Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

Stovall Harvest Festival and Celebration of John Penn Saturday, Oct. 25

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North Carolina boasts three signers of the Declaration of Independence, one of whom was John Penn, born in Virginia, but married a Granville County gal and lived on a farm near Stovall.

As the nation’s 250th anniversary draws near, the town of Stovall is hosting a Harvest Festival and a celebration of John Penn on Saturday, Oct. 25.

The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include “modern-day” attractions like a cruise-in at the brand-new North Granville Senior Center, Kid Zone with bouncy houses and games, Halloween-themed activities and the customary food trucks juxtaposed with an appearance by the esteemed Mr. Penn himself, who will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage to bring remarks to those gathered.

Local historian and Penn reenactor Mark Pace will perform as Penn at 12 noon and again at 2 p.m., discussing America’s revolution, the Declaration and impending war with England.

The very first state historical marker was placed in Stovall back in 1936 to recognize John Penn.

Stovall leadership and others in the community have joined forces to pay tribute to a good harvest and to a history not shared by many communities across the nation.

The town of Stovall is located on Highway 15 North, less than 10 miles from Oxford. The public is welcome and invited to come out and celebrate – there’s something for everyone!

Here’s a breakdown of events:

STOVALL HARVEST FESTIVAL EVENT TIMELINE

• 11:00 – 11:15 a.m. – Opening Ceremony – Main Stage

• 11:15 a.m. – Cake Walk – Rural Medical Center Front Lawn

– Trunk or Treat – Stovall Methodist Church

– Classic Car Cruise‑In – North Granville Senior Center

• 11:30 a.m. – SVFD Gear Demonstration – Stovall Community Park

• 12:00 p.m. – John Penn Reenactment by Mark Pace – Stovall Library (30–45 mins)

• 12:45 p.m. – SVFD Hose Demonstration – Stovall Community Park

• 1:00 p.m. – Cornhole Tournament – Behind Town Hall

– Costume Contestants gather at Main Stage

• 1:30 p.m. – Costume Contest (12 and under; prizes for Scariest, Cutest, Most Creative) – Main Stage

• 2:00 p.m. – John Penn Reenactment by Mark Pace – Stovall Library (30–45 mins)

• 2:30 p.m. – SVFD Extinguisher Demonstration – Stovall Community Park

• 2:40 p.m. – Pie in the Face – Main Stage

• 2:45 p.m. – Raffle Drawing – Main Stage

• 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. – Closing Ceremony – Main Stage

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NC AgVentures Grant Program Funds Projects That Enhance Farm Profits

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NC AgVentures, a program of N.C. State Extension, provides grants to the state’s farmers and to non-profit community groups that work with family farms as a way to fund agricultural project ideas that will increase farm profits. Sponsored by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the program will award a minimum of 50 grants to independent family farms in 46 counties across the state, including Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin.

This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their farm operation.

NC AgVentures will award grants up to $10,000. Application submission begins today – Wednesday, Oct.15, with a deadline of 6 p.m. on Dec. 19.

Find details and the online application at www.ncagventures.org.

Webinars are planned Appl for Oct. 22, Nov. 10 and Nov. 24 to provide additional information about the grant program and the application process.

The presentations are the same at all three workshops. Click the links below to register.

October 22, 2025 (4:30 to 5:30 p.m.)

November 10, 2025 (4:30 to 5:30 p.m.)

November 24, 2025 (4:30 to 5:30 p.m.)

 

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Veterans And Military Families Health And Resource Fair Coming To VGCC Civic Center Nov. 1

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November is just a few short weeks away, and the Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee is gearing up to celebrate Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month with an event on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.

The committee is hosting a Veterans Health and Resource Fair, open to all area veterans.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and there will be a variety of exhibitors on hand to provide information about all types of services of interest to veterans, from educational opportunities and financial services to employment, housing and social services.

Representatives from the Veterans Administration will be there to answer questions about claims, benefits and other services.  Additionally, Walgreens will be offering free flu vaccines to all attendees.  Refreshments will be available, too, along with door prizes.

The Committee is looking forward to welcoming all the veterans in our area to take advantage of this event.  Also, if you’re an agency or organization who has resources available for these veterans and you haven’t been contacted by one of our committee members, please contact Lyn Breisacher at 919.693.8947 or Anne Williams at 919.892.5471.

