Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Public Schools: ‘It’s Kindergarten Registration Time’

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

It’s Kindergarten Registration time! 

Do you know a child that will be 5 years old by August 31, 2019? If so, it’s time to register for Kindergarten!

Granville County Public Schools is excited to welcome new kindergarteners to our district. Though the new school year doesn’t begin for a few more months, now is the time to register your child and to get excited about school! We have three easy ways to register:

Visit your neighborhood GCPS school

Attend a GCPS Kindergarten Registration Fair:

  • February 12th – West Oxford Elementary from 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • February 19th – Mt. Energy Elementary from 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Visit one of the GCPS Registration Centers:

  • Northern Granville Middle School (3144 Webb School Rd, Oxford, NC 27565)
  • Energy Elementary School (2652 NC-56, Creedmoor, NC 27522)

At registration, you will be asked to complete enrollment forms for your child. Please bring personal identification, proof of residency, the child’s birth certificate, and any immunization records currently available.

Families have a choice in where their child attends school in GCPS.

  • Would your child benefit from attending school on the year-round calendar, enjoying a 3-week break after every 9 weeks of school?
  • Would you like your child to participate in:
    • a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) program?
    • a Leadership program?
    • a Character Education program?
    • an Arts program?
    • a Healthy Living program?
    • a Global Studies program?
  • Would your child benefit from a blended learning schedule, learning with others at school part of the week and learning at home part of the week?

All of these options are available in Granville County Public Schools. School tours are available if you would like to see these programs in action and learn more about them. Visit our website (www.gcs.k12.nc.us) and scroll down to select the “GCPS School Choice” link, or talk with any of our staff to learn more about these choices for your child.

Boys and Girls Clubs

Annual Mardi Gras Bash to Benefit Boys & Girls Club – Feb. 23

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-Information and flyer courtesy Mayor Jackie Sergent, City of Oxford

The public is invited to celebrate “New Orleans style” at the 3rd Annual Mardi Gras Bash to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of North Central North Carolina (BGCNCNC) on Saturday, February 23, 2019, from 6:30 until 10 p.m.

The bash will be held at the Clarion Inn and Suites, 913 MLK Jr. Avenue in Oxford, and will include dinner, dancing and a retro band in the spirit of Bourbon St.

A limited number of tickets are still available for $50 each and are available by calling the BGC Office at (919) 690-0036 or visiting the online Event Brite link by clicking here.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

NCDOT

Public Comment Opportunity for NCDOT Division 5 Projects

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-Press Release, NCDOT

Area residents will get a chance to learn more about the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s draft 10-Year transportation plan for 2020-2029 at a week-long open house in Durham next week. The department unveiled its proposed funding and construction plan in January with more than 1,600 transportation projects across the state.

The list includes 18 new projects for Division 5, which covers Durham, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, Wake and Warren counties. Projects were selected based on technical data, as well as input from local officials and the public. A list of the projects in the draft plan and additional information is available on the NCDOT website.

The transportation plan is updated every two years. Projects scheduled in the first five years are considered committed, while projects in the final five years of the draft 10-year plan will be re-evaluated again as part of the development process for the 2022-2031 plan. That will start later this year.

Each of the department’s 14 highway divisions is hosting a week-long public comment opportunity on the projects in the current draft plan. In Division 5, it will be from Feb. 18-22 at the Division office at 2612 North Duke Street, Durham, during normal business hours.

The sessions will serve as opportunities for interested residents to review maps and handouts about the projects, ask questions of local NCDOT staff, and submit comments.

For interested residents who can’t attend the public comment sessions, there is an opportunity to submit comments online through April 15. The draft plan will be considered for final approval by the Board of Transportation this summer.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to provide input. Anyone requiring special services should contact David Keilson at 919-220-4600, or dpkeilson@ncdot.gov, as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Maloney Named New Branch Manager at Thornton Library

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Granville County Library System welcomes Andrew Maloney as branch manager of the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford.

Maloney comes to Granville County from the Boston Public Library in Boston, MA, where he served in several capacities ranging from Fine Arts Archivist and Music Specialist to Readers’ Services Librarian. He brings with him knowledge and experience in cultural research, program development, collections management and library technology, and has plans to use these skills to continue and further enhance the programming already in place.

“I hope to expand on what is already being offered by possibly adding more music and movie events and a greater outreach,” Maloney said. “There are so many ways that the library can partner with the community and help people connect, and I am looking forward to exploring those opportunities.”

The Granville County Library System welcomes Andrew Maloney as branch manager of the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford. Maloney’s first day of work was February 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Government)

Maloney also credits the library’s Board of Trustees and the Friends of the Library for their enthusiastic support of the Thornton Library.

A new resident of Durham, Maloney is a 2012 graduate of the University of Connecticut, majoring in English and Political Science. He received his Master’s degree in Library and Information Science at Simmons College Graduate School and earned his North Carolina Public Librarian Certification in 2018.

