Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Announces Feb. Events Sure to Educate, Entertain!

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-Press Release, Granville County Government 

NEED ASSISTANCE WITH TAXES? If you are a senior age 60+ and a Granville County resident, representatives of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program are now available at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Volunteers will be on hand from 5 until 8 p.m. each Thursday until April 9 for this free assistance program. Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, contact the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford at 919-693-1930.

LINE DANCING IS BACK at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Classes are offered each Saturday during the month of February through the Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program and are scheduled for 10 and 11 a.m. You don’t have to be a “senior” to participate! Contact Marilyn Howard, CLL Coordinator, at 919-693-1930 for registration or for more details.

BEGINNING COMPUTER SKILLS CLASSES are being offered at the Richard H. Thornton Library. On Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m., participants can learn how to convert files to PDF, how to search for and personalize files, and more. Seats are limited to five participants. Registration is required. Call 919-693-1121 for more details.

LEARN TO REPAIR YOUR OWN JEWELRY with instructor Linda Strother as a Jewelry Repair class is offered at the Granville County Senior Center. The session is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10 at 1:30 p.m. and is one of many classes offered through the Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program. Contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for details.

BEEN MARRIED FOR 50 YEARS OR MORE? Join the fun on Feb. 12 as the Granville County Senior Center partners with the Granville County Library System to present the “Not-So-Newlywed” Game. Eight local couples will compete for prizes as they see how much they know about their spouse. If interested in participating, contact Angela Wright at 919-693-1930. This event is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m.

A CRICUT WORKSHOP will be held at each branch of the Granville County Library System as participants (age 18+) learn to make their own leather earrings. Sessions will be held at the South Branch Library in Creedmoor (Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.), at the Stovall Library (Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.), at the Thornton Library (Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.) and the Berea Branch (Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.) Supplies will be provided and registration is not required. Contact your nearest local library for details.

TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS can enjoy “Night Time Story Time” at the Thornton Library on Feb. 12. Starting at 5 p.m., little ones will be read popular children’s books to prepare for bedtime. For more details, contact Children’s Librarian Amy Carlson at 919-693-1121.

VALENTINE’S DAY IS ON THE WAY! A Cookie Decorating Class will be held at the South Branch Library at 4 p.m. on Feb. 12. Make a sweet treat for this special day. Fun for the whole family! The South Branch Library is located at 1550 South Campus Drive in Creedmoor. Contact Penelope Mason for details at 919-528-1752.

ARE YOU A WOODLAND OWNER? Learn how to manage your property from planning to harvest with a series of workshops presented by N.C. Cooperative Extension and the North Carolina Forest Service. Topics include planning, regeneration, tree management practices and final harvest. Registration is required for these four sessions, scheduled for Feb. 13, May 14, Aug. 15 and Nov. 12 in various locations in Granville and Vance Counties. Contact the Granville County Cooperative Extension office at 919-603-1350 to learn more. All workshops are scheduled for 7 p.m.

MEET LIBBY, THE NEW MOBILE APP FROM OVERDRIVE. Learn how to borrow books and e-Audio books with Libby, your library on the go! On Thursday, Feb. 13, an informative session will be offered at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford to help library patrons make the most of today’s technology. Registration is not required and basic device skill is recommended. The Richard H. Thornton Library is located at 210 Main Street and the session will be held at 10 a.m.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 2020 CENSUS can be answered in a Feb. 19 program provided by Census Representative Kathy Dunton. Dunton will be available at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford at 11 a.m. for a discussion of why the Census is important, how data results are used and other pertinent information about this once-every-decade event. On March 25, Dunton will return to assist anyone needing help completing the questionnaire. Call the Senior Center at 919-693-1930 for details.

Raccoon Found in Butner Area Tests Positive for Rabies

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Granville County Animal Control was notified on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, of a suspicious raccoon in Twin Circles, Butner. The animal was tested for rabies, with positive results just reported.

Animal Control Officers have been working to notify residents in that area and the surrounding vicinity and offer a reminder that the best method to protect your pets from rabies is to have them vaccinated and to keep their shots current. North Carolina law also mandates that all owned dogs, cats and ferrets over four months of age should be vaccinated.

The Granville County Animal Shelter, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, provides vaccinations for dogs and cats Monday through Friday of each week from noon until 4:30 p.m. The cost is only $6 per animal. Please call the Shelter at 919-693-6749 with any questions.

NC State Board of Elections

Friday Marks Deadline to Register to Vote in Primary Election

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-Press Release, North Carolina State Board of Elections

The State Board of Elections is reminding residents that the deadline to register to vote in North Carolina in the 2020 primary election is Friday, February 7.

