Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting on Mon., Nov. 5

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-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, November 5, 2018, at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Public Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The board will also meet in a Closed Session for Personnel/Attorney-Client Privilege 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.

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet at Expo Center – Mon., Nov. 5

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

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, November 5, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.

The Board will also meet informally with the Leadership Granville class at 6:15 p.m. before the regular meeting begins.

Agenda items include:

Consent Agenda

1. Contingency Summary

2. Minutes

Recognitions and Presentations

3. Introduction of Leadership Granville 2018-2019 Class

4. Introduction of 4-H Agent

5. Presentation by Tar River Land Conservancy

6. Sale of Bonds for Law Enforcement Center Financing

Public Comments

7. Public Comments

Solid Waste Matters

8. Contract Extension Request for Waste Industries Contract

Grant Matters

9. Homeland Security Grant Program Opportunity

Appointments

10. South Granville Memorial Gardens

11. Butner Planning Board – ETJ Member

12. Butner Board of Adjustment – ETJ

County Manager’s Report

13. Employee Appreciation Day

14. Designation of a Voting Delegate for the 2019 NCACC Legislative Goals Conference

County Attorney’s Report

15. County Attorney’s Report Presentations by County Board Members

16. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

17. Any Other Matters

Closed Session

18. Closed Session – Attorney-Client

19. Closed Session – Economic Development

National Weather Service

Severe Weather Predicted for Thursday Evening, All Day Friday

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-Information and weather charts courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations 

According to the National Weather Service, there is a marginal risk for severe weather Thursday evening through Friday evening.

Severe weather may include isolated thunderstorms that develop late tonight and toward daybreak on Friday across the Coastal Plain and the eastern Piedmont. A strong to severe storm is possible with a primary threat of wind gusts in excess of 50 MPH, which may produce downed trees and power outages.

U.S. Department of Justice

2018 Eastern District Election Officer Appointed

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Robin Pendergraft, Chief of the Criminal Division will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general elections. AUSA Pendergraft has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of any complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” said United Staes Attorney Higdon. “The Department of Justice is dedicated to protecting the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise may exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt the voting process are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Higdon stated that AUSA/DEO Pendergraft will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 919-856-4530.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The Raleigh FBI field office can be reached by the public at 919-380-4500.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or by complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

United States Attorney Higdon said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”

News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on twitter @USAO_EDNC.

Granville Athletic Park’s Outdoor Classroom Ready for Public Use

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-Press Release, County of Granville

Volunteers and local businesses have combined resources and efforts to complete an “outdoor classroom” space at Granville Athletic Park (GAP). The project was constructed through a partnership between Granville County, the Granville County United Way and the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO).

“The United Way was proud to be a part of this project,” said United Way Executive Director Brenda Dickerson-Daniel. “We have been working in partnership with Granville County for the past several years in providing volunteers and funding for several projects at Granville Athletic Park, this being one of them. We have a great leadership team and some very dedicated community partners that helped make this possible.”

The space is intended for public use for outdoor presentations and programs and includes bench seating and a presentation board (secured) in a pavilion-type setting. Engineered drawings were donated by Drye-McGlamery while labor, materials and financial support were provided by Altec, Vulcan, Bridgestone-Bandag and Green Acres Lawn and Landscaping, as well as Tommy Keith and Sullins Engineering.

Spearheading this project for Granville County United Way was the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, who took the lead in construction, coordinated volunteer labor efforts and organized the delivery of materials. Vocational Counselor Gene Purvis supervised the project, on behalf of MHCO.

“The Masonic Home for Children is proud to have coordinated the planning and construction of the Outdoor Classroom Project at the GAP,” Purvis remarked.  “Our staff, with the assistance of other volunteers, was able to build something that we hope will provide an excellent venue for learning and discovery at the Park.”

Reservations are now being accepted for use of the outdoor classroom space. Those who would like to reserve this new addition to Granville Athletic Park should contact Raymond Allen, the GAP’s Parks and Grounds Director, at 919-693-3716.

“Gene Purvis and the volunteers from the Masonic Home and other partners in the community have constructed a beautiful addition to the GAP,” said Charla Duncan, Partnership Project Manager for Granville County Government. “We hope this project will serve as a reminder that outdoor recreation happens in many ways and that we can all come together to learn and create in a natural environment.”

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

Kerr-Tar Releases Proposed Transportation Projects for 2020-2029

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-Information courtesy Michael Kelly, Regional Planning Director, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

The KTRPO has proposed the following division needs transportation projects to be considered for inclusion in the 2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Aerial maps of the projects are available for public viewing at the websites below.

The points assigned by the KTRPO were done in accordance with the adopted Local Input Methodology. Public comments will be open for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. Comments may be sent to the following: info@kerrtarcog.org with the phrase ‘KTRPO Division Needs Project Comments‘ in the subject line. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments at P.O. Box 709 Henderson, NC 27536

https://www.kerrtarcog.org/

https://www.kerrtarcog.org/departments/transportation/meetings/announcements/

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education Takes Action on School Merger

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

In order to increase operational efficiency and save money, the Granville County Board of Education has been considering a variety of options to reorganize and restructure several schools across our district.

