NC DMV Accepting Applications To Operate Granville County Office

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Looking for a career change? The state’s Division of Motor Vehicles is accepting applications for a commissioned contractor to operate the license plate agency in Granville County.

Penny Ellington has operated the license plate agency in Oxford since 2009, but the agency will close on Nov. 17 when the contract ends, according to information from the NC DMV office in Rocky Mount.

Completed applications should be returned no later than Sept. 27. The applications (Form MVR-93 or Form MVR-93AA) can be found on the Connect NCDOT website. Interested applicants may call 919.615.8105 to learn more.

In North Carolina, NCDMV oversees the 127 license plate agencies across the state, but the agencies are managed by private businesses or local governments.

The division’s policy is to open applications to operate a license plate agency after the expiration or end of a contract, or when the need arises for a new or additional agency in a certain county.

Three nearby license plate agencies offer service Monday through Friday:

  • Henderson, 946-D W. Andrews Ave., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 252.438.3528
  • Roxboro, 811 N. Madison Blvd., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 336.597.4809
  • Louisburg, 808 S. Bickett Blvd., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 919.496.4655

In addition, services such as property tax payments and registration renewals can be completed online at www.MyNCDMV.gov.

Attention, Farm Families! Apply For A Chance To Be Featured During 2022 N.C. State Fair

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– Information courtesy of N.C. State Press Office

 

Has your farm family got what it takes to be one of the 11 families recognized this year at the N.C. State Fair as a Farm Family of the Day?

If you are proud to be an N.C. farmer, work hard to contribute to the state’s No. 1 industry and love both farming and the N.C. State Fair, you could be one of the lucky ones selected.

The “Farm Family of the Day” program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, is returning for its second year to recognize and celebrate more of our state’s rich agricultural heritage and the farm families that are behind our $92.9 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry.

Applications can be found at https://ncstatefair.org/2022/Attractions/FarmFamilyOfTheDay.htm The deadline to apply is Sept. 16.

“The State Fair’s earliest beginnings sought to elevate the understanding of new agricultural practices and technology. Helping people make the connection between farming and the food they enjoy is one of our top missions at the NCDA&CS each year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

“Thanks to Tractor Supply Company, this program can help tell the story of and celebrate our farm families. Farmers are out there every day working to grow the food, fiber and fuel that we need to survive.”

Families recognized as Farm Family of the Day honorees will be awarded an N.C. State Fair gift basket including fair tickets to use on any day of their choice during the 2022 N.C. State Fair, ride passes and additional swag from Tractor Supply Company and the N.C. State Fair. Families will be chosen by both nomination and application.

The 2022 N.C. State Fair is set for Oct. 13-23 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The fair offers an experience unique to North Carolina for all who attend, and is an unparalleled value with free entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors and creative deep-fried delights. For more information, visit https://www.ncstatefair.org/2022/index.htm.

NCDOT

Volunteers Needed For NC DOT Fall Litter Sweep

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The N.C. Department of Transportation is looking for volunteers for the Adopt-A-Highway Fall Litter Sweep, which runs Sept. 10 – 24.

Each April and September, the department calls on volunteers to help remove litter from roadsides. Volunteers from local businesses, schools, non-profits, churches and community groups play an important role in keeping North Carolina’s roads clean.

“The Litter Sweep is a great opportunity to get outdoors with family and friends and work alongside NCDOT to ensure North Carolina remains a beautiful place to live and work.” says David Harris, a state DOT roadside environmental engineer.

Volunteers can request gloves, safety vests and bags from their local county maintenance office to prepare for the cleanup event. DOT maintenance crews devote one week of their time to pick up litter and collect the orange bags that dot roadsides after volunteers have finished their work.

Cleanup supplies, such as reversible orange/blue trash bags, gloves and orange safety vests, are available from the local NCDOT county maintenance yard office.
​The following link contains contact information for each county’s local litter management coordinator.
Visit the Litter Sweep webpage for more information.

The Local Skinny! September Heating Up In Oxford

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Anyone in the listening area who complains about there being nothing to do better not let Angela Allen hear you.

Allen, Granville County Tourism Director, has outlined a bevy of events that are taking place in the next couple of months that will keep you on your toes.  (Listen Here – The Local Skinny! September Heating Up In Oxford)

First up, the 16th annual Hot Sauce Contest and Festival, which takes over downtown Oxford on Saturday, Sept. 10. From live music, food and beverage vendors and classic car show – and don’t forget the pepper eating contest – the daylong festival has something for everyone.

Visit nchotsaucecontestandfestival.com for a complete list of events and schedules or to sign up to be a volunteer.

The following weekend, it’s downtown Creedmoor putting on a show – literally. The Creedmoor Music Festival cranks up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17.

“We’re really excited about (that) one, it’s been two years” since the festival could be held because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Visitors will hear a variety of music throughout the day, performed by local groups and regional favorites. See the complete lineup and schedule at https://www.cityofcreedmoor.org/departments/recreation/events/creedmoor-music-festival

“The thing that makes it so unique is that you get to hear so many genres in one day,” Allen said. There will be everything from bluegrass to British Invasion tribute bands in Creedmoor for the festival.

