Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Hold Regular Monthly Meeting Tues., Sept. 8

/by

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 Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 7 p.m. for the regularly scheduled meeting.

In order to adhere to the 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 September 8 at 12 p.m. by mail to P.O. Box 906, Oxford, NC 27565 or email at grancomrs@granvillecounty.org

To Join Zoom Meeting:

https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/j/95601911408?pwd=SWhwVW5yeTRSRndCYTUrdERJRHVrUT09

Meeting ID: 956 0191 1408

Passcode: 593969

Dial by your location

877 853 5247 US Toll-free

888 788 0099 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 956 0191 1408

Find your local number: https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/u/acrItghDaB

Agenda Items Include:

Consent Agenda

1. Contingency Summary

2. Budget Amendment #1

3. Minutes

4. Refunds – Releases and Write-offs for July 2020

Introductions, Recognitions and Presentations

5. Introduction of Human Resources Director and Assistant County Manager

Public Comments

6. Public Comments

Tax Matters

7. Department of Revenue Recommendation

Emergency Services Matters

8. Resolution of Adoption of EOP Rewrite

Solid Waste Matters

9. Environmental Programs Annual Engineering Agreement

Surplus Property

10. Surplus Vehicles

Purchasing

11. Emergency Communications – Netclock Purchase

12. Emergency Communications – Radio Maintenance Contract

13. Granville County Law Enforcement & Detention Center Service Contract – Preventative Maintenance of HVAC Systems

14. Granville County Law Enforcement & Detention Center Service Contract – Landscaping Maintenance

15. Granville County Law Enforcement & Detention Center Owner Requested Changes

16. Granville County MSW Landfill – Oxford Scale House New Construction

17. Granville Vance Health Department Renovation & Alterations

Appointments

18. Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ Advisory Council on Aging

County Manager’s Report

19. Information Item – Census

20. Emergency Response Program

County Attorney’s Report

21. Property Acquisition

22. District 5 Vacancy

Presentations by County Board Members

23. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

24. Any Other Matters

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

VCRFM Memorial Garden

Join N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Weekly Online Garden Chat

/by

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

-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension

The local offices of N.C. Cooperative Extension will host a weekly online Garden Chat beginning Thursday, September 10, 2020. The public is invited to join Master Gardener℠ volunteers from the surrounding area each Thursday afternoon for a fun and engaging conversation about timely garden topics.

Each session begins at 2 p.m. and will feature an informative presentation on subjects such as plants for fall color, sustainable landscaping, selecting groundcovers and fighting fire ants. Seasonal gardening tips and helpful web resources will also be shared.

These interactive sessions will last about 45 minutes and will include time for participants to get questions answered about their own gardening challenges. The Garden Chats are hosted by the Master Gardener volunteers of Warren, Vance, Granville and Person Counties.

Registration is required to obtain access to these online sessions, and complete details are posted at http://go.ncsu.edu/mastergardenerchat or by calling (252) 438-8188 or (919) 603-1350.

VGCC Logo

VGCC Advances the Virtual Classroom through Proven Faculty Development

/by

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

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) have partnered to advance the success and equitable outcomes for students in VGCC’s four-county service area. The college is the first community college in North Carolina to partner with ACUE to offer its nationally-recognized faculty development program in evidence-based teaching practices for online instruction.

Numerous and independently validated efficacy studies confirm that students are more engaged, learn more, and complete courses in greater numbers—more equitably with their peers—when taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty.

In September, about 75 VGCC faculty will begin their professional learning experience in ACUE’s microcredential courses in Designing Student-Centered Courses, Promoting Active Learning Online, and Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Online Learning Environment—enhancing the college’s teaching and learning efforts.

“In these ACUE microcredential courses, faculty will experience a proven learning design that not only provides foundational knowledge but also enables faculty to have an immediate impact on their virtual classrooms by implementing, reflecting upon and refining evidence-based teaching practices based on peer and expert feedback,” said Petra Kohlmann, partnership director, ACUE.

Faculty who satisfy course requirements will earn microcredential credit toward ACUE’s Certificate in Effective College Instruction, which is the only nationally-recognized college teaching credential endorsed by the American Council on Education.

“We are pleased to begin this partnership with ACUE and view this as an investment in our faculty to the ultimate benefit to our students. VGCC is committed to supporting excellent teaching and learning for the benefit of all students, and research has demonstrated the implementation of evidence-based teaching practices can improve student achievement and close equity gaps,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of VGCC.

“As VGCC faculty members and co-facilitators of the ACUE courses that will be offered this fall, we look forward to strengthening our educational practices with what we will be learning. It is beneficial for us as faculty to continuously learn and grow and these courses are great opportunities for doing this. Students will benefit from what we learn because we will be implementing specific strategies in our online classes both this semester and for future semesters. The overall goal is for every student to have an exceptional educational experience at VGCC,” said Dr. Erica Jastrow, department chair of nursing/co-facilitator and Tammy Ball, online retention specialist and instructor of medical office administration at VGCC.