 

 

TownTalk: DMV Commissioner Offers Insight, Updates To Increase Customer Satisfaction

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When Paul Tine stepped into his new role as the state’s DMV commissioner back in May, he knew his role was largely to steer the department through some upgrades and challenges that presented lots of roadblocks to customer service. Hours of waiting in line just to get in the door and impossible-to-get appointments were common complaints, and Tine said he and his team continue to work to make things better.

“Demand is certainly high,” Tine said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, “based on population and the Real ID initiative.”

He acknowledges the need for greater efficiency with internal processes, including upgrading and replacing the record-keeping technology that DMV uses. Customers expect a strong platform, he said, and he hopes to deliver before too long. He said he hopes to award by year’s end a contract to modernize the DMV technology. Until then, Tine and the DMV staff are constantly looking for ways to improve customer satisfaction.

The COVID-19 era requirement that customers make appointments is over, and walk-ins are welcome any time. Tine said 87 percent of clients are walk-ins these days, with the other 13 percent making appointments to conduct their business at DMV.

Moving toward more online transactions is helping ease the crunch at brick-and-mortar DMV offices, and there’s a new queueing system in place that allows customers to wait in their vehicles or other locations nearby instead of braving adverse weather conditions while they wait to get inside the DMV office.

“You can wait wherever you like,” Tine said, and a quick text message from DMV will let customers know when it’s their turn for assistance.

Thanks to more funding from the state legislature, Tine said more examiners have been hired – “the majority of those people in 30 days,” he said. The department is clearing a backlog of employee training by shifting to “in the field” training, which allows employees to serve while they are learning, he said.

Having third-party contractors step in to provide services is proving to be beneficial, too. There are self-serve kiosks in selected areas of the state, and a recent announcement that teen drivers can take their driving tests with a driver education group are just two examples of this partnership.

“We’re hoping to have that first certificate coming in the office any day,” Tine said.

The vast majority of North Carolinians will have to conduct business with the DMV at some time or another, and Tine said he’s sure about one thing:

“Our customers do not care about me…they care about that person they talk to in the office, on the phone, and how good our website is.”

Visit www.ncdmv.gov to learn more.

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American Red Cross: Create An Escape Plan In Case Of Fire – And Then Practice!

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– information courtesy of the American Red Cross

During Fire Prevention Week (October 5-11), the American Red Cross North Carolina Region reminds everyone of the dangers of home fires, which claim seven lives every day in the U.S. To help protect your household, test your smoke alarms each month and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes.

“Home fires don’t wait for the right moment, but being prepared makes all the difference,” said Sharonne Hayes, the Red Cross regional Communications Manager of the North Carolina Region. “When a smoke alarm sounds, your family should be ready to act fast. Testing your smoke alarms and practicing your escape plan helps ensure your family knows what to do when every second matters.”

Here are a few tips for creating a home fire escape plan and practicing a 2-minute drill:

  • Everyone in your household should know two ways to escape from each room in your home.
  • Smoke is dangerous. Get low and go!
  • Decide where to meet once you get outside. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as a neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.
  • Get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people, pets or things.
  • If a fire starts, you may have less than two minutesto get to safety. Time your fire drill and find out: What’s your escape time?
  • While practicing your escape plan, teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

Smoke alarm safety:

  • Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
  • In addition to testing your alarms once a month, change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.
  • Also check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Local Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers provide emotional support, financial assistance, and information to help families begin the process of recovery. Most of the 65,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are home fires.

For emergencies like home fires, our volunteers provide comfort during what can be the worst days of people’s lives. Learn how you can volunteer for our Disaster Action Team at redcross.org/DAT. Since October 2014, the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,479 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in neighborhoods across the country. Our local Sound the Alarm initiatives have helped save 87 lives across North Carolina by installing more than 83,600 free smoke alarms in high-risk communities. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.

If you need assistance, visit redcross.org/NC for a free smoke alarm installation.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Visit NC Farms Mobile App Helps Visitors Find Local Agritourism Destinations

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— information courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services

 

People looking for fun agritourism activities this fall can now find statewide listings through the Visit NC Farms website as the platform transitions from a mobile app to expand access for farms and visitors. The website will also allow agritourism farms to update their event information quickly.

