-Information courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Central North Carolina through Tuesday evening. Periods of showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain may produce flash flooding through Tuesday night. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with 5 inches locally, will be possible.
Recent heavy rain has led to nearly saturated grounds. Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms will produce rapid runoff and possibly flash flooding. The heavy rain and storms may last well into the overnight hours Monday and Tuesday.
Flash Flooding often results in rapid water rises. Take precautions now! Visit www.floodsafety.noaa.gov for more information on flood safety.
For more information on the flood hazard threats, stay tuned to our social media accounts, NOAA Weather Radio, and our website: www.weather.gov/rah.
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United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced today the appointment of three new Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs). Each was sworn in today by Mr. Higdon.
Gabriel J. Diaz is a former intern of the United States Attorney’s Office and was an Assistant District Attorney with the Alamance County (NC) District Attorney’s Office from 2015 until his appointment as AUSA. AUSA Diaz is a graduate of Florida International University and the Campbell University School of Law. AUSA Diaz will be assigned to the National Security Section within the United States Attorney’s Office.
Robert Dodson comes from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) where he has served as legal counsel since 2013. During his time with BOP, he served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney handling criminal prosecutions arising out of the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina. AUSA Dodson is a graduate of North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Central University School of Law. He will be assigned to the Violent Crime Section, handling a variety of cases in conjunction with Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ reinvigoration of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program which targets violent criminals in an effort to reduce violent crime. He will also become a part of the United States Attorney’s Office “Take Back North Carolina” initiative.
Lucy Partain comes from the Cherokee County (Georgia) District Attorney’s Office where she served as an Assistant District Attorney. Prior to that, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Terrence W. Boyle, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Ms. Partain is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Duke University Law School. Ms. Partain will be assigned to the Organized Crime Drug Task Force Unit and will handle drug trafficking cases, including opioid prosecutions.
“It’s my privilege to lead an office filled with incredibly talented and dedicated people who work tirelessly to carry out our mission of justice and fulfill our promises to the people of the Eastern District to reduce violent crime and reduce drug trafficking levels,” said U.S. Attorney Higdon. “We are proud to welcome these fine individuals to our office. I know they will make an immediate impact in our District and serve the citizens of the United States with honor and distinction.”
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s webpage at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/U.S.-Department-of-Justice.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-23 16:59:402018-07-23 16:32:54U.S. Attorney Announces Appointment of Three New Federal Prosecutors
The Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Granville Health System are sponsoring the annual New Teacher Breakfast on Friday, August 17 at 7:30 a.m. in the cafeteria at Mount Energy Elementary School, 2652 Hwy 56, Creedmoor. This event welcomes and recognizes new employees to the Granville County Public School system and allows them an opportunity to meet local elected officials, as well as business and agency leaders in Granville County.
Presiding will be Hal Muetzel, President of the Chamber, with remarks from Granville Health System – event sponsor.
Granville County Chamber banking, investment, real estate, property management and insurance members are being invited to set up business displays to provide information for the newcomers.
Teacher gift bag items are requested. Chamber of Commerce member businesses contribute items for gift bags for the 100 new teacher employees. Businesses interested in donating gift bag items should contact either of the Chamber’s offices – Toni Anne Wheeler, (919) 528-4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or Wanda Garrett, (919) 693-6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Granville-County-Public-Schools.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-07-23 16:58:402018-07-23 16:31:53Annual Granville Co. ‘New Teacher Breakfast’ to be Held Fri., Aug. 17
The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges has approved the appointment of Dr. Gordon Burns as the interim president of Vance-Granville Community College.
The former leader of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro was the longest-serving president in the history of the western North Carolina college, retiring in 2014 after 18 years at WCC and 46 years in education.
The approval came today (Friday, July 20) at the regular meeting of the State Board, held this month at Pitt Community College in Winterville, following the VGCC Board of Trustees’ selection of Dr. Burns as its choice for an interim.
Dr. Gordon Burns, retired president of Wilkes Community College, has been named the interim president of Vance-Granville Community College. He will lead the college while the Board of Trustees searches for Vance-Granville’s seventh president. (VGCC Photo)
Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the sixth president of VGCC, announced plans in May to take the position of Vice President for Durham Affairs at Duke University, effective Aug. 13. Dr. Burns will work alongside Dr. Williams for his first two weeks at Vance-Granville and will officially become the interim president on Aug. 11.
“We are excited to get someone of the caliber of Dr. Burns to help lead Vance-Granville during this time of transition,” said Danny W. Wright, chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees. “At Wilkes Community College, Dr. Burns demonstrated an ability to assemble and lead a strong team of administrators, faculty and staff that took their college to new heights during his tenure.”
“We feel very fortunate that, after just a few years of retirement, he still has a burning desire for community colleges and the excellent work we do to educate students of all ages.”
Vance-Granville will be his fourth community college home in North Carolina. Prior to his time at WCC as president, Dr. Burns served as executive vice president at Lenoir Community College in Kinston, and as vice president for instruction and dean of continuing education at Wilson Community College in Wilson. After completing high school in Easton, Pa., Dr. Burns earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Eastern Kentucky in Richmond, Ky., and his Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Missouri in Columbia. His Ph.D. major was Industrial Education with support areas in Educational Administration and Industrial Management.
