Easley Nominated For U.S. Attorney for Eastern District Of N.C.

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Raleigh attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. has been nominated by President Joe Biden to be a U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Easley is the son of former N.C. governor Mike Easley, who served from 2001-2009.

The younger Easley is a litigation partner at the law firm of McGuireWoods LLP, where he has practiced since 2010. His practice at McGuireWoods LLP has focused on government investigations and a range of civil and criminal matters in both state and federal courts. Easley also is a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Eastern District of North Carolina, through which he has provided legal representation to indigent clients under federal indictment or investigation. He currently serves as a Council Member for the Criminal Justice Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of North Carolina. He has served on the board of directors for North Carolina’s Tenth Judicial District Bar and Wake County Bar Association.

Easley graduated with honors from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2007 and earned his juris doctorate from the 2010 UNC School of Law, from which he graduated with honors and distinction.

CultureFEST Downtown Oxford on Saturday

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Downtown Oxford is the setting for Saturday’s CultureFEST, which will showcase a variety of multicultural artistic performances with a street fair vibe – food trucks, crafts and more await participants who visit Littlejohn Street between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Ajulo Othow and Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent are among the event planners, and they talked with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk about their hopes for the event, both in the short-term and in the long-term.

The John Chavis Historical Society has sponsored several multicultural festivals in the past few years, but Othow said new partnerships with the city of Oxford and with the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Commission have created new opportunities.

“It just felt like the best time to expand it and bring it into downtown Oxford,” she said, “making it more accessible to the entire community.” Othow said she is grateful to city leaders for making the opportunity available and being willing to partner with the Chavis historical society.

“For me, this is huge,” Sergent said. She has attended the previous multicultural festivals, and marveled at many of the performers, especially the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble of Durham.

The dance ensemble will perform at CultureFEST, Sergent said.  But there will also be cloggers and Hawaiian dancers as well.

Whether you’re interested in Latino music or learning about the Procession of the Queen, CultureFEST has a little something for everyone.

“Too often, we’re in our own little worlds and we miss out” on experiencing food, music and dance from cultures we may not be familiar with, Sergent noted.

In addition to the Hawaiian dancers, some of the other performers include Mexican folk dancers Dance Ortiz, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church drummers, a storyteller from Chapel Hill and more.

After the festival concludes, a number of downtown restaurants will be open and serving some unique fare not usually on the menu. “They’ll be offering something that is a little out of the ordinary for them,” Othow said. Downtown Oasis is going to have spanakopita, for example, and Tobacco Wood Brewing Co. is going to offer Caribbean-style jerk chicken.

“We’ve gotten one festival figured out,” Sergent said, referring to the Hot Sauce Contest. “Now it’s time to get another one down – to highlight the talent, tastes, music…that other cultures bring to the table.” CultureFEST will be smaller than the hot sauce festival, but it has the opportunity to grow in the future, she said.

Call 919.693.9133 for more information.

 

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Hobgood To Succeed Retiring Allred As Granville Public Information Officer

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Oxford native Terry Hobgood has been named Granville County’s public information officer and grant development specialist. Hobgood will take over from Lynn Allred, who plans to retire in December.

Hobgood joined the administrative team in July as a deputy clerk after having served as city clerk and public information officer for the city of Creedmoor.

According to a statement, Hobgood will lead county communication efforts and will assist county departments to identify grant funding opportunities and reporting compliance on all active grants.

A graduate of J.F. Webb High School, Hobgood attended UNC-Wilmington and attended N.C. State University and UNC-Greensboro where he studied English Literature and Library and Information Studies.

Hobgood also is a graduate of the UNC School of Government’s Public Executive Leadership Academy as well as the Clerk Certification Institute.

He previously worked as director of the Mary Duncan Public Library and Benson Museum of Local History, and then served as communications director, town clerk and assistant to the Benson town manager.

Contact Hobgood at 919.693.5240 or terry.hobgood@granvillecounty.org.

Tuesday Is National Voter Registration Day; Register By Oct. 8 To Vote In November

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Today is National Voter Registration Day and the state board of elections has issued a statement to remind eligible individuals to register to vote and for current voters to make sure their information is up-to-date.

The voter registration deadline for the November elections is Friday, Oct. 8.

