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Granville County sees 3% Boost in Tourism Spending

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Visit North Carolina announced that domestic visitors to and within Granville spent $47.08 million in 2016, a 3% increase from 2015.

“We are excited to hear that Granville has made a 3% increase in the last two years due to collaborations with area hotels, retail shops, restaurants, farms, parks and recreation, and events to promote our area as a destination for many travelers.” said Angela Allen, Granville TDA Director.

Tourism impact highlights for 2016:

  • Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Granville was $6.02 million.
  • State tax revenue generated in Granville totaled $2.81 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. About $1.33 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced in May that visitors to North Carolina set a record for spending in 2016. The $22.9 billion in total spending represented an increase of 4.4 percent from 2015.

These statistics are from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2016,” which can be accessed at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by the U.S. Travel Association.

“All eight economic development regions of the state had spending growth of 3 percent or more, and 96 percent of the state’s counties saw direct tourism employment growth from 2015 to 2016,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit North Carolina. “Tourism continues to be major driver of economic development across North Carolina, which is the sixth most-visited state in the country.”

Statewide highlights include:

  • State tax receipts as a result of visitor spending rose 5.1 percent to nearly $1.2 billion in 2016.

 

  • Visitors spend more than $62 million per day in North Carolina. That spending adds more than $5.1 million per day to state and local tax revenues (about $3.2 million in state taxes and $1.9 million in local taxes).

 

  • The travel and tourism industry directly employees more than 219,000 North Carolinians.

 

  • Each North Carolina household saves $497 in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state.

Red Cross and Sport Clips Haircuts offer free haircut coupon to blood and platelet donors

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DURHAM, N.C. (Aug. 21, 2017) – Feel good, do good and look good this September by donating blood or platelets with the American Red Cross and get a free haircut coupon from Sport Clips Haircuts. Blood and platelet donors of all blood types, especially type O negative and O positive, are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply following a critical summer blood shortage.

“We are excited to continue the Saving Lives Never Looked So Good campaign and partnership with Sport Clips this September,” said Donna M. Morrissey, director of national partnerships, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “We are grateful for Sport Clips showing its support of the Red Cross and saying ‘thank you’ to those helping save lives through blood donations.”

Those who come out to give blood or platelets Sept. 1-30 will receive a coupon for a free haircut via email several days after their donation. The coupon is valid through Nov. 11, 2017, at participating Sport Clips locations. Donors must have a valid email address on record to receive the coupon.

“Sport Clips is proud to support the blood collection efforts of the Red Cross on a national level,” said Amanda Palm, corporate communications manager of Sport Clips. “There is always a need to maintain the blood supply in our country, and a free haircut is a simple way we can thank donors for their lifesaving donation.”

Donors are urged to make an appointment to donate using the free Blood Donor App, online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross and Sport Clips encourage donors to use the hashtag #SavingLivesLooksGood to share their new looks and invite others to give.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Granville

Stem

9/12/2017: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Granville Central High School, 2043 Sanders Rd

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Vance

Henderson

9/5/2017: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Vance Granville Community College, 200 Community College Road

 

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About Sport Clips Haircuts

Sport Clips Haircuts is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas. It was established in 1993 and began franchising in 1995. The sports-themed haircutting franchise, which specializes in haircuts for men and boys, is ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the “Fastest-Growing Franchises” and in the top 10 in its “Franchise 500.” There are more than 1,600 Sport Clips stores open in the U.S. and Canada. Sport Clips is the “Official Haircutter” of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), offers veterans preferential pricing on haircuts and franchises, and was named a “2016 Best for Vets: Franchises” by Military Times. Sport Clips provides “haircuts with heart” through its annual Help A Hero fundraiser that has given $5 million to the VFW; national partnership with St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants; and other national and local philanthropic outreach. Sport Clips is a proud sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing’s NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and Furniture Row Racing’s Erik Jones, and partners with numerous NCAA and professional sports teams. To learn more about Sport Clips, visit sportclips.com.

