Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Board of Education Meeting 3-5-18

/by

— submitted by Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet in Regular Session on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Administrative Offices, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina, North Carolina. The Board will meet in Closed Session for Personnel/Attorney Client Privilege 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 March 5, 2018 and March 15, 2018. The next scheduled Board work session for the Board of Education will be held on Monday, March 26, 2018.

Dywanda Pettaway
Clerk to Board of Education

Oxford Prep Softball and Women’s Soccer 2-28-18

/by

The cover photo shows last year’s Oxford Prep Middle School softball team following an undefeated inaugural season.

The following sports information entries were submitted by Oxford Prep coaches:

Oxford Prep Softball Coach Tommy Anstead emailed WIZS News and said, “The Griffins defeated Falls Lake yesterday 6 – 2. It was a well played game by both teams. Jordan Dunn pitched a great game and had an in the park home run. All 9 batters hit the ball yesterday.”

Oxford Prep Women’s Soccer Coach Robert Breedlove indicated by email that Granville Central High School defeated Oxford Prep 2-0 at Granville Athletic Park.

(All local team coaches in Vance, Granville and Warren Counties are welcome to email WIZS News at johncharles@wizs.com with sports results.  Your submission will be published and it will be good for your team, school and community.  It will also help WIZS provide additional local coverage.)

Casino Night moved to Sept 28th

/by

Please note that the Granville County Chamber’s 1st Annual Casino Night event, DENIM AND DIAMONDS, has been postponed from this Saturday, March 3, to Friday, September 28th.

VGCC schedules tax seminar for small businesses

/by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28, 2018

 

VGCC schedules tax seminar for small businesses

The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center, in partnership with Woodforest National Bank and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, is offering a “Lunch Break to Educate” seminar on “Tax Planning & Reporting for a Small Business” on Wednesday, March 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The seminar, which is free of charge, will be held at the Chamber of Commerce office at 414 South Garnett Street in Henderson.

After completing this seminar, attendees will be able to identify the federal, state and local tax reporting requirements of a small business and its owner, and to establish a plan to account and pay for those taxes. They will also learn how to identify methods for researching the local, municipal, and county reporting/licensing requirements for a small business.

Lunch will be provided by Woodforest National Bank to the first 20 participants who register.

The seminar is part of a series, called “Preparing for a Healthy Business in 2018,” being offered by the VGCC Small Business Center periodically throughout the year.

Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/small-business-center. The deadline to register is March 2.

For more information, contact Tanya Weary at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3240.

–VGCC–

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Registration Underway for the 2018 Master Gardener Symposium

/by

By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire

The Master Gardner volunteers invite the public to attend the annual Master Gardner Symposium, sponsored by NC Cooperative Extension. This year’s symposium will be held Saturday, March 24, 2018, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson.

The cost of attendance is $30 if registration is received by Wednesday, February 28, 2018. After this date, the cost of registration increases to $35 per person. The price of registration includes snacks, beverages and lunch.

There will also be an optional, hands-on workshop in the afternoon for participants to make, and learn how to use, their own rain barrel with supplied materials. The workshop is limited to 25 pre-registered participants for an additional fee.

According to Paul McKenzie, area agent for the Vance County Cooperative Extension Office, space is limited and tickets often sell out prior to the day of the event. Those interested in attending the symposium are urged to register as early as possible to guarantee entry.

The theme for this year’s symposium is “Backyard Gardening: Changing Times, Changing Conditions.”

The symposium will feature four speakers, including keynote speaker Sam Pearsall, the retired director of the North Carolina Natural Heritage program. Pearsall will explain how climate change impacts natural ecosystems and personal gardens.

Additional speakers include educators from NC State University:

  • Elsa Youngsteadt, Research Associate and science writer, will discuss various species of bees and the role they play in the ecosystem. Specific focus will be given on how to protect bees and attract them to gardens.
  • Barbara Fair, Associate Professor, Landscape Extension Specialist and Certified Arborist, will discuss plant selection, water conservation efforts and rain gardens.
  • Joseph Neal, Professor of Weed Science, will discuss landscape weed management.

“This year’s speakers will address pollinators-how to protect them and get them to visit your garden, plant selection for drought resistance, water conservation and weed management,” said McKenzie. “You will be hearing facts and unbiased, researched-based information, not just the latest, greatest trend.”

