The Granville County Library System was recently awarded a $15,000 grant from the Council of Library and Information Resources to digitize and make available a trove of recorded interviews of African American educators by local businessman and historian James Eddie McCoy.
McCoy recorded more than 240 hours of conversations with the Granville County educators between 1981 and 2016 which “explore the challenges and joys of teaching during the decades of school segregation and the coming of integrated public schools,” according to a press release from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.
The grant funds will enable the library system to digitize and preserve McCoy’s interviews and circulate them to all users as early as 2025. Copies of the recordings will be deposited at N.C. Central University for students and researchers to access. The digitized content will be available nationally and globally through the library’s partnerships with DigitalNC and the Digital Public Library of America.
McCoy’s oral histories capture the story of Granville County’s African American educators, who, like their counterparts in other areas, did much more than teach reading, writing and arithmetic. They shared their history and worked to foster pride and self-esteem, stimulate civic awareness and encourage political engagement.
The preservation project began in September and runs through August 2025. Completed digitized materials will be turned over to the Granville County Library System as part of the 2025 celebration of Juneteenth, scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Richard H. Thornton Library.
As part of the celebration, two noted authors and scholars of the period are scheduled to participate. Dr. Jarvis Givens of Harvard University, author of “Fugitive Pedagogy” (Harvard University Press, 2021) and Dr. Leslie Fenwick of Howard University, author of “Jim Crow’s Pink-Slip” (Harvard Education Press, 2022) will be on hand and their books will be available for purchase.
Visit https://granville.lib.nc.us to learn more about the library’s branches, services and programs.
Sheriff: Vance County Man Arrested On Drug, Weapons Charges
/by WIZS StaffPress release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
On October 10, 2024 members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Unit, with assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at 85 Kristie Lane, located west of Townsville. The investigation was in response to numerous citizen complaints of narcotics violations from this location. During the search, investigators located methamphetamine, cocaine and numerous firearms. Several of the firearms were reported stolen out of Granville County.
As a result of the investigation, Edward Jones of Kristie Lane was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Cocaine; Maintaining a Dwelling to Keep and Sell Controlled Substances; two counts of Possession of a Stolen Firearm; and eight counts of Possession of a Firearm by Felon. Jones was released on a $330,000 secured bond.
Maria Parham Health To Hold Annual ‘Trunk Or Treat’ Oct. 28
/by WIZS StaffMaria Parham Health will host its 4th annual drive-thru Trunk or Treat event on Monday, Oct. 28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., providing a safe and festive way for families to celebrate Halloween.
The drive-thru Trunk or Treat allows children to remain in their cars as they enjoy the sights and sounds of Halloween, said Donna Young, MPH public information officer.
Costumed volunteers will pass out candy through open car windows to create a unique and safe trick-or-treating experience. “We started our Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat in October of 2021, in an effort to give children a safe way to trick or treat during the COVID outbreak. The community really enjoyed doing it this way, so it stuck,” Young explained.
Families from the Henderson and Vance County communities are encouraged to bring their little ghosts and goblins for an evening filled with elaborately decorated trunks, festive costumes, and, of course, plenty of candy!
Details about the drive-thru route will be announced about a week before the event, so be sure to keep an eye on the MPH Facebook page for the latest updates.
Granville Library Gets $15K Grant To Preserve Oral Histories Of Local African American Educators
/by WIZS StaffThe Granville County Library System was recently awarded a $15,000 grant from the Council of Library and Information Resources to digitize and make available a trove of recorded interviews of African American educators by local businessman and historian James Eddie McCoy.
McCoy recorded more than 240 hours of conversations with the Granville County educators between 1981 and 2016 which “explore the challenges and joys of teaching during the decades of school segregation and the coming of integrated public schools,” according to a press release from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.
The grant funds will enable the library system to digitize and preserve McCoy’s interviews and circulate them to all users as early as 2025. Copies of the recordings will be deposited at N.C. Central University for students and researchers to access. The digitized content will be available nationally and globally through the library’s partnerships with DigitalNC and the Digital Public Library of America.
McCoy’s oral histories capture the story of Granville County’s African American educators, who, like their counterparts in other areas, did much more than teach reading, writing and arithmetic. They shared their history and worked to foster pride and self-esteem, stimulate civic awareness and encourage political engagement.
The preservation project began in September and runs through August 2025. Completed digitized materials will be turned over to the Granville County Library System as part of the 2025 celebration of Juneteenth, scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Richard H. Thornton Library.
As part of the celebration, two noted authors and scholars of the period are scheduled to participate. Dr. Jarvis Givens of Harvard University, author of “Fugitive Pedagogy” (Harvard University Press, 2021) and Dr. Leslie Fenwick of Howard University, author of “Jim Crow’s Pink-Slip” (Harvard Education Press, 2022) will be on hand and their books will be available for purchase.
