Tag Archive for: #GranvilleCounty

The Local Skinny! Carolina Coops Ready To Crank Out Luxury Homes For Chickens In Creedmoor

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Matt Duboise has taken the idea of raising chickens to a whole new level. Those boring ol’ coops made of wood and wire just don’t cut it in today’s backyards. Think custom-made, people-friendly structures that are predator-proof and beautiful. Don’t forget beautiful.

Matt Duboise is fulfilling a dream with his Carolina Coops, just about ready to start cranking out coop kits and hire employees in its new location in Creedmoor.

“It’s one of the things that’s made us extremely popular,” Duboise said on Thursday’s The Local Skinny! segment. The coops are “extremely well built, but also beautiful.”

Back in 2008, when Duboise and family moved to Durham from New York, he scrounged free wood from his workplace to build his own backyard coop. And then he said he went a step further: “I thought, Why not trim it out? Why not make the chicken coops beautiful?”

Fast-forward a few years. The 2008 Great Recession forced Duboise to return to New York, where he continued to grow his business. But he said he knew he always wanted to come back to North Carolina.

Today, Duboise sends coop kits across the nation, and many Carolina Coops are shipped to the West Coast. He considered re-locating to Las Vegas for that reason, but thanks to Granville County’s economic development director, Harry Mills, Duboise’s return to North Carolina landed him in Granville County. “That man, I fell in love with him,” Duboise said of Mills. “He understands it from an entrepreneur’s point-of-view – (what it means) to invest time and money here.”

Duboise hosts a live webcast on Fridays at noon called Video Chicken. “We have a huge fan base online,” he said. Topics include all-things-chicken, from basic chicken questions to advice about coop construction.

Whether they are production coops or custom coops, Duboise says he’s adamant that the coops must be beautiful. Don’t forget beautiful.

Learn more at www.carolinacoops.com

 

NCDOT

US 15-Hester Road Intersection Will Become A 4-Way Stop On July 21

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The N.C. Department of Transportation has announced that the intersection of U.S. Hwy 15 and Hester Road will become a 4-way stop on July 21, weather permitting.

The intersection is located a couple of miles north of Creedmoor and currently requires vehicles to stop on Hester Road, but not on U.S. 15.  The change comes after the DOT investigated traffic volumes and the number and severity of crashes at the intersection.

In addition to the extra “stop” signs, crews will also be installing “stop ahead” and “stop” pavement markings on U.S. 15 to help warn motorists of the new traffic pattern. Additionally, LED stop signs and stop ahead warning signs will be installed.

Drivers should slow down, obey workers controlling traffic and proceed through the intersection with caution during its reconfiguration, which will be completed by that afternoon, according to a press release from NC DOT.

These improvements are being made through NCDOT’s SPOT Safety Program, which identifies safety projects that are expected to be the most beneficial and feasible and address departmental goals.

Converting intersections into all-way stops has been shown to reduce fatalities and injuries by 77 percent.

Visit the department’s all-way stop webpage to learn more.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

TownTalk: Book To Focus On 275 Years Of Granville County

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Local Author Discusses Book Project To Commemorate Granville’s 275th Anniversary

When Granville County organizers sat down to start planning the county’s 275th anniversary celebration, they surely didn’t have to look far to find the perfect person to write a book marking the event – Lewis Bowling has been chronicling the county’s history for years.

Bowling’s book, Looking Back: 275 years of Granville County History, is 300 pages of text, photographs, maps and more.

He told WIZS’s Bill Harris during Thursday’s Town Talk that he wanted to chronicle as much of those 275 years as he could fit between the covers of a book.

This book, which Bowling describes as a hardback coffee table-style book, will be available beginning on July 24 during a daylong event scheduled for Granville Athletic Park.

If you haven’t yet ordered a copy, you can phone the Granville County administrative office at 919.690.1308 or visit the county’s website at granvillecounty.org.

Bowling said there have been numerous books published about particular areas of Granville County – in fact, he wrote a history of Oxford in 2016 when it celebrated its bicentennial – but as far as he can tell, this is the first comprehensive history for the county.

