Early Voting Information For Granville Voters

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One-stop early voting for the Mar. 5 primary begins in less than two days and the Granville County Board of Elections reminds voters to bring a photo ID to make your trip to the polls smooth and simple.

The early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 15 and continues through Saturday, Mar. 2. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on each day and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 2. Granville County have three options to cast their vote before the Mar. 5 primary:

  • Oxford Public Works building meeting room 127 Penn Ave., Oxford
  • South Branch Library multipurpose room, 1550 South Campus Dr., Creedmoor
  • Tar River Elementary School gymnasium, 2642 Philo White Rd., Franklinton

*Philo White Road is located off Hwy. 96 before the intersection with Hwy. 56 and is within Granville County, despite the Franklinton mailing address

To learn more about the upcoming elections, visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/board-of-elections/2024-primary-election/ or call the Board of Elections at 919.693.2515.

TownTalk: County Shell Building Deal Falls Through

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An optimistic person may look at the completed – and unoccupied – shell building at the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park and say “if you build it, they will come.”

The pessimist may say “don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

Well, the shell building was built and a buyer in hand, until the 11th hour when the deal fell through.

That’s when Henderson-Vance Industrial Park, Inc. President Dan Brummitt summed up the process like a realist: “That’s real estate.”

Brummitt told WIZS News Tuesday that the deal that had seemed sewn up had, in fact, died.

The unnamed buyer had requested a 7-day extension right before the deal was to close, and then another 30-day extension after that. On the last day of the last extension, and right before the due diligence period was set to expire, the buyer backed out.

County Attorney Jonathan Care told WIZS News in an email that both sides had been in negotiations during the extension periods, but “the buyer’s agent told us in the final hour of the last day of the extension period for due diligence that the buyer would not be
proceeding forward, and (is) terminating the contract.”

The building is owned by the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park, Inc. – not by the city or the county, Care said.

“This is what we did not want to happen, as the building has been off the market now for several months, interest has continued to accrue on the construction loan, and the Industrial Park is back at square one with getting the building sold.”

Brummitt said that interest in the building is good and so it’s on to the next purchaser.

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TownTalk: City Council Addresses Trash Issue; New Fire Truck

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The Henderson City Council gave the green light Monday to fire department officials to apply for a $2.5 million FEMA grant to purchase a new ladder truck.

The department’s ladder truck has been out of commission since April 2023 and isn’t expected to come back into service for several more months.

The Council voted unanimously to provide the 5 percent match – roughly $119,000 – required by FEMA grant.

The fire department’s ISO rating could be in jeopardy if there’s no ladder truck available to answer calls or provide mutual aid when needed.

Direct quote from agenda:

“This grant will enable the fire department to purfhase a new aerial apparatus to provide adequate fire protection coverage for areas within the municipality and mutual aid districts when necessary.

Council members also voted to amend the Sanitation Ordinance in an effort to cut down on excess garbage and litter.

Customers are supposed to put all their refuse inside the rolling container provided through GFL – they’re not supposed to pile up extra bags beside the container for pickup.

Following Monday’s action, customers will be warned when they are out of compliance. After the third warning, the city will “provide” them with a second container – at the resident’s expense, which they’ll see in their monthly bill.

This had been discussed at the November 2023 Public Works Committee meeting, and it was brought back to Council Monday for review.

Listen back to Tuesday’s TownTalk to learn about other topics of discussion at the Feb. 12 City Council meeting.

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The Local Skinny! Vance County Schools Receive Blue Ribbon Awards

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For the fourth year in a row, Vance County Schools has been recognized by a statewide organization for excellence in communications. The district took four Blue Ribbon awards at a recent ceremony of the North Carolina School Public Relations Association, according to information from VCS Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin.

Of the 344 awards given out during the ceremony, Vance County received two Gold level awards, one Silver and one Bronze level award.

The BlueRibbon Awards are the highest honor presented by t6he NCSPRA to school districts. The awards are given for outstanding communication in eight categories: marketing, digital media engagement, electronic media, excellence in writing, publications, image/graphic design, photography and special events/programs.

