F-V-W Accepting Children for 2018-2019 Program Year

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— submitted by Felicia C. Gregory, Interim CEO F-V-W

The Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc., Head Start is accepting children for the 2018-2019 Program Year for Franklin, Vance, Warren and Granville Counties. Children must be 3 years of age as of August 31, 2018. Parents of children with mental, physical or emotional impairments are encouraged to apply. The program will make special provisions to serve children with special needs. These provisions include, but are not limited to, adaptive equipment and transportation. For more information, please contact: Beth Darnell at (252) 492-4196.

“Match Madness!” – Donate, Like, Share, Tweet for Camp Oak Hill

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— submitted by Camp Oak Hill

Camp Oak Hill has an amazing opportunity that YOU can be part of!! Help us get kids to camp with a DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR MATCHING GIFT! An anonymous donor is offering a super gracious match. Be part of this amazing gift. Every dollar is doubled up to $27,000! Visit www.campoakhill.org today to be part of “Match” Madness and donate!!”

This past month we released our staff recruiting video (click here) that we are so excited to share!

We are in full camp prep and are getting pumped for what’s sure to be a great summer! We can’t wait to see everyone soon!

(Not a paid advertisement.)

City of Oxford Revised Monthly Stormwater Charge Public Hearing

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
REVISED MONTHLY STORMWATER CHARGE

The public will take notice that the Board of Commissioners of the City of Oxford has called a public hearing at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 in the Commissioners’ Board Room, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street, Oxford, NC, to receive input on revising the current stormwater rates. If adopted, this would increase the current monthly stormwater rate from $2 to $3 per month per single family residential unit or Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of 2,368 square feet for non-single family residential properties.

Written comments will be accepted until Thursday, April 5, 2018, via email to cbowen@oxfordnc.org or by mail/hand delivery to Oxford City Hall at P.O. Box 1307, 300 Williamsboro St., Oxford NC 27565. To be considered, written comments should include the name, address, and signature of the person submitting the comments.

Additional information is available at www.oxfordnc.org or by calling 919-603-1100.

U.S. Department of Justice

Henderson Man Detained on Federal Firearm Charge After State Arrest in Granville County

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— courtesy United States Department of Justice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY – March 28, 2018

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announces the detention of a defendant after his arrest on a federal firearms charge.

An indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on March 15, 2018, against ODELL OVERBY, of Henderson. The indictment charges the defendant with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on December 17, 2017.

OVERBY was arrested December 17, 2017, by the Granville County Sheriff’s Office.

The charge and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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NC Dept of Agriculture

Be careful when burning debris in spring

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— courtesy NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2018

Be careful when burning debris in spring
Wildfire risk typically higher through May; burning debris is the No. 1 cause of wildfires

RALEIGH – The N.C. Forest Service is urging residents across the state to think safety and exercise caution during the spring fire season, which typically lasts from March to May.

“Burning debris is the No. 1 cause of wildfires,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “If you’re thinking about burning debris, contact your county forest ranger first. The ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options to help maximize safety for people, property and the forest.”

During the spring fire season, people do a lot of yard work that often includes burning leaves and yard debris. There are many factors to consider before doing any burning. Following are tips to protect property and prevent wildfires:

  • Consider alternatives to burning. Some yard debris, such as leaves and grass, may be more valuable if composted.
  • Check with your county fire marshal’s office for local laws on burning debris. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely.
  • Make sure you have an approved burning permit, which can be obtained at any NCFS office, county-approved burning permit agent, or online at https://ncforestservice.gov.
  • Check the weather. Don’t burn if conditions are dry or windy.
  • Only burn natural vegetation from your property. Burning household trash or any other man-made materials is illegal. Trash should be hauled away to a convenience center.
  • Plan burning for the late afternoon when conditions are typically less windy and more humid.
  • If you must burn, be prepared. Clear a perimeter around the burn area of flammable materials.
  • Keep fire tools ready. To control the fire, you will need a hose, bucket, a steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire.
  • Never use flammable liquids such as kerosene, gasoline or diesel fuel to speed burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out. In North Carolina, human carelessness leads to more wildfires than any other cause.
  • These same tips hold true for campfires and barbeques, too. Douse burning charcoal briquettes or campfire thoroughly with water. When the coals are soaked, stir them and soak them again. Be sure they are out cold and carefully feel to be sure they are extinguished. Never dump hot ashes or coals into a wooded area.
  • Burning agricultural residue and forestland litter: In addition to the guidelines above, a fire line should be plowed around the area to be burned. Large fields should be separated into small plots for burning one at a time. Before doing any burning in a wooded area, contact your county ranger, who will weigh all factors, explain them and offer technical advice.

