The festival weekend kicks off with the Butner Street Dance, which will be held on Friday, May 31, 2019, from 7 – 10 p.m. in the parking lot at Lifestyle Fitness on the corner of 16th & C Streets in Butner, weather permitting.
In the event of rain, the dance will be held at Soldiers Memorial Sports Arena located on 24th Street in Butner.
The band for the street dance is The Castaways.
The Butner Chicken Pickin’ is always held on the first Saturday in June, so mark your calendars for Saturday, June 1 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.! The day’s events include day-long live entertainment on two stages, a BBQ chicken cook-off contest, lots of food and craft vendors, kiddie activities, rides, a tractor show and a car show.
The featured band for Saturday’s event is The Soul Psychedelique.
The event will be held rain or shine at Gazebo Park on Central Avenue in Butner.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Butner-Chicken-Pickin-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-05-30 16:55:062019-05-30 16:55:0625th Annual Butner Chicken Pickin’ Weekend to Offer Food, Music & Fun
The four branches of the Granville County Library System have a full slate of programming and scheduled events for the first week of June.
On June 1, Dr. Elliott Engel will bring to life “The Inimitable Winston Churchill.” Engel has researched numerous biographies to discover virtually unknown details of the career of this twentieth-century giant. Using large doses of humor, Engel – a resident of Raleigh and a former teacher at the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University and Duke University – will make his presentation at the South Branch at 3 p.m. The award-winning lecturer has published several books and magazine articles and has written four plays, which have been produced over the past ten years.
Dr. Elliott Engel will bring to life “The Inimitable Winston Churchill” on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the South Branch at 3 p.m. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
Best known for his service in promoting the life and work of Charles Dickens, Engel has also been inducted into the Royal Society of Arts in England and has been President of the Dickens Fellowship of North Carolina since 1980. The public is invited to attend this presentation to meet Mr. Engel and to learn more about the life and career of Winston Churchill. The South Branch is located at 1550 South Campus Drive in Creedmoor.
Also on June 1, “Teen Time” is scheduled for 2 until 4 p.m at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford. Participants can enjoy Wii games, board games and refreshments. And immediately following at 4 p.m., those interested in attending a meeting of the recently-formed “Teen Club” will have an opportunity to offer suggestions to make their local library the place they would like for it to be. Anyone interested is asked to contact Amy Carlson at 919-693-1121, ext. 212.
A “Safe Space” for teens is held on the first Monday of each month in the small conference room of the Thornton Library. This mental health support group is offered from 5 until 6 p.m. For more information, contact Teen Librarian Amy Carlson.
Teens who enjoy cooking are invited to participate in the “Iron Chef Teen” Cooking Competition. The “Dessert Edition” of the challenge will be held on June 21 from 2 until 5 p.m., but now is the time to prepare. Those interested are invited to choose a partner and join in the high-stakes cooking competition that will involve cream cheese and cash prizes. All cooking levels are welcome. Register in person or online at granville.lib.nc.us.
Every Friday at 10 a.m., the Thornton Library offers a free computer workshop for those needing assistance with basic computer skills. For more details, contact Ashley Wilson at 919-693-1121.
Story Times are offered for young children at all library branches – The Stovall Library (Mondays), the South Branch Library (Tuesdays), the Berea branch (Tuesdays) and the Thornton Library (Wednesdays). All story times are scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
Students in kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to participate in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) every Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Thornton Library. Hands-on activities and learning experiences are planned each week. Those interested in participating should call the library at 919-693-1121.
And prepare for the Summer Reading Program, which kicks off on June 20 with the theme “A Universe of Stories.” More details will be coming soon.
There are four branches of the Granville County Library System, which includes the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, the South Branch in Creedmoor, the Berea branch and the Stovall Branch. For a complete listing of events for the month of June, visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Granville-County-Library-System.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-05-30 16:54:352019-05-30 16:54:35Granville Co. Library System: Full Slate of Events for Beginning of June
Granville County Administration learned Tuesday that a proposal was included in the N.C. Senate budget for site selection in Granville County for the relocation of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Section 39.2(1) of the Senate Budget directs the Department of Administration to “select land located in Granville County suitable for the relocation of the Department of Health and Human Services facilities at the Dix Campus in Raleigh.” The Dix campus was sold to the City of Raleigh in 2015 and is to become a park. The proposal authorized $250 million to build a new facility.
