Tag Archive for: #creedmoornews

Granville County Elected Officials and Staff Tour Bladen County Law Enforcement Facility

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Oxford, NC, June 23, 2017 – In preparation for future construction of its own law enforcement complex, Granville County elected officials and staff toured the recently constructed Bladen County, North Carolina, Law Enforcement Facility on Wednesday, June 22. The Bladen County facility, yet to be occupied, was toured by four Granville County Commissioners- Tim Karan, Sue Hinman, Zelodis Jay, and David Smith- as well as Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins, County Manager Michael Felts, Sherwood Boyd (Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy), Trent Brummitt (911 Center Manager), Jimmy Hayes (Detention Administrator), and Edward Cash (Lead Detention Shift Supervisor). Todd Davis of Moseley Architects also attended the tour.

This visit will make the third tour of a law enforcement facility by Granville County leadership, though it is the first facility that was unoccupied at the time.

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About Granville County Government:

Granville County Government enhances the quality of life for the citizens of the County by providing an array of services through a responsive, effective, and efficient local government. Learn more at www.granvillecounty.org. Follow Granville County Government on Facebook @GranvilleCountyGov.

VGCC Receives Largest Grant in School History

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CREEDMOOR, N.C. — Vance-Granville Community College today announced it received an in-kind software grant from Siemens PLM Software, with a commercial value of $31 million.

The in-kind grant gives students access to the same technology that companies around the world depend on every day to develop innovative products in a wide variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, machinery, shipbuilding, high-tech electronics and many more.

Graduates with this type of software training are highly-recruited candidates for advanced technology jobs.

The in-kind grant was provided by the Siemens PLM Software’s academic program that delivers PLM software for schools at every academic level. Siemens PLM Software is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services.

The in-kind grant for VGCC includes Siemens PLM Software’sTecnomatix® portfolio, the industry-leading digital manufacturing software.

This is in addition to a previous in-kind grant that included the company’s Solid Edge® software, an intuitive product development platform for accelerating all aspects of product creation, including 3D design, simulation, visualization, manufacturing, and design management.

Both software packages will be used by students in VGCC’s Mechatronics Engineering Technology degree program.

“Vance-Granville Community College would like to thank Siemens PLM Software for this generous grant of advanced engineering software that enables our students to better prepare for successful advanced technology careers,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC. “By using the same technology in the classroom that is used by companies all over the world to develop a wide variety of products, our students gain important real-world experience during their studies that will serve them well after graduation.”

“Despite an immediate, critical need for qualified technology-trained professionals in manufacturing, our customers have difficulty finding qualified candidates,” said Dora Smith, global director, Academic Partner Program, Siemens PLM Software. “Working with Vance-Granville Community College, Siemens PLM Software is helping prepare students with the knowledge and experience to fill this skills gap and become highly qualified employees.”

About Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College, one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, north of the Research Triangle. Established in 1969, VGCC today serves students at four campuses (one in each county of the service area) and online. The college offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as occupational certifications, continuing education, adult education, customized training for employers and the first two years of a four-year degree. VGCC’s Mechatronics Engineering Technology degree program is based at the college’s South Campus, located near Creedmoor in southern Granville County. For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Legal note

Note: Solid Edge and Tecnomatix are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries.

Harry Mills Graduates from REDI

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Harry Mills, Granville County Economic Development Director, graduated in May from the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), an intensive, three-month training program designed for rural community leaders. Rural Center President Patrick Woodie presented certificates to the program’s 31 graduates during a ceremony at the NC Rural Center.

For 27 years, REDI has helped rural leaders improve their leadership skills and increase their knowledge of economic and community development strategies, equipping them with the tools they need to tackle the issues facing their rural communities.

This year’s class participants included elected officials, economic development professionals, business owners, and civic leaders. More than 1,100 rural leaders have graduated from REDI since the program began in 1989.

Cover Photo By: York Wilson

540 Graduate from Granville County Public Schools earning 9.6 Million in Scholarships

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The 2017 graduates of Granville County Public schools participated in the final ceremonies this past Saturday under beautiful blue skies and a warm spring breeze. More than 540 students graduated from our five high schools, with thousands of supportive parents, relatives, friends and community members on hand to help celebrate the special milestone in a young person’s life.

This year’s graduating class was a particularly talented group, as evidenced by both the statistics and individual stories of success. This class of students earned more than $9.6 million dollars worth of scholarships – an all time record since the district has been tracking this information. More than 450, or 85% of the graduates were accepted into and plan to attend a 2 or 4 year college or university or proudly pledged to enroll in the armed services, and 10% had already secured employment. Several students were accepted to prestigious universities, as well as every single UNC institution of higher education.