Visit https://granville.lib.nc.us to learn more about the library’s branches, services and programs.
Local Cattle Owners Have Oct. 30 Referendum Vote
/by Laura GabelOn Oct. 30, local cattle producers are asked to vote on a referendum to continue the North Carolina Cattle Industry Assessment to fund beef promotion in the state.
The national Beef Checkoff program collects $1 per head of cattle sold in the state, and 50 cents stays in North Carolina, explained Matthew Place, N.C. Cooperative Extension livestock agent in Warren County.
Those funds, however, can be used only within specific guidelines that involve promotion of beef.
The vote next week will be whether to continue the additional $1 assessment per head sold to support youth programs, as well as enhance the image of cattle production, research and education about N.C. cattle and beef production.
Any cattle owner over 18 can vote in the referendum. Stop by the
Warren County Cooperative Extension Office at 158 Rafters Ln., Warrenton, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Contact Matthew Place at 919.495.2230 or matthew_place@ncsu.edu to learn more.
SportsTalk: Recap Of The Weekend
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk on WIZS 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap the weekend that was in the great sport of American Football. From High School, to College Ball, to the Pros. Right here on SportsTalk.
The next time Vance County will take the field is when they host Carrboro for their Pink Game to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness on Week 10 of the 2024 season on Friday, October 25th and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting at 6:50 p.m. and kickoff thereafter at 7:00 p.m.
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The Local Skinny! Archie Taylor Receives Order Of The Long Leaf Pine
/by WIZS StaffVance County Commissioner Col. Archie Taylor has received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor that a North Carolina governor can award to an individual for contributions to the state and to his or her local community.
Rep. Frank Sossamon delivered remarks – and a framed certificate – to Taylor during a recent commissioners meeting.
Sossamon cited Taylor’s 28 years of military service and said that career “speaks volumes about his commitment to duty and leadership.”
That service, along with his service since 2012 on the local board of commissioners and other civic and service organizations, sets Taylor apart. Taylor lost a close primary race in March and will leave the board in December.
“His longstanding involvement in economic development initiatives…his strategic vision and proactive approach have played a pivotal role in promoting Vance County, both locally and beyond,” Sossamon said.
Over the years, Taylor has been an ardent supporter of education, the arts, the Boy Scouts. Maria Parham Health, Rotary, his church, just to list a few.
He was named Vance County Citizen of the Year in 2021 and also received the George R. Watkins Citizen of the Year from the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts.
In brief remarks after the presentation, Taylor expressed his surprise and thanks for the honor.
He said he has a plaque on his wall with a quote attributed to Robert F. Kennedy which states “’One man can make a difference and every man should try.’ That’s all I’ve tried to do – make a difference everywhere I’ve been,” he said.
He invited others to join him. “Our county gets better as more and more people get involved.”
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WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 10-21-24 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Cooperative Extension With Wayne Rowland: Forest Management Plans
/by WIZS StaffCooperative 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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“Keeping The Farm” Topic Of Oct. 29 Workshop In Oxford
/by WIZS StaffCome to a “Keeping the Farm” workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 29 to learn more about topics from taxes to land conservation practices.
The free, half-day workshop begins with registration at 8 a.m. at the Granville
County Convention & Expo Center, 4185 US Hwy. 15, Oxford.
The goal of the workshop is to provide information to farm and forest landowners about stewardship and preservation.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keeping-the-farm-workshop-tickets-1004492111947?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Grant Funding Available To Preserve Farmland Through Agricultural Easements
/by WIZS StaffLandowners interested in preserving farmland through agricultural conservation easements can apply for grants through a state trust fund. The application period is open now and ends Jan. 17, 2025.
County governments and conservation nonprofit groups can apply for farmland preservation grants from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund; property owners work with county governments or land trusts to apply for the funding, according to information from the office of N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
“A growing population and increased development continue to put pressure on family farms,” Troxler stated. “Agricultural conservation easements are the best tool to preserve farmland. I encourage farmers and landowners across the state to work with local partners and apply for grant funding to become North Carolina Forever Farms.”
Grants are available for agricultural conservation easements on working farms and forests; to support public-private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forestland activities; to develop agricultural plans; and to create Agricultural Growth Zones that enhance local investments in farmland preservation.
If awarded a grant in which the application requests funds for the conservation easement purchase value, landowners will be compensated for the purchase of the development rights.
During the most recent grant cycle, the N.C. ADFP Trust Fund awarded $18.2 million to protect working farms and forests, support county farmland preservation efforts and promote agricultural enterprises.
Agricultural conservation easements not funded in the previous grant cycle are encouraged to reapply for funding. Reapplications must notify the Farmland Preservation Division via online form.
A new online grant portal will be used for Cycle 18 applications. Grant applications, rules and information packets are available online at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/farmland-preservation/applicants. For more information, call the Farmland Preservation office at 919.707.3074.