To show support for the project, Granville County responded quickly by preparing a letter that was sent to Governor Roy Cooper, DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen and a number of legislators. While the State of North Carolina currently owns land in the southern area of the county, the letter of support highlights the Triangle North – Granville site. Triangle North Granville is a 527-acre business park located in Granville and Vance Counties with approximately three miles of frontage on Interstate 85. If selected, DHHS will be the first tenant on the site, which is marketed as a Life Science and Technology Park.
“This state office would be a great addition to the park,” County Manager Mike Felts remarked, “and the project would be transformative to Granville County and to the region. We are excited about the prospect of DHHS locating in Granville County.”
An emergency meeting was scheduled by the Granville County Board of Commissioners for further review and discussion of the proposal. The meeting was held on Wednesday, May 29 at 5 p.m. at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0062_granvillecountyseal.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-05-29 16:53:262019-05-29 16:53:26Granville County Considered for New DHHS Location
-Information courtesy Debra Weary, Clerk to the Board/Assistant to the County Manager – Granville County
Please take notice that the Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold an emergency meeting pursuant to N.C.G.S. §143-318.12(b)(3) in the Granville County Board of Commissioners Meeting Room located at the Granville County Expo & Convention Center, 4185 US Hwy 15 South, Oxford, North Carolina 27565 on May 29, 2019 at 5:00 P.M.
The Board will discuss offering support for Section 39.2(l) of the Senate Budget which directs the Department of Administration to “select land located in Granville County suitable for the relocation of the Department of Health and Human Services facilities at the Dix Campus in Raleigh.”
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced MARK BASS, 59, of Creedmoor, North Carolina to 326 months imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised released. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75,000.00.
On October 18, 2018, BASS was named in a one-count Indictment charging him with the Manufacture of Child Pornography. On January 28, 2019, BASS pled guilty to the charge. BASS is currently serving a term in state custody for other sex offenses against children.
In August 2017, the Granville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) in Oxford, North Carolina, and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office in Raleigh, North Carolina, received information related to the sexual abuse of an 18-year-old female (Victim 1) by MARK BASS. The sexual abuse began when Victim 1 was 7 or 8 years of age and continued until she was at least 17 years old. During the course of the investigation, agents also learned of a second victim, Victim 2, a 13-year-old autistic male, who was also sexually abused by BASS.
On January 30, 2018, Wake County Child Protective Services (WCCPS) notified the GCSO that Victim 2 reported multiple forms of sexual abuse endured at the hands of BASS. Victim 2 also substantiated that BASS took sexual photographs of Victim 1 with his cellphone, which BASS periodically showed to Victim 2.
Based on the substantiated sexual abuse involving Victims 1 and 2, a search warrant was obtained and executed at BASS’ residence on February 16, 2018. A cellphone belonging to BASS and other physical evidence was seized. Forensic investigation of the cellphone indicated that, on August 14, 2016, BASS produced at least one image of Victim 2 that constituted child pornography under the law. Evidence also proved that BASS engaged in sexual contact with Victim 2 on multiple occasions.
This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation of this case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Granville County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Belle Kessler prosecuted the case for the government.
News releases are available on the U.S. Attorney’s webpage at https://justice.gov/usao-ednc. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_EDNC.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/U.S.-Department-of-Justice.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-05-24 16:53:542019-05-24 16:53:54Creedmoor Man Sentenced to 27 Years on Child Pornography Charges
-Information courtesy New Covenant Christian Center
New Covenant Christian Center, located on Salem Road just east of Oxford, is searching for a music minister and keyboard player.
If you are interested, please contact Pastor Zelton Hunter, Sr. at 252-915-0121.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wizs_0000_Faith.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-05-24 16:51:072019-05-24 16:51:07New Covenant Christian Center Looking for a Music Minister, Keyboard Player
On May 21, 2004, Granville Athletic Park (GAP) was dedicated to the citizens of Granville County after a hard-fought battle to keep out a hazardous waste incinerator. Fifteen years later, the GAP is now the area’s largest recreational area and environmental preserve, serving as a “third home” for thousands of residents and visitors.
