Lessons & Carols Service At Historic St. John’s Episcopal Church Sunday At 5 PM

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The historic St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamsboro is the site for a traditional service of Lessons and Carols this Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.

The community is invited to the service, which is fashioned in the style of King’s College in Cambridge, England.

St. John’s is the oldest frame church in North Carolina, and celebrates its 250th year in 2023.

In the days before the American Revolution, Williamsboro held a prominent position in the state. At one time, it was considered the prime location for a university – which ultimately was founded in Chapel Hill.

Early members of the church included John Penn, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Although not considered an active parish, St. John’s is maintained and supported by the Diocese of North Carolina and a dedicated committee made up largely of parishioners of The Church of the Holy Innocents in Henderson and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Oxford.

These churches, as well as the former St. John’s in Henderson and St. Cyprian’s, Oxford, are offshoots of the church in Williamsboro.

The service of Lessons & Carols is one of several held at the church each year, including a Homecoming service in October and an Easter service.

You can follow St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamsboro on Facebook. (facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070992423730)

Granville County Residents: Access FCC Map To Confirm Broadband Data

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Granville County residents can help improve broadband internet access by confirming existing information that will be used to determine federal and state grant funding to expand broadband access throughout the county.

Residents can visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov to confirm data  collected by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its new National Broadband Map, according to information from Terry Hobgood, the county’s public information officer.

This map displays where internet services are and are not available across the country, as  reported by internet service providers. The map allows consumers to easily dispute information shown on the map which they believe was not accurately reported by the providers.

“Granville County is constantly searching for funding and partnerships that can expand broadband access in the unserved or underserved parts of our county,” said Assistant County Manager Korena Weichel. “Accurate data is the first step to improved access.

Residents can help the FCC improve the map by submitting a “challenge” to one of the following points:

  • Availability challenges: If the information about the internet services available at your home or business is incorrect, you can dispute it by clicking on the “Availability Challenge” link on the map and submit the  form.
  • Mobile challenges: If the map of mobile coverage submitted by your provider seems incorrect, you can  dispute that by taking speed tests on your mobile phone with the FCC Speed Test App, available for both  Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samknows.fcc&hl=en) and iOS (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fcc-speed-test/id794322383?mt=8).
  • Location challenges: If the information about the location point of your home or business seems to be incorrect, you can submit a “Location Challenge” to correct the information on the location by utilizing  the link on the map.

Data from these maps will be used when making award decisions for broadband infrastructure grants, Weichel said. Internet service providers also will consult these maps to determine where they may be able to access new customers and determine when and where to install new infrastructure needed to improve access.

“Even though regulatory laws in  North Carolina prohibit county and city governments from owning or operating internet infrastructure, we are committed to partnering with internet service providers that are willing to make the necessary investments that  will bridge the digital divide and expand access to broadband internet in rural Granville County,” Weichel said.

TownTalk: Fundraiser Will Benefit J.F. Webb Athletics

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A pile of bricks has sat outside the J.F. Webb High School gym for the last couple of years, but they’ll soon serve their purpose, according to Webb Booster Club member Caroline Burnette.

That pile of bricks is becoming the foundation for a fundraiser that had been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burnette spoke recently on TownTalk to explain the project, which involves the purchase of engraved bricks.

The booster club is raising money for the school’s athletic teams and Burnette encourages Webb alumni, businesses and others in the community to be a part of the project.

Visit polarengraving.com/jfwebb to learn more or contact the booster club at jfwebbboosterclub@gmail.com.

Webb’s masonry students are going to install the donated red bricks outside the gymnasium. As the gray-colored bricks are purchased and engraved, a red brick will be taken up and replaced with the engraved brick, Burnette said.

“We can sell as many as we want,” she said, adding that once the first space is full, the plan is to move to areas near the football field and the baseball field on campus.

“This is a lasting opportunity – it’s going to be there for a really long time,” she said.

There are three price levels, depending on the size of brick purchased, she explained.

A 4 x 8 brick is $100, an 8 x 8 brick is $150 and the largest size brick is $225. In addition to having names engraved, there are hundreds of different images to choose from as well.

Burnette said some of the school’s sports teams are in dire need of new equipment and uniforms and this fundraiser will help to address some of those needs.

“It’s time to really support our kids,” Burnette said. “Please support our students at J.F. Webb.”

