Granville Economic Development Director Appointed To Regional Foreign Trade Zone #93 Board

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Granville County Economic Development Director Harry Mills has been appointed to the Rates, Tariff, and Legal Review Board for the Research Triangle Area Foreign Trade Zone #93. Mills will serve a three-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2022, along with eleven others representing Granville, Chatham, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Sampson, Vance, Wake, Warren and Wilson counties, according to a statement from Granville County’s public information officer Terry Hobgood.

The Foreign Trade Zone #93 Board’s job is to review and recommend applications for zone status; adopting a zone schedule including rates, rules and regulations; and ensuring the Grantee operates the zone as a public utility.

Triangle J Council of Governments is the grantee of the Research Triangle Area’s full-service, multi-site Foreign Trade Zone #93, which allows companies importing and exporting products to reduce or delay custom duties or taxes on products received within the zone. All zone activities must result in public benefit and a net positive economic effect. Triangle J Council of Governments views the Foreign Trade Zone as a benefit to member organizations through its ability to stimulate international trade in the region, create jobs engaged in international trade, and encourage job creation in the larger market.

Granville County is the home of two companies conducting operations as approved sites in Foreign Trade Zone #93: one is Revlon Consumer Products in Oxford, and the second is AW North Carolina in Butner.

To learn more, visit https://www.tjcog.org/focus-areas-community-economic-development/foreign-trade-zone .

 

 

I Voted Sticker

Municipal Elections in Granville County Nov. 2

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Update 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 2 — Local Municipal Election Results in Granville County

All election results are unofficial until canvassed by the Board of Elections.

Incumbent Mayor Jackie Sergent of Oxford defeated challenger Sherry Harris. Sergeant received 964 votes to 363 for Harris.

The four candidates for City of Oxford Commissioner who received the most votes were S. Quon Bridges with 928 votes, Patricia Fields with 768 votes, Bryan Cohn with 710 votes and B. Seth Lumpkins with 699 votes. Otherwise, Cortney Crudup received 573 votes, John Oliver with 453, Walkiria Jones with 304, and there were 24 write-in votes.

Town of Stovall Mayor – Mike Williford over Curtis Pugh with Williford receiving 81 votes and Pugh receiving 19, and there were two write-in votes.

Town of Stovall Commissioner – The top two candidates receiving votes were Carl Roberts with 73 and Douglas Lunsford, Jr. with 63; Tonya Sneed received 43 votes.

Town of Butner Mayor – Terry Turner 273 votes; Nine write-ins.

Town of Butner Council, where voters could choose three – Michel Branch 232 votes; Judy Cheek 225; Thomas W. (Tom) Lane 217; five write-ins.

City of Creedmoor Mayor – Bobby Wheeler 162 votes; 17 write-ins.

City of Creedmoor Commissioner, where voters could choose two – Robert Way 136 votes; Emma Albright 128; 22 write-ins.

Town of Stem Mayor – Casey Dover 35 votes; one write-in vote.

Town of Stem Commissioner – With voters selecting three, Susan Cope received 32 votes; Kevin Easter 31 votes; Frank N. Shelton III 31 votes; five write-ins.

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Update Monday, Nov 1 —

In Oxford, incumbent Mayor Jackie Sergent is being challenged by Sherry Shavon Harris.

For City of Oxford Commissioner, citizens may vote for four of the following: S. Quon Bridges; Bryan K. Cohn; Courtney Crudup; Patricia T. Fields; Walkiria Jones; B. Seth Lumpkins; John L. Oliver.

In the Town of Stovall, for mayor, Curtis S. Pugh and Mike Williford are running to fill the vacancy created by retiring Mayor Janet Parrott. She did not file for re-election.

Parrott told WIZS News in July she was retiring from her role as mayor after 42 years. She was first elected in 1979 when she was 24 years old, she added, but will continue to work as administrator for the town of Stovall.

Town of Stovall voters are also to choose two from the following for commissioner: Douglas Lunsford, Jr.; Carl T. Roberts; Tonya N. Sneed.