What happened to change the intended use of this site is the result of many concerned people – from near and far – coming together to make a difference in their community.
In 1989, North Carolina joined a five-state compact that would commit the state to site and build five hazardous waste incinerators for a private company called ThermalKEM. In May of the following year, the list of 18 potential locations had been narrowed to two sites – one on the Rowan/Iredell County border and one near Oxford in Granville County. Land for the incinerator site totaled 580 acres off Belltown Road, which was combined from nine different landowners.
A protestor stands her ground at the Belltown Road site that was once considered for a hazardous waste incinerator. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)
When Granville County residents learned of the plan to locate the toxic waste incinerator in their area, they took action. In addition to multiple local protests, Oxford attorney John Pike secured a loan from Adams Tobacco Company to purchase the 48-acre Ellok Jones farm, one of the tracts of land in the middle of the 580-acre proposed incinerator site. Pike then sold $5.00 ownership shares of the newly-acquired farmland to approximately 8,000 people, most from Granville County but some from as far away as the Soviet Union and South America. The intent was to make it so difficult to negotiate with the large number of shareholders that the state would eventually abandon the project. The idea worked. Facing multiple lawsuits and the publicity that resulted, the state was deterred from their original plan.
In March of 1999, a partnership was forged between Jonesland Environmental Park, Inc. and Granville County. According to the deed between the two partners, 48.28 acres of the land was to be used for recreation and environmental park purposes; the forestland was to be preserved in a natural state (no clear cutting); the grounds were to be maintained by organic methods defined by the National Organic Standards Board; and the Jones family’s cemetery plot was to be maintained.
On May 21, 2004, the Granville Athletic Park and Jonesland Environmental Preserve were dedicated, with many supportive residents in attendance. The Granville County land that had once been envisioned as a site for the burning of toxic waste is now Granville County’s largest recreational area, covering more than 60 acres as it grows to meet the needs of its residents.
Pictured at the GAP’s dedication 15 years ago are Commissioner Tony Cozart, Carolina Sunrock owner Brian Pfohl, Commissioner Hubert Gooch, Oxford Attorney John Pike, Commissioners Dave Currin and W.E. “Pete” Averette. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)
Due to continued efforts by county staff, local organizations and volunteers, today’s park includes walking trails, baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields, picnic areas, open play spaces, playground equipment, pickleball courts, a disc golf course, basketball goals, an educational Kids TRACK trail, an outdoor classroom space, a splash pad, a butterfly garden and many more amenities.
Phase III of the GAP’s expansion is to begin soon, which will include tennis courts, fitness stations, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, an all-inclusive play area, a sound garden and other additions.
Granville County Government has been observing the 15th anniversary of Granville Athletic Park with an online “Fifteen Day Countdown” and will soon be introducing “Fifteen for 15,” which details 15 sponsorship/giving opportunities to kick off this milestone celebration. More details will be coming soon.
For more information about Granville Athletic Park, contact Management Analyst Charla Duncan at charla.duncan@granvillecountygovernment.org. To reserve specific time periods for field play, picnic shelters, etc., contact Raymond Allen, Granville County’s Parks and Grounds Director, at 919-693-3716.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Granville-Athletic-Park-Dedication.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-05-22 16:52:392019-05-22 16:45:52Granville Athletic Park Reaches 15-Year Milestone
Angela Allen, director for the Granville County Tourism Development Authority, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the second annual “Brides on Wheels: Bridal Tour & Vendor Show” taking place Sunday, May 26, 2019.
Originally scheduled for April 14 and postponed due to bad weather, this Sunday’s event will offer an opportunity to take a scenic tour on a “bridal bus” to learn more about wedding ceremony/reception locations and available resources in Granville County.
“This event gives brides and their guests an opportunity to ride on a limo bus to view four different venues, including Granville County’s own Cedar Grove Acres, Vino Oasi, Carlee Farms and Thorndale Oaks,” said Allen.
The bridal tour will depart the Clarion Inn and Suites located at 913 MLK Ave. in Oxford, NC at 1 p.m. and will return at approximately 6:20 p.m.