Dr. Burns described his management style for the VGCC Trustees as “participatory.” “I like to engage and I like to involve the staff, faculty and students in the life of the college, the decisions that are made, the planning that is done and the execution of those plans,” he said. “I can honestly say that much of what was accomplished in my career was not accomplished by me. It was accomplished by the people that I supervised and that I worked with as team members.”
Operations will be the top priority during the transition, he said. “The ultimate compliment at the end of the period would be that we didn’t miss a beat, that the college continued on its journey. I would not be here to change things so that things would be done in the Burns way or in the Wilkes Community College way. They need to be done in the Vance-Granville way with the Vance-Granville people.”
“Dr. Williams has continued the journey of creating a great work environment and a great learning environment here and a supportive one for all, the students, the faculty and the staff and has worked well with Trustees in the governance of the institution,” he added.
At Wilkes Community College, Dr. Burns is credited with leading the college through a period of significant growth and successes in enrollment, donations to the college’s Endowment, construction and renovation projects, technology, academic offerings, planning, and school, university, business and industry partnerships.
At the VGCC Board of Trustees’ July meeting, a search committee of six Trustees was appointed to find the permanent president. Deborah F. Brown was appointed chair of the search committee, and Herb Gregory was named vice chair. Rounding out the committee are N. Annette P. Myers, Abdul Sm Rasheed, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Sara C. Wester. The committee was selected by Trustees Chair Wright.
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-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools
At a special called meeting on Thursday, July 19, the Granville County Board of Education appointed five new principals in schools across the school district.
Superintendent Dr. McLean communicated to Board Members that these changes will help continue to support efforts to move the district forward, saying, “I am confident that these newly appointed leaders will continue to help bring about positive change. I am grateful for the staff and community members who helped in the process of their selection as candidates for these positions.”
Dr. McLean also spoke about the direction the district is headed, commenting on her commitment to involving stakeholders and a focus on always doing what is in the best interest of the students of the district. “With input from the community, this past year we developed a newly crafted mission and vision for the district. We need dynamic and active leaders such as these five individuals to help bring it to life. We look forward to unveiling that soon to the public and believe it will continue the momentum and excitement we have built over this past school year. We are so excited about what the future will bring for the students of our school district! They deserve nothing but the very best.”
The following individuals will transition to their new principal roles during the next two weeks. Staff from across the district, including our year-round schools, are already working tirelessly to prepare for a smooth start to the 2018-2019 school year. We truly are committed to excellence and achievement for all!
Janita Allen
Principal of Granville Central High School
(previously Assistant Principal of GCHS)
Amy Rice
Principal of JF Webb High School
(previously Principal of Stovall Shaw Elementary School)
Dr. Chris Ham
Principal of GC Hawley Middle School
(previously Principal of Mary Potter Middle School)
Dr. Brenda Williamson
Principal of Mary Potter Middle School
(previously Assistant Principal of Mary Potter Middle School)
Sherrie Burns
Principal of CG Credle Elementary School
(previously Assistant Principal of CG Credle Elementary School)
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At their regular bi-monthly meeting held July 16, the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees re-elected Danny W. Wright as the chair of the board for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, Herb Gregory as vice-chair, and Deborah F. Brown as secretary after nominations from a committee chaired by Trustee L. Opie Frazier, Jr.
Retired North Carolina Ninth District Court Judge Henry Banks swore in two Trustees for additional terms. Trustee Barbara Cates Harris was reappointed by the Granville County Board of Education for a second four-year term on the board. Chair Wright was appointed to a new four-year term by the Vance County Board of Commissioners. Wright had been appointed in 2015 to fill an unexpired term on the board. He was also a commissioner in 2011-2013 when he was appointed by the governor.
Building Update
In his update on capital projects, Trustee Donald C. Seifert, Sr., reported that preparations will begin in August to renovate seminar rooms in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.
VGCC Trustee Danny W. Wright is sworn in for a new four-year appointment on the college’s board by Retired District Court Judge J. Henry Banks. Also serving as the chair of the board, Wright was appointed by the Vance County Board of Commissioners. He also served in 2011-2013 when appointed to an unexpired term by the governor. From left are Judge Banks, Wright, and Wright’s wife, Betty Wright. (VGCC Photo)
The assessment phase of an exterior masonry repairs project on Main Campus was completed in May, and a design service proposal has been sent to the State Construction Office (SCO) for review. The project is expected to be bid out in February 2019 with renovations starting the following April. The majority of the masonry work is being funded by the Connect NC State Bond passed by North Carolina voters in March 2016.
Seifert also reported the SCO is expected to issue a design contract this month for fire alarm replacements and renovations to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems on the Main Campus. The fire alarm replacements will be completed first with the HVAC renovations expected to start in 2020.