Bowling writes a weekly column for the Oxford Public Ledger and he said that his readers were most helpful in providing photographs, stories and information whenever he needed it.

“The good thing about being a Granville County historian,” he said, “is that Granville County people just really love their history. I just always can turn to other people, that may be a couple of years older than me, who have seen things I haven’t.”

It took Bowling about a year to research the book and another year to write it. He said his appreciates the help he received from Richard Thornton Library, the Granville County History Museum, as well as the G.C. Shaw Museum and the two orphanages in the county.

The July 24 event at the GAP will be a highlight of the 275th anniversary, Bowling said, and he encouraged all Granville County residents to participate.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

National Mary Potter Club Home Goods Sale May 1

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The National Mary Potter Club, Inc. is having a “Home Goods Sale” on Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 7 a.m. to noon and proceeds will be used to support ongoing projects of the club.

The sale of new and second-hand items will be held at the Mary E. Shaw Memorial Center, located at 205 Lanier St., Oxford. Masks and gloves are required.

Club member Linda Wortham said the money raised will help maintain buildings that were part of the original Mary Potter Academy, including the Shaw Museum and the former gymnasium. The club works to preserve the history of the school, which was founded in 1888 as a boarding school for African American children. Students came from all over the United States to the school, she said.

Wortham was a member of the graduating class of 1970 – the last class to graduate from the high school. The club was established in 1975.

For more information or to donate items for the sale, please contact Wortham at 919.939.9077.

New Director named at Camp Oak Hill

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Missy Edlin has been involved with Camp Oak Hill in a variety of ways, from camper to counselor to board president. The camp’s board of directors announced last week that Edlin has been named interim executive director, and she couldn’t be happier.

The board unanimously elected Edlin to lead the camp and retreat center, located in northern Granville County. In her new role, Edlin “sets vision and culture, furthers history and traditions, grows leaders, and embraces the need to remain relevant in an ever-changing overnight camp environment,” according to a written statement.

“I am thrilled to serve Camp Oak Hill in this role as executive director, and I look forward to supporting the staff and nurturing the love of Christ in campers’ lives this summer,” Edlin stated. “Camp is a special place to so many and I feel fortunate to be a part of this organization and the families it represents,” she said.

Edlin was introduced to Camp Oak Hill in 1986, her first year as a camper. Through the years, she participated in leadership training, then was a camp counselor and pool manager. Her relationship with the camp continued through her adult life, and most recently, Edlin headed up the fundraising campaign to mark the camp’s 40th anniversary. She has served on the board as vice president and since April 2020, as president.  “I am hopeful for the future of Camp Oak Hill, continuing to build upon the legacy of those who came before me,” she said.

This role is a natural fit for Edlin, who has a long history of ministry to others. She was chaplain for Delta Zeta sorority at UNC-CH, has led Bible study groups for campers and others for women. She has experience leading a a variety of church-based education endeavors, including developing a church-wide curriculum for community groups.

Edlin and her family live in Wake County, where she is active in community and civic activities there, including the Junior League of Raleigh and Step Up Ministries and Avent West Community Outreach. She also has served on annual fundraising campaigns for both the NC Boys & Girls Club and Urban Ministries.

Edlin leaves SoftPro Corporation after 11 years, where she was a training coordinator, implementation specialist and customer care ambassador. She previously had worked as a corporate paralegal and then as director of children’s ministry for Midtown Community Church in Raleigh. “It is a true joy to find my work at Camp (Oak Hill) as a privilege and not just a duty,” she added.

Visit www.campoakhill.org to learn more.

Zelodis Jay 2021 Recipient of the Robert Blackwell Award

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Granville County Commissioner Zelodis Jay was named the 2021 recipient of the Robert Blackwell Award by the county’s Human Relations Commission.

The announcement was made during the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast event, held virtually on Jan. 18. Fellow commissioner David T. Smith presented the award to Jay and called Jay an “advocate for all the citizens of Granville County.”

“It’s not many times that I find myself speechless,” Jay said, upon hearing the announcement. “I love my county, I love my community, I love the people, and I serve them the best that I can,” he added.