The three other incumbent mayors of Butner, Creedmoor and Stem are running unopposed and they are Terry Turner, Bobby Wheeler and Casey Dover respectively.

For Town of Butner Council Member, there are three names and votes are to choose three. Michel Branch, Judy Cheek and Thomas W. (Tom) Lane appear on the ballot.

City of Creedmoor citizens vote for two for City of Creedmoor Commissioner, and there are two names on the ballot, Emma L. Albright and Robert Way.

Similarly, for Town of Stem Commissioner there are three names on the ballot, including Susan Cope, Kevin Easter and Frank N. Shelton III, and Stem residents are to vote for three.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

CV-19 Local Data from Granville Vance Public Health

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In the seven days ending this past Friday, there were 82 new cases in Vance County. The percent positivity rate in Vance County is 5.2%.

In the seven days ending Friday, there have been 81 new cases in Granville County. The percent positivity rate in Granville County is 3.0%.

In Vance County, 66% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their CV-19 vaccine and 61% are fully vaccinated.

In Granville County, 71% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their CV-19 vaccine and 67% are fully vaccinated.

71% of the adult population in NC is at least partially vaccinated and 67% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.

Granville County Sheriff

Granville Sheriff Resigns; Former Sheriff, 3 Deputies Indicted Tuesday For Falsifying Training Records

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Granville County Sheriff Charles R. Noblin Jr. has submitted his resignation effective at 5 p.m. today (Wednesday), citing recent revelations as part of an ongoing investigation into actions of former Sheriff Brindell Wilkins. Wilkins and three deputies were indicted Tuesday with falsifying training certificates dating back to 2012.

County Attorney Jim Wrenn provided WIZS News with a copy of the resignation letter that Noblin sent Wrenn Tuesday afternoon. “Due to personal reasons beyond my control and newly discovered information brought to my attention concerning the ongoing investigation, I feel that it is in my best interest and betterment of Granville County Sheriff’s Office that I inform you of my resignation effective October 27, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.”

The ongoing investigation involves the former sheriff and three deputies who were indicted by a Wake County grand jury Tuesday afternoon on multiple felony charges of obtaining property by false pretense and felony obstruction of justice “based on allegations of falsifying and submitting training and firearm qualification records,” according to a letter from Wake District Attorney N. Lorrin Freeman to the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Division in Raleigh.

In the letter addressed to Division Director Diane Konopka, Freeman named Wilkins, Sherwood Boyd, Chad Coffey and Edward Keith Campbell as the individuals alleged to be involved, which Freeman stated is an ongoing criminal matter.

The letter further stated that Noblin and Russell “Rusty” Corley may also hold falsified certifications. This information surfaced during the course of the investigation, Freeman said. Both men “signed firearm qualification forms indicating that they had completed the mandated course of fire and received passing scores when in fact they had not. Both individuals were on medical leave at the time, and in lieu of completing the necessary waiver, participated in their agency submitting fraudulent information to the Division at the direction of the others within the department,” Freeman’s letter continued.

“Inasmuch as these allegations, if proven true, would be a basis for action by your Commission as to these individuals’ justice officer certification, I am notifying you of this,” Freeman said of the indictments returned for Wilkins, Boyd, Coffey and Campbell. “There may be grounds to summarily suspend certifications for one or more of these individuals, I am willing to allow you, or an investigator with your Division, to review the investigation in this matter if you so wish.”

But she said it was determined that Noblin and Corley should not be subjects of a criminal prosecution because the actions were deemed “isolated incidents.” Rather, the individuals should be reported to the education and training standards division, as well as the agency head or employer and to the district attorney “for determinations as to these individuals’ status of employment, certification and capacity as a witness in other criminal matters,” the letter stated.

In a follow-up email from Freeman today (Wednesday), she said that because Noblin tendered his resignation he is “not subject to a criminal investigation or prosecution based on this singular incident” and it is “a matter that is appropriately handled administratively.”

