NC Dept of Agriculture

Use care when burning yard debris

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The sunny skies and warmer temperatures may be tempting area residents to get outside and burn yard debris, but a local fire ranger urges landowners to use abundant caution to avoid problems.

Just in the last week, fire departments in Vance and Granville counties and the NC Forest Service have responded to 13 wildfires. Of those, seven were caused by debris burning, according to Granville County Fire Ranger Rob Montague.

March through May is recognized as spring wildfire season, and the N.C. Forest Service said that as residents begin spending more time working in their yards, it is important to be responsible when it comes to burning yard debris.

“Every year, almost 40 percent of wildfires in North Carolina are the result of careless debris burning,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler stated in a press release from the forest service.  “To protect ourselves and our forestland from wildfire, we have to be responsible and vigilant. Check the weather. Make sure you’re prepared to burn before you do. Never leave a debris fire unattended, and always have a water source and phone nearby in case you need them,” Troxler’s statement continued.

Contact your county forest ranger for technical advice and options to help ensure the safety of people, property and the forest. Visit www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts to find the ranger in your county.

Consider the following factors before burning yard debris:

  • Choose to compost or make mulch. Some types of debris, such as leaves, grass and stubble can be turned into mulch or compost.
  • Check local burning laws. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely.
  • Make sure you have a valid permit. You can obtain a burn permit at any open authorized permitting agent or online at www.ncforestservice.gov/burnpermit.
  • Local fire officials can recommend a safe way to burn debris. Don’t pile vegetation on the ground. Instead, place it in a cleared area and contain it in a screened receptacle away from overhead branches and wires. Keep your pile small, not tall.
  • Stay informed about the weather and possible weather changes. Postpone outdoor burning during high winds or gusts, or periods of low relative humidity. Even if you have a valid permit, stop burning if strong winds develop.
  • Be sure you are fully prepared before burning. To control the fire, you will need a hose, bucket, steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire. Keep a phone nearby, too.
  • Never use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to speed up debris burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out. To learn more about fire safety and preventing wildfires and property damage or loss, visit www.ncforestservice.gov.

To learn more about protecting your home and property from wildfire, visit www.resistwildfirenc.org.

Watkins selected for Governor’s School

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Isaac Charles Watkins, a junior at Oxford Preparatory School, has been selected to attend North Carolina Governor’s School of 2021.

Watkins, 17, lives in Oxford with his parents Kelly Watkins and Chris Cox. He was selected for the program because of high academic performance in the social sciences, according to Vici Bradsher, upper school director at OPS. He will attend Governor’s School West, held at High Point University, Bradsher noted.

“Being selected for Governor’s School is a high honor,” Bradsher said. “Not all schools have students selected to attend Governor’s School,” she said. He is the first OPS student to be selected to attend the summer program.

“We are honored that Isaac has been selected,” Bradsher said, adding that it is “a testament to the level of dedication with which Isaac pursues everything. Isaac is such a very deserving young man.”

His accomplishments extend into the community as well. He spends time helping others at Area Congregations in Ministry (ACIM) food bank in Oxford and the Flat River Baptist Association Church & Communities Ministries in Oxford. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout last year. His Eagle Scout project was the creation of a prayer garden at Sharon Baptist Church, where he attends with his family.

Watkins will be studying the social sciences at Governor’s School, and Bradsher said he excels in history, government and politics. At OPS, he also is a member of the swimming and cross-country teams, and is a commencement marshal for the second year.

His mother, Kelly Watkins, said Wednesday that her son also is interested in philosophy and religion, adding that he has indicated an interest in pursuing those subjects in college.

Music is another passion he pursues. He plays electric guitar in the OPS Jazz band and plays trumpet in the school’s performing Band. Outside of school activities, he co-founded The Palm Trees, a band that has performed for various events at the Senior Center in Oxford.

He performs musical selections regularly at his church, his mother said. His maternal grandfather majored in music in college, and Isaac plays the trumpet that his grandfather once played.

The North Carolina Governor’s School is the nation’s oldest statewide summer residential program for gifted high school students. The 5 ½-week program is located on two campuses: Governor’s School West is at High Point University in High Point, and Governor’s School East is held at Meredith College in Raleigh. Each site can accommodate up to 335 students. The program is administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Public Instruction through the Exceptional Children Division.