And, hot off the press, Allen said, is the “very first Restaurant Week in downtown Oxford.” During the week of Sept. 25 to Oct. 1, all the downtown restaurants will participate in a celebration that includes special menus and pop-ups.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Allen said, adding that a kickoff event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 25 with a special “Supper at Oxford Oaks.” Oxford Oaks is the new distillery coming to College Street. Find more information at visitgranvillenc.com/

October ushers in a variety of activities across the county, from the Oct. 1 CultureFest in downtown Oxford to the Cedar Creek fall pottery and glass festival, which takes place the first two weekends in October outside Creedmoor.

Once you’ve perused the gallery with works from more than 200 artists ranging from handcrafted pottery, glass sculptures, jewelry and more, head over to the Granville Haunt Farm on Hwy 15 south of Oxford.

The drive-through event takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings in October, Allen said.

“You can be terrified from the comfort of your own car.”

CLICK PLAY!

 

Downtown Oxford ‘Social District’ Begins Sept. 1

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Final preparations for Oxford’s Downtown Social District are almost complete – beginning Thursday, Sept. 1, patrons of eight downtown establishments can sip adult beverages as they stroll along the sidewalks within the designated area.

The City of Oxford and the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation (DOEDC)  have created a map which defines the social district and outlines the specific streets where the social district has been established, as well as the businesses that are participating, according to information from Alyssa Blair, the city’s communications specialist.

Alcoholic beverages may be consumed in this area during the following hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 12 noon – 9 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Beverages must be in social district containers only and must be discarded before you exit the designated social district boundaries. Window clings will be present in storefronts downtown to indicate their participation: a green cling means beverages are welcome inside, a red cling means no beverages are allowed, and a yellow cling means that beverages are sold inside. Downtown merchants have been provided the different clings and city and downtown officials request that patrons respect the business owners’ individual decisions to participate or not. For more information regarding the Social District including hours of operation, window cling and sticker examples, please visit the City of Oxford website at https://www.oxfordnc.org/community/downtown_oxford_social_district.php

Participating businesses are:

Map and Elements courtesy of City of Oxford and DOEDC

  • Harvest
  • Strong Arm Baking Co.
  • Milano’s
  • The Orpheum
  • The Hub
  • Uptown Bar And Restaurant
  • Main Street Oasis
  • Tobacco Wood Brewing Co.
Granville County Sheriff

School Bus Safety Tips For Children And Motorists

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Every day, millions of students use school buses as transportation to and from school. Although school buses represent one of the safest forms of transportation, there are several safety factors of which both students and drivers should be aware. Hoping to ensure school bus safety this school year, Granville County Sheriff John Hardy  encourages caution whenever school buses are present.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in recent years there were an average of 128 fatalities in school transportation-related traffic crashes each year and more school-aged pedestrians have been killed between 7 and 8 a.m. and 3 and 4 p.m. than any other time of day.

“Children are often eager to get off the school bus and can do so quickly when they are excited,” Hardy said in a press statement issued by Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. “It is crucial that parents reinforce the school bus safety rules children learn at school. It’s also a great idea to drive your child’s bus route with them before their first day of school so they can learn the routine with you.”

Hardy shared the following tips with parents whose children ride the school bus:

  • Students should arrive at least five minutes early to the bus stop.
  • While the bus is approaching, make sure to stand at least three giant steps away from the curb, wait until the bus has come to a complete stop, the door opens, and the bus driver says that it’s OK to board.
  • Always walk on the sidewalk when preparing to cross the street near a bus. Make eye contact with the driver so that you are sure he or she sees you.
  • Never walk behind the bus.
  • If you are walking beside the bus, walk at least three giant steps away.
  • Use the handrail when entering and exiting the bus. Take extra precautions to make sure that clothing with drawstrings and book bags do not get caught in the handrail or door.
  • Never stop to pick something up that you have dropped when a bus is stopped. Tell the bus driver or wait until the bus has driven off to retrieve what you’ve dropped.

Some reminders that bear repeating to any drivers who share the road with school buses include:

  • Remember that children are unpredictable in their actions. Use extreme caution when traveling in a school zone.
  • If there are no sidewalks, drive cautiously. Be more alert to the possibility of children walking in the road.
  • Slow down and prepare to stop whenever you see yellow school bus lights flashing.
  • Never pass a school bus when there are flashing red lights and the stop arm is extended. This is a sign that children are getting on or off the bus. Motorists must wait until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.
  • Learn and obey the school bus laws in North Carolina.

The Granville County Sheriff’s Office is located at 525 New Commerce Dr. in Oxford. To learn more, call l 919.693.3213 or email granville.sheriff@granvillecounty.org.

Granville County Public Schools

Two GCPS Students Complete Apprenticeship Program

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Two Granville County Public School graduates have completed requirements of the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program.

