-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.
“There are a lot of broken lives all around us,” says Bryan Cuthriell. “And if I could do or say anything that might help or at least be a source of encouragement, then that’s what I want to do.”
Bryan has followed up on that mission for the last 10 years as a volunteer at Rebuilding Hope.
At a Brotherhood meeting in 2009 at Central Baptist Church, Bryan and brother-in-law Cliff McClanahan, also an RHI volunteer, heard a presentation by Randolph Wilson, the RHI coordinator.
“I was greatly impressed with the mission of RHI, and I committed to being a part of these services in any way I was able to contribute,” he recalls.
Bryan Cuthriell named Rebuilding Hope’s February 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)
After an accident in 2001, Bryan says he’s been unable to do heavy construction work and focuses on encouraging those who do the heavy work.
“For the most part, I have manned the phones and served as a greeter to individuals who call or visit RHI,” says Bryan, who has also assisted with fundraisers and other events and cleaned and sorted supplies coming into the warehouse.
“I find particular satisfaction in being able to witness and share Jesus with everyone who comes into contact with me at the desk,” he says.
Among his volunteer experiences, Bryan recalls one that stands out:
“We had a preacher in the area come in looking for a project. Going over the worksheet we found a woman who needed work done on her front porch.”
“Seeing the address, the preacher realized that she lived across the street from his church, but he had never noticed the porch or visited the people who lived there. He took on the project, and it’s my understanding she is now attending that preacher’s church.”
Would he encourage others to volunteer at RHI?
“Absolutely, yes,” Bryan, a native of Chesapeake, Va., says. “The fellowship with other Christians is phenomenal alone. There is a lot of fun and laughter and sharing, and the food is good, too. I think any volunteer will tell you that you get far more back than you will ever be able to put in.”
Bryan says he enjoys visiting with family and “telling the same old stories over and over, boring my wife and family to death, listening to good music and church fellowship, particularly when we sing the old hymns of the faith. I love that.”
A member and deacon at Central Baptist Church, he is retired from the Naval Base Norfolk Fire Department where he served for 30 years.
Bryan and Joan will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary in May. They have two children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Vance County Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., Feb. 4
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance
Agenda items:
Public Hearings
– FY 2019-2020 Budget
– Building Reuse Grant, Southeastern Speciality Vehicles
Appointments
– Stuart Hill, Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. – FY 2017-2018 Audit Report
– Lisa Harrison, Public Health Director and Bailey Alston, Five County Coalition – Jail Diversion/Peer Bridging Program
– Amanda Welsh and Brian Boyd – Henderson Oxford Airport Activities Update
Water District Board
-Monthly Operations Report
Committee Reports and Recommendations
– Technology Committee – Broadband
Finance Director’s Report
– Resolution to donate property
County Attorney’s Report
REO Properties
– Lots 270, 271, 272 Eastside Drive; Parcel 0077 03003
– Lot 6 Roberts Avenue; Parcel 0452 03024
– Lot 133 West Hills Drive; Parcel 0411A03003
– 175 Freedom Lane; Parcel 0541D01033 – New Offer
County Manager’s Report
– Resolution – Black History Month
– Agricultural Land Lease Agreement (Grissom)
– Resolution – Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Allocation Expansion
– Resolution Opposing Addition of Vance County to Tar Pamlico Stormwater Requirements
– Goals for FY 2019-20
– Fire Reorganization
Consent Agenda Items
– Budget Amendments and Transfers
– Tax Refunds and Releases
– Ambulance Charge-Offs
– Monthly Reports
– Minutes
Miscellaneous
– Appointments
– March Meeting Date
Click here to view current and prior Board agendas.
Rehab Work Coming for Bridge and Roadway in Granville County
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, N.C. Department of Transportation
Thanks to two N.C. Department of Transportation contracts, a short bridge located just south of Creedmoor will be getting some much-needed repairs and nearly 36 miles of Granville County roads will be resurfaced.
As early as February 25, contractors from National Bridge Builders will be able to start repairing the Northside Road bridge extending over Ledge Creek. Built in 1956, the bridge is due for upgrades, as its average daily use is expected to increase by nearly 100 percent by 2039.
The contract was awarded for just over $1 million and crews will have until September 15 to complete work and reopen the bridge for traffic.
The posted off-site detour will utilize Cash Road, South Durham Avenue, West Hillsboro Street and South Elm Street.
In a separate project, several roads in the county will see surface improvements. They include portions of N.C. 50 and N.C. 56, as well as Rock Springs Church Road between Bruce Garner Road and the Wake County line.
This $4.4 million contract was awarded to Carolina Sunrock of Raleigh. The contractor can begin the roadway resurfacing as early as June 1 and must be finished by June 30, 2020.
These projects are two of 14 highway and bridge projects recently awarded by the Department. As required by state law, the contracts went to the lowest qualified bidder. They are worth $144.4 million.
Rebuilding Hope, Inc. Names Cuthriell February’s Volunteer of the Month
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.
