Granville Hosts Five-County Beef Tour July 21

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Granville County is hosting the 2023 Five County Beef Tour on Friday, July 21. Participants will visit several spots across the county to learn about different aspects of cattle production.

Registration is open until July 14, according to information from Kim Woods, livestock agent for N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Granville Center. The counties that rotate hosting the tour are Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Wake, but participants from other counties are welcome to attend.

The tour will begin at 8 a.m. at the Butner Bull Test Station, 8800 Cassam Rd., Butner. The second stop will be Mill Creek Farm, owned by Randy and Barbara Guthrie. The Guthries have a heifer development program.

The final stop will be High Rock Farm, owned by Beth and David Hollister. The Hollisters have a stocker/finisher operation.

The group will have lunch at High Rock, during which

Evan Davis with NCDA&CS Farmland Preservation Division is scheduled to discuss farmland preservation. The tour should conclude around 2 p.m.

Carpooling is encouraged.

Pre-registration is required. Contact Woods at kim_woods@ncsu.edu or 919.603.1350 to learn more.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5-county-beef-tour-tickets-650768063797.

Local Insurance Agent Donates Equipment To Oxford Fire Department

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-information courtesy of the City of Oxford, from its ‘Discover Oxford’ newsletter

By its very nature, insurance is protection that we pay for and hope we never need to use. Whether it’s home, health, auto or some other type, having insurance is essential.

One local insurance agent, Ray Pegram Jr. of Henderson, has donated a piece of life-saving equipment to the Oxford Fire Department. It’s a different type of insurance, and it’s something OFD Fire Chief David Cottrell hopes they don’t have to use.

Called The Great Wall of Rescue, this particular piece of equipment helps remove individuals who are trapped in grain bins.

It’s the first donation of its kind in North Carolina through a program sponsored by Nationwide Insurance. The Pegram Agency has offices in Henderson and Oxford.

Pegram said he worked on his uncle’s farm in Middleburg as a youngster, which instilled in him a deep respect for farmers. Farming involves risks, especially when working in silos.

“I hope they never have to use this equipment, but if they do, they’ll have it when it’s needed,” Pegram said. “It hits close to home for me.”

Cottrell expressed his appreciation for the donation and explained that grain entrapment rescue scenarios can quickly escalate, putting victims in grave danger. “If a 165-pound person sinks into the grain up to their waist, the pressure can be equivalent to 365 pounds. If the grain reaches their chest, the pressure can be equivalent to 600 pounds, making it almost impossible to lift,” Cottrell said. ‘The Great Wall of Rescue allows us to respond more efficiently and provides a vital support system for our rescuers, ensuring a quicker and safer extraction of individuals trapped in grain.”

The apparatus consists of lightweight panels that can be lowered into the grain bin and then configured in various shapes around the trapped individual. Nationwide has documented eight lives saved in the past few years, thanks to this equipment.

The arrival of the equipment underscores OFD’s commitment to improving rescue operations and ensuring the safety of their community members.

Learn more about this life-saving equipment at https://www.greatwallofrescue.com/.

 

Harry Mills Announces Retirement As Granville’s Economic Development Director

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Information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Harry Mills, Granville County’s Economic Development director, has announced his retirement. Mills has held the position since 2014.

“In his nine years at the helm of the Economic Development office, Granville County experienced unprecedented growth in commercial and residential development and retained many key employers while other rural counties simultaneously saw industries flee to major metropolitan markets,” according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

“Harry Mills has truly left his mark on Granville County as a citizen and a valued county employee,” said Granville  County Board of Commissioners Chair Russ May. “His dedication to improving the lives of our citizens through  his dedicated leadership of our Economic Development Office have been instrumental to the economic success  of Granville County and all our municipalities over the last nine years. He will be missed, and we wish him happy  and healthy retirement!”

“I loved my time working for Granville County but am also so excited for what retirement has to bring for my family,” Mills said. “Working with and for this community has been the highlight of my life and I’m thankful to all those who helped me succeed during my time as Economic Development Director and as a social worker. Please know that Granville County is positioned for continued success, and I can’t wait to see what happens next as I ‘Grow with Granville’ as a regular citizen watching from the sidelines.”

Mills spearheaded many major projects during his tenure, attracting new industries or facilitating federal and state grants for employers like Meel Corp, Certainteed, Bandag, Ontic, Altec, Plantd, Auction Direct USA, Strong Arm Bakery, among others. Mills formed relationships with local, regional and national partners to promote Granville County to employers and improve workforce development programs with Vance-Granville Community College and Granville County Public Schools. Mills has represented Granville County on local and statewide boards and committees like the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the Regional Foreign Trade Board, Tourism Development Authority, and the Economic Development Advisory Board.

A native of Granville County, Mills graduated from J.F. Webb High School in 1978. He attended Mount Olive Junior College and Warren Wilson College before joining the United States Marine Corps, where he served for four years.