For more information about registering, visit ncsbe.gov/Voters/Registering-to-Vote.

Individuals who miss the regular voter registration deadline may still register and vote at any one-stop early voting site in their county during the early voting period, February 13-29. To see the early voting sites in your county, go here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/ossite/

At an early voting site, registered voters may update their address, but not their party affiliation. Registered voters who wish to change their party affiliation must do so by February 7.

 For more information about same-day registration, visit ncsbe.gov/Voting-Options/One-Stop-Early-Voting.

“The State Board encourages every eligible North Carolina resident to make sure they’re registered before the primary election,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “This includes making any changes, such as address and party affiliation.”

 To confirm your registration status, use the State Board’s voter lookup tool.

To register, individuals must meet certain qualifications and complete a North Carolina Voter Registration Application in English or Spanish. Applications are available at the state and county boards of elections, public libraries, public high schools, college admissions offices and many state agencies.

Once completed, the applicant must sign the form, and mail it or return it in-person to their county board of elections. Voters who are already registered may update their information by submitting a voter registration form by email, fax, mail, or in-person to their county board of elections.

To find the address of your local board of elections, use the county board lookup tool: vt.ncsbe.gov/BOEInfo/.

Prospective voters must meet the following qualifications to register to vote:

  • Be a U.S. citizen;
  • Have been a resident of North Carolina, the county, and precinct for 30 days before the election;
  • Be at least 18 years old; 17-year-olds may register and vote in a primary election if they will be 18 at the time of the general election; and 
  • Not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction (including probation or parole). (Citizenship and voting rights are automatically restored upon completion of the sentence. No special document is needed.)

Note: Voters are not required to show photo ID for the March 2020 primary election. In a December 31 order, a federal district court blocked North Carolina’s voter photo ID requirement from taking effect. The injunction will remain in place until further order of the court.

Town Talk 02/05/20

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Reminder: Registration Deadline for Focus 20/20 is Feb. 13

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-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments announces Focus 20/20, a Regional Economic Development Summit to be held at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson on February 20, 2020. The summit kicks off at 9:30 a.m.

Keynote speaker for the event is Doug Griffiths, author of the bestselling book, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community. Doug works with communities across the US and Canada to identify and overcome challenges that prohibit their ability to become thriving, sustainable, and desirable.

Other featured speakers for the Summit include ● Dr. Michael Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Extension Economist at North Carolina State University ● Hillary Sherman, NC Economic Development Representative, US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration ● Thom Ruhe, President & CEO, NC IDEA ● Jennifer Lantz, Executive Director, Wilson Economic Development Council ● Dr. Jenni Harris, Executive Director of Business Services, North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions ● Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Continuing Education and College & Career Readiness, Vance-Granville Community College ● Dr. Pamela G. Senegal, President, Piedmont Community College ● Judy Bradsher, M.Ed., Director, CTE Programs/GEAR UP Liaison, Person County Schools ● Rhonda L. High, Customized Training Director, Halifax Community College.

“This Summit is a timely and relevant event for citizens who seek to learn more about the advantages and challenges of preparing their communities for economic development success. It will provide best practices and examples that can be applied locally.” -Diane Cox, Executive Director, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments.

Summit presentations will focus on the following: ● Setting the Stage for Economic Development in Your Community ● Advancing Entrepreneurship ● Talent Development-Best Practice Workforce Initiatives ● 13 Ways to Kill Your Community – lessons on what really makes the difference between a prospering community and a failing one.

The event is complimentary, but registration is required and limited to the first 400 registrants. If you are interested in attending, please register at www.kerrtarcog.org. The deadline for registration is February 13, 2020.

Granville Vendors Invited to Participate in 2020 ‘Brides on Wheels’

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County vendors are invited to participate in the 2020 “Brides on Wheels” Bridal Tour and Vendor Show, scheduled for April 19. Brides planning a 2020-2021 wedding will be taking a scenic tour on the “Bridal Bus” to learn more about wedding locations and resources available to help plan the “perfect” event.

Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.

The day includes a stop at four wedding/reception venues, as well as early access to a brand new venue, The Orpheum at Oxford, located in downtown Oxford. Florists, photographers, caterers, event planners, disc jockeys, rental companies, etc. will be set up to welcome the new brides at this venue throughout the bridal tour – to display a variety of wedding service options.

Vendors interested in participating in this show – a special feature of the “Brides on Wheels” Bridal Tour – are requested to register by Feb. 15. Space is limited, with first priority being given to Granville-based vendors. After Feb. 15, vendors outside of Granville County will be able to sign up to participate, depending on space limitations and availability.

