Tag Archive for: #franklincountynews

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Franklin County’s Novozymes Endows VGCC Scholarship

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  • information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

A global biotech company with a facility in Franklin County has endowed a new scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College.

Novozymes and VGCC recently announced the $15,000 gift, which currently could be up to $500 based on the level of investment income generated. Current VGCC students or newly enrolled students are eligible to receive the scholarship award based on their academic achievement.

“This scholarship presents another wonderful opportunity to expand resources that will allow us to educate, inspire, and support a diverse community of learners to achieve professional and personal success,” stated Tanya Weary, VGCC Foundation executive director.

Darren Alfano, head of People & Organization for Novozymes North America, made the presentation to VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais, Weary and other school officials during a recent visit to the VGCC Franklin Campus

“The biotechnology industry is growing at a record pace as biosolutions continue to be developed for more applications every day,” Alfano commented. “From the food you eat to the clothes you wear, biosolutions are part of all of our daily lives. We are excited to partner with Vance-Granville Community College in providing high quality education to the future biotech workforce in our local communities.”

Considered a world leader in their field, Novozymes’ biosolutions enable everything from more drought-tolerant crops to cold water laundry washing to advancements in renewable energy. The company has expanded to serve 30-plus industries across 130 markets with enzymatic, microbial, advanced protein and digital solutions.

While the roots of international parent organization Novo Group reach back a century to the 1920s, Novozymes has had a presence in Franklin County since 1979, when the company arrived in North Carolina to establish its North America headquarters along with a manufacturing plant in Franklinton. Novozymes quickly formed a relationship with Vance-Granville Community College when the college’s Franklin Campus opened at its current location, and the company was instrumental in the construction of the campus’s biotech lab in 2001.

The VGCC Foundation offers over 300 endowments for scholarships VGCC students—more endowed scholarships than any other program of its kind in North Carolina. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, and churches, as well as the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Foundation have often been used to honor a person, group, business, or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call 252.738.3409.

Local Elections Office Ready To Provide Voter ID Cards For Those Who Need One

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UPDATED Aug. 10 – 12:30 p.m.

Registered voters who do not have an acceptable identification for voting in NC can now go to their county board of elections office to get a free photo ID.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan said Wednesday afternoon that her office is ready to help voters who find they need one of the cards. There is an application that voters must complete before they will be issued an ID, Vaughan stated.

“We can provide this service Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.,” Vaughan said in an email to WIZS News, with the exception of Friday, Aug. 11 and Aug. 14 and Aug. 15. Staff will be attending a conference out of town and no ID cards will be processed on those days.

Most voters have a driver’s license, which is an acceptable form of photo ID to present to poll workers in order to cast their votes.

If you have a driver’s license – or other acceptable form of photo ID – you don’t need to get one from the board of elections office.

If however, you need a photo ID, you can come to your county’s board of elections office during business hours to request one. In most cases, the cards can be printed and issued right then and there, according to information from the North Carolina State Board of Elections office. Some counties, however, may need to mail the cards or let voters know when the card is available for pickup.

Find a list of acceptable forms of photo ID here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id

A voter need only provide his or her name, date of birth and last four digits of their Social Security number to get the ID. With that information, they’ll have a photograph taken and the process is complete.

In addition to the photo, the card will have the voter’s name and registration number. It will expire 10 years from the date of issuance.

County boards of elections can issue cards during regular business hours, except for the period following the last day of early voting through Election Day.

 

SportsTalk: Lassiter Preps Louisburg High For Football

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A quick look at the Vance County Vipers football schedule will reveal a new conference opponent this year.  The Louisburg High School Warriors have been added to the 2A/3A Northern Lakes Conference. “We had no place to go,” Louisburg Head Coach Dante Lassiter said on SportsTalk Wednesday.

The Warriors were 7-3 last year but failed to make the playoffs due to a technicality.  The team did not play a full conference schedule last year and found that they did not have a conference this season so they were placed in the Northern Lakes Conference this season.

Lassiter, in his ninth year as head coach at Louisburg, says the Warriors will be young this year but looks at that as a good thing.  The team will get some experience with scrimmages before the kick off of their season on August 25th against Southeast Halifax.  “We will scrimmage against Warren County this weekend,” Lassiter said.  Warren County is coming off a playoff year last season and will take on Vance County in the opening game of the season for both teams on August 18th.