County Officials Unveil GAP Sponsor Mural

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Granville County Commissioners and staff gathered recently with local community partners to dedicate the new sponsor mural at the Granville Athletic Park. The  mural is located on the restroom shelter facility in Phase III of the park, adjacent to the accessible playground,  tennis and sand volleyball courts.

“Today we are unveiling a mural that will serve not just as recognition for our sponsors, but a testament to the strength of Granville County and the desire by all of those named to make our community a better place to live,” said Russ May, chair of the Granville County Board of Commissioners. “This mural will add to the beauty of our park while also encouraging others in the future to show the same dedication to their community that these sponsors have.”

The covered mural was unveiled to reveal the initial sponsors: Carolina Sunrock, Duke Energy, Granville Health System,  Hicks & Koinis, PLLC, Bailey Farms, Inc. and Paul and Jane Reeder.

Several spaces on the mural are still available. There are four sponsorship levels available at multiple price points ranging from $1,000 to $7,500. Each tier offers a different level of prominence and visibility on the mural to allow a business or family donation to be permanently recognized and featured for the thousands of visitors that visit the GAP each year.

For more information about having the GAP sponsor mural wall, visit  https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/recreation/granville-athletic-park-gap-2/granville-athletic-park-sponsors-mural/.

 

Since opening in 2004, the GAP has truly become the crown jewel recreational complex for Granville County residents. The park consists of miles of paved walking trails, an 18-hole disc golf course that weaves through tall pines and hardwoods, ball fields framed by foliage, an outdoor amphitheater perfect for showcasing open-air performances, and an outdoor classroom surrounded by plant life and sunshine. Other features at the GAP include numerous amenities like the large sports pavilion, picnic shelters, children’s musical sound garden, outdoor fitness equipment, spray park, and a Storywalk® display. Granville County’s recreation master plan, currently being developed, will guide future planning and development of recreational spaces for the public beyond the GAP.

To rent a facility at the GAP for private use, visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/facility-rental/.

The GAP is located at 4615 Belltown Road, Oxford.

Winborne Sworn In As Granville County Schools Superintendent

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The Granville County Board of Education approved several changes in leadership during a work session Thursday, but the big change occurred at the conclusion of that session, when Dr. Stan Winborne was sworn in as the district’s new superintendent.

Dozens of colleagues, city and county officials, family and friends were present for the ceremony, which took place at 5 p.m. at the Mary Potter Center for Education.

The Hon. Caroline Burnette administered the oath of office.

Winborne officially begins his new role on July 1 when Dr. Alisa McLean retires with 30 years of education service – the last six years in Granville County.

Other leadership changes include:

 

  • Kelly Helner – principal of Granville Academy, the district’s blended in-person and virtual K-12 school. Helner has been with Granville County for five years as an assistant principal at Granville Central High and Creedmoor Elementary.
  • Mike Carroll – director of Maintenance and Environmental Safety, and district Athletic Director. Carroll is a 1994 J.F. Webb and began his career with the school district in 2003. Carroll is a Certified Athletic Administrator through National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and Accredited Coach with the National Federation of High Schools. He will have the job of taking care of the schools’ physical plants and will help to coordinate the renovations and upgrades to campuses in the future.
  • Katherine Kaleel – district K-5 math coach
  • Susan Randau – district K-12 math coordinator
  • Tinisha Wharton – federal programs coordinator

Gov. Cooper Releases Info On County Boards Of Elections Chairs

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The office of Gov. Roy Cooper has released a list of chairmen and chairwomen of the state’s county boards of elections.

James Baines has been named chairman in Vance County. Baines has previously served as the board secretary.

James Wall, Sr. continues as chair in Granville County, according to information from the governor’s office.

Esther Terry has been named chair in Warren County and Bobbie Richardson will begin a term as chair of the Franklin County board.

North Carolina’s 100 county boards of elections conduct local elections, operate voting sites, maintain voter registration lists and handle many other aspects of elections administration. The State Board works with county boards of elections offices to ensure elections are conducted lawfully and fairly.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Names New Community Relations Manager

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Duke Energy has announced Elizabeth Townsend as its new Government and Community Relations manager, succeeding Tanya Evans, who recently accepted a new position with the company and relocated to South Carolina.

“This is an exciting transition for me after having served in various capacities at Piedmont Community College for the last 17 years,” Townsend said in a press statement. Townsend served most recently as the community college’s vice president for advancement and communications.

“Duke Energy believes our success is tied directly to the success and strength of our communities and the customers we serve, and I couldn’t agree more. Tanya ensured a tradition of responsiveness and community involvement, and I look forward to building upon that commitment,” she said.

As a reminder, Townsend said Duke Energy’s customer service center is available to help with billing and service inquiries, as well as when outages are rerported. That number is 800.452.2777.

Duke Energy monitors storms throughout the state to be ready to respond to outages and emergencies.

