TownTalk: Vance County Animal Shelter Receives Grant for Spay and Neuter

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Thanks to a collaboration that involves non-profit agencies, Vance County Animal Services and the Vance County Board of Commissioners, Animal Services Manager William Coker and his staff have $20,000 to spend on a spay/neuter program for dogs and cats.

When the folks at Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society passed along information about a $10,000 matching grant opportunity from Community Partnership for Pets, Coker asked the board of commissioners to participate. The board approved spending the $10,000 and – just like that – county residents can make an appointment to have their dogs and cats undergo the procedures that will render them unable to reproduce.

Spaying females is a little more expensive than neutering a male, Coker said on Monday’s TownTalk. A spay is in the $150 range under this program. But that $20,000 will go a long way to reduce the number of unwanted animals that end up at the shelter.

Coker said there are spay/neuter funds available to residents who already receive some type of state or federal assistance.

“I wanted to be able to offer that same service to anybody – the working class – just anybody that needed assistance,” he said.”We’re excited about it. We’re hoping that we can continue this program next year.”

Spaying and neutering dogs and cats is the best way that pet owners can help the shelter manage the unwanted pet population. “We’re trying to get ahead of the breeding season,” Coker said. “We’re going to have to stop it at the spay/neuter stage.”

One feral cat hanging out in an outbuilding on your property may seem fine, and there’s no harm in feeding it. But it doesn’t take long for one female cat to birth an average litter of six and before you know it, there are dozens of feral cats prowling around.

If this sounds familiar, and you’d like help to keep the cats you have without adding litters each year, give the Animal Services staff a call at 252.492.3136. It could take a few weeks to get an appointment, so please be patient. “We’ve got so many that we’re trying to do,” he said. “The first step is that initial phone call.”

Visit https://vancecounty.org and find Animal Services under the Departments menu to learn more about the services and hours of operation.

 

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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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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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TownTalk: Rodeo This Weekend at Franklin Brothers Nursery Sunday, March 16

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Franklin Brothers Nursery is hosting a rodeo this weekend, featuring barrel racing and more. Thomas Franklin said it’s wholesome entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

And Franklin has plans for more shows in the future – it’s all part of an overall vision to make the best use of the property.  This is just the beginning, he said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

Barrel racers of all ages are invited to come out and take part in the show, which will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 16 at 9 a.m. with a barrel racing exhibition. Cowboy Church starts at 11 a.m. and the different classes – including barrels, pole bending, speed barrel goat tying and dummy roping – begin at 12 noon.

This show is part of the Taylor Digh Series and barrel racers compete at various TD-sanctioned shows to earn points.

Digh is a trainer from Benson who trains a lot of horses and trains a lot of kids to be competitive in the classic rodeo event that involves horses and riders speeding around a set of three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern.

His own daughter, Bailey, participates in the TD series and Franklin said as a parent, he couldn’t be happier about seeing her go do her best at what she loves to do in a competitive environment and then step back and be able to socialize with others in a healthy, outdoor setting.

“We’re looking forward to a wonderful show,” he said, adding that he expects anywhere from 50 or 60 to as many as 100 competitors to attend. Some competitors are competing for points and prizes that will be awarded at the end of the season, but anyone with a horse is welcome to trailer it over and compete on Sunday.

There will be additional prizes – saddles and other tack, and more – that will be given as prizes in each division of the barrel race classes: PeeWee, Elementary, Middle School, High School and Open (which is for youth of any age as well as adults).

Admission is $3 and there’s a $5 entry fee for riders.

Franklin said it’s thrilling to watch the riders “ripping through an arena, spinning around barrels.”

For the uninitiated, barrel racing involves a horse and rider running around three barrels set up in the shape of a triangle. The horse/rider team runs around each barrel to create the cloverleaf pattern. The team that does it the fastest without knocking over a barrel is the winner.

There will be food trucks on site as well on Sunday, and Franklin said the plan is to have more shows in the future.

For more information about the TD Series, contact Dye at 704.689.3013.

For more information about Sunday’s event, contact Franklin at 919.702.3839.

Franklin Brothers Nursery is located at 3193 Vicksboro Rd.

