VGCC Reboot Recover Rebuild

VGCC Small Business Center Offering Free Counseling Services

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The Small Business Center Network and Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center have launched the Reboot, Recover, Rebuild (R3) Program offering free counseling services to local small businesses.

Now is the perfect time for small business owners to reach out and receive guidance on solving issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program will be available through December 30, 2020. Interested businesses must complete a Counseling Request Form (click here).

For more details or to sign up, please contact Sheri Jones, director of the VGCC Small Business Center at (252) 738-3240.

VGCC Dr. Levy Brown

VGCC Vice President Levy Brown Appointed to Serve on National Commission

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Dr. Levy Brown, a vice president at Vance-Granville Community College, recently accepted an appointment to the Commission on Student Success of the American Association of Community Colleges. He will serve a three-year term (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023).

“I am excited and humbled to have been appointed to AACC’s Commission on Student Success. It is a fantastic opportunity that provides a space for exchanging ideas, connecting, and learning with some of the brightest leaders who champion the success of students,” Brown said. “Community colleges such as Vance-Granville are continuing to positively impact the lives of our students. My goal is to partner with highly motivated professionals from across the country to eliminate barriers that keep our students from being successful. This includes those from underrepresented and marginalized populations. Finally, I am appreciative to work at an outstanding college, and with a supportive president who supports this type of work.”

Dr. Levy Brown, a vice president at Vance-Granville Community College, recently accepted an appointment to the Commission on Student Success of the American Association of Community Colleges. He will serve a three-year term (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023). (Photo courtesy VGCC)

Dr. Brown serves as the Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement & Success (Chief Academic and Student Affairs Officer) for VGCC. He is responsible for leading and working collaboratively with credit faculty and staffers in the areas of academic programs, student success, equity and inclusion, enrollment management, K-12 partnerships and other areas.

Prior to joining VGCC, Brown served as Dean of Arts & Sciences at Lenoir Community College and has been engaged in higher education work for nearly two decades. Brown is an active member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and other local boards. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

The Commission on Student Success focuses on student access and success and organizational transformation. The commission may examine subject areas including, but not limited to, degree completion and two-year to four-year transfer programs. In addition, the commission focuses on AACC’s 21st-Century Initiative and Implementation Guidelines, to showcase cutting-edge innovation with proven outcomes and improve student success; and to provide affordable, high-quality technical assistance in areas that support student success.

“At VGCC, Dr. Brown has been an active champion of changing institutional mindset, structures and supports to encourage all students to achieve their best success,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of VGCC. “I am proud that he will be representing our college successes on the AACC Commission and look forward to what he is able to glean from the collective wisdom of this national panel.”

Warren Sewer Groundbreaking

Warren County Breaks Ground on Sewer Extension Project at Wise I-85 Interchange

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Warren County broke ground last week on the Wise I-85 interchange sewer extension project. The project was initially approved by the Warren County Board of Commissioners in May of 2018 upon the award of a $200,000 GoldenLEAF grant. The total project budget is $428,331.

Warren County Board of Commissioners voted in 2019 to fully fund the project with additional financial support. The county looks to spur development at the state’s first interchange on I-85 with this infrastructure investment.

“This project speaks to the growth of Warren County, and it speaks to how the Commissioners view economic development,” said Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Tare “T” Davis. “This infrastructure utility puts us in a place to be an asset to the region for future development.”

The contractor for the expansion is H.G. Reynolds. Construction is scheduled to be completed within 120 days. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Friday, August 14 at 10:30 a.m.

For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at (252) 257-3115.

Warren County Sewer Groundbreaking

Photo (L to R): Fred Stowe (Engineer and Project Manager, Rivers & Associates), Ray Spain (EDC Board Chair), Victor Hunt (Vice-Chair, Warren County Board of Commissioners), Bertadean Baker (County Commissioner), Tare Davis (Chair, Warren County Board of Commissioners), Representative Terry Garrison, Jennifer Pierce (County Commissioner), Walter Powell (County Commissioner), Vincent Jones (County Manager). (Photo courtesy Warren Co. Govt.)