Customers who experience an outage during storms can report it by:

  • Visiting duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device
  • Texting OUT to 57801
  • Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800-POWERON

SportsTalk: JF Webb’s Burnette To Play College Lacrosse At Sewanee

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Henderson’s Beau Burnette’s list of activities and accolades while at JF Webb High School is quite impressive. He played five sports: lacrosse, golf, baseball, football and basketball.  Burnette was the Triangle North Conference Player of the Year his junior and senior seasons, academic all conference all four years, all conference in lacrosse, football and golf and was awarded the Tony Cullen Scholarship Award.  While this was happening, Burnette developed a love of history and maintained a 4.29 GPA.

Burnette, the son of Scott and Caroline Burnette, will take his love of lacrosse to Sewanee, whose official name is The University of the South, in Sewanee, Tennessee – where he has received a scholarship. He appeared on Thursday’s SportsTalk to discuss his high school career, love of lacrosse and his upcoming college experience.

While not playing summer travel ball, Burnette isn’t taking the summer completely off. “I’m lifting weights and running,” Burnette said as he prepares for the start of his college career on August 19.

So how does a young man handle five sports and academics?  “I try to keep a good balance between practice and grades,” Burnette said.  While he played many sports at JF Webb, Burnette will limit his college career to just lacrosse while in college.  He said he enjoyed the camaraderie of the other sports he played but the speed of lacrosse combined with the physicality of the sport is what he loves and that’s what he will concentrate on as well as his academics.

Burnette will major in history at Sewanee.

CLICK PLAY! 

 

Chamber’s Student Spotlight Shines On Cassie Peele

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A rising senior at Granville Early College is the inaugural recipient of a Chamber of Commerce award that shines a light on teen employees in the county.

Cassie Peele has worked at Strong Arm Baking Co. in Oxford for close to two years, and owner Julia Blaine nominated Peele for the Student Spotlight, sponsored by the Granville Chamber.

“(Cassie) arrives to work every Saturday morning at 4:30 a.m., before most high school students could even dream about waking up,” Blaine wrote in her nomination. She began with basic cleaning tasks, but always asked for more. Now she leads the wholesale packing operation, leading four others who are responsible for packing all the items for Strong Arm’s dozens of wholesale accounts.

But that’s not all. “Cassie also represents our business at two farmers markets, keeping a clean and efficient selling space and treating customers and coworkers alike with respect and kindness. She is a true shining star for our business… continually rising to meet new challenges, and consistently surprising us with her problem-solving ideas, and positive, contagious attitude,” Blaine said.

In addition to her outstanding work ethic and leadership, Peele is committed to making a difference in her local community. She is a volunteer with Granville County Teen Court and is a member of the Granville County Youth Leadership Council.  She is also a member of the National Honor Society and serves on the Granville County Library Board of Trustees at the Richard H. Thornton Library, which allows her to give adult staff feedback on how teens view the changes and policies of the library. As if that wasn’t enough, she gives blood to the American Red Cross Association and creates holiday cards for the children’s hospital.

“Cassie is so deserving of this recognition.  She is a humble, intelligent, and kind person and it has been my pleasure to serve as her College Liaison over the past 3 years. I am very proud of her and the contributions of her time and talents to the Granville County community.  In addition to her work at Strong Arm Bakery, her service to various organizations will have a lasting impact.  I encourage her to keep shining bright and to continue the awesome work on and off the job!” said Reba Bullock, Chamber board president.

Cassie told the Chamber, “Strong Arm Baking is like my second home.  This work environment is helping me obtain more knowledge for my future career which will probably be in business administration. Thomas and Julia Blaine are role models in the Granville County community that can show that anything is possible!”

Cassie Peele exemplifies the qualities of a well-rounded, accomplished student who is poised to make a lasting impact in their community. Her achievements in academics, leadership, and community engagement have set a high standard for excellence. The Chamber of Commerce recognizes and applauds Cassie’s outstanding accomplishments and looks forward to watching her continue to shine!

Granville Poll Workers Get Pay Boost

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-Courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Poll workers in Granville County will receive a pay increase beginning with the 2023 municipal elections on Nov. 7. The Granville County Board of Commissioners approved a recommendation from the Granville County Board of Elections to increase the pay rate by about 25 percent, bringing pay to $11.50/hour for poll workers and $13/hour for poll workers in charge, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

The commissioners also approved overtime pay for Poll Workers who staff the One-Stop Early Voting locations in Granville County.

“Poll workers are critical to ensuring that Election Day and One-Stop early voting runs smoothly in Granville County,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Russ May. “We listened to the feedback from the Board of Elections and their staff and understand the challenges they face in recruiting poll workers each election cycle. Hopefully, this pay increase for poll workers will help ease the burden and show our appreciation for the valuable service these individuals provide.”

Board of Elections Chair James A. Wall, Sr. thanked commissioners for their consideration in this matter. “In my view, the (board’s) decision to increase the pay for poll workers is a recognition of their dedication and hard work and an acknowledgement that poll workers are essential to the Granville County Board of Elections mission,” Wall said.

The 2023 municipal election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7. For more information about becoming a poll  worker, contact the Board of Elections at 919.693.2515.

Learn more about upcoming elections in Granville County at  https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/board-of-elections/.