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Check Back for additional Closings and Delays

 

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Closings & Delays

Schools

  • Crossroads Christian Schools – CLOSED Tuesday, January 26.
  • Granville County Public Schools – CLOSED Tuesday, January 26, for all students and school system employees. This Saturday, January 30 will be a make-up school day. School will open on an early release schedule on this day. Making up instructional hours this Saturday will help protect our calendar for the remainder of the year.
  • Vance County Public Schools – CLOSED Tuesday, January 26, for all students and school system employees.
  • Vance-Granville Community College – All VGCC campuses will open at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 26.
  • Victory Christian School and Daycare – CLOSED Tuesday, January 26.

 

Court

  • The District Attorney’s offices – in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties will open at 9:30 am on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.  Franklin County District Court, Vance County District Court and Vance County CMS Court will begin at 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.  Granville County Superior Trial Court will begin at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.  Anyone who missed his/her court date Monday, because of court cancellations, will be mailed a notice by the Clerk of Court notifying of a new court date.

Meeting at VGCC Provides Information on Statewide Bond

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An informational meeting organized by North Carolina State University and North Carolina Cooperative Extension to discuss the upcoming Connect NC bond referendum was held at Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus on Jan. 14.

Among those in attendance were community leaders from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, VGCC trustees and officials, and a representative from Piedmont Community College in Person County. The event was one of 22 such educational meetings being held across the state in advance of the vote on the bond, which is set for March 15.VGCC - Steward - Bond Referendum

Among the featured speakers was Dr. Travis Burke, the interim associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NCSU and interim director of N.C. Cooperative Extension. Burke explained that, if approved by voters, the Connect NC Public Improvement Bond would benefit agriculture, higher education, parks, the N.C. National Guard and other public services, without requiring an increase in taxes. “The state is growing and has infrastructure needs,” Burke said. “We have added two million people since the last statewide bond referendum in 2000.”

The North Carolina Community College System would receive $350 million from the bond. That includes a little more than $7.6 million specifically for VGCC, which could be used for construction, renovation and repairs across the college’s four campuses. Only seven of the state’s 58 community colleges would receive more funding than VGCC.

“The community college system is one of the state’s crown jewels, not only for education but also for economic development,” said Dr. Marshall Stewart, also of N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, at the meeting. Stewart provided a breakdown of investments that the state would be able to make if Connect NC is approved. More than half of the proceeds are earmarked for higher education, including 49% for the University of North Carolina system and 17% for community colleges. The remainder is divided as follows: 16% for water/sewer projects and local parks; 9% for agriculture; 5% for state parks (including Kerr Lake) and the North Carolina Zoo; and 4% for public safety.

Other speakers at VGCC included Paul Westfall, Granville County director for N.C. Cooperative Extension; Richard Campbell of NCSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; and Matthew Hebb, a regional field director for the Connect NC Committee.

(Information provide by press release from VGCC.)

Granville Chamber Banquet to feature TarHeel Traveler

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The Granville County Chamber’s Annual Banquet has been scheduled for Monday evening, January 25th, 6:30 pm in Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus Civic Center.

Meetings committee chairman William Adcock announces that the evening will once again include the presentation of the Chamber’s most prestigious award, the John Penn Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding community service.

Guest presenter for the evening will be Scott Mason, Reporter, WRAL-TV and “The Tarheel Traveler”.  “Mason is a broadcast journalist with more than 30 years of television experience.  Scott has worked as a reporter and bureau chief for several network affiliates.”  His “success caught the attention of WRAL-TV.  In April , 1997, Scott became the station’s Documentary Producer.  He researched, wrote and produced nine documentaries before adding his talents to the nightly news team as a reporter specializing in features.

Today, Scott is known as the Tar Heel Traveler.  His Monday-Thursday features series on WRAL takes viewers along the back roads of North Carolina where he meets memorable characters, finds out-of-the-way places and unearths fascinating historical footnotes.  The series has become so popular it has led to Tar Heel Traveler half-hour specials, which Scott produces each quarter.”