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TownTalk: Fuqua Receives Recognition from City Council

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Henderson’s Finance Director Joey Fuqua received some special recognition at Monday’s City Council meeting for excellence in financial reporting.

And though it was more a formality than anything else, Fuqua was officially sworn in as finance director – before Council Member Tami Walker read a proclamation expressing gratitude on behalf of the Council for the work done by Fuqua and his staff. He’s been the city’s finance director for about 10 years.

“Thank you for your financial leadership and your excellence in financial reporting for the last eight years,” Walker said in remarks before she read the proclamation.

The 2023 budget marks the 8th year that Fuqua and his department have received a certificate of excellence in financial reporting from the Government Financial Officers Association.

In addition to preparing the city’s annual budget, Fuqua and his team provide financial services and support city departments, manage revenue collections and disbursements and oversee purchasing functions, Walker noted.

Fuqua also has “emphasized commitment to addressing budget constraints,” Walker said, and helps the city by planning with long-term financial responsibility in mind.

Fuqua accepted a certificate, a bouquet of cut flowers and a standing ovation from the City Council members, Mayor Melissa Elliott and city staff at the meeting.

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TownTalk: Vance County Board of Commissioners; Economic Development Incentives

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved putting up more than $43,000 in matching funds as part of an economic incentive package for a company that recently announced its plans to locate in Triangle North Campus near I-85 and Poplar Creek Road in Vance County.

The commissioners’ meeting included a public hearing about the proposed incentives; no members of the public spoke either for or against the plan, which was presented by Vance County Economic Development Director Ferdinand Rouse.

“Project Pinpoint” involves a commitment from Syntec Precision Technology Corp. within five years of locating in the county to invest $10 million in business personal property and create 61 new full-time jobs, with an average salary of just over $46,000.

In support of this investment, Vance County is offering several incentives, according to information in the agenda packet:

  • Vance County tax incentive grant based on taxes paid for business
    personal property, not to exceed $166,390.86;
  • $200,000 Building Reuse Grant with a required $10,000 Vance County match; and
  • $100,000 One NC grant with a required match of $33,333.33 Vance County match.

The matching grants come from N.C. Department of Commerce. The arrival of this company is expected to stimulate significant investment in the local economy, generate new jobs with competitive wages, and foster economic growth and development opportunities for the county.

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TownTalk: Maria Parham Health’s Open House For RNs, Allied Health Fields

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Maria Parham Health will host an open house for prospective nurses and others who may be interested in a job in nursing or any of a range of careers in the allied health field.

The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 13 at the hospital, located at 566 Ruin Creek Rd., according to Nathan Johnson, MPH market director, People Services.

People Services is what used to be known as Human Resources, Johnson said.

Snowy weather postponed an earlier event to be rescheduled, and Johnson said the open house is for anyone looking for a job in the nursing field, but also for individuals to learn more about openings in the various labs, as well as physical therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, CNA and many more.

Maria Parham isn’t a large hospital system, Johnson said, but it’s a place with “a hometown feel” where employees are known by their name and not as a number.

“Our focus here is on making our community healthier and being able to serve the needs of our patients,” he said.

Although this open house is primarily for openings at the Henderson location, Johnson said representatives can talk to participants about openings at the Franklin and Person locations as well.

It’s best to RSVP online at mariaparham.com, or call Ryan Randall at 252.436.1125, just to give organizers an idea of how many to prepare for, but walk-ins are also welcome.

Johnson said participants can expect to learn about the various positions that are available and share their experience and skills with MPH representatives. There will be an opportunity for additional breakaway sessions to go a little more in depth, which could lead to a job offer, he said.

Come right in to the hospital’s main entrance and follow directional signs to the Open House location.

 

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TownTalk: Chestnut St. Park Update, Basketball Court Renovations Underway

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Anyone who’s driven by Chestnut Street Park since last weekend surely has noticed that there’s something going on – a transformation is taking place at the park, and Charles Turrentine, Jr. is happy to see the renovation get underway.

Turrentine cares about his community – Henderson, Vance County and certainly the area where he grew up near the Chestnut Street Park, where he and others grew up shooting hoops.

With funds now in place for Phase 1 of the park’s renovation, Turrentine said he’s fielded more than a few inquiries from people who’ve been by the park and noticed the work going on.