Sponsorships for the Vendor Show are also available, as well as opportunities to distribute items to future bridal couples in “goodie bags” that will be given out to all who participate in the Bridal Tour.

For more information about the Bridal Tour, contact Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen by phone at 919-693-6125 or by email at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

Brides who would like to save a seat on the “Brides on Wheels” limo-style tour bus can register at https://granvillebows2020.eventbrite.com.

Town Talk 02/04/20: Jobs, Removing Barriers Focus of Desmarais’ First Year

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of Vance-Granville Community College, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Desmarais, who celebrated her one-year anniversary with the college in January, said she is pleased with the recent strides the college has made in workforce development, marketing and removing “barriers” to education.

Making it her mission from day one to “find the programs that could get people into jobs more quickly,” Desmarais and VGCC staff have worked with EMSI, Inc., a national firm that reviews job data, to provide information on the most needed types of employment in the local area.

“The number one and number two jobs of availability in this area were truck drivers and heavy equipment operators,” Desmarais explained of EMSI’s findings.

In response to the community’s need for truck drivers, VGCC, in partnership with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, now offers a truck driving program that gives students the training required to operate tractor-trailer rigs, obtain a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and become professional truck drivers.

Orientation for the first nine-week program was completed last week with classes to begin Wednesday, February 12, 2020. Students will participate in a combination of classroom instruction, range driving and road driving.

According to Desmarais, 17 students are currently participating in the program and a waitlist has been started for others who are interested. “Local companies that need truck drivers are very excited about the opportunity to have local folks who can take those jobs.”

For more information on the truck driving program, please click here.

By changing the way the college approaches marketing, including getting back to basics with “going out, talking and listening to the people in the community,” Desmarais said the college is learning what local organizations and residents need while strengthening existing partnerships and creating new alliances.

“We are going back to some of the things we use to do such as offering classes out in the community,” said Desmarais. “We have started a new partnership and are offering classes at the Mary Potter School in Oxford, for example.”

Desmarais said VGCC staff are also focused on removing what is frequently considered “barriers” to education, with the recent announcement of the college’s partnership with public and rural transportation service KARTS being a prime example of this commitment.

“This program removes one of the larger barriers of education – students getting to and from college,” Desmarais said.

Thanks to a combination of grant funds and VGCC Endowment Fund donations, the KARTS service is provided free-of-charge to students attending all four VGCC campus locations – Henderson (Main), Louisburg (Franklin), Creedmoor (South) and Warrenton (Warren).

Students can make appointments for KARTS by calling (252) 438-2573 and then dialing “0.” Appointments can be made up to two weeks in advance. For more information on the KARTS program, please click here.

VGCC is currently piloting and tracking the success of another program aimed at reducing perhaps the largest barrier in education – the financial barrier.

“We know that students who get Pell Grants have a lot going on in their lives,” Desmarais stated. “They have a lot of challenges in terms of working and going to school, transportation, living arrangements, and sometimes they aren’t as successful at the school part as they’d like because life gets in the way.”

Explaining that students have to maintain a certain grade point average (GPA) to keep their financial aid, Desmarais said the college is offering a “Second Chance Scholarship” to those that may have fallen below the required GPA.

“We [VGCC] help connect them with other agencies to help them solve non-school problems that are getting in the way of them being successful here. Once we do that, we provide what we call a second chance scholarship for them to improve their GPA so that they can get back on financial aid.”

With all of this, Desmarais said the college is writing its narrative as a student-ready college. “We are going to be here for the students that we have. We are not a selective institution, but we are a quality-proud institution.”

To learn more about VGCC, please visit the college’s official website at www.vgcc.edu or visit its YouTube channel by clicking here.

To hear the interview with Desmarais in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

 

 

 

Oxford Logo

Oxford Officials Discuss Recent Crime Uptick, Offer Possible Solutions

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

Present: Chairman Quon Bridges, Members Commissioners Pat Fields & John Tovey. Staff Advisors: Fire Chief David Cottrell III and Police Chief Al Coley.

Others Present: Mayor Jackie Sergent, City Manager Alan Thornton, City Clerk Cynthia Bowen, Commissioners Danny Currin, Ron Bullock, Patricia Gilreath, Captain Pat Ford, Lieutenants Lynn Curl, and Michel Stockwell.

Agenda Item: Discuss the City of Oxford’s coordinated response efforts to reduce unlawful activity. Chairman Bridges recognized Chief Coley, who gave the following response to the recent shootings and crime in the City of Oxford. (This is an abbreviated version of the Chief’s speech, the full version is on file at the City Clerk’s office.)