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Small Farms Week 2021

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The 35th annual celebration of Small Farms Week will be held virtually Mar. 21-27. Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T State University is sponsoring a series of virtual events and educational programs to inform the public and provide research-based information to support small farmers.

This year’s theme is “35 Years: Resilience. Strength. Diversity” and will begin with a kick-off event on Friday, Mar. 19, according to information from the Greensboro-based university. The programs are “designed for farmers with limited incomes and acreage and will provide them with information to become more resilient and more profitable,” according to the statement. Although focused on small-scale farmers, the public is also invited to attend.

The USDA census defines a small farm as “a farm that is 179 acres or less in size, or earns $50,000 or less in gross income per year.

The Mar. 19 event will feature agriculture in Avery County, located in western North Carolina. This session also will recognize Avery County’s Amos and Kaci Nidiffer, the 2020 Small Farmers of the Year. A panel of local farmers will discuss farming in that part of the state.

The virtual activities continue on Monday, Mar. 22, with sessions on the health benefits of community gardening and ways to boost your immune system during the pandemic. A virtual education forum on Tuesday, Mar. 23 will cover plant production, farm management, high-tunnel winter production and livestock production. A panel of N.C. A&T students will discuss the wide variety of career opportunities available in agriculture and related fields.

Wednesday’s program includes information on marketing and agribusiness, as well as a small farms update by members of A&T’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. The day also includes one of the highlights of the week: the virtual Small Farmers’ Appreciation Program. Keynote speaker is Jimmy Gentry, president of the North Carolina Grange. The 2021 Small Farmer of the Year will also be announced.

The final event of Small Farms Week 2021 will be a panel discussion among A&T students on Thursday, Mar. 25 about opportunities for young people in agriculture.

The registration link is

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-farms-week-35-years-resilience-strength-diversity-tickets-141203398165

Hear Billing Solutions Virtual Hiring Event Tuesday, March 16 at 11 a.m.

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Hear Billing Solutions is holding a virtual hiring event tomorrow (Tues, March 16, 2021) with guaranteed interviews.

You’ll find out about opportunities for billing specialists.

Interviews will be available Thursday for those who attend the virtual event Tuesday.

Register at events.kerrtarworks.com.

Contact the NC Works Career Center for more information at 919-693-2686.

Email Joseph.Jung@ncworks.gov or Lonnda.Brothers@ncworks.gov

VGCC Logo

“The Local Skinny!” March 8; VGCC Celebrates Women’s History Month

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March is Women’s History Month and Vance-Granville Community College has put together a series of programs and resources that are just a click of the mouse away for anyone who would like to participate and learn more.

Natasha Thompson, a history instructor at VGCC, spoke with John C. Rose Monday – International Women’s Day – on The Local Skinny about the various virtual events that will take place in March to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of women.

The theme “No Limits, No Obstacles, No Ceilings: Fighting for a Future of Limitless Potential” is adapted from a speech delivered by then-President Barack Obama in honor of Women’s History Month, Thompson said.

The virtual sessions begin at noon on Mar. 11, Mar. 18 and Mar. 24 and are open to the public; it is not necessary to be a VGCC student, she added. The programs promote women’s history, as well as current conditions and how women can move into the future, she noted.

The Mar. 11 topic is how to stay healthy while maintaining a busy lifestyle. An agent with Warren County Cooperative Extension will lead this program. A panel discussion is scheduled for Mar. 18 and will include VGCC faculty, staff and other community leaders. The panel will discuss historical factors that have limited women in the past, as well as “big-picture” changes and ways current and future VGCC students can work to continue to overcome barriers, Thompson said.

The final topic on Mar. 24 is titled “Minority Women’s Guide to Financial Confidence.” Faith Bynum, a certified public accountant in Raleigh, will lead this workshop on overcoming financial stigmas for minority women.

Visit vgcc.edu to find the links to register for the virtual workshops. Also on the website is a LibGuide, a compilation of additional online events, books and other resources to learn more about Women’s History Month.

(Audio with Natasha Thompson begins at the 8:30 mark of the file)

Granville adds 2 COVID-19 testing sites

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There are two additional places in Granville County to get free testing for COVID-19, thanks to a collaboration between Granville County Public Schools and OptumServe, an agency contracting with the state of North Carolina to administer the test.