For more information on ways you can prevent wildfires and loss of property, visit https://ncforestservice.gov.

GCPS BOE Names Principals for Dual-Calendar Schools

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For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GCPS BOE Names Principals for Dual-Calendar Schools

Earlier this winter, the Granville County Board of Education approved recommendations by Superintendent McLean to transition four schools to a dual-calendar schedule. These schools, Butner-Stem Elementary School, Butner-Stem Middle School, West Oxford Elementary School, and Northern Granville Middle School will all begin offering two separate calendar tracks under one roof beginning this July. These four schools are “choice program” schools and are open to enrollment for all families in the county. The year-round, or balanced calendar, will spread the traditional summer vacation out over the course of the school year, providing three-week breaks every quarter, called intersessions. This schedule prevents the “summer slide” experienced by many children and provides more regular breaks during the school year for enrichment, recreation and remediation.

In addition to the change in calendars, these schools will also adopt academic themes. The southern area schools will take a “STEAM” focus, using Engineering principles to target hands-on learning in Science, Technology and Math, combined with a focus on the Arts (S.T.E.A.M.). The two northern area schools will adopt a ‘Global Ready’ focus, bringing in experiential learning related to language, culture, international relations and geography.

In order to lead these transformations, Superintendent McLean tasked each school’s leadership team to participate in a rigorous application and interview process for the principal of the school. All sitting principals were invited to apply for the newly modified leadership positions. Dr. McLean explained, “We wanted school staff to have an active role in the process of choosing their leader. I believe that any time a school undergoes this type of change, it is critical that the process be as collaborative. Stakeholders need input to shape their own school’s future when possible.” In addition to teachers and other school staff members, each hiring committee also included a parent and local business or industry partner. These four school-based teams ultimately brought two finalists to Dr. McLean for her final review.

On Thursday, March 15, the Granville County Board of Education met and named the follow educators as Principals for the 2018-2019 school year:

Left to Right: David Hackney, Shelby Hunt, Lauren Allen, Cindy Daniel

  • Butner-Stem Elementary School: Cindy Daniels
  • Butner-Stem Middle School: Lauren Curtis
  • West Oxford Elementary School: Shelby Hunt
  • Northern Granville Middle School: David Hackney

Two of the four principals are new to Granville County Public Schools. Both Shelby Hunt (West Oxford Elementary School) and Lauren Curtis (Butner Stem Middle School), will remain as principals at their respective schools.

Biographies of each of the new school leaders are listed below. Both will also be holding special ‘meet and greet’ events for parents and community members in the near future.

Cindy Daniels graduated from Emmanuel College in Boston, Ma. in 1993 and moved to North Carolina in 1996. Mrs. Daniels taught for 10 years in NC. Six years of her teaching experience was at Easley Year Round Elementary School in Durham Public Schools. While teaching, Mrs. Daniels earned her Master’s Degree in School Administration from UNC Chapel Hill in 2006. She became an Assistant Principal in Chapel Hill City Schools before becoming a principal in Durham Public Schools in 2010. Mrs. Daniels was named Principal of Cameron Park Elementary School in Orange County in 2015. Mrs. Daniels is a strong supporter of the benefits of the year-round calendar and opportunities it can afford our students, which is what led her to this exciting journey at Butner-Stem Elementary. Mrs. Daniels is married and has two stepsons and enjoys watching sports with her family, particularly anything Carolina!

David L. Hackney, II is a Durham native, resident of Creedmoor and the son of the late David and Jacqueline Hackney. He is the husband of Anesta Hackney and proud father to daughters Camille (9) and Jordin (5). In 1999, David graduated from North Carolina Central University with a B.A. degree in History. In February 2001, he became employed as a social studies teacher in the Durham Public School system. He would serve in this role for almost 11 years. While teaching, he was also the Head Coach of the Varsity Football and the Women’s Basketball teams at Riverside High School. Mr. Hackney has always felt a calling to work with the youth. In 2012, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with his Master’s degree in School Administration. Mr. Hackney has served 6 years in secondary administration. He has completed the last two years as an Assistant Principal at Shepard IB Magnet Middle School in Durham, NC. He is also the advisor of the Brother 2 Brother Young Men’s Mentoring program. In 2017, he was a finalist for Durham Public School’s Assistant Principal of the Year. He is also the Founder of the Men’s Think Tank of Durham that meets monthly to discuss various topics to empower men to be vessels of knowledge to improve themselves, their family, and communities.

