CertainTeed sponsors VGCC Golf Tournament morning round

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CertainTeed of Oxford recently made a contribution to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund to serve as the morning round sponsor for the upcoming 34th Annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament. Pictured above, VGCC Endowment Specialist Kay Currin (left) and Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson (right) accepted the sponsorship from CertainTeed Plant Manager Mark Heilman (center). The company is a longtime supporter of the golf tournament and has endowed the CertainTeed Academic Achievement Scholarship at the college. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, today, CertainTeed is North America’s leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, insulation, gypsum and ceilings. A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed and its affiliates have more than 5,700 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The Golf Tournament is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at the Henderson Country Club. For more information, call (252) 738-3409. –VGCC–

VGCC Culinary Arts program accepting reservations for lunch March 15

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— courtesy VGCC

The Culinary Arts program at Vance-Granville Community College is inviting the public to enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared by students on Thursday, March 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The luncheon will be held at the Masonic Home for Children on College Street in Oxford, where the Culinary program is based.

Tickets are $9, plus applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees, and can be purchased online at tinyurl.com/culinaryMarch15. Note that the Eventbrite ticketing website works best in the Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers.

“The successful planning and execution of the luncheon will give our students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate both front and back of the house skills,” said Chef Teresa Davis, the VGCC Culinary Arts program head.

She said the buffet menu is set to include Spinach Dip Stuffed Mushrooms, Northwest Apple Walnut Salad, Beef Roulade with Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce, Shrimp Penne Pasta, and Roasted Root Vegetables. There will also be a Bananas Foster Crepes “Live Action” Station.

For more information about the Culinary Arts program, contact Chef Teresa Davis at davist@vgcc.edu or (919) 690-0312.

–VGCC–

(This is not a paid advertisement.)

Oxford Prep Softball and Women’s Soccer 2-28-18

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The cover photo shows last year’s Oxford Prep Middle School softball team following an undefeated inaugural season.

The following sports information entries were submitted by Oxford Prep coaches:

Oxford Prep Softball Coach Tommy Anstead emailed WIZS News and said, “The Griffins defeated Falls Lake yesterday 6 – 2. It was a well played game by both teams. Jordan Dunn pitched a great game and had an in the park home run. All 9 batters hit the ball yesterday.”

Oxford Prep Women’s Soccer Coach Robert Breedlove indicated by email that Granville Central High School defeated Oxford Prep 2-0 at Granville Athletic Park.

(All local team coaches in Vance, Granville and Warren Counties are welcome to email WIZS News at johncharles@wizs.com with sports results.  Your submission will be published and it will be good for your team, school and community.  It will also help WIZS provide additional local coverage.)

Casino Night moved to Sept 28th

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Please note that the Granville County Chamber’s 1st Annual Casino Night event, DENIM AND DIAMONDS, has been postponed from this Saturday, March 3, to Friday, September 28th.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Registration Underway for the 2018 Master Gardener Symposium

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire

The Master Gardner volunteers invite the public to attend the annual Master Gardner Symposium, sponsored by NC Cooperative Extension. This year’s symposium will be held Saturday, March 24, 2018, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson.

The cost of attendance is $30 if registration is received by Wednesday, February 28, 2018. After this date, the cost of registration increases to $35 per person. The price of registration includes snacks, beverages and lunch.

There will also be an optional, hands-on workshop in the afternoon for participants to make, and learn how to use, their own rain barrel with supplied materials. The workshop is limited to 25 pre-registered participants for an additional fee.

According to Paul McKenzie, area agent for the Vance County Cooperative Extension Office, space is limited and tickets often sell out prior to the day of the event. Those interested in attending the symposium are urged to register as early as possible to guarantee entry.

The theme for this year’s symposium is “Backyard Gardening: Changing Times, Changing Conditions.”

The symposium will feature four speakers, including keynote speaker Sam Pearsall, the retired director of the North Carolina Natural Heritage program. Pearsall will explain how climate change impacts natural ecosystems and personal gardens.

