Warren Co. Memorial Library

Warren Library Features Green Book, Oasis Spaces Exhibit Through January

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Visitors to Warren County Memorial Library can learn more about Green Books and “oasis spaces” in an exhibit that will be open through the end of January.

“Oasis Spaces: North Carolina Green Book Project, 1933-1966” is the title of the exhibit open now through Jan. 31 at the Warrenton library located at 119 S. Front St.

The exhibit is made possible through a partnership with the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as part of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission.

The exhibit reflects the commission’s research about “The Negro Motorist Green Book,” which identified business that in essence served as “oasis spaces” for African American travelers during the time of segregation. The book was both a travel guide and a tool of resistance designed to confront the realities of racial discrimination in the United States and beyond. It listed more than 300 North Carolina restaurants, hotels, tourist homes, nightclubs and beauty salons where African Americans would be welcomed.

“We are pleased to present this exhibit for the community to explore a part of history that has been overlooked,” said Library Director Christy Bondy.

The library has several programs planned that accompany the exhibit including film screenings, and a virtual visit with the author Calvin Ramsey.

The Green Book Project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The Warren County Memorial Library is located at 119 S. Front St., Warrenton, NC. For more information about the Green Book project, visit www.wcmlibrary.org.

Learn About Resources Offered By Infinite Possibilities, Inc. At Jan. 10 Info Session

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The public is invited to a community information session on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Baskerville Funeral Home chapel to learn more about resources that are available through Infinite Possibilities, Inc.

Baskerville Funeral Home is located at 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson. The hourlong information session begins at 6 p.m.

Infinite Possibilities, Inc. is a nonprofit agency that serves Vance and Warren counties in numerous ways, including providing advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Other services include a 24/7 hotline, court advocacy, community and youth education, emergency shelter placement and medical advocacy.

Infinite Possibilities has offices in Henderson and Warrenton. Call the Henderson office at 252.431.1926. The Warren County office number is 252. 257.1044.

Warren Extension Hosts Jan. 28 Equine Clinic For Coggins, Vaccines

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Warren County Extension will sponsor an equine Coggins and vaccine clinic on Saturday, Ja. 28, 2023. Horse owners can save a farm visit fee by bringing trailering their animals to the clinic, which will take place at the extension service office, 158 Rafters Lane, Warrenton between 10 a.m. and 12 noon.

Dr. Oberlin McDaniel with N.C. Mobile Veterinary Service will perform Coggins tests and annual vaccinations on site.

The Coggins test is $36. Results will be available within 3-5 days via Global Vet Link.

Vaccinations available include 5-way E/W/T/R/F, rabies, West Nile. Equine microchippping will also be available.

For more information, contact NCMVS assistant Stacey Hadnott at 919.638.9820 or via email at ncmobilevetoffice@gmail.com.

Appointments are recommended, but not required for this event.

Warren County’s CERT Class Set For Jan. 28-29

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The Warren County Community Emergency Response Team will have a class to prepare individuals to help during emergencies, natural disasters and other events.

The class will be held Jan. 28 and 29. There is no charge to take the class, which will take place at the Warren County Emergency Services Headquarters, 890 US Hwy 158 Bypass in Warrenton.

CERT members receive training in the following areas to help them care for themselves, their families, and their communities: disaster planning, damage assessment, emergency operations center assistance, team organization, disaster psychology, and disaster simulation.

Volunteers in the CERT program learn how to prepare for natural and man-made disasters that may affect their community. The program provides a consistent approach to disaster preparedness training and organization that first responders can rely on during a disaster.

Individuals 18 years and older who live in Warren County may become a certified CERT member by meeting and maintaining the following requirements:

  • Obtain FEMA’s Incident Command System (ICS) online training certificates after completing the 21-hour CERT training series;
  • Take the American Heart Association’s CPR class;
  • Volunteer for at least 16 hours a year in emergency management, training, outreach and community involvement programs;
  • Must be of good moral character and adhere to the Warren County Emergency management beliefs and ethics; and
  • Submit a signed Code of Conduct form.

The classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Class size is limited and the deadline to apply is Jan. 23, 2023. Students must complete all 20 hours of the course to receive a certification of completion. Contact Chris Tucker or Lewis Mustian to learn more. Tucker can be reached at

252.257.1191 or by email at  christucker@warrencountync.gov; Mustian’s phone number is 804.512.3045 and email is lmustian@verizon.net.

 

IRS Reminder: Dec. 31 Deadline For Certain Taxpayers Who Deferred In 2020

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If you’re an employer or self-employed and you chose to defer paying part of your 2020 Social Security tax liability, you have until the end of the month to make your second annual installment of the deferred amount, the Internal Revenue Service reminds.

