IRS Reminder About Deadlines For RMDs From Certain Retirement Accounts

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If you’re 73 years or older, the Internal Revenue Service reminds you of important deadlines regarding required minimum distributions for those with certain retirement accounts.

An RMD is an amount that an account owner must withdraw annually. The withdrawals are considered taxable income and may incur penalties if they aren’t taken on time, according to information from IRS officials.

The IRS.gov Retirement Plan and IRA Required Minimum Distributions FAQs webpage provides detailed information regarding the new provisions in the law.

If you turned 73 in 2024:

  • Your first RMD is due by April 1, 2025, based on your account balance on Dec. 31, 2023, and
  • Your second RMD is due by Dec. 31, 2025, based on your account balance on Dec. 31, 2024.

 

A new law called the Secure 2.0 Act raised the age that account owners must begin taking RMDs, while eliminating RMDs for Designated Roth accounts in 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans.

The minimum distribution rules generally apply to original account holders and their beneficiaries in these types of plans:

 

  • IRAs: IRA withdrawals from traditional IRAs and IRA-based plans occur every year once people reach age 73, even if they’re still employed.
  • Retirement plans:The RMD rules apply to employer-sponsored plans, with delays allowed until retirement unless the participants own more than 5% of the sponsoring business.
  • Roth IRAs:Roth IRA owners are not required to take withdrawals during their lifetime, however beneficiaries are subject to the RMD rules after the account owner’s death.

 

Designated Roth accounts in a 401(k) or 403(b) plan will not be subject to the RMD rules while the account owner is still alive for 2024. The RMD Comparison Chart outlines key RMD rules for IRAs and defined contribution plans.

 

Taxpayers can find easy-to-use tools such as forms, instructions and publications at IRS.gov.

Wallace Vaughan Receives Order Of The Long Leaf Pine

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Wallace T. Vaughan recently was presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for 45 years of exemplary service to Granville Vance Public Health.

GVPH Health Director Lisa Macon Harrison made the presentation on Nov. 26. “We are so proud of Wallace’s 45 years of service to public health as an Environmental Health Specialist. When he began his career with the Granville-Vance District Health Department on July 16, 1979, no one could have foreseen that his career with our agency would span over 40 years, with growth and development along the way. Thankfully, even as a retired member of our team, he returns to assist part-time with the important work of Environmental Health at GVPH.”

Vaughan began his career with the Granville-Vance District Health Department as a Sanitarian I, focusing exclusively on wastewater disposal. His position changed to Sanitarian II and then Environmental Health Specialist as duties and responsibilities increased through the years. When the environmental health supervisor retired in 2002, Vaughan took over, and was responsible for overseeing all environmental health duties and the professional development of eight employees in both counties. In 2007, his position was reclassified to Environmental Health Supervisor III to accurately reflect the complex duties of managing a district program.

Vaughan was presented the award at a luncheon in Oxford, NC – his lifelong home. In attendance were his wife, Brenda Vaughan, three children and four grandchildren. Also on hand for the presentation were several GVPH staff who have worked with him over his noteworthy career.

Vaughan is a lifetime member of Tungsten Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, and he also trains Tennessee Walker horses.

Keep Safety In Mind When Decorating This Holiday Season

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Some folks have had their homes – inside and out – decorated for weeks, and others have taken a slower approach to decking the halls to create a festive Christmas look.

No matter how far along you are in your holiday decorating, however, the American Red Cross has some timely reminders about safety this time of year.

“Many people are getting ready for holiday celebrations and time with loved ones and we want everyone to be safe while doing so,” said Sharonne Hayes, communications manager with Red Cross North Carolina Region. “This time of year is a peak time for home fires involving things like candles and holiday decorations. You can help help keep things safe and fun for your family by practicing some extra safety — using battery-operated candles, checking your cords, and even practicing a two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.”

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as Christmas and New Year’s approach:

  • If you must use candles, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of reach of pets and children. Never leave burning candles unattended.
  • Check all holiday light cords to ensure they aren’t frayed or broken. Don’t string too many strands of lights together — no more than three per extension cord.
  • Ensure outside decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.
  • If buying an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label.When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees.
  • If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and keep it watered. To test if the tree is fresh, bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.
  • Don’t light the fireplace if hanging stockings or other decorations on the mantel.

Visit redcross.org/fire to learn more.