Scott has also published two books about his television adventures:  Tar Heel Traveler:  Journeys Across North Carolina and Tar Heel Traveler Eats:  Food Journeys Across North Carolina (2014).

A buffet dinner will be provided by Chamber member Ted’s Catering.  Tickets are $40 each.  Corporate tables of 8, with reserved seating, are available for $300.00.  Corporate tables of 10, reserved seating, are available for $380.00.  Tickets/reservations are required prior to the event.  Checks or credit card payments are accepted by contacting one of the Chamber’s offices –  919.693.6125/Wanda, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 919.528.4994/Toni Anne, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Banquet sponsors are:  Duke Energy as the presenting sponsor; BB&T, CertainTeed, Granville Health System, The School of Graphic Arts, and Time Warner Cable.

VGCC Vanguards to play JV Tar Heels at Dean Dome

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For the first time, the Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team will soon travel to the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill to face the University of North Carolina Tar Heels junior varsity team.

Playing against the prestigious program in one of college basketball’s most well-known arenas has been a longtime goal for VGCC head coach Michael Woody, now in his third season. The JV game is set for Saturday, Jan. 16, at 9 a.m. Later that day, the varsity Tar Heels will take on the N.C. State Wolfpack.

Henderson-based radio station WIZS 1450 AM will provide live coverage of the game starting at 8:45 a.m. Even for those outside the range of the radio station, the broadcast can be streamed online at wizs.com/listennow/ or on a smart phone with the free “TuneIn Radio” app.

The Vanguards compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II, which includes ten two-year colleges in North Carolina and Virginia.

The UNC JV squad has several community college teams on its schedule this year, including one of VGCC’s Region X conference rivals, Wake Tech Community College. The Tar Heels defeated the Wake Tech Eagles on Dec. 6 by a score of 83-73. Likewise, the Vanguards beat the Eagles by the same margin, 67-57, in VGCC’s season opener on Nov. 6.

VGCC is 1-1 versus the junior varsity squads from four-year schools so far this season. The Vanguards beat the University of Mount Olive JV team on Nov. 8, but lost to the St. Andrews University JV squad on Nov. 16.

Coincidentally, one of the stars of the UNC varsity team, junior Isaiah Hicks, is a former teammate of VGCC sophomore Tyrek Beverly from their days at J.F. Webb High School in Oxford.

Admission is free to the UNC JV game. Attendees must present a valid North Carolina driver’s license at Entry Gate “B” to enter. For more information, call the Smith Center at (919) 962-2296.

Computer Science and Coding

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The week of December 7 – 13, Granville County Public School students participated in the International Computer Science Education Week. Known by many as the time for an “Hour of Code”, the celebration marks a time during which students are introduced to computer science and the skill of “coding”. As part of the event, GCPS classes from across the district competed to win a contest for participation. Of the dozens and dozens that entered, the following classes were selected from each grade span:

Elementary: Florence Blackwell at Joe Toler-Oak Hill
Middle: Amanda Vaughan at Granville Magnet
High: Victoria Sondecker at JF Webb School of Health and Life Sciences

You might have heard about the craze for learning code. But what exactly is coding? Coding is what makes it possible for us to create computer software, apps and websites. Your browser, your computer’s basic operating system, the apps on your phone, Facebook, and this website – they’re all made with code.

Learning about coding and computer science is basically about learning how to solve problems using the language of computers. By introducing students to this topic, we hope to provide students an opportunity to explore what will arguably be one of the most important skills for the future.

Beyond this introductory set of activities, Granville County Public Schools also offers other opportunities for coding. Many elementary schools have clubs for coding, and middle schools offer an introduction to these concepts in the Computer Skills and Applications course. In addition, there are a number of Career and Technical Education high school courses that allow students to learn more in-depth skills, including Introduction to Computer Science, Multimedia and Webpage Design, Computer Programming, and AP Computer Science. To learn more about opportunities in Computer Science, contact your school today.  These skills will be in high demand for our students entering the workforce – be prepared!!!!

