Local Departments Get More Than $176,000 From NC Volunteer Fire Department Fund

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There were lots of big checks – literally and monetarily speaking – in Granville County when a couple of state officials stopped by on Monday to leave more than $176,000 in grant funds for 11 local fire departments.

The ceremonial check presentation was held on Aug. 23 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, and county commissioners and representatives of the volunteer fire departments were on hand to receive the money from N.C. Insurance Commissioner/State Fire Marshal Mike Causey and Chief State Fire Marshal/Assistant Commissioner Brian Taylor, according to a press statement from Lynn Allred, county public information officer.

The grants ranged from $6,639 to $30,000 and are part of a statewide program that assists more than 500 volunteer fire departments across the state.

According to the statement, each one of the departments received 100 percent of their requests.

Here’s a breakdown by department:

  • Antioch-Fishing Creek Volunteer Fire Department, $11,000
  • Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department, $18,450
  • Bullock Volunteer Fire Department, $30,000
  • Corinth Volunteer Fire Department, $6,639.31
  • Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, $15,927
  • Creedmoor Volunteer Fire Department, $24,737.50
  • Granville Rural Fire Department, $15,568.50
  • Providence Community Fire Department, $8,629.12
  • Stem Community Fire Department and EMS, $11,471.46
  • Total Community Fire Department of Berea, $10,454
  • Virgilina Volunteer Fire Association, $23,608.37

The Volunteer Fire Department Fund was created to assist North Carolina’s volunteer fire departments with purchasing equipment and making capital expenditures. It is administered through the N.C. Department of Insurance/Office of the State Fire Marshal. Fire departments approved for funding are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $30,000. Eligible volunteer fire departments must be rated/certified by the N.C. Department of Insurance.

Two paid fire departments and 12 volunteer departments serve Granville County. Each department maintains and provides 24-hour fire protection services.

VGCC Dr. Levy Brown

VGCC’s Brown Selected For National Leadership Fellows Program

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Dr. Levy Brown, Jr., vice president of learning, student engagement & success at Vance-Granville Community College, has been selected to participate in the 2021-22 class of Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, a national leadership program designed to prepare the next generation of community college presidents.

Brown is one of 40 community college administrators chosen for the 10-month fellowship, which begins in November. He is one of two from North Carolina to be selected.

Nationally, almost 80 percent of community college presidents plan to retire in the next decade, according to information provided by VGCC. The Aspen fellowship program works to equip the next generation of leaders to meet the challenges of the future.

“The opportunity to be a part of the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is something I do not take for granted,” Brown said. “I am truly humbled and grateful for the chance to develop lasting professional relationships, exchange innovative ideas and engage in deep thought about what community college excellence looks like, both now and in the future.”

Brown and the other 39 participants were selected because they share a commitment to make higher education better by being transformational leaders, according to Monica Clark, director of leadership initiatives at the College Excellence Program. “To become institutions that truly advance social mobility and talent development, community colleges must have presidents with a clear vision for equitable student success,” Clark said.

VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais said being selected is an honor for the college and for Brown, who has been with VGCC for four years.

“As an Aspen Community College Presidential Fellowship Cohort 2 participant, I know the incredible value and honor of being selected for this program,” Desmarais said in a statement to WIZS News. “On behalf of Vance-Granville Community College, I am incredibly proud that Dr. Brown has been admitted to this program and will benefit both professionally and personally from participation. Dr. Brown will be able to hone his transformational leadership skills amongst the senior fellows and incoming participant fellows in this auspicious program.”

During the program, fellows will be mentored by current and former community college presidents who have achieved exceptional outcomes for students during their careers in education. Through collaboration with the Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative, participants will learn strategies to improve student outcomes in and after college, lead internal change and create strong external partnerships with K-12 schools, four-year colleges, employers and other community partners.

Brown was vice president of student services at VGCC, and in his current role, serves as the college’s chief academic and student affairs officer. He is responsible for leading and working collaboratively with faculty and staff in the areas of academic programs, teaching and learning, student success, equity and inclusion, enrollment management, K-12 partnerships and other areas.