The Mary Potter Center for Education in Oxford and Butner-Stem Middle School in Butner are open several days each week, according to information from GCPS.

Butner-Stem Middle School, located at 501E. D St., Butner is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enter the clinic at the bus entrance. Mary Potter Center for Education, located at 200 Taylor St., Oxford, is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enter at the rear of the building at the gym entrance. Schedule an appointment for either site at  lhi.care/covidtesting.

Because the location is subject to change, anyone interested in getting tested should visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting for the latest location information. Call (877) 562-4850 if you do not have internet or are registering for a minor.

Anyone who meets the testing criteria can be tested at an OptumServe community testing site, including uninsured, underinsured, undocumented and homeless individuals. OptumServe will generate a unique identification number for individuals who do not have a driver’s license, according to information from OptumServe.

City of Oxford Staff Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations

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— information courtesy of the City of Oxford, NC

On Wednesday, City of Oxford staff took steps to receive covid-19 vaccinations.  The event took place at the Oxford City Hall Auditorium.  The vaccinations were administered now that Phase 3 is underway in North Carolina, which allows frontline workers to get the shots.

In attendance, among others, were City Manager Alan Thornton and Parks and Recreation Director Tina Cheek.  Thornton said in a news release as to why he decided to receive the vaccine, “I and the City believe it is important to receive the vaccine and encourage everyone to do so when the opportunity arises.”  He extended appreciation to Granville Healthy Systems and Granville Vance Public Health for all of their hard work during this time.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19 Update: March 4, 2021

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— courtesy of Granville Vance Public Health

There have been 5,263 cases of COVID-19 in Granville County and 4,391 cases of COVID-19 in Vance County for a total of 9,654 across the health district.

Sadly, there have been 76 deaths as a result of COVID-19 in Granville County and 81 deaths in Vance County.

As our focus shifts to vaccine efforts, we will begin reporting updates about the numbers vaccinated in each of our counties. This information, as well as demographic information, can also be found at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/vaccinations.

Vance County

Total Doses Administered: 11,485
First Doses Administered: 7,091
Second Doses Administered: 4,394

Percentage of Population Received 1st Dose: 15.9%
Percentage of Population Received 2nd Dose: 9.9%

 

Granville County

Total Doses Administered: 16,028
First Doses Administered: 10,226
Second Doses Administered: 5,802

Percentage of Population Received 1st Dose: 16.9%
Percentage of Population Received 2nd Dose: 9.6%

We encourage you to visit the NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard. Relevant graphs from these dashboards are available on our website at https://gvph.org/covid-19_dashboard/.

Lisa Harrison, local health director, wrote in email correspondence:

“March is the one-year-mark for this pandemic – this was the first week in 2020 we had a positive case in NC.

“I was asked to speak at a public health class at UNC via zoom this evening and it was helpful reflection time – it’s important to pause, take a deep breath, and share the incredible work happening locally with vaccine distribution on top of the work we have been doing all year long. Public health workforce stories are the best to be able to tell.

“One of the things I shared with the students is how public health work is not ever very predictable. It’s a pretty huge adventure and different each day regardless of pandemic status. But for this year, check out how our last 52 weeks have gone:

“As a team, GVPH has managed A LOT of CHANGE. I’m still blown away by the hard-working people who remain dedicated after this much intense work day in and day out, week in and week out. They continue to impress me and so many others in our community.

“There are a few points we would like you to know as we chart the path forward to the other side:

