Families Living Violence Free

Families Living Violence Free Events Observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month In October

/by

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Families Living Violence Free in Oxford is making plans to shine a light on what often can be a dark topic.

FLVF is holding a candelight vigil on Tuesday, Oct. 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Peggy Roark, FLVF’s director, invites the community to participate.

The vigil is held to honor and remember victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The vigil will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Georgia Henrahand Cottage on the campus of Central Children’s Home.

A quarter auction fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6, at The Barn at Vino in Stem, Roark said.

Each $20 tickets gets you dinner and a bidding paddle.

The doors open at 5:45 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. The bidding fun begins at 7 p.m., so make sure to bring those rolls of quarters!

All proceeds go to direct service for domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors.

There will be vendors on site at the quarter auction, so bring some “folding money,” too.

Call 919.693.3579 to purchase tickets.

Learn more at https://flvf.org/

(FLVF is an advertiser with WIZS. This is not a paid ad.)

Spiess Named Granville Veterans Services Director

/by

The newly named Veteran Services officer for Granville County is a familiar face taking on a new role. Albert “A.J.” Spiess was Veteran Services technician for the past year and becomes the department director to assist local veterans and their families access state and federal programs and resources.

“After a rewarding year working with Granville Veterans, I am humbled and honored to be chosen as Granville County’s new Veteran Services Officer,” said Spiess. “I feel so privileged to serve our veterans and their families.  This work, along with my previous volunteer experience with the DAV, is truly my calling. I look forward to continuing to work with Granville’s veterans and help guide them to access all the services and programs they deserve.”

Spiess is retired from the U.S. Navy. The Georgia native served 26 years and rose to the rank of Senior Chief Master at Arms (Military Police). He served on six ships – USS Butte, USS Simpson, USS Briscoe, USS Truman, USS Harpers Ferry, and USS Wasp – as a deck seaman and signalman before reaching the rank of senior chief Master at Arms.

He has an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He and his wife Corie have one child, Brooke, who is currently attending nursing school.

He has experience conducting trainings in a variety of topics ranging from anti-terrorism to senior master training instructor at the Navy Police Academy, where he oversaw major curriculum changes and provided instruction to students of varying levels of experience..

In addition to his professional experience, Spiess previously volunteered with the Disabled American Veterans, serving as chapter veteran services officer to help veterans and their families obtain benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other government agencies.

“The Veterans Affairs Committee is really pleased that A.J. has been chosen to lead the Veterans Services  Office,” said Committee Chair Charles Miller. “As veteran services technician, he demonstrated his commitment  to serving the needs of the veterans in our community. We are confident he is the right person to guide this department into the future.”

The Granville County Veterans Services Office is located at 141 Williamsboro St., Oxford and Creedmoor City Hall (111 Masonic Street, Creedmoor). The current office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Oxford and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Creedmoor. To learn more about the services and programs offered, visit

https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/veterans-services/ or call 919.693.1484.

 

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson Featured Guest At Sept. 27 Granville GOP Fundraiser

/by

Current North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who also is a Republican candidate for governor, will be a featured guest at an upcoming event sponsored by the Granville County Republican Party.

Robinson is the featured guest candidate for the event, which will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, according to information from Michael W. Magnanti, county GOP chairman.

Tickets are $35 a person. Register here:  https://granville.nc.gop/september_2023_fundraiser_event_20230927
The Expo Center is located at 4185 US Hwy. 15 south of Oxford.

Dr. Natalie Hobdy Joins Granville Primary Care

/by

-Information courtesy of Granville Health System Marketing and Foundation Director Lauren B. Roberson

Granville Health System has announced the addition of a family physician to its medical staff.

Dr. Natalie Hobdy has joined the Granville Primary Care practice, located on the GHS campus in Oxford.

Interim CEO of Granville Health System Adam McConnell welcomed Hobdy to the staff. “Granville Health System consistently draws top-tier professionals like Dr. Hobdy. Her dedication to patient-centered care mirrors our ethos. We aspire to be the go-to primary care provider for Granville County, ever-committed to promoting well-being, accelerating healing and inspiring hope in our communities,” McConnell stated in a press release issued Tuesday.

Hobdy is a board-certified family physician and previously worked at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, TX.

“I’m thrilled to be part of a system with robust support, enabling the thorough, patient-centered care I stand by. My training at John Peter Smith in Texas and at Essentia Health in Minnesota has prepared me well for rural practices catering to all ages and stages of life. I’m confident in leveraging my skills for the benefit of this community and deeply value the opportunity to care for patients and their families comprehensively.”

Over the years, Granville Health System has steadfastly committed to improving its physician services and facilities, with ongoing expansion efforts. GHS has welcomed numerous accomplished providers across diverse specialties, such as primary care, OB/GYN, ENT and gastroenterology.

