Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Wandering Pt.2

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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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Bill Stanley Moves Into Lead Superintendent Role At Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

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Bill Stanley has been named lead superintendent at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area in Vance and Warren counties, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. He has served as a superintendent I at Kerr Lake since 2018.

A state park superintendent manages the operations and administration of a park and has responsibilities that include staffing, planning, environmental education, natural resources management, law enforcement and visitor services.

Originally from Ramseur, N.C., Stanley has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Stanley’s years at Kerr Lake have inspired a number of goals for his first year as superintendent.

“I want to improve community engagement and complete projects that improve visitor experiences at the park,” he said. “I want Kerr Lake to embody our mission of conservation, recreation and education.”

Stanley began his career in state parks in 2010 as a seasonal employee at Raven Rock in Harnett County and then worked as an AmeriCorps educator at Carvers Creek in Cumberland County. He took a park ranger position at Dismal Swamp State Park in Camden County before moving to Kerr Lake State Recreation Area.

North District Superintendent Kristen Woodruff said she looks forward to Stanley’s leadership to direct the park through growth and change.

“Bill’s familiarity with both the challenges and opportunities at Kerr Lake provide a foundation for excellent leadership as the park continues to grow and change. He is setting a new standard for the visitor experience at Kerr Lake,” she said.

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a collective of eight access areas around the shoreline of the 50,000-acre reservoir built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Seven campgrounds with hundreds of campsites allow visitors lakeside camping, and numerous shelters and community buildings provide popular venues for local gatherings.

All eight recreation accesses provide boat access to one of the best fishing lakes in the eastern United States.
North Carolina State Parks manages more than 258,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolina’s state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes more than 22.7 million visitors annually.

Lessons & Carols Service At Historic St. John’s Episcopal Church Sunday At 5 PM

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The historic St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamsboro is the site for a traditional service of Lessons and Carols this Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.

The community is invited to the service, which is fashioned in the style of King’s College in Cambridge, England.

St. John’s is the oldest frame church in North Carolina, and celebrates its 250th year in 2023.

In the days before the American Revolution, Williamsboro held a prominent position in the state. At one time, it was considered the prime location for a university – which ultimately was founded in Chapel Hill.

Early members of the church included John Penn, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Although not considered an active parish, St. John’s is maintained and supported by the Diocese of North Carolina and a dedicated committee made up largely of parishioners of The Church of the Holy Innocents in Henderson and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Oxford.

These churches, as well as the former St. John’s in Henderson and St. Cyprian’s, Oxford, are offshoots of the church in Williamsboro.

The service of Lessons & Carols is one of several held at the church each year, including a Homecoming service in October and an Easter service.

You can follow St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamsboro on Facebook. (facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070992423730)

Granville County Residents: Access FCC Map To Confirm Broadband Data

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Granville County residents can help improve broadband internet access by confirming existing information that will be used to determine federal and state grant funding to expand broadband access throughout the county.

Residents can visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov to confirm data  collected by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its new National Broadband Map, according to information from Terry Hobgood, the county’s public information officer.

This map displays where internet services are and are not available across the country, as  reported by internet service providers. The map allows consumers to easily dispute information shown on the map which they believe was not accurately reported by the providers.

“Granville County is constantly searching for funding and partnerships that can expand broadband access in the unserved or underserved parts of our county,” said Assistant County Manager Korena Weichel. “Accurate data is the first step to improved access.

Residents can help the FCC improve the map by submitting a “challenge” to one of the following points:

  • Availability challenges: If the information about the internet services available at your home or business is incorrect, you can dispute it by clicking on the “Availability Challenge” link on the map and submit the  form.
  • Mobile challenges: If the map of mobile coverage submitted by your provider seems incorrect, you can  dispute that by taking speed tests on your mobile phone with the FCC Speed Test App, available for both  Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samknows.fcc&hl=en) and iOS (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fcc-speed-test/id794322383?mt=8).
  • Location challenges: If the information about the location point of your home or business seems to be incorrect, you can submit a “Location Challenge” to correct the information on the location by utilizing  the link on the map.