“This recognition is an honor for our entire district, as well as a testament to the hard work of our team,” Sandlin said in the press statement. “We are grateful for the ongoing collaboration between the Communications department and the Center For Innovation staff as we work together to provide opportunities and experience for our students and showcase our district’s story.”

Here’s a breakdown of the award-winning programs and projects:

VCS earned Gold level recognition in the Special Events and Programs category for its Engage, Inspire, Empower conference, held in April 2023 for young women in grades 7-12 and in the Digital Media Engagement category for its Alumni Roll Call 2023 social media campaign.

The district took Silver and Bronze in the category of Image/Graphic Design for its use of AI technology that turned each principal into a superhero during Principal Appreciation Month.

The Bronze award was given for a billboard campaign called Sharing Our Story at New Heights. The billboard is on Norlina Road across from the Food Lion Shopping Center.

The NCSPRA identified a “Best of the Best” for each category, and VCS was honored in the Special Events/Programs category.

Other school district winners were:

  • Digital Media Engagement: Guilford County Schools
  • Electronic Media: Guilford County Schools
  • Excellence in Writing: New Hanover County Schools
  • Image/Graphic Design: Chatham County Schools
  • Marketing: Rutherford County Schools
  • Photography: Durham Public Schools
  • Publications (Electronic & Print): Durham Public Schools

Visit www.ncspra.org to learn more about the organization.

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Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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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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Franklin County Reports Discharge Of 32K Gallons Of Untreated Wastewater

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-information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks, III

 

Franklin County Public Utilities experienced a discharge of more than 32,000 gallons of untreated wastewater at the Industrial Park Pump Station. The discharge was the result of a complete mechanical system failure. The discharge started Friday, Feb. 9 and concluded on Saturday, Feb. 10.

The discharge of wastewater was estimated to be 32,400 gallons and approximately 20,000 gallons of the 32,400 gallons discharged reached the surface waters of Brandy Creek, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks, III.

Franklin County Public Utilities staff was dispatched to the site and started cleanup after the discharge stopped.

Residents do not need to take any action at this time.

The Division of Water Quality was notified of this event on Feb. 10, 2024, and the matter is under review. For additional information concerning this event, please contact Franklin County Public Utilities at 919.556.6177.

Visit www.franklincountync.gov to learn more.

 

Dabney Drive

NCDOT Hosting Drop-In Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 To Discuss Dabney Drive Project

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The N.C. Department of Transportation is hosting a public, drop-in style meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13 for people to learn more about the proposed project that would help ease congestion and improve safety on Dabney Drive.

The proposed project would improve Dabney Drive from Coble Boulevard to U.S. 158 Business, including construction of a roundabout at the Dabney Drive/Dorsey Avenue intersections.

Interested individuals can just drop by E.M. Rollins Elementary School, located at 1600 S. Garnett St. any time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. NCDOT staff will be available to answer questions.

People have until Tuesday, Feb. 27 to submit comments by phone at 984.205.6615, code 4600, by email Dabney-drive-henderson@publicinput.com or by mail to:

 

Zahid Baloch

NCDOT Division Project Team

1573 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1573

 

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Tony Gallager at magallagher@ncdot.gov or 919.707.6069 as early as possible so arrangements can be made.

People who speak Spanish and have limited ability to read, speak or understand English may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.

TownTalk: Estate Sale To Benefit American Cancer Society

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Frances Garrett is putting on an estate sale to benefit the American Cancer Society. Make plans to come out to shop beginning Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Garrett is a cancer survivor and she and her loyal volunteers have all the items priced and ready for sale, according to Aaron Ramsey, one of the volunteers that makes up Garrett’s team she calls “Frances and Friends.”

There are numerous household items that are just waiting for a new home – from lamps and all sorts of glassware to figurines and other collectibles.

“She works day and night,” Ramsey said on Monday’s TownTalk. “She’s one of the highest volume fundraisers throughout the state – they give her an award every year.”

For Garrett, it’s a labor of love – to show support for fellow cancer survivors while raising money to contribute to the cause.

And, Ramsey said, all proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society.

Cash or checks will be accepted.

“Come on out and take a look,” Ramsey said.

The sale is located in the shopping plaza on Raleigh Road, between Dollar Tree and the Salvation Army Family store, across from M.R. Williams.

 

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