissioner – Town of Stovall

Name: Tiana N. Royster

Residential Address: 209 Gillis Street, Stovall, NC 27582

Mailing Address: PO Box 34, Stovall, NC 27582

Telephone Number: Not Provided

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Email: tianaroyster@gmail.com

Date of Filing: July 19, 2019

U.S. Department of Justice

Deported Alien, Previously Found in Granville Co., Charged With Illegal Reentry

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice 

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Greenville has returned indictments charging JORGE ALBERTO NATIVI, age 29, of Guatemala, with illegal reentry of a deported alien.

Additionally, the grand jury returned an indictment charging SEBASTIAN CORONEL-LEON, age 29, of Mexico, with illegal reentry of a deported alien, false representation of social security number and document fraud.

If convicted of illegal reentry of a deported alien, NATIVI, previously deported and found in Granville County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

CORONEL-LEON, previously deported twice and found in Wake County, if convicted, would face a maximum imprisonment term of 17 years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The cases are being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Meet in Closed Session

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet in Closed Session, Monday, July 22, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina, to meet with staff and other stakeholders for an annual review of the District’s Strategic Plan and a review of District Accountability Data.

High School Students Explore Medical Science at VGCC South Campus

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College has once again partnered with the Wake Area Health Education Center (AHEC) to offer a “Mini-Medical School” camp for high school students. The week-long camp was recently held at VGCC’s South Campus, located between Butner and Creedmoor.

Students used computer simulations and hands-on lab activities to learn about topics that included anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, cardiology, epidemiology, medical genetics and genomics. The course was taught primarily by Becky Brady, a registered nurse and chemical engineer.

Faculty members from VGCC programs that prepare students for health-related careers gave students information about academic pathways and employment prospects.

VGCC has partnered with Wake AHEC since 2014 on Mini-Med School camps. Based in Raleigh, Wake AHEC serves nine counties: Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Lee, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren. AHECs are located throughout North Carolina and are affiliated with the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers Program at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

NC AHEC’s mission is to meet the state’s health workforce needs and to provide education programs and services that bridge academic institutions and communities to improve the health of the people of North Carolina, with a focus on underserved populations.

On front row, from left: Tanisha Shetty of Green Hope High School; Darlene Villarroel-Lopez of Wake Forest High School; Abigail Gorman of Green Hope High School; Alexis Duncan of Regan High School; Jenna Curry of Granville Early College High School; Alhanna Cancel-Roman of Wake Forest High School; Kaylee Huff of Granville Early College High School; Shreya Gandi of Enloe High School; and Pooja Shah of Wake Early College of Health & Science; On back row, from left: lead instructor Becky Brady; Anushka Mandalapu of Wake Early College Health & Science; Nijaha Alston of Granville Academy; William Sharp of Leesville Road High School; Ashleigh Kiger of Mt. Tabor High School; Seth Jones of Granville Central High School; Brandon Bowling of South Granville High School; Brooke Bowling of South Granville High School; Lacey Blackley of South Granville High School; and Andre Hargrove of Granville Central High School. (VGCC photo)

Dangerous Heat Continues Through Weekend for Central NC

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-Press Release, National Weather Service 

The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will produce dangerously high heat index values on Friday. The situation will get worse Saturday and Sunday when excessive heat is expected, with limited cooling at night.

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a Heat Advisory, which is in effect from noon to 7 p.m. EDT on Friday.

An Excessive Heat Watch has also been issued. This Excessive Heat Watch is in effect from Saturday through Sunday evening.

Graphic courtesy the National Weather Service.

Heat Index Values

The heat index will be up to 105 degrees Friday. Then, heat index values potentially may soar to between 110 and 112 degrees for Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Heat indices will likely remain between 80 and 90 all night through the period, greatly increasing the potential for heat-related illnesses.

Timing

The most dangerous time will be between noon and 7 p.m. Friday, then all of the weekend. It will not cool below 80 degrees over many areas until 4 or 5 in the morning.

