Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

11th Annual “Granville Ambulance Chase” Mar. 15

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— courtesy of Lauren B. Roberson, Granville Health System Marketing & Foundation Director

The 11th Annual Granville Ambulance Chase and Food Truck Rodeo is headed to Oxford on Saturday, Mar. 15, 2025, in the heart of downtown Oxford. Sponsored by Granville Health System, this event combines fitness, family fun and community celebration and features races for all skill levels – not to mention live music and a diverse lineup of food trucks.

The races begin at 11 a.m. and include a 10k, 5k, 5k Fun Run, 1-Mile Family Walk, and a Kids Dash.  A Food Truck Rodeo and live music will be at the finish line, ready for racers and onlookers to enjoy.

Race Schedule:

  • 11 am: 10k Competitive Race Starts on Main Street
    • This is a USA Track & Field Certified Course Race
    • Participants must maintain a 12 minute / mile pace

 

  • 11:20 am: 5k Competitive Race Starts on Main Street
    • This is a USA Track & Field Certified Course Race

 

  • 11:25 am: 5K Fun Run starts on Main Street
    • perfect for those prioritizing enjoyment over race time.

 

  • 11:40 am: 1-Mile Family Walk begins on Main Street
    • Bring the entire family for a walk through beautiful downtown Oxford.

 

  • 12:30 pm:  Kids Dash begins at Littlejohn Street
    • A quick dash down Littlejohn gives your little ones the chance to cross the finish line.
    • Free of charge for children.

 

  • 11 am -2 pm: Food Truck Rodeo in Littlejohn Parking Lot
    •  **Free Admission**
    • Live music will begin at 12 noon

Registration Costs:

  • 10K: $45 pre-registered, $50 same-day registration
  • 5K: $35 pre-registered, $40 same-day registration
  • 1-Mile Family Walk: $25 pre-registered, $30 same-day registration

Group rates available for groups of 10 or more.

Registration fee includes a race T-shirt for the first 400 registered participants and awards for top finishers. Online registration can be found at www.ghsAmbulanceChase.org.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For details, contact Lauren Roberson, GHS Foundation Director, at 919.690.2148.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Granville Health System Foundation, supporting its mission to enhance healthcare services and resources in Granville County.

 

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Creates VGCC Presidential Scholarship With $25K Donation

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– information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

 

The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation has established a Presidential Scholar Award with a $25,000 donation to the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation.

As a result of this donation to The VGCC Foundation, a $1,250 scholarship will be awarded to a student each year, beginning with the Fall 2025 semester. This is the fifth scholarship that the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation has established at VGCC to support a well-educated healthcare workforce, according to VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

“We are immensely grateful for the generosity of the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation,” said Tanya Weary, Executive Director of The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation. “This newly created scholarship will make a significant impact on the lives of students by enabling them to pursue their educational dreams at Vance-Granville Community College.”

The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is a non-profit regional grant-making organization that supports and invests in initiatives that result in immediate and long-term improvement in the health status of the region. The organization focuses on Vance, Warren, Franklin and Granville counties – the same four counties served by VGCC. It was established in 2011 as the successor to the Maria Parham Healthcare Foundation.

The VGCC Foundation has more than 300 endowed scholarships for students—awarding more endowed scholarships than any other program of its kind in North Carolina. In addition to providing scholarships and emergency assistance to deserving students, VGCCF supports a broad range of special projects involving education, training, and economic development in our community.

Individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups and churches have endowed scholarships, as well as VGCC faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation have been used to honor or remember a person, group, busines or industry with a lasting gift to education.

To learn more about The VGCC Foundation, contact 252.738.3264 or foundation@vgcc.edu. For information about other scholarships available to Vance-Granville Community College students, please visit www.vgcc.edu/fao/scholarships.

Granville Human Relations Commission Hosts Annual MLK Jr. Program Jan. 20

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The Granville County Human Relations Commission will host its annual fellowship breakfast and program to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 9:30 a.m.  on Monday, Jan. 20 at Oxford Baptist Church, 147 Main St., Oxford.

Tickets are free, but are required for entry. Contact the Granville County Administration Office at 919.693.5240 to request tickets to the event or email jessica.todd@granvillecounty.org.