The second phase of renovations to the newest building on campus, Building 10, are expected to start in August and be completed in December, Seifert said. Space is being renovated to add a Practical Simulation Lab for Basic Law Enforcement Training, Fire/Rescue and Emergency Medical Services programs, among other expansions.
Retired District Court Judge J. Henry Banks administers the oath of office to Vance-Granville Community College Trustee Barbara Cates Harris of Oxford. She has been reappointed by the Granville County Board of Education for a second four-year term on the college Board of Trustees. From left are Judge Banks; Harris; Maurice Harris, Jr., Harris’ grandson; and her husband, Phillip Harris. (VGCC Photo)
Budget Amendments
The 2017-2018 Budget Resolution was amended upon recommendation from the Budget Committee, chaired by Trustee Abdul Sm Rasheed. The State Current Fund increased $1,959,983 to a total of $21,512,238, the County Current Fund was unchanged at $2,578,292, and the Institutional Fund increased $340,947 to a total of $9,993,779, for a combined Amended Operating Budget of $34,084,309. The Capital Improvement Budget increased $348,943 to a total of $889,653. The total Combined Amended Budget is $34,973,962.
Other Action
In other action:
The Trustees voted to terminate Warren County High School as an off-campus site with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The site had been approved in November 2015; however, the high school has requested that dually enrolled students take their college courses at VGCC’s Warren County Campus in Warrenton. No college classes are currently being offered at WCHS, and students are completing their work at the Warren Campus, according to Trustee Harris, chair of the Curriculum Committee. The change will be effective as of the Fall 2018 academic term.
An informational report on new employees, retirements, resignations and changes in positions was given by the Personnel Committee, chaired by Trustee Sara C. Wester.
New and amended board policies for the 2018-2019 Policy Manual were approved by the Trustees on a recommendation from the Executive Committee, chaired by Trustee Wright. The policies cover areas of organizational structure, public information and campus safety, personnel policies, academic affairs, institutional research and technology, and finance and operations.
Trustee Frazier, chair of the Investment Committee, reported on the progress of the college’s investments.
A Board Retreat has been scheduled for August 7, and the Trustees will participate in Ethics Training on August 29. The next meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, September 17, at the Main Campus.
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Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 26 as the first Alive After Five event of 2018 will be held in downtown Oxford’s parking lot at Littlejohn, Main and Gilliam Streets from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Gary Lowder & SMOKIN’ HOT Band will be the performers for this 15th-anniversary celebration.
Based out of North Myrtle Beach, SC, the band is known as a “Soul, R & B and party band.” Their musical repertoire covers decades of hits from your favorite artists and genres of music including soul, rhythm and blues, funk, reggae, jazz standards, country, 50’s, 60’s and Carolina Beach Music.
In addition to performing some of the most current hits that are topping the charts today, the group has had many successful chart-topping hits on local radio and internet stations across North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Florida. Gary Lowder & SMOKIN’ HOT are comprised of multi-talented musicians who have come together to produce incredible performances each and every time they take the stage.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
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A search committee of six members of the Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees has been appointed to find a successor to Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the college’s president who is taking a position with Duke University in August.
Deborah F. Brown has been appointed chair of the search committee, and Herb Gregory will serve as vice chair. Rounding out the committee will be N. Annette P. Myers, Abdul Sm Rasheed, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Sara C. Wester.
Trustees Chair Danny W. Wright made the appointment at the board’s regular bi-monthly meeting on July 16 at the college’s Main Campus.
Dr. Williams, the sixth president of VGCC, announced her plans in May to take the position of Vice President for Durham Affairs at Duke University, effective Aug. 13.
Looking back at her tenure at Vance-Granville, Dr. Williams offered her reflections to the Trustees, recalling the support given to the college through grants, donations and governmental and community partnerships; the thousands of students who have been educated and have graduated; and a supportive faculty, staff and Board of Trustees.
“I have one big wish for a bright future ahead for Vance-Granville Community College,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunity that you all have provided for me to serve over the past six and a half years. It’s the people who have really made this a special place and a great experience for me. I will forever be grateful. And I will forever be a Vance-Granville Vanguard.”
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Friday, July 20, 2018, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Streets will begin closing at 3 p.m.
Performance by Wood and Steel Band
Bring a lawn chair, blanket, bug spray and your dancing shoes for a night of family fun!
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Sometime between Monday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 18, 2018, an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property located off Noblin Road, Oxford, NC and criminally removed one 1998 black in color Leonard/Carson 12 ft. long X 7.5 ft. wide with 4 ft. expanded metal tailgate utility trailer with a 2-inch ball hitch, white rims with round bullet hole design and a dent in passenger fender.
Also, a 2017 John Deere 920-M green in color zero turn lawn mower, which was loaded onto the trailer was taken.
If you have information concerning this incident, please contact the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at 919-693-3213 or call Crime Stoppers 919-693-3100.
THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AUTHORIZED THE PAYMENT OF A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST/INDICTMENT(S) OF PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CRIME. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS CRIME OR ANY OTHER SERIOUS CRIME(S) IN GRANVILLE COUNTY, YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS IN OXFORD AT 919-693-3100.