Lassiter says his coaching experience is an advantage to his young team.  “They know what to expect,” Lassister said.  “I may have coached or played with an older brother or a parent,” Lassiter continued.

The Warriors will play the Vipers in Henderson on Sept. 22nd.

 

TownTalk: Upcoming Events For Louisburg Historic District

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Unless you’re a history buff, you may be surprised to learn that cemeteries once were considered like parks are today, where people could come and visit the graves of their dearly departed and then stay and enjoy the outdoor space.

Dorothy Cooper, and her fellow board members on the Louisburg Historic District, have embraced this concept and have planned some events that will take place in Oakwood Cemetery in Louisburg.

Local historian Joe Pearce will present a “Graveside Chat” on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is a free event, but participants are asked to register. Pearce will be discussing the Davis / Allen family. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket to spread on the ground and even a cooler to enjoy the afternoon’s program.

“I’ve always had a love and fascination for cemeteries,” Cooper told WIZS co-host Bill Harris on Wednesday’s TownTalk. When she and her family bought an old home on Main Street 17 years ago, she visited Oakwood to learn about the family that had built the home.

“We wanted to know more about the home before we did anything,” she said. Not only did she locate the family plot, but also located descendants of the original owners.

Cemeteries can provide valuable information about the people whose births and deaths are recorded on headstones, which range from simple, flat markers to elaborate works of art carved from marble.

Over time, however, headstones require maintenance and sometimes repair. And the Louisburg Historic District helps to raise funds for that work.

The city-owned cemetery is in better shape now than in the recent past, Cooper said, adding that an arborist has been called in to assess the health of the trees that dot the cemetery.

Taking care of the landscape is as important as taking care of the grounds, she added.

The group will sponsor a headstone cleaning and monument preservation workshop on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This workshop costs $50 and will be limited to 20 participants, but all supplies and materials will be provided.

“You come away with hands-on experience” in cleaning gravestones. “It’s amazing what water and a soft brush can do,” Cooper said.

The cemetery also will be the site for the second “Sip and Stroll with Souls” on Oct. 29 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Docents will be on site, some in period dress, to discuss various noteworthy individuals buried in Oakwood. This event is a fundraiser for the group; proceeds go toward cemetery upkeep.

Visit www.louisburghistoricdistrict.com to learn more or find the group on Facebook.

 

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State Fair 2023 Taking Applications For ‘Farm Family Of The Day’

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-information courtesy of the N.C. State Fair Office

 

The N.C. State Fair is looking for 11 farm families to recognize during the fair for its Farm Family of the Day, presented by Tractor Supply Company. Nominations are being accepted through Sept. 15.

If you are proud to be an N.C. farmer, work hard to contribute to the state’s No. 1 industry and love both farming and the N.C. State Fair, your farm family could be one of the lucky ones selected.

Families recognized as Farm Family of the Day honorees will be awarded an N.C. State Fair gift basket including fair tickets to use on any day of their choice during the 2023 N.C. State Fair, ride passes and additional swag from Tractor Supply Company and the N.C. State Fair.

Families will be chosen by both nomination and application. Applications can be found at https://www.ncstatefair.org/2023/Attractions/FarmFamilyOfTheDay.htm.

The “Farm Family of the Day” program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, is returning for its third year to recognize and celebrate more of our state’s rich agricultural heritage and the farm families that are behind our $103.2 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry.

“The State Fair’s earliest beginnings sought to elevate the understanding of new agricultural practices and technology. Helping people make the connection between farming and the food that they enjoy is one of our top missions at the N.C. State Fair each year,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

“Thanks to Tractor Supply Company, we can help tell the story of our farmers because they are the individuals out there every day working to grow the food, fiber and fuel that we need to survive.”

The 2023 N.C. State Fair will run Oct. 12-22 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The fair offers an experience unique to North Carolina for all who attend, and is an unparalleled value with free entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors and creative deep-fried delights.

For more information, visit www.ncstatefair.org.

Educators: ‘Bright Ideas’ Grant Application Period Runs Through Sept. 15

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Most educators take a break from lesson planning and other classroom duties during the summer, but as August approaches and the beginning of another school year draws near, you can bet your bottom dollar that teachers are beginning to percolate ideas about how to make learning more engaging for students.

Got any bright ideas?

Wake Electric does.