Many student athletes were awarded substantial scholarships in various sports, including track, volleyball, softball, and even bowling! Other students received large academic scholarships, including ‘full-rides’ to NCSU, UNCG, Wingate, Peace and Winston-Salem. Future plans of the graduates span the entire spectrum, including students entering the fields of engineering, pre-med, Biochemistry, and Business. Others made plans for careers nursing, radiology, veterinary science, and agriculture. Several students will begin pursuing degrees in welding, with job offers already on the table. Other outliers include pilot’s school, cosmetology, and flight attendant’s school.

Regardless of the immediate next steps in these graduates’ plans, it is clear that Granville County Public Schools has helped prepare this talented group of young citizens for whatever lies ahead. Our community should be extremely proud of them, and feel confident that the next generation of citizens and community members will be well represented.

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Dr. Stan Winborne
Director of High Schools
Director of Career & Technical Education Program
Public Information Officer
Granville County Schools

Former Judge Quon Bridges speaks at VGCC South Campus

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Attorney and former N.C. District Court Judge S. Quon Bridges spoke to students, faculty and staff at Vance-Granville Community College’s South Campus as part of a speakers’ series sponsored by the college’s Male Mentoring Success Initiative (MMSI), as the spring semester drew to a close. Among those in the audience were Granville Early College High School students.

Bridges recalled his mother, who had recently passed away at the time he spoke to students. She had encouraged her 11 children to read and to stay out of gangs, he told the audience. Bridges then recalled a harrowing incident from his childhood when he found his mother, injured and bleeding, at home one night.

“She told me that some young men had beaten and robbed her,” Bridges said. “I picked up my baseball bat. I wanted to go look for these guys. But my mother grabbed my arm and said, ‘Son, I can get back what was robbed, but if you go out to get revenge, and you get hurt or get in trouble, I can’t replace you. Don’t be like those young men who did this to me. Make something of your life.’” He added, “I try to encourage all young people to do the same.”

Bridges said that young people need to “feel good about themselves” and avoid illegal drug activity. “You all have potential to do great things in life,” he told his audience. “You’re responsible for yourself. No more excuses! Get out there and do the very best you can do.”

Success, Bridges advised them, will not happen overnight. He talked about how, when he was a child, he and each of his siblings were given a wall in their house, on which they could post what they wanted. He would cut out pictures of courtrooms, lawyers and judges to post on his wall as a way of visualizing his future.

Bridges received his bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster and his Juris Doctorate from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. He was appointed by former Governor Mike Easley as a district court judge for the 9th Judicial District in 2007. Prior to this appointment, he served as an Assistant District Attorney for 17 years. He began his career working for the North Central Legal Assistance Program before becoming a private practice lawyer. Bridges also is currently a member of the Oxford board of commissioners.

He encouraged students to continue their education, keep working hard and believe in themselves.

Supported by a grant from the North Carolina Community College System, the MMSI at VGCC works to help male students stay in school and on track to graduate or transfer to a four-year university. For more information on the mentoring initiative, contact Anthony Pope at popea@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3395.

–VGCC–

Granville County Animal Management to Hold Free Rabies Clinic for Cats and Dogs

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Oxford, June 5, 2017- Granville County Animal Management will hold a free Rabies clinic at the Granville County Animal Shelter from 9 am-12 pm on Saturday, June 24, 2017. The clinic is made possible by a generous Granville County resident who wishes to remain anonymous.

“Making sure your dog and cat are current on Rabies vaccination ensures you and your animals do not get infected with the Rabies virus,” commented Animal Management Director, Matt Katz.

Rabies is a viral disease that may affect the spinal cord and brain of all mammals, including cats, dogs, and humans, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the acute form of the disease typically lasts for two to ten days before it becomes clinical. Once clinical signs of the disease appears, Rabies is nearly always fatal. Vaccinations are absolutely key to prevention of the spread of the Rabies disease.

The Granville County Humane Society will also be present at the free clinic, providing a microchipping service for dogs and cats at $20 per chip. Animal Advocates also will be present providing dog tags for a donation.

Please keep dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier when coming to the Rabies clinic.

The Granville County Animal Shelter is located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford.

For more information, please contact Granville County Animal Management at 919.693.6749 or by emailing shelter@granvillecounty.org.

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About Granville County Government: Granville County Government enhances the quality of life for the citizens of the County by providing an array of services through a responsive, effective, and efficient local government. Learn more at www.granvillecounty.org. Follow Granville County Government on Facebook @GranvilleCountyGov.