Additional speakers include educators from NC State University:

  • Elsa Youngsteadt, Research Associate and science writer, will discuss various species of bees and the role they play in the ecosystem. Specific focus will be given on how to protect bees and attract them to gardens.
  • Barbara Fair, Associate Professor, Landscape Extension Specialist and Certified Arborist, will discuss plant selection, water conservation efforts and rain gardens.
  • Joseph Neal, Professor of Weed Science, will discuss landscape weed management.

“This year’s speakers will address pollinators-how to protect them and get them to visit your garden, plant selection for drought resistance, water conservation and weed management,” said McKenzie. “You will be hearing facts and unbiased, researched-based information, not just the latest, greatest trend.”

Those interested in attending the symposium are encouraged to join the Master Gardner Volunteer Program. Volunteers are provided with 40 hours of gardening training in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer work. “The volunteer program is an amazing opportunity to learn and to give back through community outreach at local schools, farmers markets and other areas,” McKenzie said.

The registration form for the symposium may be downloaded from https://go.ncsu.edu/vancegarden. For more information, contact the Vance County Cooperative Extension office at (252) 438-8188.

 

Granville Crime Stoppers

Granville Crime Stoppers Feb 2018

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— news release courtesy Granville Crime Stoppers

On Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property of a residence located off Bob Daniel Rd, Oxford, NC and forced entry of a residence and a barn that caused criminal property damage. Several guns, ammunition, one digital camera, as well both power and hand tools were criminally removed from the property.

On Thursday, February 15th, 2018 an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property of a residence located off Lucy Averette Rd, Oxford, NC and forced entry of a residence, which caused criminal damage. One 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun and one 42 inch television was criminally removed from the property.

If you have information concerning these incidents, please contact the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at 919-693-3213 or call Crime Stoppers 919-693-3100.

THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AUTHORIZED THE PAYMENT OF A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST/INDICTMENT(S) OF PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMES. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE CRIMES OR ANY OTHER SERIOUS CRIME(S) IN GRANVILLE COUNTY. YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS IN OXFORD AT 919-693-3100.

U.S. Department of Justice

OXFORD MAN SENTENCED FOR FELON IN POSSESSION AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN FURTHERANCE OF A DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME

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— press release courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice

NEW BERN – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that yesterday afternoon in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced ROY LEE TERRY, 53, of Oxford to 101 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.

TERRY was named in a three-count Indictment filed on August 23, 2016. On November 16, 2016, TERRY subsequently pled guilty to one-count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and one-count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime.

The investigation began when the Oxford Police Department (OPD) received information that TERRY was dealing in drugs. On August 26, 2015, the OPD received information from a confidential source (CS) indicating that TERRY was storing and selling cocaine base at his residence. With the assistance of the CS, authorities conducted four purchases of narcotics from TERRY.

On September 10, 2016, the OPD executed a search warrant at TERRY’S residence. A cooperating witness (CW) informed law enforcement that TERRY had been seen with a handgun and cocaine in his bedroom prior to OPD’s arrival. Present at the time, in addition to Terry was Terry’s mother, who was charged by the State of North Carolina, two females and juveniles. During the subsequent search of the residence, authorities located the following in TERRY’S bedroom: a stolen .380 semi-automatic handgun loaded with 8 rounds; approximately 9.34 grams of cocaine base; approximately 15.5 grams of off-white powder; a plastic bag with cocaine residue; $680 in U.S. currency, a digital scale, plastic baggies, and other related items. In a bedroom next to TERRY’S bedroom, a box containing 42 rounds of 9 mm ammunition was located. After waiving his rights, Terry confessed to knowingly possessing the firearm. Further investigation revealed that the firearm was stolen.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The Oxford Police Department, the North Carolina State Crime Lab, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

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Oxford Prep Set to Host 4th Mattress Sale Fundraiser

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The following is a press release from Andrew Swanner, Executive Director of the Oxford Preparatory School.

Oxford Prep Set to Host 4th Mattress Sale Fundraiser

On Saturday, March 3 Oxford Prep will host its 4th annual mattress sale fundraiser. Once again the sale is sponsored by The Mattress Center of Winston Salem. The Mattress Center is owned by Paul Smith, a 2006 graduate of J.F. Webb High School and former deputy sheriff with the Granville County Sheriff’s Department.