NCDOT

Sunrock Awarded $6.2M Project To Improve Southern Granville County Intersection

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Improvements to a busy intersection in southern Granville County are set to begin soon, now that the N.C. Dept. of Transportation has awarded the $6.2 million contract to Raleigh-based Sunrock Industries, LLC, which has an operation in Butner.

Work on the N.C. 56 intersection at West Lyon Station Road could begin as early as this winter, according to NCDOT spokesperson Kim Deaner.

The project will realign West Lyon Station Road near I-85 and N.C. 56 (East C Street, Butner) to provide greater separation between the intersections, improve safety and reduce congestion. Work will include installing water and sewer, storm drains, curbs, gutters, asphalt and striping.

The project also will include work on the bridge on N.C. 56 over the interstate.

Completion is expected in summer 2026, but the timeline doesn’t include any planting, reforestation or placement of permanent vegetation.

 

VGCC Logo

VGCC Community Band Winter Concert Dec. 16

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–information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

The holiday season has officially begun, and the VGCC Community Band is back in action this month to present its annual Holiday Concert.

This year’s event will occur on Monday, Dec. 16, at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will last about an hour. Admission is free to the public.

“Nothing is better than a big old-timey band concert,” said band director Brian Miller, “and the Vance-Granville Band is delighted to present to you our Winter Concert in the heart of historic downtown Henderson. We invite everyone to this free event featuring Christmas music, band classics, popular music, and classical music!”

Concertgoers can expect to hear festive favorites like “Feliz Navidad” and “Good King Wenceslas” alongside music from blockbuster soundtrack composer Michael Giacchino.

Some songs will be performed by the entire 39-piece band, while others will feature smaller groups.

Betsy Henderson, department chair of Fine Arts at the College, echoes Brian Miller’s invitation to the community. “This concert always kicks off my holiday season; it’s a lovely way to spend an evening. I urge you to come get into the holiday spirit with me!”

The VGCC Community Band contains both VGCC students and non-student adult community members with a wide range of abilities and experience. Participants represent the College’s four-county service area and beyond, some traveling from as far away as Virginia. The VGCC Community Band rehearses every Monday evening at the College’s Main Campus Civic Center in Henderson, and there is no membership fee for participating.

To learn more about the band, contact Director Miller at bmiller9302@vgcc.edu.

(This story was originally posted Dec. 6, 2024.)

TownTalk: Oxford’s “The Sacred Witness” Military Art Mural

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About half a block off one of the main downtown streets in Oxford is something quite unique – in fact, it’s the first of its kind for the city. It’s a mural with a military theme and it tells a story that artist Aletha Williams wants to share with the community.

An unveiling was held at 4 p.m. Thursday to officially introduce to the public the 1200-square foot creation, during which Williams planned to talk about the significance of the mural and why it’s important to her and to other military veterans who may struggle to re-enter civilian life.

As a disabled military veteran, she said she has struggled with mental health issues associated with her service and with several traumatic events in her life. She said she understands only too well the difficulties veterans face as they leave family, friends and community and enter military service, and then when they come back home. The challenges are many and they can take their toll, she said. This mural captures some of the feelings and emotions of a veteran’s journey.

The mural is located at 117 Wall St., on one of the exterior brick walls of Tobacco Wood Brewing Co. Williams said it took her and a small team of volunteers and another artist 35 workdays to complete.

The team helped until the project was close to halfway finished, and then Williams took over from there to complete.

When you visit the mural – and Williams invites ex-military and civilians alike to stop by, take a look and reflect on its message – you’ll see painted near the middle an open book. That’s where the title of the artwork will be written: The Sacred Witness.

No matter how the art speaks to those who come to view it, Williams said “it will mean something to everyone,” soldier or not. She wants the mural to stand for the community coming together to support veterans and their service.

All branches of the military are represented in the mural, she said, as the “story” unfolds across the brick wall in a collage effect.

Williams moved to the area a couple of years ago from the state of Washington, and since then, she’s been working on a way to show support for military veterans.

Once the mural was down on paper, it went before city leaders for approval. With a grant from the N.C. Arts Council and “a collaboration of partners,” the labor of love was transformed into a work of art.

“For me, art allows me to be in that sweet spot…I can just be my natural, authentic self,” Williams said.

Whatever emotions the mural may evoke, Williams encourages viewers to just pause for a moment and reflect on how to support veterans in a positive manner as they find their way as a member of the community and transition from military service.

