August ‘Alive After Five’ Set for Downtown Creedmoor; Volunteers Needed

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s second Alive After Five event of 2019 will be held Thursday evening, August 15, from 5:30 until 8:30 pm in the parking lot at VanNess Chevrolet, downtown Creedmoor.

Join the Chamber as we celebrate our 16th year of AA5 events with incredible entertainment and concessions provided by Chamber members – Chick-fil-A, Williamson’s Country Store and Grill, Coca-Cola and Long Beverage.

Music will be provided by the popular “The Attractions Band,” which originally formed in 1965 when “a group of teenagers from Burlington formed a local band in the basement of a music store.”

The band went on to  “open for and were the backup band for well-known performers such as ‘The Tams,’ Clifford Curry, Jimmy Ruffin, ‘The Fifth Dimension’ and ‘The Platters.’”

As the group’s members headed off to college and to the Vietnam War, the original band fell apart.

During the summer of 1999, and after 30 years, a reunion of the band was organized and once again, “The Attractions” were all together.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Chamber staff Toni Anne Wheeler and Wanda Garrett are recruiting volunteers to assist in several capacities for the AA5 event – check-in table, Coca-Cola wagon and beverage stations. Volunteer times are 5 to 7 p.m. and 7 until 9 p.m. A free t-shirt to be worn while volunteering is “yours to keep.”

Please contact a Chamber office to volunteer – Toni Anne Wheeler @ 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or Wanda Garrett @ 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com.

The Chamber looks forward to seeing everyone August 15!

GCPS Traveling Book Bus to Bring Summer Reading Opportunities

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

As a way to keep students reading during these weeks before traditional calendar schools begin, the Book Bus, our GCPS version of a bookmobile, will travel to neighborhoods and read with our students.

Students will have access to great book selections as well as the opportunity to borrow a book to read between visits.

There are even options for adults to read while their children are reading!

Please see the flyer below for dates, times and locations.

VGCC Small Business Center to Offer Free QuickBooks, Financial Classes

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-Information courtesy Sheri Jones, Director, VGCC Small Business Center

The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center is offering two free, three hour classes entitled “Quick Start Bookkeeping with QuickBooks.”

The classes will be offered on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at the times and locations as listed below and is being taught by Semone Brisson, an Accountant and QuickBooks Consultant of Brisson’s Accounting out of Salisbury, NC. A description of the classes content is below and registration is required.

If you, your members or someone you know could benefit from these classes, please forward the following information and registration links to them.

The links can also be accessed from our website at https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/small-business-center/#schedules.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

1)  “Quick Start Bookkeeping with QuickBooks”

This informative seminar is geared toward the novice bookkeeper and QuickBooks user. An accountant and QuickBooks consultant will show you how to set up and use QuickBooks desktop software for everyday accounting tasks in the simplest, most efficient way possible for your company or non-profit.

Topics include:

  • Setting up a company file quickly
  • Understanding and designing financial statements
  • How items and classes work
  • When to use receivables, payables and bank feeds
  • What is a “set of books” and how does it work?
  • What bookkeeping practices do I need?

This seminar will benefit both QuickBooks desktop and online users. It is not intended to be a “step-by-step hands-on class” and does not require a book. Questions are welcomed and encouraged.

“Quick Start Bookkeeping with QuickBooks”
Wednesday, July 31 from 6 – 9 p.m.

Kerr Lake Country Club – 600 Hedrick Dr. Henderson, NC 27537

Registration Link:  https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530390033

2) “Understanding Financial Statements”

Maintaining and understanding financial information is critical to running a profitable small business. This three hour seminar helps small business owners focus on using key financial reports to understand and operate their businesses. The seminar also explains how small business owners can use their financial statements to identify potential problems before they become serious threats to the business’ survival.

“Understanding Financial Statements”

Wednesday, July 31 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Vance-Granville Community College, Bldg. 7 – 200 Community College Road Henderson, NC  27536

Registration Link:  https://www.ncsbc.net/workshop.aspx?ekey=530390035

Thornton Library to Welcome Author Wiley Cash

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Richard H. Thornton Library will host a book discussion and book signing by award-winning author Wiley Cash at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

Cash is a New York Times bestselling novelist who has penned several works, including ‘A Land More Kind Than Home’ and ‘This Dark Road to Mercy.’

