Cyber “Event” Disrupts Water Bill Payment Process For City Customers

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City officials are blaming a recent “cyber event” for a disruption in the way residents’ water bills are generated. The problem was brought to light three weeks ago – on Feb. 20 – and, as a result, some computer systems the city uses had to be taken offline.

At Monday’s City Council meeting, City Manager/Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry told Council members that the city has “gotten rid of” the previous IT provider, whom he did not name, and said “we’re going to keep the city safe and this will not happen again.”

Details of exactly what happened are limited, but what is known is that people are still responsible for paying their water bills.

A recorded message sent to city residents stated that until the issues are resolved, “customers will not receive a utility bill or have pre-authorized payments deducted from their account.”

The city will not impose late fees or penalties while they work through the computer challenges created by the cyber “event,” it doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay your bill.

The recorded message provides information about how residents can pay water bills.

“While we are still able to collect payments, we cannot provide accurate account balances. The balances shown on MyGovhub are not correct, but you can still make payments through that platform. When making payments in person, please bring your utility bill and ensure you keep  your receipts for your records.

Appropriate legal notices will be sent to all impacted customers and employees regarding the cyber event.”

Kingsberry said he is working to get in-house IT support and announced at the Monday meeting that Leo Mata is the city’s new IT manager. Kingsberry said he hopes to get one – and possibly two additional employees to work specifically with network issues.

TownTalk: Around Old Granville – Historical Markers

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The state’s very first official historical marker was erected in 1936 – just a year after the Highway Historical Marker Commission was established. But where was it placed? Any ideas?

If you said Granville County, you’d be correct. The first marker honors John Penn, one of North Carolina’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence.

But Old Granville County – that four-county area that includes Vance, Warren and Franklin along with Granville – has a total of 57, said Mark Pace, local historian and North Carolina Room specialist at Oxford’s Thornton Library.

The state’s 100 counties are divided into 17 regions; Vance and Granville counties each boast 15 markers and are in Region G; Franklin and Warren, both in Region E, have seven and 20, respectively.

Pace and WIZS’s Bill Harris are tackling the topic of historic markers for the next few “Around Old Granville” segments of TownTalk. First up, Granville County.

The John Penn marker, located along Highway 15 in Stovall, was issued along with four others in the inaugural group, Pace said.

Interestingly, Granville County has the oldest marker, but also two of the newest: Camp Butner got a marker in 1989 and James E. Webb, who was instrumental in the creation of NASA and the space program, got a marker in 2018.

The commission started its work with the marker program as the country was emerging from the economic devastation of the Great Depression, which Pace said showed the state’s commitment to history. There are criteria for getting a marker approved and placed, he said, including placement in a prominent location on official state highways.

Webb’s marker, for example, is located along College Street in Oxford. He grew up a block away, Pace said.

Thomas Person has a historical marker in Granville County. He was probably the wealthiest person who ever lived in Granville County and owned 80,000 acres. But that’s not what got him a marker along Highway 158 back in 1972. His marker reads “Leader of popular movements: Regulation, Revolution and Antifederalism. His home in Goshen stood five miles north.”

Pace observes what he called “commemoration fever” when it comes to remembering historical figures or events. There seems to be renewed interest in history 50 or more years after an important event, he said.

“It’s kind of like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” he said. Rockers aren’t considered until 25 years after their first record is released.

Horner Military Academy got a marker in 1939. It was known nationally because of the prominent people who attended the private school, which was established in 1851 by James JH. Horner.

There’s a marker for Henry Plummer Cheatham, who was born into slavery and served in the U.S. Congress from 1889-1893. Cheatham also was the superintendent of what is now Central Children’s Home for close to 30 years until his death in 1935. His marker can be seen on N.C. 96 at Eighth Street in Oxford.

Central Children’s Home – and the Masonic Home for Children, the other orphanage in Oxford, also have markers, placed in 1965 and 1936, respectively.

A marker for Mary Potter Academy was erected in 2005 along College Street, also known as U.S. 158 Business. Its inscription reads: “Founded by G.C. Shaw 1889 to educate African Americans. Named for a Presbyterian benefactor. Later a public school. Operated one block E.”