This is to inform and update everyone on the efforts of the Oxford Police Department in regards to the recent shootings and violent crimes that have occurred over the last few months. Additionally, it is my intention to illustrate some of the strategies and plans of actions that we are taking to combat these community ills. However, I will be limited in some instances from describing certain details that may compromise our objectives and/or increase the dangers to officer safety.

From November 13, 2019, through January 13, 2020:

 Oxford has experienced eight aggravated assault cases, including one (1) murder case. Of those cases, Oxford Police has arrested two (2) juveniles, one (1) adult was arrested and charged with (Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury), warrants are on file for three (3) of the cases, and three (3) cases are pending lab results, and one case is active with few leads.

 Oxford Police was dispatched to nine (9) calls of service for shots fired. Seven (7) were unfounded, and two (2) were founded, whereby we have an active investigation ongoing and awaiting lab results. These cases are active and continuous.

 Oxford Police has investigated six (6) robberies resulting in one (1) arrest, one (1) warrant, one (1) case closed leads exhausted, and three (3) active cases.

 Oxford Police has investigated five (5) Breaking & Entering cases. Four (4) B&E cases are active, and one (1) case is inactive.

In many of the cases listed above, Oxford Police is faced with the major challenge of victims and witnesses refusing to cooperate with the investigation. The reasoning for lack of cooperation varies. However, we have found that in most instances, it is the fear of retaliation by the perpetrator.

The victim and witness fear is understandable since the law enforcement community, including Oxford Police, has experienced violent criminals making bond within hours after being arrested.

Strategies to deter crime in the City of Oxford:

 We believe the greatest leverage we have against these types of criminals is the partnership of the public and police and, to that extent, we have initiated a community watch campaign. This new initiative will begin on February 18, 2020, with a meeting at City Hall to generate momentum throughout the entire city. Detective Fields will lead the meeting explaining the operation of community watch, and City Clerk Bowen will be a point of contact in the coordination of the program throughout the city.

 Another strategy we are developing is an increased awareness campaign, whereby members of Oxford Police and I will meet citizens to discuss and answer questions related to their concerns about safety within Oxford.

 Oxford Police is exploring the use of technology to solve crimes and increase the apprehension of criminals through the use of technology. Law enforcement agencies throughout the country have begun to use the “Ring” doorbell camera technology to identify criminals during criminal activities.

 Oxford Police has initiated a “Power Shift,” whereby four selected officers have been assigned to a team to enforce and patrol high crime areas. This team has a unique schedule that constantly changes to meet the challenges and threats that our intelligence information or evidence guides us.

Although we are using many strategies and practices to deter the criminal elements within Oxford, we cannot do it alone. Therefore, we have made great relationships with other law enforcement agencies throughout the state and federally such as the Granville County Sheriff’s Department, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, neighboring agencies to include Henderson Police, Creedmoor Police, Butner Police, Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Warren County Sheriff’s Office and others.

The Oxford PD Command Staff and Chief Coley will review and evaluate their goals continuously to ensure that they are obtaining results that are reflective of a safe community.

After a brief question and answer period on the information above, the meeting was adjourned.

‘ABBAMANIA’ Taking Over McGregor Hall This Valentine’s Day

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at McGregor Hall with a night of “ABBAMANIA: An ABBA Tribute” on Friday, February 14, 2020. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

Come enjoy a rock musical which takes you back to the disco era with one of the best pop bands in history, ABBA. “ABBAMANIA” features nine incredible musicians and singers performing 21 of ABBA’s hits, with all the costume changes, choreography, live band, backup singers and the big studio sound.

Tickets for this event may be purchased by:

DROP-IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Woodland Owner Workshops Offer Tips From Planning to Harvesting

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

Whether you own 10 acres of woodlands or 1,000 acres, proper planning and management offer countless benefits. Woodland owners who follow a professionally prepared management plan are likely to reap rewards in the form of improved aesthetics, better wildlife habitat and, in the end, more profit.

To learn more, woodland owners can attend a series of free classes in Henderson and Oxford that will take them through the whole process from planning to harvest. The instructors will include professionals from the NC Forest Service and NCSU Extension Forestry. Each class will also feature landowner testimonials.

The classes will meet at 7 p.m. on February 13, May 14, August 13 and November 12, 2020. Topics to be covered include planning, planting, thinning, prescribed fire, harvest and much more. Classes will meet at the Granville Expo Center (2/13 & 8/13) and at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (5/14 & 11/12).

Complete details and registration information are available at https://go.ncsu.edu/manageyourwoods or by calling 919-603-1350 or 252-438-8188.