One of these options includes the merger of JF Webb High School and JF Webb School of Health and Life Sciences (JFW HLS).  At a scheduled work session on Tuesday, October 30, the Board of Education approved to merge the two schools beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year. The Board has tasked the schools to immediately begin planning this merger and creating a concept of academy program offerings at the school. These academies will include a Health and Life Sciences course of study which preserves ALL current course offerings at JFW HLS.

Furthermore, the Board has required that this merger NOT result in the loss in any instructional programs or course offerings at JFW HLS. Again, JFW HLS will cease to operate as a school, but ALL of the opportunities students currently have will continue after the merger.

The schools will convene a committee of parents, students and staff from both schools to study the creation and implementation of the NEW JF Webb High School academy structure and develop the curricular design of the programs within the merged school.

The Board and the staff of GCPS believe this merger and redesign of the school will increase opportunity for ALL students on the campus, and unite the community with WARRIOR PRIDE!

Applications Now Accepted for Oxford Lighting of Greens & Christmas Parade

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-Information courtesy the City of Oxford website

Oxford’s 13th Annual Lighting of Greens and Christmas Parade will be held Friday, December 7, 2018, from 4 – 8:30 p.m. This year’s events are presented by the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the City of Oxford and Granville Health Systems.

The parade will take place rain, shine, snow and/or cold temperatures, so please plan accordingly.

Event Schedule:

4 – 6:30 p.m ~  Vendor Market opens

6:30 – 6:45 p.m. ~ Welcome and opening comments

6:45 – 6:50 p.m. ~ Lighting of the Greens

7 p.m. ~ Parade starts

Parade line up information:

The parade line up will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Belle Street and will continue down to Spring Street. Any parade participant not in assigned numbered space by 6:30 p.m. will be placed at the end of the parade. To ensure the safety of all participants, please keep your group along the right side of Belle and Spring Streets.

The parade will start from Belle and travel down Williamsboro – Hillsboro and end by taking a right into Friendly Village Shopping Center. Floats, walking-marching groups and individual cars will disembark at the Public Works Parking Lot. There will be no parking in the Public Works parking lot (127 Penn Avenue) the evening of the event. Parents will need to walk to the Public Works Parking to retrieve any participants in the parade.

The Oxford parade draws approximately 1,200 local citizens ready to experience the holiday spirit each year. Make plans now to be a part of this special holiday tradition in Downtown Oxford. We are asking participating groups to incorporate the theme of this year’s holiday season – “Oxford, Snow Place Like Home” – into the planning of parade entry and performances.

Applications for interested participants are now being accepted. For additional information and application for parade entry, click here. For the holiday open market vendor application, click here.

Reminder: Downtown Oxford Trick-or-Treating & Movie Night

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Information courtesy the City of Oxford website 

Downtown Oxford Trick or Treating will be held Wednesday, October 31, 2018, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. with city-wide Trick or Treating from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

From 5:30 to 6 p.m. there will be a Glow Party with glowing items in the City Hall Auditorium. The movie “Coco” will begin at 6 p.m.

Children ages 12 and under only and in costume, please!

VGCC Honors 10 In Emergency Medical Tech-Paramedic Program

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College honored 10 students who completed the college’s Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program in August.

The graduates included Kaylee Bradsher of Roxboro, Joseph Carpunky of Henderson, Reginald Collins of Henderson, Paul Currin of Norlina, Lawrence Green of Wake Forest, Kaylelynn Grindstaff of Louisburg, William Holder of Roxboro, Abigail Milton of Henderson, Aaron Porterfield of Wake Forest, and Mario Wright of Henderson.

The class, which began in August 2017, was instructed by Vivian Loyd, a Registered Nurse and Paramedic Level II instructor.

Above: Seated, from left, are Mario Wright, Paul Currin, Kaylelynn Grindstaff, Abigail Milton, and William Holder; standing, from left, instructor Vivian Loyd, Aaron Porterfield, Lawrence Green, Kaylee Bradsher, Reginald Collins, Joseph Carpunky, and EMS Coordinator Stephen Barney. (VGCC photo)

EMT-Paramedic instruction includes 660 hours of didactic (classroom) training and 400 hours of clinical education, or field internship. To be eligible to take the EMT-P course, students had to have already completed a 203-hour EMT-Basic course and passed a state exam.

An EMT-Paramedic has enhanced skills beyond the EMT-Basic level, including being able to administer additional interventions and medications. The EMT-P delivers the highest level of pre-hospital medical care in North Carolina.

Students had to pass several different exams, including a “scope of practice” exam, in order to successfully complete the EMT-P course. The scenario-based evaluation tested the hands-on and critical thinking skills of students as they delivered the appropriate treatment to multiple trauma patients and dealt with pediatric, environmental, and mental illness situations. Each student also had to complete an 80-hour Anatomy and Physiology course.

With the completion of the EMT-P course, the students take the 100-question North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services credentialing exam to become state-certified.

VGCC offers Emergency Medical Services training from the basic to the Paramedic level, in addition to continuing education, with most of the classes being taught in Building 10, the new home for Emergency Medical Services training, located on Main Campus across from the main entrance to the college. For more information on enrolling in these courses, call EMS Coordinator/instructor Stephen Barney at (252) 738-3273.