Bullock has one of five markers in Region G that identifies the Native American Trading Path that was subsequently used by colonists and settlers between Petersburg, VA and well into North Carolina – Hillsborough and beyond. There’s also a Trading Path marker in Vance County, but that’s a story for another day.

Check out all the historical markers in Granville County and across the state at https://www.dncr.nc.gov/about-us/history/division-historical-resources/nc-highway-historical-marker-program

 

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The Local Skinny! Granville’s Creative Lifelong Learning Presents “The Regulators: Right Or Wrong” Debate

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Before the American Revolution, North Carolina and the other 12 Colonies pretty much operated independently – the idea of a unifying federal system wouldn’t be a “thing” until the Constitution was ratified in 1789, replacing the Articles of Confederation, which largely preserved the sovereignty and independence of the 13 Colonies.

A fellow named George Sims didn’t like the way he and fellow Colonists were being treated by the government – excessive taxes, unfair payments, the average guy not getting a fair shake were just a few of the complaints lodged by a group of colonists known as The Regulators.

“George Sims was just an average guy,” said local historian Mark Pace. He was a farmer and schoolteacher from the Nutbush area, in what is now the Drewry area. But in a compelling speech delivered in 1765, Sims shared his views in a politically correct way – never criticizing existing laws or inciting violence while demanding reforms to the law of the land.

Pace has been researching Sims to prepare for an upcoming program of Granville County’s Creative Lifelong Learning program. Pace will portray Sims in a debate with one of Sims’s counterparts, Margaret Wake Tryon, the wife of Gov. William Tryon.

The program “The Regulators: Right or Wrong” is scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Granville County Convention & Expo Center on Hwy 15 outside Oxford. CLL members get in free; non-members may pay $12 to become members at the door.

Courtney Smith of Orange County will portray Tryon, who no doubt backed her husband’s views of government.

The debate will take place as if it were taking place in 1771, before the Colonists rose up against British rule to gain independence.

Sims will have the floor for 20 minutes and Tryon will have the floor for 20 minutes, Pace explained during Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

“This is not the Revolution, but it’s planting the seed of revolution,” Pace said. People were becoming increasingly discontented with what they considered poor governance.

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Granville Chamber Names Charles Currin John Penn Citizen Of The Year

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— information courtesy of Granville County Chamber of Commerce

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce named Charles Currin as John Penn Citizen of the Year, capping an evening of celebration during its 83rd annual membership meeting and banquet Monday, Mar. 10.

Currin was recognized for his servant leadership and for giving selfless service to his community. In remarks leading up to the announcement, Rev. Joe Don Cooper said Currin, a lifelong Granville County resident, has dedicated himself to helping others throughout his life. From solving electrical issues, lending his craftsmanship, or simply by being the first  to show up when someone is in need, Currin exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader. His volunteer efforts stretch far beyond the county—he played a key role in disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Matthew, spending nearly a year helping rebuild communities in hard-hit Tarboro. Locally, he is an integral part of the Oxford Lions Club, where his contributions have kept fundraising efforts thriving for more than a decade. His work at Oxford Baptist Church, where he has served in multiple leadership roles, further demonstrates his unwavering commitment to service.

Described by friends and colleagues as “a man of action,” Currin never seeks recognition but always  answers the call to serve. Whether constructing wheelchair ramps for those in need, organizing community fundraisers, or even sharing produce from his garden with neighbors, his generosity knows no bounds. His impact is felt not only in the projects he leads but in the countless lives he has touched with his kindness, humor and willingness to give.

In addition to honoring Currin, the Chamber also recognized George’s Oxford Village Family Restaurant as the Small Business of the Year. A cornerstone of the community, George’s has built a reputation for excellence in customer service and hospitality, serving Granville County for years with dedication and heart.

The evening also showcased the Chamber’s commitment to education. Serenity Cameron, one of the Chamber’s four 2024-2025 Student Spotlight winners, was awarded a scholarship from the Chamber’s Education Committee in recognition of her academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to her community. The Granville County Chamber of Commerce extends its deepest gratitude to its sponsors, attendees and all those who continue to support its mission of fostering economic growth, leadership and  community engagement.