Impacts

Dangerously high temperatures and humidity could quickly cause heat stress or heat stroke if precautions are not taken. In addition, consecutive days of dangerous heat will continue into the weekend, when the heatwave will reach a peak.

Consecutive days of dangerous heat indices have a cumulative effect on the body, significantly increasing the potential for heat-related illnesses.

Precautionary Actions

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Take extra precautions if you must work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heatstroke is an emergency – call 911.

For additional information and tips, visit the National Weather Service website (click here).

 

DOA Secretary to Present Report on Women’s Health at VGCC

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-Press Release, State of North Carolina Department of Administration

DOA Secretary to Present Report on Women’s Health and Wellness at Vance-Granville Community College

When: Thursday, July 18, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Who: NC Department of Administration with Vance-Granville Community College

What: Presentation on a new report on Women’s Health & Wellness in NC

Where: Vance-Granville Community College (main campus), 200 Community College Road, Henderson, NC (Civic Center Building 9, Seminar Room #1)

Key speakers: NC Department of Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders

Report Highlights:              

  • North Carolina ranks 11th highest in infant mortality and 9th highest in stroke mortality among women – and the problem is even worse in rural counties.
  • North Carolina’s mortality rates for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and breast cancer, among other diseases, have decreased since the 2013 report.
  • In North Carolina, more than one-third of women (35 percent) have experienced at least one type of intimate partner violence (IPV) and more than 35 percent of North Carolina women report having experienced some form of aggression or control by an intimate partner.
  • There are wide disparities in North Carolina women’s disease mortality rates by race and ethnicity. The heart disease rate among Black women in North Carolina is more than three times higher than the rate of Hispanic women, the racial and ethnic group with the lowest rate. Black women also have a rate of breast cancer mortality that is more than three times higher than the rate for Hispanic women.

Town Talk: Weekend Full of Events Planned for Mary Potter Reunion – 07/17/19

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Town Talk listeners were in for a treat when Susan Rose, president of Rose Farms and Rentals, Inc. (DBA WIZS Radio) hosted today’s episode with special guest Rosalyn Green, event organizer for the upcoming Mary Potter reunion.

Founded by Dr. George C. Shaw, a Louisburg native, in 1889 to educate African Americans, Mary Potter Academy began as a boarding school before becoming a public high school, intermediate school and, most recently, middle school.

Reunion events will kick off on Friday, July 19, 2019, with a “Meet and Greet” event at Mary E. Shaw Gymnasium on Lanier St. in Oxford. The gymnasium was one of the original buildings of the Mary Potter School.

According to Green, Friday’s event will include food, music, good conversation and lots of former alumni.

Reunion festivities will continue with a parade through downtown Oxford on Saturday, July 20 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The parade is open to the public and will start and end at the George C. Shaw Museum located at 202 McClanahan Street in Oxford.

The parade will follow Williamsboro, Hillsborough and Broad Street and will have appearances by “local officials, local talent, bike clubs, car clubs and a few surprises,” according to Green.

Events will conclude with a church memorial service on Sunday, July 21 at the Timothy Darling Presbyterian Church, an establishment that also traces its roots back to Dr. Shaw, founding pastor. The church is located at 123 W McClanahan St, Oxford.

Green said Sunday’s memorial service will pay homage to those who have passed away since the last reunion, as well as recognize alumni who are veterans.

An active member and former president of the National Mary Potter Club, Green is a 1970 graduate of the last class of Mary Potter High School.

According to Green, this weekend’s bi-annual reunion will be even more poignant for alumni in light of news that Mary Potter Middle School will no longer be in operation effective with the 2019-20 school year.

For more information on reunion events or to RSVP, please call Rosalyn M. Green (301) 351-4850, Gloria G. Hawkins (919) 691-1291 or Janet Baptiste Jones (240) 447-2014. Green asks that all interested participants RSVP no later than Thursday, July 18.

To hear Green’s Town Talk interview in its entirety, 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.