Before coming to VGCC, Brown was dean of arts & sciences at Lenoir Community College. He is a graduate of East Carolina University, and has a master’s degree in library science from North Carolina Central University and a doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on higher education from East Carolina University.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Latest Local Covid Data as of Friday from GVPH

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— courtesy of Granville-Vance Public Health

In the past 7 days, there have been 84 new cases in Vance County, a 22% decrease from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Vance County is 5.7%. According to the CDC COVID Data Tracker, there is high community transmission in Vance County.

In the past 7 days, there have been 171 new cases in Granville County, a 50% increase from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Granville County is 4.6%. According to the CDC COVID Data Tracker, there is high community transmission in Granville County.

In Vance County, 57% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 52% are fully vaccinated.

In Granville County, 63% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 58% are fully vaccinated.

64% of the adult population in NC is at least partially vaccinated and 59% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.

Popcorn Subject Of Aug. 24 Event At Granville’s Cooperative Extension Office

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At this time of year, folks driving through the countryside see lots and lots of corn growing in the field. Much of that corn is feed corn, used for livestock. Some of it will find its way to roadside stands or farmers’ markets and ultimately to people’s supper tables.

But is there any chance that some of it could end up being popcorn?

The Granville County cooperative extension service is offering a unique opportunity to learn more about that delicious snack loved by so many – popcorn.

There will be a popcorn field plot tour on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. for anyone interested in learning more about those special corn varieties that explode into the fluffy white stuff that we enjoy while watching TV, movie or sports contest.

According to the cooperative extension, the popcorn field plot is the only one of its kind east of the Mississippi River.

Phone 336.599.1195 to register for the tour, during which there will be information about the history of popcorn and the different varieties grown all over the world, including right here in North Carolina.

The Granville County Center is located at 125 Oxford Loop Road. The event is open to farmers, gardeners, farmers’ market sellers, agents and anyone interested in popcorn.

August 25 – Joint Granville Commissioners/School Board Meeting

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The Granville County board of commissioners and the Granville County board of education will meet together to discuss school redistricting, according to information from Debra Weary, clerk to the commissioners. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 at 9 a.m. in the main gymnasium at South Granville High School, 701 North Crescent Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522.

Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction and student services, with Granville County schools said, “To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.”

Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting will be required to wear face coverings and cooperate with social distancing requirements. There will be limited seating available.

This same meeting was originally to have been held at Mary Potter, but the location was changed to South Granville High School as is listed above.

JF Webb Student’s Artwork Selected For NACo 2022 Calendar

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A local teenager’s artwork has been chosen from entries submitted from across the country for a 2022 calendar that will be distributed across the country by the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Brim Royster, a junior at J.F. Webb High School, is one of 18 winners selected from a pool of entries submitted through local county governments across the nation. The “I Love My County Because…” art competition, sponsored by NACo, was held for students in grades 1 through 12, who were asked to explain in words and in art why “their county matters.” Royster’s entry depicts his strong family connections in the area.

J.F. Webb High School art teacher Ophelia Staton was recently notified of the selection, according to a statement from Lynn Allred, Granville County’s public information officer.

“I am so excited for Brim and for our art program,” Staton said in the statement. “We have some talented students, and this recognition means so much for our school and – of course – for Brim. We are very proud of him. His talent is sure to take him very far.”

Students from J.F. Webb, Tar River Elementary and Creedmoor Elementary submitted artwork for the 2021 competition, which was introduced this year as part of the “Counties Matter” campaign. All entries are currently on display at the Harris Exhibit Hall of the Granville County Historical Society Museum, 1 Museum Lane in Oxford.

In addition to being featured in the NACo calendar, Royster will receive prizes and a certificate, as well as having his artwork published in the NACo newspaper “County News,” which is distributed to county members in all 50 states. More than 3,000 U.S. counties are active NACo members, including Granville County Government.

“Granville County was well represented in this contest,” said Sue Hinman, chair of the Granville County board of commissioners. “We thank all the students who participated, as well as the art teachers who submitted entries on behalf of their students. We are also grateful to Granville County Public Schools, who assisted us in this project.”

The Local Skinny: Five County Job Fair Coming To Oxford Saturday

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The next Kerr-Tar Community Job Fair is here, this Saturday, August 21.  Twenty or more employers and other community resource providers will gather from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Hix Field in Oxford.