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Former Granville Sheriff Gets 18-Month Sentence For Falsifying Training Records

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Former Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins was convicted late last week by a Wake County jury on multiple counts of obstruction of justice and obtaining property by false pretenses.

The jury found Wilkins guilty of falsifying in-service training and firearms records necessary to maintain law enforcement certification for himself and other certain deputies under his command, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. The court sentenced Wilkins to a minimum of 18 months in prison followed by two years’ probation. He was immediately taken into custody.

Wilkin, originally indicted in September 2019, faces additional criminal charges, including two counts of felony obstruction of justice charges arising from allegations that Wilkins withheld knowledge of a credible threat to kill a former deputy and that he failed to make reasonable and professional efforts to protect the deputy. Two felony and two misdemeanor charges relating to allegations that Wilkins failed to discharge the duties of his office are also pending.

Following Wilkins’ original indictment on Sept. 16, 2019, Granville County Attorney Jim Wrenn brought an action to remove Wilkins as sheriff of Granville County. On Sept. 23, 2019, Wilkins agreed to a consent order suspending his service as sheriff pending resolution of the criminal charges. Following Wilkins’ suspension as sheriff, the Granville County board of commissioners authorized Wrenn to lead an internal investigation.

Details of the above-referenced internal investigations can be found on the Granville County website at this link: https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/county-commissioners/special-investigation-reports/.

Russ May Named Chair Of Granville Commissioners

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Russ May has been named chair of the Granville County Board of Commissioners. Tim Karan was installed as vice-chair and newly elected District 2 commissioner Rob Williford was sworn in as the newest member of the county board during its December meeting on Monday.

May represents District 5 and Karan represents District 6; in addition, District 7 commissioner Jimmy Gooch was sworn in for his first full term on the board.

Each December, the board votes to appoint a new chair and vice-Chair to serve for one year. Cr May, who was first elected in 2020, was named vice-chair last year. This is Karan’s second turn as vice-chair, having held it previously in 2014-15. Karan chaired the board in 2016-17, having been first elected in 2010. This is his fourth term in office.

Gooch was originally appointed in October 2020 to fulfill the unexpired term of Edgar Smoak, who died in September 2020.

Karan and Gooch were sworn in by commissioner Tony Cozart and were joined on stage by their wives Liz and Wendy, respectively. Williford was sworn in by NC 9th District Court Judge Katherine Burnette and was joined on stage by his wife Lori.

Williford won his District 2 seat in November, taking the place of David Smith who retired from his nearly 50-year career in public service. Smith served three terms as a commissioner. He was sheriff in Granville County from 1998 to 2009, but spent close to four decades in various roles in the Granville County sheriff’s office.

The Granville County Board of Commissioners typically meet on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center, located  at 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.

For more information, visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/county commissioners/.

Check Receipts To Avoid Scanner Overcharges

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Four area stores in Vance County and one in Granville County have racked up more than $20,000 in civil penalties as a result of excessive price-scanner errors, according to information from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division.

These five area locations are among 70 stores in 38 counties across the state that were identified by the department’s standards division during the third quarter of 2022.

If it passes reinspection, the Raleigh Road Dollar General will not have to pay the $5,000 it was assessed. It has paid fines for excessive scanner errors earlier in the year. The other four stores – two Family Dollar stores and two Dollar Generals – paid fines ranging from $1,530 to $5,000.

“Our Standards Division continues to see a significant increase in stores with price scanner errors, as many stores continue to deal with staffing shortages,” N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a press release announcing the fines.

“During the holidays especially every penny counts, and we want consumers to pay attention during check out. Over the last year we have seen about 26 percent of price scanner inspections fail. It is always a good practice for consumers to check their receipts as well as the price on the shelf to make sure that they are paying the correct amount and alert managers if they are not correct.”

The department conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems in businesses to check for accuracy between the prices advertised and the prices that ring up at the register. If a store has more than a 2 percent error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss the findings with the store manager and conduct a more intensive follow-up inspection later. Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store.

Penalties are assessed if a store fails a follow-up inspection. In addition to the penalties paid, the store will be subject to re-inspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2-percent-or-less error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if a store fails a re-inspection.

Following is a breakdown of the information provided by the state:

• Family Dollar at 1414 East Andrews Ave. paid $3,715 in fines. An inspection in April found an error rate of six percent based on 18 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed its previous three inspections and paid additional fines. The store passed inspection in June.

