A Discussion for Awareness

‘A Discussion For Awareness’ to be Held at Creedmoor City Hall – June 18

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-Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce

“A Discussion For Awareness” will be held at City Hall in Creedmoor, NC, 111 Masonic St., on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 6 p.m.

The public is welcome to join the meeting to advocate for equality and to dismantle racial injustices in the United States.

Speakers will include influential members of the Creedmoor community. Facial masks and social distancing are required.

For more information, please contact thelma.mungo@gmail.com.

J.F. Webb Merger

JF Webb, School of Health & Life Sciences to Merge Into Single High School

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

This past week, the final graduating class of JF Webb School of Health and Life Sciences walked across the stage. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, the school will merge into a single high school on the campus.

While this marks the closing of one school, it signals the dramatic transformation of the entire school campus. JF Webb High School will begin the next academic year with the school’s focus and organization redesigned, to what will be known moving forward as, “The Warrior Way.”

The Warrior Way school redesign will keep all course offerings and special programs associated with the School of Health and Life Sciences and offer an additional NEW focus on providing students the opportunity to earn college credits through VGCC.

Much like an Early College program, students at JF Webb will be provided a streamlined track for dual enrollment at the college’s main campus just seven miles away. The school will offer special guidance and counseling to provide students the opportunity to earn enough credits to graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree.

Students will also have the opportunity to earn other specialty degrees and certificates related to a variety of careers. All of this will be provided at no cost to families – textbooks and tuition will all be included. The school is also in the process of planning regular shuttle service to and from JF Webb and the VGCC main campus on a daily basis.

JF Webb Principal Amy Rice offered her comments, saying “Warrior pride runs deep in our community. I am super excited about the changes going on at our school. The Warrior Way provides clear pathways forward for every student, no matter their interest. However, one thing all pathways have in common is a focus on post-secondary education. Every graduate from our school will have a clear advantage in moving on to the next step in their life’s plan. Whether it be a career in the world of biomedical sciences as a scientist or medical professional, a leadership position in business or industry, a well-paid job in one of the countless skilled trades, or service in the military, JF Webb is the place to launch those plans. The school has an amazing history and an even brighter future. If you haven’t checked us out lately, it’s time to give us another look.”

In addition to the restructuring of the school’s organization, the community will also notice significant upgrades and improvements to the physical campus as well.

To learn more about how you or your child can become part of the Warrior Way, reach out to Principal Rice ricea@gcs.k12.nc.us today.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

COVID-19 Update: 1,116 Known Cases in GVPH District to Date

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

As of June 15, 2020, there are 698 known COVID-19 cases in Granville County, 418 cases in Vance County, and 45,102 confirmed cases in North Carolina.

There are two outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Granville County at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, NC and Murdoch Development Center in Butner, NC. Of the cases in Granville County, 393 are associated with the prisons and five are associated with Murdoch.

Of the 393 cases in the prison system, 87 have been released from isolation and one individual with Murdoch has been released from isolation.

Of the 300 community-based cases in Granville County, 135 have been released from isolation and nine are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 16 deaths in Granville County, 15 of whom were with the Bureau of Prisons.

There are three outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Vance County: Pelican Health in Henderson, NC, Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson, NC, and Senior Citizens Home in Henderson, NC. Fifty-eight of the cases in Vance County are associated with Pelican Health nursing home, 41 are associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, and two are associated with Senior Citizens Home.

Of the 101 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 41 have been released from isolation.

Of the 317 community-based cases in Vance County, 141 have been released from isolation.

Seven individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 32 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with Pelican Health and eight of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home.

GVPH updates its website daily at approximately 5 p.m. with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

GVPH also emails updates about COVID-19 in Granville and Vance counties each evening. You can sign up to receive these emails at www.gvph.org/covid-19.

JF Webb High School Hires Lamont Robinson as Head Football Coach

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

JF Webb High School recently announced the hiring of its new high school football coach, Mr. Lamont Robinson. A Washington D.C. native, Lamont Robinson played high school football at H.D. Woodson High School, before he transferred his junior year to Duval High School in Lanham, MD.

JF Webb High School recently announced the hiring of its new high school football coach, Mr. Lamont Robinson. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

After his high school graduation, Coach Robinson served two years in the United States Navy. He was stationed on the USS Eisenhower based out of Norfolk, VA, and he served in the Aviation Fuels Division. After completing his military obligation, Coach Robinson enrolled in Prince George’s Community College and then transferred to Salisbury University where he majored in English and Education. At SU, Coach Robinson was a four-year letterman on the Seagulls football team.