  • We continue to provide dose 1 and dose 2 vaccine clinics weekly in direct response to the number of doses we receive from the state. Please understand that we receive an email on Thursday each week that tells us how much we will receive the following week, and, barring any bad icy weather issues, we usually receive that shipment in each location on Tuesday each week. Then, we have until the following Monday to ensure every dose is used and accounted for in the COVID Vaccine Management System (CVMS). That means on Friday, we plan for the week ahead and are only at that point able to really determine the need for larger clinics versus smaller clinics, and calculate the staff needed in each location for dose 1 clinics and dose 2 clinics. As much as we LIKE to plan well, this situation doesn’t give us a long runway of planning time each week. We’re moving fast!
  • Larger clinics off site are much more complex to manage because of the supplies, staffing, support, and electronic data entry that must be accomplished for registration and vaccine documentation. It’s MUCH easier to conduct vaccine clinics in our fixed locations in Henderson and Oxford where our materials, staff, and support are all easy-access. We only have larger clinics off-site when we have more vaccine than we can get rid off each day in each location. Eventually, when we have steady, predictable and manageable amounts of vaccine to roll into our other duties, we will be able to take our mobile unit out to places in the two counties for easier access, but for now, the best we are able to manage is clinics in both counties regularly.
  • Now that we have made it through a good portion of Group 1, Group 2, and educators and school staff, we are moving into Group 3 full-force this week and next. (See more details about who qualifies for Group 3 here.)
  • The best way to register for our vaccine clinics is via our hotline at 252-295-1503. We’re hoping to launch an online booking option in the next couple of weeks so you can also check our website at https://gvph.org/covidvaccines/.
  • We have had some excellent assistance from our NC National Guard Team deployed to help NC vaccine efforts and are so grateful for their contributions in vaccine clinics as well as registration on the hotline! Thank you NCNG!
  • We are hosting double-duty (Friday) tomorrow with an all day clinic in Henderson together with Vance County Schools, Maria Parham, and Emergency Management Partners, as well as having another clinic in Granville with our school nurses and volunteers at our usual Friday location. Send our teams lots of energy and hopefully the sun will continue to shine.

“As always, than you for your ongoing support and expressions of kindness. We are all incredibly grateful for community!!!”

Former FCI Butner Correctional Officer Indicted on Bribery and Smuggling Contraband Charges

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Press Release –

A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week, charging a Cameron man with Bribery, Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband into a Prison, and Introducing Contraband.

“Contraband in prisons is one of the greatest threats to both inmates and correctional officers,” stated Acting United States Attorney G. Norman Acker, III. “This indictment seeks to hold a correctional officer who allegedly violated the trust of his peers by conspiring with inmates to introduce contraband to the prison. My office will always prosecute those who endanger lives and disrupt the good order and discipline within our correctional institutions.”

“When correctional officers smuggle contraband into prisons, they jeopardize the safety of the very institutions they are charged with protecting. The OIG is committed to investigating this type of behavior,” said Russell Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Washington Field Office.

According to the indictment, Casey Covington, 45, a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, conspired with three inmates to smuggle cell phones into the prison. Covington is also accused of accepting bribes in exchange for smuggling in the cell phones and other contraband, including marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol.

According to the indictment, inmates Christopher Lee Davis, 36, Antonio Demond Byers, 40, and Robert Henry Huitt, 32, were also each charged with conspiring with Covington and possessing cell phones in prison.

If convicted, Covington faces 15 years in prison, and Davis, Byers, and Huitt each face up to 1 year in prison.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Book Commemorates 275th Anniversary of Granville County

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Granville County observes its 275th anniversary in 2021 and part of the celebration includes the publication of a coffee table commemorative book for sale to the public.

The county’s 275th anniversary planning committee contracted with local author Lewis Bowling to compile information to showcase the history and development of this area. Pre-sale orders are being taken through April 30, said county public information officer Lynn Allred. The price is $49.95, but all pre-sales get a $5 discount.

“I have been gathering new material and have had a good response from folks willing to share their photos and their stories with me,” Bowling said. “I appreciate the community’s help and support.”

Bowling’s book, scheduled for publication by July, will follow Granville County’s journey from its founding until present day, and includes a narrative and photos not yet seen by the public.

Lewis Bowling

Established by an act of the General Assembly of the Colony of North Carolina in 1746, Granville was formed from a portion of Edgecombe County in the northernmost part of the province. Since there was no western border, the County of Granville extended all the way to the Mississippi River. The first settlers here were attracted to the area by the availability of land at a fair price. An early trading path helped make Granville one of the gateways across the Virginia border, according to the press release from the county.

“In all of our 275 years, there has not been a comprehensive book written about Granville County that could serve as a stand-alone work like this,” said the Thornton Library’s North Carolina Room Specialist Mark Pace.

Bowling has already published several books that feature the history of the area, including commemorative works for the City of Oxford’s bicentennial celebration in 2016 and for Camp Butner’s 75th anniversary in 2017.

Order forms are available online at www.granvillecounty.org/275th or through the Granville County Government Administration Office at 141 Williamsboro Street in Oxford. Contact Patrice Wilkerson at 919-603-1308 or at patrice.wilkerson@granvillecounty.org for more details.