When she’s not creating murals, Williams concentrates on being an integrative wellness life coach and completing a doctorate in body wellness. Her business is called Inner Starr Compass Healing. Learn more at https://www.innerstarrcompasshealing.com/.

Post a photo and leave a comment about your experience with the mural on her Facebook and Instagram accounts:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/innerstarrcompasshealing

https://www.instagram.com/innerstarrcompasshealing/

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Duke Energy

Duke Energy Customers Will See Slight Drop In Rate Prices

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The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved the Duke Energy Progress request to lower customer rates by 4.5 percent.

The lower rates begin this month.  In a message to WIZS, Duke Energy’s Local Government and Community Relations Manager Beth Townsend said, “It’s important to note that with the cold snap we’re having right now, most customers are using more energy compared to last month – we had a very warm fall. If you’re running your heat around the clock, your next bill will be higher of course – but it will be 4.5 percent lower than what it would have been under the old rates.”

In a press release from Townsend, it’s indicated that Duke Energy Progress residential customer rates in North Carolina will decrease 4.5 percent as part of an annual adjustment for the cost of fuel used to generate electricity at the utility’s power plants.

The release said, “A typical residential customer in North Carolina using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month will see an overall decrease of $7.34, or about 4.5 percent lower than prior rates… That is 11 percent below the national average of $174.21 – a difference of approximately $235 per year.”

Commercial customers will benefit too, from an average decrease of about 6.3 percent, while industrial customers will see an average decrease of less than 0.1 percent.

Duke Energy Progress serves about 1.5 million customers in central and eastern North Carolina, including Raleigh, as well as the Asheville region.

TownTalk: December Events In Granville County

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Santa may need to trade in those clunky black boots for some sensible sneakers if he’s going to keep up with all the activities that are going on in Granville County this holiday season.

From breakfasts to afternoon and evening parades, Jolly Old St. Nicholas is going to be the man of the hour, and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen said things are just gearing up.

This marks the fourth year that Grey Blackwell has transformed the popular Granville Haunt Farm into Granville Christmas Farm, taking it from “scary to merry” for a drive-through event that’s sure to dazzle young and old alike.

“It’s definitely an awesome time to spend with your family,” Allen told WIZS’s Bill Harris on Monday’s TownTalk. The light display is open now, Allen said. Check https://www.granvillechristmasfarm.com/ to see the complete schedule and to purchase tickets.

Downtown Oxford is the place to be on Friday afternoon for a pre-parade event and lighting of the greens that will include live music, performances and more from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parade begins at 7 p.m.

Highrock Farm on Enon Road outside Oxford is hosting “Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8. It’s a fun way for the little ones to spend some quality time with Santa, Allen said.

The morning may be for the children, but the afternoon will feature an “Art Walk” from 12 noon to 4 p.m. to take care of some holiday shopping with gifts handcrafted by local artists. Visit https://www.highrock-events.com/ for the particulars.

Make reservations at Thorndale Oaks for their sumptuous Christmas dinner on Dec. 7 or Dec. 8, Arrive at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy everything from appetizers to a buffet-style meal. Call 919.603.3701 to reserve your spot.

In this season of giving, you’ve got a chance to support Granville little Theatre by attending the Broadway and Beyond gala, which will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Verdi Gris, the restaurant located at Oxford Oaks Distillery.

It’s a “great excuse to get dressed up and give back” to a community group,” she said. During the gala, patrons will enjoy pop-up performances from members of the theatre group – sure to be a fun time.

Grab some friends and head out to Central Children’s Home on Saturday, Dec. 7 for a cornhole tournament. Enter teams for $50 and participate in some friendly competition, all for a good cause.

Carlee Farms is hosting its annual Holiday Marketplace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Allen said the venue, located in Stem, will feature a variety of vendors with all types of handcrafted items to give at Christmas.

And just in case you want to remember the true meaning of Christmas, visit Delrayno Baptist Church for the annual “Back to Bethlehem” drive-thru event Dec. 14, 15 and 16 between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Take a trip back in time, thanks to the volunteers at Delrayno who transform the church property to recreate Bethlehem, from the marketplace to the stable where the baby Jesus lay in a manger.

“You take the same journey that Mary and Joseph took through Bethlehem,” Allen explained.

“It really does make you appreciate that particular story and its significance.”

Stay up-to-date with all the happenings at the Visit Granville website https://visitgranvillenc.com/whats-happening/.

