New Law Eliminates Need For Sheriff’s Offices To Issue Pistol Purchase Permits

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame issued a press release Thursday to reiterate the news coming out of the N.C. General Assembly about pistol purchase permit applications.

“Effective immediately, pistol purchase permits will no longer be issued by any sheriff in North Carolina,” Brame stated. “The Vance County Sheriff’s Office has stopped processing pistol purchase permit applications, including pending applications,” he continued.

All state laws regarding the issuance of pistol purchase permits by sheriffs in North Carolina were repealed on Wednesday morning following a vote by the General Assembly to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections.

This means any person who wants to purchase or transfer a handgun in North Carolina no longer has to apply to the sheriff for a pistol purchase permit. However, any person who wants to purchase a handgun through a firearms dealer will still undergo the background check required under current law and either be sold the handgun or denied sale if the background check indicates the person is disqualified from possessing a firearm.

Brame stressed that it is important to understand that North Carolina concealed handgun laws have NOT changed.

Any person residing in Vance County who wishes to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina must still apply for and be issued a concealed handgun permit by the sheriff.

Criminal penalties still apply for anyone that knowingly transfers a handgun to a person who may not lawfully possess the firearm (such as a convicted felon). Therefore, it is important for citizens to remember that anyone wishing to obtain or transfer any firearm, including a handgun, must still comply with federal and state laws governing who may lawfully possess a firearm.

 

 

TownTalk: Buy A Piece Of History At Alston Estate Sale

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Bill Alston was a regular caller to TownTalk shows for years, and he was a wealth of knowledge about many things, from railroads to pocket watches.

Alston also was an avid collector, from Civil war artifacts to books on local history.

He died in 2020, and the time has come for his estate auction.

Elissa P. Yount and Bill Alston were friends with a common interest in auctions and local history.

Over the years, Alston collected items of interest, but he also inherited items that had been in the Alston family for generations.

“Bill was a prophet to know that these things would be so valuable,” Yount said on TownTalk. “He just had an eye and a knack for what would be important for future generations.”

A former English teacher, Yount said she is especially interested in the numerous diaries and different historical accounts that she said are among Alston’s collection.

There’s an entire collection of Warren County native Reynolds Price’s works – to Yount’s delight. Other local authors – from Thad Stem to Junius Rogers – are represented as well.

His collection of local histories is quite extensive, too. “He has a book for just about every county in North Carolina,” Yount said. “He was just a great, great collector.”

The auctions will contain many of the items that Alston collected over the years. Online bids are being accepted now and the winning bids will be announced, lot by lot, beginning at 1 p.m. each day on April 6, 7 and 8.

If you are interested in railroad items, bottles, baskets, the Civil War, Corbitt Trucks, locks and toys, check out Winstead’s Auction at
https://www.winsteadsauction.com.
Photos of the items for the April 6, 7 and 8 auctions also can be found at estatesales.net.

A couple of housekeeping notes regarding the online bidding for those who may not be familiar with how online auctions work:

  • Bids can be placed until 1 p.m. on the day of the auction; lots will close one per minute. Any bids placed in the last five minutes will extend the bidding by five minutes.

Here’s a sneak peek about the history of the Alston family and some of the items that are included in the estate sale, as related by the auctioneers:

The Alston family were direct descendants of individuals associated with both Saxham Hall inWarrenton and Butterwood Plantation in Halifax County, NC.

The April 6 auction provides a unique opportunity to purchase authentic Americana items, including Alston’s lifetime book collections, including books on local history, genealogical records and other rare volumes.

The April 7 auction includes bottles from Panacea Springs, benches from Boyce Drug Store, locally handcrafted baskets, a Columbia phonograph and Corbitt memorabilia, just to list a few.

Items during the April 8 auction include antique portraits, a Philadelphia Tall Case clock, maritime memorabilia and authentic artifacts from the Civil War.

 

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Granville Chamber Taking Nominations For 2022 Small Business Of The Year Through April 17

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The Granville Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2022 Small Business of the Year through April 17.

There are a few criteria to keep in mind about the business being nominated:

  • Has a maximum of 50 employees
  • Is a member of the Chamber
  • Is in operation two or more years and have grown or remained stable during its operation
  • Provides a critical service or product, fill a void in the business community or have a unique approach to deliver of goods and services
  • Is supportive of community growth sustainability
  • Is NOT a governmental agency or municipality
  • May have overcome extraordinary circumstances to remain open

Any individual can nominate a business that they feel deserves recognition and companies may self-nominate.

All nominated companies will be required to submit a written application and return it to the Chamber office no later than April 17. All applications will remain confidential.

Visit https://granville-chamber.com/ to download the nomination form.

Forms should be returned to the Chamber office no later than 5 p.m. on April 17 via email, U.S. mail or hand-delivered.

Send completed nomination forms to lauren@granville-chamber.com; mail to Granville Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 820, Oxford, NC 27565 or hand deliver to the office, located at 124 Hillsboro St., Oxford.

SportsTalk: Mark Packer Remembers His Father, Billy Packer

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Enjoy this post of Mark Packer speaking about his father, legendary basketball announcer Billy Packer.

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TownTalk: Continuing Education At Vance Granville Community College

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Vance-Granville Community College is offering several Open House opportunities for students to learn more about a variety of program opportunities available, especially for those non-traditional students who work during the day and need to take classes in the evening or online.