Jared Gladki, a graduate of South Granville High, completed his apprenticeship at Revlon in Oxford. Jacob Ganzzermiller, a graduate of Granville Central High, completed his apprenticeship program at Buhler Aeroglide in Raleigh.

The two were recognized at a ceremony on Monday, Aug. 15, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Dr. Stan Winborne. Gladki completed a two-year degree in mechatronics at Vance-Granville Community College and Ganzzermiller completed at two-year degree in mechanical engineering technology at Wake Tech. Both students participated in a work-based training program with their respective companies; the apprenticeships come with the promise of a full-time, high-skilled job in local manufacturing companies.

The apprenticeship program is a partnership between GCPS, VGCC, Wake Tech, NCTAP and local industries.  High school students apply for and enroll in a fast-track program to complete their college engineering coursework – tuition free – while they work. The candidates who complete the apprenticeship are then offered full-time employment at their training sites and get a significant jump start on their career in advanced manufacturing, Winborne said.

GCPS Career Development Coordinator Tamara Rodebaugh attended the graduation ceremony and acknowledged the opportunities for these students and others. “Advanced

manufacturing is a growing sector in our region and offers high-skilled and high-paying careers for our graduates,” Rodebaugh said in the press statement.  “All interested students should reach out to their counselors or their Career and Technical Education teachers for more information. I look forward to having more GCPS students enter the selection process this fall,” she said.

CertainTeed Secures State Grant Funding To Aid Expansion Project

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CertainTeed of Oxford has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce to help pay for an expansion of their existing facility. The building reuse grant, combined with $837,500 of private funding, will be used to renovate an existing 326,000-square foot building, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

CertainTeed makes exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, insulation, and  ceiling products. In April 2022, officials announced plans for the expansion, which will add 225,000 square feet of manufacturing space to the Oxford location and will include a total project investment of $118.8 million in Granville County, according to information from the Department of Commerce. The original announcement in April stipulated that the CertainTeed expansion would create 37 new jobs – at an average annual wage of $45,096  – which makes the manufacturer eligible for a One NC Grant of $125,000 to aid in the expansion project. Both grants require a 5 percent local match of funds.

“CertainTeed is growing with Granville,” said Economic Development Director Harry Mills. “We are thrilled that the N.C. Department of Commerce recognized the community impact that CertainTeed has in Granville County. Our Economic Development staff was able to assist CertainTeed by securing this additional funding to make their local expansion possible. CertainTeed is one of Granville’s core industry leaders and we could not be happier that they are here for the long haul.”

For more information about the N.C. Building Reuse Grant program, please visit the N.C. Department of Commerce  website: https://www.nccommerce.com/grants-incentives/building-or-site-funds/building-reuse.

Local SECU Branches Collecting School Supplies Through August

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Teachers and students are gearing up for the start of a new school year, and that surely means school supply lists. Sometimes, those lists are long.

So if you’ve got children still in school and will be doing your back-to-school shopping soon, consider adding a couple of extras to your cart for donation to a drive sponsored by area State Employees’ Credit Unions.

Collection boxes are located at SECU branches in Henderson, Louisburg, Warrenton, Oxford and Butner, just waiting to receive your donation, according to Anna Lemert, a vice president at the Henderson SECU.

All items collected will be given to the school district where the branch is located, Lemert said.

Don’t have a child in school? No problem! Your donations will be gratefully accepted and appreciated.

Granville DSS Opens Satellite Office In Creedmoor

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People who live in the southern part of Granville County can cut their drive time to the county’s Department of Social Services – a satellite office officially opened Monday in the Butner-Creedmoor area.

County officials had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official first day of business for the second DSS location, 2531 East Lyon Station Rd., according to information from Terry Hobgood, public information officer for Granville County.

Residents will be able to receive the complete suite of services currently offered at the Oxford office  at 410 W. Spring St. and the Child Support Office, located at 122 Williamsboro St.

Residents who live or work in  southern Granville County will now have convenient access to these vital county services, Hobgood stated.

“The opening of a Social Services office in southern Granville County aligns with Granville County’s strategic plan, which emphasizes the need to expand county services to reach residents currently underserved due to the  challenges related to transportation, high gas prices, and geographic distance from Oxford,” said Granville DSS Director Adonica Hampton. “We are excited to be able to provide this imperative resource for residents of the greater Butner, Creedmoor and Stem communities, plus any other county residents who may find it more convenient to visit this new office.”

“I could not be happier see this new Butner-Creedmoor office opened to the public,” said Social Services Board Chair, and District 3 County Commissioner Sue Hinman. “We have heard from our residents for so many years that they need more convenient access to county services. Just like we have brought other county services, like libraries and senior centers to Berea, Butner, Creedmoor, Oak Hill, Stovall and Wilton, we are now able to meet our residents where they are, in one of the fastest growing parts of our county. Any time we can make our residents’ lives easier and provide better customer service, we want to be there.”

For more information about the Department of Social Services, please visit the Granville County Website:  https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/social-services/.