Granville Chamber Names Charles Currin John Penn Citizen Of The Year

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— information courtesy of Granville County Chamber of Commerce

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce named Charles Currin as John Penn Citizen of the Year, capping an evening of celebration during its 83rd annual membership meeting and banquet Monday, Mar. 10.

Currin was recognized for his servant leadership and for giving selfless service to his community. In remarks leading up to the announcement, Rev. Joe Don Cooper said Currin, a lifelong Granville County resident, has dedicated himself to helping others throughout his life. From solving electrical issues, lending his craftsmanship, or simply by being the first  to show up when someone is in need, Currin exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader. His volunteer efforts stretch far beyond the county—he played a key role in disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Matthew, spending nearly a year helping rebuild communities in hard-hit Tarboro. Locally, he is an integral part of the Oxford Lions Club, where his contributions have kept fundraising efforts thriving for more than a decade. His work at Oxford Baptist Church, where he has served in multiple leadership roles, further demonstrates his unwavering commitment to service.

Described by friends and colleagues as “a man of action,” Currin never seeks recognition but always  answers the call to serve. Whether constructing wheelchair ramps for those in need, organizing community fundraisers, or even sharing produce from his garden with neighbors, his generosity knows no bounds. His impact is felt not only in the projects he leads but in the countless lives he has touched with his kindness, humor and willingness to give.

In addition to honoring Currin, the Chamber also recognized George’s Oxford Village Family Restaurant as the Small Business of the Year. A cornerstone of the community, George’s has built a reputation for excellence in customer service and hospitality, serving Granville County for years with dedication and heart.

The evening also showcased the Chamber’s commitment to education. Serenity Cameron, one of the Chamber’s four 2024-2025 Student Spotlight winners, was awarded a scholarship from the Chamber’s Education Committee in recognition of her academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to her community. The Granville County Chamber of Commerce extends its deepest gratitude to its sponsors, attendees and all those who continue to support its mission of fostering economic growth, leadership and  community engagement.

For more information about the Chamber and its programs and services, visit https://granville-chamber.com/ or contact Chamber Director Cynthia Ratliff at cynthia@granville-chamber.com

 

Maria Parham Health Emergency Department Renovation Update

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Maria Parham Health is kicking off the first phase of a major renovation to its Emergency Department, with a focus on enhancing care for individuals facing behavioral health challenges.

“We are excited to begin this important renovation, which will allow us to provide even better care to those who need it most,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “This is a huge step forward in our ongoing efforts to improve care for vulnerable populations in our  community, and we are grateful for the support of our partners and the local community.”

The renovation will take place in two phases, with the initial preparation already completed by the hospital’s Facilities team, according to information from MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young. Temporary modifications to the main lobby area have been made,  including the installation of new flooring and the construction of temporary walls. These changes  will create dedicated space for waiting areas, triage zones, registration desks and other essential  facilities to ensure the continued smooth flow of patient care during construction.

Because the front portion of the current Emergency Department will be closed for the duration of the renovation, the hospital’s main lobby will be used as a temporary intake, registration and emergency care  area for patients coming to Maria Parham’s Henderson campus in personal vehicles.  Ambulances will continue to arrive through the current ambulance intake bay. There are directional signs in place to help direct people to their destinations.

Phase One of the project is expected to take approximately 16 weeks, with actual construction beginning Monday, Mar. 17.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

  • During the renovation, emergency patients who arrive at the hospital by their own means  will be directed to the main entrance for registration, triage, and care.
  • Emergency Medical Services entry will remain unaffected.
  • Radiology patients will also be guided to the main entrance for registration and sent to a separate waiting area for their services.
  • For other services such as Lab, Outpatient Surgery, Inpatient Rehab, and General Visitation, patients will be asked to use the Heart & Vascular Center entrance, located to the right of the hospital’s main entrance.
  • Please look for signage posted in front of the hospital for additional guidance.

This vital renovation is made possible through funding allocated to Maria Parham Health in October 2023 as part of a joint initiative led by the Vance County District Attorney’s Office, Granville Vance Public Health, the Vance County Board of Commissioners and the North Carolina General Assembly.

The project will specifically focus on creating designated areas within the Emergency Department tailored to meet the unique needs of behavioral health and mental health patients.  These spaces will provide a safer, more supportive environment for patients and care team members, while improving overall hospital efficiency. Furthermore, the changes are designed to foster a healthier and more secure hospital environment for patients and visitors alike.