“There are a lot of broken lives all around us,” says Bryan Cuthriell. “And if I could do or say anything that might help or at least be a source of encouragement, then that’s what I want to do.”
Bryan has followed up on that mission for the last 10 years as a volunteer at Rebuilding Hope.
At a Brotherhood meeting in 2009 at Central Baptist Church, Bryan and brother-in-law Cliff McClanahan, also an RHI volunteer, heard a presentation by Randolph Wilson, the RHI coordinator.
“I was greatly impressed with the mission of RHI, and I committed to being a part of these services in any way I was able to contribute,” he recalls.
Bryan Cuthriell named Rebuilding Hope’s February 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)
After an accident in 2001, Bryan says he’s been unable to do heavy construction work and focuses on encouraging those who do the heavy work.
“For the most part, I have manned the phones and served as a greeter to individuals who call or visit RHI,” says Bryan, who has also assisted with fundraisers and other events and cleaned and sorted supplies coming into the warehouse.
“I find particular satisfaction in being able to witness and share Jesus with everyone who comes into contact with me at the desk,” he says.
Among his volunteer experiences, Bryan recalls one that stands out:
“We had a preacher in the area come in looking for a project. Going over the worksheet we found a woman who needed work done on her front porch.”
“Seeing the address, the preacher realized that she lived across the street from his church, but he had never noticed the porch or visited the people who lived there. He took on the project, and it’s my understanding she is now attending that preacher’s church.”
Would he encourage others to volunteer at RHI?
“Absolutely, yes,” Bryan, a native of Chesapeake, Va., says. “The fellowship with other Christians is phenomenal alone. There is a lot of fun and laughter and sharing, and the food is good, too. I think any volunteer will tell you that you get far more back than you will ever be able to put in.”
Bryan says he enjoys visiting with family and “telling the same old stories over and over, boring my wife and family to death, listening to good music and church fellowship, particularly when we sing the old hymns of the faith. I love that.”
A member and deacon at Central Baptist Church, he is retired from the Naval Base Norfolk Fire Department where he served for 30 years.
Bryan and Joan will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary in May. They have two children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Animal Control to Present at February’s Granville Co. Board Meeting
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County
The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, February 4, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.
Agenda items include:
Consent Agenda
1. Contingency Summary
2. Budget Amendment #5
3. Resolution to Approve School Bus Lease-Purchase Agreement for Granville County Public Schools
Recognitions and Presentations
4. Recognition – Volunteer Service Awards
Oaths of Office
5. Reappointment of Tax Administrator and Oath of Office
Public Comments
6. Public Comments
Animal Management Matters
7. Free Rabies Vaccines
8. Updated Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program for Granville County Citizens
9. Animal Control F250 Truck and Chassis Mounted Kennel
10. Animal Control Staff Development Day
Appointments
11. Senior Services Advisory Committee
12. Granville County Library System Board of Trustees
13. Animal Control Advisory Committee
14. Granville County Human Relations Commission
15. Oxford Zoning Board of Adjustment
16. Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee
17. Agricultural Advisory Board
County Manager’s Report
18. Consent to Assignment of Contract
County Attorney’s Report
19. County Attorney’s Report
Presentations by County Board Members
20. Presentations by County Board Members
Any Other Matters
21. Any Other Matters
Closed Session
22. Closed Session – Property Acquisition
Granville Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting – Feb. 4
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Dywanda Pettaway, Clerk to Board of Education, Granville County
NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS
The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting Monday, February 4, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Granville County Public Schools Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.
The board will also meet in a Closed Session for a consultation with the Board’s attorney and Personnel/Attorney-Client Privileges in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 on this evening.
To find a copy of the agenda for the meeting please use the following link: https://www.boarddocs.com/nc/gcsd/Board.nsf/Public.
Town Talk 02/01/19
/by LarryNews 02/01/19
/by LarryLocal Officials Hold ‘Open House’ for Raleigh Real Estate Team
/by Kelly BondurantDennis Jarvis, Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss a “familiarization meeting and information exchange” between local government officials and representatives from the Raleigh branch of the commercial property brokerage company, NAI Carolantic Realty.
According to Jarvis, approximately 20 Carolantic professionals heard from a delegation of Henderson and Vance County representatives from the City and County, including Mayor Eddie Ellington, City Manager Frank Frazier and County Manager Jordan McMillen, among several others.
“Our group spoke to the Carolantic team on real estate opportunities in the area from an economic development standpoint,” Jarvis explained. “We discussed the quality of life in this area, the diverse economy and the opportunity for ready-to-go sites.”
Jarvis said McMillen did “an excellent job” in presenting information to the Carolantic team on the County’s recent purchase of 84 acres for expansion of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park while emphasizing the amenities of the area including water, sewer, natural gas and rail.
“We set the table [by saying] we have the workforce, we have the sites and we have the amenities,” said Jarvis.
As is often touted, Vance County’s proximity to major highways, short travel distance to the Raleigh/Durham area and less expensive operating costs were also mentioned by both groups as a potential boon to business growth.