In addition to the breakfast, a program titled “Continuing the Dream: How Has Dr. King’s Legacy Inspired Me Today?” will feature readings by the winners of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest. This year’s contest entries came from G.C. Hawley Middle School, Granville Early College, and J.F. Webb High School.

Town of Butner Mayor Dr. Linda Jordon will serve as the keynote speaker and there will be musical performances by Tim Johnson and Benaiah Adesoji.

The event will also serve as a donation drive for Area Congregations in Ministry and attendees are encouraged to bring high-need items like deluxe-types of macaroni and cheese, tuna, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, packaged meals, canned soup, spaghetti sauces,  tomato products, crackers, lunch-box items, condiments, personal care items, paper products, diapers,  cleaning products or any non-perishable food items.

The Granville County Human Relations Commission invites the community to celebrate diversity and unity while honoring the academic achievement and writing talent of local students.

Brad Knott Sworn In As Congressman Representing N.C. District 13

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Brad Knott took the oath of office last week to become North Carolina’s congressman representing the 13th Congressional District, comprised of eight counties, including Granville and Franklin counties.

“It is an honor to now serve as the representative for North Carolina’s 13th District. I am both excited and eager to begin working for stronger law enforcement, a secure border, safer communities and a prosperous future for North Carolina and the United States,”  Knott said in a written statement released Monday, Jan. 6.

Knott, a Republican, will serve on the House Judiciary, Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security committees.

Constituents may contact Knott’s office for assistance with service requests at knott.house.gov or by calling 202.225.4531.

Granville Health System Physician Practices Will Open At 12 Noon Monday, Jan. 6

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– information from Lauren B. Roberson, Granville Health System
The Granville Health System’s physician practices will delay opening until 12 noon on Monday, Jan. 6.
The physician practices include the following:
Granville Primary Care & OB/GYN
Granville Primary Care Butner-Creedmoor
Express Care
Granville Gastroenterology Associates
Granville Urology Associates
Granville ENT
Granville Surgical Associates
Granville Medical Rehabilitation
Granville Heart & Vascular
Granville Behavioral Health

Kerr-Tar COG Seeks Sponsors For 2025 N.C. Senior Games

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Local businesses and individuals still have time to become sponsors for the 2025 Kerr-Tar Regional Senior Games, held each spring across the five counties that comprise the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments.

Sponsorship levels include:

Gold – $1,500

Silver – $1,000

Bronze – $500

Family – $250

Friend – $100

Sponsors can choose to provide regionwide support or a specific county, according to information from KTCOG officials. Make checks payable to Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments to provide regionwide support or to your local Senior Center to support a particular county.

The Senior Games holds events in all five counties and involves adults 50 years and older in a variety of athletic events, as well as Silver Arts, which includes creative and performing arts.

In 2024, more than 223 local athletes participated in more than 50 sporting events and Silver Arts categories. Even more participants are expected for the 2025 games. First- and second-place winners qualify for the state finals, and state finals winners advance to the National Senior Games, held every two years.

For more information, contact local coordinator Michael Patterson or local co-coordinator Crystal Allen at 252.436.2040 or by email at mpatterson@kerrtarcog.org or callen@kerrtarcog.org.

IRS Reminder About Deadlines For RMDs From Certain Retirement Accounts

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If you’re 73 years or older, the Internal Revenue Service reminds you of important deadlines regarding required minimum distributions for those with certain retirement accounts.

An RMD is an amount that an account owner must withdraw annually. The withdrawals are considered taxable income and may incur penalties if they aren’t taken on time, according to information from IRS officials.

The IRS.gov Retirement Plan and IRA Required Minimum Distributions FAQs webpage provides detailed information regarding the new provisions in the law.

If you turned 73 in 2024:

  • Your first RMD is due by April 1, 2025, based on your account balance on Dec. 31, 2023, and
  • Your second RMD is due by Dec. 31, 2025, based on your account balance on Dec. 31, 2024.

 

A new law called the Secure 2.0 Act raised the age that account owners must begin taking RMDs, while eliminating RMDs for Designated Roth accounts in 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans.

The minimum distribution rules generally apply to original account holders and their beneficiaries in these types of plans:

 

  • IRAs: IRA withdrawals from traditional IRAs and IRA-based plans occur every year once people reach age 73, even if they’re still employed.
  • Retirement plans:The RMD rules apply to employer-sponsored plans, with delays allowed until retirement unless the participants own more than 5% of the sponsoring business.
  • Roth IRAs:Roth IRA owners are not required to take withdrawals during their lifetime, however beneficiaries are subject to the RMD rules after the account owner’s death.