Data from these maps will be used when making award decisions for broadband infrastructure grants, Weichel said. Internet service providers also will consult these maps to determine where they may be able to access new customers and determine when and where to install new infrastructure needed to improve access.

“Even though regulatory laws in  North Carolina prohibit county and city governments from owning or operating internet infrastructure, we are committed to partnering with internet service providers that are willing to make the necessary investments that  will bridge the digital divide and expand access to broadband internet in rural Granville County,” Weichel said.

Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

 

  • Check garden tools if they need replacing add them to your Christmas list
  • Make a final check of gas-powered equipment to be certain gas tanks are empty.
  • Inventory your seed supply. Order newly released varieties now before they sell out
  • Move trees and shrubs if needed.
  • Check moisture of holiday plants, especially Christmas trees
  • Clean up brushy areas of your landscape. Ticks and chiggers are inactive, but be mindful of poison ivy vines.
  • Review your garden journal about what was successful and even what didn’t do well so you can plan for next year.
  • Continue planting trees and shrubs.
  • Clean your greenhouse, high tunnel, or cold frame.

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TownTalk: Keeping Pets Safe Over The Holidays

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The advice could be coming from your family doctor about how to manage the upcoming holiday season: Limit treats, avoid fatty foods, get regular exercise and stay calm when there’s a houseful of company.

Humans would do well to follow these suggestions, but this advice actually comes from Bridget Waters, DVM. She’s talking about caring for our dogs and cats as we prepare for the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holiday.

Our pets may get anxious when guests arrive for a holiday gathering, Waters said in a recent TownTalk conversation. Waters operates Dabney Drive Animal Hospital in Henderson.

There are some chews that have natural calming agents – like the tryptophan in turkeys that makes us all want to nap after our Thanksgiving meal, she said. Some pets, however, get so anxious they may need a prescription medication.

And although humans may feel compelled to feed pets foods from the table, Waters said it’s not always a good idea.

“Don’t feed them the foods we eat over the holidays,” she said, because some of them may be too rich or too high in fat content. It’s not a great idea for humans to over-indulge, and that holds true for our pets as well.

She suggested that pet owners have pet-friendly treats on hand for those who can’t resist slipping that furry friend an extra morsel. In addition to grapes and raisins – both no-no’s for dogs, Waters listed as “not dog-friendly” onions, garlic, currants and chocolate,

As cold weather sets in, it’s important to remember to keep things like anti-freeze and ice melt granules out of the way, too. While sprinkling ice melt on driveways and sidewalks can help human navigation, when a dog or cat walks on it, it may stay on their paws and cause a problem.

It’s a good idea to wipe the animal’s paws when they come back inside. “Clear the paw pads of anything they might pick up outside,” she said.

Don’t let your pets be couch – or carpet – potatoes in the wintertime, which could bring on weight gain.

“Get them out for a little 5- or 10-minute walk instead of letting them lie around,” she said.

 

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TownTalk: Fundraiser Will Benefit J.F. Webb Athletics

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A pile of bricks has sat outside the J.F. Webb High School gym for the last couple of years, but they’ll soon serve their purpose, according to Webb Booster Club member Caroline Burnette.

That pile of bricks is becoming the foundation for a fundraiser that had been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burnette spoke recently on TownTalk to explain the project, which involves the purchase of engraved bricks.

The booster club is raising money for the school’s athletic teams and Burnette encourages Webb alumni, businesses and others in the community to be a part of the project.

Visit polarengraving.com/jfwebb to learn more or contact the booster club at jfwebbboosterclub@gmail.com.

Webb’s masonry students are going to install the donated red bricks outside the gymnasium. As the gray-colored bricks are purchased and engraved, a red brick will be taken up and replaced with the engraved brick, Burnette said.

“We can sell as many as we want,” she said, adding that once the first space is full, the plan is to move to areas near the football field and the baseball field on campus.

“This is a lasting opportunity – it’s going to be there for a really long time,” she said.

There are three price levels, depending on the size of brick purchased, she explained.

A 4 x 8 brick is $100, an 8 x 8 brick is $150 and the largest size brick is $225. In addition to having names engraved, there are hundreds of different images to choose from as well.

