GCPS’s Abby Dooley Named WRAL’s ‘Teacher of the Week’

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools congratulates Ms. Abby Dooley, a 3rd-grade teacher at Butner Stem Elementary School for being named the WRAL Teacher of the Week!

After graduating from ECU with her teaching degree, Dooley returned to her native Granville County and is now in her 5th year of teaching.

Be sure to visit and share the link below to watch her video segment on WRAL

https://www.wral.com/teacher-of-the-week-abby-dooley/18157888/

Abby Dooley, a 3rd-grade teacher at Butner Stem Elementary School named WRAL Teacher of the Week.

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Senior Centers to Host Talks on Elder Abuse

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-Information courtesy the Granville County Government Facebook page

One in every ten older adults experiences abuse. Elder abuse is not just physical abuse – it can also be financial or verbal.

Madeline Masters, Attorney with NC Legal Aide, will present a program at two of Granville County’s Senior Centers to talk about signs of elder abuse. Learn more about the scams that target seniors, what you can do for protection, who to call if abuse is suspected, resources available for victims and how to stop abuse in the community.

The program at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13; the program at the South Granville Senior Center in Creedmoor will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 22.

The public is invited to attend.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Applications Being Accepted for Hurricane Florence Reforestation Fund

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-Information courtesy NCDA&CS

Woodland owners in 52 counties impacted by Hurricane Florence and recognized as federally-declared disaster areas can now apply for cost-share funding for reforestation efforts. The North Carolina General Assembly approved $2.5 million in time-limited funding for reforestation efforts that will be administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. Forest Service.

“Hurricane Florence not only devastated agricultural crops, but the storm also caused considerable damage to our valuable forestlands. The Florence Reforestation Fund will help owners rebuild these natural resources,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.  “I am grateful to legislators for providing funding that will help keep North Carolina green and growing.”

Qualifying property in designated counties will be eligible to apply for the program funding. However, funding requests should be for “shovel-ready” projects and practices that can be completed within short time periods. Funds will be administered similar to other NCFS cost-share programs such as the Timber Restoration Fund that was offered following Hurricane Matthew.

Approved practices include site preparation and tree planting as recommended in the applicant’s management plan. Afforestation of open fields or pastureland is also eligible, however, funding for forest stand improvement practices is not available through this program. To receive reimbursement, at least 4.5 acres of approved, completed work must be documented. The maximum funding allocation will be 100 acres per landowner per fiscal year.

Applications need to be submitted to the landowner’s local N.C. Forest Service office for initial review before they are sent to the NCFS Central Office for final approval. Applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds have been allocated. Projects should be completed by May 1, 2020.

To learn more about the Florence Reforestation Fund, landowners should call their local county ranger’s office.

NC Coop Extension

NC Coop. Extension to Hold Blueberry Workshop for New & Seasoned Growers Alike

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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties, NC Cooperative Extension

NC Cooperative Extension is conducting a blueberry workshop on Saturday, February 16, 2019, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at 2292 US 158, Oxford, NC (watch for signs). This workshop will cover topics such as site analysis and soil preparation, variety selection, proper pruning techniques and other cultural practices used to grow blueberries.

You will have the opportunity to practice your blueberry pruning techniques, so bring your pruners. Bill Cline, NCSU Blueberry Specialist, will present the program and be available to answer any questions you have about blueberry production.

If you have any interest in growing this wonderful fruit in your home garden, do not miss this opportunity to learn how to get started correctly. If you already have blueberry plants, learn how to get the best fruit production. To register or for more information, please contact Johnny Coley (919) 603-1350 or Paul McKenzie (252) 438-8188.

NCDOT

Rehab Work Coming for Bridge and Roadway in Granville County

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-Press Release, N.C. Department of Transportation

Thanks to two N.C. Department of Transportation contracts, a short bridge located just south of Creedmoor will be getting some much-needed repairs and nearly 36 miles of Granville County roads will be resurfaced.

As early as February 25, contractors from National Bridge Builders will be able to start repairing the Northside Road bridge extending over Ledge Creek. Built in 1956, the bridge is due for upgrades, as its average daily use is expected to increase by nearly 100 percent by 2039.