After his college graduation, he became a teacher and head junior varsity football coach at Amelia County High School in Amelia, VA. Since then, Coach Robinson has served in a variety of coaching roles in North Carolina, including Saint Augustine’s College, S.E. Raleigh High School, Riverside High School and Warren County.

In 2008, Coach Robinson also became the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Phoenix, a member of the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL). Lamont Robinson will be entering his twentieth year as a football coach this season.

Coach Robinson is excited about the opportunity to become the head football coach at J.F. Webb High School. Coach Robinson is also a father of a 12-year-old son, Mason Robinson.

JF Webb High School Principal Amy Rice offered her remarks, stating, “We are so excited to welcome Coach Robinson to the Warrior family. We look forward to the leadership he will provide our students on and off the field. We anticipate many successful seasons with him in this role.”

Granville Co Sheriff

School Resource Officers Give Back to Community

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Granville County Government

Over the last three months, School Resource Officers (SRO’s) of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office have been providing assistance to local food pantries and area churches during the Covid-19 pandemic, packing, distributing and delivering more than 500,000 pounds of food to those in need. 

Those receiving assistance by Granville County’s School Resource Officers include the following locations, with food distribution totals reported through these efforts:

  • Area Congregations in Ministry (ACIM) – 325,817 pounds of food, which included 522 Senior Boxes (Commodity Supplemental Food Program for Seniors) and 815 family boxes (Food Bank COVID Relief Boxes);
  • Pleasant Grove Baptist Church – 2,500 cases (average 40 lbs. a box), totaling 100,000 pounds;
  • Delrayno Baptist Church – 2,500 cases (average 40 lbs. a box) totaling 100,000 pounds; and
  • FBC Food Bank, Creedmoor – 279 families served.

In addition, more than 24,000 boxes of breakfast, lunch and snacks through the BackPack Buddies program were delivered over a six-day period.

“Many of the volunteers we normally count on were not able to leave their homes due to the Stay At Home Order,” said Sue Hinman, Executive Director of ACIM. “If the SROs had not been there, we would not have been able to provide food to the many people who needed us. We truly appreciate their support and their help when we needed it most.”

The Granville County Sheriff’s Office has nine (9) School Resource Officers on staff. Following North Carolina school closure mandates – due to the COVID-19 pandemic – these SRO’s have assisted with food distribution since mid-March, making additional connections with families all over the county. 

“Every single SRO was a part of this effort,” Chief Deputy Sherwood Boyd remarked. “The kids all know that our SRO’s are there to help, and now their parents do, too. We were proud to have assisted our community in this way, helping meet the needs of our residents.”

Granville County Public Schools

School Re-Entry Plans Topic of Today’s Granville Board of Education Meeting

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a Special Meeting on Monday, June 15, 2020, at 4 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Board of Education to receive updated information on school re-entry plans, updated budget information and other learning options for the upcoming school year.

However, in observance of the Governor’s “Stay-at-Home” Orders, this meeting will be conducted electronically, with members of the public invited to view the live stream. To join the live stream meeting, please use the following link:

https://live.myvrspot.com/player?udi=Z3Nj&c=Z3JhbnZpbGxlMQ%3D%3D

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.

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

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Hold Regular June 15 Meeting Via Zoom

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet remotely by Zoom conference call on Monday, June 15, 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 Monday, June 15 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/95965652266?pwd=ZU5yd3Y0Y3dESGtWUVVPS2J5QksvQT09

Meeting ID: 959 6565 2266

Password: 252302

Dial by your location

877 853 5247 US Toll-free

888 788 0099 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 959 6565 2266

Find your local number: https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/u/adCuS6IvaN

Agenda:

Consent Agenda

1. Contingency Summary

2. Budget Amendment #9

3. Refunds-Releases and Write-offs for May 2020

Public Comments

4. Public Comments

Grant Matters

5. Home & Community Care Block Grant

6. JCPC County Plan and Membership List for FY 2020-2021

Purchasing

7. Emergency Communications Phone Relocation

8. Emergency Communications Radio Relocation

Budget Matters

9. Budget Discussion and Deliberation

Appointments

10. Granville County Library System Board of Trustees

11. Human Relations Commission

12. Research Triangle Regional Partnership Board of Directors

13. Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board

14. Granville County Planning Board

County Manager’s Report

15. County Manager’s Report

County Attorney’s Report

16. Sale of Property

17. County Attorney’s Report

Presentations by County Board Members

18. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

19. Any Other Matters

To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here.

Oxford Police Dept

Oxford Police Dept. Makes Arrests in Recent Murder, Attempted Murder Cases

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-Information courtesy Oxford Police Department, NC

On June 10, 2020, Oxford Police Department Investigators arrested Darryl Lee Bumpass, Jr. for the murder of 19-year-old Kennedy Ashlynd Sloan. Kennedy Sloan was killed on the evening of May 31, 2020.

