Granville School Board Opens Process For Filling Unexpired District 2 Seat

/by

The Granville County Board of Education approved the formal process for filling the District 2 seat after the resignation of school board member Tom Houlihan.

Houlihan’s resignation was effective July 31, and the board met Monday, Aug. 1 to determine how to proceed to fill the unexpired term.

The board will continue with six members until a replacement for District 2 is appointed, according to information from Dr. Stan Winborne, public information officer.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, along with a resume and three letters of recommendation by the close of business on Friday, Aug. 26.

The board will interview candidates during a special called meeting set for Thursday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. The interviews and subsequent vote will occur in open session, Winborne noted, and the candidate selected will be sworn in and take the oath of office on Sept. 12.

If no suitable candidate is selected, the process will be repeated – with new deadlines selected – until the position is filled.

The letter of interest, resume and references can be emailed, hand-delivered or mailed to:

Mrs. Alston Shave

101 Delacroix St.

Oxford, NC 27565

The phone number for Central Services is 919.693.4613; the email is

shavea@gcs.k12.nc.us

These documents should provide information that highlight and demonstrate the candidate’s ability and experiences related to education and service to children, Winborne said.

Candidates should review the “Duties of the Board” guidelines issued by the NC School Board Association, which may be found at the NCSBA website url:  https://www.ncsba.org/news-resources/board-member-knowledge-base/duties-of-the-board/

All candidates must reside in District 2 in order to be considered for this position.  Proof of residency will be required. District 2 map and information may be found at the Granville County website url:  https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/county-commissioners/approved-redistricting-map/

Terry Garrison

TownTalk: Garrison Seeks 4th Term, Discusses Water, Sewer Projects In District 32

/by

Several towns in the area have recently received state and federal funding to make improvements to water and wastewater services, and N.C. Rep. Terry Garrison said it was important to him to make sure projects in his district were on the state’s “radar” to get that much-needed money.

Garrison is seeking his fourth term as a legislator representing District 32, which includes Vance, Warren and most of Granville counties. He faces challenger Frank Sossamon in the November midterm elections.

Although the General Assembly is in recess right now, Garrison told John C. Rose Tuesday that it’s less of a vacation and more of a quasi-adjournment. Legislators regularly are called back into session, not necessarily to take votes, but to hear information and discuss issues. In fact, they were called back last week. “We can pretty much expect to go back each month through December to address matters,” Garrison said.

When legislators are called back into session, you need to be ready, he said. “You never know what may occur in your absence.”

Garrison, along with colleagues, was able to secure millions of dollars in funding to help several municipalities in the district with water and water treatment projects. The city of Henderson has gotten more than $10 million from a couple of different funding streams, the legislator explained.

One $5 million allotment is for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System and a second $5.4 million comes from the American Rescue Plan and was awarded through the state’s Department of Environmental Quality.

The ARP appropriation was dedicated to address drinking water and wastewater projects, he said. “Our situation was severe enough to qualify us to receive the money,” Garrison noted.

“I yelled as loud as I could to make sure persons were aware of our critical needs,” he continued.

During the most recent long session, as it’s called, legislators made history, Garrison said. “The last session was the longest in the history” of the General Assembly. It convened in January 2021 and didn’t adjourn until March 2022. “It was extensive and it was intense,” Garrison recalled.

Then the “short session” began in May. Although the bulk of the work of the state House and Senate has been done, there are matters that are lingering, he said. “We’ll just have to see how it goes – we’re on standby.”

He said he’s hopeful about the possibility of Medicaid expansion, which had been a sticking point in getting the most recent state budget passed. “It does appear that we’re back on track to get something on Medicaid expansion,” he said, adding that the fate of the issue most likely will be determined by the November elections.

Garrison said he voted for the budget, despite its shortcomings. “We absolutely needed to have a budget,” he said.

Before heading off to Raleigh to represent House District 32, Garrison had been dean of workforce development at Vance-Granville Community College. His realty firm, Tegarris Associates has been in business for more than 40 years. Much of that time, Garrison served as a Vance County commissioner.

“I stand for democratic principles and values, and I stand for you,” he said. In addition to being a proponent of Medicaid expansion, Garrison said education, jobs that pay a liveable wage, the expansion of rural broadband internet access are other top-of-mind issues for him.

