Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Local Chambers of Commerce to Host Administrative Professionals Luncheon

— Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce, together with Franklin, Warren and Vance Chambers are sponsoring the annual Administrative Professionals Luncheon.

This year’s event is being held Wednesday, April 24 at noon at Thorndale Oaks, 105 West Quailridge Road in Oxford. We are honored to have Vance-Granville Community College’s new President, Dr. Rachel Desmarais, as our guest speaker for the luncheon.

Business owners and administrators are encouraged to treat their administrative professionals to lunch, networking and an opportunity to meet Dr. Desmarais in observance of Administrative Professionals’ Day.

Lunch reservations are required ~ $20 per guest by April 18 to either of the Chamber’s offices – 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Get Slimed for a Good Cause at FGV Smart Start’s ‘Slime Walk’

-Information and flyer courtesy Christan Paylor, Professional Development Coordinator, FGV Smart Start

Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start will hold a “Slime Walk” on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Franklinton High School – 910 Cedar Creek Rd. in Franklinton, NC.

Event registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; walk takes place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The pre-registration deadline has passed, but registration will be allowed the day of the walk.

Bring out a group, walk for children and have fun!

For more information, please contact FGV Smart Start at (252) 433-9110, ext. 224.

 

State Broadband Office Publishes Homework Gap Report

-Information courtesy NC DIT

Eric Boyette, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (DIT) and State Chief Information Officer, announced today the release of the “The Homework Gap in North Carolina,” a report that provides communities with strategies to bridge the homework gap that occurs when students are assigned homework that requires internet access but lack an internet connection at home.

N.C. DIT’s Broadband Infrastructure Office developed the homework gap report in partnership with The William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University. This report contributes to a growing body of research and strategic policy recommendations designed to equip state and local policymakers, educators, and other key stakeholders with information to understand the homework gap and strategies to address it.

“We know we have many children in our state that are victims of this digital divide,” Secretary Boyette said. “Understanding the nature and scope of this problem is key to closing the homework gap.”

Governor Roy Cooper’s budget proposal makes closing the homework gap a significant priority. Governor Cooper proposes a $5 million fund to support schools that need internet hot spots for students and Wi-Fi technology for school buses.

“Too often I hear of students doing homework in the parking lots of fast food restaurants or driving long distances to use free Wi-Fi at churches and friends’ homes,” Governor Cooper said. “This is unacceptable in this day and age and it creates inequity in our educational system.”

Governor Cooper also signed Executive Order 91, which establishes a new Governor’s Task Force on Connecting North Carolina and directs state government leaders to identify and remove barriers to facilitate private-sector deployment of last-mile infrastructure, eliminate the homework gap, and support the adoption of affordable, high-speed internet access.

N.C. DIT has already begun implementing the report’s recommendations, including the BIO’s continued effort to gather more and better data through surveys such as the Speak Up survey. Speak Up is an annual research project and a free service to all schools and was the first online research tool designed to help parents share their ideas directly with schools and national policymakers. BIO partnered with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to include homework gap specific questions in the 2018-2019 Speak Up survey.

One way the state is currently working to combat the homework gap is through the State Library of North Carolina and N.C. DIT’s pilot program with the Robeson County Public Library and Public Schools of Robeson County. The pilot program is funded by a $250,000 two-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and will provide Robeson County Public Library with 35 Wi-Fi hotspot devices for up to 35 K-12 households.

To access the report, please visit The Homework Gap in North Carolina on the Broadband Infrastructure Office website. To take the Speak Up survey, please visit https://speakup.tomorrow.org.

Granville County Logo

Granville Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., March 18

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

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, March 18, 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. Public Assistance for Tropical Storm Michael

Recognitions and Presentations

4. Recognition of Service – Yvette Davis

5. ABC Update

Public Comments

6. Public Comments

Tax Matters

7. Tax Discount Discussion

Solid Waste Matters

8. Leachate Hauling Agreement

9. Granville Employee NCDOT Spring Litter Sweep

Appointments

10. Senior Services Advisory Committee

11. Animal Control Advisory Committee

12. Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee

13. Granville County Library System Board of Trustees

14. Granville County ABC Board

County Manager’s Report

15. Social Services Medicaid Project Update

16. NCHIP Health Plan Option

17. Health Department Facility Needs and Site Options

County Attorney’s Report

18. RFQ for Engineering Services in Triangle North Granville

19. County Attorney’s Report

Presentations by County Board Members

20. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

21. Any Other Matters

Closed Session

22. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) – Attorney-Client Matter

23. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4) – Economic Development

24. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5) – Property Acquisition

For current and previous Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here

Chase an Ambulance & Catch a Food Truck in Downtown Oxford

The Granville Ambulance Chase & Food Truck Rodeo has something for everyone – from serious runners to families looking for a day of healthy fun. Proceeds to benefit the Granville Health System Foundation. 