Granville Chamber Releases June Calendar of Events

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JUNE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

June 1; 6:30 pm

Safety Awards Banquet

NC DEPT. OF LABOR

~ Recognition of business and industry safety award winners ~

VGCC’s South Campus

 

June  2; lunch & dinner
New Horizons’ Baptist Church’s BBQ chicken plate sale

$8/plate; FMI:  Rev. Cam Ford @ 919.603.5146

 

June 2; 7 – 10 pm

BUTNER’S CHICKEN PICKIN’ DANCE

“The Konnection Band”

Location:  Lifestyle Fitness Parking Lot or

Soldiers Memorial Sports Arena (inclement weather)

www.bcaserves.org or 919-575-3032

 

June 2, 8 – 10 pm

FIRST FRIDAYS in CREEDMOOR

Lake Rogers Park, Creedmoor

Movie, “Secret Life of Pets” begins at 8 pm

Bring comfortable chair and/or pad or quilt to sit on

FMI:  Graham Tillerson @ Creedmoor City Hall

 

June 3; 9 am – 4 pm

BUTNER CHICKEN ‘ PICKIN

“The Castaways Band”

Location:  Gazebo Park – Central Ave., Butner, N.C.

919-575-3032

www.bcaserves.org

 

June 3; 7 am – 12 noon

ROTARY – Kerr-Tar Region Yard Sale

Boys and Girls Club Parking Lot

105 West St., Oxford (off Broad St.)

 

June 6; 12 noon

LUNCH ‘n LEARN

“SHOP SMALL”, presented by Melanie Diehl

Carolina BBQ & Chicken-1597 NC Hwy 56 ,Creedmoor

Buffet prices-Seniors $6.50 & others $8.99

FMI:  Chamber offices – 919-693-6125 or 919-528-4994

 

June 8; 12 noon/registration; 1 pm/shot gun start

CHAMBER’S 4th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Henderson Country Club

$100/individual players; $100 hole sponsorship

DEAL:  4-person team + hole sponsorship = $450 total

FMI:  Chamber office

 

June 8; 4 – 7 pm

NATIONAL MARY POTTER CLUB’s COMMUNITY CHOIR FUNDRAISER

Dinner and Song Spaghetti Supper; $10/plate

Mary E. Shaw Gym; 205 Lanier St., Oxford

FMI:  Rosalyn Green @ 919.690.0325

 

June 10: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Creedmoor Fishing Tournament

Location:  Lake Rogers Park

For more information:  919-764-1005 – Creedmoor Recreation

recreation@cityofcreedmoor.org

 

June 13; 8 am

Chamber’s Board of Directors Meeting

Chamber Boardroom; 124 Hillsboro St., Oxford

 

June 14; 2 – 8 pm

CREEDMOOR’S NATIONAL DAY OF PLAY

Lake Rogers Park, Creedmoor

919-528-3332

 

June 14; 5:30 – 8:30 pm

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

VINO OASI; 3200 Bliss Trail, Stem

FMI:  Lisa @ 919.238.4078

 

June 15; 8 am

Leadership Granville’s Steering Committee

Chamber’s Boardroom

 

June 15; 12 noon

CHAMBER’S HUMAN RESOURCE COMMITTEE MEETING

Host -Certainteed Corporation

200 Certainteed Dr., Oxford, N.C.

 

June 17; 10 am

22nd ANNUAL CENTRAL CHILDREN’S HOME PARADE

Downtown Oxford

Campus activities following the parade

FMI:  919.693.7617

 

June 19; 8 am – 4 pm

“Pipeline to Employment Event”

Granville County Expo Center

Sponsored by Granville Co. Public Schools CTE Dept. & Granville Co. Economic Development Dept.

FMI:  Tamara Rodebaugh @ 919.475.3101; rodebaughtw@gcs.k12.nc.us

 

June 20; 8 am

CHAMBER’S AMBASSADORS MEETING

Chamber Boardroom

FMI:  Toni Anne Wheeler; Membership Coordinator

919.528.4994

 

June 22; 8 pm/Concessions; 8:30 pm/Movie begins

OXFORD’S DOWNTOWN MOVIE NIGHT

Main St., Oxford

“The Secret Life of Pets”

Bring a chair and flashlight

FMI:  919.693.1217

 

June 23; 7:45 pm ~ A LIGHT BREAKFAST WILL BE PROVIDED

Chamber’s SUNRISE FORUM

Granville County Expo Center

~ Hosted by Granville County

“GRANVILLE COUNTY UPDATE” by County Manager Mike Felts

RSVP to a Chamber office by June 16th

 

June 24; 9 am – 4 pm

BEE JUBILEE ~ Granville Co. Beekeepers Assoc.