 

Best Colleges 2020

VGCC Ranked Sixth-Best Community College in the Nation

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College was recently recognized as one of the top ten community colleges and trade schools in the nation for 2020. VGCC came in at number six on the rankings published by “Best Colleges” (www.bestcolleges.com), a leading provider of independent college rankings and higher education research. The college was also the third-highest-ranked school from North Carolina.

“We are pleased to see this national recognition for Vance-Granville, which we attribute to the dedication and innovation demonstrated by our faculty and staff every day,” Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of the college, said. “VGCC is committed to providing high-quality education and training that is affordable and accessible for the people of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.”

Best Colleges noted that the college has extended its reach by providing career-oriented programs that can be completed entirely online. These programs include Supply Chain Management, Medical Office Administration, IT/Business Support, Early Childhood Education, Criminal Justice, Accounting, and Business Administration. Students can also complete the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science programs online, which prepares them for transferring to a university to complete a bachelor’s degree. The college has transfer agreements with numerous four-year universities.

“VGCC boasts strong graduation rates and small class sizes,” the website also noted. “The school’s 13-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio allows students to receive plenty of individualized attention.”

Established in 1969, VGCC offers more than 40 credit programs, in which students work toward certificates, diplomas and degrees. Area residents and businesses can also take advantage of a variety of continuing education/job training opportunities, as well as the High School Equivalency and Adult High School Diploma programs.

Enrollment is currently ongoing for eight-week curriculum credit classes that begin on October 14, and for the spring semester that starts in January 2021. For more information about VGCC, visit www.vgcc.edu.

VGCC Agritech

VGCC to Offer Sustainable Agri-Tech Program This Fall

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College continues to “cultivate” new programs for the fall semester. The Sustainable Agri-Tech program will grow one’s knowledge in the agricultural field and prepare students for occupations in a wide variety of jobs in agriculture (both production and value-added) with a range of skills and knowledge.

The program addresses agricultural concepts, skills, and techniques that are required by the agriculture industry. Upon completion, students will have explored sustainable and organic methods, plant, soil and animal science, field management, equipment maintenance and basic computer skills and marketing techniques.

The class begins on September 14, 2020, at 6 p.m. Kelly Dixon will be leading this hybrid class at VGCC’s Franklin Campus. The 96-hour program is made up of only 30 hours in the classroom and 66 hours online. The cost is $188.25.

Tuition assistance is available to those who meet eligibility guidelines. Space is limited.

For more information please visit: https://www.vgcc.edu/agritech/

Warren County Logo

Warren County to Hold Groundbreaking for Wise Interchange Sewer Extension Project

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-Press Release, Warren County Government

Warren County is breaking ground this week on the Wise I-85 interchange sewer extension project. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Friday, August 14, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend. A quorum of Warren County Board of Commissioners will be present.

The project was initially approved by the Warren County Board of Commissioners in May of 2018 upon the award of a $200,000 GoldenLEAF grant. The total project budget is $428,331.

Warren County Board of Commissioners voted in 2019 to fully fund the project with additional financial support. The county
looks to spur development at the state’s first interchange on I-85 with this infrastructure investment. The contractor is H.G. Reynolds. Construction is scheduled to be completed within 120 days.

For more information, contact the Warren County Manager’s Office at (252) 257-3115.

NC Coop Extension

CFAP Program Information Session Scheduled for Local Farmers

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-Press Release, NC Cooperative Extension

Local farmers are encouraged to participate in an information session on the Coronavirus Food and Agriculture Assistance (CFAP) Program, scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2020. This event will begin at 9 a.m. and will be held virtually, with registration required via EventBrite.

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) provides vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities suffering a five-percent-or-greater price decline, or who have had losses due to market supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and face additional significant market costs. USDA is accepting applications now through August 28, 2020.

Additional crops have been added to the list of eligible commodities. Livestock, wool and dairy farms are also eligible for participation. Visit farmers.gov/cfap to view listings of eligible crops and livestock. Farmers can also get information about what documentation is needed for the application on the CFAP website, farmers.gov/cfap.