Those interested in attending the symposium are encouraged to join the Master Gardner Volunteer Program. Volunteers are provided with 40 hours of gardening training in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer work. “The volunteer program is an amazing opportunity to learn and to give back through community outreach at local schools, farmers markets and other areas,” McKenzie said.

The registration form for the symposium may be downloaded from https://go.ncsu.edu/vancegarden. For more information, contact the Vance County Cooperative Extension office at (252) 438-8188.

 

Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start Expands Children’s Free Book Program

/by

By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor For Hire

Franklin-Granville-Vance (FGV) Smart Start recently received funding from NC state lawmakers to expand their free reading program – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – to children ages birth to five years old.

Children in this age range who are residents of Franklin, Granville or Vance County can receive one book a month in the mail free of charge. “If we can sign a child up at birth, that child can receive 60 books free of charge prior to the program ending,” said Garry Daeke, development coordinator for FGV Smart Start.

The first book participants receive is “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper, which, according to Daeke, plays into Parton’s theme of the fire engine. The last book in the series is “Kindergarten Here I Come” by D.J. Steinberg and teaches children ideas and concepts that will prepare them for elementary school.

According to Daeke, the goal of the program is to make books available to all children, regardless of income, and to increase their exposure to language and concepts at an early age. “Brain science says children’s brains are 85% developed by the age of five. Dolly’s program is teaching children to read and helping them understand higher concepts,” said Daeke.

The books are developmentally appropriate for children at the age of sign up and change each month as the child grows. “This program gets kids excited to run to the mailbox each month to receive a book with their own name on it,” said Daeke.

Founded by singer and entertainer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation in 1995, the Imagination Library has been a part of Vance County on a smaller scale since 2005.

“The NC legislature made more funding available to Smart Starts around the state in order to grow the program. This will allow us to enroll an additional 400-500 children in Vance County this year alone,” said Daeke.

Applications can be found at various locations around town including pediatric offices, childcare centers, the Vance County Public Health Department, the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library and the FGV Smart Start office located at 125 Charles D. Rollins Road near Maria Parham Health in Henderson.

FGV Smart Start will also have a booth set up at the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library in Henderson on Thursday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children present at the sign up will be able to take a book home with them that day.

According to Daeke, the application process only takes a minute and the child should receive their first book in the mail one to two months after the application has been completed.

Those interested in the program may also contact the FGV Smart Start office at (252) 433-9110 or visit the NC Smart Start website at www.ncsmartstart.org to enroll online.

Granville Crime Stoppers

Granville Crime Stoppers Feb 2018

/by

— news release courtesy Granville Crime Stoppers

On Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property of a residence located off Bob Daniel Rd, Oxford, NC and forced entry of a residence and a barn that caused criminal property damage. Several guns, ammunition, one digital camera, as well both power and hand tools were criminally removed from the property.

On Thursday, February 15th, 2018 an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property of a residence located off Lucy Averette Rd, Oxford, NC and forced entry of a residence, which caused criminal damage. One 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun and one 42 inch television was criminally removed from the property.

If you have information concerning these incidents, 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 THESE CRIMES. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE CRIMES 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.

U.S. Department of Justice

OXFORD MAN SENTENCED FOR FELON IN POSSESSION AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN FURTHERANCE OF A DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME

/by

— press release courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice

NEW BERN – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that yesterday afternoon in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced ROY LEE TERRY, 53, of Oxford to 101 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.

TERRY was named in a three-count Indictment filed on August 23, 2016. On November 16, 2016, TERRY subsequently pled guilty to one-count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and one-count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime.

The investigation began when the Oxford Police Department (OPD) received information that TERRY was dealing in drugs. On August 26, 2015, the OPD received information from a confidential source (CS) indicating that TERRY was storing and selling cocaine base at his residence. With the assistance of the CS, authorities conducted four purchases of narcotics from TERRY.

On September 10, 2016, the OPD executed a search warrant at TERRY’S residence. A cooperating witness (CW) informed law enforcement that TERRY had been seen with a handgun and cocaine in his bedroom prior to OPD’s arrival. Present at the time, in addition to Terry was Terry’s mother, who was charged by the State of North Carolina, two females and juveniles. During the subsequent search of the residence, authorities located the following in TERRY’S bedroom: a stolen .380 semi-automatic handgun loaded with 8 rounds; approximately 9.34 grams of cocaine base; approximately 15.5 grams of off-white powder; a plastic bag with cocaine residue; $680 in U.S. currency, a digital scale, plastic baggies, and other related items. In a bedroom next to TERRY’S bedroom, a box containing 42 rounds of 9 mm ammunition was located. After waiving his rights, Terry confessed to knowingly possessing the firearm. Further investigation revealed that the firearm was stolen.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The Oxford Police Department, the North Carolina State Crime Lab, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

