The Local Skinny! Chicken Plate Fundraiser At Rebuilding Hope

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Volunteers and supporters of Rebuilding Hope, Inc. are gearing up for the annual fall chicken plate fundraiser, which will be held Friday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the 414 Raleigh Road location.

Co-director Tom Wille said the plates include half a chicken, potatoes, green beans and dessert, all for $10 each.

Call 252.438.5132 to pre-order or to get a minimum of six plates delivered to you.

“We’ll get those to you at lunch time, or break time,” Wille said. For pre-orders, “we’ll save them and you can pick them up,” he added.

But don’t wait until the last minute – they’ll be selling until 7 p.m. or until they run out.

This chicken plate fundraiser does more than just feed hungry people, Wille pointed out.

“We’re supporting the local community by doing this,” he said.

By building ramps for people with mobility issues, Wille said, they’re also helping first responders by reducing calls for help getting people in and out of their homes.

“It changes everybody’s life for the better,” he said.

“Everything we do is in the name of Christ. Because Jesus loved us first, we can go out and love those in our community.”

CLICK PLAY!

Police Search for Driver After Damage at McGregor Hall

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From Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow —

At approximately midnight (Sat. 9-21/Sun. 9-22), a vehicle veered off the road and collided with a bench outside McGregor Hall on Breckenridge Street, resulting in damage to a large window.

The driver abandoned the scene in an unregistered red Chevrolet Impala. Preliminary information suggests the suspect is a Hispanic male who may have departed from a gathering at the nearby Church of the Holy Innocents.

We are seeking additional information regarding this incident and encourage anyone with knowledge to contact Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or with the P3 app, or reach out by phone at 252-438-4141 or on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.

2025 Leadership Granville Class Applications Available Now

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The 2025 class of Leadership Granville is forming now, and individuals interested in participating have until the end of November to submit applications.

Applications and payment should be received no later than Nov. 30, 2024, according to information from Granville County Chamber of Commerce Director Cynthia Ratliff. Applications are available online. Class participants will be notified at the beginning of 2025.

Partnering with Granville County Schools and Vance-Granville Community College, the Chamber offers the class to strengthen participants’ engagement with and create a deeper understanding of the county where they live and work.

Through this program, participants gain insights into the county’s structure, history and key issues while building connections within the community. The program fosters personal and professional growth by offering unique opportunities to become more involved and informed citizens.
The Leadership Granville Steering Committee will kick things off in February 2025 and the class will culminate with a graduation ceremony in the fall. The program primarily consists of field trips and presentations held during work hours. Participants will also complete a class project by the program’s end. Individuals interested in taking on leadership roles within their organizations or the community are strongly encouraged to apply.

Participants must agree to and accept the program’s commitment requirements and guidelines as part of their enrollment. Please refer to the 2025 schedule to help you make an informed decision about joining the LG Class of 2025.
To access the application or learn more about the program, visit the Chamber website.
There also are sponsorship opportunities for Chamber members interested in supporting Leadership Granville. These sponsorships provide a unique way to invest in our community’s future leaders while gaining visibility for your organization.

City of Oxford

Portion Of Hillsboro Street In Oxford Getting Resurfaced

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Part of Hillsboro Street in Oxford is getting a facelift, and city staff have said the improvements will take several weeks to complete.

Beginning on Monday, Sept. 23, Hillsboro Street, from Lewis Street to College Street will be affected, so drivers in and around that area can expect detours. No street parking will be allowed between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., but city staff said nearby public parking is available.

Vehicles parked on the street within the work zone during the day may be subject to towing.

H.G. Reynolds is in charge of the project, which begins with the milling of the existing asphalt followed by resurfacing.

“While we aim to minimize disruptions, some road closures and detours will be necessary. However, one lane will remain open for through traffic,” according to a statement issued by City Communications Specialist Sabrina Richards.

 

NCDOT

Portion Of I-85 In Warren County Named In Honor Of Eva Clayton

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A section of Interstate 85 in Warren County has been named in honor of former Congresswoman Eva Clayton.

Officials from the N.C. Department of Transportation, along with friends and family, gathered this weekend to celebrate both Clayton’s birthday and the highway dedication. Signs on I-85 from Ridgeway Drewry Road (Exit 226) to the Warren-Vance County line commemorate Clayton’s legacy in North Carolina.

Clayton earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte and a master’s in biology and general science from N.C. Central University. In 1982, she was elected to the Warren County Board of Commissioners and served as the chair until 1990, before making history in 1992 as the first Black woman to represent North Carolina in Congress. She was elected to serve in Washington, D.C. and served for 10 years, during which time she advocated for the interests of North Carolina’s First Congressional District in the northeast portion of the state.

Her involvement in civic and political affairs was sparked by the civil rights movement. In 2022, Gov. Roy Cooper presented Clayton with the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor.