 

Designated Roth accounts in a 401(k) or 403(b) plan will not be subject to the RMD rules while the account owner is still alive for 2024. The RMD Comparison Chart outlines key RMD rules for IRAs and defined contribution plans.

 

Taxpayers can find easy-to-use tools such as forms, instructions and publications at IRS.gov.

Wallace Vaughan Receives Order Of The Long Leaf Pine

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Wallace T. Vaughan recently was presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for 45 years of exemplary service to Granville Vance Public Health.

GVPH Health Director Lisa Macon Harrison made the presentation on Nov. 26. “We are so proud of Wallace’s 45 years of service to public health as an Environmental Health Specialist. When he began his career with the Granville-Vance District Health Department on July 16, 1979, no one could have foreseen that his career with our agency would span over 40 years, with growth and development along the way. Thankfully, even as a retired member of our team, he returns to assist part-time with the important work of Environmental Health at GVPH.”

Vaughan began his career with the Granville-Vance District Health Department as a Sanitarian I, focusing exclusively on wastewater disposal. His position changed to Sanitarian II and then Environmental Health Specialist as duties and responsibilities increased through the years. When the environmental health supervisor retired in 2002, Vaughan took over, and was responsible for overseeing all environmental health duties and the professional development of eight employees in both counties. In 2007, his position was reclassified to Environmental Health Supervisor III to accurately reflect the complex duties of managing a district program.

Vaughan was presented the award at a luncheon in Oxford, NC – his lifelong home. In attendance were his wife, Brenda Vaughan, three children and four grandchildren. Also on hand for the presentation were several GVPH staff who have worked with him over his noteworthy career.

Vaughan is a lifetime member of Tungsten Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, and he also trains Tennessee Walker horses.

Keep Safety In Mind When Decorating This Holiday Season

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Some folks have had their homes – inside and out – decorated for weeks, and others have taken a slower approach to decking the halls to create a festive Christmas look.

No matter how far along you are in your holiday decorating, however, the American Red Cross has some timely reminders about safety this time of year.

“Many people are getting ready for holiday celebrations and time with loved ones and we want everyone to be safe while doing so,” said Sharonne Hayes, communications manager with Red Cross North Carolina Region. “This time of year is a peak time for home fires involving things like candles and holiday decorations. You can help help keep things safe and fun for your family by practicing some extra safety — using battery-operated candles, checking your cords, and even practicing a two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.”

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as Christmas and New Year’s approach:

  • If you must use candles, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of reach of pets and children. Never leave burning candles unattended.
  • Check all holiday light cords to ensure they aren’t frayed or broken. Don’t string too many strands of lights together — no more than three per extension cord.
  • Ensure outside decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.
  • If buying an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label.When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees.
  • If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and keep it watered. To test if the tree is fresh, bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.
  • Don’t light the fireplace if hanging stockings or other decorations on the mantel.

Visit redcross.org/fire to learn more.

Read The Latest Updates On N.C. House District 32 Contest

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Update 12-13-24 at 2:30 p.m.

The new N.C. General Assembly members will be sworn in for their bicameral legislative session of the state government of North Carolina on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 12 noon in Raleigh.

The question is will Bryan Cohn be sworn in at that time to officially claim the District 32 House seat?

It is apparent to WIZS News that Cohn will be sworn in, having garnered more votes than incumbent GOP legislator Frank Sossamon.

In recent correspondence, WIZS News has learned from the N.C. State Board of Elections that the state board has certified the post-recount totals in the contest.

Although Cohn held a slim lead in the Nov. 5 general election, Sossamon called for a recount and lodged protests to the state board, along with several other candidates in races too close to call.

The state board told WIZS that the heftiest of protests that Sossamon filed have been dismissed, leaving no protest that would change the outcome of the election.

The decision could still be appealed in Wake County Superior Court.

Stay tuned to WIZS and read updates at www.wizs.com.

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Update 12-4-24 at 4:15 p.m.

The Vance County Board of Elections completed Wednesday its hand-to-eye recount of the precinct randomly selected last week by the State Board of Elections in ongoing efforts to determine the winner in the contest for the N.C. District 32 House seat, currently held by Frank Sossamon.