“The quality of online instruction is critical to the success of our student population. Our college has amazingly talented faculty who believe in quality teaching, learning, student success, and equity. We are pleased that our new partnership with ACUE will help us to build upon the transformative student success work being done at the college by faculty and staff,” said Dr. Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement and success at VGCC.

GVPH Diabetes Prevention

GVPH Offers Pre-Diabetes Screening, New Diabetes Prevention Class

/by

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

-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

Granville Vance Public Health will kick off its Diabetes Prevention Program with a pre-diabetes screener and Diabetes Prevention class on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.

The new Diabetes Prevention class will be held at Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford, NC. The class will be limited to ten to ensure social distancing guidelines are met. For those uncomfortable with attending in person, a virtual option will be offered.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. To determine if you are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes and qualify for the class, take the pre-diabetes screener at https://.surveymonkey.com/r/3VPHQK2.

For more information on GVPH’s Diabetes Prevention Program, please contact regional coordinator and lifestyle coach Ashton Johnson at (919) 690-2114 or ajohnson@gvdhd.org.

 

Trick or Treat

Downtown Oxford Candy Stroll Canceled; City Recommends No Neighborhood Trick-or-Treat

/by

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

-Information courtesy the City of Oxford

In light of current COVID-19 conditions, the anticipated Halloween Spooktacular Candy Stroll, hosted by the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Commission, has been canceled for 2020.

Additionally, the City of Oxford is recommending the “community-wide/neighborhood” Halloween candy distribution not take place for 2020.

If you have any questions, please call (919) 603-1164.

Adopt a Pet

Animal Shelter Partners With ‘Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com’

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County Animal Management announces a newly-formed partnership that will provide a safe and structured way to match pets with new homes. “Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com” is a free service to help guide pet owners through the adoption process when they can no longer keep or care for their pets.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic comes a whole new set of challenges regarding pets,” said Granville County Animal Management Director Matthew Katz. “There are families with emergency needs such as having to move, care for sick loved ones and other issues that have changed their daily lives. This online resource will allow those who need assistance to select the best potential adopters for the pets they care about.”

The process is simple, Katz explains, with four easy steps:

  1. Pet owners create a profile to have their pets posted on Adopt-a-Pet.com;
  2. Applications of potential adopters will be made available for review;
  3. The Rehome team will help guide pet owners through the process of setting up safe and pressure-free meetings with the applicants they choose, and
  4. An adoption contract, provided through Rehome, will finalize and protect the transfer of pet ownership.

“This is a simpler and much safer option for everyone involved,” Katz adds. “The best setting for a pet to be adopted is from their own home.”

Not only will this partnership assist pet owners with rehoming their pets, but it will also help reduce the number of animals surrendered to the Granville County Animal Shelter, which has adjusted its operating hours and guidelines for public visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Shelter, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, has limited space as it makes plans to move to its new facility on New Commerce Drive later this month. The online resource will continue to be available even after the transition as residents continue to face new challenges.

This online rehoming service is available at no charge through Adopt-a-Pet.com. A link to this resource is available through the Granville County Government website at www.granvillecounty.org.

To learn more about this pet re-homing resource, please contact the Granville County Animal Shelter at (919) 693-6749.

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

‘Open for Business’ Loan Opportunity Available for Small Businesses Affected by COVID

/by

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

-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments 

Many small and local businesses in the Kerr-Tar Region have been negatively affected by COVID-19. In an effort to provide support to those businesses, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is rolling out the Open for Business Loan Program.

This loan program is designed to help small to medium size businesses recover from the economic effects of this pandemic.

The Open for Business Loan is a non-forgivable interest-free loan, ranging from $10,000 – $100,000. Eligible borrowers are small to medium size (1-99 employees) businesses who have been in business for at least 12 months and must be located in Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance or Warren counties.

Documentation providing evidence of a loss of revenue since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is required. All loans will require a personal guarantee and additional collateral. Funds can only be used for working capital and/or equipment and require an application fee of $200. Standard loan terms of 5 to 10 years.

The Open for Business Loan Program is locally administered and funded by the US Department of Commerce and Economic Development Administration with funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

To apply, visit www.kerrtarcog.org and click on the “Open for Business Loan” tab. Applications are available on the Kerr-Tar COG website at www.kerrtarcog.org or by calling Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments at (252) 436-2040. Applications should be completed as soon as possible as funding is limited.

Granville Co Sheriff

Sheriff Noblin Offers Tips for Safe Labor Day Holiday

/by

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

-Press Release, Granville County Government

With the approach of the Labor Day weekend, Granville County Sheriff Charles R. Noblin, Jr. asks all residents to join him in making this Labor Day holiday a safe one.