For more information about the Chamber and its programs and services, visit https://granville-chamber.com/ or contact Chamber Director Cynthia Ratliff at cynthia@granville-chamber.com

 

Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Healthy Co-Parenting Part 2

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Cooperative Extension

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Commissioners Approve Lower Application Fee For Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners on Monday voted to drop the application fee for vendors at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market from $30 to $20 in an effort to attract more potential producers to sell their vegetables, fruit and other products at the seasonal market.

Vance County Cooperative Extension Director Dr. Wykia Macon explained to commissioners that she, in consultation with the market advisory board and extension staff, is willing to not only lower the fee, but also to drop the daily $10 setup fee.

The market opens on Saturday, May 3.

“We’re ready to get started,” Macon said, and will move forward to approve this year’s guidelines now that commissioners have approved lowering the application fee.

Macon said the advisory board also is planning to open up the market property to other uses, including installation of a community garden and a health and wellness fair on Friday, May 2.

Commissioner Tommy Hester said he’d be in favor of doing away with fees altogether, adding that the facility, now 10 years old, is a way to help look out for local farmers who want to sell their produce.

Macon welcomed commissioners to attend the next market advisory board meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 18 at 2 p.m.

County Manager C. Renee Perry said there is a small increase in the 2025-26 budget for the farmers market, which is probably the first increase since the market opened in 2014.

“Our marketing budget is very small,” Macon said, adding that it will take “a concerted effort” to increase foot traffic and vendor participation at the market. “Advertising is just one part of it.”

The community garden project is taking shape.

More volunteers are needed at upcoming workdays:

  • Mar. 21 – working on establishing garden borders – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Mar. 29 – marking walkways and preparing for stone installation – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Apr. 11 – installing garden beds – 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“We want to have the community realize that this is their market, and the garden is theirs,” said Extension Agent Michael Ellington. The community garden would be a perfect spot for those who want a garden but lack the space or the confidence to plant, tend and harvest on their own.

There also is a series of market vendor workshops that is being held on Saturdays in March at Salem United Methodist Church, 4151 Salem Rd., Oxford. The workshops are free to attend and no registration is required. Upcoming sessions are as follows:

  • 15 – marketing – product placement for optimum visibility on tables in the market
  • Mar. 22 – knowing your customers and follow-up to sales
  • Mar. 29 – basic food safety

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr.

Maria Parham Health Emergency Department Renovation Update

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Maria Parham Health is kicking off the first phase of a major renovation to its Emergency Department, with a focus on enhancing care for individuals facing behavioral health challenges.

“We are excited to begin this important renovation, which will allow us to provide even better care to those who need it most,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “This is a huge step forward in our ongoing efforts to improve care for vulnerable populations in our  community, and we are grateful for the support of our partners and the local community.”

The renovation will take place in two phases, with the initial preparation already completed by the hospital’s Facilities team, according to information from MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young. Temporary modifications to the main lobby area have been made,  including the installation of new flooring and the construction of temporary walls. These changes  will create dedicated space for waiting areas, triage zones, registration desks and other essential  facilities to ensure the continued smooth flow of patient care during construction.

Because the front portion of the current Emergency Department will be closed for the duration of the renovation, the hospital’s main lobby will be used as a temporary intake, registration and emergency care  area for patients coming to Maria Parham’s Henderson campus in personal vehicles.  Ambulances will continue to arrive through the current ambulance intake bay. There are directional signs in place to help direct people to their destinations.

Phase One of the project is expected to take approximately 16 weeks, with actual construction beginning Monday, Mar. 17.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

  • During the renovation, emergency patients who arrive at the hospital by their own means  will be directed to the main entrance for registration, triage, and care.
  • Emergency Medical Services entry will remain unaffected.
  • Radiology patients will also be guided to the main entrance for registration and sent to a separate waiting area for their services.
  • For other services such as Lab, Outpatient Surgery, Inpatient Rehab, and General Visitation, patients will be asked to use the Heart & Vascular Center entrance, located to the right of the hospital’s main entrance.
  • Please look for signage posted in front of the hospital for additional guidance.

This vital renovation is made possible through funding allocated to Maria Parham Health in October 2023 as part of a joint initiative led by the Vance County District Attorney’s Office, Granville Vance Public Health, the Vance County Board of Commissioners and the North Carolina General Assembly.