A longtime resident of the Oak Hill Community, Jay is active in his church (Vernon Hill Baptist) and with the Joe Toler Alumni Association. “He is dedicated to his family, to the people of the Oak Hill Community and to the entire county,” Smith concluded in his presentation. “He is well-deserving of this award.”

Jay said this award is an honor he never expected. “Just to be able to walk in Mr. Blackwell’s footsteps is an honor,” he said. “He helped so many and so much for Granville County,” he said of the person for whom the award is named. He said he enjoys working to make his community better for all. “We have to work with everybody, not just with some and not with others,” he said. Granville residents seem to find ways to work together for a common goal, he said.

Jay has been a county commissioner for 26 years. He currently works with numerous county-based committees, including the Broadband Committee, which is working to bring internet service to unserved and underserved areas of the county; KARTS ; Emergency Services Committee, which ensures rural areas have adequate and available emergency services resources. He also is on the planning committee to celebrate Granville County’s 275th anniversary, which will take place this year.

Jay was named Outstanding Elected Official by the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments in 2018.

The award was established in memory of Rev. Robert Blackwell, an auxiliary deputy with the Granville County Sheriff’s Office for 40 years. Blackwell was well-respected in the community and had served on the Human Relations Commission from 1993 to 2015.

To learn more about the Human Relations Commission, please visit the Granville County Government website at www.granvillecounty.org.

Vance and Granville Government Meeting Times Are Things to Know

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Local Vance and Granville Government meeting times around the area are “Things to Know!”

  • January 4th at 6 p.m. — Vance County Board of Commissioners — full agenda here
  • January 4th at 7 p.m. — Granville County Board of Commissioners — full agenda here
  • January 4th at 5:30 p.m. — City of Oxford Board of Commissioner’s agenda meeting, via zoom, to set Jan 12th agenda
  • January 11th at 6 p.m. — Henderson City Council regular monthly meeting — agenda to be announced
  • January 12th at 7 p.m. — City of Oxford Board of Commissioners’ regular monthly meeting, via zoom

 

Granville County Logo

County Manager, Michael Felts Participates in NCACC Regional Meeting on Child Welfare

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2018

Greensboro, N.C. – This week, Michael Felts, Granville County Manager participated in a regional meeting on child welfare hosted by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The meeting is part of NCACC President and Durham County Commissioner Brenda Howerton’s initiative, “100 Counties: Helping Our Children Thrive,” which focuses on identifying ways for county government to make a positive impact in children’s lives.

“It is important that the children in Granville County are given the opportunity to thrive. Whether it is by promoting physical activity, bringing health services, providing programs to help improve reading proficiency, or advocating for the needs of children in the custody of Social Services, local government is in a unique position to bring together partners to meet these goals.” – Michael Felts

The purpose of the regional child welfare meeting was to bring together county commissioners, managers, and representatives from county Departments of Social Services to deepen the understanding of the state’s current system of child welfare and county responsibilities. It also provided a forum to discuss actionable county-level data, best practices, and the 2017 Family/Child Protection and Accountability Act (Rylan’s Law), sponsored by North Carolina Senator Tamara Barringer. A similar meeting will also be held in Edgecombe County in February.

Speakers included representatives of NC DHHS, UNC School of Government, and the NCACC, with panel discussions led by county and social services attorneys and child welfare staff.  Counties also heard from Senator Barringer, a foster parent, who provided a personal video message to meeting attendees linked here.

As part of the meeting, attendees also had the opportunity to provide comments for the Social Services Regional Supervision and Collaboration Working Group, which is the group established by Rylan’s Law to make recommendations to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. President Howerton, along with Kevin Austin, NCACC First Vice President and Chair of the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners, Robert Woodard, Chair of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, and Page Lemel, Transylvania County Commissioner, serve as members of this working group on social services.

About the NCACC: The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is the official voice of all 100 counties on issues being considered by the General Assembly, Congress and federal and state agencies. The Association provides expertise to counties in the areas of advocacy, research, risk management and education and leadership training.

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Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Opioid Abuse In Our Area

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If you live in Vance County or the surrounding area, then you know that opioid abuse, addiction and overdose is a real issue.