“Voting is a critical way to make an impact in your city or town, county, state and country,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the state board. “If you’re eligible, we hope to see you at the polls this fall.”

In Vance County, although Henderson’s municipal elections have been rescheduled for next year to address the redrawing district lines to comply with Census data, Kittrell and Middleburg will have elections on Nov. 2.

Eligible residents have options to register, including downloading a voter registration application and returning the form to their county board of elections. Applications can be emailed, faxed, mailed or returned in person to your board of elections office.

Eligibility requirements and other information about registering to vote can be found at NCSBE.gov. Voters can check their registration status and information via the State Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool.

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday raising awareness for voter registration and encouraging Americans to register to vote. Since the first Voter Registration Day in 2012, more than 4.5 million voters nationwide have registered to vote on the holiday.

Tar River Land Conservancy Needs Volunteers To Construct Trails In Southern Granville County

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Fall is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s hiking or working in the yard.

And Derek Halberg, executive director of Tar River Land Conservancy, has a couple of opportunities for volunteers to combine both activities. The result will be the addition of 3.3 miles of hiking trails in southern Granville County.

TRLC is looking for volunteers to turn the properties into hiking trail destinations for everyone to enjoy as early as June 2022 – one will be named Horseshoe Road Nature Preserve and the second will be named Robertson Creek Nature Preserve. Both sites are located near Creedmoor.

Workers will use hand tools to clear brush and create trails and experienced staff will be on hand to supervise. No previous experience is necessary, and volunteers will have the opportunity to help construct footbridges and benches along the trails as well.

When the trails are completed, hikers can enjoy walking through the pine and hardwood forests, as well as crossing streams and viewing the scenic wetlands and wildlife. The trails will be open all year long, during daylight hours.

Work sessions for the Horseshoe Bend property are scheduled for Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, 13 and 16 and 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. The property is located at 3018 Horseshoe Rd., Creedmoor, NC 27522.

Workdays for the Robertson Creek property, located at 2173 E. Wilton Ave., Creedmoor, are scheduled for Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 20, also from 9 a.m. to noon.

To register for one or more workdays, contact TRLC at volunteer@tarriver.org or 919.496.5902.

Individuals or groups are welcome and TRLC staff can design special events for Scouts, faith-based groups, service clubs and others upon request.

There are two TRLC sites currently open for visitors that provide 6.5 miles of hiking trails near Stem and Butner.

Visit www.tarriver.org to learn more.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Local CV19 Update 9-24-21 from Granville Vance Public Health

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In the past 7 days, there have been 146 new cases in Vance County, a 17% decrease from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Vance County is 7.4%.

In the past 7 days, there have been 141 new cases in Granville County, a 17.5% decrease from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Granville County is 4.8%.

In Vance County, 62% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their CV19 vaccine and 57% are fully vaccinated.

In Granville County, 68% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their CV19 vaccine and 64% are fully vaccinated.

69% of the adult population in NC is at least partially vaccinated and 64% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.

Federal Judge Sends Oxford Man to Prison for 7 Years Following a Shooting

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— press release courtesy of U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District of North Carolina

An Oxford man was sentenced to 84  months in prison for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.  On June 8, 2021, S Daques Shorter pled guilty to the charges.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, on April 6, 2020, the Oxford Police Department responded to a report of gunshots at the Oxford Food Mart.  Upon arrival, witnesses stated that several men, including Shorter, were engaged in an argument, and that Shorter later retrieved a firearm and shot at two men.  Video surveillance captured the incident confirming the witnesses’ account.  Spent shell casings were recovered on the scene and the firearm used by Shorter was recovered nearby.  Shorter is a convicted felon, having prior convictions for Breaking and Entering, and Attempted Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon.  He is also a validated member of the United Blood Nation street gang.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle.  The Oxford Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-224-BO.

Four-County 4-H Poultry Show Flies In To Vance Regional Farmer’s Market Oct. 23

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The 2021 Four County 4-H Poultry Show and Sale will be held Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Vance County Regional Farmer’s Market.

Check-in for youth and poultry will begin at 3 p.m. and the show will start at 4:15 p.m., according to information from Meg Wyatt, Franklin County 4-H agent.

Following the presentation of awards, the auction is scheduled to begin around 6:30 p.m. This year, Easter Eggers and Barred Rocks will be available at the auction.