Traditionally during the Labor Day holiday, our highways experience one of the highest traffic flows of the year as families travel for the three-day weekend. The Sheriff reminds everyone to follow these safe driving tips when on the road:

  • Always shift attention every few seconds, constantly scanning the road ahead and behind. Never stare blankly ahead or fix your gaze on one point on the road.
  • When passing a vehicle, always glance at the ground beside the front wheel of the car you intend to pass. That way, you will know instantly if the car is about to veer, giving you an extra few seconds to respond.
  • Also when passing, pull out into the opposite lane of traffic while you are still well behind the car in front. This should give you some time and space to build up speed, and will enable you to pull back into your own lane, should the need arise.
  • Never cut abruptly out of your lane into the opposite lane. Always signal your intentions with your brake lights, turn signals, horn and/or headlights so that other drivers will see you well before you change course.
  • Always “aim high” in steering, glancing frequently at points well ahead. Not only will this help in steering, but will also help check the position of vehicles in front, as well as oncoming traffic.
  • Never follow too close. Remember that, as speed increases, it takes substantially longer to stop. Also, remember that it’s good to have an extra cushion of space in front if you are being tailgated, on a slippery road, or in low visibility conditions.

“I would like to remind all drivers to also practice the ‘Golden Rule’ when driving,” Sheriff Noblin said. “Be courteous and tolerant of other drivers. Let’s make this Labor Day weekend a safe one on our roads.”

The Granville County Sheriff’s Office is now open in their new location at 525 New Commerce Drive in Oxford, in the newly-constructed Law Enforcement Center. For any questions or for more information, their phone number remains the same at (919) 693-3213, or you can send emails to granville.sheriff@granvillecounty.org.

NC Governor Logo

North Carolina to Move Into Phase 2.5

/by

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

-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper today announced that after a summer of hard work to slow the spread of COVID-19, North Carolina will take a modest step forward move into Phase 2.5 starting this Friday, September 4, 2020, at 5 p.m.

Phase 2.5 means the following for North Carolina:

  • Mass gathering limits will increase to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors from the current limit of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.
  • Playgrounds may open.
  • Museums and aquariums may open at 50% capacity.
  • Gyms and indoor exercise facilities, such as yoga studios, martial arts, and rock climbing, as well as skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor basketball, volleyball, etc., may open at 30% capacity.
  • Bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, indoor entertainment facilities, amusement parks, dance halls will remain closed.
  • Large venues remain subject to the mass gathering limits.

In addition, NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen issued a Secretarial Order allowing for outdoor visitation at nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities. To participate, nursing homes must meet several requirements, including, but not limited to, not having a current outbreak, having a testing plan and updated written Infection Control or Preparedness plan for COVID-19, and having adequate personal protective equipment.

The Secretarial Order is effective as of September 4, 2020, at 5 p.m. and remains in effect through September 22, 2020.

“Safer at Home Phase 2.5 continues our state’s dimmer switch approach to easing some restrictions,” said Governor Cooper. “We can do this safely only if we keep doing what we know works — wearing masks and social distancing. In fact, a new phase is exactly when we need to take this virus even more seriously.”

Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared an update on North Carolina’s data trends. Dr. Cohen explained that North Carolina has seen stability in our key metrics.

“As we take modest steps forward today, it’s important to remember that moving forward doesn’t mean letting up on slowing the spread of the virus. Our progress is fragile and we need to maintain focus on the 3Ws especially as we head into flu season,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, MD.

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

  • North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness continues to decline.

Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

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

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

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

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is declining.

Although these numbers are still stable or declining, they remain high. In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to prevent virus spread. These areas include:

Laboratory Testing

  • The state continues to have testing capacity and lab turnaround times are averaging two days. However, fewer people are getting tested. Anyone who has symptoms or has been exposed should get tested. There are supports available to help people who may face challenges in being able to miss work or safely stay home.

Tracing Capability

  • The state continues hiring contact tracers to bolster the efforts of local health departments.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.

Mask mandates and other prevention methods remain in effect and are even more important to contain the virus, Cooper said. Read the Executive Order here.

State Highway Patrol

Labor Day Weekend Marks the Launch of Highway Patrol’s Impaired Driving Initiative

/by

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

-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Public Safety

As Labor Day fast approaches, increased congestion across the state is expected as motorists travel to their intended vacation destinations. With this in mind, the State Highway Patrol is stressing the importance of sober driving throughout the holiday weekend.

Combining forces with the Governor’s Highway Safety Program and more than 500 law enforcement organizations statewide, the SHP is participating in the GHSP’s Booze It & Lose It campaign. Troopers throughout the two-week initiative will focus on multiple motor vehicle violations such as excessive speeding, aggressive driving and driving while distracted. A special emphasis will also be placed on removing impaired motorists, attempting to prevent needless collisions from occurring.

“Removing impaired drivers before they harm themselves or someone else is among our highest priorities throughout the holiday weekend,” said Colonel Glenn McNeill, Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Ensuring safe travel is a shared responsibility among both law enforcement and those who travel across our great state.”

Last year, the SHP responded to more than 1,351 collisions throughout the Labor Day weekend. Among those collisions, 402 resulted in an injury and 12 resulted in one or more fatalities. Ninety-four collisions within the same time frame occurred due to impairment of either alcohol or drugs.

Motorists can assist in reducing needless collisions by following the provided suggestions:

  • Plan ahead by ensuring a designated driver has been selected.
  • Use a ride-sharing service if no designated driver is available.
  • Prepare for delays by choosing alternate routes.
  • Monitor speed limits and avoid driving distracted.
  • Increase following distances.

The Booze It & Lose It campaign began Monday, August 31 and will conclude on Sunday, September 13, 2020.