The project will specifically focus on creating designated areas within the Emergency Department tailored to meet the unique needs of behavioral health and mental health patients.  These spaces will provide a safer, more supportive environment for patients and care team members, while improving overall hospital efficiency. Furthermore, the changes are designed to foster a healthier and more secure hospital environment for patients and visitors alike.

Maria Parham Health encourages the public to stay informed about the renovation’s progress.  Updates will be available on the hospital’s official Facebook page and through local news outlets.

Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Growing The Spring Vegetable Garden Event will be on Monday March 31, 2025 at 6:30pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Resist the temptation to plant tall fescue.
  • Prune as soon as possible.
  • Order your bees for pollination ASAP
  • Apply crabgrass preventer to lawns
  • Reread owners manual of all power equipment
  • You can plant spinach, irish potatoes, mustard, beets, kale, lettuce, carrots, peas, onions, and radishes. Get your copy of central piedmont planting guide.
  • Provide ventilation for plants in greenhouse and cold farame
  • Remember to wear PPE equipment when doing all garden chores.
  • Start checking your lawn care equipment
  • Check areas for mice. Greenhouse storage shed.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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Granville Vance Public Health Logo

TownTalk: GVPH Director Lisa Harrison Keeps Eye On Health Issues, Funding For Federal Programs Like Medicaid, WIC

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In addition to all the health-related issues that Granville Vance Public Health Director Lisa M. Harrison monitors, lately she’s been keeping a close watch on what’s happening in Washington, DC as politicians consider cost-saving measures to address a focus on government efficiency and tax cuts.

For Harrison, what happens in Washington has a direct effect on what happens right here in North Carolina – and specifically in rural areas like the area her department serves.

“People don’t often realize that our federal tax dollars are so closely tied to programs and local jobs,” Harrison said on Wednesday’s TownTalk. There are many connections to the work done here in Vance and Granville counties that are federally funded, she said.

“It’s important to pay attention and give people advance notice” if funding cuts are recommended.

As health director, she’s especially interested in Medicaid and the WIC program. So far, so good, she said, adding that she’s hopeful both programs will be spared from cuts.

“If Medicaid goes away, we all pay the price,” Harrison said. Medicaid is not a handout, she said; rather, it’s an insurance option that enables the working poor, children and disabled individuals to have access to health care. She said it also helps keep premiums and costs down for those who have private insurance.

“The way we make payroll is by billing Medicare and Medicaid,” Harrison said. They take private insurance and self-pay clients as well, but about 50 percent of the health department’s clients use Medicaid.

Cuts in Medicaid and WIC – which provides vouchers to women with infants and children for nutritious foods, baby formula and more – would be felt sharply and quickly, she said.

But federal funds also make it possible for GVPH to administer programs like THRIVe, a grant-funded program that addresses behavioral health services from licensed clinical social workers to Vance County Schools and Granville County Public Schools for students from5-18 years of age.

There’s a licensed clinical social worker based at the health department who provides one-on-one counseling for children and families. In addition, Harrison said THRIVE connects with behavioral health professionals from UNC and Duke to help school staffs better understand how to assist or help students with behavioral health, including training teachers about trauma-informed care.

Children come to school and need a lot more than facts, Harrison said. The $4 million federal grant for THRIVe allows adults to help children with the resources they need to be their best selves, she said.

Grant funding has increased dramatically over the 50 years that GVHD has been in existence, Harrison said.

The health department published a report to celebrate and reflect on its 50 years of service to the two counties. In those 50 years, Harrison is only the third director. Dr. Charles Rollins was the first director and served from 1974 to 1991. Dr. Roddy Drake was the second director and served until 2012. Harrison became the director when Drake retired.

Harrison called Rollins “a passionate advocate” for bringing the WIC program to rural areas in the 1970’s. The health department oversaw seven programs and had a couple of dozen employees for both counties. Today, there are close to 60 programs and almost 100 employees.

“Our team is amazing,” Harrison said, “making a difference in the lives of others and health outcomes.”

Visit www.gvph.org to learn about all the programs GVPH offers and to read the 50th anniversary annual report.

 

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