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J.F. Webb Takes $10,000 Prize In Altec’s ‘Innovation Challenge’

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— information courtesy of GCPS Public Information Officer Dr. Courtney Currin

On Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, a team from J.F. Webb High School took home the top prize of $10,000 during Altec’s first-ever Innovation Challenge at the Granville County Expo Center. The competition combines science, technology and engineering through a student-driven, project-based approach. Participating student teams were asked to present their solution addressing real-world problems using an innovative approach to benefit their school or community. Students from the winning team have earned $10,000 for their school to implement their project idea – slated to begin in the spring of 2025.

The team’s winning proposal was to create a state-of-the-art maker space at their school. This creative hub will feature innovative tools and technologies, including programmable robotic arms, 3D printers, laser cutters, virtual reality headsets, a high-powered Lenovo computer, a sewing machine and more. Located near the school’s media center, the maker space will be accessible to all students, fostering innovation and hands-on learning opportunities.

The money awarded from Altec will fund the purchase of these tools, bringing the team’s vision to life and empowering J.F. Webb students for years to come.

All three high schools were invited to enter teams; two teams came from Granville Central and one team from J.F. Webb, with a total of about 15 students participating.

The Altec Innovation Challenge began earlier this fall, with individual students coming together to create teams. Each team had a faculty sponsor from their school and was also paired with engineers from Altec to help mentor and guide them in developing their plans.

The event concluded with final presentations to a panel of judges comprised of local business, education and community leaders.

The prize-winning team includes Claudio Cheluca, Kaylee Hernandez, Jayden Kufahl, Iyy’Anna Lester, Madison Ragland, Isaiah Terry and Rileigh Warner.

Longtime VGCC President, Dr. Ben F. Currin, Dies

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Dr. Benjamin Fleming Currin, long-time president of Vance-Granville Community College,  died on Nov. 23, 2024. Under his leadership, VGCC grew from a single campus to four campuses, doubled its enrollment and saw its Endowment Fund swell to $5 million. He was 88.

Ben was born on November 13, 1936 in Granville County to Sophia Hunt Currin and Elam Ray Currin. He attended the public schools of then Oxford City Schools. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1955 and earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. He is survived by his wife, Betsy, a son, George and a granddaughter, Catherine.

According to his obituary, “Ben was a man of the people and had the rare ability to relate to and care about people from all walks of life. He and Betsy devoted their lives to education—he was a teacher, school principal, school superintendent, and community college president.”

Current VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais sent a message to staff and board members on Sunday afternoon to share the news of Currin’s passing. “It is with sadness that I communicate with you this weekend,” the statement read. “I know that some of you worked with him or went to college when he was president,” Desmarais stated. He held a variety of positions in public schools systems across the state, beginning in 1959 in Durham as a teacher and coach. He rose through the ranks and became the youngest principal in the state just a couple of years later when he was named principal at Eureka Elementary in Wayne County. By 1970, he was named superintendent of Rocky Mount City Schools and led the school system for more than a decade.

Currin was named VGCC president in 1981 and retired in 1998. During that time, VGCC experienced exponential growth.

In 2016, Ben received the I.E. Ready Award, the highest honor given by the North Carolina Community College System, which recognizes individuals who have made significant, statewide contributions to the establishment, development or enhancement of the community college system. Currin also was a Mason and a Shriner.

A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, North Carolina, 530 Hillsboro St., at a date and time to be announced.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home is handling arrangements. View the full obituary at dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/benjamin-currin-12104838. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Ben F. Currin scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College, or to Transitions LifeCare.

In an article about the I.E. Ready award written in 2016, WIZS News spoke with L. Opie Frazier Jr. about Currin’s accomplishments. Frazier was chair of the VGCC board of trustees for many of the years during Currin’s tenure as president, and Frazier called Currin “a godsend” as part of the written nomination for the award. “His greatest asset was his emphasis on students. The second was his enthusiasm. His successes are many – for example, the satellite campuses started under his leadership and the scholarship program that grew dramatically – because he wanted the best for students, and his enthusiasm helped him win friends at various levels to help him grow the college and serve more students,” Frazier wrote.

In remarks at the 2009 ceremony at which Currin received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Dr. J. Reid Parrott Jr., retired president of Nash Community College, cited the positive impact Currin had on VGCC. “I want to tell you, I’ve been doing this community college stuff a long time, and there is no president of all 58 of our schools that has transformed an institution as quickly and as magnificently as Ben Currin did at Vance-Granville,” Parrott said.