The Local Skinny: KARTS Makes Getting From Here To There Easy

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People use KARTS for a variety of reasons – to get to work or doctor’s appointments, to go food shopping, keep dialysis appointments and even get to the local community college campus. Whatever the reason, KARTS buses crisscross the four-county area to provide transportation to people who need it.

And that’s something that make KARTS Executive Director Irene Johnson happy.

Each day, schedulers make appointments for residents and the Kerr Area Regional Transportation Authority buses are dispatched throughout the counties they serve.

“We are here to serve the community,” Johnson told John C. Rose on Thursday’s The Local Skinny! “We do so much transportation now,” she said. She said a daily tally could be in the hundreds of routes.

The buses run hundreds of routes each week and even operate on Saturdays to transport people to their jobs or to their dialysis appointments. Drivers are on the road as early as 2:30 in the morning to make sure folks make their 4:30 a.m. appointments at area dialysis centers.

But Johnson has a suggestion for anyone thinking about calling for a ride from KARTS: Call as soon as possible. “As soon as you know you have a trip planned, we need you to call as early as possible,” she said.

And while it’s not mass transit like city buses or subway trains, KARTS buses are considered public transportation, Johnson noted. And for that reason, the use of masks is recommended. And even though the COVID-19 restrictions have eased, she assures riders that the buses are thoroughly cleaned to help keep everyone as safe as possible. There also are cameras with live feeds mounted inside and outside the buses for an additional layer of safety

The last couple of years have been hard on everyone, but especially hard on those without a means of transportation. Johnson said she has enjoyed seeing those folks who found themselves confined at home being able to get out and enjoy life without having to worry about transportation.

The main dispatch center is in Henderson on Ross Mill Road, but each county has its own fleet of buses that remain in those counties, she explained.

And KARTS is not immune to the labor shortage that everyone is talking about. If you’re looking for a job, KARTS is always looking for drivers. Retirees who may just want a part-time job could be prime candidates, she said, inviting others to join the hard-working staff of drivers.

“They are dedicated and want to make sure people get (to their destinations) safely,” Johnson said.

Contact KARTS at 252.438.2573 to learn more.

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Granville Revaluation Process Underway

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Workers with the county’s contracted vendor for conducting the mandated tax revaluation process have started their field work and residents can expect to see clearly marked vehicles and employees identifying themselves for this specific purpose.

The updated property tax values go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and employees with Pearson’s Appraisal Service have begun verifying and updating tax listings to ensure fair and equitable tax values are applied to commercial and residential properties throughout the county, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

Employees will have photo identification badges as well as vehicles marked “GRANVILLE REVALUATION.” The appraisal process involves photography of each property and verification of information in the existing Granville County tax listing. Property owners interested in providing additional information or requesting an interior inspection for a property can do so by calling Pearson’s Appraisal Services at 888.573.2776.

Revaluation is the process of reappraising all properties within the county for tax assessment purposes. The purpose of revaluation is to re-establish equity among properties that may have changed in value at different rates since the county’s last revaluation, which was completed in 2018.

Each county in the state must conduct a reappraisal of all real property – land, buildings, and other improvements to land –  at least once every eight years as mandated by North Carolina General Statutes. Granville County conducts revaluations on a six-year cycle.

For more information regarding property tax values or the revaluation and assessment process, please contact the Granville County Tax Administration Office at 919.693.4181 or visit the Granville County website:  https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/tax-department/.

Red Cross Offers Safety Tips for Memorial Day, Summertime Activities

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Red Cross officials have some safety suggestions for people as they prepare for the Memorial Day holiday – and don’t forget pets as we head into the warmer summer months.

“Summer is a great time of year to get outside and have fun with your friends and loved ones,” said Barry Porter, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region. “But there are dangers if you don’t swim, camp or grill properly. We here at the Red Cross want you to have a safe summer and offer these steps you can follow.”

Read the suggestions below whether you’ll be enjoying watersports, camping or grilling.

PET SAFETY

Summer’s heat can be dangerous for your family pets. Follow these steps to take to help ensure your pet stays safe this summer.

