Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Endows Third VGCC Scholarship

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation recently endowed a new scholarship specifically designed to support Vance-Granville Community College Nursing students who are enrolled in a program to complete bachelor’s degrees.

In awarding the “Triangle North Healthcare Foundation RIBN Presidential Scholar Award,” preference will be given to students in the “Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses” (RIBN) program. RIBN students are simultaneously enrolled at the community college and North Carolina A&T State University. They earn associate’s degrees in nursing through VGCC over three years (while also taking A&T courses online) and then continue for one year of additional courses at A&T required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

From left, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation (TNHF) executive director Val Short, VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and Arline Richardson, a TNHF board member and chair of its Scholarship Committee, celebrate the creation of the new scholarship. (VGCC photo)

The new endowment marks a continuation of the partnership between the college and the foundation, which has already created two VGCC Academic Achievement Scholarships, one of which is also designed to be awarded to students in the RIBN program. The Presidential Scholar Award is the college’s second-highest scholarship tier.

“Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is pleased to support the RIBN program, which enables a local student to achieve a bachelor’s degree in nursing at a university while remaining in the community,” said Val Short, the Foundation’s executive director.

Based in Henderson, the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation provides grants to nonprofits organizations, governmental agencies, and schools in Vance, Warren, Granville and Franklin counties. The Foundation also provides scholarships to students in the region who are pursuing health care careers.

“We are grateful for the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation’s partnership with our college to further strengthen the RIBN program,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “This scholarship will be a new source of support to help outstanding Nursing students prepare for rewarding careers in health care and meet employers’ need for highly-trained professionals.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,400 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.

Oxford Logo

Tickets to be Issued for U-Turns, Semi-Circle Turns in Downtown Oxford

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-Press Release, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford is reminding the citizens of Oxford that on February 13, 2018, the Oxford Board of Commissioners voted to make the following changes to Chapter 20 Section 56 of the Traffic Ordinance for the City of Oxford’s Code of Ordinances.

§ 20-56 Paragraph A – No driver shall make a semicircular turn or U-turn at the intersection of Spring and Main Street, nor shall a driver make a U-turn or semi-circle turn to reverse direction or to park on the opposite side of the street within the business district.

To aid the citizens of Oxford in recalling this change in Oxford’s ordinance, the Board has decided that from Wednesday, May 15 through June 30, 2019, the Oxford Police Department will only issue warning tickets.

If you have any questions, please contact the Oxford Police Department at 919-693-3161 or the City Clerk’s office at 919-603-1100.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Ag. Commissioner Troxler: ‘Farmers Should Prepare for Hurricane Season’

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler’s annual plea for farmers to prepare for hurricane season is especially poignant this year in light of Hurricane Florence’s destruction in 2018.

“So many of us are still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Florence. This storm has been a disastrous reminder of just how important it is to have an emergency plan for your farm, food company or agribusiness,” Troxler said. “Take precautions, think through your plan now and discuss it with your employees and family.”

Scientists at N.C. State University are predicting 13 to 16 named storms in the Atlantic basin this year, which is the average as of recent years. Of those storms, five to seven could become hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs June 1 to Nov. 30.

Planning helps farmers protect their families, workers, equipment and buildings, Troxler said. “Livestock operations should maintain emergency plans that address power needs and on-site feed capabilities,” he said. “Also, identify places to relocate animals from low-lying areas. We need farmers to take these precautions to reduce animal losses from the storm.”

Farmers and businesses should review insurance policies to ensure they have proper coverage, including wind, hail, flood and catastrophic coverage if necessary. Some coverage takes 30 days to go into effect.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a website, www.ncagr.gov/disaster, with links and resources for different types of agribusinesses to plan and recover from a disaster. A Farm Emergency Plan Template is available on the site to help organize information that is needed after a disaster.

City of Oxford Operating New Street Sweeper; Offers Yard Waste Reminders

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-Information courtesy the City of Oxford’s E-Newsletter

The City of Oxford recently placed a new street sweeper into service. Citizens and visitors to Oxford will once again see the City’s streets clean and free of debris. The new sweeper will continue to follow the route previously established by the City of Oxford.

A Friendly Reminder Regarding Yard Waste

All grass, leaves, hedge trimmings and small items should be bagged, boxed or containerized in some manner, with the exception of city leaf collection when they can be placed at the curbside during the city’s designated leaf season: Mid-October through Mid-January.

  • Limbs should not exceed 4 feet in length.
  • Yard waste should not exceed 200 lbs. per week. Where brush is in excess of 2 inches in diameter, please cut into 2-3 feet lengths. NO stumps will be picked up.
  • Brush and limbs are to be tied or bundled. If not, please stack all ends the same way in a neat pile. Each bundle should not exceed 50 lbs.
  • All leaves, grass, hedge trimmings and small items should be bagged, boxed or containerized in some manner and should not exceed 50 lbs.
  • Leaves may be left loose (un-bagged), at the curb, during leaf season: Mid-October through Mid-January for collection by the City.
  • Do not blow mowed grass into the street. This can clog storm drains and add nitrogen and phosphorous to creeks.

Do not park your vehicles on, in front of, or near leaves. The crews need to be able to easily reach the leaves for pick up. Please do not place leaves in the street, block drainage basins, or drainage ditches. Leaves must be within 8-10 feet of the street for collection.

Please visit the City of Oxford’s website (click here) to identify which day of the week your yard/brush debris, garbage and recycling are collected.

If you have any questions, please contact Oxford’s Public Works Department at (919) 603-1151.

Reminder: Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers to Perform This Sunday!

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

The McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will feature The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Show starts at 2 p.m.