Maria Parham Health encourages the public to stay informed about the renovation’s progress.  Updates will be available on the hospital’s official Facebook page and through local news outlets.

Social Media And Its Effect On Youth Topic Of Upcoming Vaya Health Program At Boys & Girls Club In Oxford

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The public is invited to come learn more the role of social media in young people’s lives on Saturday, Mar. 22 at the Granville Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina  in Oxford.

The program, “Unfiltered, The Effects of Social Media” is presented by Vaya Health
Tri-County System of Care Community Collaborative. It’s free and open to the community. There will be a youth panel discussion, as well as resources, games, food and more.

The Boys & Girls Club is located at 105 West St., Oxford.

The Local Skinny! VGCC Foundation Fundraiser Saturday, April 5 At HighRock Farms

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Join The VGCC Foundation at the second annual wine tasting gala and silent auction fundraiser on Saturday, April 5, from 6 – 9 p.m. to help support students facing unforeseen financial crises.

The event’s theme is  “Unlocking Possibilities: You Are Key,” and will take place at HighRock Farms in Granville County.

Unexpected burdens can easily derail some students. Through initiatives like a food pantry, emergency assistance, transportation vouchers and career closet, The VGCC Foundation steps in to meet students’ basic needs when the unexpected gets in the way of their academic progress, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

Now in its second year, the wine tasting gala and silent auction features an array of wineries showcasing their signature wines including reds, whites, bubbly and more. Guests will enjoy a buffet of foods including chicken, beef, and more (as well as tea and water), while The Hub will offer a variety of beer and wine for purchase by the glass.

Attendees will receive a souvenir wine glass and have the option to purchase their favorite finds. In addition, a variety of silent auction items will be on display for bidding throughout the evening. Also added this year is a Wine Pull and various raffle opportunities. A short program showcasing students who have benefited from donor contributions will open the evening, and local students will provide the event’s entertainment.

HighRock Farms, located at 2317 Enon Road outside Oxford, is owned by Beth and Dave Hollister.

Dress for the evening is business attire.

Tickets are $75 each and may be purchased through The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation office. Only 150 tickets will be sold, so be sure to get yours early! To purchase tickets online, visit www.vgcc.edu/the-vgcc-foundation-online-gifts and enter “Gala” in the Designation box. To purchase tickets using any other method, please email foundation@vgcc.edu or call 252.738.3264.

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Repository Helps Families, Law Enforcement, Public When Children Go Missing

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— information courtesy of the N.C. Center for Missing Persons

A new public resource has been launched to help families and law enforcement agencies locate missing children.

In 2024, there were 8,758 reports of missing children in the State of North Carolina. Until now, North Carolina has not had a unified way to notify the public when children go missing.  Additionally, photos of missing juveniles have not always been readily available to the public.

The Missing Child Repository includes all juveniles reported missing in North Carolina, regardless of the circumstances.  Family members can now submit a photo of a missing child to be included in the repository by emailing the child’s name and case number to missing@ncshp.gov.

“Our hope is that this public repository will aid in the location of missing juveniles across the state, as well as providing a means to identify juveniles that are unable to identify themselves,” said Morrissa Ahl-Moyer, Director of the N.C. Center for Missing Persons.

For more information about the N.C. Center for Missing Persons and to access the Missing Child Repository, visit https://nccmp.ncdps.gov/.

The Local Skinny! Paws for Granville

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The Humane Society of Granville County is hosting its annual Paws for Granville fundraiser on Saturday, Mar. 29 at the Barn at Vino in Stem.

Anne Crews, a member of the local humane society and one of the event organizers, said this year’s goal is $20,000. “It’s our major fundraiser for the year,” Crews said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The event begins at 5 p.m. and dinner, catered by George’s of Oxford, will begin at 6 p.m. There will be a live auction, too, she said.

The Humane Society splits the proceeds with the local animal shelter, and Crews said the funds are used to pay for vet bills, spay/neuter programs, vaccinations and more for animals that come to the shelter and hopefully adopted out to good homes.

In 2023, 2,034 animals were taken in at the animal shelter. “That’s an awful lot of animals,” Crews said.

For every dog or cat that is spayed or neutered, she said, it reduces the number of unwanted animals that often end up at the shelter looking for new homes.