  • Don’t leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open.
  • Animals can suffer heat stroke, a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are especially prone to heat stroke, along with overweight pets, those with extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.
  • Some of the signs of heat stroke in your pet are heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down, brick red gum color, fast pulse rate and being 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 as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage. Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid appfor instant access on how to treat heat stroke, other emergencies and general care for cats and dogs and take the Cat and Dog First Aid Online Training

WATER SAFETY

Every day, an average of 11 people die in the U.S. from unintentional drowning — and one in five of those are children 14 or younger according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Red Cross wants everyone to know critical safety knowledge and skills that could save your life in and around the water. We encourage families to build confidence in the water by learning to be safe, making good choices, learning to swim and how to handle emergencies.

  • Preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning.
  • Classes to learn how to swim are available for both children and adults. Check the map for Learn-to-Swim providers in your community. Everyone should learn first aid and CPR too, so they know what to do in an emergency.
  • Download the Red Cross Swim app, sponsored by The ZAC Foundation, for safety tips, kid-friendly videos and activities, and take the free Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers online course in English or in Spanish.
  • It’s best to swim in a lifeguarded area. Always designate a “water watcher” whose sole responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
  • Drowning behavior is typically fast and silent. Unless rescued, a drowning person will last only 20 to 60 seconds before submerging. Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself.

CAMPING SAFETY

If a camping trip is in your plans, know the level of ability of the people in your group and the environment around you. Plan accordingly.

  • Sprains and falls are some of the most common misfortunes travelers may face. Falls are the biggest threat, many due to poor decision-making, lack of skill or not being properly prepared. Dehydration is also a danger. Plan ahead for these dangers.
  • Share your travel plans and locations with a family member, neighbor or friend.
  • Bring nutritious food items and water, light-weight clothing to layer and supplies for any pets.

GRILLING SAFETY

More than three-quarters of U.S. adults have used a grill — yet, grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires on average each year. To avoid this, the Red Cross offers these grilling safety tips:

  • Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
  • Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
  • Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Business Owners: Still Time To Apply For NCDOR Recovery Grant

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There’s still time to apply for the Business Recovery Grant Program through the N.C. Department of Revenue (NCDOR). This second phase of applications has approximately $200 million left in funding for eligible businesses. While there is a June 1 deadline, all applications will be considered after June 1, according to information from the local Chambers of Commerce.
Two types of grants, up to $500,000 per business, will be available to eligible business owners that suffered substantial economic loss during the pandemic:

  • A hospitality grant will be available to eligible arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation or food service businesses such as a hotels, restaurants, and bars.
  • A reimbursement grant will be available to an eligible business not included in the hospitality program.

Grants are not awarded on a first come, first served basis.  No grant money in this Phase II has been given out yet.  This is not a difficult application process. Visit

https://www.ncdor.gov/business-recovery-grant to learn more.

The Local Skinny! Around Old Granville: Doing The Numbers For Memorial Day

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There are about 110,000 veterans of World War II still alive in the United States, and at least one of them lives in Granville County, according to Mark Pace. He and Bill Harris discussed war military service veterans as part of the Around Old Granville segment of The Local Skinny! Thursday.

The average age of the WWII veteran is 93, Pace said. Several veterans have died in the past year, he said, along with a couple more in Vance County.

It’s sometimes difficult to determine exact numbers, Pace said, but his research has shown that there are 20 soldiers from the Old Granville area who died in the American Revolution. At least 450 (but probably more like 550) who died in the Civil War from the approximately 2,600 who fought for the Confederacy, down to 1 soldier who died in Iraq. He said 3 soldiers from Granville County and 7 from Vance County died in Korea, and 13 from Granville and 8 from Vance dying in Vietnam. One Granville County soldier died in Iraq.

By comparison, he found that 68 soldiers from Vance County died in WWII, along with 37 from Granville County.

Records are sometimes hard to come by, Pace acknowledged, and therefore having a truly accurate count is almost impossible.

