Oxford’s Elmwood Cemetery To Have Bi-Annual Cleanup In August

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The City of Oxford is giving Elmwood Cemetery its bi-annual cleaning beginning the week of Aug. 2. Individuals with family members or loved ones buried in the cemetery should take time before the cleanup begins to remove mementos and other items that have been placed on the graves, according to information issued by the city’s executive office.

Items that will be moved include:

  • Dead, or dying, flowers, shrubs or trees
  • Any items not permanently affixed to a headstone
  • Bushes or shrubs that obstruct the view of the headstone or footstone
  • Toys, glass jars, cans or other trinkets
  • Any object that could become a projective if struck by a mower or is deemed a safety hazard to others

For more information, contact the public works department at 919.603.1511.

 

Granville Schools Announce More Leadership Changes As Streamlining, Consolidation Efforts Continue

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The Granville County Board of Education approved more leadership changes at a called meeting on Tuesday, June 29, further consolidating programs and services at the district level as it continues to focus on efficiency and making best use of resources.

The board also announced that Kevin Ferrell will be the new principal at South Granville High School. Ferrell began his education career at the Creedmoor school in 1994 as a social studies teacher. He returns to the district after serving nine years as an assistant principal in Wake County.

Two assistant principals also were named at the meeting. Shana Harris will serve at Butner-Stem Elementary and Sophelia McMannen will be at SGHS, according to information from Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent for the district and public information officer.

In addition to these school-based changes, the board also approved staffing changes to the district’s leadership structure. “The changes made represent significant reduction in staff and reassignment of duties which will increase efficiencies, reduce costs and better strategically position the district for the future,” Winborne stated.

The board approved the changes, which includes elimination of one assistant superintendent position, as well as reducing from 16 to 12 director-level positions, all based at the district offices. The curriculum & instructions and student services departments underwent a restructure as part of the process and additional district-based positions were shifted to school-based positions, Winborne stated. The district will use grant funding to pay for school-based positions, he added.

The following changes in personnel and roles were approved:

  • Lauren Curtis – Senior Director of Student Services (Central Services)
  • Anikko Gorham – Senior Director of Exceptional Children’s Program (Central Services)
  • Shelby Hunt – Grants Manager and Special Projects Manager (Central Services)
  • Michele Robinson – Northern Regional Lead (based at CG Credle ES)
  • Tonya Thomas – Southern Regional Lead (based at SGHS)
  • Pauletta Thompson – Senior Director of Federal Programs and Strategic innovation (Central Services)
  • Felisha Whitaker – Director of Elementary Education (Central Services)
  • Angie Salisbury – Director of Career and Technical Education and Secondary Education

In the press release, Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean stated, “Just as our board is taking on the difficult task of school reorganization, so too must we streamline staffing in our central services.  These changes will also eliminate our reliance on state and local dollars. We must capture efficiencies and reduce staffing while maintaining quality support and excellent services for our students and staff.”

NC State Board of Elections

New Members Appointed to County Boards of Elections

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More election news as The State Board of Elections on Tuesday appointed four members to all 100 county boards of elections.  As the press release on the matter said, this is “the latest class of elections officials working to administer and safeguard elections.”

Executive Director of the State Board, Karen Brinson Bell, said in the release, “We are happy to welcome new members to North Carolina’s elections team.  Together, we will continue to ensure that our elections are accessible, safe, and secure, and that every eligible vote counts.”

State chairs of the Democratic and Republican parties recommended three registered voters in each county, and the State Board appointed two of the three for each party.

Republicans Catherine Clodfelter and Susan Floyd were appointed for Vance County as were Democrats James Baines and Lee Faulkner.

The Republican column in Granville County shows Kay Wiggins and Donna Parham appointed along with Sharyn Alvarez and Elizabeth Torres-Evans appointed in the Democrat column.

For Warren County, Republicans Betty Mazor and Dominic Taranto plus Democrats James Roberts and Henry Durham were appointed.

Franklin County appointees included Republicans Harry Barrick and Angela Pearce and Democrats Mary Gill and Barry Gupton.

The appointments are contingent on the nominee having a proper application and agreeing not to engage in prohibited political speech while on the board.

State statute requires that every two years the State Board must appoint four members, two from each leading party to the county boards with the Governor appointing  the fifth member.

These new appointed nominees have terms that expire in July of 2023.

NC Governor Logo

State Evictions Moratorium Ends July 1

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– press release courtesy of Gov. Roy Cooper –

Republican Council of State Members Revoke State Evictions Protections Effective July 1
Majority of Council of State Decline to Concur with Extension of State Evictions Order; CDC Evictions Moratorium and HOPE Program Rental Assistance Remain in Place

The state evictions moratorium will end July 1 after Republican members of the Council of State rejected a one-month extension, which would have aligned with the national CDC evictions moratorium through July 31.