With an organization that deals with real estate on a national and international level, Jarvis said it would be easy to think representatives wouldn’t be aware of specific opportunities in Vance County, NC. “You think you are going to be speaking with a group that doesn’t have any idea about Vance County, but they had one-on-one knowledge of properties for sale and industry clients.”
Based on Jarvis’ observations, both groups were impressed with what they heard. “I was pleased with Carolantic’s knowledge of the area. They understood the Kerr Lake aspect of the economy, the importance of the community college and were impressed with McGregor Hall.”
“They were also impressed with how the Embassy Foundation and the Perry Library started in a private sense, with no local dollars spent. They said it shows how our community can come together to create a vision, implement change and succeed.”
While no contracts were signed or promises made at this initial meeting, Jarvis said it was a very positive interaction. “Using the real estate context, it was like an open house for Vance County. We showcased who we are and familiarized them with the government officials they will potentially be working with moving forward.”
Jarvis said city and county officials plan to host two similar delegations with commercial brokerages between now and the end of March.
To hear the Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click here.
Rep. Terry E. Garrison Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand Medicaid in NC
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Rep. Terry E. Garrison, District 32, NC General Assembly
Yesterday, Representative Terry E. Garrison co-sponsored House Bill 5 (HB 5), a proposal to expand Medicaid in North Carolina and increase access to affordable health care for more than 500,000 North Carolinians, including approximately 1748 in Vance County; 759 in Warren County; and 1,672 in Granville County alone.
“I am proud to co-sponsor HB 5 which would expand Medicaid and increase health care coverage for families combined across District 32. This bill would help more than 4179 families in District 32 gain access to coverage, but the full effects would be felt by our entire community. North Carolinians shouldn’t be forced to put the health of themselves and their families on the back burner because they can’t afford insurance. We can and should ease that burden this year,” said Representative Garrison.
By introducing a bill to expand Medicaid as the first bill of the 2019 legislative session, state Democrats are signaling their number one priority is helping working families. In addition to making health care more affordable for hundreds of thousands of our people, this proposal would boost our economy and create jobs. According to an analysis prepared by the Center for Health Policy Research at George Washington University, if Medicaid expansion had occurred by 2016, then its impact by 2020 would have been:
• Created 86 jobs in Vance County; 24 jobs in Warren County; 80 jobs in Granville County
• Created $79.9 million in new business activity for Vance County; $11.6 million in new business activity for Warren County; and $87 million in new business activity for Granville County.
• Created $52.1 million in new county revenue for Vance County; $7.1 million in new county revenue for Warren County; and $49.7 million in new county revenue for Granville County.
According to state estimates, expanding Medicaid will overwhelmingly be paid for by the federal government. Any remaining costs would be funded by a small assessment on hospitals and other health care providers.
“Expanding Medicaid is good for our people, good for our economy, and good for our Rural Veteran families or those struggling with addiction, and I look forward to speaking with people across my district about why this is such a critical step we must take together,” Representative Garrison concluded.
Rural North Carolina has the most to gain from Medicaid expansion. Rural hospitals are struggling. Since 2010, five rural hospitals in North Carolina have closed and two have lost critical services like maternity and labor wards. But rural hospitals located in states that have expanded Medicaid are 84% less likely to close. Expanding Medicaid will keep the doors open on rural hospitals, providing vital health care to our communities.
First Round of State’s Agriculture Disaster Checks Headed to Farmers
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, NCDA&CS
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today that the first round of checks from the state’s $240 million Agricultural Disaster Relief Program of 2018 have been sent to farmers.
“More than $15.2 million in payments were mailed today, and a second batch will go out Friday, Feb. 1,” Troxler said. “By week’s end, we anticipate having around 2,000 applications processed.”
Nearly 7,000 applications for assistance were submitted to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as part of the program. The N.C. General Assembly unanimously approved funding in response to more than $1.2 billion in estimated agricultural losses from Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the legislation into law.
The applications are being processed randomly and are not being done on a county-by-county basis. Complete applications, not missing any information or documentation, are being processed first. Applications missing information will require follow-up calls in order to be verified and approved.
“This is the most important thing I have worked on since becoming Ag Commissioner,” Troxler said. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and it was absolutely pummeled in 2018. Many farmers are hurting and may not be able to secure funding to start the 2019 growing season. While this money does not come close to making whole the crop losses, I hope it will help farmers get financing for the coming year and help jump-start the economies of rural North Carolina.”
A total of 70 of the state’s 100 counties received a presidential or secretarial disaster declaration, qualifying farmers for the program.
The federal government shutdown created some delays in getting applications processed, but work is continuing to verify and approve the remaining applications.
Applicants had to submit the Farm Service Agency form 578 with their applications, which includes acreage being grown.
Other information considered in determining payments includes the five-year average price for commodities, the county average yield and the county estimated losses, which were determined by an ad-hoc committee made up of county FSA officials, cooperative extension agents, forest service staff and soil and water conservation district staff.
Checks will continue to be processed weekly as they are verified and approved.