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2019

Place: Historic Downtown Oxford

Race Start Times:

10K Ambulance Chase – 4 p.m.
5K Ambulance Chase – 4:20 p.m.
5K Fun Run – 4:25 p.m.
1- Mile Family Walk – 5 p.m.
100- Yard Kids’ Dash – 5:30 p.m.

The Food Truck Rodeo will be held from 4 to 7 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC provided by the band “Big Love” at the Food Truck Rodeo from 5 – 7 p.m.

NEW in 2019: COSTUME CONTEST! Awards will be given for the best individual and group costume categories.

Registration and Packet Pickup:

  • Early Packet Pickup for Preregistered Runners – Friday, March 15 from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Tobacco Wood Brewing Co., 117 Wall Street, Oxford.
  • Race Day Registration and Packet Pick Up – Saturday, March 16 beginning at 2:30 p.m. at The Hub, 100 Main Street, Oxford.

For more information or to sign up, visit The Granville Ambulance Chase & Food Truck Rodeo website by clicking here

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Anonymously Donated Livestock Trailer to Benefit Animal Control

-Information and photo courtesy the Granville Co. Government Facebook page

An anonymous donation to the Humane Society of Granville County has paved the way for the purchase of a livestock trailer to be used by Granville County Animal Control.

The 16-foot trailer will allow animal control officers to better handle the collection and transport of loose livestock, live animal rescue and large animal cruelty cases.

For more information about the services provided by Granville County Animal Management, visit www.granvillecounty.org.

An anonymous donation to the Humane Society of Granville County has paved the way for the purchase of a livestock trailer to be used by Granville County Animal Control. The 16-foot trailer will allow animal control officers to better handle the collection and transport of loose livestock, live animal rescue and large animal cruelty cases. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

NC Drivers May Soon Face Stricter Restrictions on Cell Phone Use

State lawmakers are working on getting a bill passed that would ban NC drivers from talking on their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.

HB 144 proposes fines for first offenses of talking on the phone while driving. Subsequent convictions would result in fines and insurance points.

Exceptions would allow drivers to talk on cell phones while parked. Drivers 18 and older would also be able to use a mounted cell phone if the call could be placed and ended with a single button.

Drivers who experience emergency situations and emergency responders are exempt under the proposed bill.

The bill needs the approval of the House, Senate and NC governor to officially become law.

According to a car accident lawyer Daytona beach, North Carolina currently bans texting while driving for all drivers and talking while driving for those younger than 18 and all school bus drivers.

In last week’s Town Talk interview with North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey, the topic of HB 144 was briefly discussed.

“Distracted driving is the leading cause of deadly accidents today,” said Causey. “Texting and talking while driving have killed so many people needlessly.”

Causey believes the bill, which has been brought up several times in past years, will pass this go around thanks to “broad bipartisan support.”

“The time is now right with the number of deadly accidents and the pressure it’s putting on raising auto insurance rates. It’s a common sense safety move that would also help hold down insurance rates.”

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Hear Updates on School System Finances

-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet Monday, March 25, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina for the purpose of receiving a presentation and updates from staff on School System finances.

The Board will also enter closed session pursuant to General Statutes 143-318.11(a)(1), (a)(3) and (a)(6) to prevent the disclosure of confidential personnel files under G.S. 115C-321, to consider matters relating to employee performance, and to consult with the Board’s attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege.

The next regular scheduled Board meeting is Monday, April 1, 2019, at 6 p.m.

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Senior Services Invites Ages 50+ to ‘Get Walking’

-Information courtesy Granville County Government’s Facebook page

If you’re age 50-plus, Granville County Senior Services invites you to participate in a “Get Walking” class, a part of the “Fit Past Fifty” exercise program. This class features an easy stroll around Granville Athletic Park while mixing in easy-to-perform exercises and stretches.

“Get Walking” meets at the park each Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. (There is no class if raining.)

Contact Justin Waller, Fitness Program Coordinator, at (919) 693-1930 for more information.

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Granville Chamber Announces 2019 ‘Alive After Five’ Dates

— Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

The Board of Directors of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce information for our three 2019 events.

Beginning Thursday, May 23 in downtown Oxford’s parking lot between Main and Gilliam Streets, the first Alive After Five will feature “THE EMBERS” Band.

On Thursday, August 15, “THE ATTRACTIONS” Band will be entertainers for the second concert in Creedmoor in the VanNess Chevrolet parking lot, 107 West Lyon Street, Creedmoor.

Completing the season will be “Jim Quick and Coastline Band” in Oxford on Thursday, September 12.

This is the sixteenth year that the Chamber has organized Alive After Five events for the public. All events are held from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m.

The continued sponsorships of local businesses and industries enable the Chamber to provide these community-oriented gatherings. Businesses who are interested in sponsorship opportunities may contact the Chamber for sponsorship details.

Also, each event requires approximately 60 volunteers, who receive a complimentary volunteer t-shirt. Anyone interested in sponsoring and/or volunteering should contact either of the Chamber’s offices at 919.528.4994 or 919.693.6125.