The contract was awarded for just over $1 million and crews will have until September 15 to complete work and reopen the bridge for traffic.

The posted off-site detour will utilize Cash Road, South Durham Avenue, West Hillsboro Street and South Elm Street.

In a separate project, several roads in the county will see surface improvements. They include portions of N.C. 50 and N.C. 56, as well as Rock Springs Church Road between Bruce Garner Road and the Wake County line.

This $4.4 million contract was awarded to Carolina Sunrock of Raleigh. The contractor can begin the roadway resurfacing as early as June 1 and must be finished by June 30, 2020.

These projects are two of 14 highway and bridge projects recently awarded by the Department. As required by state law, the contracts went to the lowest qualified bidder. They are worth $144.4 million.

Granville County Logo

Animal Control to Present at February’s Granville Co. Board Meeting

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

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, February 4, 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 #5

3. Resolution to Approve School Bus Lease-Purchase Agreement for Granville County Public Schools

Recognitions and Presentations

4. Recognition – Volunteer Service Awards

Oaths of Office

5. Reappointment of Tax Administrator and Oath of Office

Public Comments

6. Public Comments

Animal Management Matters

7. Free Rabies Vaccines

8. Updated Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program for Granville County Citizens

9. Animal Control F250 Truck and Chassis Mounted Kennel

10. Animal Control Staff Development Day

Appointments

11. Senior Services Advisory Committee

12. Granville County Library System Board of Trustees

13. Animal Control Advisory Committee

14. Granville County Human Relations Commission

15. Oxford Zoning Board of Adjustment

16. Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee

17. Agricultural Advisory Board

County Manager’s Report

18. Consent to Assignment of Contract

County Attorney’s Report

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 – Property Acquisition

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting – Feb. 4

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-Information courtesy Dywanda Pettaway, Clerk to Board of Education, Granville County

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting Monday, February 4, 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 a consultation with the Board’s attorney and Personnel/Attorney-Client Privileges 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.

Terry Garrison

Rep. Terry E. Garrison Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand Medicaid in NC

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-Information courtesy Rep. Terry E. Garrison, District 32, NC General Assembly

Yesterday, Representative Terry E. Garrison co-sponsored House Bill 5 (HB 5), a proposal to expand Medicaid in North Carolina and increase access to affordable health care for more than 500,000 North Carolinians, including approximately 1748 in Vance County; 759 in Warren County; and 1,672 in Granville County alone.

“I am proud to co-sponsor HB 5 which would expand Medicaid and increase health care coverage for families combined across District 32. This bill would help more than 4179 families in District 32 gain access to coverage, but the full effects would be felt by our entire community. North Carolinians shouldn’t be forced to put the health of themselves and their families on the back burner because they can’t afford insurance. We can and should ease that burden this year,” said Representative Garrison.

By introducing a bill to expand Medicaid as the first bill of the 2019 legislative session, state Democrats are signaling their number one priority is helping working families. In addition to making health care more affordable for hundreds of thousands of our people, this proposal would boost our economy and create jobs. According to an analysis prepared by the Center for Health Policy Research at George Washington University, if Medicaid expansion had occurred by 2016, then its impact by 2020 would have been:

• Created 86 jobs in Vance County; 24 jobs in Warren County; 80 jobs in Granville County
• Created $79.9 million in new business activity for Vance County; $11.6 million in new business activity for Warren County; and $87 million in new business activity for Granville County.
• Created $52.1 million in new county revenue for Vance County; $7.1 million in new county revenue for Warren County; and $49.7 million in new county revenue for Granville County.

According to state estimates, expanding Medicaid will overwhelmingly be paid for by the federal government. Any remaining costs would be funded by a small assessment on hospitals and other health care providers.

“Expanding Medicaid is good for our people, good for our economy, and good for our Rural Veteran families or those struggling with addiction, and I look forward to speaking with people across my district about why this is such a critical step we must take together,” Representative Garrison concluded.

Rural North Carolina has the most to gain from Medicaid expansion. Rural hospitals are struggling. Since 2010, five rural hospitals in North Carolina have closed and two have lost critical services like maternity and labor wards. But rural hospitals located in states that have expanded Medicaid are 84% less likely to close. Expanding Medicaid will keep the doors open on rural hospitals, providing vital health care to our communities.