While traveling in her red 2018 Honda Accord in the 600 block of Raleigh St in Oxford, Kennedy Sloan suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

Darryl Lee Bumpass, Jr. was charged with second-degree murder and is incarcerated at the Granville County Jail and is currently being held under no bond.

Any person(s) having any information about this murder is asked to please contact Detective Gina Chappell at 919-693-3161 or the Granville County Crime Stoppers at 919-693-3100. Persons calling to give information do not have to disclose their identity.

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On June 10, 2020, Cedric Williams was arrested on a warrant that was obtained on May 19, 2020, for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury.

Detective G. Chappell with the Oxford Police Department obtained a warrant on Cedric Williams after the May 18 shooting at Lake Devin in Oxford where the victim, Trayvon Bradford, was shot by Cedric Williams.

Cedric Williams was arrested and served with the warrant and was given a $90,000.00 secured bond.

Cedric Williams is incarcerated at the Vance County Jail.

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On June 11, 2020, Abdul Malik Harris, age 27, was arrested by units with Oxford Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.

Harris was arrested in reference to outstanding warrants from the Henderson Police Department for 1st Degree Murder and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Harris is being held without bond.

Granville Library’s ‘Imagine Your Story’ Summer Reading Program Kicks Off June 13

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Although facilities for the Granville County Library System (Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall and Berea) are temporarily closed to the public, the Summer Reading Program will kick off on June 13, 2020, with activities for children, teens and adults.

This year’s theme, “Imagine Your Story,” will engage readers of all ages with reading rewards, scheduled performances, storytimes and fun-filled activities that will keep the focus on reading adventures all summer long through online connections, printed activity packets and reading logs.

Kids up to grade 6 can register for the summer reading program by completing a registration form and a reading log, either in paper form or online. Those choosing to participate using a printed reading log can color in one book for every 15 minutes that they read. Once one hour of reading has been completed (four coloring books), the reading log can be traded for a prize.

If choosing an online reading log, participants can log in the number of minutes read, with every 15 minutes earning 250 points. When 2,000 points are logged in, young readers can claim a prize from their local library.

Teens (students in grades 6 through 12) can also register. For every 500 pages read, their name will be placed into a drawing for a themed prize basket – and every time a book is completed, participants can earn a food-related coupon.

Adults are also invited to participate, with a goal of reaching 20,000 points by the end of the summer. Rewards such as fun bookmarks, $1.00 fine forgiveness, or a free book through the Friends of the Library can be redeemed, as well as winning a raffle ticket for one of ten grand prizes. 

As an additional challenge, participants can check off a list of extra activities such as taking a nature walk, conducting a science experiment, researching a famous inventor, watching the stars, etc. to earn even more prizes through the “Imagine Your Story” experience.

The Summer Reading Program schedule also includes “Maker Mondays” each week at 11 a.m., Story Times with Miss Amy (Amy Carlson and Amy Kemp) on Mondays at 2 p.m., and the “Book Wizards Club” for older elementary and middle school students each Thursday at 11 a.m. 

Special performances will be held each Thursday at 2 p.m. and include Native American storyteller Ryan Stanley of the Lumbee Indian Tribe on June 18; North Carolina Park Rangers on June 25; “Rags to Riches” on July 16;  and the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences on July 23. 

The summer reading program extends through August 7. (Please note that all programming may be altered at any time due to statewide COVID-19 requirements and regulations.)

Visit the Granville County Library System website at https://granville.lib.nc.us to learn more about “Imagine Your Story” and each scheduled event. For questions, contact Amy Carlson at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford (919-693-1121 or amy.carlson@granvillecounty.org) or Amy Kemp at the South Branch Library in Creedmoor (919-528-1752 or amy.kemp@granvillecounty.org).

U.S. Department of Justice

Butner Federal Inmate Sentenced to 30 Months for Weapons Possession

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

An inmate housed at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina (“FCC Butner”) was sentenced yesterday to 30 months of incarceration for possessing weapons inside the federal prison.

According to court documents, Gerald Wayne Timms, 59, was found by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) staff to be in possession of multiple homemade sharpened objects on two separate occasions in May 2019 and again in September 2019.

BOP staff found the weapons inside Timms’ assigned cell during routine searches. Timms was charged by way of a two-count indictment for violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1791, possession of contraband in prison. On February 19, 2020, a jury found Timms guilty of both counts. Timms received 30 months on each count to be served concurrently.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. BOP Special Investigative Services investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mallory Brooks Storus, Genna D. Petre, and Michael Bredenberg prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the U.S. Department of Justice’s website. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00428-FL.