“It’s disappointing to see Council of State Members revoke eviction protections for people still struggling to stay in their homes,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Many North Carolinians still need help and we will work to make sure landlords abide by the CDC evictions moratorium and that tenants can access rent and utility assistance from counties and the state HOPE program.”

Under the Emergency Management Act, the Governor has requested the concurrence of the Council of State for each extension of the eviction moratorium. On Monday, the Governor requested that the Council of State approve extending the moratorium through July, in line with the CDC evictions moratorium. The extension would have also given tenants notice that the moratorium would be lifted at the end of July.

A majority of Council of State members rejected this extension, with their votes falling along party lines. Attorney General Josh Stein, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and State Auditor Beth Wood supported an extension. Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, State Treasurer Dale Folwell, Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson, Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt opposed extending the moratorium.

The CDC evictions moratorium went into effect on September 4, 2020 protecting certain residents, based on income, from being evicted for an inability to pay rent. The CDC indicated that the current 30-day extension is intended to be the final extension of the order. In order to qualify for protection, tenants must attest to meeting the CDC Order’s income and eligibility requirements.

The state evictions order aligned with the CDC Order and implemented important notice requirements for landlords before they could initiate a residential evictions action. The state order required that landlords provide their tenants with a copy of the declaration form they are required to fill out to receive protections under the CDC Order. Without this requirement, many North Carolinians may be unaware of the protections available to them under the federal evictions moratorium and evicted unnecessarily.

The state executive order also specified procedures that must take place once a tenant has provided a landlord with a signed declaration attesting that the tenant qualifies for protection and protected tenants who had been awarded state rental assistance from eviction while payment on awards was processed.

Last fall, Governor Cooper created the HOPE Program using federal funds to provide rent and utility assistance to people struggling during the pandemic providing $132 million in assistance to landlords and utilities on behalf of more than 37,000 tenants.

The HOPE Program opened a new eligibility period this spring and is currently accepting applicants. Several counties are also delivering Emergency Rental Assistance through local programs, and their information may be found at the HOPE website. The state evictions moratorium had protected HOPE awardees from eviction. The Council of State decision means that people awarded HOPE funds may be at risk of eviction until checks are processed, an average currently of about 14 days. As of June 28, the HOPE Program had awarded $66 million to 19,000 households since May 17.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR RENTERS

Some North Carolina renters retain protection against evictions based upon the CDC moratorium. Renters who:

  • Received a federal stimulus check in 2020 or 2021, or
  • Were not required to report income to the IRS in 2020, or
  • Earn less than $99,000 ($198,000 filing jointly) per year, and
  • Cannot make rent payments due to lost income,

may provide a signed declaration to their landlord that protects them from eviction while the federal moratorium remains in effect. The declaration form may be found here.

Renters with questions may get help from an expert by contacting (800) 569-4287 or going online to get contact information for a North Carolina HUD-approved housing counselor, here.

Complete details about the HOPE Program or a local Emergency Rental Assistance program, including eligibility requirements, program benefits and an online application, are available at www.hope.nc.gov. Applicants who cannot access the website may also call (888) 9ASK-HOPE or (888) 927-5467.

Applicants who wish to apply for free legal help may call Legal Aid of North Carolina at (866) 219-5262 or apply online here.

NC Forest Service

Forest Service Annual Tree Seedling Sale Begins July 1

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Beginning Thursday, July 1, the N.C. Forest Service will take orders for tree seedlings as part of its annual sale. The nursery and tree improvement program produces millions of quality native and genetically improved seedlings for nearly 50 tree species and understory plants, according to a press release.

“Trees and forests are an important part of addressing water quality, carbon sequestration and climate resiliency concerns,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. The nursery and tree improvement program ensures that landowners and other public and private entities have access to native trees and understory plants. “I would encourage anyone interested to buy their seedlings, early,” Troxler said.

Hardwood and conifer seedlings are sold in lots as small as 10 to larger lots of 100, but the nursery also will process larger orders in the hundreds or even thousands.

Genetically improved species of loblolly, long-leaf, short-leaf and white pines are available and new additions include Nordmann and Trojan firs, Canaan fir, Colorado blue spruce and red spruce.

The seedlings will be available for distribution beginning in December and continuing through mid-April.

Visit www.ncforestservice.org to find a link to the catalog; phone 1.888.NCTREES or visit www.buynctrees.com to place an order. Printed catalogs are available at all local forest services offices.

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk: Duke athletics has a long and distinguished history

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Granville County author and historian Lewis Bowling knows a thing or two about Duke University’s rich athletic history. Not only has he been a fan of the Blue Devils all of his life, he has also written two books, Wallace Wade: Championship Years at Alabama and Duke in 2012 and Duke Basketball: A Pictorial History in 2014. Bowling has also taught sports history and is a staff writer for Go Duke The Magazine. 