County Attorney Wrenn told WIZS News today (Wednesday) that Chief Deputy Chris Smoot will step in until the county commissioners appoint someone to fill the unexpired term of sheriff. The commissioners have, as yet, made no decision on appointing anyone to fill the unexpired term, Wrenn stated.

“In resigning and not pursuing law enforcement employment, Mr. Noblin has put his agency above his personal ambition,” Freeman told WIZS News. “This now gives this department and the people of Granville County a chance to start a new era for the Granville County Sheriff Office through an election that is upcoming. Law enforcement have difficult jobs within our communities and it is critical that they work to maintain the public trust.  A strict commitment to maintaining credibility and adhering to qualification requirements is essential to being able to do this,” she stated.

The Granville County Commissioners appointed Noblin to fill the unexpired term of Wilkins, and he assumed the duties of sheriff in January 2020.

Granville County Tourism

TownTalk: Granville Tourism Heats Up With Fall Events

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Anyone who lives in or near Granville County has plenty of opportunities to celebrate Halloween this year, and Tourism Director Angela Allen couldn’t be happier to run down the list of activities – from trick-or-treat events to art galleries and costume contests, folks can stay busy all weekend long.

“What a difference a year makes,” Allen said. Last year at this time, COVID-19 restrictions had things running at a bare minimum or non-existent, she recalled during Wednesday’s Town Talk with John C. Rose and Bill Harris.

And although the weather seems to be cooling off, “things are really heating up in Granville County, as far as events go,” she said. Everybody seems ready to celebrate a holiday again, and Granville is offering numerous and varied activities for the whole family.

For starters, tonight (Thursday) is pizza night at Thorndale Oaks. There’s a whole buffet, she said. Call 919.603.3701 for more information. There are pasta and dessert stations, and lots of yummy pizza options cooked in a wood-fired pizza oven. The price is $18.95 per adult; and $9.95 per child.

Here’s a list of some of the events taking place:

  • Friday, Oct 29 – Spooktacular Candy Stroll in downtown Oxford from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Creedmoor – come in costumes and collect candy from area merchants.
  • Saturday, Oct. 30 – The Orpheum in downtown Oxford will host a Halloween costume dance and contest. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the event will be geared to families; from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., it’s adults only. Judges will select winners of the costume contest for cash prizes, Allen said. Tickets are $5 per person and $15 per family.
  • Friday-Sunday – Oct. 29-31 – Granville Haunt Farm on Hwy. 15 South opens at sunset. This drive-through event recreates scenes from some of the great scary movies and horror films. It’s set up like a giant drive-in movie, Allen said to think of the haunt farm as appropriate for anyone who would watch a PG-13 film. Check Granville Haunt Farm’s Facebook page and Instagram for details about ticket prices and times and “to get an idea of what you’ll feel and experience,” she added. taste of what awaits.
  • Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30-31 – last chance to pick a pumpkin at William Lyon’s farm outside Creedmoor. The pumpkin patch is open each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There’s also a corn maze and hay rides to participate in, making it a really good daytime outing for families.
  • Saturday, Oct. 30 – the local farmers’ market is open from 7 a.m. to noon near downtown Oxford and has seasonal produce and other handicrafts for sale.
  • Daily through Nov. 7 – Cedar Creek Gallery near Creedmoor has its own pumpkin patch, but this patch is full of the glass variety by local and regional artists.

 

Following on the heels of Halloween is Veterans’ Day and Allen said the Oxford Veterans’ Parad is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. This is a time to celebrate and honor area veterans, and to thank them for their service, Allen said.

Any veteran who wishes to participate in the parade can contact Rebekah Olivares, city event coordinator at 603.1101.

The Town of Butner also will honor veterans at Soldiers Memorial Sports Arena at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11.

For a complete listing of other events in November across Granville County, search visitgranvillenc.com, find visitgranvillecounty on Facebook or Instagram.

(Granville Tourism is an advertising client of WIZS. This is not a paid ad.)