Applications for Wake Electric’s Bright Ideas grants are being taken through Sept. 15 for the upcoming school year.  The early bird submission ends Aug. 15.

Teachers in seven counties – including Vance, Granville and Franklin – that the electric cooperative serves are eligible to submit applications, according to information from Wake Electric.

Since 1994, Wake Electric has given more than $1.13 million in grants to classroom-based projects throughout the area it serves. These grants help to finance innovative classroom projects that would otherwise not be funded by the school district, from a variety of content-based hands-on projects to career planning and information technology.

Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $3,000.

Visit https://www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/community/bright-ideas/ to determine if your school is eligible.

To learn more, email communications@wemc.com, call 919.863.6440 or 1.800.474.6300 or go to https://wemc.com/bright-ideas-grants/.

The Local Skinny! Louisburg College To Host Alumni Event

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Alumni of Louisburg College are invited to the first of what, hopefully, will be many alumni socials in Durham this Saturday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at Hope Valley Country Club, 3803 Dover Rd. in Durham.   The school’s Alitha Palich, Vice-President of Institutional Advancement and Kristen Hanzer-Powell, Director of Alumni Engagement and Community Outreach, joined Bill Harris on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny to talk about the event and the college.

“The event was started by alumni who wanted to be able to have events that were a little more localized,” Palich said.  “We have included folks from Vance, Granville, Franklin Counties and the surrounding area,” Palich continued.  Louisburg College has traditionally been the destination for many students in rural areas, and this event will give former students across several decades a chance to come to enjoy an afternoon of food, drinks, festivities and to have a great time with old and new friends who all shared the Louisburg College experience.

Other alumni events coming up are Homecoming in October on the 27th and 28th at the college on Main St. in Louisburg and the Golden Anniversary Club event next spring. The latter event is geared towards those who graduated fifty or more years ago but both events are open to everyone.

Smaller events do take place as well. “It’s a work in progress and we are trying to see where we can go with it, post-covid,” said Hanzer-Powell.

For those alumni here in Vance County as well as Granville, Warren and Franklin counties and all who would like to attend the event on Saturday, you should contact Kristen Hanzer-Powell at Louisburg College at 919-497-1244.

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Franklin County On Track For $98M From NCDOT Over Next Decade

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-Information courtesy of James Hicks, Franklin County Public Information Officer

 

Franklin County is set to receive $98 million from the NC DOT’s  Transportation Improvement Program over the next decade, which translates into numerous transportation and bridge improvement projects, as well as at least one rails to trails project for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The NC DOT adopted the plan last month and Franklin County Manager Kim Denton said Franklin County’s $98 million piece of the pie will provide an economic boost.

“These transportation projects will help increase mobility in Franklin County and update the county’s transportation infrastructure,” Denton said. “Funding in the STIP will improve transportation in Franklin County and attract more economic development to the county.”

Following is a description of the projects and an anticipated date of completion:

U.S. Highway 401 widening between Flat Rock Church Road/Clifton Pond Road to Fox Park Road in Louisburg

This project will widen the existing two-lane road to four lanes and connect the four lanes at Fox Park Road in Louisburg to the newly constructed four lanes at Flat Rock Church Road and Clifton Pond Road in the Royal community. This nearly $55 million project has been given prioritization in the STIP with a projected Right-Of-Way schedule of 2028. Commonly referred to as Section D, this project will complete the widening of Highway 401 which began many years ago south of Rolesville in Wake County. The current widening project from NC 96 to Flat Rock Church Road/Clifton Pond Road is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.

Triangle North Executive Airport runway extension with relocation of utilities, navaid and roadways

Fulfilling goals in the Triangle North Executive Airport Master Plan, this project will extend the existing airport runway as well as realign Airport Road to allow for hangar expansion along the runway.  This $25 million project will aid in the expansion of Triangle North Executive Airport – which drives an annual economic impact of more than $28 million – and has been given prioritization in the STIP with a Right-Of-Way schedule of 2026.

Bickett Boulevard lane improvements from Burke Boulevard to Nash Street

This project will enhance mobility and improve safety by converting Bickett Boulevard from a five-lane section to a four-lane median divided roadway with accommodations for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. This $20 million project has been given prioritization in the STIP with a projected Right-Of-Way schedule of 2028.