There will be two important changes this year. For the first time, the Mattress Sale will be held in Oxford Prep’s new gymnasium, located at 6041 Landis Road in Oxford. In addition, one-half of the proceeds will be benefit OPS athletics and one-half will benefit the school’s academic needs through PTO grants.

Once again, The Mattress Center will bring a full line of top quality mattresses and accessories that will be offered at great prices. The lineup will feature Sealy Hybrid, Sterns & Foster, Simmons Beautyrest, adjustable beds, Cool Gel memory foam beds, flat pack bed base pillows, and mattress protectors. These mattresses are some of the best available in market right now. You can even get the review of the best orthopaedic mattresses online. In addition to accepting cash or check, a number of financing options will be offered including zero percent financing, no credit financing, and free layaway.

The fundraiser will be held at the Oxford Prep gymnasium from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3rd. “This is my way of giving back to the community that has done so much for me over the years,” Smith said. “Anyone who is not satisfied with the bed they are sleeping on can get a top-quality mattress at a really low price, and help some of our students at the same time.”

(This is not a paid advertisement.)

NC Dept of Agriculture

NCDA&CS schedules a public meeting Feb. 21 in Bullock on proposed gypsy moth treatments

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The original copy of this press release is available online if you click here.

NCDA&CS schedules a public meeting Feb. 21 in Bullock on proposed gypsy moth treatments

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking input from residents and other interested parties in Granville and Vance counties concerning planned treatment activities for the non-native, highly destructive gypsy moth.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Bullock Volunteer Fire Department, 8677 U.S. Highway 15, Bullock. Information on proposed treatment options for the 16,967-acre site will be discussed.

Field monitoring activities conducted by the department have determined that reproducing populations of the gypsy moth exist in the Bullock community, north of Stovall, and the surrounding area. US Highway 15 North passes through and intersects Townsville Road in this block. Several waterways, including Spewmarrow Creek, Lick Branch, Beaver Pond Creek and Island Creek, flow into the James H. Kerr reservoir, the southern edge of which is within this block. The block is comprised of rural woods, farmland and 613 houses. The proposed treatment involves one application of mating disruptant.

In 2016, as many as 17 moths per trap were captured. In 2017, as many as 14 moths per trap were captured, indicating a persistent population.

In early spring, gypsy moth caterpillars feed on the leaves of hundreds of plant species, predominantly oaks and other hardwood trees. In heavily infested areas, trees may be completely stripped of foliage, leaving entire forests more susceptible to attacks from other pests.

Gypsy moths can also be a nuisance to the general public. In heavily infested areas, caterpillars may crawl on driveways, sidewalks, outdoor furniture, into homes, or end up in pools. Heavy defoliation can affect parks and recreation areas. Some people can have allergic reactions to the caterpillars’ tiny hairs if inhaled.

Options for dealing with gypsy moth infestations include aerial spraying of biological pesticides or gypsy moth mating disruptants. Trapping grids will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments.

The department has addressed spot introductions of the gypsy moth in several areas across North Carolina since the 1970s. The department is working with nine other states through the Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Foundation and with other state and federal agencies to reduce the expansion of the gypsy moth into uninfested areas of the country.

GRANVILLE CHAMBER HOSTING CASINO NIGHT – DENIM & DIAMONDS

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NEWS RELEASE

GRANVILLE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GRANVILLE CHAMBER HOSTING CASINO NIGHT – DENIM & DIAMONDS AT VINO OASI

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its first annual Casino Night ~ DENIM & DIAMONDS ~ Saturday, March 3, at Vino Oasi.  Guests may begin arriving at 7:30 pm, with the games beginning at 8:00 pm and running until 11:00 pm that evening.

Game tables will include:  Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Poker.  The $50 ticket entitles each attendee to 2 beverage tickets, hors d’oeuvres and $5,000 in funny money.

During the evening, there will be drawings for additional funny money and the opportunity to win a prize.

Tickets may be purchased via Eventbrite – www.eventbrite/e/casino-night-denim-and-diamonds-tickets.  They may also be purchased at one of the Chamber’s office locations – 124 Hillsboro St., Oxford or 1598 NC Hwy 56, between Butner and Creedmoor.  FMI:  Contact Wanda, 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com or Toni Anne, 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

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(This is not a paid advertisement.)