Local News - WIZS

Granville Co. Board of Education to Meet This Evening

October 5, 2020/by WIZS Staff

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular Board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 5, 2020, at the Mary Potter Center for Education, 200 Taylor Street in Oxford. Members of the public are invited to view livestream.

To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.

The Board will also meet in Closed Session in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 for Personnel, and Attorney/Client Privilege.

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.

Individuals wishing to participate in public comment may do so in person. Those wishing to speak must provide their name and topic on a sign-up sheet to be posted in front of the Mary Potter Center for Education from 5-6 p.m. on October 5. Comments will be received by the board in the order of sign up and will be limited to no more than five minutes per person. Board Policy 2310 allows for 30 minutes of public comment.

To view the agenda for this meeting, please click here.

Join WIZS Town Talk for Domestic Violence Awareness Month Coverage

October 2, 2020/by Kelly Bondurant

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WIZS’ Town Talk will feature local organizations involved with various aspects of this prevalent type of abuse.

Please join us live at 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com at 11 a.m. to hear discussions with the following scheduled guests:

Monday, October 5 – Vance-Granville Community College

Monday, October 12 – Infinite Possibilities, Inc.

Monday, October 19 – Families Living Violence Free

Thursday, October 22 – Vance County Sheriff’s Office

According to Families Living Violence Free, on average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. Silence and lack of knowledge about these problems play a large part in why domestic and sexual violence continue to persist.

Understanding the warning signs or red flags for domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse is a critical first step in addressing and preventing these crimes.

Please tune in to these informative segments for more information.

New Animal Shelter to Open This Month; Tours Available to Public

October 2, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Granville County Animal Shelter will move to its new location at 515 New Commerce Drive in Oxford the week of October 19 through October 23, 2020. The newly-constructed facility has now passed all inspections and is ready for move-in.

Granville County Animal Management Director Matt Katz has announced that all operations, except for emergency calls regarding animal concerns and welfare, will be suspended for several days during the transition.

The Granville County Animal Shelter will move to its new location at 515 New Commerce Drive in Oxford during the week of October 19 to October 23, 2020. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)

The Animal Shelter will be moving from the site of a former state prison, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, where it operates from several separate buildings. The new facility will allow operations for the Animal Shelter and Animal Control to be located under one roof and doubles its current size from 3,800 to 8,500 square feet.

Additional kennel space will provide housing for 40 to 60 dogs and 40 to 60 cats. The goal is to increase adoptions and to decrease the number of animals euthanized due to space limitations.

“We are pleased to finally have this project completed,” said Granville County Board of Commissioners Chair David T. Smith. “It has been needed for a long time and will serve Granville County residents for many years to come.”

The public is invited for Open House tours the week prior to the move. Dates and times, which will be limited to ten participants per group, will be as follows:

* Saturday, October 10: 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

* Monday, October 12: 3 until 7 p.m.

* Tuesday, October 13: 3 until 7 p.m.

To tour the new facility, please contact the Shelter at (919) 693-6749 to schedule one of the above dates and times, or come by any time during these time slots to be fit into the rotation.

An aerial view of the new Granville County Animal Shelter. (Photo courtesy Bordeaux Construction)

Granville Board of Commissioners to Hold Monthly Meeting Mon., Oct. 5

October 2, 2020/by WIZS Staff

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy the County of Granville

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet remotely by Zoom conference call on Monday, October 5, 2020, at 7 p.m. for the regularly scheduled meeting.

In order to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting may be accessed by utilizing the link and/or phone number included below.

Public comments will be accepted in written format and must be received by Monday, October 5 at 12 p.m. by mail to P.O. Box 906, Oxford, NC 27565 or email to grancomrs@granvillecounty.org

Join Zoom Meeting

https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/j/94560774235?pwd=V2JMQkhXWFEwRDZnMy8rZFhCUE5Edz09

Meeting ID: 945 6077 4235

Passcode: 080408

Dial by your location

888 788 0099 US Toll-free

877 853 5247 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 945 6077 4235

Agenda Items Include:

Moment of Silence

1. In Memory of Commissioner Edgar Smoak

Consent Agenda

2. Contingency Summary
3. Budget Amendment #2
4. Grant Project Ordinance

– Coronavirus Relief Fund Project

– Amendment #1

5. Minutes
6. Resolution for the 2024 County-Wide Revaluation
7. Request to Retain Service Badge
8. Dysautonomia Awareness Month Proclamation

Introductions, Recognitions and Presentations
9. ISO Rate Reductions

Public Comments
10. Public Comments

Public Hearings
11. Public Hearing – Project Oona

Surplus Property
12. Detention Center Surplus Items

Purchasing
13. Dakota 414 Topdresser Purchase for GAP
14. Detention Center Staff Radio Purchase

15. Social Services Computer Refresh Purchase
16. 275th Anniversary Committee Souvenir Book Production

Appointments
17. Agricultural Advisory Board

County Manager’s Report

18. Dominion Energy Memorandum of Understanding
19. School Request for School Capital Contingency

County Attorney’s Report
20. Update on N.C.G.S. 153A-27 Vacancies on the Board of Commissioners

Presentations by County Board Members

21. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

22. Any Other Matters

To view meeting agendas and minutes for the Granville Co. Board of Commissioners, click here.