Tuesday at Vance Granville Community College, leaders and interested parties gathered to discuss awareness and prevention.  It was put on by Granville Vance Public Health and other agencies.

There are stats everywhere which show the sharp increase in overdose deaths nationally too, especially when you look at heroin and the misuse of prescription drugs.  You won’t search long before you see headlines that drug overdoses kill more people annually that car crashes or gun violence.

At the forum Tuesday, Dr. Anderson Brown with Cardinal Innovations spoke and said it all starts with prevention. It’s at different, earlier ages and with different outcomes that we see young adults becoming addicted now.

Dr. Shauna Guthrie, the Granville Vance Public Health Medical Director, said the right amount of prescription is where we need to start. Just a few pills can cause a young to middle age adult to be addicted.

Over prescribed drugs, in terms of the number of pills given for example just in an initial prescription, are a problem.  Problems arise when the intended recipient of the drug uses too much and also when the pills are not completely used and then fall into the wrong hands.

Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt, the Northern Piedmont Community Care Medical Director, said there are patients out there that need prescriptions but to a certain point. Cutting back on the amount of prescriptions is something that is needed.

A big issue is how early children are affected, including the fact that some children are born with a drug addiction because of the habits of the mother.  In other cases, it was stated that children as young as 10 years old now experiment with drugs.

What are we doing locally?  Educating youngsters at an early age, making sure treatment is available for those in need and making the public aware of treatment options.

There is improved access with 24 hour hotlines like 1-800-939-5911, which is Cardinal Innovations 24-hour crisis line.

There are more drop boxes for unused medications.  Most any local pharmacy has one or will take the unused meds during normal business hours.  October 28th is National Drug take back day.  https://takebackday.dea.gov/

Resources are being provided, and there are free training options.  Nidhi Sachdeva, with the N.C. Division of Public Health, works closely with the local community.

 

Daymark Recovery – 5 Counties but focus on Warren, Granville and Vance.

https://www.daymarkrecovery.org/locations/vance-center

 

Vance Recovery – all age groups

https://www.facebook.com/Vance-Recovery-951367328271418/

 

Back on Track – Group Therapy, Transportation, Medicaid.

https://www.substancerehabcenter.com/outpatient-substance-abuse-treatment/north-carolina-nc/?city=Henderson

 

Mens Halfway House – Staffed 24/7

https://www.substancerehabcenter.com/halfway-house/North-Carolina-NC/?city=Henderson

Granville Superintendent Howard Announces Retirement

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Granville Superintendent Howard Announces Retirement

At the regularly scheduled January Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Dorwin L. Howard, Sr. informed Board members that he had made the decision to retire from employment with the State of North Carolina as Superintendent of Granville County Public Schools effective July 1, 2017.

Dr. Houlihan, Chairman of the Board of Education, offered his reaction to the news, “Speaking on behalf of the Board of Education, we were certainly saddened to hear about this announcement, but at the same time we congratulate him on the remarkable 37-year career he has had serving the students of Granville County Public Schools and we wish him and his family the very best in the future.”

Dr. Howard began his career in public education when he took his first job as an Agriculture Teacher at JF Webb High School in 1980.  Since then, he has served as a vice-principal, principal, Director of Secondary and Career and Technical Education, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, and as Superintendent.  All but six months of his career in public education has been spent serving the students of Granville County.

Dr. Howard shared the news with staff members across the district, offering  some thoughts about this important announcement, “I am appreciative of the opportunities which Granville County Public Schools has given me since I began teaching.  As I reflect on my experiences, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to work with others throughout my career.  Each and every one of the employees has been, and I am sure will continue to be, instrumental in creating the type of school environment which fosters learning at the highest levels.”

Dr. Howard, a native of Granville County, and a graduate of JF Webb High School, attended NC A&T for his undergraduate degree, and NC State University for his master’s and doctoral degrees in Educational Administration.  He will have completed his third year serving as Superintendent upon retirement.

Dr. Howard concluded his remarks to staff by saying, “I trust that during my remaining five months with you as Superintendent, we all will continue to work together, giving our best for the good of all students throughout the district.  I pray that the future of the students of Granville County Public Schools will be bright.”

(Granville County Schools Press Release and Picture)