###

VGCC students awarded Golden LEAF scholarships

/by

— courtesy of VGCC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2018

 

VGCC students awarded Golden LEAF scholarships

A group of students from Vance-Granville Community College recently received scholarships through the Golden LEAF Scholarship program for the North Carolina Community College System. The scholarship program, designed to help North Carolinians attend the state’s community colleges, is funded through a $750,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

The scholarship can be used to assist with tuition, books, fees, supplies, transportation and childcare expenses related to attending classes during the 2017-18 academic year, and industry-recognized credential testing expenses that address skill gaps upon course completion. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and reside in rural counties that are tobacco-dependent and/or economically distressed. Scholarships for both occupational (continuing education) and curriculum students are available during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

The VGCC students who were awarded Golden LEAF Scholarships for the fall 2017 semester (with their respective programs of study) included:

Angela Bullock of Warrenton (Associate in General Education – General Science);
Whitney Cox of Oxford (Radiography);
Brittney Darnell of Henderson (Business Administration);
Catherine Demming of Oxford (Criminal Justice);
Ethel Fogg of Warrenton (Culinary Arts);
Coleen Green of Creedmoor (Associate in General Education – General Science);
Holly Heston of Louisburg (Medical Office Administration);
Latosha Hunt of Oxford (Business Administration);
Jan Maniace of Henderson (Radiography);
Tracy Matthews of Oxford (Medical Office Administration);
Tyvoria Richardson of Warrenton (Associate Degree Nursing);
Crystal Satterfield of Oxford (Associate Degree Nursing);
Ashley Sawyer of Franklinton (Associate Degree Nursing); and
Shalinda White of Louisburg (Medical Office Administration).

“The Golden LEAF Foundation is proud to have awarded over 11,800 Golden LEAF Scholarships to help North Carolinians attend our state’s community colleges,” said Dan Gerlach, Golden LEAF president. “Our hope is that these scholarships will help build the talent, knowledge and skills of our current and future workforce, which are in demand by industry, especially in the rural areas of our state.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to help transform North Carolina’s economy. The foundation receives one-half of North Carolina’s funds from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers and places special emphasis on assisting tobacco-dependent, economically distressed and/or rural communities across the state. The Golden LEAF Foundation works in partnership with governmental entities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and nonprofits to achieve its mission. The foundation has awarded 1,558 grants totaling more than $802 million since its inception. For more information about the foundation, visit www.goldenleaf.org or call (888) 684-8404.

Students interested in applying for a Golden LEAF Scholarship should contact the VGCC Financial Aid Office at (252) 738-3280.

–VGCC–

Oxford Prep Set to Host 4th Mattress Sale Fundraiser

/by

The following is a press release from Andrew Swanner, Executive Director of the Oxford Preparatory School.

Oxford Prep Set to Host 4th Mattress Sale Fundraiser

On Saturday, March 3 Oxford Prep will host its 4th annual mattress sale fundraiser. Once again the sale is sponsored by The Mattress Center of Winston Salem. The Mattress Center is owned by Paul Smith, a 2006 graduate of J.F. Webb High School and former deputy sheriff with the Granville County Sheriff’s Department.

There will be two important changes this year. For the first time, the Mattress Sale will be held in Oxford Prep’s new gymnasium, located at 6041 Landis Road in Oxford. In addition, one-half of the proceeds will be benefit OPS athletics and one-half will benefit the school’s academic needs through PTO grants.

Once again, The Mattress Center will bring a full line of top quality mattresses and accessories that will be offered at great prices. The lineup will feature Sealy Hybrid, Sterns & Foster, Simmons Beautyrest, adjustable beds, Cool Gel memory foam beds, flat pack bed base pillows, and mattress protectors. These mattresses are some of the best available in market right now. You can even get the review of the best orthopaedic mattresses online. In addition to accepting cash or check, a number of financing options will be offered including zero percent financing, no credit financing, and free layaway.

The fundraiser will be held at the Oxford Prep gymnasium from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3rd. “This is my way of giving back to the community that has done so much for me over the years,” Smith said. “Anyone who is not satisfied with the bed they are sleeping on can get a top-quality mattress at a really low price, and help some of our students at the same time.”

(This is not a paid advertisement.)