As part of the COVID relief provided during 2020, employers could choose to put off paying the employer’s share of their Social Security tax liability, which is 6.2 percent of wages. Self-employed individuals also could choose to defer a similar amount of their self-employment tax. Generally, half of that deferral was due on Dec. 31, 2021. The other half is due on Dec. 31, 2022.

Earlier this fall, the IRS sent reminder notices to affected employers and self-employed individuals. The agency noted, however, that those affected are still required to make the payment on time, even if they did not receive a notice.

Employers and individuals have several options for making this payment. Deferral payments can made through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), Direct Pay, by debit card, credit card or digital wallet, or with a check or money order. No matter which payment option is chosen, it must be made separately from other tax payments and deposits. This will ensure that it is credited properly and will help avoid follow-up bills or notices.

Employers and individuals can make the deferral payments through enrollment in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, a free service available from the Treasury Department. On the Tax Type Selection screen, choose Deferred Social Security Tax and then change the date to the applicable tax period (the calendar quarter in 2020 for which tax was deferred). Visit EFTPS.gov, or call 800-555-4477 or 800-733-4829 for details.

Alternatively, self-employed individual taxpayers can choose Direct Pay to pay directly from a checking or savings account. This service is available free only on IRS.gov/payments/direct-pay. Select the “Balance Due” reason for payment and apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where the payment was deferred. Direct Pay is not available to pay employment taxes.

If paying with a credit card, debit card or digital wallet, select “installment agreement.” Apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where the payment was deferred. Note that the IRS does not charge a fee for this service, but the authorized third-party payment processors do. Visit IRS.gov/Payments for details.

Make any check or money order payable to United States Treasury, not IRS. For more information on where to mail payments see Instructions for Form 941.

Warren County Selected for Golden LEAF Program

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Warren County has been selected to participate in a Golden LEAF program that helps communities  identify potential sites for industrial development.

It was the only community selected during this cycle of SITE Program Identification, according to information from the office of Warren County Manager Vincent Jones.

“I am appreciative that Golden LEAF has recognized the potential and value that we see here in Warren County,” Jones said in a press statement.

“Our inclusion in this program will provide us with yet another tool that will help Warren County strategically prepare for the kind of growth and development that is appropriate for Warren County.”

The SITE Program offers a three-phase approach to help communities identify potential sites for economic development, provide funding to complete due diligence on publicly controlled sites, and provide funding to extend public utilities to publicly controlled sites or to conduct clearing and rough grading of publicly owned sites.

“Participation in the SITE Program – Identification phase will allow us to further understand where we should be targeting our work and investments for marketable and attractive sites for the type of growth we aim to see,” said Charla Duncan, Warren County’s community & economic development director.

“As we look to prioritize infrastructure expansion, pursue development agreements with landowners, and support landowners in marketing their land,” continued Duncan, “we need a better understanding of competitive sites and where to strategically invest our resources.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation was established in 1999 to administer a portion of the tobacco settlement agreement monies back into North Carolina’s rural and economically distressed communities. Its mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation and stewardship.

To learn more about Golden LEAF, visit  www.goldenleaf.org.

Warren Parks And Rec Offers “Holiday Hoopla Camp” For Kids 8-12

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Warren County youth can register for a “Holiday Hoopla Camp” offered by Warren County Parks and Recreation at John Graham Gym in Warrenton later this month. The two-day program is for children ages 8-12 who live in Warren County, and parents can sign up for one or both days, according to information from the parks and rec department.

The dates are Wednesday, Dec. 21 and Thursday, Dec. 22 and the camp runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the gym, located at 113 Wilcox St. in Warrenton.

Wednesday’s program is $10 and includes lunch and a field trip; Thursday’s program is $5 and includes an opportunity to enjoy a “jump castle” bouncy house.

Participants will enjoy organized games, crafts and more throughout the day. Families needing transportation to the camp should indicate this on the registration form. Space is limited, so register early.

Registration must be completed by Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Register online at https://www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation.

Registration can also be done in-person Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the parks and recreation office located at 113 Wilcox Street, Warrenton, NC

For more information or register, please visit the Warren County website at www.warrencountync.com or call the parks and recreation office at 252.257.2272.

“American Pickers” Returning To NC, Looking For Local Collectors

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The TV show “American Pickers” is planning a return trip to North Carolina early next year and producers are already putting out feelers in hopes of turning up some unique finds to feature on the show.