He remembers being able to walk up to the box office at Cameron Indoor Stadium 15 minutes before tip off and to purchase a ticket, something you could not do today. Bowling says, “I like to remind people that Duke basketball has a rich history before Coach K.” He cited contributions from many earlier Duke basketball coaches for establishing that history beginning with Wilbur “Cap” Card who was the first coach in 1905 when Duke was still known as Trinity College. That first team also featured Thad Stem Sr., father of the well known author Thad Stem Jr., as the team’s very first captain. Stem Sr. would go on to become a prominent lawyer and mayor of Oxford.

In the 1920’s Eddie Cameron took over the Blue Devils, and he coached until the 1940’s. Cameron Indoor Stadium is named for Cameron, who also coached football at the school in the early to mid 40’s. “He didn’t get the recognition he deserved,” Bowling says. This is in spite of the fact his name is on Duke’s basketball arena. “Cameron isn’t remembered for the various contributions over the years,” Bowling continued.

Bowling credits Bill Foster for bringing Duke basketball back to prominence in the late 1970’s and feels the team will be in good hands when Mike Krzyzewski steps down after the upcoming season. Assistant coach Jon Shyer will take over, and Bowling says he will add to the Duke basketball tradition.

Bowling says Duke football is equally deep in tradition. Wallace Wade had won three national championships at Alabama when he was offered the job at Duke for the 1931 season. “He shocked the nation by taking the job,” Bowling said. Duke was not known as a football school at the time. Wade led the team to two Rose Bowls. The first, in 1939, saw a Duke team that had not been scored on the entire year and was undefeated lose to Southern California 7 – 3. Duke would return to the Rose Bowl in 1942 and would also come up short as the undefeated Blue Devils lost 20 -16 to Oregon State. The game was moved to Durham that year due to World War II.  Wade would join the military in 1942 and turn the program over to Eddie Cameron who coached the team until Wade returned from military duty in 1945. Wade would remain until 1950. Duke’s football stadium is named for Wade.

Wade’s successor was Bill Murray, who was hand picked by Wade. Murray led the team to a Cotton Bowl victory in 1961 and would coach the team through the 1965 season. Bowling said that between 1931 and 1965 Duke’s won-lost record was as good as any team in the country.

Bowling said the Duke football program began to slip after 1965 and would struggle for over 20 years to return to prominence. In 1987 Steve Spurrier took over as head coach and turned the program around. Bowling says the football program is currently in great hands with David Cutcliffe and despite only winning three games last year should be a much stronger team this year. Bowling says Cutcliffe keeps a bust of Wallace Wade in his office and late at night Cutcliffe can almost hear Wade talking to him.

Bowling’s two books on the history of Duke athletics can be purchased at Amazon.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Ramp Construction Projects Give Residents ‘Bridge’ To, From Home

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Granville County Senior Services is working with a group of volunteers to build ramps for residents who are in need of an alternative to stairs to safely get in and out of their home.

Garman Troup, a retired contractor, has been instrumental in this effort for the past few months, according to a statement from Granville County public information officer Lynn Allred. Troup and a diverse team of volunteers construct the ramps for Granville residents’ homes.

Granville County Senior Services Director Kathy May said when her agency receives a referral for a ramp, Troup goes to the home to measure and then calls upon his team of volunteers.

“Everyone needs to have easy access in and out of their home for reasons of safety and quality of life,” May said. “When someone finds himself in a wheelchair or having to use a walker, steps become a dangerous barrier. That’s why the work of these volunteers is so important and is so greatly appreciated.”

Troup is the former housing and home improvement director of Resources for Seniors in Wake County. He and his wife, Teresa, recently moved to Oxford. During his 35-year career in Wake County, he constructed more than 2,500 ramps and now shares his experience through his volunteer work with Granville County Senior Services.

So far, volunteers have included health workers, family members, local church members, clients’ neighbors and others interested in being part of a great experience to benefit members of our community.

Granville County residents benefitting from donated ramps over the past three months include a widow returning home from double knee replacement surgery; an amputee returning home after rehabilitation; a stroke survivor who needed a safe way for her children to transport her to and from her home; a man with a degenerative illness who suffers from repeated falls; among others.

Troup said no experience is necessary to be a ramp construction volunteer; on-the-job training is provided. Current volunteers range in age from 18 to 80, and are from Granville as well as nearby counties.

Requests for ramps can be made to the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford, 107 Lanier Street. A needs assessment will be made following the request.

“Each time a ramp is built, someone is ‘set free,’” Troup said.

For more information or to volunteer to help or donate materials for the ramp project, please contact May by phone at 919-693-1930 or through email at kathy.may@granvillecounty.org.