Pace said a 1973 fire in St. Louis destroyed many records related to servicemen in WWI, making it far easier to locate records from the Civil War and WWII.

Even the Revolutionary War has records that remain, he said.

“There are some pretty good records from the Revolution,” he said. Many people had to sign an Oath of Allegiance against King George. Those signatures are pretty good indications of which side you were on, Pace said.

There’s still one world leader, however, who served her country in WWII and serves her country today, Pace said:

Ninety-six-year-old Queen Elizabeth II. When she was 19, she served in the transportation and ambulance service for England.

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Click It Or Ticket Campaign Underway To Promote Seatbelt Use

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Information courtesy of Governor’s Highway Safety Program

The statewide Memorial Day Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign kicked off Monday and for the next couple of weeks, law enforcement officers in all 100 counties will be keeping an extra eye out to make sure everyone riding in vehicles is buckled up for safety. “Although citizens could face a citation and fines for not wearing their seatbelt, the real goal here is saving lives,” said Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell. “Your chances of being killed or seriously injured in a car crash are reduced by nearly half when you wear a seatbelt.”

In 2021, 555 North Carolinians who were not wearing seatbelts lost their lives in vehicle crashes, including nearly 30 over last year’s two-week Click It or Ticket enforcement period.

North Carolina law requires all passengers in a vehicle to be properly restrained and violations are punishable by fines of up to $180. Children younger than 8 years and under 80 pounds must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat or booster seat. If a passenger under 16 is not properly restrained, the driver faces a $266 fine.

When North Carolina launched the Click It or Ticket initiative in 1993, only 64 percent of North Carolinians used their seat belts. Today, that number hovers around 90 percent.

In addition to increased enforcement statewide, the campaign will include a paid media component, including an influencer campaign where Tik Tok and Instagram influencers will share their own seatbelt messages with North Carolina audiences.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program, which is an arm of the N.C. Department of Transportation, provides grants to law enforcement agencies for various traffic safety initiatives, including campaigns like Click It or Ticket.

Candidates For Sheriff Determined In May 17 Primary

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Robert Fountain and Vance Johnson will face off in the race for Granville County Sheriff in November, each coming out on top in their respective races in the May 17 primary elections.

According to the N.C. Board of Elections, 8,325 voters cast ballots in Granville County for the primary, from a total 39,851 registered voters in the county.

Fountain, a Democrat, beat Democratic challengers Ronald Smith Sr. and Keith Daniel. Fountain had 2,847 votes for 65.75 percent of the vote, versus Smith’s 761 votes and Daniel’s 722 votes.

In the Republican primary, Johnson beat challengers Robert Morris and Clinton Owens. Johnson got 2,192 votes for 58.91 percent of the vote compared to Morris’s  1,340 votes –  just over 36 percent and Owens’s – 189 votes for just more than 5 percent of the vote.

Fountain and Johnson will face each other in the November 2022 election.

Two seats on the Granville Board of Education were decided in the Tuesday primary:

Incumbent David Richardson beat challenger Taylor Frederick to keep his District 7 seat. Richardson got 484 votes for 52.72 percent and Frederick garnered 420 votes, or 45.75 percent of the votes cast.

In District 5, Danielle Hayes narrowly defeated Samantha Harris 652 to 608. Hayes goes 52.42 percent of the vote compared to Harris’s 47.95 percent.

Granville County Middle School Get $5K Grant To Boost Library Collection

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– information courtesy of Granville County Public Schools

Butner-Stem Middle School is one of 300 schools in 44 states across the country to receive a $5,000 grant through the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries. The foundation has awarded $1.5 million in library grants this year,

Many of the libraries will use the funds to update and diversify their collections, according to information from Granville County Public Schools Public Information Officer Dr. Stan Winborne.

The foundation supports school libraries with the greatest needs with the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love of reading and learning. Since its inception in 2002, it has awarded more than $19.5 million to more than 3,300 schools across the country.

BSMS Principal Ashley Clark is very proud of Media Center Coordinator Cathy Littleton’s dedication to expand the library collection at Butner-Stem Middle School and is excited about the new books that will be in the hands of students in the coming months, Winborne said.