Clayton continues to reside in Warren County, where she remains active in the community.

VCS Students Complete Tiny House; First Open House Sept. 20

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For the next two Fridays, the Vance County High School parking lot will be the location of an Open House.

Wait. In the parking lot?

Yep. That’s where the Tiny House is located, and high school CTE students built it.

And it’s for sale.

The open house events will be held Friday, Sept. 20 and Friday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to information from Vance County Schools.

CTE stands for Career and Technical Education and includes the trades that are responsible for home construction. Students on the Construction Path performed the work.

There is a minimum bid of $25,000. Sealed bids must be received by VCS Chief Finance Officer John Suther, 1724 Graham Ave., Henderson, NC 27537 no later than noon, Oct. 1, 2024.

This tiny home is 30-foot by 12-foot vinyl-sided building that has a total of 360 square feet. There’s a tankless water heater and laminate flooring throughout. The full bath includes toilet, vanity and shower.

Learn more about the tiny house at the following link: https://bit.ly/vcstinyhouse

Vance Hires Jeremy T. Jones As Assistant County Manager

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Vance County will have a new assistant county manager on Oct. 1, 2024. Jeremy T. Jones will join County Manager C. Renee Perry and other county staff, bringing more than 10 years of experience in public service and law enforcement to the job.

“I am honored to step into this new role and continue my commitment to public service,” said Jones. “I look forward  to working with the talented team here at Vance County to enhance the quality of life for all our residents and foster a safe, thriving community.”

As assistant county manager, Jones will provide strategic guidance for the county’s public safety departments, maintenance, solid waste and animal services while also streamlining operations, improving service  delivery and ensuring the county continues to meet the needs of its growing population. Additionally, he will serve as the county’s public information officer

“We are thrilled to have Jeremy join our team,” Perry said in a press statement.

“His extensive background in law enforcement and management will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our county’s services and ensure the safety and well-being of our residents.”

Jones’s background in public safety will be a wealth of added knowledge with the many public safety projects that are forthcoming. Jones also has a great deal of experience as a public information officer and has a reputable reputation for interacting with the media.

Jones has been employed with the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office since June 2017 as the Administrative  Sergeant but started his career in December 2013 with the Elizabeth City Police Department. Jones holds a Bachelor  of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Elizabeth City State University, a Master of Science degree in  Administration from Central Michigan University and has completed the Administrative Officer’s Management  Program through N.C. State University.

TownTalk: Area Congregations In Ministry

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Since 1985, Area Congregations in Ministry has been helping Granville County residents who find themselves facing hardship – and its new executive director, Ann Riley, has seen firsthand faith, through action, in the few short weeks since she’s had the job.

ACIM’s mission has long been to relieve hunger, Riley said on Thursday’s TownTalk. These days, the phrase “food insecurity” is being used to describe how many people find themselves needing the help that ACIM offers.

Any Granville County resident who needs help can come once a month to the 634 Roxboro Road facility on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to get food and other household and personal hygiene items that may be available.

The warehouse shelves contain a variety of items like canned goods, non-perishables and household supplies, Riley said. The walk-in coolers hold fresh produce and the freezers are for meats and other products that are donated.

“We just never know from day to day, from week to week, what’s going to be in those boxes” of food that volunteers wheel out to clients’ vehicles.

She has spent her first few weeks on the job putting some finishing touches on her office and learning the role that so many volunteers play to keep the food bank doors open. She said she is struck by the level of support from the community – from businesses and corporations who donate goods to church congregations who send food, money and people to help out.

It seemed like a natural fit for Riley, who said she has always had a desire, a “want” to help people.

“I have been blessed in my life through many changes and I feel like I can be a blessing to others,” she said.

Volunteers are welcome to help during the hours that ACIM is open, but they also are needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“That’s when we do some of our stocking and preparing our boxes for the next day,” she said.

Riley is the only full-time employee of the nonprofit, but Kristine Williford is the warehouse manager and she’s the one who keeps things rolling.

“She is such a vital team member at ACIM,” Riley said. Williford keeps the pantry running smoothly and lines up pickups and deliveries. “She’s invested in what ACIM does,” Riley added.

The Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot is one of the biggest donation events of the year, and she looks forward to an upcoming planning meeting with host church Oxford United Methodist.

“We have a lot of good things coming up,” Riley said, including a planned Open House to allow everyone in the community a chance to come and see the operation first-hand.

“You don’t have to be on food stamps to come and get food boxes,” Riley said. ACIM provides food and other items to anyone facing a hardship – senior adults on fixed incomes, families struggling to make ends meet or someone who’s lost a job or is between jobs.

Although ACIM’s mission is to serve clients who live in Granville County, Riley said she would try to help anyone find resources.

“We want to see them get help, whether we can provide it or someone else can provide it.”

Call 919.690.0961 or visit https://www.acimgranville.org/ to learn more.