The Richard H. Thornton Library will host a book discussion and book signing by award-winning author Wiley Cash at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

His newest book ‘The Last Ballad,’ is set in 1929 in the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina. Considered to be a “moving tale of courage in the face of oppression,” Cash’s newest work tells the story of a single mother’s struggle for her rights in a textile mill, which is inspired by actual events.

The Minnesota Star-Tribune calls this latest work “powerful and poignant… Cash’s third and best novel,” while the Library Journal calls Cash “a promising young voice in southern fiction.”

Cash serves as the writer-in-residence at the University of North Carolina-Asheville and teaches in the Mountainview Low-Residency MFA (Master of Fine Arts) program. He is co-founder of the Land-More-Kind Artists Residency and is founder of the Open Canon Book Club.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina-Asheville and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the author resides in North Carolina with his wife and two young daughters.

This event is free and open to the public.

The Richard H. Thornton Library is located at 210 Main Street in Oxford and is one of four branches of the Granville County Library System. Other branches are located in Creedmoor (South Branch), Stovall and Berea.

For more details about this event and other scheduled library programs, call 919-693-1121 or visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/.

Terry Garrison

Rep. Terry Garrison: Still a Chance for DHHS Relocation

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Terry Garrison, local businessman and Democratic NC House representative for District 32, discussed budget negotiations and the proposed Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) relocation with WIZS News.

Garrison said all hope is not lost on the primarily Republican-backed proposal of moving DHHS’ headquarters from Raleigh to Granville County as part of an effort to revitalize rural areas in the state.

“I’m certainly going to be pushing for that chance to happen,” said Garrison.

Triangle North Granville, a business and industrial park that encompasses 527-acres in Granville and Vance counties, has been proposed as a relocation site for DHHS administrative offices.

Included in the Senate version of the budget as presented to Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, the $250 million proposal could still become a reality if the governor’s recent budget veto is overridden.

“We’ll have to see how things transpire during the negotiation process,” Garrison said. “When you look at all of the factors, it was my thinking that it was worth it for us to try to negotiate it.”

Benefits to the area would include the creation of multiple employment opportunities and potential partnerships with local educational institutions and organizations.

With no budget agreement reached by the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, Garrison said the government will continue at current funding levels until negotiations are completed.

Electronic Recycling Available at Oxford and Butner Convenience Sites

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Residents with old televisions, outdated computers and/or obsolete electronics can take these items to either the Oxford Convenience Site, located at 6584 Landfill Road in Oxford or the Butner Convenience Site, located at 2796 Old Route 75 in Butner.

In a meeting held earlier this year, Granville County Commissioners approved consolidating electronic waste (e-waste) recycling to the Oxford and Butner landfills. Items are now being collected by a private business, contracted with the county, to recycle all components of the electronics collected at the two convenience sites.

With any questions or concerns, please contact Jason Falls, Granville County’s Environmental Services Director, at 919-691-0928.

NC Dept. of Agriculture Asks Travelers to Watch for Spotted Lanternfly

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Plant Industry Division is asking travelers to several northeastern states to take precautions against the spread of the highly destructive Spotted Lanternfly this summer.

“If your summer travel plans have you driving through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware or New Jersey, please review the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine map and do your part to prevent bringing the pest to our state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This invasive pest poses a significant threat to our $91.8 billion agriculture industry.”

North Carolina has no reports of this invasive pest. Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive planthopper native to China that could cause billions of dollars in loss to NC agriculture, tourism and trade should it become established in our state. This pest is a hitchhiker and can be easily moved long distances on vehicles, campers and outdoor equipment.

If you plan to visit any of the indicated northeastern states in which Spotted Lanternfly has been found, it is recommended you thoroughly wash and inspect your vehicles before leaving. Also, do not move firewood.

All life stages of Spotted Lanternfly can hitchhike, but the eggs and adults pose the greatest risk for movement. In northern states, adults can lay their eggs on any outdoor flat surfaces from July to December.