Crews are planning to film episodes of the show in February 2023, according to information from Meredith Ball, one of the show’s producers. The show, which airs on The History Channel, is a documentary series that explores the world of antiques “picking.” Crews film “pickers” as they hunt for valuable antiques across the country.

“The way we find people and collections for our show is through spreading the word far and wide so that people know we’re coming to town,” Ball stated.

“…the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics,” she continued. “Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items (with the) hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way.”
One important note to consider is that the show only chooses individual collectors and do not consider stores, flea markets, museums, auctions or other retail outlets open to the public.

Private collectors or others with an “accumulation of antiques” should contact show representatives at americanpickers@cineflix.com and make sure to include your full name, city/state, contact information and a brief description of items in your collection.

Phone 646.493.2184 or click here to find them on Facebook.

Boys and Girls Clubs

Put Donation To BGCNCNC On Your “To-Do” List

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The Thanksgiving holiday kicks off in earnest a season of giving, and there are several different ways to make donations that will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina in the coming days and weeks.

Of course, a check mailed to BGCNCNC, P.O. Box 176, Oxford, NC 27565 is always welcome, said CEO Donyell “DJ” Jones, and something for individuals to consider on Giving Tuesday, coming up next week.

Jones said a link will go live on BGCNCNC’s Facebook page Wednesday to make a donation quick and easy.

There are two toy drives underway as well – one in Oxford by Will Jakes, whose Edward Jones office collects new, unwrapped gifts for club members in Granville County.

Jones said the Zeta Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity is sponsoring toy drives across the counties that have clubs as well. “They are really committed about spreading the love and supporting the counties,” Jones said.

Following is a list of collection locations and deadlines:

  • Vance County – Beckford Medical Center, 176 S. Beckford Drive, Henderson. Deadline is Dec. 16.
  • Granville County – Bobo’s Menswear, 216 M.L.K. Jr. Blvd, Oxford. Deadline is Dec. 20.
  • Warren County – Henderson and Henderson Dentistry, LLC, 516 W. Ridgeway St., Warrenton. Deadline is Dec. 19.
  • Franklin County – Franklinton Town Hall, 101 N. Main St., Franklinton. Deadline is Dec. 15.

Through generous donations from the community last year, Jones said every club member received a gift for Christmas.

He said he hopes that financial contributions come in between now and the end of the year to help “give us a leg up in 2023.”

Whether it’s a check in the mail, a click on the Facebook page or a gift for a child, Jones said efforts from a caring community “truly make a difference for our young people.”

Warren Residents Can Apply For Help Paying Heating Bills

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Eligible Warren County residents can apply to get help with heating bills again this winter from a state assistance program. Applicants who received a payment last year are automatically entered into this year’s round of disbursements, according to information from the Warren County manager’s office.

Families that applied for and received a one-time payment from the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to help with heating costs last year don’t have to re-apply for the same help this year – those recipients should receive notices this month which asks for any relevant changes to the household. Changes may be submitted to the local Department of Social Services, but if everything is the same as last year, no action is required, Duncan noted.

The recipient will be informed that an automated LIEAP payment has been made, according to was given to them.

Households not included in the target population will be able to apply following the regular LIEAP application policy that runs from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31, and is designated for disabled individuals who receive services through the

Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) OR for households with a person age 60 and above.

These households are eligible in the month of December or until funds are exhausted. Applications for general public will be taken from January 1, 2023 through March 31 or until funds are used up.

Applicants must provide certain information to determine eligibility, including a photo ID and household financial information. Find the complete list of documents at wizs.com.

Please bring the following information to determine eligibility:

 

  • Photo Identification
  • Mail or document showing current address (rental agreement, utility bill, etc.)
  • Information about your household’s income. If anyone works, bring wage stubs for the month prior to the month you visit the agency. Bring letter from Social Security Administration to confirm benefits or a statement that shows direct deposit.
  • Recent statement for savings or checking accounts.
  • Name, date of birth & social security card or numbers for each household member.
  • A bill from your primary source of heat (used the MOST, to heat your home). Households that heat with wood/kerosene, will not have a bill to submit. Heating source bill-If the bill is not in applicant’s name, the applicant must provide a written statement from the person whose name the bill is in (must be 18 & older), stating that the applicant is responsible for payment of the heating expense.

 

 

If you or someone you know is not physically able to come to the agency to apply, that person may provide a trusted individual (representative) with a written statement authorizing that representative to apply for LIEAP on their behalf. A contact number for the applicant must be provided and all necessary documentation must be provided.

The program is being administered by Warren County DSS, located at 307 N. Main Street

Warrenton, NC 27589.

Call the Warren County DSS office at 252.257.5000 to learn more.