Adequate and appropriate funding for schools, teachers and for community colleges are vital to the state’s education system. And although he acknowledges that charter schools and private schools both have a place in the education system, he does not favor using public funds to pay for families to send their children to private schools.

He is an advocate for affordable housing, as well as services for veterans the elderly. In addition, he supports community development – and redevelopment efforts.

“I will always play the game fair,” he said.

Subscribe to Garrison’s monthly newsletter to stay on top of legislative updates. Email terry.garrison@ncleg.gov to learn more. And he said constituents are always welcome to phone his office at 919.733.5824.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

MHC Homecoming Oct. 7-9 Offers Something For Everyone – Music, Food, Fellowship

/by

The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford is gearing up for its Homecoming festival in early October – there’s a golf tourney, barbecue contest a parade and plenty of live music sure to provide plenty of entertainment for all in attendance.

The 10th annual festival, cancelled in 2021 because of COVID-19, is set for Saturday, Oct. 8, according to information from MHCO. The free event is open to the public and includes campus tours, food trucks and a kid zone as well as alumni and homecoming activities.

The barbecue contest teams assemble and set up on Friday afternoon, followed by DJ Reese’s music and then an evening performance by the band East Coast Rhythm and Blues.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, beginning at the fire department and continuing down College Street to the MHCO campus, 600 College St.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Don “Big Weather” Schwenneker, meteorologist for ABC11 Eyewitness News.

The Saturday schedule is jam-packed with activities, including an afternoon concert by the band Too Much Sylvia.

The 24th annual Chip Shots for Children charity golf tournament will take place on Friday, Oct. 7 at South Granville Country Club & Golf Course. Contact Eddie Dickerson at 919.441.3003 to learn more about registering for this event.

A light breakfast will be provided at registration, which begins at 7:30 a.m., with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Registration fee is $75. Since its inception, the tournament has raised more than $700,000 for the Masonic Home for Children.

Teams of up to 5 people can register for the barbecue contest. Registration is $100 per team and contest details, as well as the complete schedule of events, can be found at https://mhc-oxford.org/masonic-homecoming-festival/

Granville Welcomes New Interim Manager, Bids Farewell To Felts

/by

Granville County welcomes Doug Logan as interim county manager during a swearing-in ceremony Friday afternoon, just moments before a reception honoring outgoing manager Mike Felts begins.

Logan returns to county service, having retired in 2020 from the position of emergency services director and fire marshal, a job he had held since 1994.

Felts was appointed county manager in July 2013. He tendered his resignation to the board of county commissioners in May 2022 after accepting a position with the N.C. Association of County Commissioners Risk Management Pools.

Logan will be sworn in at 2:45 p.m. and the reception for Felts is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Both events will take place at the Granville Expo Center, 4185 Hwy. 15 South.

NC State Board of Elections

State Court Of Appeals: Felons May Register To Vote In NC – For Now

/by

-Information courtesy of the N.C. State Board of Elections

Starting today – July 27, 2022 – an individual serving a felony sentence who is not in jail or prison may register to vote and vote. An individual must also have resided in North Carolina for at least 30 days prior to the election, be a U.S. citizen, and be at least 18 years old by the next general election.

Previously, under a North Carolina statute, a person serving a felony sentence could not register to vote or vote, whether they were in or out of prison, until they completed that sentence. This meant that felons serving probation, post-release supervision, or parole were not able to register or vote, until they completed their term of supervision.

Earlier this year, however, a North Carolina superior court determined that denying voting rights to people serving their felony sentences outside of jail or prison violates the state constitution. This decision has been appealed; however, while it is on appeal, the North Carolina Court of Appeals has ordered that the decision should go into effect as of July 27, 2022.

This means that, for the time being, any person serving a felony sentence outside of prison or jail is eligible to register to vote and vote. Those in jail or prison for a felony conviction are not allowed to register or vote. If a person is in jail awaiting trial for a felony but has not yet been convicted, they retain their voting rights. In North Carolina, a person never loses their voting rights for a misdemeanor conviction.

As of July 27, the State Board will update its website and voter registration forms and other voting-related documents to reflect this new information on felon eligibility. The agency will update this information upon any further order of the courts.