Visitors can find information, or farms can list information, at visitncfarms.com

Launched in 2018, the Visit NC Farms mobile app helped connect thousands of residents and visitors with local farms, farmers markets, food and drink experiences and agritourism destinations. The app provided a strong foundation for raising awareness of agritourism and local food across the state, which the website will build on.

“Interest in agritourism continues to grow and visitors have even more options today,” said Erica Calderon, agritourism marketing specialist. “Visit NC Farms has always been about connecting people to the food, farms and communities that make North Carolina unique, and we hope visitors will check out the new website when they are looking to make plans.”

On-farm activities and experiences can be sorted by nine category filters, including farm visits, u-pick, farm stays, farmers markets, trails, workshops, sips + bites and special events. This helps make exploring simple and intuitive, Calderon said.

Other advantages of the new Visit NC Farms website include:

  • Free platform for farmers: Businesses and event hosts can be listed at no cost, opening the door for broader statewide participation.
  • Broader accessibility: Available on any device, without requiring a download.
  • Faster updates: Farms and event organizers can update listings quickly, ensuring accurate information year-round.
  • Industry support: Dedicated resources make it easier for agribusinesses to get listed and submit seasonal events.

 

“The app gave us a strong start, and now the website allows us to take that mission even further,” Calderon said.

The launch of the new website underscores NCDA&CS’s long-term investment in agritourism and agribusiness marketing. It maintains the program’s core mission while opening opportunities for more farms to share their stories and for more visitors to discover authentic North Carolina farm experiences.

For more information or to explore farm-fresh experiences, visit visitncfarms.com.

VGCC Foundation’s ‘Fill The Pantry’ Craft Fair Set For Friday, Oct. 10 At Civic Center

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— Information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College Foundation

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation is planning its third annual Fill the Pantry Craft Fair on Friday, Oct. 10 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the College’s Civic Center in Henderson.   The event supports the VGCC food pantry, which provides essential resources to students in need.  This indoor craft fair is open to the public.

Cost of admission will be three (3) canned goods, nonperishable food items, or paper goods at the door.

Join in for a day of shopping, community, food, raffles and giving back. Local vendors will offer a variety of handmade goods—perfect for early holiday shopping—while helping to stock the pantry shelves.  In addition, grab a bite to eat from Bun on the Run or enjoy a coffee and/or treat from The Double Shot.

“With the holiday season quickly approaching, this show is a fantastic way to celebrate our local crafters while also supporting the community,” said Angela Douglas, VGCC Food Pantry Assistant. “We are excited to host this family-friendly event and help our students at the same time.”

Sheri Jones, VGCC Foundation associate director, said, “We are supported by donations from The Food Bank of North Central NC as well as one of the local Food Lion stores.  We also do a weekly donation pick-up from Strong Arm Baking Company in Oxford and have employees who make monetary donations and product donations.  Since we are able to do our event indoors, we have moved it to Friday afternoon and early evening this year so that it doesn’t compete with numerous other events – most outdoors – that take place on Saturdays in October.”

The VGCC Foundation is still accepting craft vendors to participate in this indoor community event, but spaces are limited. Craft vendors who would like to participate should complete the online Craft Show Interest Form. Vendor fees will be $25 for a 10 x 10 space plus a donated item to be used for raffles. For more information, please contact the Vance-Granville Community College Food Pantry at 252-738-3323 or douglasa@vgcc.edu.

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Mold Issues Prompt Granville School Board Vote to Shutter Mary Potter Campus

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The Granville County Board of Education voted Wednesday to close the Mary Potter Center for Education, moving Granville Academy, Phoenix Academy and Central Office personnel housed there to the former Hawley Middle School in Creedmoor.

The reason: a four-letter word. Mold.

Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne said the annual air quality testing turned up no unusual results back in May, but subsequent testing conducted earlier this month – prompted by a complaint from an employee who works on the campus – showed that 24 of 30 air samples taken and 10 of 16 surface samples revealed the presence of mold spores.

Winborne offered two options to the school board but requested that it take action at the special called meeting held Wednesday afternoon.