Owl House Café Named Granville Chamber’s 2019 Small Business of the Year

October 2, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize the 2019 Small Business of the Year, Owl House Café.

The coffee, deli and dessert shop, located at 209 North Main Street in Creedmoor, is owned by Hamza Tebib and Betty Tebib. The business opened in 2017 with three employees and has grown to include five full-time employees.

Owl House Café in Creedmoor was recognized by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce as the 2019 Small Business of the Year. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Chamber of Commerce)

At a Tri-County recognition luncheon, sponsored by Duke Energy, Owl House Café/the Tebibs, were presented with a plaque by Toni Anne Wheeler, Chamber Membership Coordinator, and recognized by the Granville, Franklin and Vance County Chambers of Commerce, as well as Duke Energy and Vance-Granville Community College’s Small Business Center.

Creedmoor Mayor Bobby Wheeler’s nomination included Owl House Café’s participation in “Coffee with a Cop” each month; being an excellent community partner; making bread donations; participating in the Creedmoor Music Festival and Shop with a Cop; as well as providing jobs for the community, supporting the Police Department and the community as a whole.

According to Mayor Wheeler, “This is a small, family-owned business that has survived the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Granville Chamber is appreciative of Owl House Café’s membership, participation and support and is proud to recognize them as the 2019 Small Business of the Year.

Granville Chamber’s 7th Annual Golf Tournament Rescheduled for Oct. 6

October 1, 2020/by WIZS Staff

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s 7^th Annual Golf Tournament, originally scheduled for September 29, 2020, was postponed due to severe weather. The tournament will now be held at Chamber member Henderson Country Club, 300 Country Club Drive in Henderson, on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.

If you have not yet registered and would like to play, there is still room for a few teams.

Both the Chamber and the Henderson Country Club are committed to offering a safe and enjoyable play environment. Thus, there will be a morning and an afternoon round so that a one golfer per golf cart policy may be adhered to during the tournament. There will be eight teams playing in the morning and eight teams playing in the afternoon. Masks and social distancing will be practiced.

Registration for the morning round will begin at 8 a.m. with a boxed lunch provided (at the conclusion of the round completion). Tee time for the morning round will be at 8:30 a.m. Two teams of four players will begin on the first and tenth holes. Twelve (12) minutes later, at 8:42 a.m., a second group will begin on the first and tenth holes, continuing every 12 minutes until all morning teams have begun.

A boxed lunch will be provided for those playing in the afternoon round upon their arrival. The afternoon round will begin at 1:30 p.m., following the same start instructions as the morning round – two teams of four players will begin on the first and tenth holes, four players will begin off the front, and four players will begin off the back. Twelve (12) minutes later, the second group will begin with other groups following the same procedure.

Corporate sponsorships of $450 offer a hole sponsorship and a four-man team. Hole sponsors are $100, and individual players pay $100 to play. All players receive 18 holes of golf w/cart, boxed lunch and concessions. Mulligans and tee busters will be $10 per player.

There will be contests for a 50/50 raffle, closest to the pin challenge, longest drive and hole-in-one shootout. Prizes and participant goodie bags are being provided by local Chamber members.

Volunteers are needed throughout the morning and afternoon of October 6, beginning at 8 a.m., to assist with registration and driving snack/beverage carts. Anyone who is available to volunteer from 8 a.m. until noon and/or 1 until 4:30 p.m. for an hour or two will be appreciated.

Come enjoy the afternoon with golfers and other volunteers for this, the Chamber’ seventh annual golf event.

Please contact the Chamber to play in the tournament or to volunteer – Toni Anne at (919) 528-4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or Wanda at (919) 693-6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com.

VGCC Observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 1, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is presenting activities every Thursday during October as part of the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

VGCC’s Counseling department and Psychology Club are partnering with local domestic violence prevention organizations Families Living Violence Free, Safe Space and Infinite Possibilities, along with mental/behavioral health provider Cardinal Innovations.

The series kicks off on October 1, at 11 a.m., with an online panel discussion featuring representatives of those organizations.

“Domestic Violence is on the rise, and this is another topic that we will not remain silent about,” noted VGCC Counselor/Accessibility Coordinator/Student Assistance Program Coordinator/Title IX investigator Cathy Davis.

This hourlong Zoom session is open to students, faculty, staff and the community. Participants must register in advance for this webinar at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bR5vp7M1QF6bzyF1ldwLLw

On October 8, at 11 a.m., a second online event will feature a video presentation on “Healthy Relationships,” hosted by Safe Space. After watching the video, there will be an opportunity for discussion and questions. Participants must register in advance for this webinar at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sX745OJsSGS_K4aD__s2HQ

On October 15, there will be a drive-through giveaway on each of VGCC’s four campuses, between 12 and 1:30 p.m.