Maloney’s first day of work was February 1, 2019.

Will Robinson will continue to serve as Director for all four branches of the Granville County Library System, which are located in Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall and Berea. Both Maloney and Robinson can be reached at 919-693-1121.

For more information about the Granville County public libraries, visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/.

Brides on Wheels

“Brides on Wheels” to Offer Bridal Couples Tour of Granville Vendors

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Angela Allen, director for the Granville County Tourism Development Authority, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the second Annual “Brides on Wheels: Bridal Tour & Vendor Show,” or “BOWs” for short, taking place Sunday, April 14, 2019.

“This event gives brides and their guests an opportunity to ride on a limo bus to view four different venues, including Granville County’s own Cedar Grove Acres, Vino Oasi, Carlee Farms and Thorndale Oaks,” said Allen.

The bridal tour will depart the Clarion Inn and Suites located at 913 MLK Ave. in Oxford, NC at 1 p.m. and will return at 6 p.m. Prior to the tour, the Clarion Inn will be the site of a public vendor show to be held in the ballroom from 12 until 4 p.m.

Participants who purchase the $35 combo ticket for the tour and the show will have a sneak-peek opportunity of the vendors’ ware in the Clarion ballroom beginning at 11 a.m. This combo ticket also includes a goodie bag filled with items from participating vendors. Seating is limited.

Tickets for the vendor show only are available for $20.

To promote the local area, Granville County vendors have first dibs on registration for the show. “We invite all Granville County vendors involved in the event planning business, such as photographers, caterers, florists and DJs, to participate,” Allen said.

All interested Granville vendors are asked to register by this Friday, February 15, 2019. After Friday, vendor registration will be open to areas outside of the county.

“We really want to showcase all of the wonderful things we have right here in Granville County to offer brides and anyone who wants to put together a special event,” said Allen.

According to Allen, last year’s tour – the first annual event – attracted eight brides, one groom and their family members, and was considered a success. “I’m happy to say three out of the four venues were booked from that particular tour. We had a diverse group of brides – some from the local area, some from Raleigh and some from the Greensboro/High Point area.”

Created as a way to promote Granville County, Allen said the bridal tour and show boosts the local economy, promotes local vendors and makes both residents and nonresidents alike aware of what the county has to offer.

“We’re not that far away; I-85 makes us very convenient to a lot of people,” Allen said. “Come hop on the bus with us!”

Tickets are available through Event Brite. Please click here to follow the event on Facebook.

Interested brides, family members or vendors may contact Allen at (919) 693-6125 or email angela.allen@granvillecounty.org with additional questions or for registration assistance.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Angela Allen in its entirety, including additional conversation regarding tourism in Granville County, please click here.

4-H Logo

Four County 4-H Poultry Show & Sale Interest Meeting – Feb. 27

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-Information courtesy NC Cooperative Extension – Warren County Center

2019 FOUR COUNTY 4-H POULTRY SHOW AND SALE INTEREST MEETING

Wednesday, February 27, 2019 | 6:30 p.m.

Vance County Regional Farmers Market

210 South Park Drive, Henderson, NC 27536

All children ages 5-18 are invited to join us on February 27 at the Vance County Regional Farmer’s Market to discuss plans for the 2019 Four County 4-H Poultry Show and Sale.

Whether this would be your first time participating or you have participated for many years, you won’t want to miss this meeting. We will be selecting the two breeds of chicken to raise this year, so if you would like to share your input, please plan on attending.

If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in participating in the show and sale, please call our office and let us know so that we can get the information out to you.

Please call (252) 257-3640 for more information and to RSVP!

NC Dept of Agriculture

NCDACS Accepting Applications for Healthy Food Small Retailer Program

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-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will offer grant assistance to convenience stores interested in offering healthier food options to those living in one of the state’s 349 food deserts. The funding is a part of the Healthy Food Small Retailer Program.

“The goal of the Healthy Food Small Retailer program is to help bring more healthy, locally grown food options to the 1.5 million people impacted by food deserts in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Convenience stores are integral parts of fighting food insecurity in local communities.”

The Healthy Food Small Retailer Program, which is administered by the department, was established in the 2016 state budget bill (HB 1030). The 2019 program will reimburse participating stores for refrigeration, freezer and stocking equipment needed to offer healthier items.

Store owners have until March 4, 2019, to apply for priority consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until March 31, subject to availability of funds.

In addition to being in a food desert (online search available at www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/), store owners applying for funding under HFSRP must meet the following criteria:

  • Accept or agree to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits;
  • Accept or agree to apply to accept Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits;
  • Have no more than 3,000 square feet of heated floor space;
  • Be established as a for-profit business at the time of application;
  • Have not previously received HFSRP funds.

Interested store owners can find more information about the program and download an application at www.ncagr.gov/HealthyRetailer.

In addition, store owners may call 919-707-3173 or email HealthyRetailer@ncagr.gov.