Several Granville Commissioners/Staff attend NCACC Conference

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Durham, N.C. – August 10-12, hundreds of county commissioners and staff convened in Durham, N.C. for the 110th North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference.  Granville County participated in the conference, which is held each summer to bring together county officials from the state’s 100 counties to conduct official Association business and discuss important county issues.  The event also provides networking and educational and training opportunities for commissioners and county staff.

Chairman Tim Karan was recognized for achieving the Master’s level in the Local Elected Leader’s Academy and Commissioner Zelodis Jay was recognized for serving as a Granville County Commissioner for more than 20 years.

Commissioner Tony Cozart stated “The NCACC State Conference was a wonderful opportunity for knowledge and networking. I enjoyed the session on NC Pre-K with presenters expressing the need for quality early childhood opportunities for all children. Some communities have made plans to have universal pre-k for all children. The alarming fact is that far too many children still enter kindergarten without skills to be successful. This results in continual need for remediation which is extremely costly. In our Saturday General Session, I was able to hear from the mother of one of the shooters in the Columbine school shooting. My take-away was that she did not see any signs to alarm her that her son would do something like that. Our challenge as family, friends and the community (village) of our children is build healthy relationships and help all children realize their self-worth. It is not as easy to detect children with depression and other challenges as it was in the past.”

During the Business Session of the conference, NCACC elected Ronnie Smith, Martin County Commissioner, to serve as the Association’s next Second Vice President.  In addition, commissioners voted for Surry County Commissioner Larry Phillips to serve as President Elect and Yadkin County Commissioner Kevin Austin to serve as First Vice President.  Furthermore, Davidson County Commissioner Fred McClure became Past President.

Several counties were recognized by the Local Government Federal Credit Union and N.C. Cooperative Extension Service for establishing innovative partnerships that improve services to citizen.

In addition, NCACC honored several individuals for their achievements in support of counties.

As part of the conference, NCACC teamed up with 4-H Youth Development (a service of NC Cooperative Extension) and Boys & Girls Clubs of North Carolina to sponsor YouthVoice for the eighth consecutive year.  YouthVoice brings together youth delegates ages 14-19 and county officials to promote dialogue between current county leaders and the next generation of leaders.  It also helps educate youth delegates on the county’s role in their community and the complex art of governing.   Abby Holsomback was the Youth Representative from Granville County 4-H.

About the NCACC: The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is the official voice of all 100 counties on issues being considered by the General Assembly, Congress and federal and state agencies. The Association provides expertise to counties in the areas of advocacy, research, risk management and education and leadership training.

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Granville County to host Business and Industry Appreciation Day

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Come join the Granville County Economic Development Department in partnership with the Granville County Chamber of Commerce and the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center for the annual “Business and Industry Appreciation Day” on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 from 4-6 p.m. at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, located at 4185 Highway 15 South in Oxford.

For local businesses and industries, the event is not only a networking opportunity, but also a chance to learn more about services and resources that are available to assist them. Organizations, agencies and businesses that provide services to a business (such as lending or education/training) are invited to set up a table to share information with those in attendance.

For information on reserving a table, contact Lynn Cooper at the GCEDD at 919-693-5911 or lynn.cooper@granvillecounty.org

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. A brief program including remarks will take place at 5 p.m.

VGCC schedules Sewing class at Main Campus

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Vance-Granville Community College will soon offer a “Beginning Sewing” class on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. The course, taught by Carol Montague of Oxford, is scheduled to be held on Monday evenings from 6-9 p.m., Sept. 11 through Nov. 27, in room 5203 (Building 5).

Sewing has always been a part of Carol Montague’s life. From the time she was very young, she remembers taking naps under her father’s work table. He was a canvas awning maker, cutting and sewing his work on a large, room-sized table. In 2002, she opened her business, called Hen and Chicks Sewing School. Both adults and children have benefitted from her classes, taught at her home and at the Oxford Housing Authority. She has also held numerous fashion shows at assisted living facilities, churches, her home, and the Oxford Housing Authority. Montague enjoys having her students give back to the community by donating hand-made items to the Durham Ronald McDonald House, making dresses for children for Haiti and comfort caps for cancer patients.