In addition to the adoption program that the humane society and the spay and neuter program that operate at the shelter, volunteers also run a pet food pantry and have cat adoption events at Petsmart in Durham’s Patterson Place.

Crews said there’s always a need for additional volunteers. Visit the website or call 919.691.9114 to learn more.

Paws for Granville tickets are $40. Purchase them on Eventbrite, or visit https://www.hsgcnc.org/paws-for-granville.

 

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Granville School Board Announces Leadership Changes For 2025-26 School Year

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— Information courtesy of Granville County Public School Public Information Officer Dr. Courtney Currin

The Granville County Board of Education announced a number of leadership changes that will take effect in the 2025-26 school year. The changes come as a result of school closings and consolidations.

Kevin Ferrell was named director of Transportation, succeeding Dr. Chris Ham, who will retire at the end of the calendar year. Ferrell has served as the principal of South Granville High School since July of 2021. He has an undergraduate degree from Duke University and a graduate degree from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Janita Allen has been named the High School Success and Math Coach in an interim role. Allen has been with Granville County Public Schools for her entire career, which spans almost 29 years. She currently is principal of Granville Central High School, which will close at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Allen holds a bachelor’s degree from N.C. Central University, a master’s degree from N.C.  State University and a doctorate from East Carolina University.

Ashley Clark will replace Ferrell as principal of South Granville High School. Clark was the 2022-2023 GCPS Principal of the Year and currently is principal at Butner-Stem Middle School. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees from East Carolina University.

Jessie Shore will be the first principal of the new Granville Central Middle School. Shore currently serves as the principal of G.C. Hawley Middle School, which will close at the end of the school year.

Shore was born and raised in Winston-Salem, and attended Western Carolina University for her undergraduate degree and, later, administration licensure. She also holds a master’s degree from Salem College.

Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne commended school administrators from across the district for their dedication to students and to education. “I want to publicly thank our amazing school administrators who dedicate countless hours to ensuring the best education possible for the students of Granville County Public Schools. I am confident that the administrators who have new positions will help our schools and district thrive.”

The board also named the following administrators to new roles as assistant principals:

  • Shaun Daniel, Granville Central Middle;
  • Dane Fields, Wilton Elementary;
  • Cierra Harris, C.G. Credle Elementary;
  • Regina Harris, J.F. Webb High School;
  • Ruby Mondell-Long, South Granville High School;
  • Chastity Rivera, South Granville High School;
  • Kendalyn Smith, Granville Central Middle;
  • Michael Spradlin, J.F. Webb High School.
NC Forest Service

The Local Skinny! Wildfire Season is Upon Us

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A brush fire on Edwards Road in Vance County burned about 10 acres of land, and firefighters and forestry service crews were able to get things under control to prevent the fire from spreading further.

“We did have a busy weekend, both locally and statewide,” said N.C. Forestry Service Ranger Rob Montague, whose territory includes Vance and Granville counties. A fire near Uwharrie Forest in the western part of the state has burned about 400 acres.

The fire on Edwards Road was caused by a debris burn that took place on Wednesday, three days before the fire broke out.

The person who was burning the debris thought the fire was out, Montague said, but conditions became such that it escaped the ash pit where the fire had been and then rekindled on Saturday.

“That strong wind Saturday really made conditions right for fires to escape,” Montague said.

Another fire near Epsom burned 75 acres and started as a land clearing pile that was burned during last month’s snowfall.

“It does not take long this time of the year for fire fuels to dry out after a precipitation event and become available to burn,” Montague said. The brisk winds and low humidity over the past few days make conditions right for fires, he said.

Thankfully, none of the half dozen or so fire calls that the forest service received on Saturday resulted in any structure damage or other loss.

“Fire departments have really jumped on fires quickly and done excellent work to keep these fires contained,” he said.

Montague said property owners should remember this rule of thumb about burning: If it grows on your property, you can burn it – safely – on your property.

That means natural vegetation – leaves, limbs, etc. But nothing manmade can be burned, he said. Property owners found to be in violation of the county ordinance can be fined or face possible civil penalties.

It’s a lot simpler for those who live within the city limits: except for charcoal grills, no open burning is allowed. Period.

