Granville County Logo

Granville County Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., April 1

/by

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

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, April 1, 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. Budget Amendment #6

3. Minutes

Recognitions and Presentations

4. Recognition – Volunteer Service Award

5. Presentation – Franklin Vance Warren Opportunity Inc.

Public Comments

6. Public Comments

Tax Matters

7. Tax Discount Discussion

Solid Waste Matters

8. Roadside Litter Removal Request

Appointments

9. Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee

10. Granville County Board of Adjustment

County Manager’s Report

11. Extension of Street Sign Installation Contract

County Attorney’s Report

12. County Attorney’s Report

Presentations by County Board Members

13. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

14. Oaths of Office for Board of Equalization and Review

Closed Session

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

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

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education to Meet April 1

/by

-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting Monday, April 1, 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 for Personnel/Attorney-Client Privilege and Consultation with Board 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 find a copy of the agenda for the meeting, please use the following link: https://www.boarddocs.com/nc/gcsd/Board.nsf/Public

Oxford Personnel Committee to Discuss Employee Salary Study – April 1

/by

-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The Personnel Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Monday, April 1, 2019, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held in the 1st Floor Training Room City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss Employee Salary Study. All those interested are invited to attend.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Granville Vance Public Health Addressing Opioid, Mental Health Issues

/by

Lisa Harrison, health director for the Granville Vance Public Health Department, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss current health initiatives as well as a possible relocation for the department’s Granville County office.

Buildings

With office locations in both Vance and Granville County, Harrison said the buildings of the 40- year-old health district are beginning to show their age.

“With all of the recent rain, leaks were discovered along with structural issues, particularly in the Granville County location,” said Harrison.

The Granville Vance Public Health Department’s Granville Co. building is located at 101 Hunt Drive in Oxford. Recent rain has brought to light leaks and other structural issues. (WIZS photo)

According to Harrison, Granville County Commissioners are discussing options for the health department’s Granville office, including a possible new location.

The Granville County building is currently located at 101 Hunt Drive in Oxford, while the Vance County office is housed at 115 Charles Rollins Road, across from Maria Parham Health, in Henderson.

 

Health Initiatives

Quickly adapting to the ever-changing health care needs of the local community is essential to the success of a public health department. Harrison said one example of the way Granville Vance adapts to changing needs is evident in their response to the recent opioid crisis.

According to Harrison, many factors have contributed to the crisis, including a lack of understanding of the changes in brain chemistry while on opioids, and the quickness of addiction.

“Doctors were taught ten years ago that opioids weren’t as addictive as we now know that they actually are,” said Harrison. “When I was undertaking my hypnosis continuing education, I inferred that hypnosis could be a solution to many maladies.”

Harrison also explained that a system of tying patients’ pain levels and satisfaction ratings into payments ultimately made to the hospital further added to the fallout that many communities are now facing.

“Many come to this addiction through no fault of their own. It might have happened after a surgery or after an injury playing sports in high school.

I think, as a society, we can fight this and get this right, but we are going to have to be very human and very heart-centered in how we approach it.”

For their part, the health department seeks federal grant assistance and partners with local hospitals and physician groups to provide recovery options for those addicted to opioids.

In the spirit of addressing current community needs, the health department is proud to announce that it is also a part of the “Stepping Up Initiative,” a program designed to study mental health issues, substance use and prison sentences among inmates.

“We have telehealth in all jails in the region – Granville, Vance, Franklin, Warren and Halifax. These five counties participate together as the only regional ‘Stepping Up Initiative’ group in the nation,” Harrison said.

UNC Public Television will air a segment on the “Stepping Up Initiative” and the work being done to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in local detention centers tonight (March 28) at 8 p.m.

The segment will re-air at other times over the weekend and will also be available for viewing on the UNC-TV website.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Lisa Harrison in its entirety, click here.

Oxford Masonic Center to Host First Responders Breakfast, Open House

/by

-Information courtesy Kevin Otis, Oxford Lodge #122 of the Masonic Home for Children

On Saturday, April 6, 2019, Oxford Lodge #122 and Henry F. Grainger Lodge #412 will host a First Responders Breakfast from 6:30 – 8:30 a.m. at the Masonic Center, 105 West College Street in Oxford. Dine in or get your breakfast to go.

Oxford Police Department, Oxford Fire Department, Granville County Deputy’s Office, NC State Police and Granville Medical Services EMS are all welcome for a complimentary breakfast as a small way of saying thank you for all you do.

Also on Saturday, April 6, all the Masonic Bodies at 105 West College Street will provide an Open House to the public from 9 a.m. to noon. Visit with representatives from The Order of the Eastern Star Oxford Chapter 94, Rainbow Girls Chapter 90, Oxford York Rite Bodies, Granville Co. Shrine Club – Amran/Sudan Temples, Henry F. Grainger Lodge #412 and Oxford Lodge #122.

Hear what each organization does and how they help others. Please join us for a fun and learning experience.

Kevin Otis was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS Town Talk program to discuss the breakfast and open house. Otis’ segment of the program begins at the 18:30 mark.

Tar River Elementary Principal Completes Distinguished Leadership Program

/by

-Press Release, NCPAPA

Courtney Currin, principal of Tar River Elementary, recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a year‐long leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association and sponsored by the American Express Foundation through the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD).