Granville County Library System

Berea Library Patrons Can Check Out N.C. Arboretum ecoEXPLORE Kits

/by

-Information courtesy of the Granville Library System

The Granville County Library System, in partnership with the North Carolina Arboretum, will now offer ecoEXPLORE discovery kits for patrons to check out. These backpack-based kits include binoculars, a camera, a bird call, a magnifying glass, and more to encourage science and nature exploration through participation at https://www.ecoexplore.net/

Participants earn badges as they gain knowledge about the environment and the creatures that live nearby while earning prizes for exploration.  The kits, designed for children ages 5-13, promote “citizen science” and getting kids outdoors.

The discovery kits will be available to check out at the Berea Branch Library, located at 1211 U.S. Hwy 158, north of Oxford. It’s best to call the library in advance – 919.693.1231 – to make sure kits are available for checkout.

In addition to this program, the Berea Branch Library has also been designated as an ecoEXPLORE hotspot and will be establishing a wildlife viewing area and pollinator -friendly garden for patrons to use and explore. A volunteer workday will be held Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon to install the garden.

Volunteers can sign up by calling the library or filling out the form at https://tinyurl.com/garden-help-signup.

Also, as part of the ecoEXPLORE program, the library will be hosting an “All About Owls” event on Thursday,  Aug. 18, at 5:30 p.m. A naturalist will present information about ornithology (the study of birds) and provide more information about the ecoEXPLORE program.

For more information about this exciting addition to the services offered at the Berea library, call 919-693-1231 during its hours of operation: Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Thursdays 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Take Kerr-Tar COG Survey By Aug. 19 To Weigh In On Economic Development

/by

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is asking for help from all those who live or work in the region – Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin, Person – as it gathers information to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

The CEDS team has created an online survey that is open now through Aug. 19 which seeks input about the region’s strengths, challenges and opportunities. Data from the survey will be used to inform policymakers across the regions about what is going well, what needs improvement and ways to guide focus areas over the next five years.

Anyone who lives, works or has an interest in the Kerr-Tar region is encouraged to take part in the online survey.

In addition to the survey, the Kerr-Tar COG has scheduled in-person meetings to gather comments and opinions. The Vance, Franklin and Warren meetings were held earlier this week, and the Granville and Person meetings will be held on Tuesday, July 26, according to iformation on the Kerr-Tar COG webpage. The Granville meeting will be held at the Granville County Convention & Expo Center, 4185 U.S. Hwy. 15 in Oxford between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon; the Person County meeting will be held in the Person County office building auditorium, 304 S. Morgan St., Roxboro between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Visit https://www.kerrtarcog.org/ to access a link to the survey, or simply click the link here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/survey-taken/?sm=fOW9Nqb_2BYpcyo73LmBCJHylTUVcNu_2BdTkwHeMJJTE7uFIIVtxeK2Pr3Zt_2BS2TjVcmEgkHM4BUUAyp0bavgB9TMZlZl_2BfCFp0WhBOvhzEAn8_3D

Keep Pets’ Safety In Mind – Never Leave Them In Vehicles

/by

  -information courtesy of American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region

The excessive heat that has been reported all across the country is not to be taken lightly, and the American Red Cross urges everyone to take precautions to avoid dangerous – and sometimes deadly – situations.

Pet owners are especially encouraged to keep their pets’ best interests at heart by never leaving them in vehicles, even for just a few minutes while running errands.

“It’s critical that you don’t leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes,” said Barry Porter, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region. “The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees in minutes, even with the windows cracked open.”

The advice for humans is to stay inside and out of the heat, if possible, and to stay hydrated to prevent medical emergencies like heat stroke. The same is true for pets – keep them inside, out of the heat, and make sure they have access to cool, fresh water all day long, according to advice from the Red Cross.

And just like humans, animal also can suffer heat stroke. Animals can suffer heat stroke in warmer weather. Dogs especially vulnerable are those breeds with short noses or snouts – think boxers and bulldogs – as well as overweight animals, or those with an extremely thick coat or who have been diagnosed with other upper respiratory problems.

Some of the signs of heat stroke to watch for:

  • Heavy panting and inability to calm down, even when lying down
  • Brick-red gum color
  • Fast pulse rate
  • Unable to get up

If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian immediately as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

RESOURCES Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app for step-by-step instructions for first aid emergencies, toxic substances, a pet profile for storing tag ID, photo and medical information, early warning signs for when to contact a veterinarian and an animal hospital locator. You can find it in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross, texting GETPET to 90999 for a link to download the app or going to redcross.org/apps.

You can also take the Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid online course so that you’ll know what to do in an emergency until veterinary care is available. Access the course on your desktop or tablet and go through the content at your own pace.

