NC Dept of Agriculture

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2019 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

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-Press Release, NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting grant applications for the 2019 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Applicants have until 5 p.m. on March 1, 2019, to apply.

“Specialty crops make up a significant portion of the state’s $87 billion agriculture industry and we would like to see this area of production grow,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Grant requests of up to $200,000 can be made through this program.”

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture.

Grants are not available for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual. Applications must include biographical sketches on each person responsible for developing and implementing the project. In addition, applications must include at least one letter of support for the proposed project.

Applications are open to state and local governments, academic institutions, nonprofit associations, producer associations, community-based organizations and other specialty crop stakeholders. Interested parties can apply as single entities or in combined efforts.

For grant guidelines and an application, go to www.ncagr.gov/markets/scgrant. For questions, contact Sarah Pearce at 919-707-3158 or by email at sarah.pearce@ncagr.gov.

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Board to Hear Presentations, Make Appointments at Jan 22 Meeting

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

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday, January 22, 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

Recognitions and Presentations

3. Presentation – Juvenile Crime Prevention Council

4. Presentation – FY 2017-2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) Audit

Public Comments

5. Public Comments

Appointments

6. Opioid Advisory Committee

7. Senior Services Advisory Committee

8. Granville County Library System Board of Trustees

9. Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee

10. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee

County Manager’s Report

11. County Manager’s Report

County Attorney’s Report

12. County Attorney’s Report

Presentations by County Board Members

13. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

14. Any Other Matters

Closed Session

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

*Please note that County of Granville offices will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.  

Granville Co. Teacher of the Year Named WRAL’s Teacher of the Week

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Public School System is proud to announce that Mrs. Kimberly Allison, a math teacher at GC Hawley Middle School and GCPS’ 2018 Teacher of the Year, was recognized as WRAL’s Teacher of the Week.

Allison’s students say her “fun personality” and willingness to help everyone make her deserving of this recognition.

Be sure to check out WRAL’s video of Allison receiving her recognition here: https://www.wral.com/i-enjoy-her-fun-personality/18128653

Granville Crime Stoppers

Motor Vehicle Break-In at Davis Chapel Baptist Church

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-Information courtesy Granville County Crime Stoppers

On Sunday, January 6th, 2019, at 12 p.m. an unknown black female driving a gray 4-door Chevrolet Cobalt vehicle with a Texas license plate was seen breaking into a 2000 Ford Explorer located in the parking lot of Davis Chapel Baptist Church located off Grassy Creek Road in Bullock, NC.

Anyone with information, please call Granville County Crime Stoppers at 919-693-3100.

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Library System to Forgive Library Fees, Fines

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-Information courtesy the Granville County Government’s Facebook page

The Granville County Library System recently announced that it is forgiving all unpaid library fees accrued prior to January 1, 2018, and all library fines accrued prior to January 1, 2019. No refunds will be given for fees or fines previously paid.

Calling the initiative “New Director, New Year,” the system will also grant amnesty on all missing items that are returned.

This forgiveness policy applies to all four branches served by the system including the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, South Branch Library in Creedmoor, Stovall Branch Library in Stovall and Berea Branch Library in Oxford.

For more information on the four branches, including locations and hours of operation, please click here.

Registration Underway for 9th Annual Warrenton Junior Firefighter Competition

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-Information courtesy John W. Franks, Chief Advisor, Warren County Fire Explorers

The Warren County Fire Explorers are now accepting registrations for event sponsors and vendors for its 9th annual Warrenton County Junior Firefighter Competition to be held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Warren County Recreation Complex in Warrenton, North Carolina.

The Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition is North Carolina’s biggest junior firefighter competition which attracts hundreds of teenaged firefighters plus their parents, advisors, and supporters from as far away as Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida, and Texas. Last year eleven different North Carolina counties were represented in the competition. An appearance from Duke Life Flight’s medical helicopter and rope demonstrations by the REDS Team from Wake County made it another very enjoyable year as well!

New For 2019:

  • Bronze Sponsor Level – based on the feedback we received, we added another sponsorship level. We now have a Bronze Sponsor level at only $125 for businesses that have a desire to help the Warren County Fire Explorers but don’t want a lot of costly complimentary bonuses in return. The Bronze level sponsors (1) get their name & logo and link on the competition webpage; (2) their name & logo on the Sponsor/Vendor Flyer; (3) they may contribute to the team welcome bags; and (4) business is recognized at the Friday evening social and at the Saturday field competition for sponsoring the competition.
  • Competition Website – We have added the Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition to the Warren County Fire Explorer website (https://WarrenCoJrFireFighters.ScoutLander.com) where teams, sponsors, and vendors can get information and download forms. Sponsors receive their name, logo and link displayed on the website.
  • Sponsor/Vendor Flyer – Sponsors and vendors will have their name & logo printed on full-color flyers distributed to the teams and other solicitations.
  • Food Vendors – Again, based on the feedback we have received, all food vendors will be grouped together in or near the upper parking lot this year.