As Desiree Brooks, business service manager for the Workforce Development Board of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments explains, as of now over 20 employers from all five counties of Kerr-Tar will be present.

“We were trying to target a Saturday this go around just to kind of give others the opportunity to come out if that’s their desire.  We are hoping that it will be convenient for all.  We are really anticipating a great turn out,” Brooks said.

The last job fair held in June in Henderson for Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person Counties was a huge success Brooks said.  Over 200 people turned out on a Friday at the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre.

She said, “Everyone was pleased, and we got so much positive feedback from employers.  There were hires there and people filling out applications.  So, it will be the same thing at this event, and we are hoping we will have even more people in attendance.”

The success is based on cooperation and partnerships with Vance Granville Community College, Chambers of Commerce and other governmental agencies along with the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board and NC Works.

When asked who would attend, Brooks said, “We’ve got ADUSA or Food Lion Distribution Center, Altec, Amcor, Bridgestone, Captive Aire, Carolina Sunrock, which they’ll have a simulator at the event too so you can actually get live experience.  We’ve got City of Creedmoor, City of Oxford, County of Granville, Granville County Health Systems, Granville County Sheriff’s Office, MGM Products, Murdock Center, Ontic, Plastic Ingenuity, Polywood, Revlon, Ricewrap, Spuntech and Versatrim.”

For more information, contact NC Works at 919-693-2686.  Email fletcherl@vgcc.edu or jody.blackwell@piedmontcc.edu.  Also visit www.vgcc.edu/career-fair and www.kerrtarworks.com.

Hix Field in Oxford is located at 313 E. Spring Street.

High Transmission

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Information from Granville-Vance Public Health as of Friday.

In the past 7 days, there have been 108 new cases in Vance County, a 235% increase from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Vance County is 6.4%. According to the CDC COVID Data Tracker, there is high community transmission in Vance County.

In the past 7 days, there have been 114 new cases in Granville County, a 46% increase from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Granville County is 3.6%. According to the CDC COVID Data Tracker, there is high community transmission in Granville County.

Granville County has reported a pediatric death from complications related to COVID-19 in a 17-year old male on August 13, 2021.

In Vance County, 57% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 51% are fully vaccinated.

In Granville County, 62% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine and 58% are fully vaccinated.

1,107,414 have been diagnosed with the disease across all 100 of our counties with 6,628 newly reported cases. The daily percent positive is 11.6%.

13,826 people in North Carolina have died of COVID-19 and 2,483 are currently hospitalized.

63% of the adult population in NC is at least partially vaccinated and 58% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.

For more information, the audio here was broadcast on Monday, August 16.

 

Granville Board Of Education Work Session Aug. 16 To Continue School Closure, Consolidation Discussion

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The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a work session next week to continue discussions on potential school closures and school consolidation, according to information from Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent and public information officer.

The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 at the Mary Potter Center of Education, 200 Taylor Street in Oxford. In addition to the ongoing school reorganization, the board will have a closed session to discuss personnel matters.

The meeting is open to the public, and also will be livestreamed at the link https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.

Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting will be required to wear face coverings, undergo health screenings before entering the building, and cooperate with social distancing requirements. There will be limited seating available.

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk: Hairston Readies Granville Central For Football

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“I’m very excited,” says new Granville Central Football Coach Travis Hairston. He’s only been on the job a week and half but has already identified a core group of players who are working hard to help the team turn around last year’s 1-5 record. He looks to bring his extensive knowledge of defense to the team and says defense will be a priority this season.

Hairston’s experience includes defensive coordinator positions at several schools in North Carolina and Maryland including Sanders, East Wake and Rolesville High Schools. His defensive philosophy is simple: “Score points and not allow them to score.” He also emphasizes preparation and expects the Granville Central team to be prepared every week. “I believe we are going to win some games and be competitive,” Coach Hairston says.

He will have to get prepared quickly as Granville Central takes on Ravenscroft in the first game of the season a week from Friday. Ravenscroft has a diverse offense and gets after the ball on defense. Ravenscroft will not be the only tough team Granville Central will face this season as later on this year the will play South Granville in an in-county rivalry game and Carrboro.