The farmer’s market is located at 210 South Park Drive, Henderson.

Contact your county’s 4-H agent to learn more.
Read more at https://franklin.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/09/2021-four-county-4-h-poultry-show-and-sale-2/

Cyclists To Pedal Through Granville County Oct. 6 On Their Way From NC Mountains To The Coast

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Cycle North Carolina kicks off a week-long ride from the mountains to the coast on Oct. 3, with hundreds of cyclists taking to the state’s scenic backroads to get from Sparta to Topsail Beach over a six-day period. Granville County is on the itinerary for Day 4, and participants will get a glimpse at several different local spots during their visit.

The group consists of cyclists from 41 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, as well as Costa Rica and Canada. Tour stops include Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor, the Soldiers Memorial Sports Arena, Camp Butner Museum, Butner Town Hall, High Rock Farms outside Oxford and the Stem Fire Department.

From noon until 4 p.m., cyclists can enjoy lunch from area food trucks on the grounds of the Creedmoor Recreation Center. The Granville County Tourism Development Authority will also host a welcome tent where local maps and area information will be available.

The day will conclude at the Butner Gazebo Park for “Alive After Five,” sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, where cyclists will meet area residents and enjoy live music by the Band of Oz. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and food trucks will be on site, according to information from county public information officer Lynn Allred.

Volunteers are needed to assist on the day of arrival, Oct. 6, and will be assigned to distribute information at the welcome tent, transfer luggage, and handle other duties. Two-hour shifts are set up beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m. For more information about volunteering or to sign up, please contact Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

The “Mountains to the Coast” Tour is the state’s only fully-supported ride. Luggage is transported in vehicles from one overnight host community to the next. Rider support vehicles are also available to aid cyclists who experience physical or mechanical issues. Outdoor camping areas are set up for interested participants, with rest stops available every 15 to 20 miles along the route. The group averages about 65 miles a day.

The stop in Granville County includes an overnight stay at a temporary campsite on the grounds of the Creedmoor Recreation Center, with reservations at local hotels for those who prefer additional amenities. Overnight stays for the 2021 tour are also scheduled for Mount Airy, Reidsville, Roxboro, Smithfield and Wallace, with the route passing through many other towns and communities along the way.

Over the past 21 years, Cycle North Carolina participants have made overnight stops in more than 100 North Carolina towns and have visited 700 communities while promoting heritage tourism, visitor attractions and state parks, as well as the benefits of bicycling and a healthy lifestyle.

Drivers should be aware that groups of cyclists will be on Granville County roads on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. Please drive carefully and pass with caution.

Visit https://ncsports.org/event/cyclenc_mountainstocoast_ride to learn more about the “Mountains to the Coast” cycling tour.

Amy Rice Will Continue to Serve Schools/Community in District Leadership

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The Granville County Board of Education approved personnel changes Monday, moving a high school principal to a district-level position.

Amy Rice, principal at J.F. Webb High School, will lead the district’s testing and accountability, as well as coordinate K-12 Science, the arts and STEM programs. Rice replaces Beth Cook, who will retire later this month after a 32-year career in education.

Rice, a Webb alumna, has led her alma mater school for the past three years. The district plans to name an interim principal during the search process, according to Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent for curriculum & instruction and district public information officer.

“These last few years at Webb have been the most rewarding of my career,” Rice said in a written statement from GCPS. “Serving as principal at the school I graduated from and where I started my teaching career has been an honor. I move into this next role knowing the students will be well taken care of by the wonderful Warrior staff. I look forward to continuing to serve my community, the staff and the students of Granville County Public Schools.”

Rice graduated from Appalachian State University and has masters degrees in Science Education and School Administration. She taught high school science for eight years. Before moving to administration as an assistant principal and then as principal for five years at Stovall-Shaw Elementary.

Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean said transitions are bittersweet. “We salute Ms. Cook for her dedication and service to the district and wish her well in her retirement. We also welcome Mrs. Rice into this new, critically important role at the district level,” McLean stated.

“We will work to ensure a smooth transition as we search for her replacement. The J.F. Webb High School community deserves the highest caliber of leadership available and they will certainly have direct input into the selection process of their next school leader,” she added.