Jarvis Dante Perry, Suspect in Vance Co. Murder, Found in Oxford

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Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News that as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2019, Jarvis Dante Perry was in custody.

Perry is a suspect in a shooting case in Henderson.

According to an earlier press release from Chief Barrow, Saturday, February 9 around 2 a.m. in the 400 block of Charles Street, shots were fired into a vehicle occupied by Ileana Jones, age 37, and two others.

Ileana Jones was struck by the gunfire and later succumbed to her injuries at a medical facility.

Barrow said Wednesday afternoon that Henderson Police received “reliable information that he was located in Oxford. We went and swore out a search warrant for the location in Oxford.”

Barrow said, “Our guys went over there, got up with Oxford PD, and went and executed the search warrant, and took him into custody without issue.”

Wednesday night, Barrow issued the following press statement, “Today, the 13th day of February, the Special Operations Division of the Henderson Police Department developed information that Javius Dan’te Perry was located in the apartment complex on Hillside Drive, Oxford NC. Agents contacted Oxford Police Department and ascended on this location, taking Javius Dan’te Perry into custody. Perry was brought back to Henderson for questioning and will be taken to the Vance County Jail after his appearance before the Magistrate.

“The Henderson Police Department is grateful for the assistance and support received from the SBI, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, the Oxford Police Department, and especially the family of the victim.”

Story of ‘Two Races, One Family’ to Come ‘Home’ to Granville County

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-Press Release, Granville County Government 

What started as two separate genealogical research projects – one by a woman of primarily African ancestry and one by a man of European descent – eventually intersected when a DNA match connected the two, leading them back to Granville County.

The story of the ancestral search of Pamela Williams of Virginia and James Wilson of South Carolina has been presented in educational programs at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh and twice at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation of Williamsburg, VA.

On Saturday, February 23, the story will come “home” to Granville County during a program in celebration of Black History Month.

Pamela Bagley Williams and James Wilson pose in front of the 1760’s Wilson home in Granville County. Photo courtesy Granville County Government.

“Two Races, One Family” will be presented at 1:30 p.m. at the Richard H. Thornton Library as Ms. Williams describes the journey that led to finding her ancestor “Henry,” a Granville County slave prior to the Civil War. What she had not counted on, however, was finding a modern-day relative, James Wilson, who had also been researching his own family tree.

Through online genealogical research, as well as through centuries-old documents and court records, both Williams and Wilson followed leads to an 1842 court case involving the intestate estate of Robert Burton Wilson (James’ 4th great-grandfather) which listed 28 slaves. One of these slaves was Williams’ second great-grandfather “Henry,” along with his mother “Hanah,” who would have been Williams’ third great-grandmother.

Through DNA testing in 2016, it was determined that Williams and Wilson had a common paternal ancestor, which made them distant cousins.

The February 23 presentation at the Thornton Library will include the story of Williams’ and Wilson’s personal ancestral journeys, focusing on Williams’ traditional and online genealogy research, Wilson’s ancestry research and family tree development, and the DNA testing that brought the two researchers together.

The presentation will also bring to light the cultural norms of the period and an insight into the slave/master relationships of tobacco plantations during the Colonial/Antebellum era.

The 1760’s Wilson home in Granville County. Photo courtesy Granville County Government.

A retired Probate Specialist from the Spotsylvania Circuit Court (VA), Pamela Williams – a native of Granville County and a 1977 graduate of J.F. Webb High School – is a paralegal employed with Herndon Law, P.C.  in Glen Allen, VA. She has 20 years experience in ancestry research and preservation and has spoken at numerous conferences on genealogy and the importance of court records and historical documents in researching ancestral heritage.

James Wilson, who began his genealogical research as a hobby, is Chief Performance Officer for a North Carolina 100 company. He grew up on a plot of land that was once owned by his 5th great-grandfather John Wilson, who was one of the early European settlers in Granville County in the 1760s. Today, James lives in Greenville, SC.

Wilson’s daughter, Dr. Jamie Wilson, provided the cultural context of the research conducted by both Williams and her father. Dr. Wilson holds a Ph.D. in U.S. History and is an adjunct professor of history at the University of South Carolina. She is considered an expert on antebellum slavery.

“Every journey in life leaves a trail,” Williams said of her experience. “Follow the trails and they will lead to the paths of your ancestors.”

The “Two Races, One Family” presentation is open to the public and all interested in learning more about genealogy, the use of historical archives, Colonial plantations, slavery laws in Granville County and how the lives of these two researchers eventually intersected are invited to attend.

For further information about this program, contact the Richard H. Thornton Library at (919) 693-1121.

Granville Vance Public Health Announces Funding Still Available for WIC Program

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government’s Facebook page 

UPDATE FROM GRANVILLE VANCE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT:

The WIC program still has funding available, even with the risk of a second (potential) government shutdown. NC eWIC cards will still work at grocery stores that accept WIC benefits.

Call your local WIC office at 919-693-1333 (Granville County) or 252-492-3147 (Vance County) if you have any questions.