• Family Dollar at 901 South Beckford Drive, Henderson paid $5,000 in fines. An inspection in August found an error rate of 33.33 percent based on 100 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed four previous inspections and paid additional fines. The store passed inspection in October with zero overcharges.

• Dollar General at 4500 N.C. Highway 39 South paid $1,530 in fines. An inspection in July found an error rate of 6 percent based on 18 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in September.

• Dollar General at 394 Raleigh Road was assessed a $5,000 fine. An inspection in October found an error rate of 27.67 percent based on 83 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed three other inspections this year and paid additional fines. The store will be reinspected.

• Granville Dollar General at 108 Highway 15 North, Stovall paid $5,000 in fines. An inspection in October found an error rate of 17.33 percent based on 52 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store also failed and paid fines for three previous inspections this year. The store will be reinspected.

Consumers who would like to file a complaint about scanner errors they encounter can call the standards division at 984.236.4750.

SportsTalk: Mize Goes Out On Top At Webb??

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While Lisa Mize is definitely on top, the question is whether she is actually going to retire. Mize was a guest on SportsTalk on Thursday, and she said it is not yet set in stone, but her plans are to fold up the volleyball net. Mize was recently named as North Carolina 2A Volleyball Coach of The Year at J.F. Webb High School. The Warriors made it into the second round of the state playoffs this season.

Mize has served as JV and varsity head coach at Webb for many years, and she’s watched the girls grow up. “I’ve taught some of them in elementary school,” Mize said.”  She continued, “The seniors are why I came back this year.”  She was recently honored for her achievements by the Granville County School Board for her service in the school system.

“It’s very hard to step away.  I’ll miss the girls, but I won’t miss the long hours,” Mize said. She said she will keep up with her players and expects a few road trips to watch some of them play in college, but when pressed about whether she will actually retire she said, “Nothing’s final. Nothing is in stone.”  While she may have ideas of retirement, her players have other ideas. “They are begging me to stay,” Mize said.

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TownTalk: Disc Golf At Granville Athletic Park

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We see them everywhere: those flexible plastic discs that get flung through the air on beaches, college campuses and playgrounds.

Toy manufacturer Wham-O was the first to call them Frisbees in the late 1950’s and since then, the flying discs have been tossed about for fun – and competitively.

Local disc golf enthusiasts have a high-quality 18-hold course to practice their sport at Granville Athletic Park, and the board of commissioners recently recognized their efforts to bring such a course for the public to enjoy.

The course is called “The Incinerator,” the result of Granville County native David Nicholson and a group of dedicated volunteers who partnered with GAP parks and grounds crew to create. It began in 2018 with nine holes and the final nine was completed in 2022.

It was built with minimal labor and expenses by county staff and has already put Granville County on the map in the disc golf world, according to a press statement from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

“These volunteers have succeeded in creating a destination for disc golf enthusiasts from across the state in a uniquely themed course that pays tribute to the rich history behind the park’s development,” the statement continued.

For more information about the Incinerator Disc Golf Course, please visit the Granville County website:  https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/recreation/granville-athletic-park-gap-2/34051-2/

In addition to Nicholson, commissioners also recognized the following disc golf course volunteers: Kyrston Nicholson, Jeff Schons, Michael Fortlage, Ben Lewis Benjamin, Fermin Calderon, Russell Davis, Heyward Gignilliat, Andy Mathews, Joe Tartamella, Justin Crow, Dilon Lawson, Dionicio Salazar, Paul  Shelton Jr., Parker Schons, Samuel Sirianna, Adam Weisbrodt, Larry Smith, Davis Lever and Sam Taylor.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

GVPH Community Assessment Released

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Every three years, health departments across the state evaluate community health priorities and create a community health assessment to guide their efforts and inform programs and projects that are important to the people they serve.

Granville Vance Public Health recently released its 2021 health assessment, in partnership with the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, local agencies and Triangle North Healthcare Foundation. According to the document, the top three community health priorities in Vance and Granville counties are:

  • mental health and substance use disorder
  • access to health care – including affordability
  • engaging youth to advance community health and safety

“The CHA demonstrates synergy and informs Granville and Vance County residents about the strengths of our local community as well as opportunities for improvement,” said GVPH Director Lisa Harrison.
“The CHA results are used regularly by many groups in grant applications, program development, and can serve as an important consideration for economic development opportunities,” Harrison said in a press statement accompanying the health assessment document.