(Press Release – Granville County Schools)

Beverly returns to leading role with Vanguards

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Vance-Granville Community College sophomore Tyrek Beverly of Oxford scored 23 points Jan. 5 as the Vanguards men’s basketball team faced the University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie. He and his teammates fought hard, but the visiting squad eked out a narrow win, 74-71, at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson.

As a freshman in 2014-15, Beverly was often the team’s leading scorer, but at the beginning of this season, he was sidelined by an injury and only started to get back on the court in late November. His strong performance versus the USC Salkehatchie Indians marked a return to form for the J.F. Webb High School alumnus. Beverly had three rebounds and two steals, as well. Also scoring in double figures were Raekwon Hall of Raleigh, with 15 points, and Ty’Quon Reid of Durham, with 11. Donal Gooch of Raleigh had the most rebounds (8) for the Vanguards.

VGCC’s last three games of 2015 were also losses. On Nov. 24, the Vanguards fell to the reigning national champions, the Statesmen of Richard Bland College, by a score of 102-81 in Petersburg, Va. Hall and Reid led their team in scoring, with 27 and 25 points, respectively. Reid posted 6 rebounds to lead the Vanguards in that statistic.

On Dec. 2, VGCC returned home and played area rival Louisburg College in the second annual “Vanguard Night” game. Festivities included a DJ, prize drawings and performances by the Vanguard Spirit Pep Squad and a step team from a Granville County youth organization, “Un-Rappin’ the Gift.” After a close first half, the Hurricanes pulled away in the second, winning 89-77. Reid’s 30 points made him the Vanguards’ top scorer. Hall contributed 18 points. Gooch recorded 6 rebounds.

The calendar year ended with a 117-111 double-overtime loss to Central Carolina Community College in Sanford on Dec. 8. Hall put up 35 points, while Beverly showed improvement by scoring 22, just one more point than Reid. Gooch again led in rebounding, with 9.

Upcoming VGCC home games at Aycock Recreation Center are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m., versus Lenoir Community College, and Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m., versus Catawba Valley Community College. Admission is free.

VGCC to host Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration on Jan. 20

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Vance-Granville Community College will hold a special program celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. The celebration is free and open to the public.

The theme of this year’s event is “The Courage to Dream, The Determination to Achieve.” The program will include inspirational music presented by a choir of VGCC faculty and staff, as well as remarks by guest speaker Kanika Turrentine, founder and CEO of the Henderson-based non-profit organization, Infinite Possibilities, Inc. Through her organization, Turrentine has developed and implemented numerous programs and outreach events for targeted groups such as single mothers, at-risk youth, the homeless, and victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Henderson native and former public school teacher graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a Bachelor’s in Business Management and from Strayer University with a Master’s in Public Administration.

Also participating in the program will be officers of the VGCC Student Government Association.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to a local charitable organization. All attendees who donate a food item will be eligible to win a door prize.

In case of inclement weather, the event is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m.

For more information, contact Melanie Copeland at (252) 738-3271 or copelandm@vgcc.edu.

78th Annual H-V Chamber Banquet

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In an email to members, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President John Barnes provides details of the upcoming banquet.

“We are very excited about the annual event that you will not want to miss, which will take place on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at the beautiful Vance Granville Community College Civic Center in Henderson.

“Duke Energy will again serve as the Presenting Sponsor for our 78th Annual Banquet. Currently, Maria Parham Medical Center has already secured one of our Gold sponsorships and BB&T, along with Wake Electric Membership Corporation, have invested as Silver sponsorships. And, Express Employment Professionals is a Bronze sponsor. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Contributing sponsorships are available for any Chamber member.

“Our annual banquet provides a unique opportunity to experience a delicious dinner while enjoying an evening of fellowship with friends, neighbors, and Chamber members. Along with the delectable meal, the evening will include:

“A keynote address delivered by the very dynamic speaker, Mr. Chris Chung, Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina who will provide an informative analysis about economic development in Vance County and North Carolina.”