 

Granville Primary Care is located at 110 Professional Park Drive, Oxford. For appointments, call 919.693.6541 or visit online at https://ghshospital.org/location/granville-primary-care-ob-gyn/.

 

Granville County Manager Plans Listening Sessions To Hear From Residents

/by

–information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Granville County Manager Drew Cummings is planning a series of listening sessions across the county during the fall to share information about what’s going on and to give residents a chance to ask questions and provide feedback.

Cummings will hold a session in each district in the county, beginning Sept. 14 and continuing through mid-November.

The listening sessions will provide the opportunity for members of the public to learn more about county government, the role of the county manager, as well as give feedback about county operations in a less formal atmosphere. Cummings will be joined by members of the Granville County Board of Commissioners and other county staff.

“We have had an eventful year since I began as county manager and I thought it was time to get out in the community and make sure that I’m getting face-to-face time with our residents,” Cummings said in a press statement. “I have spent time in all corners of Granville during my tenure as county manager, but I’m really looking forward to getting to know some of these communities better and to having the time to sit down and talk with our residents. I think it’s critical to my performance that each citizen can inform me about the issues that are truly important to them.”

The listening sessions will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the dates and locations listed below:

  • Thursday, Sept. 14 at Stem Ruritan Club – 3595 Old NC 75, Stem
  • Thursday, Oct. 5 at Granville County Senior Center – 107 Lanier St., Oxford
  • Thursday, Oct. 12 at Tar River Elementary – 2642 Philo White Rd., Franklinton
  • Tuesday, Oct. 17 at Camp Oak Hill, 1528 Oak Hill Rd., Oxford
  • Thursday, Oct. 26 at Creedmoor Community Center – 116 Douglas Dr., Creedmoor
  • Monday, Oct. 30 at Butner Town Hall – 415 Central Ave., Butner
  • Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Stovall Library – 300 Main St., Stovall

For more information, contact the Granville County Administration Office at 919.693.5240.

TownTalk: Hot Sauce And More Coming To Granville County In September

/by

Things are heating up in Granville County, and it’s not all because of the weather.

Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said this weekend’s Hot Sauce Festival is shaping up to be the best one yet.

This year, contestants entering their creations and concoctions have more than 100 categories and sub-categories to choose from, Allen said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 in downtown Oxford.

Judges will review all different types of sauces, rubs and other products that get slathered on pork, chicken and more. There’s not just hot sauce, she said. There’s mild, hottest hot and verde, just to name a few.

Oxford has become the destination for hot sauce aficionados and foodies on the second Saturday in September. This is the 16th annual festival, and Allen said thousands of folks come to experience the festival, complete with music, arts and crafts vendors and much more.

“There’s a lot of good food,” Allen said. “We’re going to have judges who have this awesome job” of sampling products and deciding which ones get recognized. You can sample many of those products as you stroll along the streets of downtown Oxford, she added.

Of course, there’s a lot more to the Hot Sauce Festival than just hot sauce – Bailey Farms again is sponsoring the pepper eating contest, which begins at 1:30 p.m. Top prize is $1,000.

There will be plenty of live music on a couple of different stages throughout the day, including On The Border, an Eagles tribute band.

Visit www.nchotsaucefestivalandcontest.com for a complete schedule of events and vendor lists.

For those interested in getting the party started early, check out The Orpheum’s “night before” party. Find details at visitoxforddowntown on Facebook.

If the live music performances during the Hot Sauce Festival gets your toes tappin’ for more, head down to Creedmoor on Saturday, Sept. 16 for the Creedmoor Music Festival, now in its 30th year.

The town turns into a multi-genre sound stage to provide a wide range of music, from gospel to bluegrass and beyond.

The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and music will be performed on two stages. There will be plenty of “fair food” fare for listeners, as well as vendors with arts and crafts and a classic car cruise-in.

Those folks who want to create their own music can pop in to The Orpheum in downtown Oxford on Wednesdays at 8 for karaoke.

And if listening is more your thing than making music, visit Oxford Oaks Distillery for dinner and local live music on Wednesdays for “Verdigris Vibes.”

September goes out with a bang on Saturday, Sept. 30 with two events in the Oxford area.

Paws for Granville is an annual fundraiser held at the Granville County Expo Center to benefit spay/neuter projects of the Humane Society of Granville County and the Granville County Animal Shelter. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is a must-attend for animal lovers who want to make a difference.

The Central Children’s Home is hosting a cross-country event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that will include fun runs for locals and other track and field events sanctioned by USA Track and Field.

Bring along a can or two of food, because the event also is sponsoring a fundraiser for ACIM, the county’s food bank.

Find more information about these events and more at https://visitgranvillenc.com/

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

VGCC Logo

VGCC To Host Community Engagement Nights

/by

 

Vance Granville Community College has scheduled a series of “Community Engagement Nights” through its four-county service area to allow individuals to partner with school leaders and plan for the future. The first one is Thursday, Sept. 7 in Warrenton; please RSVP to let college officials know you’re planning to attend.