One option called for relocating students and staff to the Creedmoor campus, which had previously been Hawley Middle School and before that Creedmoor Elementary, for the time it takes to get rid of the mold and fix the problem before returning to the historic Oxford campus. This option, he estimated, could take up to 18 months and cost north of $6 million.

The second option called for closing the campus and relocating students and staff to Creedmoor permanently, at an estimated cost of closer to $220,000.

Granville Academy students have already switched to modified remote learning; the Phoenix Academy, housed in a relatively newer one-story metal building on the school’s campus, doesn’t have the same issues as the other brick structures where some central office staff and Granville Academy are housed.

Board Member Gwen Russell made the motion to select the second option, which was seconded by Board Member Vicki Baker and passed 5-0. Board Member Ethel Anderson was not present, and Board Member Amanda LeBrecque attended virtually.

The county office staff and Granville Academy will move first, then the rest will relocate in phases.

“We won’t waste any time,” Winborne said.

Strong Arm Baking Co. rents out the kitchen at the school, and Winborne said he’d spoken with the owner, who has expressed interest in using the kitchen in Creedmoor.

The gym on the Mary Potter campus has been a polling place, and it’s set to be put to use in the upcoming municipal elections. Winborne said he’d spoken with Granville Board of Elections Tonya Burnette. The gym was included in the annual air quality testing conducted in May, but it was not part of the re-testing. It does not have air conditioning but does have two big exhaust fans that provide adequate air circulation.

The future of the campus is uncertain, but it’s possible that the school board would declare it surplus property and sell it.

“This is a historic place, and it deserves to be honored in some way,” he said.

School board member Katrina Waters said, “It hurts that this has happened to this historical facility. But I do understand that dollars talk…I hope this is a lesson that we need to be more proactive when it comes to our facilities.”

Sossamon Announces Bid For District 32 House Seat In 2026

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Frank Sossamon has announced that he will run again in 2026 for the District 32 seat in the N.C. House of Representatives.

In a press release dated Aug. 27, Sossamon said, “I have been serving in this community as a pastor, job creator, grief counselor and volunteer for over four decades. My life is about direct service to our community and I look forward to returning to Raleigh and representing the true voice of District 32.”

Sossamon said he is running to reclaim House District 32 to bring a true voice of Vance and Granville counties back to Raleigh. Initially elected in 2022, Sossamon served one term and was beaten in the 2024 election by Granville County’s Bryan Cohn. He has listed several priorities in the upcoming campaign, which include protecting Medicaid for the most vulnerable, fully funding classrooms, safeguarding agriculture and more access to mental health services.

During his first term, the press release stated that he brought a record $45 million to Vance and Granville counties in appropriations for economic development, infrastructure and property beautification. He also voted to increase Medicaid which has improved healthcare access to rural communities.

Sossamon served on the Appropriations on Education K-12 Committee, as well as the Appropriations, Commerce, and Transportation committees. After leaving the House, Sossamon continued his service to District 32 leading the “Faith in Mental Health” initiative, a groundbreaking pilot program for Vance and Granville counties, and sits on Vance County’s Juvenile Crime Prevention Council where he has served for 40 years.

Granville County Crime Stoppers Establishes Scholarship For VGCC Criminal Justice Students

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–       Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation (VGCCF) is proud to announce the establishment of a new academic achievement scholarship for Criminal Justice students, made possible by a generous $10,000 donation from Granville County Crime Stoppers.

The newly created Granville County Crime Stoppers Criminal Justice Academic Achievement Scholarship will support and encourage students pursuing careers in criminal justice. This contribution reflects Crime Stoppers’ ongoing commitment to crime prevention and community development through education.

“We are deeply grateful to Granville County Crime Stoppers for investing in the future of our students and our community,” said VGCC Foundation Executive Director Tanya Weary. “This scholarship will help remove financial barriers and empower students who are passionate about making a positive impact through criminal justice.”

The scholarship is available to qualified students currently enrolled in VGCC’s Criminal Justice Technology program who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to public service. Interested students may apply now at vgcc.academicworks.com.

 

Granville County Crime Stoppers continues to be a vital partner in making our community a safer place to live and work. This scholarship further strengthens their mission by supporting the next generation of criminal justice professionals.

 

For more information about The VGCC Foundation, contact 252.738.3264 or foundation@vgcc.edu.

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