Stephanie Tolbert is VGCC’s dean of Business, Applied Tech and Public Services, was a guest on TownTalk and shared just a few of the programs and classes that are available.

“We know life is busy,” Tolbert said, but especially in this post-COVID world, “people are juggling things in their personal lives. By creating night programs and online programs, student can learn at their own pace or when they have the time, whether that’s early in the morning or late into the evening.

Nighttime welding classes are available at the Main Campus in Henderson, and a new evening welding class has opened up on the Franklin Campus. South Campus in Butner has revived its HVAC class as well, Tolbert noted.

These classes typically meet in the evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., which gives students a bit of time to finish their jobs, grab a bite of supper and then head to class. They fall under the category of Applied Technology, which means they are held in person and involve a lot of hands-on learning.

But there also are a wide variety of classes that are 100 percent online, she said. Students can learn medical coding and supply chain management, among others, at “any time that fits their schedule.”

The Open House offers students and prospective students an “all-access pass ” to VGCC campuses, Tolbert said.

The upcoming schedule is as follows:

  • Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon – Main Campus, Henderson
  • April 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Franklin Campus, Louisburg
  • Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon – South Campus, Butner

 

During these open houses, school representatives will be available to speak with attendees about anything from admission requirements to particular degree programs and financial aid.

Unsure about a career path or need to change course? Then Linda Fletcher, director of Career Services, may be the person to speak with.

Whether you’re interested in taking a single class to learn about, say, small engine repair, or are interested in a certificate program or an associate’s degree, VGCC is a good resource for the community.

“As life changes, our needs, interest levels, goals change,” Tolbert said. VGCC can help students who may begin taking a single class develop a program that could ultimately become that career path or completion of a higher degree.

“We’re dedicated to meeting students where they are and helping them get to where they want to go,” she said.

Visit www.vgcc.edu to learn more and to register to attend one of the upcoming Open House events.

 

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L.B. Yancey Students Participate In Career Day And Expo

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When you’re a fifth grader, it’s tough to visualize where you may see yourself in the future, but thanks to L.B. Yancey Elementary’s Career Day and Expo, but at least one young person’s eyes were opened to the possibility of becoming a photographer when she grows up.

The “I Am Tomorrow” career expo was held in the school gym on Mar. 22. Students dressed up as doctors, chefs, police officers and more as a way to share information and interests about different careers.

Staff members joined in the fun and parents were invited to participate as well as the children – a much livelier event than last year’s, which had to take place virtually because of COVID-19 restrictions on gathering.

Numerous career professionals set up displays to help the students learn about a variety of career opportunities, from being a barber to a meteorologist. On the list of specially invited professionals was:

  • Vance County Schools’ Center for Innovation Robotics Team
  • Spectrum News 1 Meteorologist, Vernon Turner
  • Maria Parham Primary Care Physician, Dr. Gary Smith
  • Fitness Trainer, Jessica Rice-Hawkins
  • Entrepreneur, Jinell Cheek of Nellie C Photography
  • Barber, Richard Terry
  • Licensed Funeral Director, Joshua Hicks
  • Musician, Justen Ward
  • Entrepreneur, Taylor Evans with Cricut Personalizations
  • Representatives from the Walmart Distribution Center
  • Vance County Sheriff’s Office

The day started with a parade, and students walked the school’s hallways while Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5” filled the air. Other students lined the hallways,armed with handmade posters with inspirational messages to cheer on the parade participants.

Career Day Expo Chairperson Alicia Clarke said the goal was to allow students to see different professionals as a way to motivate them to set goals for themselves and then working toward achieving those goals. “If this Career Day was any indication of what is to come, then the world will be in good hands,” Clarke stated.

L.B. Yancey Principal Dr. Shannon Bullock agreed. “The school’s Career Day and Expo was a very successful event. The students and parents were so excited to see all the different career choices provided for them. Students were able to see successful individuals from Henderson and other nearby cities, and know that they are able to achieve anything they set their mind to.”

TownTalk: Embrace Henderson Family Spectacular Happening On April 22nd

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It’s only a few weeks away, but there’s no need to purchase tickets or send an RSVP with the number of people who will be attending – the Embrace Henderson Family Spectacular takes place on Saturday, April 22 and it’s free, free, free.

As the name implies, this is an event for the entire family, said Kevin Kilgore, one of the organizers. The event will again be held at SaddleRock Farm, 1786 Weldon’s Mill Rd., Henderson. Whether the little ones want to ride a horse  or prefer to go on a hayride, there surely will be plenty to do between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to keep everyone entertained.

“Hopefully the weather will be good…to come out to an outside event,” Kilgore said. There also will be a variety of inflatables for the youngsters to enjoy – slides, bounce houses and games, he said. And not to overstate it, but it’s all free.

Want some popcorn? Free. Choose a fruity sno-cone? No charge.

There IS one particular ride that requires a wristband to ride, but Kilgore said it’s not to check minimum height. That wristband indicates that you’ve passed through the Tent of the Wordless Book to hear the Good News from Christians ready to share information about their faith.

It can be a long day for the teams of volunteers who work hard to keep things going smoothly. Kilgore said Pam Wilder is helping to coordinate the groups of volunteers that will be needed, especially for set up and take down, and to man the inflatables.

“There’s pretty much something for everyone” to help with, Kilgore said.

The goal of the event is to make sure everyone feels welcome, he added.

The three ingredients for another successful event, he said – in no particular order – are good weather, volunteers and prayers.

 

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