The Distinguished Leadership in Practice Program (DLP) uses a non‐traditional professional development model that is aligned to the performance evaluation standards adopted by the State Board of Education for North Carolina’s school leaders.

This unique cohort‐based program is designed to limit principals’ time away from their schools by allowing them to attend face‐to‐face sessions once every other month while accessing on‐line assignments, materials and coaching in between face‐to‐face sessions. Principals engage in a series of authentic activities throughout the year‐long experience that are designed to build the capacity of their schools and their own capacity as “Distinguished” school leaders.

“The leadership of the school principal is by far one of the most important factors in school quality. By completing this very rigorous program, our DLP graduates have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement by working to improve their leadership skills as they simultaneously improve their schools. We are proud to include them in the ranks of successful DLP completers,” said Dr. Shirley Prince, NCPAPA Executive Director.

This program is offered in Chapel Hill and serves principals in all eight regions of the state.

Tar River Elementary Principal Courtney Currin (pictured left with Granville Co. Schools Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean), recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a year-long leadership development program for practicing school principals. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Social Services Still Accepting Energy Assistance Applications

/by

-Information courtesy the Granville Co. Government’s Facebook page

The Granville County Department of Social Services is currently accepting applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Applications will be taken through Friday, March 29, 2019, or until funds are exhausted.

This program provides assistance to local residents for payment of their heating bills. To be eligible, applicants must meet income and resource requirements and be responsible for payment of their own energy bill.

All interested in completing an application should bring valid Identification and provide Social Security numbers for everyone in the household, as well as proof of income for the prior month. Applicants should also provide a copy of their heating bill – which includes account number – and a bank statement.

If applying for someone else, a statement giving permission to apply on that person’s behalf will also be required.

The Granville County Department of Social Services is located at 410 W. Spring Street in Oxford. For more information, contact Social Services at (919) 693-1511.

‘Charlotte’s Web’ to Delight School Children, Families Alike

/by

Part of the Educational Series

The heartwarming literary classic “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White comes to life on stage! Enjoy this beautifully staged production that will be presented by children for children.

Two performances will be available for schools at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019. 

*Approximate length: 2 hrs, 15 mins, suggested grades: 2nd – 5th. $10 per student or parent. Add popcorn and bottled water for $3 more. Two free teacher/teacher assistant admissions with each class. For more information, contact info@mcgregorhall.org or call (252) 598-0662.

FAMILIES – make it a family night/afternoon at the theater by attending the shows on Saturday, April 6 at 8 p.m. or Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are now available!

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)

DA Waters: 16 & 17-Year-Olds to be Tried as Juveniles Effective Dec. 1

/by

District Attorney Mike Waters was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the “Raise the Age” Initiative, an NC Legislature-passed law that will raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction for nonviolent crimes to age 18 effective December 1, 2019.

According to Waters, this change will significantly increase the juvenile court workload as the majority of 16 and 17-year-olds, currently tried automatically as adults in NC, will be tried as juveniles when the law goes into effect.

Under the new law, exceptions exist for 16 and 17-year-olds who commit felonies that are classified as A-D – including murder, robbery and burglary – in addition to DWI and other traffic offenses, firearm charges and gang-related offenses.

“North Carolina is one of the last two states in the nation to charge 16-year-olds as adults,” said Waters. “I want to reassure the public that, under the new law, the DA’s office will have the discretion to prosecute juveniles that commit serious crimes as adults.”

Waters also explained that, as of December 1, a 16 or 17-year-old convicted of a serious crime will fall under the “once an adult, always an adult” adage; once tried as an adult, any subsequent convictions will be tried as an adult as well.

As for the reason behind raising the age limit for juvenile prosecutions, Waters said research and statistics make a compelling case.

“Research shows that many 16 and 17-year-olds that get involved in the court system may not get involved with it again. Tracking someone forever and giving them a record at a young age creates a certain outcome. Also, 16 and 17-year-olds are not thinking the same way that 18, 19 and 21-year-olds are thinking.”

While juvenile court often results in some form of punishment, Waters said the primary purpose is “therapeutic” in nature. “In juvenile court, you’re trying to get the juvenile on the straight and narrow so they do not have to come back [into the court system].”

Waters and other district attorneys across NC will be asking state legislators for additional assistant district attorneys and support staff to help with the expected increase to the juvenile court workload.

“The NC Conference of District Attorneys will be asking the legislature for 54 additional assistant district attorneys across the state with the expectation that we will have one of those in our district,” Waters said.

Waters and his office serve Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and Person counties. This five-county area compromises the 9th Judicial and the 11th Prosecutorial districts in North Carolina.

To hear the Town Talk interview with DA Mike Waters in its entirety, click here.

VGCC to Offer Open House at All Four Campuses

/by

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College will hold an Open House on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 9 a.m. until noon, at all four of its campuses.

VGCC staff members and faculty will be available during those hours to provide information on the enrollment process, academic programs and student support services. Visitors will also be able to take campus tours.

The Summer 2019 term begins May 20, while the Fall 2019 semester starts on August 19.

Prospective students are encouraged to pre-register for Open House (and select the campus they plan to visit) at www.vgcc.edu/openhouse.

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 campus.