David is a man of faith. After marriage, David desired to have his young family be a part of a smaller church body in which their family could grow and work. He led his family to become members at United Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in 2013. David currently serves as a Deacon at United Christian as well as President of Men United/Laymen’s League, men’s ministry. Believing that everyone has the ability to help someone, Mr. Hackney’s Motto is: Reach one Teach One

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VGCC to hold event aimed at homeschoolers

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— courtesy VGCC

VGCC to hold event aimed at homeschoolers

Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with The College at Southeastern, will soon hold an information session specifically designed for high school-aged homeschoolers and homeschooling parents. The event, called “Generation Connect,” is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2018, from 1-3:30 p.m., in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Attendees will learn about the educational opportunities available at both institutions, and the unique partnership that VGCC and The College at Southeastern have recently formed. The colleges will be helping students (at any age) who want to enroll at both institutions at the same time, in order to maximize their career options.

Vance-Granville offers more than 40 degree, diploma, and certificate programs to prepare students for further education or to enter a career directly after graduation. Students will find opportunities through programs in business, computer science, construction, education, engineering, health sciences, human services, industrial technologies, law and public safety, public services and transportation technologies. The college operates four campuses, one each in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, while also providing unique online opportunities, with six degrees available totally online.

The College at Southeastern began in 1994 as an undergraduate school of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Wake Forest. The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees at Southeastern consist of a core curriculum which includes vital training in biblical studies, Christian worldview, world history, theology and English. In addition to their selected Bachelor of Arts major, all students complete a minor in Christian studies with the option of adding a second minor in their area of interest. For students on a Bachelor of Science track, all students have the option of transferring in credits from an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree, dual-enrolling in a vocational program at another institution like VGCC, or completing the business minor.

For more information and to RSVP for the information session, contact VGCC TechHire Project Manager Ken Wilson at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3259.

–VGCC–

(This is not a paid advertisement)

NC DIT Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Veterans a Success in First Run

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— press release from NC DIT

Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Veterans a Success in First Run
Apprenticeships help connect disabled vets with a new career

Raleigh, N.C. – Disabled veterans are getting access to skills and experience in the growing field of cybersecurity thanks to a unique partnership between state government, the tech sector and community colleges.

The Disabled Veterans Cybersecurity Apprenticeship program is a collaboration between the Department of Information Technology (DIT) and other state agencies; ISG, a Raleigh-based IT firm specializing in cybersecurity; and educational organizations in the state, including Wake Technical Community College and other community colleges. Only disabled veterans who are honorably discharged from service qualify to participate.

More than 200,000 members of the US military return to civilian life each year with 20,000 of them in North Carolina alone. Getting used to civilian life after a career in the military can prove difficult, especially for those who sustained service-related disabilities. The pilot program gives soldiers a new way to serve their country.

Five apprentices work eight-hour days Monday through Thursday, guided by mentors in their work. On Friday, the apprentices meet for training at ISG in Raleigh. They receive regular salary and benefits, and by the time they graduate from the program in October, they will be eligible to take the examination for and obtain a CISSP – Certified Information System Security Professional Associate certification. The two-year, $500,000 pilot program is in its second year.

“When I was selected for this program, it said to me, ‘Thank you for your service’ on a whole different level. It didn’t just thank me for my service, it thanked my family for the sacrifice that they made…. I really feel like the state is giving back. This is the thanks for my service, and now I am able to take care of my family,” said Vicky Steward, a retired first sergeant in the U.S. Army. Steward was injured almost 22 years ago in the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia.

ISG has a job placement program in place to ensure that all of the participants are employed after they complete their training, said Maria Thompson, DIT’s chief risk officer. Employers will gain well-trained, reliable, and dedicated workers in cybersecurity, a field that does not yet have enough qualified workers, and veterans receive training and expertise in a rising and lucrative IT field. Veterans are comfortable with changing environments and learning new things, Thompson said. They have been trained to protect, they have already proven themselves able to work hard with high integrity, and they are adept at working on teams.

“All of those things are things that you need in cybersecurity,” says Tony Marshall, ISG’s president and chief executive officer.

DIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Eric Boyette said he and the department will work to bring more veterans into the program. The department intends to ask the General Assembly in the coming legislative session for support to double the size of the next apprentice class.