The Clarion Inn will also be the site of a public vendor show to be held in the ballroom from 12 until 4 p.m.
Event Schedule:
11 a.m. Early admission for brides that have booked bridal tour and early access to vendors at Clarion Inn, Oxford
(Vendor Show will be held from 12 – 4 p.m. for the general public)
1 p.m. Lifestyle bus departs from Clarion Inn, Oxford
6:20 pm – Lifestyle bus returns to Clarion Inn, Oxford
Participants who purchase the $25 combo ticket for the tour and the vendor show will have a sneak-peek opportunity of the vendors’ wares in the Clarion ballroom beginning at 11 a.m. This combo ticket also includes a goodie bag filled with items from participating vendors. Seating on the bus is limited; however, tickets are still available.
Tickets for the vendor show only are available for $10.
“We really want to showcase all of the wonderful things we have right here in Granville County to offer brides and anyone who wants to put together a special event,” said Allen. “We want to coin ourselves as being close to Raleigh, Durham and other points in the Triangle area. With only a 30-60 minute drive, you really will feel like you are getting away for your wedding.”
Created as a way to promote Granville County as a tourism destination, Allen said the bridal event boosts the local economy, promotes local vendors and makes both residents and nonresidents alike aware of what the county has to offer.
“When a wedding venue is booked, we are bringing in people and their guests for a weekend. That can be anywhere from 100-250 people staying in hotels, going to downtown restaurants and shopping at local businesses. We are cultivating a whole economic segment all of its own,” Allen said.
Tickets are still available through Event Brite (click here) or will be available at the door the day of the event.
For more information about the bridal tour or the vendor show, visit https://www.visitgranvillenc.com or contact Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen by phone at 919-693-6125 or by email at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.
To hear the Town Talk interview with Angela Allen in its entirety, including additional conversation regarding tourism in Granville County, please click here.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Brides-of-Wheels-2019.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2019-05-21 16:57:152019-05-21 16:57:15Postponed ‘Brides on Wheels’ Tour & Vendor Show Now Set for This Sunday!
Fifteen cadets graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program at Vance-Granville Community College in a ceremony held May 14 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. After passing the state certification exam, all are authorized to work in any law enforcement agency in North Carolina.
Above: On front row, from left: graduates Kevin Allen, Taylor Inscoe, Zachary Long and the college’s interim director of Law Enforcement Training/BLET, Glen Boyd; on second row, from left: graduates Maggie Cabiness, Jonathan Kearney, Jeremy Moore, Zachary Workman and Seth Hodge; and on back row, from left: graduates Gina Chappell, Daniel Allen, Michael Bader, Andrew Spitzer, Jake Coleman, Sabrina Hoyle and Emma Britt. (VGCC Photo)
Honored as members of VGCC’s 108th BLET class were: Emma Carey Britt and Andrew Ronald Spitzer, both of Butner Public Safety; Jeremy Dale Moore and Zachary Lance Workman, both of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office; Jake Matthew Coleman and Sabrina Edward Hoyle, both of the Henderson Police Department; Seth Thomas Hodge of the N.C. Division of Parks & Recreation; Daniel Marquis Allen, Michael James Bader and Gina Christine Chappell, all of the Oxford Police Department; Kevin Ward Allen, Taylor Nicole Inscoe and Zachary Thomas Long, all of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office; Maggie Rena Cabiness and Jonathan Shawn Kearney, both of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
The class was exceptional in at least two major ways. First, all 15 cadets who began the program successfully graduated, marking a rare 100-percent completion rate for the rigorous 16 weeks of training. Second, each member of the class was employed by a law enforcement agency by the day of their graduation.
Speaking as leader of the class, Cadet Seth Hodge thanked all the graduates’ family members and friends in attendance for their support. He added that the class had learned a great deal about teamwork. “We as a group of strangers decided on this path together, and we were tasked to complete our first major hurdle in our careers together,” Hodge said. Learning to trust one another, he said the team had then become a family. “And no matter where our lives take us from here, no matter the badge or uniform we wear, I want you to always remember just what we are: family,” he added.
VGCC Campus Police Chief Sean Newton, representing the program’s many instructors, was chosen by the cadets as the keynote speaker for their graduation. He congratulated the cadets on the completion of “a long, hard journey.”