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GCPS Students Get Extra Day Off On Nov. 12 Following School Board Work Session

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Students in Granville County Public Schools will get a break on Friday, Nov. 12, following a work session today (Monday) of the Granville County Board of Education.

The day also be a non-instructional day for students and will be a remote optional workday for staff, according to information from Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent of curriculum & instruction and student services and district public information officer.

The school board voted unanimously to make the calendar change at a work session on Monday, Oct. 25. All GCPS students, including Granville Early College High School, will have the day off.

Veterans’ Day is Thursday, Nov. 11, which is normally a day off for students and staff. By making the calendar adjustment, Winborne said it will allow the district “to avoid a potentially unsafe shortage of staff on a day that falls between a holiday and a weekend, and it would give our students, families and staff an opportunity to focus on their mental health and personal well-being.”

All employees will have the option to either work remotely on this day to engage in professional development sessions, or take appropriate leave.

 

The district will implement this change by using surplus instructional time to ensure the required 1025 minimum instructional hours are delivered for the 2021-22 school year.

City of Oxford Thanksgiving Food Drive Underway; Donate Non-Perishable Items Through Nov. 17

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The City of Oxford has launched its third annual Thanksgiving Food Drive and invites all members of the community to participate by donating non-perishable food items to fight hunger.

This year, the city is partnering with The Help Center NC to fight hunger in the community. Donations are being accepted until Nov. 17 at numerous locations throughout the city, including:

  • Public Works
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Fire Department
  • Police Department
  • Oxford City Hall

Folks who want to combine a little aerobic activity to their donation can join a Zumba class that will be held in Hix Meeting Room on Nov. 3 and on Nov. 17 at the Public Works meeting room. The classes will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hix Meeting Room is located at 313 E. Spring St., Oxford.

Participants should bring three non-perishable food items per class, according to information from city administrative assistant Alyssa Blair. For more information, contact Blair at 919.603.1102 or socialmedia@oxfordnc.org.

Commissioners, School Board Set To Meet To Continue Redistricting Discussion

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The Granville County Board of Education and Board of Commissioners will hold a joint meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 27 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Granville County Expo Center.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss redistricting, according to a press statement from Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent of curriculum & instruction and public information officer.

This meeting is open to the public, and masks and social distancing protocols are recommended.  A recording of the meeting will also be available to view on the GCPS website following the meeting, Winborne stated.

The Wednesday meeting of the two groups follows public hearings that have been held recently to hear from community members about several options regarding school reorganization and consolidation.

A public hearing was held at Tar River Elementary on Oct. 18 and school board members heard from teachers and parents about the idea of making Tar River Elementary a middle school to replace G.C. Hawley Middle in Creedmoor.

Speakers voiced their opposition to the idea and cited numerous reasons why it would be a bad idea, from splitting up school staff and losing teachers to other districts and charter schools to spending money to make the newest school campus appropriate for middle school students.

A called meeting of the school board is set for Monday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m., Winborne stated, at which time the board will continue its discussion of school reorganization and consolidation. The meeting will be held at the Mary Potter Center of Education, 200 Taylor St., Oxford.

The meeting will be livestreamed at: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.
Winborne said that anyone who attends this meeting must wear a face covering and cooperate with social distancing requirements.  Anyone without a face covering will not be permitted to enter the building.  Face coverings must be worn at all times while inside the building.  Anyone who chooses not to comply with the above will be asked to leave the property.  There will be limited seating available.

GVPH Director Lisa Harrison In President’s Role At National Association Of Health Officials

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Granville-Vance Public Health Director Lisa M. Harrison is the 2021-22 president of the board of directors of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), which represents nearly 3,000 local health departments across the country.