“It’s great to be able to offer these positions to these individuals, and watch them grow, watch them succeed, watch them teach others, watch them learn, and just be able to be supportive,” Boyette said. “This initiative really needs to grow … and we are going to figure out ways to make it grow.”

For an inside look at the program and to hear from participants, visit: https://youtu.be/fmVfifI_JxQ

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Granville County Logo

Granville County Internet Access Survey 2018

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— press release

Granville County Conducts Internet Access Survey

Oxford, NC, March 20, 2018- Granville County is working hard to develop solutions to the Internet connectivity issues many of our residents and businesses face. Granville County has teamed up with Vance and Franklin Counties to work with the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments and the firm Mighty River, out of Wake Forest. Mighty River, LLC is working to advise and assist all three counties in developing a broadband strategy tailored to the needs of each region.

Before Granville County can determine solutions, the Granville County Broadband Action Committee members need more information about the current state of affairs involving Internet/broadband connectivity throughout Granville County. Even if residents and businesses are satisfied with their Internet, the Granville County Broadband Action Committee is interested in hearing from those individuals and entities.

In order to help Granville County obtain more information, please take the brief residential and/or business surveys about your current Internet/broadband service (or lack of service) in Granville County. Share the surveys with your friends, family, and work associates (but please only take it once). Home-based businesses are asked to fill out both surveys. Information collected through the surveys will only be used in the Internet/broadband strategic planning process.

Surveys are available at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GranvilleCountyResidential

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GranvilleBusinessSurvey

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Registration opens for Tour de Vance cycling event

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – courtesy VGCC

 

Registration opens for Tour de Vance cycling event

Registration is now underway for the Sixth Annual Tour de Vance Bike Ride scheduled for Saturday, April 28. The ride has been growing steadily since its inception, drawing families and first-timers in addition to the most seasoned of cyclists for four separate cycling events.

For the first time, proceeds from the ride will benefit the Endowment Fund at Vance-Granville Community College, with donations supporting scholarships for students enrolled in Health Sciences programs at the college.

Several different options are available for cyclists. The 10-mile route is ideal for youth, families and beginners. A 20-mile course suits riders ready for a bit more distance. Experienced cyclists can choose a 31-mile “Forest and Farmland” circle route through the country or a 62-mile “Kerr Lake Look” that adds to that 31-mile circle route an out-and-back spur to the lake past the Nutbush Creek State Recreation Area.

The rides will start and finish at VGCC’s Main Campus, located off Interstate 85 and Poplar Creek Road at 200 Community College Road in Henderson.

“This event has become a hit not just with locals but also with cyclists from the surrounding area who enjoy an organized event that is challenging but also takes them on a view of the beautiful countryside in our area,” said Wendy Meyer-Goodwin, who has been working as event organizer since the Tour de Vance began. “Last year, we had our largest number of participants ever.”

All riders can register through the Vance-Granville Community College website at vgcc.edu/tourdevance. Online registration will end at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27. On-site registration will be an option at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event.

The 10-mile ride will cost $10 for each rider. The 20-mile ride will cost $20 for those who register by Feb. 28, increasing to $25 thereafter. The 31-mile and 62-mile (or “metric century”) rides will cost $30 for those who register by Feb. 28, increasing to $40 thereafter.

“Vance-Granville’s Endowment Fund is honored to be associated with an event that has become such a success,” said Eddie Ferguson, director of the VGCC Endowment Fund. “This bike ride promotes the importance of exercise and good health. We are pleased to use these proceeds to help our students enrolled in the many Health Sciences programs at VGCC.”

VGCC offers curriculum programs including Associate Degree Nursing, Radiography, Practical Nursing, Histotechnology, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technology.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on April 28. The 62-mile ride starts at 8:30 a.m., the 31-mile ride at 9:30, the 20-mile ride at 10 a.m., and the 10-mile ride at 10:30 a.m. Law enforcement will accompany riders on the 10-mile route.

“This year, we are making changes to create a more fun and festive finish line,” Meyer-Goodwin added. “Instead of riders beginning at approximately the same time, we are staggering the start times to have more riders ending near the same time, in a congratulatory party of smiles, relief and story-swapping.”

Lunch will be provided.

Participating sponsors include Maria Parham Health, Carolina GI Associates PC, OmniPoint General Surgery, Nunnery-Freeman Barbecue, Spoke Cycles and Henderson Fruit & Produce.

For more information, contact Wendy Meyer-Goodwin at tourdevance@gmail.com.

–VGCC–