It started Saturday, and Turrentine said the asphalt has been broken up and the fences removed. “We’re turning up dirt,” he said. He remembers Chestnut Street Park as a safe place for young people to be, playing basketball or watching those pickup games that invariably broke out most days.

But it hasn’t had any attention since it first became a park, and it was time to do something. Past time, truth be told.

“It’s time we look at it and give it some much-needed love and care.” He said he appreciates the support and regular meetings with Rec and Parks Director Kendrick Vann and Henderson City Manager Hassan Kingsberry to help with plans for the Chestnut Street Park renovation.

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TownTalk: NC Dept. of Public Safety Joins Bridge To Peace Vance County For Listening Session Mar. 17

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A local organization is teaming up with a couple of state agencies to host a community listening session as a way to gather insight, opinions and possible solutions around the growing concern of violence the area.

Bridge to Peace Vance County is organizing “Breaking the Cycle: A Community-Driven Approach to Ending Violence,” which will take place Monday, Mar. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Southern Charm Event Center, 200 S. Garnett St. in Henderson.

Charles Turrentine, Jr. is one of the members of a steering committee responsible for planning the listening session, which will include representatives from the Governor’s Crime Commission and the N.C. Office of Violence Prevention.

Turrentine said a recent conversation with N.C. Dept. of Public Safety Deputy Director Robert Epstein is what got this started; “Vance County has come up on the radar at the state level,” he said on Tuesday’s TownTalk, when it comes to violence and crime.

Now it’s up to residents in the community to show up and share their thoughts on the matter. Turrentine said he would love to see kids, teenagers, young adults and older citizens at the listening session. He wants to hear from all segments of the community about what people see as challenges to overcome when talking about violence and about shifting the mindset and changing the narrative of Henderson and Vance County.

“We’re just going to listen,” Turrentine said. Vision boards will be used to capture the information generated at the listening session.

“We’re going to take all that information and we’re going to come back with legitimate ways to attack common issues that need to be addressed,” he said.

It’s easy to feel trapped in hopeless situations and Turrentine said this grassroots effort is one way to show the community that someone is trying to do something.

“We can’t arrest our way out of crime…if we can show other options,” he said, it could be a good step toward breaking the cycle of violence and crime.

He’s excited to have put in place the listening session, and although he said working with state officials has been challenging at times, “it’s a challenge I’m willing to take on.”

Identifying existing resources is one action item Turrentine hopes to share with the community. He also wants to rekindle the idea of neighbors helping neighbors. “If we can bring that back,” he said, it’s a step in the right direction that says “I see you and I do care.”

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TownTalk: Kerr-Tar Senior Games Coming Up

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Registration continues through Friday, Mar. 7 for the upcoming Senior Games and Silver Arts, giving area seniors a chance to participate in a variety of sports as well as photography, crafts, handiwork and literary compositions.

The events will take place between Mar. 21 and May 16 throughout the five counties that make up the Kerr-Tar region, said Michael Patterson, a family caregiver specialist for KTCOG.

Registrations can be completed online at https://torch.ncseniorgames.org/  or in person at any county senior center. A $20 entry fee should accompany the registration, Patterson said on Monday’s TownTalk.

“This is a great opportunity for older adults to participate in games and arts that they are passionate about,” Patterson said.

Over the past couple of years, about 230 people took part in the events, from pickleball and tennis to track events and basketball.

There will two or three events each week over the next couple of months, with the Silver Arts exhibition taking place on closing day, which will be held beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 16 at the Person County Office Building.

The top three finishers in each event will have the opportunity to move on to the state Senior Games competition, but Patterson said the local games are about more than just winning an award.

“One of the biggest benefits is the socialization opportunity,” he said. The games are a chance for older adults to engage and talk and have a good time.

Individuals compete against others in their general age group – there’s a 50-54 age group, a 55-59 group, and the groupings keep going up in 5-year increments.

As one of the event coordinators, Patterson said it is “so inspiring and empowering to see our older adults passionate about their wellness, passionate about participating and having a good time.”

Contact Patterson at 252.436.2040 x 6072 to learn more, or Crystal Allen at 252.436.2040 x2036.

 

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