The discussions will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

VGCC strives to be a catalyst in developing strong communities where everyone can experience a fulfilling quality of life, which comes “through educating, inspiring and supporting a diverse community of learners to achieve professional and personal success.”

 

VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and attendees of the events will engage in strategic planning activities, which will help leaders make recommendations about various areas of the institution. Light refreshments will be served.

Attendance at each event is limited; sign up at www.vgcc.edu/events.

Below is a list of the Community Engagement Night sessions:

 

  • Thursday, Sept. 7 – Warren County Armory Civic Center, Warrenton
  • Tuesday, Sept. 12 – Perry Memorial Library, Farm Bureau Room
  • Wednesday, Sept. 13 – VGCC Main Campus Civic Center
  • Thursday, Sept. 14 – Wake Electric Operations Facility, Youngsville
  • Thursday, Sept. 19 – Karl T. Pernell Public Safety Complex, Louisburg
  • Wednesday, Sept. 20 – Mary Potter Center for Education, Oxford
  • Wednesday, Sept. 27 – VGCC South Campus, Room G1131, Creedmoor

Former Granville Street Library To Get A Historical Marker

/by

A new historical marker is set to be unveiled to designate the site of the former Granville Street Colored Library in Oxford.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place Friday, Sept. 15 at 12 noon at 314 Granville St. Former U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield is scheduled to attend and give remarks during the ceremony, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

The Granville Street Colored Library opened its doors to the African American community on June 12, 1942.  Maude Warren Lassiter served as the library’s director for many years and she and the library hold a special place in the history of Oxford and Granville County. The Granville Street Colored Library received visits from numerous African American leaders throughout its history including poet and social activist Langston Hughes,

educator and President of Howard University Mordecai Johnson, and historian and longtime Duke University professor John Hope Franklin.

In 1965, the Granville County Library System integrated and added the Granville Street Library as a new branch. Helen Currin Amis served as branch manager until 1975 when the Granville  Street branch closed and was merged with the Richard H. Thornton Library.

The historical marker was made possible by a partnership between the Granville County Library System Board of  Trustees and First Baptist Church of Oxford. Funding for the marker came from the Granville County Library System Memorial Fund.

For more information about the event, contact the Thornton Branch Library at 919-693-1121.

Oxford Prep School

SportsTalk: Oxford Prep’s Challenging Schedule Could Pay Dividends Later

/by

It takes a young team time to learn and Oxford Prep Athletic Director John Hammett hopes the school volleyball team’s challenging schedule to open the season will do exactly that.  Oxford Prep opened with two losses against Wake Prep and East Wake.  Both schools field strong volleyball programs. Those losses were followed by two close wins against Kerr Vance Academy.

Conference play opened with a loss against Roxboro community this week.  “We hope the schedule will pay dividends later,” Hammett said of his young team on Thursday’s SportsTalk.  “We just have to play through it,” Hammett continued.

On the soccer field Oxford Prep won against Kerr Vance Academy last week but lost to Granville Central. Hammett is also optimistic about the soccer program.  “Our numbers are up,” Hammett stated.  “We are taking small steps building our program,” Hammett added.

CLICK PLAY!

 

State Highway Patrol

Driving This Holiday Weekend? Remember: Booze It And Lose It

/by

State and local law enforcement officers will be out in force over the holiday weekend and beyond as part of the “Labor Day Booze It & Lose It” campaign, so as you plan to enjoy a last summertime hurrah, make sure those plans include having a designated driver. Don’t drink and drive.

Increased patrols and checkpoints will be conducted statewide through Sept. 10, to keep impaired drivers off North Carolina roads. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein helped lead Monday’s kickoff event at the Davidson County Rest Area off Interstate 85 South.  “Keeping people safe has to be Job One for all of us,” Stein said. “If you drink and drive, you will get caught. Protect yourself and others – never operate a motor vehicle if you’ve been drinking.”The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign aims to eliminate impaired driving using outreach and stepped-up law enforcement efforts. Nearly every law enforcement agency in North Carolina participates in the 29-year-old campaign.   “This Labor Day, we want you to plan ahead by arranging a sober ride home from any festivities that might involve alcohol or other impairing substances,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program, a part of the N.C. Department of Transportation. “Law Enforcement will be working extra patrols during this campaign to keep all motorists safe by catching those who don’t heed this message. There’s really no excuse.”

Alcohol is a leading contributor to fatal crashes in North Carolina, according to crash data compiled by the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. Between 2017 and 2022, North Carolina has averaged more than one alcohol-related vehicle fatality each day. Last year, there were 462 alcohol-related fatalities on North Carolina roads and 16 of those deaths came during the Labor Day period.