Burnette said some of the school’s sports teams are in dire need of new equipment and uniforms and this fundraiser will help to address some of those needs.

“It’s time to really support our kids,” Burnette said. “Please support our students at J.F. Webb.”

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Former Granville Sheriff Gets 18-Month Sentence For Falsifying Training Records

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Former Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins was convicted late last week by a Wake County jury on multiple counts of obstruction of justice and obtaining property by false pretenses.

The jury found Wilkins guilty of falsifying in-service training and firearms records necessary to maintain law enforcement certification for himself and other certain deputies under his command, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. The court sentenced Wilkins to a minimum of 18 months in prison followed by two years’ probation. He was immediately taken into custody.

Wilkin, originally indicted in September 2019, faces additional criminal charges, including two counts of felony obstruction of justice charges arising from allegations that Wilkins withheld knowledge of a credible threat to kill a former deputy and that he failed to make reasonable and professional efforts to protect the deputy. Two felony and two misdemeanor charges relating to allegations that Wilkins failed to discharge the duties of his office are also pending.

Following Wilkins’ original indictment on Sept. 16, 2019, Granville County Attorney Jim Wrenn brought an action to remove Wilkins as sheriff of Granville County. On Sept. 23, 2019, Wilkins agreed to a consent order suspending his service as sheriff pending resolution of the criminal charges. Following Wilkins’ suspension as sheriff, the Granville County board of commissioners authorized Wrenn to lead an internal investigation.

Details of the above-referenced internal investigations can be found on the Granville County website at this link: https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/county-commissioners/special-investigation-reports/.

Henderson Zooms Ahead with Racetrack Ordinance

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The Henderson City Council passed an amendment to a zoning ordinance Monday night that paves the way for motorsports activities to be developed in areas under the city’s jurisdiction.

Following a public hearing during which individuals spoke for and against the idea of allowing the development of motorsports racetracks, the ordinance passed by a 6-2 vote. Council members Garry Daeke and Mike Rainey voted against the ordinance. Marion Brodie Williams, Sara Coffey, Lamont Noel, Melissa Elliott, Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Jason Spriggs voted for the ordinance.

Eight individuals spoke in favor of passing the ordinance, including the two racetrack development partners, Justin Davis and Devin Anderson.  Speaking in opposition included a couple from Warren County, who warned that such developments bring liabilities and can have negative impacts in the community.

The council vote means that a developer may appear before the zoning board of adjustment to request a special-use permit for a racetrack for all-terrain vehicles, motocross equipment, motorcycles and other three- and four-wheelers.

A special use permit, which can be a rigorous process, is required to proceed. Once obtained,  the special-use permit would allow motorsports activities in areas zoned I1 (Industrial Park District), I2 (Industrial Non-Park District), RA (Residential Agriculture) and R40 (Low Density Residential) in the City and ETJ.

Before the vote was taken, Council member Daeke said it was a wonderful business opportunity but that any such facility had to be put in the right place.  He said, “To me it’s only about noise.”  He said he wants to allow people to do what they want but that people are afforded the right to sit in their yard and enjoy the quiet.

Daeke questioned whether the right buffers are in the zoning ordinance and whether the distances are far enough from schools, nursing facilities and homes, specifically if existing homes in R40, low-density residential should be excluded from the ordinance.

Some specific points included in the ordinance include hours of operation, setbacks and minimum distances from places like nursing homes and schools.

The racetrack may be open Monday -Friday between 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. No racing may be conducted between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The 15-part Design Standards for Racetracks section of the ordinance outlines details pertaining to safety, hours of operation and logistics, among others. Part 7, for example deals with noise mitigation and reads in part: “An adequate noise mitigation plan shall be provided which shall demonstrate that good faith efforts to reduce noise effects in the vicinity have been made…All motor vehicles participating in a racing event shall be designed to keep vehicle noise in compliance with of 95 dbA measured in a stationary test. Vehicle sound must be measured by a properly calibrated decibel meter from 50 feet, at a right angle to the vehicle, with the vehicle at a no-load revolutions per minute (RPM) of 3,500.”