“It is a privilege to serve as NACCHO’s board president while public health continues to work so diligently during the pandemic to prevent disease and promote health,” Harrison said in press release from the national organization. “I have been in awe of our public health workforce for a long time, but these last two years have been a constant reminder of their tireless dedication to and focus on community.   We are fortunate in the United States to have hundreds of thousands of public health workers across nearly 3,000 local health departments fighting a hard fight at the tip of the spear against COVID-19, against underfunded and outdated systems that can hinder more than help get the job accomplished, and against misinformation that spreads more quickly than fact.  I look forward to working with our partners at all levels to ensure the critical public health system receives long-term sustainable solutions.   In the meantime, you can count on your local health department for vaccines, case investigation, contact tracing, outbreak investigation, data management, education, outreach, infection control, and a host of important partnerships to leverage local community health efforts.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and our county and city health departments, we welcome and look forward to Lisa’s strong leadership of local health departments as we continue to respond to COVID and address the myriad of public health priorities facing our communities and our country at this crucial time in our history,” said NACCHO Chief Executive Officer Lori Tremmel Freeman.

Harrison has been the director of the GVPH since 2012. Her previous roles in North Carolina public health have been in research, practice, and policy development.

Harrison has served as the performance improvement manager for the North Carolina Division of Public Health (NCDPH), where she worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a public health infrastructure grant for performance improvement. Prior to that, she participated in the North Carolina 2020: A Better State of Health initiative with the North Carolina Institute of Medicine.  In addition, she worked on the development of the Quality Improvement 101 curriculum for local public health agencies; and established a quality improvement training program for the North Carolina public health workforce.

Harrison has been a member of the public health field for more than 20 years. She has served as the director of the Office of Healthy Carolinians and Health Education at the NCDPH, led the Public Health Incubator Collaboratives Program at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, and directed the Southeast Public Health Leadership Institute (SEPHLI) at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health where she continues to stay connected as adjunct faculty in the Public Health Leadership Program.  In 2015, Harrison served as the North Carolina Public Health Association president where she continues to stay involved connecting public health research and practice.

About NACCHO’s Board of Directors

NACCHO is governed by a 22-member board comprising local and tribal health officials who are elected by their peers, as well as three ex-officio members representing partner organizations.

As the governing body, NACCHO’s Board of Directors establishes the association’s strategic direction and initiatives, sets the annual legislative agenda, approves official policy statements, ensures that annual goals are met, and provides financial oversight. The Board is NACCHO’s public face, and represents members in matters of policy, public health practice, and collaboration with health partners in the public and private sectors.

NACCHO’s Board is led by four executive officers. In addition to Ms. Harrison, this includes:

  • President-elect Margaret Jahn, MS, MPH, Director, Freehold Area Health Department, Freehold, NJ
  • Vice President Pramod Dwivedi, DrPH, MS, MSW, MA, Health Director, Linn County Public Health Department, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Immediate Past President Jennifer C. Kertanis, MPH, Director of Health, Farmington Valley Health District, Canton, CT

Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen Completes 3-Year Program To Be ‘Travel Marketing Professional’

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Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen has completed a three-year program to become officially designated as a travel marketing professional from the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College.

Allen was among about 60 other tourism professionals recognized for completion of the program recently at the STS Connections Conference in Spartanburg, SC.

Allen has been in her role as tourism director since April 2015. She is responsible for administrative and marketing work in the promotion of travel and tourism in the county. In 2017, Allen was named a “Rising Star” in the tourism industry when she received Visit NC’s Destination Marketing Award for bringing statewide attention to the county she serves, according to a press release from county public information officer Lynn Allred.

(Left to right) Angie Zok of the Miles Partnership; Monica Smith, President and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society; Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen; and Berkeley Young, Provost, Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College.

From seasonal attractions like strawberry picking and Haunt Farms to annual events like the Hot Sauce Contest and Brides on Wheels, Allen is ready to provide information about events and destinations in Granville County.

The STS Marketing College Program provides tools and working knowledge to travel and tourism professionals that can be used to promote destinations, attractions and events. Topics covered in the training include online marketing strategies, effective print publications, research strategies, community engagement, economic impact and budgeting.

As a newly minted travel marketing professional, Allen joins a network of more than 1,200 colleagues from 13 states and the District of Columbia who have completed the program, which was established in 1992.

To learn more about Granville County tourism, visit www.granvillecounty.org.