Montague believes in equipping the current generation with skills that have become too often ignored. “The value of sewing for yourself and others comes in many forms,” she said. “Unique and personalized gifts, clothing alteration, hard-to-find modest clothing, wearability, and one-of-a-kind clothing and crafts are just a few of the many advantages of learning to sew.”

Sewing is a life-skill, she added. “Adults learn drafting design skills by making or adjusting their own patterns, cutting skills, the value of precision work and how to combine color,” Montague said. “Students will be able to identify quality craftsmanship in ready-to-wear garments and spot hastily-made clothing fashioned out of cheap materials. They will be able to repair purchased items that need ‘fixing.’ Many have made a business out of the skill of sewing.”

The cost of the class is $80. Students will need to provide their own materials, a list of which will be provided. The deadline to register is Sept. 4.

Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/personal-enrichment or at any VGCC campus. For more information, contact Gail Clark at (252) 738-3385 or ped@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Significant Closures Coming to I-85

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RALEIGH – As work to improve I-85 accelerates, several closures and detours are coming over the next week to Vance and Warren counties.

On Tuesday Night, August 8, between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, Southbound I-85 will be closed north of Oine Road.  Traffic will be detoured by law enforcement to Wise Road (Exit 233), then south along U.S. 1/158 and back on to I-85.

I-85 Southbound will be closed on Wednesday August 9 near mile marker 215 from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM.  Law enforcement will be on hand to detour motorists along Flemingtown Road and U.S. 1/158.

On Thursday, August 10, there will be a closure of I-85 Southbound near Manson Road (mile marker 233) from 9:00 PM until 6:00 AM Friday.  A detour by law enforcement will guide motorists west along Ridgeway-Drewry Road, then turning left on to Manson-Drewry Road and following that back to I-85.

From 5:30 PM Thursday, August 10 to 6:00 AM Friday, August 11, crews will install girders for the I-85 Southbound bridge at Flemingtown Road.  Flemingtown Road will be closed and a signed detour will be in place taking Northbound I-85 motorists along U.S. 1/158, Lee Avenue/Jacksontown Road, and Jackson-Royce Road to get to Flemingtown.  Those trying to get to I-85 Northbound from Flemingtown Road should follow the reverse of that route.

Finally, Starting Monday, August 14 both the on and off ramps for I-85 Southbound at Wise Road will be closed for 60 days.  Southbound I-85 motorists wishing to get to Wise Road will proceed to Ridgeway-Drewry Road (Exit 226), exit and get back on I-85 Northbound, then take Northbound off ramp at Wise Road (Exit 233).  Those wishing to get on to I-85 Southbound from Wise Road will be detoured to Rooker Dairy Road heading south to Oine Road, then to US1/158 and right onto Ridgeway-Drewry Road to get back onto I-85 southbound.  Drivers will be able to utilize the Oine Road ramps once they reopen in September.

These temporary closures are part of a five-year project to repair the deteriorating I-85 road surface, and repair and replace bridges to create safer conditions for travelers.  All closures are weather dependent and subject to change.  Motorists are still advised to use I-95, I-40, and U.S. 64 instead of I-85 when traveling between the Triangle and Richmond.  For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.

Granville County Swears in New Superintendent

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At the beginning of their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, August 7, 2017, the Granville County Board of Education held a special ceremony for the official swearing in of Dr. Alisa R. McLean as Superintendent of Granville County Public Schools.  On hand to observe her taking the oath of office were Dr. McLean’s family, friends and former coworkers.  Her husband, Frank McLean, daughter, Amari McLean, and her parents,  Dr. and Mrs. A.C. Robinson, participated in the ceremony which was presided by The Honorable Carolyn J. Thompson, District Court Judge of the 9th Judicial District.