We hope you enjoy your summer travels, and we appreciate your attention to ensure this pest does not hitch a ride home with you.

For more information on current counties that are under quarantine, please visit: https://nysipm.cornell.edu/environment/invasive-species-exotic-pests/spotted-lanternfly/

 

Vance & Granville Co. Donate Surplus Law Enforcement Vehicles to VGCC

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Officials from Vance and Granville counties recently approved the donation of surplus law enforcement vehicles from their respective fleets to the Vance-Granville Community College Campus Police Department.

These vehicles, both of which are Dodge Chargers, will prove to be valuable resources to help ensure a safe and secure working and learning environment for the faculty, staff, students and visitors of the college, according to Sean Newton, the chief of the campus police department.

The donations of the vehicles were made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of the County Managers, County Commissioners, and Sheriffs’ Departments in both Vance and Granville counties.

Vance-Granville Community College Chief of Police Sean Newton (right) accepts a donated vehicle from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame (left). (VGCC photo)

Vance-Granville Community College Chief of Police Sean Newton (right) receives the keys to a donated vehicle from Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins, Jr. (left). (VGCC photo)

A New Look for JF Webb High School’s Mascot & Logo

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Big changes are underway at JF Webb High School.  New staff, newly renovated facilities, and a new instructional focus are all on the way. These updates, new ideas and student-focused changes will bring exciting new opportunities for the community.  But something folks may notice first is the school’s new look…

A school’s mascot can mean a lot, and not just to current students and past alumnae, but to the community at large. A high school mascot often embodies the spirit and personality of a school, depicting a real sense of what a school is about.

For more than 50 years at JF Webb High School, the mascot of the “Warrior” has come to signify courage, strength and overcoming adversity. Being a warrior means being tough and triumphant. While this meaning has stayed true, the actual artwork or logo that represents the warrior has seen some changes over time.

J.F. Webb High School graduates prior to 2004 know that the Warrior mascot was a Native American Warrior. If you ask the most recent 2019 Webb graduates to describe what their Warrior looks like, the majority would be unable to do so. They would likely tell you their school’s logo is simply the letters “JFW.”

Most are unfamiliar with “Wally” the futuristic Warrior that replaced the Native American Warrior around 2004 when most schools in the state of North Carolina, in an effort to be more culturally sensitive, redesigned their Native American Warrior mascots. Over the years, “Wally” has faded into the background and Webb’s logo became its initials.

When the school board voted to merge J.F. Webb and J.F. Webb School of Health and Life Science in 2020-21, a redesign committee consisting of administrators, teachers, students and parents was created. One of the first suggestions that the redesign committee made was to design and select a new Warrior mascot/log design.

Mrs. Amy Rice, Principal of J.F. Webb shared, “I believe it was important to the committee, especially the students, to move forward with a new mascot design that embodies the pride that we want all students and our community to have in J.F. Webb.  We wanted a mascot and logo that students and athletes would proudly wear and promote.”

After reviewing a variety of possible ideas, Webb narrowed down its mascot and shield logo ideas with help from a graphic design company that has experience working for school districts on similar projects.

With the help of 1988 JFW alumni Grey Blackwell, some final touches were added to provide the finished product that everyone on the committee was pleased with.

While the school campus is receiving extensive physical upgrades, including a new HVAC system, fresh paint, new furniture and security upgrades, big changes are underway on the academic side as well. All of the current Biomedical Science courses offered through JFW HLS will continue, with plans for expanded offerings in Career and Technical courses, as well as college level courses offered through VGCC.

As part of the overall redesign of the school, Principal Rice looks forward to rolling out the new Warrior look, explaining, “I’m a proud graduate of J.F. Webb, and I hope that our new mascot and logo will help all of our students hold dear to the phrase ‘Warrior Pride.’ JF Webb High School is on the move!  If you haven’t stopped by recently, come give us a visit and I will be happy to give you a personal tour of the NEW and IMPROVED Warrior Country.”

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. School Board to Meet in Closed Session – July 15

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet in Closed Session, Monday, July 15, 2019, at 4 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina, for a consultation with the Board’s attorney 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.