Also as a part of the Banquet:

Recognition of the Vance County Schools’ teacher, assistant principal, and principal of the year.
Announcement of the Vance County Schools’ “Shining Moment in Education” award recipient.
Presentation of the 2015 Ambassador of the Year award
Announce and recognize the recipient of the prestigious Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award for 2015!
Again this year, the banquet will also feature entertainment and outstanding door prizes.

Barnes said in his email, “Tickets for our Annual Banquet, which are $35 per ticket or reserved tables of 10 for the discounted rate of $320, sell-out very quickly and with an exceptional program planned for 2016, we expect tickets to go fast again this year. Tickets are limited, so you will want to place your order right-away!”

He said, “Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce office at 252-438-8414 for ticket purchases or details on how your business can give-back to your community while also receiving exceptional brand recognition through our outstanding sponsorship investment opportunities.”

VGCC to offer Agricultural Entrepreneurship program in Vance & Granville counties

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With partners at the local and state levels, the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center will soon offer the “NC REAL Agricultural Entrepreneurship” program in Henderson and in Oxford.

The seven-week course is designed specifically to help local farmers and budding entrepreneurs succeed in developing profitable, environmentally-sound small farms or agricultural businesses.

The class will be offered at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (210 Southpark Drive, Henderson) on Saturdays, Jan. 23 through March 5, from 8 until 11 a.m.

At the Granville County Expo & Convention Center (4185 U.S. Highway 15, Oxford), the class will be offered on Mondays, Feb. 8 through March 21, from 6 until 9 p.m.

Space is limited to 20 students at each location.

NC REAL Agricultural Entrepreneurship is designed for small business owners who grow crops or trees, raise livestock, or make sauces, pickles or jams with items from a garden. The goal is for participants to strengthen their business savvy in order to gain the highest profit margin possible.

Participants will consider challenges such as pricing their products; the logistics of getting their products to the market; selecting the best market; and how to generate income between growing seasons. Other topics include business development and management, finance and regulatory requirements, quality and safety standards. Participants will also be introduced to resources and contacts that can help them operate more efficiently and effectively.

The instructor at both locations will be Carrie Harvey of Harvey Hills Farms in Oxford, who is also a client of the VGCC Small Business Center.

“This is a hands-on, interactive program, beneficial to farmers or anyone who grows a marketable agricultural product, who wishes to start a business or has been in business less than three years,” said Tanya Weary, director of the Small Business Center. Each participant will receive free, one-on-one counseling as a client of the Small Business Center, which will help them take their ideas to the next level of business planning.

Tuition for the course is $70, and the cost of the textbook is $25. Scholarships to offset the cost of tuition are available to qualified participants, thanks to support from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

For more information and to register, contact Kyle Burwell, coordinator of Human Resources Development, at (252) 738-3276 or hrd-wk@vgcc.edu, or Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

Propel GPS holds Ribbon Cutting

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Propel GPS, LLC held a ribbon cutting on December 8th to celebrate the expansion of their offices at 946X Crossroads Shopping Center on Highway 39.  A Chamber member for over 2 years, the company opened in Henderson over 3 years ago.

Company owner and CEO Rick Burtner welcomed attendees to the event which was part of a Christmas Open House featuring catered refreshments and introductions of team members from various parts of the US. The company offers a one-stop solution for asset management and sensor monitoring in a robust, secure, reliable platform that combines the accuracy of Global Positioning System (GPS) wireless communications using global satellite and cellular technology.  It’s user-friendly application is easy to install, operate and manage and allows for the ease of tracking vehicles and/or critical assets directly from a desktop or mobile phone.

If your company has a fleet to manage, drivers to monitor or temperature sensitive perishable goods to haul, Propel GPS may be just the solution for you.  In addition, the company takes pride in their involvement with area universities and Vance-Granville Community College through the use of interns, practicum classes and student hires as well partnerships with veterans and veteran groups.

The company has offices in Reston, VA and in Henderson, NC and can be reached for business inquiries at 901-359-4731 or on the web at www.PropelGPS.com.