Click here to view the Sponsor & Vendor Registration Form for more details. Please note that the form and payment must be received prior to Friday, March 29, 2019, to ensure that banners, printings, shirts, etc., are ordered in time for the competition. If you have further questions, please contact Lisa Pitzing at Liss.Pitzing@gmail.com or (252) 213-3815.

NOTE: The Warren County Fire Explorers is a county-wide coed career education program for youth 14 to 20 years old. The purpose of the program is to expose youth to firefighting, EMS, and public safety at an early age and to prepare members for a career in emergency services.

The Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition is hosted annually by the Warren County Fire Explorers as its primary fundraiser for the year. Proceeds from this event go directly to the Explorer Post to cover operational costs and to pay for their training and educational needs.

NCDHHS

NCDHHS to Offer Free Residential Testing Kits in Honor of Radon Action Month

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-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

As families button up their homes to guard against winter’s chill it is an ideal time to make plans to test for radon, the odorless, colorless gas that is our nation’s second leading cause of lung cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon causes more than 21,000 deaths each year, making it the second most common cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States and the number one cause among non-smokers.

Because testing is the only way to know if your family is at risk from radon, Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed January as Radon Action Month in North Carolina, and beginning next week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is making 3,600 residential radon testing kits available at no charge. The test kits will be available from local health departments and county extension offices in 32 counties with outreach efforts. Funds for the test kits were provided last fall through a grant from the EPA.

“Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas found in soil and rock that can seep through cracks in the foundations, walls and joints of homes,” said NC Radiation Protection Section Chief Lee Cox. ‘About 7 percent of North Carolina homes have unsafe levels of radon, based on data we’ve collected. That is why we urge testing of homes.”

Radon gas can accumulate and reach harmful levels when trapped in homes and buildings, as may occur during the home heating season, when warm air rises in homes, pulling air from the lower parts of the home where radon may enter. Elevated levels of indoor radon are a preventable and fixable problem with costs of mitigation to reduce the radon to safe levels ranging from $800 to approximately $2,500.

The NC Radon Program’s website offers links to certified professionals who can assist in testing or fixing radon issues in homes. Through mitigation, the naturally occurring radioactive gas is released harmlessly from under the home into outdoor air.

For those who are not in the counties where free test kits are available, homes still should be tested. The NC Radon Program web page has links to several retailers that sell kits, and they are also available in many hardware stores. Retail prices average below $20 per kit. The website also lists resources and a link to an instructive video, and provides information on its web page for families who may qualify for financial assistance to meet mitigation expenses.

For more information visit the NCDHHS’ radon website at ncradon.org.

DWI Suspected in Wreck Involving Henderson Police Car, Two Other Vehicles

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At approximately 6:13 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, a Henderson Police Department vehicle and two other vehicles were struck at the intersection of Dabney Drive and Beckford Drive in Henderson.

According to Trooper J.A. Thomas with the NCSHP, a gray Ford driven by Mark Sizemore, age 48, of Oxford was headed northbound on Dabney Drive when he struck the three vehicles waiting to turn left onto Beckford Drive.

Sizemore was arrested under suspicion of DWI at the scene. His bond was set at $3,000.

The collision was investigated by the NCSHP. According to Trooper Thomas, no serious injuries were reported, though several occupants received treatment at nearby Maria Parham Health.

On Saturday, January 12, a Henderson Police Department vehicle and two other vehicles were struck at the intersection of Dabney Drive and Beckford Drive in Henderson. The driver that struck the vehicles, Mark Sizemore (48) of Oxford, was arrested under suspicion of DWI. (Photo Credit: HPD)

Former WRAL-TV Anchor Bill Leslie to Speak at Annual Granville Co. Chamber Banquet

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

In celebration of 77 years, the Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors announces that the annual banquet will be held Monday evening, January 28, 2019.

Banquet sponsors are BB&T, CERTAINTEED, DUKE ENERGY; GRANVILLE HEALTH SYSTEM, HICKS AND WRENN, LLP, THE SCHOOL OF GRAPHIC ARTS and VANNESS CHEVROLET.   

The evening’s presenter is well-known, retired, WRAL-TV anchor desk personality, Bill Leslie.  “Bill Leslie is an award-winning journalist and internationally acclaimed musician and composer. He retired from the anchor desk in 2018 after 34 years at WRAL-TV.

Retired WRAL-TV anchor and accomplished musician, Bill Leslie, will serve as the presenter at the 2019 Granville County Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

Bill has won more than 70 major news awards including two Peabody Awards, considered the Pulitzer Prize of broadcasting, along with five Emmys. As a veteran anchorman and environmental reporter for WRAL Television in Raleigh, Bill produced more than a dozen award-winning documentaries.

Famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma called Leslie ‘one of the greats in modern Celtic music.’  All eight of the CD’s produced by Bill have hit at or near the top of the world music charts. Leslie, who plays guitar, piano and Celtic whistle was named ‘Best New Artist’ worldwide by the NAR in 2005. He currently plays with a Raleigh based Celtic/Folk ensemble.

Bill’s orchestral composition Tall Ships was named the official song of the 2006 America Parade of Sail. His music has been performed by the North Carolina Symphony and the Tar River Philharmonic Orchestra.

Bill is also a popular storyteller and author of a book featuring his father’s watercolors of Western North Carolina.

The evening will once again include the presentation of the Chamber’s most prestigious award, the John Penn Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding community service.

A buffet dinner will be provided. Tickets are $40 each. Corporate tables of eight, with reserved seating, are available for $300.  Corporate tables of 10, reserved seating, are available for $380. Reservations are required prior to the event. Checks or credit card payments are accepted by contacting one of the Chamber’s offices – 919.693.6125/Wanda, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 919.528.4994/Toni Anne, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

With Calls Increasing, Granville Co. Offers Tips on Determining 9-1-1 Emergencies

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-Press Release, County of Granville

Call volume at the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center has seen a steady yearly increase, with almost 43,500 9-1-1 calls received in 2018 and an increase of about 3,000 calls for service from the previous year. Most residents know to contact 9-1-1 in an emergency, but how can those who may need help determine what an “emergency” is?

An “emergency” is any situation that requires immediate assistance from law enforcement, the fire department or an ambulance. Examples include medical emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke, house fires, incidents of domestic violence, being involved in/witnessing a car crash or being the victim of/witnessing a crime, such as a burglary or theft. The general rule is to dial 9-1-1 any time there is a threat to life or property  – but if ever in doubt, residents should go ahead and call the 9-1-1 Center.

“When dealing with an emergency, every second counts,” Trent Brummitt, 911 Center Manager of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center, explains. “If you’re unsure, it’s better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 telecommunicator determine if you actually need emergency assistance.”

When calling 9-1-1, some tips to ensure that callers receive the best possible assistance during an emergency include:

  1. Stay calm and listen carefully to the questions the 9-1-1 telecommunicator is asking. Staying calm in an emergency is one of the most difficult, yet most important, things that can be done. The questions being asked, no matter how relevant they may seem, are important in helping get first responders to the scene as prepared and as quickly as possible.
  2. Answer all questions being asked. By doing so, the telecommunicator can better understand the actual situation, so that the appropriate emergency responders can be dispatched.
  3. Know the location of the emergency. This is especially important if calling from a cell phone because the telecommunicator who takes the call might not be able to pinpoint exactly where the call is coming from. If the exact address is unknown, look for any nearby landmarks, buildings or signage.
  4. Follow instructions. The telecommunicator on the other end of the line is trained to keep callers safe while help is on the way, such as providing instructions to administer basic first aid. Be sure to follow these instructions step by step until responders arrive.
  5. Stay on the line. Even if calling 9-1-1 by mistake, never hang up the phone until instructed to do so. Stay on the line until you can either answer all questions or inform the telecommunicator that you called by accident and that there is actually no emergency. This saves valuable time in having to call back to confirm there is no emergency, or possibly sending members of law enforcement with lights and sirens to investigate further.

Following these tips can help save a life, Brummitt reminds.

“Telecommunicators go through extensive call-taking training, as well as regular continuing education,” he notes. “They have a list of questions to ask, but each plays an important role in the type of help you receive and how much. For example, a telecommunicator may send first responders from the local fire department, as well as an ambulance, for a possible heart attack. Or he/she may send three fire departments and an ambulance to reports of a house fire.”

Posting your home address clearly and prominently at your entrance and on your home is also helpful in ensuring that emergency responders have the correct location. Using something reflective or illuminated so that it can be seen in the evening, as well as during the day, will also be of assistance during an emergency situation.

For situations that are non-emergency in nature, good judgement and common sense can go a long way. Examples of when NOT to call 9-1-1 would be to report a power outage or burst water pipe, to request information about road conditions, for help with minor first aid issues, etc.  For situations such as these, a separate line is available by calling 919-690-0444. This call will connect you directly with the “non-emergency” line of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center.

“It is important to remember that obvious non-emergency calls can take away valuable time and resources from those who need help right away,” Brummitt further explains. “We strive to serve the citizens, visitors and responders in the most effective way we know how. But if ever in doubt, please err on the side of caution and call –or text – 911 for help.”

To learn more about what do to in case of an emergency, visit www.nena.org or www.911.org. To learn more about the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center, visit www.granvillecounty.org.