NC Dept of Agriculture

First Round of State’s Agriculture Disaster Checks Headed to Farmers

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today that the first round of checks from the state’s $240 million Agricultural Disaster Relief Program of 2018 have been sent to farmers.

“More than $15.2 million in payments were mailed today, and a second batch will go out Friday, Feb. 1,” Troxler said. “By week’s end, we anticipate having around 2,000 applications processed.”

Nearly 7,000 applications for assistance were submitted to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as part of the program. The N.C. General Assembly unanimously approved funding in response to more than $1.2 billion in estimated agricultural losses from Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the legislation into law.

The applications are being processed randomly and are not being done on a county-by-county basis. Complete applications, not missing any information or documentation, are being processed first. Applications missing information will require follow-up calls in order to be verified and approved.

“This is the most important thing I have worked on since becoming Ag Commissioner,” Troxler said. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and it was absolutely pummeled in 2018. Many farmers are hurting and may not be able to secure funding to start the 2019 growing season. While this money does not come close to making whole the crop losses, I hope it will help farmers get financing for the coming year and help jump-start the economies of rural North Carolina.”

A total of 70 of the state’s 100 counties received a presidential or secretarial disaster declaration, qualifying farmers for the program.

The federal government shutdown created some delays in getting applications processed, but work is continuing to verify and approve the remaining applications.

Applicants had to submit the Farm Service Agency form 578 with their applications, which includes acreage being grown.

Other information considered in determining payments includes the five-year average price for commodities, the county average yield and the county estimated losses, which were determined by an ad-hoc committee made up of county FSA officials, cooperative extension agents, forest service staff and soil and water conservation district staff.

Checks will continue to be processed weekly as they are verified and approved.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Planned for Granville’s Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter

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-Information and photos courtesy Granville County Government

Please SAVE THE DATE for Tuesday, March 12, 2019, for a “groundbreaking” ceremony for Granville County’s new Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter.

The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at the construction site, 525 New Commerce Drive in Oxford. The public is invited to attend.

History of Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter:

Granville County closed on 35 acres at 525 New Commerce Drive, Oxford in August of 2017. Situated just off of I-85, the location is easily accessible from Butner, Creedmoor and Oxford and is a short drive from the Granville County Courthouse.

For economies of scale, the Board also approved the addition of an animal shelter the following month, to be constructed on the same site.

Rendering of Granville County Law Enforcement Center – designs by Moseley Architects.

The new Law Enforcement Center will include the Sheriff’s Office, the 911 Call Center and the 176-bed Detention Center.

The new Animal Shelter will include additional kennel space and administrative offices for Animal Shelter staff and Animal Control – all under one roof – as well as a spacious outdoor exercise area for the animals housed there.

The building which will house the Law Enforcement Center totals 88,231 square feet. Almost 50,000 square feet will be dedicated to the detention center/sally port. A Sheriff’s office and 911 call center will adjoin this portion of the building and totals 24,790 square feet. A separate pre-engineered Sheriff’s vehicle storage and warehouse facility of approximately 6,000 square feet will also be provided on site. (The building now used for the Sheriff’s Office/911 Call Center is approximately 4,900 square feet, with the current Detention Center at less than 5,000 square feet.)

Rendering of Granville County Animal Shelter – designs by Moseley Architects.

Due to space limitations, many of the intakes taken to the current detention center are often sent to other counties each month. The new detention center will initially include 176 beds for both men and women, with an ultimate capacity of 250 beds if additional housing units are added to meet future needs.

The Animal Shelter facility will be approximately 8,500 square feet, more than doubling its current 3,800 square footage. In its new facility, the Animal Shelter will be able to provide kennel space for 40 to 60 dogs and 40 to 60 cats, an increase in the number that is presently housed.

In addition, the new shelter will have more outdoor room for any “roaming” livestock that is picked up from Animal Control until the animal’s owners are located. The goal is to increase adoptions and to decrease the number of animals euthanized due to space restrictions.

Construction is expected to be completed by June 2020 with the Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center to transition into their new respective buildings in the months following.