Director Haley Rawles said each candidate received one less vote as a result of the process.

Sossamon got 205 votes and Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn got 293 votes in the recount, according to Rawles.

The recount was conducted on ballots from the Middleburg precinct, she told WIZS News Wednesday afternoon.

Efforts to get information from Granville County, the other county in N.C. District 32, have not been successful. WIZS will update the story when information is available.

Update 12-2-24 at 4:50 p.m.

From the N.C. State Board of Elections

After the initial machine recount, Republican candidate Frank Sossamon trails Democratic candidate Bryan Cohn by 228 votes, 21,215 to 20,987. State law permits a candidate to request a sample hand-to-eye recount within 24 hours after the initial recount. Sossamon requested the recount.

The State Board conducted a random drawing at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 to determine the Election Day precincts or early voting sites that will be recounted by hand in Granville and Vance counties.

The Vance County Board of Elections will conduct its hand recount starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St.

The Granville County Board of Elections will conduct its hand recount in the sample of precincts starting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Granville County Board of Elections, 208 Wall St., Oxford.

Update 11-26-24 at 1:10 p.m.

Bryan Cohn maintains a 233-vote lead over incumbent Frank Sossamon. The Vance County canvass is complete, but it is unclear whether Granville County’s canvass is ongoing.

Granville County’s Board of Elections has failed to respond to any WIZS request for information about the recount or the protests filed in Granville County, but Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood posted on the county website earlier Tuesday that the Granville County Board of Elections would reconvene at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 to finalize the recount results for three contests, including the N.C. House District 32 race.

Cohn said Friday he received a packet from Frank Sossamon’s lawyer and that, of the 250 or so names listed as potential ineligible voters in Vance County – which is information Vance County’s Board of Elections swiftly sent to WIZS upon request – that the Granville County list has about as many names on it.

According to information on the Granville County website, Granville County Board of Elections Director Tonya Burnette issued Monday, Nov. 25 a statement announcing that a hearing on Sossamon’s protest will take place Monday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. at Granville County Superior Court, 101 Main St., Oxford.

WIZS does not know if the Granville recount is complete. If so, the state will actually canvass and certify the election Wednesday, Nov. 27.  From there, the protests leave open the door for the state to step in should it be apparent the outcome of the election could change as a result.

Legal briefs from the Sossamon camp are due to the state tomorrow – Wednesday –  and Cohn’s lawyers have to have rebuttal briefs to the state next week.

Update 11-25-24 at 4:37 p.m.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles said earlier Monday that the recount of ballots cast in the contest for N.C. House District 32 has been completed by her team, and that each candidate – Republican incumbent Frank Sossamon and Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn – each gained one vote as a result of the process.

WIZS News has not heard back from Granville County Board of Elections Director Tonya Burnette about the status of its recount process.

Follow WIZS.com for all the latest updates in the contest for N.C. House District 32.

Update 11-21-24 at 6 p.m. —

Follow WIZS.com for all the latest updates in the contest for N.C. House District 32.

The boards of elections in Vance and Granville counties are in the middle of an official recount, but chances are the outcome of the race will not be known for a couple of weeks since Frank Sossamon, currently trailing challenger Bryan Cohn by 233 votes, filed several protests with the local boards of elections.

The Republican incumbent Sossamon trailed Cohn by 185 votes after the Nov. 5 election; that gap increased to 233 votes after the county canvasses were completed on Nov. 15.

Since then, however, Sossamon invoked his right to call for a recount – which he did less than an hour before the 12 noon deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

However, he also filed three protests Wednesday, Nov. 20 with the Vance County Board of Elections, citing several voting irregularities that call into question ballots being counted for ineligible voters, including voters who cast early ballots but died before Election Day and voters who didn’t have the proper registration information.

Vance County Board of Elections Haley Rawles received from Sossamon’s attorney a list containing more than 250 names of possible ineligible voters based on the aforementioned irregularities.

Repeated attempts to get the same information from Granville County’s Board of Elections director have gone unanswered.

Vance County began its recount at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 20; information on the Granville County Board of Elections website indicated that its recount was suspended on Wednesday at 9 p.m. and was set to resume Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m.

As of this publication at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, WIZS has received no additional information than what is listed above in this update.