Franklinton to Novozymes Rails to Trails

A joint project between Franklin County and the Town of Franklinton, this project converts an old railway corridor into a walkable and rideable trail. Spanning from the Franklinton Train Depot to Novozymes on Perry’s Chapel Road, this rails to trails project will increase mobility and provide a nice outdoor amenity to Franklin County. This $3.7 million project is expected to begin in 2023.

Bunn Road lane improvements from Kenmore Avenue to Bickett Boulevard

This project will reduce the lanes on Bunn Road from Kenmore Avenue to Bickett Boulevard from four lanes to two lanes. It will also make bicycle and pedestrian improvements. This project is expected to cost just over $600,000 and some improvements to that stretch of road began in 2022.

Bridge Replacements

  • Replace East River Road bridge over Sycamore Creek which is under construction in 2023.
  • Replace Highway 401 bridge over Sandy Creek with a Right-Of-Way schedule of 2027.
  • Replace Baptist Church Road bridge over Tar River with a Right-Of-Way schedule of 2030.

Highway 56 West lane widening from Peach Orchard Road to Highway 401

This project will widen Highway 56 West from two lanes to four lanes from Bickett Boulevard/Highway 401 to Peach Orchard Road. The nearly $37 million project was included in the STIP for prioritization, but funds have not been identified to begin Right-Of-Way acquisition.

Franklin County is in NCDOT Division 5 which also includes Granville, Vance and Warren counties, among others.  The County is also a part of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and the Kerr-Tar Regional Planning Organization which submit projects to NCDOT for its planning areas.

The complete STIP for the state can be viewed here: https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/Pages/about.aspx

Now’s The Time To Think About Entering A State Fair Exhibit

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-information courtesy of the N.C. State Fair Press Office

October seems a long way off, but for anyone interested in entering any of the competitions at the annual N.C. State Fair, fall is just around the corner.

The fair is slated for Oct. 12-22 in Raleigh and its Competitive Exhibits Coordinator John Buettner wants to make sure all prospective exhibitors have plenty of time to check out rules and deadlines for all the different exhibit categories.

Whether it’s culinary arts, handicrafts and hobbies, livestock exhibitions, horticulture or something else, there probably is a competition for most everyone to enter.

“We have a lot of classic categories and even a few new categories for competitions, and only a few require an entry fee” Buettner stated. Now is the time to read about competition rules and deadlines.

“With 4,027 classes of competitions available for entry, there is truly something for everyone. We love to see all of the talent in our state, so don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of one of North Carolina’s most cherished traditions,” he added.

To enter a competition, go to ncstatefair.org and click on competitions. The website offers a guide to all competitions, events and attractions visitors can expect during this year’s fair. Entrants can start registering online now. The deadline for submitting entries is Sept. 15, but don’t hesitate to enter in your preferred competitions early.

All contest entrants are required to submit W-9 forms along with their entry submissions. This ensures that necessary tax-related information is collected from participants. Guides and sample forms can be found on the Fair’s official website, ncstatefair.org.

The N.C. State Fair works with ShoWorks, a data management software, to compile entries. Entry forms can be mailed in or entered using the ShoWorks website or app.

“We are always excited to see what competitiors bring each year,” Buetnner said. “Whether it’s your first time entering or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s a great idea to get started early on your entries.”

Granville Hosts Five-County Beef Tour July 21

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Granville County is hosting the 2023 Five County Beef Tour on Friday, July 21. Participants will visit several spots across the county to learn about different aspects of cattle production.

Registration is open until July 14, according to information from Kim Woods, livestock agent for N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Granville Center. The counties that rotate hosting the tour are Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Wake, but participants from other counties are welcome to attend.

The tour will begin at 8 a.m. at the Butner Bull Test Station, 8800 Cassam Rd., Butner. The second stop will be Mill Creek Farm, owned by Randy and Barbara Guthrie. The Guthries have a heifer development program.

The final stop will be High Rock Farm, owned by Beth and David Hollister. The Hollisters have a stocker/finisher operation.

The group will have lunch at High Rock, during which

Evan Davis with NCDA&CS Farmland Preservation Division is scheduled to discuss farmland preservation. The tour should conclude around 2 p.m.

Carpooling is encouraged.

Pre-registration is required. Contact Woods at kim_woods@ncsu.edu or 919.603.1350 to learn more.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5-county-beef-tour-tickets-650768063797.