Granville County Expo Center

Free; open to the public

FMI:  Christi Henthorn; 907.738.9047; granvillebeejubilee@gmail.com

 

June 27; 7:45 am

BUSINESS-BEFORE-HOURS @ CAMP OAK HILL

1582 Oak Hill Rd. – off Hwy 96-North

~ Enjoy a delicious breakfast and a tour of Camp Oak Hill ~

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED to a Chamber Office by June 21st

 

June 28; 5:30 – 8:30 pm

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

VINO OASI; 3200 Bliss Trail, Stem

FMI:  Lisa @ 919.238.4078

 

June 29; 5:30 – 8:30 pm

RE-SCHEDULED ALIVE AFTER FIVE

Downtown Oxford; parking lot @ Littlejohn & Gilliam Sts.

Entertainers:  THE CASTAWAYS BAND

This first AA5 of 2017, originally planned for May, was postponed due to inclement weather.  The Chamber, the “CASTAWAYS BAND” and concession vendors look forward to seeing everyone the evening of THURSDAY, JUNE 29th, in downtown Oxford.

Granville Chamber Looking for Leadership Granville Participants

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Participants are requested for the upcoming Leadership Granville program, which will begin mid-September and end with graduation early-April 2018.  Individuals with a sincere and genuine interest in future service to the community and those who have demonstrated commitment by previous community activities are encouraged to apply.  Also, individuals interested in assuming leadership positions within their organization and/or community should apply.

The program consists of approximately twenty sessions, most of which are evening.  Session highlights include:  leadership assessment and development, personal and group dynamics, county history, city-county-state governments, education, the arts, agriculture, economics-industry-small business, health services and volunteer agencies, human services, community support, tourism, judiciary and law enforcement, visiting manufacturers, farm, industries, businesses, etc.

Sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Public Schools and Vance-Granville Community College, Leadership Granville offers citizens of Granville County the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the community and develop their leadership potential.  It offers new citizens an opportunity to become personally and professionally acquainted with county structure and life, which can benefit their present and future leadership.

Interested individuals should contact one of the Chamber’s office locations – 124 Hillsboro Street in Oxford/Wanda, 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com  or 1598 Highway #56, Butner/Toni Anne, 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Two VGCC students awarded Mike Bradley memorial scholarships

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Brady, a company that provides energy-efficient HVAC systems and comprehensive building solutions for commercial and industrial facilities across North Carolina, recently awarded the annual Mike Bradley Memorial Scholarships to Vance-Granville Community College students Michael Hall of Creedmoor and Cedric Rodebaugh of Franklinton.

Both students, who are studying Welding Technology at VGCC, received a $500 scholarship to help fund their education.

Established by the Association of Community College Facility Operations (ACCFO) in 2014, the Bradley Memorial Scholarship was named in honor of Mike Bradley by his long-time employer, Brady Services. Bradley served as an outspoken supporter of and advocate for ACCFO and was passionate about the North Carolina Community College System, as a graduate of Wake Technical Community College. He passed away suddenly in 2014 after working with Brady for more than 30 years. In his memory, Brady funds the scholarship to be given annually to students at one member college. This was the first year that VGCC has been selected as the recipient school.

ACCFO members are employed as maintenance directors, managers, supervisors, physical plant managers and foremen employed by North Carolina Community Colleges to oversee physical plant operations and buildings and grounds maintenance.

Representatives of Brady recently made a visit to VGCC’s Main Campus to meet the two scholarship recipients and hold a luncheon in their honor. The officials from the company included Brady Vice President of Direct Sales Brad Resler of Greensboro, Account Services Representative Lina Lindberg of Morrisville and Director of Business and Leadership Development Phil Kirk of Raleigh, who is also a former member of the State Board of Community Colleges.

“Brady is a North Carolina company, and one of our missions is to be supportive of our associates and our community,” Resler told college officials and the students at the luncheon. “We had a tragedy strike us about two and a half years ago, with the passing of one of our associates, Mike Bradley. Through this scholarship, we remember him and carry on his legacy in a way that gives back to our community colleges and helps grow the vocational trades in North Carolina.”

Resler added that the scholarship is important not only to the individual students who receive it but also to the company, because it allows them to “reinvest in the workforce of North Carolina, the purpose of the community colleges, and the skilled trades that Brady and other contractors across the state rely upon.”