Grant applications for the 2022-2023 school year will open in late 2022. Visit laurabushfoundation.org to learn more.

The former First Lady recently shared her 2022 summer reading list, which includes recommendations for young readers through middle schoolers. Selections feature books on adventure, humor and discovery.

“The books on this year’s summer reading list were selected to encourage children to keep reading over their summer break,” Bush stated. “Local libraries are a wonderful resource for our communities, and I hope children and parents will visit their local library to borrow each of the featured titles.”

One of the 2022 Summer Reading List books was written by Giovanna McBride, the daughter of Mrs. Bush’s former chief of Staff, Anita McBride. Gigi at the White House was published by The White House Historical Association and follows a young Giovanna as she tours the White House. Inspired by the Laura Bush Foundation, Anita McBride and her husband Tim McBride have donated copies of Gigi at the White House! to every elementary school that has received a grant since 2002.

The George W. Bush Institute’s Education and Opportunity work, which houses the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries, is generously supported by The Allstate Foundation. The Laura Bush Foundation is managed as a restricted fund at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas.  More information can be found at laurabushfoundation.org. The Laura Bush Foundation is managed as a restricted fund at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas.  More information can be found at www.bushcenter.org.

 

 

Granville Board of Education Set To Meet May 20 To Discuss Drawing Down Lottery Funds

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-Information courtesy of Dr. Stan Winborne, public information officer for Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a special called meeting on Friday, May 20, at 2:30 p.m. to review and approve an application  for Granville County to draw down North Carolina Education Lottery funds.  This meeting will be conducted electronically, with members of the public invited to view the live stream. To join the live stream meeting, please use the following link:  https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj

 

Town Talk: First Fruits Farms Balloon Festival

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Jason Brown’s faith has led him to do some interesting things since he retired from his NFL football career and he and his family have used their farm in Franklin County to do everything from growing and giving away produce to transforming an old dairy barn into a wedding venue.

And on Memorial Day weekend, visitors will have a chance to cast their eyes to the skies for the second annual Memorial Balloon Festival at First Fruits Farm.

The Vance County native said there could be as many as 35,000 to 40,000 people in attendance during the four-day event, which kicks off on Friday, May 27 and ends on May 30. He spoke with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk about what’s in store at the farm, located at 2805 E. River Rd. in Louisburg.

The festival is a way to honor veterans and those who served in the military, and Brown said the event has special meaning for him. His brother, Lunsford, was killed while deployed to Iraq in 2003. And again this year, Brown said there will be a Gold Star reception for families like his who have lost a loved one. More than 100 Gold Star families attended last year’s event. “There is comfort and strength” for the families to be together, “to share love and their experience with one another,” Brown said.

Visit https://ncmemorialballoonfest.com/the-venue/ to purchase tickets and see a complete schedule of events for the weekend festival. There will be fireworks displays, balloon rides and tethered balloon rides and family fun for everyone.

“It’s an opportunity to bring the community together at a time when there’s so much divisiveness,” he said. The festival will provide a time for fellowship, as well as food and some good entertainment. Brown said some folks spend more than one day at the festival so they can take their time and soak in all the activities and performances.

Brown said God pointed him to farming and agriculture, something he said his time on the football field didn’t exactly prepare him for. “As long as there’s faith – that’s what’s most important.”

It’s a long way – literally and figuratively – from the football fields of the NFL to the sweet potato fields of Franklin County, but Brown said God continued to order his steps to make his dream a reality.

That reality has become a hybrid of sorts – growing produce that he gives away with the help of hundreds of volunteers each season. He said “some of the most awesome people give up a Saturday morning” to dig, collect and distribute the hundreds of thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes that provide a healthy food to those in need. “They truly are the salt of the earth,” he added.

Volunteers are vital during harvest time, and Brown said there’s room for additional volunteers to help at the balloon festival, too. Visit the webpage to learn how to register, but Brown said in exchange for four hours of service, volunteers will get free admission and parking to the festival. And a cool t-shirt.

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