Later in the month, on October 22, students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to wear purple and to use social media to spread positive messages about domestic violence awareness, using the hashtags #ChangeHappensHere and #LoveShouldntHurt.

Finally, on October 29, VGCC students should pay attention to www.vgcc.edu and college social media accounts for information on a “scavenger hunt.”

Davis encourages all students to use the free services of the Student Assistance Program (SAP) if they have domestic violence concerns, in addition to reaching out to their local organizations. More information on the SAP is available at www.vgcc.edu/sap. To seek assistance through the SAP, call 1-800-633-3353.

For more information, contact Cathy Davis at davisc@vgcc.edu or (252) 226-9547.

NC to Move Into Phase 3 on Friday

September 30, 2020/by WIZS Staff

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

North Carolina will cautiously ease some restrictions while continuing safety measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 as the state’s metrics remained stable in September, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

“Our top priority remains getting children back to in-person learning. This month marks a major shift for many families now and in the coming months as schools open their doors, some for the first time since the pandemic,” said Governor Cooper. “The virus continues to spread, so we must take the next steps methodically, and responsibly.”

“We must continue our hard work to slow the spread of this virus,” said Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “By practicing the 3Ws — wear, wait and wash, — getting your flu shot, and downloading the SlowCOVIDNC app, each of us can protect the progress we have made.”

Dr. Cohen reviewed the state’s key metrics:

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness has a slight increase.

Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases is level.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is level.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is level.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.

No-cost testing events are being deployed across the state and testing turnaround times are improving. New contact tracers are bolstering the efforts of local health departments. A new NCDHHS app, SlowCOVIDNC, is notifying users of exposure to the virus. Personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.

As these metrics and capacity remain stable, the state will ease some restrictions starting Friday. Executive Order 169 begins Oct. 2, 2020, at 5 p.m. and continues for three weeks through October 23. Its new provisions include:

Large outdoor venues with seating greater than 10,000 may operate with 7% occupancy for spectators.
Smaller outdoor entertainment venues, like arenas or amphitheaters, may operate outdoors at 30% of outdoor capacity, or 100 guests, whichever is less.
Movie theaters and conference centers may open indoor spaces to 30% of capacity, or 100 guests, whichever is less.
Bars may operate outdoors at 30% of outdoor capacity, or 100 guests, whichever is less.
Amusement parks may open at 30% occupancy, outdoor attractions only.
The limits on mass gatherings will remain at 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
The 11 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales for in-person consumption in locations such as restaurants and outdoor bars will be extended to October 23.

State and public health officials will continue watching the key COVID-19 trends over the next several weeks to determine if any further restrictions can be eased when the current Executive Order expires on October 23.

Read Executive Order 169.

Read the FAQs on Executive Order 169.

Read the slides from today’s briefing.

City of Oxford’s Halloween House Decoration Contest Begins Oct. 1

September 30, 2020/by WIZS Staff

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy the City of Oxford

The City of Oxford will accept nominations for its Halloween House Decoration Contest October 1-27, 2020. Get together with the family, brainstorm ideas and start decorating!

The winner of the contest will receive a Halloween-themed “candy bucket” filled with goodies.

Questions and nominations can be made through the City of Oxford’s Facebook page, by emailing socialmedia@oxfordnc.org or by calling (919) 603-1102.

F-G-V-W Opportunity Holding COVID-19 Awareness T-Shirt Design Contest

September 30, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department

Franklin-Granville-Vance-Warren Opportunity presents a COVID-19 Awareness T-Shirt Design Contest for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Students must live in Franklin, Granville, Vance or Warren County to be eligible.

Participants are asked to design a t-shirt with a message that will encourage more individuals (youth in particular) to wear masks, wash their hands, stay six feet apart and get tested if exposed.

Prize categories include elementary school (K – 5th grade), middle school (6th – 8th grade) and high school (9th – 12th grade).

Prizes:

Grand Prize: PS4 Gaming System

First Place: $100

Second Place: $50

Third Place: $25

Each first-place winner’s school will also receive $200.

Rules:

Complete Student Entry Form (click here). Please fill out the entry form completely.
Artwork should express the importance of wearing a mask, washing hands, etc.
Must include a catchphrase for artwork (ex. Be safe, Wear your mask, etc.).
Clearly label your artwork on the back with the student’s name, school name and grade level.
Securely attach entry form to artwork.
No frames.
No multidimensional work.
Artwork size should be no larger than 8.5 x 11.
Entries should be a drawing or a painting done in pencil, markers, colored pencils or acrylic.

Submission Deadline:

All submissions must be postmarked by Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Mail completed entry form and artwork to:

Franklin-Granville-Vance-Warren Opportunity

COVID-19 Awareness Art Contest C/O Felecia Coleman

PO Box 1453

Henderson, NC 27536