TownTalk: Buzz Into The Bee Jubilee June 26 at Granville Expo Center

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Get up close and personal with bees – without getting stung – at the 5th annual Bee Jubilee Saturday in Oxford.

Christi Henthorn, president of the Granville County Beekeepers Association, and event organizer said there will be something for everyone at the event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Granville County Expo Center, 4185 Hwy 15 South in Oxford.

Henthorn told John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk that, in addition to supporting local vendors and bee enthusiasts, the Bee Jubilee is an opportunity to learn about these mighty pollinators.

“The vast majority of our food is either directly or indirectly related to pollinated plants,” Henthorn said. That funny-looking cucumber in your summer garden or the ill-shaped zucchini is more than likely the result of inadequate pollination, she said.

Bees are not the only pollinators, she noted, adding that bats and birds, butterflies and even annoying wasps are pollinators. And just because it buzzes does not make it a honeybee, she said. Bumblebees and carpenter bees may be pollinators, but they are not honeybees, she added.

The local vendors all have a focus of bee- an agriculture-related items, Henthorn said. There will be a silent auction and a live auction that starts at noon. See photos of the items that will be auctioned on the beekeepers’ Facebook page.

The Oxford Farmers Market will set up at the Expo Center on Saturday as well, she said. So If you go to their normal market spot downtown, they won’t be there. There will be inflatables for the kids to play on and half a dozen or more food vendors, from gourmet coffee to frozen treats.

Bee documentaries will be shown indoors, and vendors will be  outdoors under the covered arena space. The Granville Gardeners will be selling plants as well.

“Make sure when you come you mill around the whole facility,” Henthorn said.

Most counties in North Carolina have a beekeepers organization, she said, and it’s important to call a beekeeper if you find a swarm of bees on your property.

“Granville County beekeepers has a ‘swarm patrol,’ a group of beekeepers who are trained to capture swarms and remove them from wherever they are – in a tree or in a house. These people are comfortable around bees and they are willing to remove them safely. The hotline is 919.892.3670.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Coach's Corner Logo

SportsTalk: Ray Noel and Granville Central Look Forward to New Conference

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Granville Central High School Atletic Director Ray Noel was obviously disappointed at his school’s 3 – 1 loss at the hands of Perquimans County on Wednesday night in the Eastern finals of the state baseball playoffs but is looking forward to a new conference for the upcoming school year.

Perquimans County had won its previous playoff games by scores of 13 – 0, 10 – 0 and 10 – 0 but Granville Central held them to only 3 runs and was leading in the bottom of the 5th inning but came up short in the end as they were unable to put together a rally at the end.  Graduation will certainly have an impact next season. “We’ll lose three seniors and two of our top hitters are seniors,” Noel said. However, Noel feels that next season’s team has an excellent chance of having a good year.

Next year will find Granville Central playing Oxford Webb, South Granville, Vance County, Carrboro, Southern Durham and the Durham School of the Arts in a new conference. While the School of the Arts does not participate in football the other schools will present a challenging schedule. It should be a football season that is closer to normal than last season when the team only played six games in the spring due to the pandemic.

Covid has also pushed spring sports back with programs such as track and wrestling still playing. The track team will finish this weekend in the state championship.

Like so many other schools in the area Granville Central is a small school that shares players among its athletic programs which impacts activities like basketball workouts. There have been no basketball jamborees or camps this spring because so many of the players are involved in other sports.

Noel said that the boy’s soccer team, which won last year’s conference championship is poised to have another strong season and he feels good about the growth that soccer has seen in recent years. He also feels the football team will also be competitive next season and looks forward to seeing big crowds at games this year which began to return with Granville Central’s playoff run in baseball.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

2021-22 Leadership Granville Application Period Opens

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The 2021-22 class of Leadership Granville is forming now! Applications are being taken until Aug. 6 for the program, sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Public Schools and Vance-Granville Community College.

Leadership Granville is an educational program designed to offer leadership training and a broader knowledge of the county to its residents. Participants learn about the community and dive deep into the county’s structure, culture and lifestyle, all while developing leadership skills and increasing networking opportunities.

Sessions are scheduled to begin on Sept. 14 and include leadership assessment and development; personal and group dynamics; county history; city-county-state governments; education; agriculture; industry and small business; health services; community support; recreation; the judicial system and law enforcement. Visits to local manufacturers, farms, small businesses, museums, schools, medical facilities, volunteer organizations, recreational facilities and other day trips are planned, as well as evening meetings of local government. To conclude the program, a graduation ceremony will be held in April 2022.

Those interested in assuming leadership positions with their organization and/or community are encouraged to apply. Enrollment is limited. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Applications are being taken until Aug. 6 and are available through the Granville County Chamber of Commerce Office, 124 Hillsboro Street in Oxford, or online at https://granville-chamber.com/member-services/leadership-granville.

To learn more, contact the Chamber office at 919.693.6125.