He noted that nationwide, many more skilled technicians in areas such as HVAC and welding are retiring than are entering those professions. “It’s vitally important that we get qualified, hard-working folks like Michael and Cedric to make the choice to train for these careers, so we’re just thrilled to support what VGCC is doing to develop a knowledgeable workforce. Congratulations, Michael and Cedric, on being selected as the recipients. We look forward to seeing the great things that are ahead of you both!”

Hall, who was accompanied by his mother, Lynn, and Rodebaugh, who was joined by his wife, Tamara, expressed their appreciation to Brady and to the college. Both students have completed the first year of VGCC’s two-year Welding degree program. Hall is already employed in the welding field, at MGM Products in Kittrell.

“We feel very honored and fortunate to have you here to present these scholarships,” Rusty Pace, the head of the VGCC Welding program, said. “I love to see our students and industry come together, whether through employment or scholarships. Cedric and Michael are quickly becoming leaders as students in the Welding program. They are highly motivated, dedicated and set an excellent example for their classmates.”

  1. Keith Shearon, who oversees Welding and other programs as the Applied Technologies department chair at VGCC, added, “It’s always encouraging to have people in the community, especially employers, make an investment in our students.”

“The Mike Bradley Memorial Scholarship makes a significant difference in our community college system, and we are grateful to Brady and ACCFO for selecting a pair of outstanding Vance-Granville students as the recipients this year,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, VGCC’s president. “We can’t wait to see Michael’s and Cedric’s bright futures as they prepare for personal and professional success.”

About Brady

Brady is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, with locations in Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, and Wilmington. Founded in 1962 by Chairman Don Brady, the company remains a family owned enterprise, today employing over 420 associates. The company works with building owners, facility managers, developers, architects, engineers and contractors providing sustainable, comprehensive building solutions for commercial and industrial facilities. Brady provides customers with a diverse range of HVAC and building solutions including building automation, energy conservation, green design, performance contracts, access controls, security, mechanical systems, parts and supplies, as well as world-class technical support. Brady is a Trane franchise. For more information, visit www.bradyservices.com.

About Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College, one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, north of the Research Triangle. Established in 1969, VGCC today serves students at four campuses (one in each county of the service area) and online. The college offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as occupational certifications, continuing education, adult education, customized training for employers and the first two years of a four-year degree. For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

TRAC in Granville County Region – WIZS Live Broadcast

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Thursday May 18th from 10 am to 2 pm, tourism-related businesses in Granville County and the surrounding region will have an opportunity to work with Visit North Carolina staff to learn about its research, development and marketing services, and discuss best practices in reaching travelers, the media and increasing tourism visitation and spending. Visit North Carolina’s Tourism Resource Assistance Center (TRAC), a community-based training program designed to help small tourism-related businesses, will be held at Cedar Creek Gallery located on 1150 Fleming Road in Creedmoor.  The gallery offers for sale the work of over 200 of America’s most accomplished craftspeople in a unique, relaxing atmosphere.  For more information about the gallery, log onto www.cedarcreekgallery.com.  The event will also feature the Baton Rouge Cuisine Food Truck providing authentic, fresh Cajun & Soul food for sale.

Log onto https://www.brcuisine.com/ for menu.

There is no charge to attend TRAC, no reservation is required, and there are no PowerPoint presentations. This is a come-when-you-can/stay-as-long-as-you’d-like event opportunity for all tourism-related businesses to meet one-on-one with program managers to discuss better ways to promote their property or event. TRAC brings Visit North Carolina’s program managers to local communities to discuss the nuts and bolts of working with the organization. This invaluable program is designed to help tourism-related businesses engage more fully with programs offered by Visit North Carolina and its partners.

WIZS will broadcast live from the event from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for interested citizens and business owners that may not have the opportunity to attend.

Representatives from the EDPNC’s BLNC, N.C. Dept. of Commerce, N.C. Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources, GotToBe NC Agri-Tourism and NC GreenTravel will also be on hand to discuss services they can provide businesses, including strategic planning, assisting with identifying funding sources and serving as liaisons with other local, state and federal agencies. For additional information on this session or to learn more about scheduling a TRAC visit to your community, contact André Nabors at (919) 447-7771.

In addition, Angela Allen, Tourism Director for Granville County will also be in attendance to share with restaurants, retail stores, events and attractions on how she can help drive visitors to Granville and their businesses.  Please feel free to contact her at 919-693-6125 or log onto www.visitgranvillenc.com .