The CHA includes information collected from a variety of focus group meetings of area residents, as well as other data from agencies like the U.S. Census Bureau, local government agencies, school districts and the state and federal health agencies. A steering committee met regularly to guide the process and members of the community offered feedback throughout the process.

The Community Health Improvement Plan, conducted in October, engaged partners in the two counties to develop measurable objectives to address each priority, identify evidence-based strategies to achieve those objectives, and plan evaluation and accountability throughout the next three years.

Next steps include identifying specific evidence-based interventions and programs to incorporate into their overall plan for health services that address the three health priorities that were identified in the community assessment.

The comprehensive report provides a wealth of information about the two counties served by the health district, from high school graduation rates and access to grocery stores, to safety and recreational outlets.

View the full report at http://www.gvph.org/wp 

content/uploads/2022/09/GVPH-2021-CHA-Report_v2.pdf.

Granville Brimming With Holiday Happenings

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Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said the county is brimming with activities as December ushers in the Christmas holiday season – and things get underway today in Oxford with the city’s traditional Lighting of the Greens festivities.

At 4 p.m., there will be activities for children, musical performances, food vendors and more, Allen said on Thursday’s TownTalk. After the ceremonial Lighting of the Greens occurs at 6:45 p.m., followed by the Christmas parade at 7 p.m. Head for Main Street in front of the courthouse to take part in all the pre-parade action. Check out the city’s Facebook page for a rundown of events.

“It’s a great time to gather with family and friends,” Allen said. “You are definitely going to get into the Christmas spirit here in Granville County.”

The town of Butner is also light things up this evening, with Christmas in the Park at Gazebo Park. Parents, bring the kids between 5:30 and 6:45 to come visit with Santa, and then at 7, the park lights will be displayed for all to enjoy.

Not to be outdone, the city of Creedmoor is sponsoring a program at 7 p.m. at the recreation center, 108 E. Wilton Ave. Allen said there’s a promise of some hot cocoa and maybe even a bonfire to gather around as a variety of local choirs perform.

“You definitely have an opportunity to welcome the season,” Allen said, no matter where in the county you choose to be.

Other events of note include:

Dec. 3

  • Creedmoor Christmas parade – 11 a.m., downtown Creedmoor
  • Butner Christmas parade – 2 p.m.
  • Holiday Gala at The Orpheum in Oxford – black tie affair with proceeds to benefit Hope House, Oxford. Go to The Orpheum’s Facebook page or pick up tickets at The Hub on Main in person or via the Facebook page.

Dec. 4-6

  • Granville Little Theatre’s radio play production of “A Christmas Carol – 7 p.m. each night at Tobacco Wood Brewing Co.

Dec. 7

  • Cocoa with Santa at The Barn at Vino, Stem. There will be vendors on hand from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Santa’s rolling in on a fire truck at 2 p.m., ready for a photo with the kids. Free to attend, but a professional photographer will be taking pictures with Santa for purchase. Check Eventbrite online and look for “Cocoa with Santa and Vendor Fair” for details.

Dec. 8

  • Downtown Oxford’s after hours “Jingle and Mingle” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit participating merchants and restaurants to take in some holiday shopping and sipping. Check Oxford’s Facebook page for updates leading to this event.

Dec. 10-12

  • Delrayno Baptist Church’s annual “Back to Bethlehem” drive-through live Nativity. Open each night from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 10

  • Carlee Farms in Stem is having its Holiday Marketplace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • “Jingle Jangle Bazaar” at the Stem Ruritan Club. More than 40 vendors will be on hand with holiday gifts galore from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. And there may be a visit from St. Nick himself!
  • Grassy Creek Christmas parade – 2 p.m.

And sometime during the holiday season, be sure to check out the Granville Christmas Farm. If you visited the Granville Haunt Farm around Halloween, the address will be familiar – 4534 Hwy. 15 South. But that’s where the similarities end, Allen said, because Grey Blackwell and his crew have gone from scary to Merry!

This drive-through lights display has all the traditional themes: “all the things that you love so much about Christmas,” she said. This is the first of what Allen said she hopes becomes an annual event, creating “another great tradition that we do for the holiday.” The Christmas Farm began the day after Thanksgiving and will continue through Jan. 1.

Visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/whats-happening/ for a complete listing of events coming up.