A Part of the Music at McGregor Series

The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers, founded in 1998 by Joel F. Reed, promote choral artistry by modeling the highest quality choral standard and performing a breadth of literature, including music from the southern Appalachian region.

The McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will feature The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Show starts at 2 p.m. (Photo courtesy the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center)

The Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers are currently 25 singers who rehearse monthly in preparation for the ensemble’s performances. Many of the members are professional musicians, working in public and private schools, colleges and churches. Others are professionals from the business and medical communities who reside in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and are, for the most part, alumni and retired faculty of Mars Hill University.

The ensemble has performed regularly in the North and South Carolina areas including conferences of North Carolina American Choral Directors Association and National Association for Music Education.

Tickets 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)

Join Downtown Oxford for Music & Movies on Main St.

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-Information courtesy Angela Allen, Director, Granville County Tourism Development Authority

Come to Historic Downtown Oxford to dine, shop and explore Main Street this summer for:

Music on Main Series: 

“The Konnection Band” on Friday, June 21 at 6 p.m.

“Carolina Soul Band” on Friday, July 26 at 6 p.m.

“Wood & Steel” on Friday, August 23 at 6 p.m.

FREE Community event where you can bring the family, a lawn chair and dancing shoes to show off those dance moves!

Movies on Main:

Thursday, June 6 – 8:30 p.m. – Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG)

Thursday, July 11 – 8:30 p.m. – 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG)

Thursday, August 8 – 8:30 p.m. – Small Foot (PG)

For more information, visit Downtown Oxford’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VisitOxfordNC/

Granville County Principal Named N.C. School Hero

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-Press Release, NC Education Lottery

Michael Allen, principal at Joe Toler-Oak Hill Elementary School in Oxford, is known for always going above and beyond for his students. He helps to create a safe, nurturing school environment where every single child feels special.

Allen is rarely in his office. He can usually be found in the cafeteria serving food, or at the gym leading a game with the students. Whether he’s giving out gifts as Santa for Christmas or greeting each student at the drop-off area, Allen always finds a way to bring joy to his students.

Michael Allen (shown holding checks), principal at Joe Toler-Oak Hill Elementary School, was selected as one of the 10 winners of the Education Lottery’s School Heroes program. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

“Mr. Allen is an outstanding N.C. School Hero,” said Trina Vaughan, a parent at the school. “He is an unselfish, compassionate individual who cares very deeply about the youth in our community.”

Allen’s dedication to his job and his school led to his selection as one of the 10 winners of the Education Lottery’s School Heroes program.

“I feel honored and humbled. I don’t think I do any more than anyone else,” said Allen. “This is what I do. I’m here for the kids. If we make it hard for the kids to come to school and enjoy school, we’re not doing our jobs. I hope we will continue doing what’s good for the children.”

The North Carolina Education Lottery created the N.C. School Heroes program to showcase the positive impacts teachers, principals, and other school workers have in public schools every day. From 6,000 nominations, ten heroes were chosen with each receiving a $10,000 award and $10,000 for their school.

Students and teachers filled the bleachers in the school’s gym, opening the presentation with the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, they cheered and applauded as their hero received his award.

“There are thousands of heroes like Michael Allen doing amazing work in our public schools,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians, school resource officers, all make a big difference for our students every day. We’re glad our School Heroes program shines a spotlight on their great work.”

Money raised by the lottery assists many of those School Heroes, including $386 million this year that supports the work of school support staff such as office assistants and custodians. Additional money will help build and repair schools, support the N.C. Pre-K program for “at-risk” four-year-olds, provide college scholarships and grants based on financial need and help meet school transportation needs.

For details on how funds made a difference in Granville County, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com.

Granville County Logo

Granville Commissioners to Hear on Proposed Budget – June 3

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

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, June 3, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.

Agenda items include:

Consent Agenda

1. Contingency Summary

2. Budget Amendment #7

Recognitions and Presentations

3. Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Update

Public Comments

4. Public Comments

Public Hearings

5. Land Development Code Text Amendment

Animal Management Matters

6. County Ordinance – Chapter 11: Animals – Proposed Revisions

Grant Matters

7. JCPC County Plan for FY 2019-2020

Appointments

8. Oxford Planning Board – Extraterritorial Member

9. Kerr-Tar Regional Economic Development Commission – Triangle North Board

County Manager’s Report

10. DHHS Memorandum of Understanding

11. ABC Resolution Request

County Attorney’s Report

12. Interlocal Agreement Between Creedmoor and Granville County – 122 Pecan Street

Budget Matters

13. FY 2019-2020 Budget

Presentations by County Board Members

14. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

15. Any Other Matters

Closed Session

16. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) – Attorney-Client Matter

17. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4) – Economic Development

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

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education to Meet Mon., June 3

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, June 3, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The board will also meet in a Closed Session for a consultation with the Board’s attorney and Personnel/Attorney-Client Privileges 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 on this evening.

To find a copy of the agenda for the meeting, please use the following link: https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/gcsd/Board.nsf/Public

Corbitt Preservation Association Establishes Annual VGCC Scholarship

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-Information courtesy Vance-Granville Community College

On behalf of Vance-Granville Community College, Endowment Fund Director Eddie Ferguson recently accepted a check from Mr. Tom Burleson of the Corbitt Preservation Association.

The check is for an annual scholarship to be awarded to a second-year Mechatronics student holding the highest GPA. The scholarship recipient will also receive a one-year membership in the Corbitt Preservation Association.

On behalf of Vance-Granville Community College, Endowment Fund Director Eddie Ferguson (left) recently accepted a check from Mr. Tom Burleson (right) of the Corbitt Preservation Association. The check is for an annual scholarship to be awarded to a second-year Mechatronics student holding the highest GPA. (VGCC photo)