The interactive course includes:

  • How to determine a pet’s normal vital signs so owners can notice if there are any irregularities
  • Step-by-step instructions and visual aids for what to do if a pet is choking, needs CPR, has a wound, or is having a seizure; and information on preventative care, health and tips for a pet’s well-being.

Find more information about pets and their safety during warm weather here.

Granville County Sheriff

Granville Deputy Cleared Following Officer-Involved Shooting

/by

A Granville County Sheriff’s deputy has been cleared in connection with an officer-involved shooting incident that left one man dead in February 2022.

District Attorney Michael D. Waters released a 7-page report Tuesday stating that “there is no legal basis for pursuing criminal prosecution in this matter.”

Sheriff’s deputies were called to a domestic disturbance at a home on Reavis Road on the afternoon of Feb. 9. Makari Jamel Smith had been at the home, but had left, armed with a shotgun. He later returned to the home, and law enforcement officials from the sheriff’s department and the town of Stovall were present as the situation unfolded.

According to the report from the District Attorney’s office, “the single most important piece of evidence” is the video footage that captured the interaction between the deputy and Smith. After some back-and-forth dialogue between the two, Smith raised the shotgun and shot at the deputy. The deputy fired three shots in response.

The report stated that deputies at the scene properly collected and secured the deputy’s gun and body-worn camera.

In his conclusion, Waters said the events leading to Smith’s death”should reinforce the need for continuing efforts of law enforcement to find more effective avenues to help defuse volatile situations that may arise during a mental health crisis.”

TownTalk: Granville Tourism Prepares For A Busy Intro To Fall

/by

Summer may be a time to slow down and enjoy family vacations, outdoor activities or chill out with a good book in the air conditioning, but Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen invites everyone to come out to the streets of Oxford and Creedmoor for several upcoming events.

On Saturday, Aug. 6, head over to Old Warehouse Square just off College Street in downtown Oxford for a “Back to School Bash.” There will be a bounce house, fairy hair, vendors and food trucks on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Allen told WIZS’s Bill Harris Thursday on Town Talk. There will be a school bus on hand to accept school supplies and donations, and Allen said the goal is to fill that bus with items that can be used in classrooms across the county.

Numerous downtown merchants will have collection bins for donating school supplies for students and teachers in advance of the event, and folks are invited to make donations, Allen added.

By early August, grownup and children alike are “getting ready to get their mindset back to school,” Allen said, so a fun family event is just the thing for preparing to return to the classroom.

The Back to School Bash coincides with the annual Sidewalk Sale in downtown Oxford, which happens on Friday, Aug. 5.

If bluegrass music is more your jam, check out Music on Main in downtown Oxford on Friday, Aug. 12. The Grass Street Band will perform from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. “It’s a great time to get out on the streets in downtown Oxford…grab some to-go and bring your lawn chair,” Allen said.

The Creedmoor Music Festival is returning after a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Allen said it is “definitely back, bigger and better.” The festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 17 in downtown Creedmoor. Music lovers will enjoy seven different performances on two stages throughout the event, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Allen said there’s a variety of genres represented, from rock and R&B, to Bluegrass and sounds of the ‘60s by band The British Invaders. Add to that mix more than 100 food and craft vendors, and the 29th annual Creedmoor Music Festival will have something for everyone. Find Creedmoor Music Festival 2022 on Facebook or visit https://www.cityofcreedmoor.org/ for updates on when the different groups will perform.

The final concert of the Alive After Five series will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29 in downtown Oxford from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Little John parking lot just off Main Street. The group Spare Change will perform.

And wedged in between all the musical performances is the 16th annual Hot Sauce Contest and Festival. The event, held on the second Saturday in September, falls on Saturday, Sept. 10 and Oxford is gearing up for another influx of visitors to sample the latest hot sauces and mingle downtown for a day of fun and food.

The Embers with Craig Woolard and Crush are among the musical guests scheduled to appear on the Main Stage, as well as numerous other local artists on the regional stage.

The classic car show, always a crowd favorite, will showcase cars for participants to view.

The kids’ area returns with lots of activities like inflatables, crafts and face painting to keep the little ones happy.

There’s a new scavenger hunt planned, which gives participants the chance to win a gift basket filled with hot sauces and other items from downtown merchants.

Check out all the activities planned at a new website, https://nchotsaucecontestandfestival.com/

 

CLICK PLAY!