Following a brief break in the agenda, the Board resumed its regular meeting, and covered a variety of topics related to the upcoming opening of school.  During one portion of the meeting, Dr. McLean provided an update on her role thus far, sharing thoughts on how her first two and a half weeks had been, “I have met with so many wonderful people from the community, and received such a generous outpouring of support and hospitality.  I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to come to this district, and I truly feel like we are poised for great things.  I want everyone to join me in being committed to excellence and achievement for all.”

The Board also provided copies and information about Dr. McLean’s contract, as well as information about superintendent contracts from across the state in order to provide context and comparison.   Her compensation includes a base salary of $124,128, and a doctoral supplement of $3,036, both of which are paid for by the state.  In addition, Dr. McLean will receive a local supplement of $30,000, for a total salary of $157,164.  The only additional benefits include a retirement/annuity supplement of $19,000, contributions to state retirement of $9,430, and dental and health insurance valued at $678.  Public Information Officer Stan Winborne noted that the contract was more noteworthy perhaps for what it did not contain.  “This is a pretty simple contract.  There are no special perks or expenses added to the base salary like you might see in other contracts across the state.  The Board was rather conservative in negotiating this compensation package, and the taxpayers should be pleased with how it stacks up against other districts.”

Dr. McLean offered her perspective on the arrangement, saying, “Again, I am just so honored and excited to come to Granville County Public Schools.  I chose to come here because I see great potential here.  It is evident that real progress has been made in recent years.  Student achievement is on the rise, and I fully intend to help lift this district up to a world-class level.  I think not only can we be the best in the state, but nationally recognized as well.  Excellence is my standard.”

The next regularly scheduled Board of Education will take place on Monday, September 4 at 6:00 pm.

Oxford Prep Students Personalize Parking Spots

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The final year of high school has already begun for the Oxford Prep Class of 2018.

Once again, Griffin seniors joined together on a weekend in early August to personalize their senior parking spot.

Friends, brothers and sisters, parents and others join with the seniors to spend a weekend painting their own design creations on the parking space that is reserved for the senior’s use until they graduate in May.

 

ICYMI: N.C. SBI and Virginia State Police Coordinate Marijuana Eradication Operation

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RALEIGH – A joint North Carolina-Virginia marijuana eradication operation July 25-26 yielded more than 800 plants seized in Granville, Vance and Warren counties. Two stolen vehicles were recovered as well. On the north side of the state line, the Virginia State Police seized 25 plants and 20 guns. Charges are pending on one individual. 

North Carolina’s State Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia State Police coordinated the multi-agency operation that took place along the border of the two states.

“The partnerships we have at the state and local level and with our partners to the north made this operation successful,” said Lynn Gay, assistant special agent in charge of the SBI’s Capitol District.  “No one agency brought more to the table than another.  It was a group effort, and everyone’s input helped achieve our goal of putting illegal growers out of business.”

The N.C. State Highway Patrol, the N.C. National Guard and the SBI provided aerial surveillance. Other participants included the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the sheriffs’ offices from the three counties.

“In my years of being with the Virginia State Police, I have never seen a joint eradication operation between the two state bureaus to include local departments on both sides of the state line,” said Fst. Sgt. Tony Barksdale of the Virginia State Police. “I deem the operation a success and praise the efforts put forth by all agencies involved.” 

“The season is not over for the Marijuana Eradication Program,” Gay said. “We have agents trained to spot grow operations from the air and we will be back.”

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Scammers Targeting Local Businesses

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Please help us spread the word about a scam targeting our community.

Someone using the number (919) 277-0344 is calling Oxford residents claiming to represent the Oxford Fire Department and claiming they are raising money for our schools.

This is a scam.

Do not provide them with any personal or financial information. If you received such a call and did provide them with any information you should contact your financial institution immediately and report the incident.

As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the legitimacy of a fundraiser or event.

Thanks.

Cynthia Bowen

City Clerk

City of Oxford

300 Williamsboro Street

Oxford, NC 27565