Oxford Water/Sewer Improvements and Adjusting to get the Big Bucks to do It

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Some residents of Oxford may be annoyed at the rat-a-tat of jackhammers as they chew up sidewalks or asphalt. Others may grimace when they see the ‘Road Work Ahead’ sign marking street construction. But these sights and sounds also are the marks of progress on the city’s infrastructure improvement plan.

In an effort to keep the public informed about what work is going on where, the City of Oxford has begun sending out monthly updates to outline where crews will be working.

Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent said the idea arose from a town commissioner planning retreat. “It was a simple desire to be more effective at letting people know where work will be happening,” she said in an interview Monday. People want to know, Sergent said, where the work is being done and how long it’s going to take to complete.

The “where” is easy; it’s the “how long” that is less certain, she said.

The improvements are being made as part of a long-range comprehensive improvement plan to make upgrades to the water and sewer infrastructure. Grants and no-interest loans through the 2015 Connect NC bond legislation were available, but the city first had to adjust its water/sewer rates to qualify. Long story short, Sergent said, in the five years since, the city has gotten $50 million – $10 million in grants and more than $25 million in 0-interest loans.

This is a huge undertaking,” Sergent noted. “I am incredibly proud of what we’re doing,” but added that it certainly is not “glamorous.”

Visit www.oxfordnc.org/community/comprehensive_plans_projects.php to learn more. Call 919.603.1100 with questions or concerns.

TownTalk 03-16-2021; Angela Allen, Granville Co. Tourism March and Spring Events

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TownTalk guest Angela Allen, Granville Co. tourism director, described multiple events starting this week and weekend and into the spring.

With spring and Easter in the air and more and more people wanting to get out of the house, Allen listed off events for children and adults, including the upcoming bridal tour which still has availability.  Four venues will be featured, with tours included.  Granville Brides on Wheels on Eventbrite will get you signed up or visit www.brides-on-wheels.com.

Check out the Cedar Creek Gallery Glass Egg Fundraiser March 16 to March 26 in Creedmoor.  All proceeds go to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.  There are prizes including raffles for 55 blown glass eggs and the event is available online as well.

The Spring Fling Maker’s Market Food Truck Rodeo happens this weekend on Saturday (March 20th) from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. in Oxford.

An inaugural Children’s Easter Egg Hunt will take place Saturday (March 20th) at Vino Oasi in Stem.

Carlee Farm presents the Spring Marketplace Sunday in Oxford.

A full listing of events in Granville County can be seen online at https://visitgranvillenc.com/whats-happening/.

For complete details and audio of Angela Allen click play.

(Granville Tourism is a paying advertising client of WIZS. This text, radio show and resulting podcast is not a paid ad.)

Local Covid Update; Granville Vance Public Health Vaccine Hotline Reminder

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— written from information provided by Lisa Harrison, director Granville Vance Public Health.  The information was provided March 10, but this article was not written or published until March 11.

Since the pandemic began, Vance County has seen 4,450 positive test results, and Granville County has seen 5,341.

As a result of covid, 82 have died from Vance County, and 76 have died from Granville County.

Over 11,500 have died from North Carolina, and 1,075 are presently hospitalized.

Local Health Director Lisa Harrison indicated, “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.”

In Vance County, 8,328 first doses of vaccine have been administered, and 4,865 second shots have been provided.  With that, 18.7 percent of the populations is at least partially vaccinated, and 10.9 percent is fully vaccinated.

In Granville County, 11,280 first doses have been given along with 6,635 second doses.  That means 18.7 percent has been at least partially vaccinated with 11 percent being fully vaccinated.

Harrison said, “We will deliver over 1,400 first doses this week and over 1,200 second doses. We are making great progress vaccinating our frontline essential workers! As a reminder, if you believe you may be eligible for a vaccine, please call our hotline to book an appointment.”

The health director is encouraging strength and courage through this transformative journey, and she said, “Thank you public health warriors (in this building and outside it)!!! You’re winning this battle. You’re doing hard things. You’re fighting disease and protecting health and life. Keep it up!!”

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.