The link for registration is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coronavirus-food-and-agriculture-program-cfap-meeting-tickets-116024730091.

With questions, call the Granville County NC Cooperative Extension Center at (919) 603-1350 or the Granville County
Farm Service Agency office at (919) 693-7345, ext. 2.

U.S. Department of Justice

Former NFL & Warren Co. Player Sentenced on Drug, Money Laundering Charges

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

A Raleigh man was sentenced today to 168 months in prison for conspiring with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and engaging in a money-laundering conspiracy. He was also ordered by the court to forfeit $2,708,000 in laundered drug proceeds.

According to court documents, Richard Dwight Alston, 39, engaged in a multi-year and cross-country conspiracy to traffic in large amounts of marijuana and to distribute that high-grade marijuana to associates in Raleigh.

After several years of investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service, on November 2, 2017, federal agents executed a search warrant for apartments that were suspected to be stash locations for Alston’s large-scale marijuana organization. During the search, agents located over 40 pounds of marijuana and $371,670.00 in United States currency.

Agents were then able to arrange for the delivery of Alston’s next drug shipment on November 6, 2017. On that date, agents arrested two individuals who were responsible for transporting the marijuana intended for Alston and others. A search of their vehicle revealed seven large duffel bags containing almost 200 kilograms of marijuana, along with $67,814 in United States currency. A financial investigation conducted by the IRS revealed that Alston had laundered drug proceeds of over $2.7 million through a business bank account over a period of several years.

The investigation was part of OCDETF Operation Pick Six. An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.  The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) led the investigation, with assistance from the Raleigh Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura S. Howard prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the U.S. Department of Justice’s website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-00005-M.

Horse Pasture Management

Warren Co. Coop. Extension Announces Two-Part Horse Pasture Management Series

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-Information courtesy Warren County Cooperative Extension

The Warren County Cooperative Extension Center announces an upcoming Pasture Management for Horse Owners Webinar Series via Zoom platform. Sessions will be held on Thursday, August 13 and Thursday, August 20, 2020, from 12 to 1 p.m.

This two-part series will provide information on forage variety options, preparation, planting and establishment.

Please register online at https://go.ncsu.edu/equinepasturemamagement

NC Governor Logo

NC’s Safer At Home Phase 2 Extended Through Sept. 11

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Press Release, Office of NC Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that North Carolina will remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 for another five weeks as students and staff return to schools, colleges and universities, and the state doubles down on efforts to decrease COVID-19 numbers.

“Other states that lifted restrictions quickly have had to go backward as their hospital capacity ran dangerously low and their cases jumped higher. We will not make that mistake in North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “In keeping with our dimmer switch approach with schools opening, and in order to push for decreasing numbers which will keep people healthier and boost our economy, North Carolina will remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 for five weeks.”

Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared an update on North Carolina’s data trends. Dr. Cohen explained that while some of North Carolina’s numbers have mostly leveled, any progress is fragile as other states have shown with sudden and devastating surges in viral spread.

“While overall we are seeing signs of stability, we still have much work to do. Our recent trends show us what is possible when we commit to slowing the spread by wearing face coverings and following those simple but powerful 3Ws,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D.

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is declining, though remains elevated.

Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases has stabilized but remains high.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is stable but still elevated.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is beginning to level.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:

Laboratory Testing

While testing turnaround times have improved, the number of tests done has decreased over the past week. Testing is a priority for anyone who has symptoms or those who may have been exposed to COVID-19, including:

  • Anyone who has attended a mass gathering including a protest.
  • Anyone who works in a setting at higher risk of exposure such as a grocery store, restaurant, gas station, or childcare program.
  • People who live or work in high-risk settings such as long-term facilities, homeless shelters, correctional facilities or food processing facility.

Tracing Capability

We continue hiring contact tracers to bolster the efforts of local health departments. There are over 1,500 full-time and part-time staff supporting contact tracing efforts, including the 615 Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) contact tracers.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Our personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.

View the slides and graphs from today’s presentation.

Read the Executive Order.