Newton reminded the new law enforcement professionals that they would be taking an “oath of honor” to uphold and protect the Constitution, their community and their agency.
“The first thing you will uphold is the Constitution,” Newton said. “You’re taking an oath to protect the rights of all people of our state and country: the victims of crimes, the general public, and those accused of crimes. In my opinion, there is no greater responsibility than this.”
Second, they will pledge to uphold their community. “I cannot stress enough how important it is to embrace and include the community in your law enforcement efforts,” Newton said. “We’ve seen a reported breakdown between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Some of it is unfortunately true, while some may be exaggerated by social media or certain biases. Regardless of the reason, we must, as members of the law enforcement community, constantly strive to better these relationships.”
Finally, he said, graduates will swear an oath to the agencies they serve. “I would like to add all law enforcement officers in general to that category,” Newton said. “Always remember, you won’t be the only officer judged by your actions; every other officer in the country will be, too. No other profession is scrutinized as much as law enforcement, and rightfully so.”
The police chief called on graduates to think carefully about the words in their oath and remember them as they start their careers. “How you embrace these words will determine how successful your career will be,” Newton said.
Glen Boyd, interim director of Law Enforcement programs and BLET at VGCC, presented awards to several students. Kevin Allen took home the Academic Achievement Award for having the top grade average in the written tests each cadet must pass. Seth Hodge earned the Physical Fitness Award for scoring highest in the various fitness tests the cadets undergo during physical training. Michael Bader won the “Top Gun” Award for having the highest accuracy score in firearms qualification.
For more information on the BLET program, contact Glen Boyd at boydg@vgcc.edu.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/VGCC-BLET-Grads-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-05-20 16:58:582019-05-20 16:58:58VGCC Graduates 15 Cadets in 108th Basic Law Enforcement Training Class
The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s 16th year of Alive After Five events will begin Thursday, May 23, from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. in Oxford’s downtown parking lot at Littlejohn and Gilliam Streets.
This year’s entertainers will be a band which began in 1958, 61 years ago, the incredible Embers featuring Craig Woolard.
The Embers boast numerous albums and single releases that span decades and continue to exhibit top quality showmanship, musicianship and professionalism. Having been inducted into the South Carolina Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame, The Embers are honored to carry the moniker of North Carolina’s Official Ambassadors of Music. They have traveled the country and the world and have performed for every event imaginable, from the highest dignitaries to the hottest back yard frat parties.
The Embers were also honored to travel throughout South Korea to perform their Christmas special “Christmas with the Embers” on American Military Bases for America’s troops in December of 2007 and 2008. They were awarded Military Coins of Excellence for their distinguished service.
The Embers are widely considered a musical marvel and have laid the groundwork for what has become known as “Beach Music” in the Carolinas, Virginias, the Gulf Coast region of North America and every beach in between. They are a true musical tradition that many Americans have listened to from childhood to adulthood. The Embers consider the genre of Beach Music as “music with a memory” and have been creating lasting memories since its inception in 1958. Simply put – Heart and Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Feel Good Music.
Today, touring is commonplace for The Embers, who regularly boast an average of 225 shows per year. They also embark on a cruise each year for their friends and fans to various locations throughout the Caribbean. And don’t miss their Christmas shows – perfect to get you in the mood for the holiday season!
The Embers are truly one of the finest entertainment experiences of our lifetime. Come to their show on May 23, and they will put JOY in your step, LOVE in your heart and BEACH MUSIC in your soul!”
Additional Alive After Five events include:
Thursday, August 15, THE ATTRACTIONS Band will be entertainers for the second concert in Creedmoor in the VanNess Chevrolet parking lot, 107 West Lyon Street, Creedmoor.
Completing the season will be Jim Quick and Coastline Band in Oxford on Thursday, September 12.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/The-Embers.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-05-20 16:55:482019-05-20 16:55:48Reminder: Granville’s First ‘Alive After Five’ of 2019 Set for May 23
The Embers were also honored to travel throughout South Korea to perform their Christmas special “Christmas with the Embers” on American Military Bases for America’s troops in December of 2007 and 2008. They were awarded Military Coins of Excellence for their distinguished service.