The N.C. Forest Service suggests that your local forest service office before starting any outdoor fire and offers the following tips to keep in mind:

  • Check local burning laws. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours. Others forbid it entirely.
  • Make sure you have a valid permit. You can obtain a burn permit at any N.C. Forest Service office or authorized permitting agent, or online at ncforestservice.gov/burnpermit.
  • Keep an eye on the weather. Don’t burn on dry, windy days.
  • Local fire officials can recommend a safe way to burn debris. Don’t pile vegetation on the ground. Instead, place it in a cleared area and contain it in a screened receptacle away from overhead branches and wires.
  • Be sure you are fully prepared before burning. To control the fire, you will need a hose, bucket, steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire. Keep a phone nearby, too.
  • Never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed up debris burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out.
  • These same tips apply to campfires and grills as well. Douse burning charcoal briquettes or campfires thoroughly with water. Drown all embers, not just the red ones. When soaked, stir the coals and soak them again. Make sure everything is wet and that embers are cold to the touch. If you do not have water, mix enough dirt or sand with the embers to extinguish the fire, being careful not to bury the fire. Never dump hot ashes or coals into a wooded area.

 

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Catawba Sheriff’s Office Looking For More Possible Fraud Victims In Multi-County Conspiracy Case

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From the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office

Investigators with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division are asking for the public’s help in identifying additional persons who may have been victimized in a multi-county fraud conspiracy.

Virgil Garrett, 64, and his son Noah Garrett, 27, have been charged with obtaining property by false pretense and felony conversion, for allegedly obtaining commercial vehicles and heavy equipment through rental agreements and then fraudulently selling them to buyers across western North Carolina. These buyers were allegedly convinced by this father-son duo they had a legal right to sell this equipment. Investigators believe this fraudulent practice has been occurring for several months or longer.

Noah Garrett is currently held in the Catawba County Detention Facility under a $750,000 secure bond. Virgil Garrett is currently held in the Catawba County Detention Facility under a $600,000 secure bond.

“We are confident there are more victims out there who have not yet come forward” said, Sergeant Stobbe, lead investigator in the case. “If you or someone you know has been deceived by these individuals, we strongly urge you to contact our office. Even if you didn’t realize you were a victim at the time, we want to hear from you.”

Multiple charges are pending against the Garretts. Investigators are working to identify the full extent of this operation and the total amount of financial loss to the victims.

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized or who has information related to these cases is encouraged to contact the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office at 828.464.3112 or astobbe@catawbacountync.gov.

NC Coop Extension

The Local Skinny! Farmers Market Vendor Courses

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This is the time of year when local gardeners are perusing seed catalogs or checking in with local nurseries about when the vegetable slips will be ready to purchase.  The April 15 frost date seems a long way off, but gardeners are planning now in order to reap the benefits – literally – when spinach, peas, beans and more are ready to harvest.

Vance County Cooperative Extension is hosting a series of vendor workshops during March for anyone interested in participating in farmers markets in Vance, Granville or other nearby counties.

Vance County Agriculture Agent Michael Ellington said the classes will be held on Saturday mornings beginning Mar. 8 and will continue on Mar. 15, 22 and 29. The first three sessions will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the Mar. 29 session will last from 10 a.m to 1 p.m.

All sessions will be held at Salem United Methodist Church, 4151 Salem Rd., Oxford.

Each session has a different focus, Ellington explained.

  • 8 – the basics of business
  • 15 – marketing – product placement for optimum visibility on tables in the market
  • 22 – knowing your customers and follow-up to sales
  • 29 – basic food safety

Vendors often sell at more than one farmers market, Ellington said, so it just makes sense that these vendor trainings are offered to individuals from numerous counties throughout the area.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market may see a higher volume than some of the other area markets because of tourism – folks visiting Kerr Lake or traveling along I-85 may choose to stop in, he noted.

He would like to see the Vance market be an incubator market for others who are just getting started in growing produce or for those who are interested in expanding their existing production.

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will have a new feature this year, if all goes according to plan.

Ellington said volunteers and others have been whacking away at kudzu to create a community garden on the campus of the farmers market.

More volunteers are needed at upcoming workdays, he said:

  • Mar. 21 – working on establishing garden borders – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Mar. 29 – marking walkways and preparing for stone installation – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Apr. 11 – installing garden beds – 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“We want to have the community realize that this is their market, and the garden is theirs,” Ellington said. The community garden would be a perfect spot for those who want a garden but lack the space or the confidence to plant, tend and harvest on their own.

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